FEEDBACK

Re: 'Trip was no gift', June 23

Jamaicans latch on to anything negative. This is a non-issue and just another distraction. It could be as simple as "I'm on the phone with the travel agency, I'll just buy the tickets and you pay me back." Then the journalism - a reimbursement cheque almost a week before we know about this and it still makes the headlines.

- Rubs

In 1983, the present minister of tourism was the guest speaker at my school's graduation ceremony. While I was not a member of the graduating class, his speech has made an impact on me until now.

He spoke on the theme 'Perception', and told his audience that perception does matter and can determine one's destiny. I think he should look for this speech and share it with his colleagues.

In my humble opinion, all politicians should do a refresher course in professional ethics.

- Mccormacklindel

It's getting harder and harder to believe Mr Vaz, his boss, and the Government, and it is not because they are lying, which I have no proof of, but because they are taking us for idiots.

Come on, Mr Vaz, the date on a cheque hardly says anything. What counts is the day the cheque is lodged or cashed at the bank. We all backdate cheques at one time or another.

- Dranks

This man always try to foist his opinion on us. Who is Vaz to tell us that nothing inappropriate was done? We want an investigation. Anything that needs to be explained needs to be investigated. Plus, from past experience we know these men's words can't be trusted. They lie, they lie, they lie.

- Trevoreharris

Mr Editor, we don't buy this argument. The PM would have to show us the cancelled cheques for the other years that he travelled with Mr Seaton to Paraguay. We need to see the other reimbursement cheques by the other parties as well, and see if this could be for any favours received.

Who were the other parties on the trip? Surely, the PM must have known that this could not look good. He has to be more forthcoming to the Jamaican people.

- Wanda Woeman

People should not be blinded by what Vaz has to say. A cheque dated four days prior to the revelation is of no consequence. A cheque can be written backdated as far back as six months. The question is, when was the cheque actually written?

This is a blatant and shameless display. Bruce must be fully aware of the no-gift policy. In this case, if it looks like a gift, smells like a gift, ... .

And if what Mr Christie has stated re the contracts is true, then it is obvious that the JLP holds Y.P. Seaton very dearly.

- Callista01

The Herald, since the demand for taxes owed to the Government by the current administration, has been a blatant arm of the pathetic PNP. And there are others that have bared that kind of ugly head in the public sector lately.

If what Vaz is saying here is factual, and it bears evidence that it can be so, it is a waste of time to investigate this event. But again, as Vaz says, the PNP and its cohorts are only creating distractions that will eventually blow up in their faces.

What bothers me plenty is why those with some vision within the PNP are sitting down like they are in a trance.

- Fatherforesight

This is the smoking gun. Y.P. Seaton did pay for the PM and son's trip. The presentation of a cheque, presumably a reimbursement, only gives justification that the matter needs to be investigated.

These questions should be asked concerning the cheque: Was it a personal cheque or manager's? Was the cheque tendered or drawn post facto? What is the full cost of the vacation? What is in the vacation package, and are there other expenses which have been borne or waived by YPS in favour of the PM?

Which ever way this peters out, it is still going to smell funky because the PM should not have left himself so compromised.

-- Watchman