Royal wedding and election watch excite

Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

My luvs, politics is definitely in the air, and then some! The debate it engenders can be downright fascinating or nauseatingly intellectually puerile. Despite their warts, however, some of our politicians do have their warts, but calling our political representatives 'gangs' does not advance the cause of entrenching faith in our democracy. Nor does it make for a more stable society. The society would be better served if the media were to go after those in political leadership who use that position to enrich themselves by corrupting institutions and circumnavigating processes, traditions and precepts, to serve their partisan political interests.

And in a small society like this, most people 'know where the bodies are buried'. Instead of coining phrases that cement distrust and provide justification by the real hoodlums to continue devaluing the society, let us join with people like the contractor general in ferreting out those in positions of trust who abuse and violate that which is entrusted in their care. Let us call them out instead of remaining quiet out of fear of offending, or worse yet, because we, too, benefit from the corruption.

Anyway my dears, the guessing game is now on in earnest as to just when the country will be called upon to either endorse the Government, its policies and standard-bearers, or embrace the Opposition at the polls. Smart money says it will be just after the 2012 Independence celebrations, when Jamaica, in the throes of celebrating 50 years as an independent nation, will be experiencing a feel-good factor, and the Government could then ride this sentiment to a second term.

On the other hand, some say a December/January poll would also serve that same factor, and gives the Government more wiggle room, as against holding out down to the wire where it becomes predictable and lacking the element of surprise.

Anyway, the country is now definitely on election watch.

And speaking of things exciting, the Save-The-Date reminder is out - and not a moment too soon - as the annual Busha Clarke Crab Party is scheduled for May 28 at his Paradise Park, beachfront estate near Savanna-la-Mar. And this annual fund-raiser is not only one of the west's premier social events, it has taken on national and international proportions, with guests travelling from Kingston and others jetting in from North America. More anon, as this is a definite must-attend!

spectacular ceremony

Now, it is amazing to think that an event happening halfway around the world and in the wee hours of the morning would have evoked the interest and emotion it did here in Jamaica.

Having studiously avoided all the pre-wedding coverage by both international and national media, and having convinced myself that the royal wedding had little or no bearing on Jamaica, I still cannot understand why I stayed up all night to watch the event, and not only found myself glued to the television set, but went channel surfing in order not to miss any of the wedding. Well, I also found myself questioning my reasoning for not flying to London to cover what was a spectacular wedding! Not only could I not get enough of it on television, but I found myself calling relatives and friends in London, who provided a sort of real-time commentary on the wedding, providing background information on the bride, her stylist, hairdresser, and indulging in the guessing game of what her title would be, as well as the name of the designer of her wedding gown.

I am happy I decided to stay up and watch the ceremony and preambles, as this was truly a world event, unifying people of all races and creeds in goodwill for the young couple. But, truth is, I really stayed up for the expected pomp and pageantry, and the royals did not disappoint!

It was a simply magnificent wedding, with the young prince and his belle proving equal to the star-billing the international press gave them. But perhaps more important, the couple's ease of manner towards each other made them accessible to viewers around the globe, and that made viewers feel as if they were actually participating in the wedding itself. This was one of Westminster Abbey's finest moments. A royal cantata of flawless order, not merely a celebration of the love of the British royal and his commoner wife; it was a world event embraced by the people of the world.

Then my darlings, warm birthday wishes to the graciously lovely Donna Holloway, formerly of Wyndham Kingston, now with Hershey Resorts, in Pennsylvania, and the lovely Maxine Chang Reyes, formerly of Mandeville, who both celebrate their birthday tomorrow. On Sunday, legal luminary and political maverick Abe Dabdoub; real estate mogul developer bon vivant and honorary consul of the Kingdom of The Netherlands Robert Cartade; legal eagle the fab Elizabeth Salmon; entertainer extraordinaire Laurence Sutherland, of Ocho Rios; model Glenroy March, now in the Big Apple; and north coast habitué Chrissy Wisz of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, all celebrate their birthday.

On Monday, impresario Colin Leslie; the charmingly lovely Tara Playfair-Scott; and the lovely Linda-Lee Knight will make it their very special day! On Tuesday, the lovely Megan Murray; contortionist Cornelius Edwards, celebrating in Boca Raton, Florida; the lovely Carol Boeth, who will celebrate in Toronto, as will the lovely Lisa Duggan; and the fine Grace Mebalo, in Cape Town, South Africa.

Come Wednesday, premier socialite Charles Hanna; Marc F. Pryce; and the lovely Shienne Holman will share this special day.

On Thursday, the oh-so-talented Rosemary Murray and the fab model Kaniggia Buckle will celebrate.

Many happy returns all around with champagne toasts and beluga treats!