your right rob.....large superpowers have always used smaller countrys as pawns in a large global chess game...jamaica is far from the first....asia, central america, africa, and south america have all been pawns at one time or another and some still bear the scars left behind. The cold war between russia and the usa had far reaching effects beyond our own borders, and many of them were not pretty. Jamaica has come along way in a short time and with any hope will continue on that path. Their people are STRONG and PROUD. Thats where their strength is and as the goverment "matures" i have no doubts that they emerge in the end as a "stable" and noteable nation. growth takes time but i feel jamaica is well on its way.

To those who are reading this and thinking of a vacation to jamaica , i encourage you too get off the resort, talk too the people who live there. I have meet many who know more about the politics of my own nation then my next door neighbors do. Take a look at the children....impressive too say the least. The culture and the history of this island is very rich.

Alright im done now and will step off the podium now. Thank you rob for this web site and thank you for the "debate". In the end we both agree on one thing.....Jamaica is a good country filled with good people and deserves a better reputation then it sometimes receives. I will continue too visit and perhaps someday we will meet and i can buy you drink.