Much appreciation

I recently had the privilege of attending the wonderfully-choreographed opening of the Bustamante Museum on February 2.

I want to publicly thank and compliment the organisers, most notably Mr and Mrs Seragh Lakasing and Nora Strudwick, for their outstanding work.

The ceremony was delightful and the audience thoroughly enjoyed the many amusing anecdotes for which Sir Alexander was well known. The Jamaica Regiment Band and Jamaica Folk Singers were also wonderful, and I had quite forgotten how much old, traditional music meant to me.

On another note, I would like to commend the Mayor of Kingston and whomever else has been responsible for the visibly improved appearance of the city. I last visited Kingston about six years ago and the improvements since then are truly noteworthy.

- Beverly N. Joy

beverlyjoy@comcast.net

Portland, Oregon

Ernie Smith's folly

Ernie Smith's recent, hot-headed outburst in Parliament about gays being violent, too many gays owning guns, gays taking over the police force, and proposing that gays be given life in prison for buggery was nothing short of idiotic, puerile and unprofessional.

For a prominent lawyer, and a member of one of the highest bodies in the land, his presentation is a classic example of the hatred spewed by people who should know better. His argument and observations were laced with emotion and not reason, and he came across as an educated fool. How can someone who is supposed to be learned be wallowing in such ignorance and backwardness?

- My Opinyon

myopinyon@gmail.com

Kingston 10

Roll back rates

I currently have a mortgage loan with one bank and a car loan with another. Some may say I have put myself in this mess but up to a year ago, I could adequately service my loans.

I recently received two letters informing me that the interest rate on both loans have gone up. This will not only impact my disposable income, which has been gobbled up by rising food costs, gasolene and JPS, among others, but is now extending the life of my car loan, which should have ended later this year.

I hear big business bawling about rising interest on their loans and the government responding by telling them of loans from China and everywhere to help, but who is going to be bailing out the working poor?

- Agatha Peart

agathapeart@yahoo.com

Kingston