KELLY

Now I know as much about the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as I do about astrophysics.

From the basics I have gathered, the IMF lends, not gives, money to those who need it, the word 'those' referring to governments, etc. Jamaica used to borrow from the IMF and, after finally paying off that debt, now has to borrow again. This has led to much weeping and wailing among the financial analysts and doomsayers.

But let's try and be positive for a minute (I know, me being positive is as rare as hot weather at the North Pole). Having borrowed from the IMF before, we know what we're getting into this time. I'm not saying we didn't know the first time, I'm just saying we definitely have an idea of the 'runnings' now. Also, many members of the population still remember the years when we were borrowing and trying to repay. That experience will be to our advantage as whatever struggles we seem bound to encounter won't come as surprises. The young adults can learn from the older ones and the young may have new ideas to help everybody get through the crisis.

The IMF officials have also said that their loan conditions are more friendly. Again, I have no clue what they were the first time, and even if I get literature explaining the whole thing, I still won't understand it. So we may as well go back to the IMF because (a) we don't seem to have much choice and (b) I haven't heard many detractors offering up what the learned describe as better solutions. Keep your fingers crossed!

Montague

MONTAQUE

Moving on, Robert Montague is in the news again and, again, not for the best reasons. His chiding of the state of the Port Antonio Infirmary is well-known by now and the tape has been played numerous times. I think the former mayor of Port Maria had every right to be upset because the answers he was getting were unsatisfactory. But there are other ways which are just as effective, in terms of the final outcome, that don't require as much bite or potential embarrassment. Fact is, the matron must 'feel a way' to be chewed out on national television and radio. It has nothing to do with her gender. She looked very uncomfortable and looked like if the Earth could swallow her, she would have been grateful. We all say stuff when we feel insulted but I don't think she was trying to be cheeky.

I think Montague, much like Desmond McKenzie, has a tenacity to get things done that I admire. But he could have eased off the accelerator a bit on this one.

Muse with me at daviot.kelly@gleanerjm.com