Columnist Dawn Ritch continues to sing high praises of Prime Minister Simpson Miller.

She fails to make the connection between inept, rudderless leadership and the incompetence and arrogant behaviour of Minister of Finance, Dr. Davies. I cannot identify a Jamaican prime minister who would accept the arbitrary decision of a minister of finance with regards to the sale of slots at Heathrow airport.

Clearly Sista P ... Madam Prime Minister has taken her hands off the steering wheel or this is the highest level of disrespect to the Cabinet by Minister Davies. One is left to wonder who is in charge and who represents the interest of the Jamaican taxpayer in this fiasco. Madam Prime Minister, this is not the way to run even a patty shop.

- Vacon Smith, vaconosmi@yahoo.com, Sydenham Villa, St. Catherine

Via Go-Jamaica

Dear Editor, please do whatever you can to raise awareness about the deforestation going on islandwide. We must not lose any more trees!

We need more national parks. There's lots to be saved in Portland, that's a main source of good oxygen for all of us. An article a day keeps the trees here to stay. Thanks for your consideration.

- lucia reed, wampumbeads@hotmail.com, Fairy Hill P.O.

Portland, Via Go-Jamaica

I find it unfortunate that in the letter to the editor titled 'Ja's obsession with Africa' dated June 3, that someone would relegate the continent of Africa to third-rate status.

The 'obsession' of Jamaicans with Africa is that of Jamaica's population over 90 per cent are descendants of Africa. The letter fails to accept this fact, that whilst one's needs to embrace Jamaica's ethnic diversity one cannot forget the past of slavery and colonialism that have characterised the nation's history.

'Out of Many, one People' is independent Jamaica's motto. I endorse the Jamaican identity as being a multi-racial country but to be as naive as to say that African nations are not progressive is an unfortunate generalisation. Walter Rodney's How Europe Underdeveloped Africa may provide some insight into the lingering effects of exploitation of the African economy long after slavery ended.