Granville Valentine, a respected trade unionist who has been fighting for the rights of thousands of Jamaican workers, made a grave mistake when he allowed himself to be pushed into political representation.

The timing was poor. He should not have made his entry in the midst of a by-election when the Jamaica Labour Party is riding high and the People's National Party has been found wanting in many areas as it seeks to rebuild and unify the party.

Valentine has opened the door to much ridicule in his field of work, that of the trade-union business.

- Arnoldo, incognito@excite.comKingston

What's wrong with local water?

The recent revelation that Jamaica is importing bottled water from the French, from Trinidad and others, makes one wonders what is wrong with Jamaica's water. Many of us are apparently still labouring under the colonial mentality that makes us feel we must have foreign water.

Our runners at the last

Olympics all drank the local water and did well. In these days of tight money, do we really need imported water?

We cherish trade and friendship with our Caribbean neighbours, but Jamaica can do without foreign water. And since we have a huge import bill, should we not be seeking more ways to use our local products?

Common sense must guide us in these hard times.

- Tyrone Osborne

kutuki23@gmail.com

Orlando, Florida

Is Shaw serious?

Where does Finance Minister Audley Shaw get his information that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has grown up? Is this the same minister who said last year that recession in the US would be of benefit to Jamaica? Apparently, Shaw does not read or watch the international news when protests are mounted against the policies of the IMF. Maybe Shaw should be more careful in his public statements lest they come back to haunt him.

- Middleton Wilson

wilsonmiddleton@aol.com

Indiantown,

Martin County

Florida