Showing posts with label Kingston. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kingston. Show all posts

Monday, June 6, 2016

The Passing Of Boxer And Human Rights Activist Muhammad Ali Mourned All Over The World


Muhammad Ali

Former heavyweight boxing champion, Muhammad Ali, has died at the age of 74. Ali was checked into a hospital in Arizona this past Thursday and listed as in stable condition. However, his condition took a turn for the worst on Friday. Reports state Ali died from septic shock and organ failure. His family was at his hospital bedside.


Ali won the heavyweight world title three times in his career. He retired with a record of 61-5. However, he was most known for the human rights stance he took during the civil rights era in America that saw black people suffer terrible injustices. Ali stood up to the U.S. government at a time when doing so could have gotten him murdered, as happened to other key figures during the civil rights movement, under illegal, invasive investigation by the FBI and CIA. There are offensive secret files on Ali at both agencies, for daring to stand up to injustice in America.


Ali won a gold medal at the 1960 Olympics. When he returned to America, he thought it would mean he would be treated with respect and have equal rights. However, a restaurant refused to serve Ali a meal, as it was “whites only.” Ali left the restaurant and later threw his gold medal into the river. A replica was later made and given to Ali to replace the original Olympic medal.


Muhammad Ali and the first black Miss America, the beautiful Vanessa Williams

Ali was diagnosed with Parkinsons in 1984, the direct result of punishing blows he took to the head in the ring while wearing his opponents down. Ali remained active despite his diagnosis. I cared for someone with Parkinsons for 6-months. In that time, I gained a greater understanding of the disorder than before. It is the accelerated degeneration of the brain initiated by head trauma.


Many people with Parkinsons suffered head trauma at some point in their lives and it is a common link. The brain controls the body and in that Parkinsons manifests itself in a number of physical ways. Medicine, rest, proper nutrition, physical therapy and brain training helps in delaying the progression of the disorder.

  
Tweets on Ali from my Twitter page 
 
As stated in the column previously, my parents met Ali in the 1970s when he visited Kingston, Jamaica and was a special guest at the Prime Minister's residence for a function held in his honor. My dad's friend, former Prime Minister, Michael Manley, invited Ali to the island and he graciously accepted. My parents stated Ali was a nice, charming and humorous person (Meeting Muhammad Ali). My condolences to Ali's family on his passing. I am sorry for your loss. He was a special person and it is sad to see him go.

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Sunday, January 26, 2014

Meeting Muhammad Ali


Meeting championship boxer Muhammad Ali has been a special moment for many. Recently, an Irish plumber, Tony Kelly,  who moved to Muhammad Ali's hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, got to meet the champ. Kelly was repairing pipes across the street from Ali's home and decided to ring the front doorbell to say hello.


Tony Kelly and Muhammad Ali

Ali's wife Lonnie answered the door and Kelly asked if he, the champ's greatest fan from Ireland, could meet the legend. She obliged and Kelly got to take pics with the champ and wished him a happy birthday. It's not everyday you read a story like that.



Muhammad Ali's house in Kentucky

A funny story for you. Years before I was born, my parents met Muhammad Ali when he visited Jamaica in the very early 1970s. The Prime Minister of Jamaica at the time, my dad's friend, the late great Michael Manley,  invited Ali to the official residence of the head of state. A reception was held at the Prime Minister's residence, Jamaica House, in Ali's honor and my parents were among the guests.

When you read this story, bear in mind Muhammad Ali is my dad's favorite boxer, always has been and continues to be. During the event, Ali saw my mom, a pretty beauty queen and started chatting her up right in front of my dad (LOL). Ali smiled at my mom and said "hey pretty lady" and then proceeded to ask if she thinks my dad would fight him for her.


In short, Ali was trying to nail my mama (oh no he didn't). Now, you'd think she'd say something like, "Oh no Mr. Ali, my boyfriend standing next to me is the love of my life" (and he is). Well, she didn't! My mama stood there smiling and grinning up with Ali (oh no she didn't).

My dad is a tall, strong, well toned athlete,who played professional football (soccer)...so basically, yea, Ali would have kicked my dad's butt. So my dad smiled and agreed with whatever Ali said (haha I don't blame you daddy, cause I wouldn't get knocked out for anyone either).

My dad took it as a compliment that his favorite boxer said his girlfriend is "pretty" enough to fight for (but he would have kicked your butt though, daddy. I'm just saying haha!). To this day when people talk about Ali my mom gets this smile on her face...and I look at her with side eye. I can't believe she did that to my daddy! Just shameless (LOL).

STORY SOURCE

Muhammad Ali: Plumber knocks on boxing great's door, wishes him happy birthday 
 
January 23, 2014 - Meeting a legend in the sports world is something that many people don't get to do in their lifetime. Having a boxing legend open the door when you knock on it and being able to wish him a "happy birthday" is unheard of. Yahoo Sports reported on Jan. 22, 2014, that's exactly what a plumber got to do when he met Muhammad Ali...

Kelly went over, knocked on the door, and it was answered by Muhammad Ali's wife, Lonnie. “We were working last Friday and some of my workmates said that Muhammad Ali in the house across the street. I thought it was a wind-up so I decided to call their bluff. “I knocked on the door and Ali's wife Yolanda answered and I just asked would it be possible for one of his greatest fans from Ireland to meet him. “She said 'Of course' and invited me in and there he was (Ali) sitting in the living room. Upon going in, Kelly visited briefly with Ali, got a picture with the champ, and wished him a "happy birthday."...


Saturday, June 26, 2010

Dudus Extradited To America


Alleged Jamaican drug suspect, Christopher Michael Coke, also known as Dudus, was extradited to America yesterday. He was apprehended by the Jamaican government at a security check point, on his way to turning himself in at the U.S. Embassy, driven by Reverend Al Miller.

Christopher Michael Coke on helicopter flight headed for New York in America

The Jamaican military and police removed him from the car and placed him under arrest. Dudus waived his right to extradition and was then turned over to the U.S. government, who were waiting with a helicopter to transport him to New York in the United States of America .

Dudus initially wished to fight the extradition and became a fugitive. However, yesterday he waived his right to extradition, which could have allowed him to stay in Jamaica and exhaust the appeals process for 2-3 years, delaying his removal from the island.

After waiving his right to extradition, he formally apologized to the Jamaican people for all the turmoil and bloodshed his extradition caused. The U.S. Department of Justice also owes the Jamaican people an apology for how the matter was handled, the DOJ sponsored defamation of the island and for brushing off warnings there could be many casualties, with 76 people later dying. However, they simply did not care, as it was a failed attempt to overthrow the Jamaican government and destabilize the economy.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Dudus Turns Himself In To Jamaican Police

Attorney General Eric Holder, head of the Department Of Justice

Jamaican Drug suspect, Christopher Michael Coke A/K/A "Dudus" turned himself into police on the island, as he is wanted for extradition to the United States. Thank God, as it will put an end to the manhunt and national distress on the island. As mentioned on the site previously, people in Jamaica were imploring him to surrender.

The U.S. government publicly labeled "Dudus" one of the most dangerous criminals in the world, formally demanded his extradition using shoddy, unlawful wiretaps and got 73 people on the island killed, including police and military.

However, as the Observer newspaper in Jamaica pointed out recently, the Department of Justice, only offered a $20,000 reward for him. That is a paltry sum, in light of the Department of Justice's allegations.

The U.S. government has referred to Osama Bin Laden as one of the most dangerous criminals in the world as well, yet offered a significantly higher reward of $20,000,000 for information leading to his capture.

Therefore, to class "Dudus" as one of the world's worst, yet offer so little reward money, contradicts the U.S. government's claims regarding this man.

"Dudus"

I'm not stating "Dudus" is innocent, as I have strong doubts about that, based on what I have read. If he is innocent as he claims, he can plead his case in court, as the Judiciary Report maintained from the beginning. But one has to wonder about the disparities regarding the Department of Justice's claims in light of the relatively low reward.

The true motivation for the "Dudus" extradition was upending the Jamaican government and throwing the nation into chaos and financial despair. As if the financial crisis of 2008 that began in America, thanks to the FBI and SEC's criminal negligence and corruption and spread to the rest of the world, did not cause enough devastation in the Caribbean as well, Obama has topped up the damage (tourism). But now that he is in custody, recovery can begin.

In closing, next time listen to people when they state innocents could die if you handle government matters incorrectly. 76 people are dead because of this fiasco and it is a black mark on your presidency that will not be forgotten.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

American Airlines Plane Crashes In Jamaica With No Fatalities

Christmas is a season where Jamaicans typically return to the island for a number of fun festivities. An American Airlines plane originating in Washington and stopping over in Miami, Florida, en route to Kingston Jamaica, the nation's capital, crashed while attempting to land on the runway at Norman Manley International Airport.

According to the Jamaican Security Minister, Daryl Vaz, the plane was mostly comprised of Jamaicans on their way home for the holidays.

Preliminary reports suggest, something was wrong with the plane, as it landed at an accelerated speed, crashed through a fence, began to break apart, one of the engines fell off, the fuselage split into three pieces, the aircraft skidded across a public road and stopped 10 feet from the Caribbean sea, due to a small sand hill bordering the ocean. Now that's a crash landing. That pilot totally drives like one of my friends (kidding).

40 people sustained minor injuries, including the pilot, whose arm was broken in the crash landing. It was miraculous no one died and they have to thank the Lord for that. I never take flying for granted and pray before I go to the airport.

Passengers from the crashed plane

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Usain Bolt Honored In Jamaica

Video: Usain Bolt returns home for a well deserved rest - ITN NEWS

The Jamaican government has awarded gold medalist, Usain Bolt, the Order of Jamaica, officially making him an honourable. The government has also given him an ambassadorship, in addition to renaming Highway 2000 after him as well.

Usain Bolt

Congrats to Usain, well done, but I have a question. Does this mean we have to pay Usain a toll when we get on the Highway. Just kidding.

Jamaica honors Bolt with ambassadorship, highway

Tue Sep 15, 2009 7:55pm EDT - KINGSTON (Reuters) - Jamaica will grant diplomatic privileges to triple Olympic and world champion sprinter Usain Bolt and name a highway after him, Prime Minister Bruce Golding said on Tuesday.

Golding said Bolt's extraordinary performance for Jamaica had earned him the right to be called "ambassador" with full diplomatic privileges, including a diplomatic passport.

Highway 2000, linking several of the Caribbean island's key cities, will be renamed the Usain Bolt Highway and the runner will be given Jamaica's fourth highest national award, Golding announced in Parliament.

"I have advised the governor general to confer on Mr. Bolt the Order of Jamaica for his outstanding achievements for Jamaica at the highest level of athletic competition," Golding said...

http://www.reuters.com