Welcome to the eighth edition in the series of the Water Cooler – appears every Sunday on this blog. This feature will highlight what’s hot, topical and up for discussion.
Here we go.
Politics
What motivates you to vote for a political candidate?
Is his/her marriage really important to you?
Is marriage a prerequisite to serve at the highest level?
NO, if you ask me.
However, it appears that politicians have to be married to even start a campaign. While divorces are on an all time high, it would seem we have forced politicians in a life that they don’t personally desire and that makes everything a lie.
Most times in political commentaries we focus on family life; to say political marriages makes the candidate more normal and thus has the capacity to vote on legislations that matters to you as a citizen. Married politicians are projected to be more caring and family oriented in campaigns. Although that may be true; when it isn’t going well our ‘expectations’ force them to live a lie to remain where we have forced them to be. Being married doesn’t say you have higher moral standing than those who aren’t. What is says is that you have decided to walk life’s journey with this special person.
What say you?
Business
In a bid to stimulate the economy, the Jamaica Observer organized Fashion Night Out where fashion/retail outlets slashed their prices by large percentages up to 70% to generate high sales. Weeks ago, I had a haircut in the capital city, Kingston and at around 6pm after leaving the barber salon it was like a ghost town outside. I wondered to myself why the city was so quiet. I blamed the current economy and the recession. I should have considered that we have cultured our habits this way and this was the result. More recently, I had an acquaintance who moved to Jamaica from New York (the city that never sleeps) and after a week here he returned because the city was dead by sunset. It struck me then that we have a major problem. I appreciate the efforts what Fashion Night Out promoted and anticipate more FNOs. Over in Barbados, our neighbouring Caribbean island they have introduced legislation to have retailers open 24-7. Talk about competition and new ways of doing things. Retailers claimed the night a success which can only be good at the end of the ‘night.’
Entertainment
This is it – Review

Michael Jackson
I watched the Michael Jackson documentary and thought it was stunning. The producers of the 50 minute documentary were able to capture the king of pop in his rehearsals before he passed away. I was impressed with the footage because it told the story we heard of Michael Jackson. Now we were able to relive the intimate moments of him without the screaming fans and blaring lights. We saw the perfectionist in action, directing the minute details of his to be last tour. There is a message within the documentary for every aspiring entertainer which must not be missed. Giving your best each time is of paramount importance and ensuring your delivery – the passion will be remembered by those who see it. That is what made MJ, what he was and so many artistes today. I sat and only imagined This is it with all the lights, screaming fans and Michael Jackson delivering his final set of shows stamping This is it into history; he never got the time.
Quote
“Readiness is all.” – William Shakespear
Celebrities and Drugs
The life of a celebrity is by far no means easy. Apart from being talented, entertaining, attempting to balance their own lives and being role models to those who look up to them there are other sides to the life that makes people wonder why they crave that lifestyle. There are hardly any celebs today that appear to be leading balanced lives and if they are they become unpopular and are not recognized as such. Mind you, there are some exceptions because they have not built a career based on being frivolous.
Recently, celebs have been making rounds in the news in the worst ways possible – end results drugged deaths. Michael Jackson, DJ AM, Keith Ledger just to name a few, all celebrities who have ended up dead because they abused drugs in their lives. We must be cognisant of the fact that they are humans and they do make mistakes. That out the way, why drugs? Celebrities today are forced by the media, paparazzi and fans to constantly make the headlines. The more ridiculous or entertaining their actions the more they are talked about and the longer they live in the media. When you make your career making entertainment headlines you better top the last act to remain alive – like releasing a nude picture or leak a sex video.
The monies these celebs are demanding and controlling are vast. Not only are they commanding this wealth, they set up their own world around them – hospital, school, mall (homes) etc. In their world shut off from normalcy they command doctors, have access to illegal/banned substances and perform crazy acts to remain on a high.
MJ
If being a celebrity will cause you to end your life using drugs then it is not worth the journey. For many of the fans who laud these people finding out their favourite person in the world was taking propofol to sleep is not comforting. I think M Jackson was an idiot, his doctor must be charged but he also should carry some of the blame. He was acted stupidly to say the least. Taking drugs not only places one on a high for the moment it does what these celebs fail to understand it kills. For many of the young today who find prescription drugs hip they are treading a path to destruction – which can be led privately.
We all have a right to privacy and we all must respect one’s right. The popular saying ‘what is in the dark must come to light’ certainly is true when it comes unto celebrities and the private lives they lead. I am tired of hearing of celebrity deaths caused by drugs. They are adults and they should therefore act as such – mature with responsible behaviours. Fans should really think twice before worshiping some of these celebrities. The standards we hold them to, quite frankly, they don’t make the cut. Maybe looking in the mirror is the best solution.
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