Recent events in the U.S. and in Jamaica have many people wondering if there is a new meaning to ‘brain drain’. It appears not only to refer to those with scarce skills and brain power leaving Third World countries for the First World, but to those in both worlds who seem to be losing their brains.

How else can one explain the reaction by a large section of the American population and members of the Republican Party to the new healthcare reform law recently signed by the U.S. president?

It is unintelligent and abusive for people to react to the new healthcare law with death threats, malicious phone calls, slanderous name calling, raucous protest rallies and a general sense of disorder.

Instead of trying to find ways to improve possible flaws in the new law, which for the first time provides healthcare insurance to millions of Americans currently without coverage and benefits for those who are covered, Republicans are threatening to repeal it.

Additionally, some have decided to use scarce taxpayers’ dollars to file lawsuits to fight the constitutionality of the new law. Where is the sense in that?

How do Republicans expect to repeal this law, especially over the next two and a half years, with a Democratic president in office? Obama will most likely veto any such request, in the unlikely event that Congress approves repealing the law.

But these senseless events, red herrings really, are merely political ploys meant to intensify resentment among the population against the new law, and mobilize voters in mid-term elections in November.

Those who can look beyond the rhetoric and the fake outrage will see the core of these activities as the work of those more interested in political power, than the crucial needs of a large percentage of the population.

Has Golding come to his senses?

After months of what seemed like irrational behavior on the part Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding over the controversial Christopher “Dudus” Coke extradition affair, it would appear as if he is stemming his particular ‘brain drain.’

The prime minister told the Jamaican parliament recently that the main reason why he was refusing to authorize the extradition of Coke was because the U.S. had flouted the Jamaican Constitution by using evidence obtained through illegal wiretapping. However, many individuals and organizations including the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) think the extradition is a matter for the courts.

This seems like the only sensible action, with so many innuendos being made about Coke’s ties to the Jamaica Labor Party (JLP) and to Golding, MP for the West Kingston constituency in which Coke resides.

Golding, coming under immense pressure to end the ‘Dudus’ debacle, has decided to involve the Jamaican judiciary. On the surface, it seems as if Golding is turning the matter wholly over to the courts, but what he wants the courts to determine is “not in relation to the breach of the treaty” but to figure out whether the Minister of Justice/Attorney General Dorothy Lightbourne “has the authority or obligation to consider breaches of our laws which lead to a breach of the treaty in coming to her decision.”

Of course no one can predict what the courts’ ruling will be. But that also opens the door for more questions. If the court rules against Lightbourne, does that then mean that the court will get to decide on the extradition? And if the court rules that she is within her rights, does it mean the continued stalemate with the U.S.?

Regardless of the outcome, at this juncture, Golding’s gesture may be months late and billions of aid dollars short.

A lot of damage has been done to Jamaica’s name internationally.  It made no sense to seem to be creating a diplomatic wedge between Jamaica and the U.S., especially in Jamaica’s current economic, social and political environment. Good sense and diplomacy dictate that instead of risking further damage to Jamaican political brand, the extradition matter should be settled with the objectivity of the Jamaican courts.

Now, significant time and effort must be spent on damage control. Jamaica’s new ambassador to the U.S. will have her hands full trying to mend relationships with the U.S., and clear Jamaica’s name.

Just this week South Florida newspapers reporting on the death of Vivian Blake, former leader of the infamous Jamaican gang, the “Shower Posse,” of which Coke is now the alleged leader, stated that the gang was an affiliate of the JLP, used by that party in rounding up votes in general elections. Jamaica cannot afford to have this type of negative publicity now or at any time. Jamaicans need their government to be free and innocent of any implication of connection to any form of crime; and are hoping that good sense will prevail.