Girl With a Purpose (GWAP)

The Windies Cricket Team Strike and Why Women are Needed on the WICB!

The Windies players hail their fans
Originally uploaded by caribbeancricket

"Oh no, not again!", might have been the retort of some West Indian cricket fans, when they heard the news of the West Indian Cricket team strike, for the upcoming series against Bangladesh.

But unfortunately, it's deja vu again!

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) are at an impasse over unpaid monies to the West Indian players who toured England in April-June 2009.

(The WICB is the governing body for West Indies cricket, while WIPA is the union representing West Indian players).

The WICB has said that it has offered to pay the players, five (5) times their regular salaries...

But WIPA is claiming that:

1) It's more than just salaries that's at issue, it's the proper insurance coverage for players when they're injured.

2) It has no contract with the WICB for this upcoming series against Bangladesh.

Well, whatever the reasons, it seems that tomorrow's match against Bangladesh might be in jeopardy, unless the WICB and WIPA can iron out their differences.

(Bangladesh is in the Caribbean for  its upcoming series against the West Indies. The tour schedule for Bangladesh vs West Indies can be found, here).

The interesting thing to note is that if the West Indian players forfeit the match, then the West Indies Cricket Board will have to compensate Bangladesh to the tune of US $2 million, as per International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket rules.

(The ICC is the governing Board for cricket, internationally).

Well, we hope that the WICB and WIPA can reach an amicable agreement, so that the WICB won't be fined that amount.

But one wonders why both parties can't seem to have a standard contract in place, that's suitable to both of them.

...Is it so hard for the WICB to be fair to WIPA and vice versa?

It's a real disgrace that for almost every other major tour, these two organizations seem to be at logger-heads over standard contracts.

But I blame the WICB...they have delayed implementing a Pay-by-Performance contract and their procrastination has been like a noose around their neck.

Players should never be paid five (5) times their standard salaries, unless their performance individually and as a team is excellent!

And the West Indies' results on their recent tour in England, was a downright disgrace!

[We lost the test series 0-2,the One Day Internationals 0-2 and just managed to make the semi-finals of the ICC twenty20 (20/20) tournament].

...with all sorts of excuses made about the weather impeding performance.

I think that it's now time for a new WICB to be established, with fresh ideas, guts and business savvy, who can negotiate in the best interest of West Indies cricket: the fans, the players, the sponsors and the West Indian governments, who by mandate, have to pump money into the management of West Indies Cricket.

Until then, we will forever be having this tug-of-war between the WICB and WIPA.

My humble suggestion - the WICB needs to include at least three (3) women, who are prudent, business and financially savvy, with guts, and who can get things done, on that Board!...

(Presently, there are no women on the WICB...just take a look at the names of all the Directors on the Board - all men!)

WICB...you need the balance of women on that Board, to help you to think straight!...

Your high testosterone levels (hence, huge egos), are interfering with effective decision-making!

Nuff said! (Jamaican, meaning, enough has been said :)).

(I would like to thank  caribbeancricket for the use of their Flickr inset picture above, of the Windies Cricket team hailing their fans).

Gillian

Sources Include

1) Article, "West Indies players threaten boycott", by Cricinfo staff -Cricinfo.com, July 8,2009

2) Power 106FM 5:00 p.m. news, July 7,2009

3) Nationwide Radio's Evening Programme - "Cover Story", July 7,2009

4) Television Jamaica News at 7:00 p.m., July 7,2009

Happy 4th of July to Our American Friends!

Macy's parade 1
Originally uploaded by Pèval

To our Amercian and American-based friends, GWAP Blog wishes you a Happy 4th of July!!

Yes, the USA is 233 years old, today...having become independent in 1776..

And you have accomplished quite a lot since 1776...you are one of the most influential countries in the world, due to your financial and military might.

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Independence Day is usually celebrated by Americans having family reunions, concerts, barbeques, parades, picnics, baseball games...

...And at night, fireworks fill the sky!

But I wonder if most Americans realize how blessed you are?

You have great governance...one that is constitutionally bound...

Your leaders can't just get up one morning and decide to make decisions that are not in your best interest.

...You live in a country where most people can make a good, honest-living, if they work hard...despite a recession. 

Hmmh!

So now that you're a year older, we wish you prosperity: spiritually, creatively and financially...

May you continue to be a nation where equality is attainable and may you continue to hold your leaders accountable for the decisions they make that affect your daily lives!

Sources Include

Article, "Independence Day (United States)" on Wikipedia.org

Gillian

Happy Canada Day, to our Canadian Friends!

P1020354
Originally uploaded by Janusz ZL

Girl With a Purpose (GWAP) Blog wishes our Canadian friends, a Happy Canada Day!!!

(Canada celebrates 142 years as a self-governing country).

Yippee!!!

According to the Canadian Heritage Site:

"Canada Day is seen as an opportunity for Canadians to reconnect with their communities and to remember their history and heritage passed down through the works of Canadian authors, poets, artists, performers, scientific researchers and entrepreneurs.

....As we look ahead, we have every reason to face the future with confidence and enthusiasm".

Wow, that's huge!

...A country that actually celebrates creativity, scientific research and entrepreneurship, is definitely going to be rich for decades!

No wonder Canadians have such an optimistic view of the future!

Well, we celebrate with you and wish you every success in all your endeavours!

The rest of the world could learn a lot from you, Canada!

Big Up!! (Jamaican, meaning, "Kudos to you!!")

(I would like to thank Janusz ZL for the use of his Flickr inset photo of Canada Day celebrations in Canada).

Gillian

Source Includes

Canadian Heritage Site

Remembering Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson

||| ▒▒ Fairytale Waterfall in Wales
Originally uploaded by wabberjocky

I was saddened today to hear about the death of one of my favorite actresses - Farrah Fawcett.

Farrah had been struggling with anal cancer for the past four (4) years and lost her battle with it, today.

Just when I was getting used to to hearing the news of her death, I heard that Michael Jackson had been hospitalized with cardiac arrest.

Then it was confirmed that he had died.

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As a child, I loved the original Charlies Angels with the stunningly beautiful actresses Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith. They played Jill Monroe, Sabrina Duncan, and Kelly Garrett, respectively.

Each week they would solve case after case that was allocated to them by their famous boss, 'Charlie', who was represented as a voice over a large speaker phone.

I was just in awe of what these three women represented to me as a very young girl.

I saw women in very powerful positions, as these 'Angels' were not only good private investigators, there were women who nobody could kick around.

And for me that was very powerful.

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Michael Jackson rocked my teenage world!

You know, Michael Jackson (Mikey J) was the only singer that I went nuts for, as a young teenager, at age 14.

...I had a large poster of him in my room...I had his picture cards... I was even trying to perfect his famous moonwalk.

Man could he sing and dance!

I would eagerly await the release of his next hit song and Michael Jackson did not disappoint...

...It seems that he produced hit after hit, after hit...winning him thirteen (13) grammy awards over his illustrious career.

His Thriller album was a testament to the musical and theatrical genius of the man.

Then I noticed his transformation into a lighter skinned being and was disappointed...

I couldn't understand how a handsome, young, black man could transform himself into someone you would barely recognize from his former pictures.

He said it was vitiligo...many thought otherwise - that he was bleaching his skin.

But his light skin was actually the result of the medicines he took to control the vitiligo which left him with blotches that he used pancake makeup to cover up.

(Please see information about vitiligo, here).

So yes, he had faults - deep faults, due to his own admission that he lost his childhood due to him touring actively from age 5 and due to his self-imposed low, self-esteem problems.

But the guy was a musical genius!

Very few singers and songwriters have had the following and impact that Mikey J has had, worldwide!

He will be missed!

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Farrah leaves behind long-time partner - Ryan O'Neal and son Redmond O'Neal.

Michael leaves behind children - Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, Michael Joseph Jackson Jr. and 7-year old Prince Michael Jackson II (Blanket).

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Please see Michael Jackson's biography here.

Farrah Fawcett's biography can be found here.

Farrah, Michael, you both lived your lives to the fullest...May your souls rest in peace.

As we'd say in Jamaica...Walk good...and may good duppy (ghost) follow you!

Gillian

Sources Include

1) CNN, June 25,2009

2) Nationwide Radio's Evening Programme - "Cover Story", June 25,2009

3) Television Jamaica News at 7:00 p.m., June 25,2009

4) Article, "Charlie's Angels" star Farrah Fawcett dead at 62", Thaindian News, June 26,2009

5) Farrah Fawcett via Wikipedia.org

6) Michael Jackson via Wikipedia.org

Happy Father's Day!

 Happy Father's Day to all our GWAP Dads!

We celebrate your love and dedication to your children...

And your continued zeal to see them better-off than you were, in all areas of their lives...not just financially.

For giving unselfishly of your time, energies, creativity and spirit...

And seeing to it that your children are properly cared for, nurtured, fed, clothed, educated and housed.

We pray that you will continue to seek God's guidance in the raising of your children...

So that you will get your "Well done, my good and faithful servant", on Christ's return to our earth.

Fathers, we salute you!

Gillian

Gregory Mair Wins North East St. Catherine Seat

Please read this post for a background to the following:

Today, was the day for the slated By-Election for the North East St.Catherine constituency in Jamaica.

The two gentlemen contesting this seat were the JLP's Gregory Mair and the PNP's Granville Valentine.

However, this by-election was low-keyed in comparison to the West-Portland by election won by Daryl Vaz in March...so much so that the Prime Minister is presently in Geneva, at the ILO Summit on the Global Jobs Crisis, due to his commitment to make a presentation at this Summit..

According to Nationwide Radio:

The Electoral Office reports that 10,041 voters (representing 53% of voters in the constituency) turned out today, in comparison to 61.4% in the 2007 General Election.

6,374 votes went to the JLP's Mr. Gregory Mair, whilst 3,667 votes went to newcomer to politics, and the PNP's representative, Mr. Granville Valentine.

Hence Mr. Mair got 63% of the votes and Mr. Valentine got 36% of the votes.

What this means is that Mr. Mair continues to be the Member of Parliament for this constituency.

Hence the seat count in our 60-member Parliament is now:

JLP: 32 seats

PNP: 28 seats.

What's interesting about this by-election is that the JLP's victory increased from 54% in 2007 to 63% today, whilst the PNP's share of vote decreased from 46% in 2007 to 37% today.

Girl With a Purpose (GWAP) Blog congratulates Mr. Mair on his victory today.

Gillian

Source:

Nationwide Radio's "Cover Story", June 16, 2009