Manatt, Phelps, Phillips & Golding again!

Betty Ann Blaine, Convener New National Coalition, (Gleaner Company photo).

KINGSTON, JAMAICA The leader of Jamaica's newest political party is questioning the ability of the Prime Minister to continue leading the nation in the wake of confirmation that the Government had engaged the United States law firm Manatt, Phelps and Phillips in the extradition process of Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

Betty-Ann Blaine, Convener of the New Nation Coalition (NNC), told RJR News that she is deeply concerned about the issues which are now coming to light.

KINGSTON, JAMAICA  Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great pleasure and with the greatest pride that I announce the formation of New Nation Coalition, a nationalist, political movement founded by, and grounded in Christianity, and those Christian principles and values practiced and  proven by generations of Jamaicans.  New Nation Coalition is open to every Jamaican who shares our vision and mission, and who understands the need to build a new and better Jamaica.

New Nation Coalition recognizes the value and the greatness of every Jamaican and embraces a vision of Jamaica in which every person – man woman and child, will be loved, protected and provided for, and where every person, irrespective of class, colour or station in life, will have the opportunity to fulfill his or her God-given potential.

The name New Nation Coalition was carefully and deliberately chosen.  The word New signifies a New Beginning – the dawn of a new day for Jamaica.  Nation embodies and describes the collective will, talents and gifts – the dreams and aspirations or our people, and Coalition speaks to an attitude and a disposition, but more importantly, a policy and a strategy of fostering and promoting partnerships and striving for unity across all classes and sectors of the society, including, and especially, partnerships with the Jamaican Diaspora.

ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO (ANS) -- Les Palmer arrived in Albuquerque, New Mexico several months before I did. We were both new employees at Calvary of Albuquerque. As it turned out, our offices were right next door to each other in what we called "The Cave."

Dr. Jacotte Prevalis, Haiti SWAT Team Captain and Les

And then it happened: Les began to disappear.

One day he was in his office; the next week he would be gone. A few days back and then Les would disappear for three weeks. In between all his disappearances, he would update us on his life and ministry.

As my life revolved around reading, editing, and project management, his life revolved around travel and intense ministry to others.

So goes the life of a chaplain.