O.K. - Over the course of the years I have had a love/hate relationship with this forum. It has the unfortunate problem of having to do more than it intended to do. This forum wants to promote Jamaican tourism but that is not a simple thing. Tourism is a double-edged sword - at least double. But the bottom line is you can't have tourism if the community that serves it isn't taken care of - socially, culturally, environmentally, for example so that is where this forum has a big job. People need to know the dark underbelly sometimes for the future of TB. I have heard that the forum has come under some very harsh criticism and I want to say here that no one else is doing what this forum does and it needs to be commended for it's attempts at fairness. [edited by TBNet]

I'd be the first one to second your position Questions from Afar. This site does so much more than promoting tourism. I visit this site at least once daily and what it does for me would take an essay to describe. Along with everything else, it is a community bulletin board, a place to locate old friends, to send communique, to reminisce, to squabble, and to brainstorm ideas and suggestions. I've thanked the owners and operators many times, and do so again.

By MilwaukeeI'm not MikeyMikeMike on Saturday, October 03, 2009 - 08:59 am:

I agree that it is a valuable resource but I've stayed away for weeks because of the squabbling. Sometimes I get the feeling that the majority would prefer the tourists all go away. I know that is not true and so I return but still...........
btw, we just booked our February airfare and so we will probably return again. I worry about jet skis, planes, crime, speeding cars, aggresive beach dogs, and overly loud nighttime music. We've been visiting Jamaica for over 3 decades now and we know many other areas to visit should we ever feel our concerns are being ignored.

As a "born and grown" TBite, I can assure Milwaukee Mike that squbbling has and will always be a part of the TB psyche. We like to hash it out, then have a Stripe afterwards without any hard feelings. Rarely do we hold a grudge. So jus' tek it in stride and enjoy the vibes whenever you're there. As we say "A nuh nutten".

PS. I'm with you as far as keeping out the other stuff you worry about.

I agree Yes. As a "born and grow" Kingstonian with an application in for citizenship in TB, so wi do it there too.

Our easy transition from chat to reasoning to argument back to chat and good times is one of our social treasures.

Keeping stuff bottled up inside is not healthy for anyone or any community anyway. Lucky for us, we accept letting it out as long as the process is done with a certain grace and humour.

This forum has encouraged more of these exchanges and with a wider audience than would be possible in a local setting.