Dawn Ritch, Contributor

The only thing I've thought trivial about Mrs. Simpson Miller as a political leader was her unwavering commitment to sports. As I said last year, it just leaves me cold.

The irony is that not long after I wrote that column, I saw a television interview with the head of United Nations assistance to refugee camps worldwide. He said that irrespective of country or race, the first thing refugees want is food, and the next thing they want is a ball, any kind of ball, so that they can play together.

I therefore apologise to her. Even though I don't support the political party she leads because they have wrecked the country, I respect her.

Any review of 2006, Mrs. Simpson Miller's first year as prime minister, must therefore note soberly that murders went down by 20 per cent, tourism earnings increased by 24 per cent.; the fiscal deficit was below budget; and, the island's exports increased by 31 per cent. There's no point saying that the figures are no good because they're fake. When they're bad everybody believes them, and thinks they must in reality be much worse than that.

As someone accused by this newspaper and the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party as having no head for details, Mrs. Simpson Miller seems to have a magical ability to get them right. She is merely modest and quiet, as she has always been. No other political leader, male or female, is like her.

Media maintain that Mrs. Simpson Miller has no vision. The results of her performance last year make a nonsense of that accusation. Furthermore, during her inaugural budget presentation last year, she said she was about "balancing people's lives". The press immediately assumed she was being shallow and populist.

Yet at that time she said: "My position is not merely political, but it is also deeply philosophical. The well-being of any society depends on the well-being of all its people. . . . We are not taking a chance with people's lives, where they may win or lose. By creating jobs, we are seeking to balance the lives of the people," she explained.

Nine-month Rampage

Here was someone saying that she intended to provide good governance within a philosophical framework. Yet the press went on a nine-month rampage saying she should read more. Whatever made them think she doesn't? Is it merely because she doesn't read their carping opinions while they pretend to be her advisers, because it might distract her from her work?

I've told her in the past that if God ever made her Prime Minister, she is the only person I know who wouldn't dig out people's eyes for all the personal indignities and injustices she's suffered at their hands for the last 17 years. I've heard her seethe, seen her take precautions, but never seen her vindictive. Character alone makes her exemplary.

I also like her approach to communication. She deals with the presidents of press associations and editorial boards both here and overseas. That lends a dignity to both their office and hers.

In May last year Mrs. Simpson Miller held her first bilateral talks with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmed Badawi, at Jamaica House. Discussed were technical assistance; potential Malaysian private sector investment in Jamaica's infrastructure, construction and housing sectors; cooperation between their ports and ours; and, the exchange of information to deal with avian flu. But she has no head for details.

No Head For Details

In June she met with Her Excellency, Dr. Michelle Bachelet, President of Chile, also at Jamaica House. They agreed on visa abolition for persons travelling on official passports; air services to facilitate better trade and tourism flows between the two countries; the utilisation of the Montego Bay hub for the transshipment of Chilean cargo to Europe; diversifying the energy base of their respective economies; and, an exchange programme for language teachers in English and Spanish. But Mrs. Simpson Miller has no head for details.

Also in June she addressed a meeting of international bankers and investors in Miami Florida. The prime minister told them that "the country was on the threshold of an investment boom", citing improvements in Jamaica's road network, seaports and airports and telecommunications.

The next day she addressed a luncheon hosted by the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington. She told them they were in danger of losing their relevance to countries like Jamaica. "If we are paying back more in net terms than we are receiving in loans," Mrs. Simpson Miller said, "Can you still be considered a development institution?" Yet media and the JLP Opposition claim she has no understanding of international, much less multilateral finance.

In July she had talks with Brazilian President Luiz Lula da Silva and agreed a US$100 million line of credit to facilitate the importation of machinery and agricultural equipment. While on this three-day visit to Brazil, she addressed the "Second Conference of Intellectuals from Africa and the Diaspora". Of course she got a standing ovation. Standing ovations have become de rigeur for her abroad.

Malaysia, Chile and Brazil are all growing economies. Yet throughout this, Mrs. Simpson Miller has had no head for details. She's lucky, therefore, that the only hard act she has to follow is her own.

The Media's Motive

I note these agreements because if I had not read the JIS 'Bulletin Board 2006 Year in Review' published in this newspaper on New Year's Day, I'd never have known of her activities. Is the main stream media trying to spite her by not reporting on them because she has a mind of her own, and says what she means?

If so, I must conclude that it is the press which is being both shallow and petty. They concern themselves with her pronunciation, her doodles, and whether or not the Trafigura money has gone back yet. If they continue to do so, to the exclusion of all else, the obvious conclusion is that they have a political agenda. This is fine, but they ought to be honest about it. Failure to be transparent will merely expose their fatuous fakery.

Over the Christmas, not only Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen was here on his mega yacht, but the legendary Beatle Sir Paul McCartney was here with his family. The future of the tourism industry is indeed luxury. Mrs. Simpson Miller as prime minister is returning glamour to the island. She began doing so when, as Minister of Tourism, she presided over new television advertising for the country and reopened the European market.

To misquote Buju Banton's hit song, the country is on its way to becoming a case of "Drivah, please stop here."