Does It Get More Mainstream Than This?

In my on going observations of once far out ideas going more mainstream I note the following political corruption case from Jamaica. The politician on trial is charged in connection with a bunch of compact fluorescent light bulbs. In the early 1990's I took a lot of CFL's to Jamaica, giving them to friends as well as using them at the house where I stayed. To say the least, slightly ahead of the curve.

Kern's status in question

Sources say PNP MP dropped from 2012 slate

BY GARFIELD MYERS Editor-at-Large South/Central Bureau

Wednesday, June 09, 2010

SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth — The word is circulating in political circles, but general secretary of the Opposition People's National Party, Peter Bunting says he cannot confirm reports that the party has dropped embattled member of Parliament for NE St Elizabeth Kern Spencer from its election slate.

"I cannot confirm that for you," was all Bunting would say when contacted by telephone yesterday.

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Spencer is before the courts on corruption charges related to the distribution of energy-saving light bulbs -- a gift to Jamaica from Cuba -- when he served as junior minister for energy in the last PNP government.

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North East St Elizabeth was the only seat in the parish secured by the PNP in the 2007 elections. It is considered among the safest of PNP seats in Region Five and rural Jamaica.

Despite a significant swing against the party, Spencer and the PNP won NE St Elizabeth by more than 2,000 votes in 2007.

The PNP has stepped up attempts to clean up its image in recent months with the establishment of an Integrity Commission charged to uphold integrity and transparency.

At Sunday night's divisional meeting, guest speaker, former National Security and Justice Minister KD Knight urged the party to select only candidates of the "highest integrity" for local and parliamentary elections.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Kern-s-status-in-question_7689395