Joe Issa Sees Latest US Social Media Misuse as Wake UP Call for Jamaican Employees

Mere days after warning young people against the of misuse of social media as it can backfire, Joe Issa’s fears have already been played out as the Business Insider reports that Apple has fired an iPhone X engineer after his daughter’s hands-on video went viral.

Joseph “Joey” Issa

Commenting on the incident, Issa says, “I hope it serves as a wake-up call for Jamaican professionals and senior managers who may readily allow their family and friends access to their devices containing pertinent company information, which can be unwittingly shared on social media.”

Earlier Issa, who is a member of the Past Presidents Advisory Committee of the St. Ann Chamber of Commerce, had reportedly added his voice “to those who would like to see young people use social media more responsibly, stating that it could backfire.”

He said then: “Social media can be educational and entertaining. It can serve as a critical source of information that can make people’s lives better and even save lives because of its online-time nature.

“But it is also a dangerous tool that can hurt if it is not used sensibly. The things people write about others can destroy them and their livelihood, and so can the things they do on the platform.”

And soon after saying so, it came to pass; this time for an innocent young American girl and her father for what Issa describes as “levels of irresponsibility to do with social media: the father for going contrary to company rules and regulations and the daughter for misuse of social media, which had earlier brought embarrassment, shame and suspension upon a group of Jamaican high school students.”

In the American case, a YouTube vlogger reportedly used a brand-new iPhone X given to her by her father, to show off which was precisely what the Jamaican students had done when it backfired, Issa says.

According to the article, which was carried by Yahoo News recently, “a YouTube vlogger named Brooke Amelia Peterson posted a video showing off her dad’s new iPhone X. The video, shot from within Apple’s cafeteria, showcased several features of the new phone.”

The video blew up, landing on YouTube’s list of top trending videos. It was subsequently removed and her father, Ken Bauer, an Apple engineer, fired. In a new video posted since Peterson is claimed to have informed that “Apple let him go. At the end of the day, when you work for Apple, it does not matter how good of a person you are. If you break a rule, they have no tolerance.”

Though Apple’s new iPhone X is said to be already available to preorder and will be released on November 3, and that “Apple had held an event where members of the media could use it to shoot video and take photos, the video from Peterson was a rare, candid look into an unreleased Apple device from within Apple’s own staff,” the article said.

Bauer is said to have been seen in the video using Apple Pay on the iPhone X and handing the phone to his daughter, and she walked through various features.

According to the article, “it is entirely possible that the phone in the video was a preproduction unit. Even if it was not, Apple assuredly doesn’t want its staff casually showing off unreleased products in unauthorised YouTube videos. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.”

Some of the comments on the article which are said to be consistent with Issa’s   include one blaming the father saying, “For someone smart enough to be hired as an Apple engineer, this was a foolish thing to do.”

Another blaming the daughter said, “I wonder how proud she feels now knowing that she was the cause of her father losing his job. This culture of look at me and what I have and what I can do is destructive. He broke the rules and must pay the price, the daughter blaming Apple for their ‘zero tolerance’ policy is just another example of passing the buck.”

Jamaica Could Benefit From Having Daylight Saving Time – Joe Issa

As the US state of Florida moves to within one step of making Daylight Saving Time (DST) year round, thus living up to its nickname as “The Sunshine State”, here at home the question being asked is could Jamaica benefit by coming on board with its closest major trading air and seaports.

In an interview with one of Jamaica’s brightest economics and accounting major, Joe Issa, who has studied on both sides of the Atlantic, he explained as follows:

“Jamaica does not participate in daylight saving time. We only observe the time change in countries on it and make the necessary adjustments to our business and personal schedules; we have to make the adjustments twice a year – when the clock is pushed forward an hour in the spring and pushed back an hour in the fall.

“If we opt to join countries around the world on daylight saving time we will enjoy the same benefits as they do – an hour more of daylight, which stretches the business and entertainment day and reduces household energy use; and fewer road accidents as people tend to drive less at nights. However, we will also have the displeasure of an hour less in bed this Sunday morning.

“As to whether we go one step further like Florida and don’t turn back the clock in the fall, we will have to weigh in on this. What I think is that by not turning back we will strengthen the gains from Florida as it will become year-round rather than half-yearly.

“If we turn back the clock in the fall we will lose an hour of sunlight for business and entertainment while increasing household electricity use and opportunities for more road accidents. We will also have to surrender the opportunity of trading with Florida for an hour longer – what we gain in half the year we lose it in the other half.

“I think the readjustments that will be needed to take account of the reduced business and entertainment day in other far away countries when we don’t turn back our clock in the fall, pales in significance to maintaining an hour more of trading opportunities with Jamaica’s main gateway to the US, which is our largest trading partner and the nearest by far.”

Meanwhile in Britain, where Daylight Savings Time was officially introduced following The Summer Time (BST) Act of 1916, it is said that despite bringing not only lighter evenings, but a general sense of well-being and fewer accidents on the roads – because people tend to drive less at nights – researchers discovered that BST is having an unexpectedly negative and costly impact for the National Health Service (NHS).

Recently, psychologists at Lancaster and York Universities reportedly revealed that when the clocks go forward more people miss their hospital appointments.

“In fact, patients are five percent more likely to fail to turn up than on a usual week. Although the figure may seem small, there are around 150,000 missed NHS appointments each week so even a small increase could see an extra 1,000 missed appointments,” The Independent Online reported.

But unlike all other countries on the DST, including the rest of the Eastern United States, which will set their clocks back in the fall, Florida wouldn’t this year, if the “Sunshine Protection Act” is passed by Congress exempting it from the twice-yearly time change, thus leaving it with more sunshine in the evening during the winter. Northwest Florida is currently in the Central time zone, it is said.

DST this year takes effect at 1 am on Sunday, March 25, when the clock is pushed forward one hour, and for those worrying about forgetting – set up reminders, it has been advised.

It said to put up post-it notes in the kitchen, use a red pen to circle the day on the calendar and consider setting the alarm on your phone. If you have a smartphone, check you have set its clock to update automatically.

“On the preceding Saturday evening it is also wise to mentally prepare for the crushing disappointment of a shortened lie-in on Sunday morning,” the report said. “However, if you are planning to travel or Skype someone abroad keeps this in mind that we will no longer be in Greenwich Meridian Time (GMT) but British Summer Time (BST) which is sometimes labelled as GMT+1.”

DST was introduced in the United Kingdom because it was believed that during summer it would save on energy costs and enable people to have more recreation time outdoors. However, in the fall that one hour gain is lost when the clock goes back an hour and return to GMT on Sunday, 28 October at 2 am.

World Has Love Affair with Jamaica, Country Responding with Much Improvements – Joe Issa

Few know more than Joe Issa the immense attraction Jamaica is to visitors from around the world, so it was no surprise to him when the country went on a roll recently, copping award after award from the international community, with the latest being TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice award for Best Destination in the Caribbean and the 14th in the world.

In explaining the latest accolades, Issa said in an interview, that the world had had a love affair with Jamaica and the country has been responding with improvements to all pillars of the tourism product.

Negril’s famous seven-mile-long white sand beach

Joseph “Joey” Issa

“For quite some time people from around the world have had a love affair with Jamaica, especially since the rich and famous discovered its unique attractions, properties and people and began romanticising the island in the movies. This has served to publicise Jamaica’s music and entertainment, culture and heritage, and sporting prowess, thereby catapulting its popularity.

“So whereas before the Internet people would visit Jamaica but could not share their treasured experience widely, they are doing so now on all social media platforms and, of course, TripAdvisor, which uses the comments by visitors to compare the popularity of tourism products around the world,” Issa explained.

The well-respected planning and booking website recently highlighted the Caribbean’s best islands based on the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for hotels, restaurants and attractions.

Based on the data, which was gathered over a 12-month period, Jamaica was also named the 14th Best Destination in the World.

“Jamaica is truly honoured to be once again named the Best Destination in the Caribbean and to be listed in the top 20 destinations in the world. This honour is particularly special because it is an honour bestowed on us by visitors who have ranked the services we provide them as exemplary,” Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett was quoted saying, recently.

The minister reportedly went on to say that this accomplishment is a special one for Jamaica, and is one that should be especially cherished by all stakeholders and employees of the industry who have made it their duty to make the visitors’ experiences unforgettable.

“The Ministry of Tourism will do our part to ensure that Jamaica’s tourism product is continuously strengthened and given the support it needs to better meet all the needs of our visitors. Most importantly we will ensure that our destination remains safe, seamless and secure,” Bartlett reportedly said.

TripAdvisor® has also named Seven Mile Beach in Negril the 8th Best Beach in the World for 2018.  With one impressed user reportedly sharing that the famous Negril beach is “one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen’ and describing it as “breathtaking, absolutely stunning, a must-see.”

Other world-ranking accolades from TripAdvisor® are said to include Iberostar Grand Hotel, Rose Hall, which was named the 13th Best All-Inclusive Hotel in the World and Beaches Negril and Spa the 22nd Best Hotel in the World for Family.

“Jamaica is undoubtedly a special destination and also a favourite getaway spot for the rich and famous. Most recently we have had the pleasure of welcoming music power couple Beyoncé, and Jay-Z to our island, whom I am told are here to record new music and film a music video in Trench Town.

“We also had comedian Mike Epps; Prince Harry and his fiancée, Meghan Markle; singer Shawn Mendes; Khloe Kardashian from the E! reality hit show, ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians’, who visited with her National Basketball Association boyfriend, Tristan Thompson; and singers Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez,” Bartlett reportedly commented,” Bartlett reportedly said.

According to the report, he went on to share that “the positive publicity our ‘A-list’ guests have given our island is invaluable. This proves that Jamaica remains a lucrative market for high-end resorts. I am certain that their visits will boost the island’s appeal to the world and positively impact our arrivals; thus, helping us to continue to climb in the rankings of the TripAdvisor® users in years to come.”

Reports of Humanity Imperilled by abuse of life-giving Nature Serious But Not Surprising — Joe Issa

The decline in animal species over time has often served as a warning of human abuse, and according to environmental advocate Joe Issa, a recent study highlighting the demise of the northern white rhinos is no exception, stating it is serious.

Joseph “Joey” Issa

Najin (L) and Fatu graze together (Photo: AFP)

Issa, who has stated more than once before that humans are sewing their seeds of destruction, and backed the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, emphasised the need for worldwide education and corrective action.

“It is critical that such findings be shared widely as people and governments around the world need to know the extent of the damage being done to mother earth, for them to take corrective action.

“We cannot reverse it, but we can sure reduce the impact by reducing carbon emission and taking mitigation measures,” said Issa. “If we are not climate resilient we will feel the full force of global warming.”

In this recent AFP report out of Medellín, Colombia, Najin (L) and Fatu are pictured grazing together in their paddock. They are said to be the only two remaining female northern white rhinos at the ol-Pejeta Conservancy in Nanyuki, north of capital Nairobi.

It said Sudan, the last male northern white rhino, has died in Kenya at the age of 45, after becoming a symbol of efforts to save his subspecies from extinction, a fate that only science can now prevent.

According to the report, Humanity is risking its well being by over-harvesting and harming Nature’s bounty, citing a recent comprehensive survey that warned animal and plant species were in decline in every region of the world.

Four mammoth reports that took more than 550 scientists three years to compile, reportedly warned that Asia-Pacific fish stocks could run out by 2048 and more than half of African bird and mammal species could be lost by 2100.

It said up to 90 percent of Asia-Pacific corals will suffer “severe degradation” by 2050, citing the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).

“This alarming trend endangers economies, livelihoods, food security and the quality of life of people everywhere,” according to the most extensive biodiversity survey since 2005.

 

IPBES chairman Robert Watson

 

“We are undermining our future well-being,” added IPBES chairman Robert Watson.

The report said the IPBES brought together experts from around the globe to assess four world regions: the Americas, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Europe and Central Asia – all the planet except for the Antarctic and the open seas.

The volunteers combed through some 10,000 scientific publications.

After days of intense word-by-word negotiations, envoys from the IPBES’ 129 member countries approved summaries of the four reports, which will guide governments in policymaking.

Unless humanity reverses its unsustainable use of Nature, we risk “not only the future we want but even the lives we currently lead,” Watson was quoted as saying.

“If we continue the way we are… the sixth mass extinction, the first one ever caused by humans will continue,” he reportedly told AFP.

The report quoted scientists saying that humanity’s voracious consumption of biodiversity has unleashed the first mass species die-off since the demise of the dinosaurs — only the sixth on our planet in half-a-billion years.

The IPBES reports noted that the Asia-Pacific region’s biodiversity faces “unprecedented threats from extreme weather events and sea level rise, to invasive alien species, agricultural intensification and increasing waste and pollution.”

Joe Issa Congratulates Nigel Clarke on Elevation to MP

Civic leader Joe Issa has congratulated Nigel Clarke after winning the latest by-election to represent the people of St Andrew North Western in parliament.

Nigel Clarke

 

“I think Nigel will make an excellent member of parliament for the people of St Andrew North Western. Although he is not from the area, this will not stop him putting hundred percent effort in the job.

“He is a bright and intelligent man committed to making a difference in people’s lives and their community. To me, he is worthy of his constituents’ confidence, and I am sure he will live up to it,” said Issa, who continues to give service to the St Ann parish through the chamber of commerce.

According to the Observer report Clarke, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) candidate – who is a former Opposition senator and now serves on the Government’s Economic Growth Council and chairs the board of the National Housing Trust – polled 4,448 votes from the 112 ballot boxes to the 2,812 votes polled by People’s National Party (PNP) candidate Keisha Hayle, delivering a sound beating to the Padmore Primary School principal.

The JLP leader Prime Minister Andrew Holness reportedly told ecstatic Labourites in ‘Sherlock’ — a JLP stronghold in the constituency — that they have made the party one seat stronger in Parliament.

Holness said that by the history of the constituency, represented by former Member of Parliament Derrick Smith for 29 unbroken years, and by the work of Labourites in the electorate it was always the case that Clarke would win, though that fact was not taken for granted.

Clarke, who also addressed Labourites, mentioned that there is no honeymoon period for him. He told the jubilant crowd that the work in the constituency begins today, according to the report.

“I have listened, and I have heard, and I understand your concerns, and with the support and help of all of my colleagues on the platform, I am going to work on your behalf. We went out, and we asked you to ring the bell for Nigel, and that is what you did; you rang the bell for Nigel. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he was quoted as saying.

The Sterling Effect: Joe Issa Shares Fresh Perspective on International Market Performance

Local businessman Joe Issa, who majored in Accounting and Economics from universities on both sides of the Atlantic has found new research on international market gains instructive, tagging it “a must read”.

Issa, whose Cool Group is being leveraged internationally was referencing a recent Telegraph UK article titled, “The sterling effect: you gain 40pc, but the market is only up 15pc”, which he said, “is quite instructive and makes for good coffee-table reading for investors and policymakers.”

Joseph “Joey” Issa

It said, “this may have distorted British investors’ view of how foreign markets have performed: a boost from the depreciation of sterling could have masked poor performance from the actual assets.

According to the article, the dramatic fall in the value of the pound since the Brexit vote has boosted savers’ returns from investments in foreign markets, because the dollars and euros which companies earn overseas are now worth more in sterling terms.

It produced a chart showing the differences in returns for investors in the US and European markets according to whether they invested in pounds, dollars or euros.

“Over the past two years, the S&P 500 index of the most significant American companies has returned 42pc to a sterling investor. Over the same period, the pound fell from more than $1.50 to a low of around $1.20, before recovering to $1.32. In US dollars, the S&P 500 has still performed impressively, gaining 27pc in two years.

“In Europe, the gulf between returns in sterling and returns in euros has been more dramatic. Over the past two years, the Euro Stoxx 50 index has returned 40pc in sterling terms, compared with 15pc in euros.

The disparity is more significant in the case of Europe because, while the pound has recovered somewhat against the dollar recently, no such recovery has taken place against the euro. In two years it has fallen from €1.42 to today’s rate of €1.13, slightly above its recent low of €1.09.

“The European market’s recovery from the financial crisis has lagged behind the US, and growth has been far slower. However, European shares are now comparatively cheap,” said investment analyst FE Trustnet.

The article cited a global survey of fund managers by Bank of America Merrill Lynch, which found that “the eurozone is, after banks, the sector about which professional investors have most dramatically turned optimistic relative to the past 15 years.”

“The most significant disparity between sterling and local currency returns is seen in Japanese shares. Japan’s Topix index has gained 44pc in sterling terms, compared with just 15pc for a local investor in Japanese yen.

“Japan has struggled to escape the deflation that followed the collapse of an asset bubble in 1992. Now, a greater degree of political stability, and the continuation of the economic recovery programme instituted by Shinzo Abe, Japan’s prime minister, are giving investors hope.,” the survey found.

As in Europe, the fund managers polled in the Bank of America survey are now said to be far more heavily invested in Japan relative to the past 15 years.

‘Stay Involved in Children’s School Lives’: Joe Issa Shares NPTAJ Parental Tips

Advocate for good parenting Joe Issa has shared parental tips offered by the National Parent Teacher’s Association of Jamaica (NPTAJ), urging parents to adopt them as they are instructive for getting involved in their children’s school lives.

Stating they are the country’s future workforce and communities, Issa said, “It is critical for the children’s academic and wholesome development, that parents play an active role in their school work.”

Joseph “Joey” Issa

“It gives them a sense of comfort and confidence in themselves, and this will show up in their performance both at school and at play, regarding their relationship with other children.

“Children need to feel they are loved and cared about, and nothing makes a better impression than taking an interest in their school work.  checking their books, knowing their teachers, attending PTA meetings and drilling in them the importance of abiding with the rules of the school,” said Issa, who has frequently commented on the role of fathers, in particular, in ensuring the well-being of their children.

Issa was commenting on the validity of tips offered by the NPTAJ which encourage parents to get and stay involved in their children’s school lives.

Childeren Loitering

Children taking exam

A release by the association, which was carried by the Jamaica Observer, outlined several tips and ways parents can stay involved. These included the following:

1. Attend orientation days, visit the school and meet their new teachers. Establish and maintain contact.
2. Get your hands on the syllabus, follow up on homework and ensure all projects are completed and handed in on time.
3. Ensure you familiarise yourself with the rules of the school and ensure your child abides by the rules.
4. When in doubt, seek information/assistance from the relevant sources.
5. Ensure your children get to school on time, in proper attire, and ensure they get home early enough in the evenings to get homework started and prepare for the next day.
6. Children must be home by 8.00pm, preferably earlier if not travelling with you.
7. Establish bedtimes and help set up study schedules for your children.
8. Limit television, Internet and social media interaction during school days.
9. Ensure proper nutrition is maintained at home and school.
10. Know where your child is at all times. The security of your children is your responsibility first.
11. Know whom your child hangs out with, meeting their friends’ parents, know where they live.
12. Get involved in your PTA, attend PTA meetings and grade meetings, volunteer your time, donate to worthy causes, and help make your school communities stronger.

It pleaded with parents to not drop off their child on orientation day and then go missing until graduation day.

The NPTAJ said being involved “will make a world of difference to the quality of the child’s education and growth, and will help build the foundation upon which Jamaica’s future leaders will stand and lead the world in years to come.”

 

‘Zone of Special Operations’: Crime, Conflicts Could fall in One Fell Swoop, Possibly Most Innovative Social, Business Initiative since Independence – Joe Issa

Former St. Ann Chamber of Commerce President Joe Issa has added his voice to those of the majority of Jamaicans who support the Law Reform (Zone of Special Operations) (Special Security and Community Development Measures) Act, stating it has the potential of reducing crime and conflicts all at once, and becoming the country’s most successful social and business initiative since independence.

In so stating, Issa has also joined discerning individuals and organisations who believe that crime is the No. 1 cause of Jamaica’s lack-lustre economic performance and social ills.

“Take crime away and see how quickly the economy will grow and how well people will get along with one another, as they begin to unleash their creativity, workers become more productive, businesses start to expand, more foreign investments start to come in, much more people are employed and more money rolling for everybody.

“With the crime rate as high as it is, many people are afraid of living their homes to go out and enjoy themselves or to go to work, many are not going into business for fear of armed robbery and extortion, businesses are not expanding because of the high cost of security, and new investors are not coming as they would if crime goes down.

“It is a dire situation for a Prime Minister to deal with but I am sure that his latest [Zone of Special Operations] plan will achieve the objective of reducing crime in the country. I am not going to say it will be smooth all the way because you have humans involved and emotions will run high from time to time.

“But with all the amendments I think every likely outcome would have been addressed. So as people begin to see the wisdom in the move, and their expectations of misuse of power by the security forces not realised, there will be greater understanding, acceptance and co-operation by citizens,” said Issa, founder of the Cool Group of companies.

“Some people seem to think that the Prime Minister may have taken a political risk in initiating the crime plan. For me, it is a bold and calculated move, no different to making an investment decision which you have the gut feeling will reap the rewards based on your research.

“And when it is over, it will have become the most innovative initiative to reduce crime and conflicts in one fell swoop since Independence,” Issa argued in an interview while praising the establishment of Restorative Justice Centres to resolve conflicts in society. The first two have just been implemented in Denham Town and Tivoli Gardens.

‘You Only Live Twice, but It is Not an Ian Fleming Movie’: Joe Issa Perplexed about Latest Cosmic Discovery

Science enthusiast Joe Issa, who has commented on cosmic events before, has been left amazed by recent reports of a star which appears to have cheated death not once, but twice.

“You only see these things in a James Bond movie. I have read about stars dying and stars being born, but I have never heard of a star rising from its grave; not even once, let alone twice.

 

Joseph “Joey” Issa

“According to the literature, a typical supernova explodes once and then fades to dust soon after and you will never see a second explosion, which would mean the star did not die in the first place.

 

“This latest discovery will serve to enhance our knowledge, even if only to find out that what we thought we knew about a dying star or supernova is not so after all. So there’s a need to continue this piece of research to see it through to dust,” said Issa, who is head of Cool Corporation.

Issa was commenting on a recent Associated Press article titled, “Stellar encore: Dying star keeps coming back big time”, in which astronomers reported that a massive star 500 million light-years away exploded in 1954 and apparently again in 2014.

The research is said to have confounded scientists who thought they knew how dying stars ticked.

“The oft-erupting star is 500 million light-years away — one light-year is equal to 5.9 trillion miles (9.5 trillion kilometres) — in the direction of the Big Bear constellation. It was discovered in 2014 and, at the time, resembled your basic supernova that was getting fainter.

“But a few months later, astronomers at the California-based Las Cumbres Observatory saw it getting brighter they have seen it grow faint, then bright, then faint five times again. They have even found past evidence of an explosion 60 years earlier at the same spot,” the report said.

Supernovas are said to typically fade over 100 days, but this latest one is still going strong after 1,000 days, although it is gradually disappearing.

The finding which was published in the well-respected journal Nature has been described as “very surprising and very exciting” by astrophysicist Iair Arcavi of the University of California in Santa Barbara who led the study.

“We thought we had seen everything there is to see in supernovae after seeing so many of them, but you always get surprised by the universe. This one just really blew away everything we thought we understood about them.”

This illustration made available by the European Southern Observatory in 2014 shows dust surrounding a supernova explosion.

 

The supernova is said to be officially known as iPTF14hls. It is believed to have once been a star up to 100 times more massive than our sun. It could well be the most significant stellar explosion ever observed, which might explain its death-defying peculiarity, the article said.

“It could be multiple explosions occurring so frequently that they run into one another or perhaps a single blast that repeatedly gets brighter and fainter, though scientists do not know precisely how this happens.

“One possibility is that this star was so massive, and its core so hot, that an explosion blew away the outer layers and left the centre intact enough to repeat the entire process. However, this pulsating star theory still doesn’t explain everything about this supernova,” Arcavi reportedly said.

Harvard University’s astronomy chairman, Avi Loeb, who was not involved in the study, has speculated that “a black hole or magnetar – a neutron star with a strong magnetic field – might be at the centre of this never-before-seen behaviour,” noting that further monitoring may better explain what’s going on.

As Las Cumbres – a global network of robotic telescopes – continues to keep watch, scientists are said to have no clue whether this particular supernova is unique. They say it appears rare since no others have been detected.

“We could have missed plenty of them because of it kind of masquerades as a normal supernova if you only look at it once,” Arcavi was quoted as saying, adding that “eventually, this star will go out at some point. I mean, energy has to run out eventually.”

 

‘Bidding Farewell to Legendary Sprinter Usain Bolt’: Win or Lose His Kind Comes Along Only Once in a Lifetime – Joe Issa

The legendary sprinter, Usain Bolt brings the curtain down on his career at the London World Championships, accomplished academic and businessman Joe Issa has congratulated him stating win or lose people like him come into being only once in anybody’s lifetime and that his career is the stuff of legends.

“Whether he wins or loses People like Bolt come only once in a lifetime. We either acknowledge this and treasure him, or endure a lifetime of regret waiting for another like him to emerge,” Issa said, stating, “What Bolt has done is what legendary people do…He is what legends are made of.”

Issa, who is said to have won enough local and international awards to cover an entire wall in his office, has often praised Jamaicans for their global achievements.

In the case of Bolt, Issa has praised him several times the most recent was his liking for the sprinter’s impassioned plea, “Hard Work Pays Off” and his humility and desire for others to follow in his shoes.

“There’s no virtue in bragging about your successes and holding it tightly and discouraging others from coming up to emulate your achievements,” Issa said in a May 2016 blog, adding, “I like Bolt’s plea for athletes to step up and fill the void he will soon leave behind.”

He has urged other athletes to emulate Bolt’s achievements, especially as they did not come easy and took a lot of hard work.

Just earlier Issa – who is believed to be no stranger to achieving firsts in his academic, and professional career – congratulated Bolt on winning his 6^th straight IAAF sportsman of the year award.  Claiming, “what he has achieved is astonishing, and if he runs next year at the World Championships he could extend his six-time run as male world athlete of the year.”

Soon after, he hailed the new Bolt film as “fit for the archives”, joining Prime Minister Andrew Holness and soccer icon David Beckham, who also thought it was inspirational.

Issa was also one of the many who congratulated Bolt on winning the 2016 RJR Sportsman of the year award, his 7^th  locally, since skyrocketing ‘to the world’, joining legendary boxer Michael McCallum as the most successful male athlete in the history of the 56-year-old RJR awards.

And ahead of Rio Issa said in a blog,“I back Bolt to successfully defend his 100m, 200m and 4x100m crowns in Brazil, and get the unprecedented ‘triple-triple’ in his last Olympic Games. If he succeeds, he will have achieved the most unlikely feat in the history of sports, surpassing Jamaican-led Leicester City’s recent Premier League win. I believe he will bow out in style.”