“Good
article Peter, good job, I enjoyed reading it . . . but you
did not explain why children who cannot read and write properly
are at such great disadvantage, and what, if anything,
the Ministry of Education can do to correct that situation”
You, dear reader have correctly guessed that this quote is
from one of those friends who read last weekend’s ‘VOICE’.
Crime,
especially the escalation of violent crime continues to be
a thorn in the side of Caribbean governments and communities
throughout the islands. Now that the tourism package
is at risk all sorts of committees and programmes and workshops
by young and old are being reviewed as ways and means of ending
the rampant violence.
If
I did not see, in my lifetime (assuming 70 years), the political
unification of the Caribbean I would have no trouble sleeping
in my grave. Not so for some integrationists –whose
time is spent and nearing their grave- as it regards the CSME.
They believe that the Caribbean Single Market and Economy
must happen tomorrow. The CSME is a multi-structure,
Pushing
against deadline is the worst nightmare of a journalist. I
find myself wanting more time before I submit this article.
The Obama camp is under serious pressure as John Mc Cain closes
the gap. Most political pundits predict that the VP pick could
put Obama back in contention. Although Obama, as I write this
article has confirmed he has already made up his mind on a
VP,
In
her column ‘Scales of Justice’ printed in the
Weekend Voice of 16th August with the title: ‘Canada’s
Most Wanted: St. Lucia a haven for criminals’ Christine
Larbey wrote what I suppose was meant to be a touching story:
A Police Officer saw the poster of one of Canada’s most
wanted men. Apparently recognizing the individual, he proceeded
to arrest and turn him over,
‘Education,
Education, What About Salvation’, ‘ Abre’,
‘.com’, ‘Bonny’, ‘On’,
‘Nano, ‘Cephas’ ‘Best’.
The names and phrases jump out at you on every thoroughfare
in the country, colourfully emblazoned across the front of
buses travelling the roads. These handles have become an unspoken
tradition in the mostly male world of the public transportation
system, .
As
a West Indian I was excited about what the Jamaican athletes
have achieved at the games. I felt proud of Usain
Bolt’s achievement and cheered him all the way. They
have given other Caribbean islands the courage to believe
that they too can emulate them in producing top athletes.
However, they have mesmerized and distracted us from the grimmer
realities,
Calypso
has to be the most popular musical art-form in the world.
For it is abundantly clear that any uninitiated individual,
whether in the media or on the streets, feels that he/she
is qualified to critique calypso, however baseless the criticism.
It is most intriguing that our arm-chair pundits in the media
and on the streets hardly have anything to say about soca,
The
recently reported comments of two ministers in government
(both of whom I have some regard for) concerning self generation
of electricity by hotels is cause for concern. Perhaps
these comments were taken out of context or maybe the consequences
are not fully appreciated. Let’s take the proletarian
view first.
Mr
Phillip Pierre has once again demonstrated his questionable
views mingled with a political overture in respect to the
occupancy at our hotels. Consequently, we would like
to highlight and educate the former Minister of Tourism on
matters he should have been most familiar with. The whole
world is aware of the unprecedented fuel increases,
I
am convinced that signing of the Economic Partnership Agreement
(EPA) as it is currently constructed, will eventually bring
St. Lucia right back to a similar Plantation Economy which
existed in the time of slavery. In those days the
economies of Caribbean countries were mainly run by the owners
of the plantations and businesses,
The
attention being given to the proposed privatization of the
water sector is timely, as the crucial role of a reliable
potable water supply in determining the quality of life and
the health of the population, as well as the development possibilities
of the nation, cannot be underestimated. Recently,
there have been calls for the privatization process to be
abandoned,
Some
weeks ago I highlighted the concerns of this project constructed
in the heart of the most meaningful mangrove area in St Lucia
(Marigot Bay). The Commissioner Peter Felix failed
to respond and today an extension of this project is well
on its way and further threatening the existence of the mangrove.
Additionally, the hurricane season is at hand,
Shall
we ever experience some form of tranquillity in this wonderful
world of ours? I am starting to doubt our expectations
will ever come true. It is one thing watching petty politicians
play games, but it is another scenario observing big time
politicians fooling around with dangerous toys like nuclear
devices which can virtually wipe out our world.
“Good
article Peter, good job, I enjoyed reading it . . . but you
did not explain why children who cannot read and write properly
are at such great disadvantage, and what, if anything,
the Ministry of Education can do to correct that situation”
You, dear reader have correctly guessed that this quote is
from one of those friends who read last weekend’s ‘VOICE’.
Crime,
especially the escalation of violent crime continues to be
a thorn in the side of Caribbean governments and communities
throughout the islands. Now that the tourism package
is at risk all sorts of committees and programmes and workshops
by young and old are being reviewed as ways and means of ending
the rampant violence. 
Pushing
against deadline is the worst nightmare of a journalist. I
find myself wanting more time before I submit this article.
The Obama camp is under serious pressure as John Mc Cain closes
the gap. Most political pundits predict that the VP pick could
put Obama back in contention. Although Obama, as I write this
article has confirmed he has already made up his mind on a
VP, 
‘Education,
Education, What About Salvation’, ‘ Abre’,
‘.com’, ‘Bonny’, ‘On’,
‘Nano, ‘Cephas’ ‘Best’.
The names and phrases jump out at you on every thoroughfare
in the country, colourfully emblazoned across the front of
buses travelling the roads. These handles have become an unspoken
tradition in the mostly male world of the public transportation
system, . 
As
a West Indian I was excited about what the Jamaican athletes
have achieved at the games. I felt proud of Usain
Bolt’s achievement and cheered him all the way. They
have given other Caribbean islands the courage to believe
that they too can emulate them in producing top athletes.
However, they have mesmerized and distracted us from the grimmer
realities, 
The
attention being given to the proposed privatization of the
water sector is timely, as the crucial role of a reliable
potable water supply in determining the quality of life and
the health of the population, as well as the development possibilities
of the nation, cannot be underestimated. Recently,
there have been calls for the privatization process to be
abandoned,
Some
weeks ago I highlighted the concerns of this project constructed
in the heart of the most meaningful mangrove area in St Lucia
(Marigot Bay). The Commissioner Peter Felix failed
to respond and today an extension of this project is well
on its way and further threatening the existence of the mangrove.
Additionally, the hurricane season is at hand, 
Shall
we ever experience some form of tranquillity in this wonderful
world of ours? I am starting to doubt our expectations
will ever come true. It is one thing watching petty politicians
play games, but it is another scenario observing big time
politicians fooling around with dangerous toys like nuclear
devices which can virtually wipe out our world. 
