I was watching the OPEN PAKI show and have the following questions.
Did the posturing as potential candidate for Orange Walk East feel that since he was appointed to the BNE Trust by the government then he should be Trusted? How novel.
The other person in charge at the trust is calling OW a home. Was there any clarification as to the contents of this website?
Yerwood turmoil is reflected in internal e-mails
http://www.topix.com/forum/city/stamford-ct/TD2KUR23GS7PTET9I
So from Appeals Court to SSB to UN Ambassador to Central Bank to BTL to BNE Trust, wow the nepotism is rampant.
Wow what a platform of transparency. Maybe all is transparent for the Prime Minister now. Next will be our phone calls...well officially.
Showing posts with label Belize. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Belize. Show all posts
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
The Return of the Dinosaurs to the Monster BTL
Manuel Esquivel and Nestor Vasquez is/are exactly what the Belizean people VOTED out in 1989 and 1998. Esquivel had GIVEN himself shares in BTL still in my mind unexplained for and Net Vasquez was the failed CEO of three of our utility companies. Talk about stepping BACK... this is a super understatement.
Barrows anger as he delivered his Bill(Monday August 24 2009) in a Neo-Castro move to the Belizean Nation was nothing short of unhealthy and an ultra-rush to please his id. His ego is satisfied.
I had said this before. The UDP is basically an ANGRY bunch of people whose psychological blindfolds make them oblivious to the fact that they are dealing with people...Belizeans. I do not want to see my Prime Minister ranting and raving, even if he is doing something that is right. He sounded MALICIOUS... and BITTER.... and definitely dispicable. He has lost the sense of proposing most of what he does is oppose.
The crux of life comes in how you do things and the state of your heart when doing these things. This trumps(the latest favorite word) the actual words that are being uttered to do these things.
And by the way, Mr. Speaker... I urge you to start asking the Representatives, especially the inglorious ones, to stop calling you MISTA SPEEKAH. When accent forces you to pronouce it in that manner it is slightly OK. But if it comes from uneducated minds of mis-posted Ministers then it becomes poignant and downright erroneous in our ENGLISH-speaking parliament.
Oh, Mr. Speaker, our Prime Minister did say in his speech that someone on the other side LIED. Should you not have given him a little reprimand or were you sitting too hard.
Anyway, this is my piece. We will see... Hopefully BTL does not become just another of our government's holds. Hopefully it will not need to be hauled down St. Thomas to the KHMH for a financial infarction after its antiquated articles and leaders (can they use a computer?) slip it into a chasm.
Oh my!... All I can think right now is that it will become a bastion of Cronyism and Nepotism... Tell me NO... Mr. Barrow... and when you say know no!... Say how you will stop it.
Your own ministers and you have said at OUR national assembly that you are cancered by political whims.
Blessed be the name of the Lord!
Barrows anger as he delivered his Bill(Monday August 24 2009) in a Neo-Castro move to the Belizean Nation was nothing short of unhealthy and an ultra-rush to please his id. His ego is satisfied.
I had said this before. The UDP is basically an ANGRY bunch of people whose psychological blindfolds make them oblivious to the fact that they are dealing with people...Belizeans. I do not want to see my Prime Minister ranting and raving, even if he is doing something that is right. He sounded MALICIOUS... and BITTER.... and definitely dispicable. He has lost the sense of proposing most of what he does is oppose.
The crux of life comes in how you do things and the state of your heart when doing these things. This trumps(the latest favorite word) the actual words that are being uttered to do these things.
And by the way, Mr. Speaker... I urge you to start asking the Representatives, especially the inglorious ones, to stop calling you MISTA SPEEKAH. When accent forces you to pronouce it in that manner it is slightly OK. But if it comes from uneducated minds of mis-posted Ministers then it becomes poignant and downright erroneous in our ENGLISH-speaking parliament.
Oh, Mr. Speaker, our Prime Minister did say in his speech that someone on the other side LIED. Should you not have given him a little reprimand or were you sitting too hard.
Anyway, this is my piece. We will see... Hopefully BTL does not become just another of our government's holds. Hopefully it will not need to be hauled down St. Thomas to the KHMH for a financial infarction after its antiquated articles and leaders (can they use a computer?) slip it into a chasm.
Oh my!... All I can think right now is that it will become a bastion of Cronyism and Nepotism... Tell me NO... Mr. Barrow... and when you say know no!... Say how you will stop it.
Your own ministers and you have said at OUR national assembly that you are cancered by political whims.
Blessed be the name of the Lord!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Denzel and Normando
Hey Orange Walk...
I know many of us are Smart but we need to find a way to get our lee vote/s in for Denzel and Normando via Digicel.
I am sure u can use this Sunday to text vote for them. THREE
Normando can be found online at this address.
If we all vote for them... Orange Walk will look good or like we all seh... wicked. Moreover, they are entertaining... shows a nice level of talent. SUPPORT!
You can see them online here.
Or of course you can hear the results this Tuesday at 9:00 pm on Channel 5.
Hey will be seeing you all...
Monday, June 22, 2009
Heads will ROLL!
Is it only me or our Prime Minister is scrambling out governance in a fashion that is eerily close to nonsensical. I have went on record sometime ago by 'bigging up' his manner of speaking. Lately, the wrath of the the prime ministerial daily vicissitudes seem to have gotten the best of him. At the house sitting of June 18, 2009 he was trying to convince himself that what he was saying was at least sane.
It seems that the habits of opposing everything did get so deeply ingrained that PROPOSING is a veritable challenge, for the entire governing side. English seems to be a pain even for the one on the government side that is charged with teaching it in a large scale.
I will concede that health or the service to it will never be a smooth running engine. The better it gets someone will still blame it when their loved one dies. Health is therefore is always last in the pageants of the most sucessful ministries. It does not help either when the Prime Minister did not have much to choose from.
The PM was in a self-imposed precarious position. He had a blend of being spiteful and trying not to spite himself. A careful look is that all he did with the ministries was to mirror what the previous admin had. That defintely happened in Natural Resources, and Health and now we can see the fiasco these two are brewing.
The other morning I was listening to the minister of health on a talk show. It was sad. I do not even know if I can call him a politician. I am sure he did not know what he was getting into. Something else that I am sure of is that the Belizean peeps do not deserve him at the helm of that monster ministry. I respect him as a human but after that...hmmm. If he cannot do the job then he should say so. His CEO, I am sure feels for him. One can easily notice it.
Class went right out the window when the PM said "heads will roll" in talking about the over-pricing at the KHMH. He speaks too rabidly to be a PM and as I said... lately he is incoherent.
On a slightly different note: RAISE your hand if you were not educated by the church-state system at any time of your life.
Our PM's mini-general wannabe is kicking sand into his own face. He is chewing into the poison homegrown by his party. He is as rogue as rogue can get nowadays. He is making appearances in places in an effort to show that he is the de facto leader. WRONG! I do believe his MED is in danger of being repealed. Leadership does not arise from showing power; Leadership is an intangible that oozes out naturally without the utter of "but I am the MOE."
The pitter-patter of his steps have been heard as his triumvirate is trying to impose a host of changes to the education system of this country. Dare I say that the dictatorial efforts were nowhere taught in the classes bestowed unto him.
All this is brewing the ire of the church who sees their mission in jeopardy. The opposing mission seems to be one that wishes to strip Belize of quality education it deserves and to impose the 'quality' of education that is seen in their government-run system.
It is so sad to see the dinosaur leader of a union providing his opinion as if it were the opinion of thousands. I always wondered how, in this day and age, he is still allowed to call himself a union. There are so many ways to collect the opinion of his teachers so when he goes to consultations he could STOP using his opinions and use those of the latest poll of his teachers.
For example, in a very unscientific but SO USEFUL way there is a petition going on the internet that seeks to digitize the opinions of as many Belizeans as possible. Of course, I would hope that with the passage of time there is a more traditional petition. My point is that if I am paying to be part of a union, I could have a password and vote for given Union stances.
Anyway peeps, hope u did read the above rant. See I am a believer of God and not so much of spite. I do believe that our government should stop governing out of spite and govern for the greater good.
I suggest that LARGE heads roll!
UNTIL!
It seems that the habits of opposing everything did get so deeply ingrained that PROPOSING is a veritable challenge, for the entire governing side. English seems to be a pain even for the one on the government side that is charged with teaching it in a large scale.
I will concede that health or the service to it will never be a smooth running engine. The better it gets someone will still blame it when their loved one dies. Health is therefore is always last in the pageants of the most sucessful ministries. It does not help either when the Prime Minister did not have much to choose from.
The PM was in a self-imposed precarious position. He had a blend of being spiteful and trying not to spite himself. A careful look is that all he did with the ministries was to mirror what the previous admin had. That defintely happened in Natural Resources, and Health and now we can see the fiasco these two are brewing.
The other morning I was listening to the minister of health on a talk show. It was sad. I do not even know if I can call him a politician. I am sure he did not know what he was getting into. Something else that I am sure of is that the Belizean peeps do not deserve him at the helm of that monster ministry. I respect him as a human but after that...hmmm. If he cannot do the job then he should say so. His CEO, I am sure feels for him. One can easily notice it.
Class went right out the window when the PM said "heads will roll" in talking about the over-pricing at the KHMH. He speaks too rabidly to be a PM and as I said... lately he is incoherent.
On a slightly different note: RAISE your hand if you were not educated by the church-state system at any time of your life.
Our PM's mini-general wannabe is kicking sand into his own face. He is chewing into the poison homegrown by his party. He is as rogue as rogue can get nowadays. He is making appearances in places in an effort to show that he is the de facto leader. WRONG! I do believe his MED is in danger of being repealed. Leadership does not arise from showing power; Leadership is an intangible that oozes out naturally without the utter of "but I am the MOE."
The pitter-patter of his steps have been heard as his triumvirate is trying to impose a host of changes to the education system of this country. Dare I say that the dictatorial efforts were nowhere taught in the classes bestowed unto him.
All this is brewing the ire of the church who sees their mission in jeopardy. The opposing mission seems to be one that wishes to strip Belize of quality education it deserves and to impose the 'quality' of education that is seen in their government-run system.
It is so sad to see the dinosaur leader of a union providing his opinion as if it were the opinion of thousands. I always wondered how, in this day and age, he is still allowed to call himself a union. There are so many ways to collect the opinion of his teachers so when he goes to consultations he could STOP using his opinions and use those of the latest poll of his teachers.
For example, in a very unscientific but SO USEFUL way there is a petition going on the internet that seeks to digitize the opinions of as many Belizeans as possible. Of course, I would hope that with the passage of time there is a more traditional petition. My point is that if I am paying to be part of a union, I could have a password and vote for given Union stances.
Anyway peeps, hope u did read the above rant. See I am a believer of God and not so much of spite. I do believe that our government should stop governing out of spite and govern for the greater good.
I suggest that LARGE heads roll!
UNTIL!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Swine Flu... a lesson for the ages.
Hi Orange Walkeños... This one is for real. It is like a crazy wave. If we ride it correctly, we will get off unscathed. Do not be afraid. Viruses like the flu tend to mutate quickly; just the same way it came it can go but we need to be careful. I know we are reading this everywhere but if I have it here it will just help to have it one more time.
Being Prepared for Swine Influenza
What is swine flu?
Swine flu is a respiratory disease which infects pigs. It does not normally infect humans, although sporadic cases do occur, usually in people who have had close contact with pigs.
How contagious is swine flu?
Human-to-human transmission has occurred in some instances but is typically limited to close physical contact and closed groups of people.
Why should I be concerned about swine flu?
If the virus adapts so that it can spread easily from person to person, it could cause a pandemic, resulting in:
• widespread disease outbreaks
• restrictions on the movement of people
• potentially large numbers of sick and dying
• business closures and transport systems disruptions
What are the symptoms of swine flu?
Clinical symptoms generally are similar to seasonal influenza. Infected individuals report:
• fever
• cough
• sore throat
• muscle aches, headache
• sudden breathing problems
other possible symptoms: diarrhea and vomiting
What is the difference between flu and a cold?
• Flu symptoms are usually more severe than cold symptoms and can affect the whole body. Flu usually starts suddenly with high fever, chills, severe body aches, extreme tiredness, headache, and dry cough. A person with the flu is contagious for 24 hours before becoming sick and for 3-5 days after becoming sick.
• Colds are generally milder than flu and usually affect just the nose and throat. Colds begin slowly with a sore or scratchy throat, sneezing, and runny or stuffy nose; a mild cough develops a few days later. Fever is rare in adults and older children, and extreme tiredness is not a cold symptom.
How can I prevent swine flu?
Personal health practices
• Hand washing is the single most effective way to prevent spread of infections.
– Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Use waterless sanitizing gel if soap and water are unavailable.
– Wash your hands after sneezing, coughing, blowing your nose, or using any shared keyboards, phones, or tools.
– Wash your hands prior to touching your face, mouth, or nose, and before eating.
– Wash your hands after contact with any ill person.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Keep your distance – at least 3 feet – from people who are ill, coughing, or sneezing.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Eat, rest, and exercise in moderation.
• Get a regular flu shot if available. This will not prevent swine flu, but it can decrease the chance of confusing regular seasonal flu with swine flu.
• In a pandemic, avoid crowds and public transport.
Vaccines: There are no human swine flu vaccines available yet.
Antiviral medications: Prescription antiviral drugs can help prevent the disease if you have been exposed and can be used to treat swine flu, but supplies are very limited.
How can I prepare at home?
Supply your home with the following:
• cough and congestion supplies: tissues, surgical masks, decongestants, cough suppressants, fever medication
• alcohol-based hand cleaners
• food and water to last for 10-15 days or more, as circumstances dictate
• flashlight and batteries
• reliable thermometer for humans
• clean water supply or home purification system
• sufficient cash (if banks, ATMs are unavailable)
• key documents and ID (passport, government issued IDs, health records, health insurance papers)
• medical supplies including prescription medicines
• pet food
How do I stay healthy at work during a pandemic?
• Wash hands frequently. (See: How can I prevent swine flu?)
• Use disinfecting wipes to clean common surfaces (keyboards, phones, door handles) or use gloves.
• Stay at least 3 feet from people who are sneezing or coughing.
• Carry and use masks as directed by your doctor.
• Cancel non-essential and face-to-face meetings.
• Know who to contact and how (phone, email, hotline) if you have questions about whether you should come to work.
– High absentee rates are likely, so if you are well and able to work you should contact your supervisor.
What if I become ill?
If you or a family member becomes ill with these symptoms:
– sudden congestion or trouble breathing AND
– fever higher than 100.4° F AND
– cough AND
– at least 1 of the following: sore throat, joint aches, muscles aches, or weakness
• Contact your health care provider. Before going to the clinic or hospital, describe your symptoms and any possible exposure to sick people or animals, or travel to swine flu-infected areas.
• Notify your supervisor.
– Do NOT go to work if you develop these symptoms.
– Do NOT go to work if you have been exposed within the past 3 days to someone with flu-like illness.
What if I become ill at work?
• Call your supervisor (do not meet in person) and report your symptoms.
• Stay away from other people, staff, and visitors.
• Put on a mask if instructed to do so.
• Go home if so instructed.
• Call your health care provider.
When can I return to work?
• If you have had a flu-like illness, you can usually return to work (after obtaining clearance from your health care provider and employer) if you:
– have fully recovered
OR
– are on effective antiviral medication
If you were exposed to someone with flu-like illness, you may return to work after staying home for 3 days (after last exposure), if you have not gotten sick.
Business planning and swine influenza
Plan now to:
• ensure the ability to maintain essential services
• control the spread of disease in the workplace and the community
• reduce the impact on employees and family members
enhance a speedy recovery
© 2009 Shoreland, Inc.
Being Prepared for Swine Influenza
What is swine flu?
Swine flu is a respiratory disease which infects pigs. It does not normally infect humans, although sporadic cases do occur, usually in people who have had close contact with pigs.
How contagious is swine flu?
Human-to-human transmission has occurred in some instances but is typically limited to close physical contact and closed groups of people.
Why should I be concerned about swine flu?
If the virus adapts so that it can spread easily from person to person, it could cause a pandemic, resulting in:
• widespread disease outbreaks
• restrictions on the movement of people
• potentially large numbers of sick and dying
• business closures and transport systems disruptions
What are the symptoms of swine flu?
Clinical symptoms generally are similar to seasonal influenza. Infected individuals report:
• fever
• cough
• sore throat
• muscle aches, headache
• sudden breathing problems
other possible symptoms: diarrhea and vomiting
What is the difference between flu and a cold?
• Flu symptoms are usually more severe than cold symptoms and can affect the whole body. Flu usually starts suddenly with high fever, chills, severe body aches, extreme tiredness, headache, and dry cough. A person with the flu is contagious for 24 hours before becoming sick and for 3-5 days after becoming sick.
• Colds are generally milder than flu and usually affect just the nose and throat. Colds begin slowly with a sore or scratchy throat, sneezing, and runny or stuffy nose; a mild cough develops a few days later. Fever is rare in adults and older children, and extreme tiredness is not a cold symptom.
How can I prevent swine flu?
Personal health practices
• Hand washing is the single most effective way to prevent spread of infections.
– Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Use waterless sanitizing gel if soap and water are unavailable.
– Wash your hands after sneezing, coughing, blowing your nose, or using any shared keyboards, phones, or tools.
– Wash your hands prior to touching your face, mouth, or nose, and before eating.
– Wash your hands after contact with any ill person.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Keep your distance – at least 3 feet – from people who are ill, coughing, or sneezing.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Eat, rest, and exercise in moderation.
• Get a regular flu shot if available. This will not prevent swine flu, but it can decrease the chance of confusing regular seasonal flu with swine flu.
• In a pandemic, avoid crowds and public transport.
Vaccines: There are no human swine flu vaccines available yet.
Antiviral medications: Prescription antiviral drugs can help prevent the disease if you have been exposed and can be used to treat swine flu, but supplies are very limited.
How can I prepare at home?
Supply your home with the following:
• cough and congestion supplies: tissues, surgical masks, decongestants, cough suppressants, fever medication
• alcohol-based hand cleaners
• food and water to last for 10-15 days or more, as circumstances dictate
• flashlight and batteries
• reliable thermometer for humans
• clean water supply or home purification system
• sufficient cash (if banks, ATMs are unavailable)
• key documents and ID (passport, government issued IDs, health records, health insurance papers)
• medical supplies including prescription medicines
• pet food
How do I stay healthy at work during a pandemic?
• Wash hands frequently. (See: How can I prevent swine flu?)
• Use disinfecting wipes to clean common surfaces (keyboards, phones, door handles) or use gloves.
• Stay at least 3 feet from people who are sneezing or coughing.
• Carry and use masks as directed by your doctor.
• Cancel non-essential and face-to-face meetings.
• Know who to contact and how (phone, email, hotline) if you have questions about whether you should come to work.
– High absentee rates are likely, so if you are well and able to work you should contact your supervisor.
What if I become ill?
If you or a family member becomes ill with these symptoms:
– sudden congestion or trouble breathing AND
– fever higher than 100.4° F AND
– cough AND
– at least 1 of the following: sore throat, joint aches, muscles aches, or weakness
• Contact your health care provider. Before going to the clinic or hospital, describe your symptoms and any possible exposure to sick people or animals, or travel to swine flu-infected areas.
• Notify your supervisor.
– Do NOT go to work if you develop these symptoms.
– Do NOT go to work if you have been exposed within the past 3 days to someone with flu-like illness.
What if I become ill at work?
• Call your supervisor (do not meet in person) and report your symptoms.
• Stay away from other people, staff, and visitors.
• Put on a mask if instructed to do so.
• Go home if so instructed.
• Call your health care provider.
When can I return to work?
• If you have had a flu-like illness, you can usually return to work (after obtaining clearance from your health care provider and employer) if you:
– have fully recovered
OR
– are on effective antiviral medication
If you were exposed to someone with flu-like illness, you may return to work after staying home for 3 days (after last exposure), if you have not gotten sick.
Business planning and swine influenza
Plan now to:
• ensure the ability to maintain essential services
• control the spread of disease in the workplace and the community
• reduce the impact on employees and family members
enhance a speedy recovery
© 2009 Shoreland, Inc.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Inquiring minds!
One month after the town council elections and I do not have a clear picture as to how the OW split town council is going to deliver its required services to the town. Our mayor by now should have informed the town how he will work with the 3 plus 3 members of the council. It is not up to him or his political bosses. The people of OW with free ballots elected six people to decide on the issues of the town.
I want to know the plan for OW and how this will be executed.
I want to know how the town administrator will be chosen.
I want to know how the finances of the town are at this moment.
Do I need to remind you that you are there by the whim of the people. Or you have forgotten?
Mr. de la Fuente please report to the town. Or tell us a date when we will get information from you. Do not let us wait until the next election.
The United Democratic Party were elected even as they were losing votes en masse. The UDP lost a significant amount of votes all over our country. This goes to show that their landslide victory in Feb of 2008 was gargantuan. If you win an election by 1000 votes and, then, one year later win again but this time only by a couple of hundred, this means that you lost the support of 800 people. There isn't much joy in that. You cannot focus on the win. Democratic elections are not like sports where winning is everything. Free and open elections tell you if people want you to lead them for a specific amount of time.
The bottomline is that inquiring minds want to know. How will the new OW mayor employ the services of the six town councillors?
I want to know the plan for OW and how this will be executed.
I want to know how the town administrator will be chosen.
I want to know how the finances of the town are at this moment.
Do I need to remind you that you are there by the whim of the people. Or you have forgotten?
Mr. de la Fuente please report to the town. Or tell us a date when we will get information from you. Do not let us wait until the next election.
The United Democratic Party were elected even as they were losing votes en masse. The UDP lost a significant amount of votes all over our country. This goes to show that their landslide victory in Feb of 2008 was gargantuan. If you win an election by 1000 votes and, then, one year later win again but this time only by a couple of hundred, this means that you lost the support of 800 people. There isn't much joy in that. You cannot focus on the win. Democratic elections are not like sports where winning is everything. Free and open elections tell you if people want you to lead them for a specific amount of time.
The bottomline is that inquiring minds want to know. How will the new OW mayor employ the services of the six town councillors?
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Selective Transparency
"The UDP has won the elections. YEAH! YEAH! They promised to be a transparent government. YES! Belize will be betta. Out with the PUP and the corruption. They were not transparent. The PUP were corrupt. Nobody knew what they were doing since the PUP were NOT transparent.
And since no one knew what they were doing we KNOW that they were corrupt."
Hi Everyone! So glad that you are reading my little rantings. Thank you. I was on the road yesterday and was toggling with the logic of the word transparent.
First, let me supply my opinion on government transparency.
I believe that governments cannot tell the people everything. Even if they want to do so, they will never tell us all. First there is the impossibility, next there is the security issue and thirdly there is the societal reality. People hate bad news and governments will always try to find a way not to give us the bad news unless they have to do it.
So why lie and tell people that they will be an open government and not have secrecy. I would not want a government that does not have confidential stuff. Not even in a state of utopia would that happen.
Transparency literally means that you can see through and through and that things are clear. This can only happen in perception with governments. So if a government is transparent what does it mean? It is said over and over. If it means that we will know how every penny is spent. No can do. A lie. Accounting systems are not that detailed and not in Belize and not even in the wealthy USA. What else can it mean?
I have put one day of thinking into this and all I could come up with is that it sounds good.
WE WILL BE TRANSPARENT! (Please do not ask for a definition.)
Some try to define it by saying that the books will be audited every so often and a report will be made. And when people see these reports, say, every six months, we will say(or will we) "Yes, this government is transparent." Or we will wonder, what are they hiding?
This is elementary, the reports will not have all the answers.
At best, the report will be selectively transparent. The 'financials' will show what they want us to see.
The UDP Political slogan would be more truthful if it would have said "Continuing to be Selectively Transparent", that would hold more of the truth. Then again the perception will be that they are lying about something.
A vicious circle people. Maybe the word transparency should be shelved. It does not exist in political circles. Its buzz is indefinable.
There I got that out of me. Phew!
In an earlier blog, I took a line from our National Anthem that is super powerful. Sing along with me... By the MIGHT of TRUTH and the GRACE of GOD...
When we speak, let us just say the TRUTH... can one be more transparent?
And since no one knew what they were doing we KNOW that they were corrupt."
Hi Everyone! So glad that you are reading my little rantings. Thank you. I was on the road yesterday and was toggling with the logic of the word transparent.
First, let me supply my opinion on government transparency.
I believe that governments cannot tell the people everything. Even if they want to do so, they will never tell us all. First there is the impossibility, next there is the security issue and thirdly there is the societal reality. People hate bad news and governments will always try to find a way not to give us the bad news unless they have to do it.
So why lie and tell people that they will be an open government and not have secrecy. I would not want a government that does not have confidential stuff. Not even in a state of utopia would that happen.
Transparency literally means that you can see through and through and that things are clear. This can only happen in perception with governments. So if a government is transparent what does it mean? It is said over and over. If it means that we will know how every penny is spent. No can do. A lie. Accounting systems are not that detailed and not in Belize and not even in the wealthy USA. What else can it mean?
I have put one day of thinking into this and all I could come up with is that it sounds good.
WE WILL BE TRANSPARENT! (Please do not ask for a definition.)
Some try to define it by saying that the books will be audited every so often and a report will be made. And when people see these reports, say, every six months, we will say(or will we) "Yes, this government is transparent." Or we will wonder, what are they hiding?
This is elementary, the reports will not have all the answers.
At best, the report will be selectively transparent. The 'financials' will show what they want us to see.
The UDP Political slogan would be more truthful if it would have said "Continuing to be Selectively Transparent", that would hold more of the truth. Then again the perception will be that they are lying about something.
A vicious circle people. Maybe the word transparency should be shelved. It does not exist in political circles. Its buzz is indefinable.
There I got that out of me. Phew!
In an earlier blog, I took a line from our National Anthem that is super powerful. Sing along with me... By the MIGHT of TRUTH and the GRACE of GOD...
When we speak, let us just say the TRUTH... can one be more transparent?
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Haters
Intelligentsia... The Russian form for 'the educated people in our society' has a flair that rings in my ears. The ring is sweet. This honey is one that I would like to daub all over us. We all ought to start from scratch. Let us notice, and squeeze from our surroundings that that we are oblivious to from our everyday lives.
I will make a list. And my challenge to you is think... 'Do I do that?'
Are you thinking...'Do I do that?'
Next 7...
Truthfully: I refrained from talking about haters because then I might be hating on haters. Nah! I love my fellow human beings. They are all as imperfect as I am.
Smile guys... Oh and... do you want to add to my list? Be happy, you will then part of the intelligentsia.
I will make a list. And my challenge to you is think... 'Do I do that?'
- Be amazed by a rainbow or a double rainbow... one is inverted.
- Think that dogs are talking to us as they bark.
- Walk in a garden after the rain and see how the rain beads on the petals of that rose.
- It is raining and you do not run. You are wet and feel rushed with energy.
- Wait for the next full moon... and eclipse... and stars... and dusk... then dawn (with a lil yawn).
- Count seconds after a flash of lightning waiting for the thunder... and all the crackles.
- Go to a Caye or somewhere only to see the sun rise and breathe in the air.
Are you thinking...'Do I do that?'
Next 7...
- Are amazed with technology...even though you own the latest Ipod and fastest of computers.
- Observe a fruit from the time it was a flower...day after day... and finally bite into it.
- Ogle a green green leaf and be amazed by the crisp venation.
- Drop a stone into a well and listen to the water splash. (Pull up a bucket of water)
- Go to your church services and be glad for these things.
- Wake up early in the morning to relish the dew that's all over.
- Watch ants build a nest and mischievously fill up the hole and see them start over.
- See how pastry being baked raises and browns right before your eyes. (Thru a glass)
Truthfully: I refrained from talking about haters because then I might be hating on haters. Nah! I love my fellow human beings. They are all as imperfect as I am.
Smile guys... Oh and... do you want to add to my list? Be happy, you will then part of the intelligentsia.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Culture of Complaining
Hey OW... what is this with these desperate looking killings? Why are the 'animos' that hyped up? Why go for the jugular? Why deprive another of their life to satisfy some feeling? Why go to jail? Is that a better option?
I have seen horrendous killings in our OW in my lifetime and it will continue. It is just the way society goes.
Is crime getting worse in Orange Walk?
Let me opine, since that is what I do and let us hypothetically solve.
Over my little lifetime I have heard three statements over and over and over.
1. Prices di go up.
2. Crime di get worse.
3. No Job di out deh.
4. Things haad out ya.
Ooops...! I said three and went to four.
We Belizeans have not developed the skill of praising our successes. If we hear someone expressing something of themselves, it is 'breggin." We would rather ignore Andy walking down the street than throng. We then throng when he passes; make him a demigod.
Prices of fuel go down, we yawn. Our Prime Minister is OPEC's number one enemy since he was responsible for the drop in oil prices. Well at least someone did not yawn.
Some prices do go down but that is not lionized; some business people whistle to the ceiling hoping no one would notice that he did not go along with the price drop. He/she is ready to hike when it happens the next time.
No jobs are out there...funny. Thousands of us have jobs. Make a poll and everyone wants another job. Life shuffles the jobs and everyone is satisfied for a while and state... "no moh job di out deh."
I call it the culture of complaining. I do not know if it has gotten worse but we Belizeans are good at it.
Let me suggest, that if we start to praise a lot more it will do wonders for Orange Walk. Then maybe that can trickle to the rest.
Maybe then we can "stimulate" ourselves to work a lil more and be happier. And by the way, if the price is too high do not buy it.
When I hear a complaint, I would think 'so what is your solution?' After the complaint, I often do not hear solution suggestions from intelligentsia or the heart.
See you next blog!
I have seen horrendous killings in our OW in my lifetime and it will continue. It is just the way society goes.
Is crime getting worse in Orange Walk?
Let me opine, since that is what I do and let us hypothetically solve.
Over my little lifetime I have heard three statements over and over and over.
1. Prices di go up.
2. Crime di get worse.
3. No Job di out deh.
4. Things haad out ya.
Ooops...! I said three and went to four.
We Belizeans have not developed the skill of praising our successes. If we hear someone expressing something of themselves, it is 'breggin." We would rather ignore Andy walking down the street than throng. We then throng when he passes; make him a demigod.
Prices of fuel go down, we yawn. Our Prime Minister is OPEC's number one enemy since he was responsible for the drop in oil prices. Well at least someone did not yawn.
Some prices do go down but that is not lionized; some business people whistle to the ceiling hoping no one would notice that he did not go along with the price drop. He/she is ready to hike when it happens the next time.
No jobs are out there...funny. Thousands of us have jobs. Make a poll and everyone wants another job. Life shuffles the jobs and everyone is satisfied for a while and state... "no moh job di out deh."
I call it the culture of complaining. I do not know if it has gotten worse but we Belizeans are good at it.
Let me suggest, that if we start to praise a lot more it will do wonders for Orange Walk. Then maybe that can trickle to the rest.
Maybe then we can "stimulate" ourselves to work a lil more and be happier. And by the way, if the price is too high do not buy it.
When I hear a complaint, I would think 'so what is your solution?' After the complaint, I often do not hear solution suggestions from intelligentsia or the heart.
See you next blog!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Post-Election Blues...or is it Reds
Hi everyone,
I had mentioned to you some blogs ago of the "defrocking of one of our very own." I said it vaguely like this since I was not sure it would actually happen. What I meant was the removal of Marcel Cardona as a minister of government. Of course, the timing of this move like so many other things needed to be in sync with the municipal elections.
These TWO are the biggest: The 'reshuffle' or the reissuing of Cardona's portfolio and the reading of the General Revenue Appropriation Bill (budget).
In December or so when fuel prices went below the level thousands of us Belizeans can even fathom, I thought that money was being wasted. Prices should have been held steady at about seven dollars and all the difference could have been used to do worthy stuff. But no; our Prime Minister had to TRY to fulfill his 'lower the cost of living' promise.
I know very well that NO government has control over prices. The economy of the world is daunted by forces that no 1 government can control. Certain governments can sway economies but control does not entirely exist.
Obama's 'stimulus' is only that, it is an attempt to jolt the US economy out of negative growth...not control.
Why would someone tell the country ad nauseum that he is responsible for the low fuel prices? The sad part for him is that people will take the April 1st realignment as a definite raise of prices. I believe he should have steered it the 7 dollar level from the time it was plummeting.
Notice how many businesses that raised prices because of the 'high fuel prices' ($11) did not miss a beat in order restore prices. The last time fuel prices were that low some of these businesses were not even open.
Let me explain a bit... Fuel is an import. We therefore need to produce and export something first before we can have the foreign exchange ($US) to pay ESSO for the a new batch of fuel. This means millions of US dollars every two to three weeks. Get the picture? Yes, we need fuel to produce things but that is where government can help... help to cane farmers, farmers, producers etc. The problem there has always been that our Belizeans find a way to subvert the system by using this fuel for personal means and there goes the government's help.
When we are at home. What happens to any grocery that your mom/dad buy a lot of... We waste it. The same happens with fuel. I know of some people that "circled"in their vehicles a lot more since the price allowed them. Well reality will set in again.
Anyway peeps... it all goes back to looking into the mirror and making the best decisions for ourselves and our town. It does help the country on the longer run.
I had mentioned to you some blogs ago of the "defrocking of one of our very own." I said it vaguely like this since I was not sure it would actually happen. What I meant was the removal of Marcel Cardona as a minister of government. Of course, the timing of this move like so many other things needed to be in sync with the municipal elections.
These TWO are the biggest: The 'reshuffle' or the reissuing of Cardona's portfolio and the reading of the General Revenue Appropriation Bill (budget).
In December or so when fuel prices went below the level thousands of us Belizeans can even fathom, I thought that money was being wasted. Prices should have been held steady at about seven dollars and all the difference could have been used to do worthy stuff. But no; our Prime Minister had to TRY to fulfill his 'lower the cost of living' promise.
I know very well that NO government has control over prices. The economy of the world is daunted by forces that no 1 government can control. Certain governments can sway economies but control does not entirely exist.
Obama's 'stimulus' is only that, it is an attempt to jolt the US economy out of negative growth...not control.
Why would someone tell the country ad nauseum that he is responsible for the low fuel prices? The sad part for him is that people will take the April 1st realignment as a definite raise of prices. I believe he should have steered it the 7 dollar level from the time it was plummeting.
Notice how many businesses that raised prices because of the 'high fuel prices' ($11) did not miss a beat in order restore prices. The last time fuel prices were that low some of these businesses were not even open.
Let me explain a bit... Fuel is an import. We therefore need to produce and export something first before we can have the foreign exchange ($US) to pay ESSO for the a new batch of fuel. This means millions of US dollars every two to three weeks. Get the picture? Yes, we need fuel to produce things but that is where government can help... help to cane farmers, farmers, producers etc. The problem there has always been that our Belizeans find a way to subvert the system by using this fuel for personal means and there goes the government's help.
When we are at home. What happens to any grocery that your mom/dad buy a lot of... We waste it. The same happens with fuel. I know of some people that "circled"in their vehicles a lot more since the price allowed them. Well reality will set in again.
Anyway peeps... it all goes back to looking into the mirror and making the best decisions for ourselves and our town. It does help the country on the longer run.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Much ado about nothing
The body politic of Orange Walk Town has spoken and there is a myriad of angles as to why the results are what they are. These angles may be as numerous as there are electors. I will not even attempt to hint that I have the best angle. I do not.
What I can say is that our Orange Walkeño voters spoke as opposed to the silent majority in the rest of the nation. Our democracy is built to give those who wish to remain silent to do so innocuously. Again, why did they stay home will be an endless debate. All I can say is this; if you do not like a restaurant then you do not go and buy food from it.
IMHO the PUP candidates had too much of rookie in them. At the polls, people will many a times go with name recognition and how long the name has been under the spotlight.
I know, maybe, all the 14 candidates from both parties in Orange Walk. Having this information in mind I had made my assertions and had gotten a general feeling. But the majority obviously could did not see what I saw.
I have never liked the ideas of split votes, not in Belize. The politics is still too petty. Mr. de la Fuente asserted that he will work with HIS new council. My take is that when a council is split then the town suffers since you have less people to serve them. When I think of the people that surround Mr. de la Fuente all I get is victimization, party politics galore and anti-PUP venom. None of these three are good for Orange Walk. It is left to be seen what responsibilities will be given to the 3 PUP councilors.
I knew too that the cane farmer issue was not going to pan out either way. The cane farmers involved are not so much from OW town. Dean Barrow was not running for councilor or mayor; he would have lost. I would not have liked the PUP winning because of that issue. I did not support the cane farmer stand anyway. I also did not support the Dean Barrow approach to quell.
All in all, the PUP is still in convalescing. It showed signs of getting up but the cancer imposed by the terrible twins is yet to be stricken totally. The People's United Party will need to go beyond remission before they can savour another win at the polls. March 4, 2009 was a step towards the total CHANGE that has been envisioned. The loss for all intents and purposes and ODDS was inevitable.
Too many people stayed away yesterday. They are like a sleeping giant that needs agitating. The PUP needs to show why they are NEW and IMPROVED. Belizeans did not see it; nor did they feel it. It is back to the drawing board to find that formula of success for the PUP and benefit for our invaluable people of the jewel.
For the new Orange Walk Town Council and Mayor this is like 2003 for the PUP. We need the best for our town. After all, there was much ado about nothing. Our democracy in Orange Walk prevailed. The majority have decided who they want to take care of their affairs.
I have always been one to go with who rules, PUP or UDP. Our leaders must be given a chance to make decisions and then elections come.
I will follow here and the electorate will also follow.
Later.
What I can say is that our Orange Walkeño voters spoke as opposed to the silent majority in the rest of the nation. Our democracy is built to give those who wish to remain silent to do so innocuously. Again, why did they stay home will be an endless debate. All I can say is this; if you do not like a restaurant then you do not go and buy food from it.
IMHO the PUP candidates had too much of rookie in them. At the polls, people will many a times go with name recognition and how long the name has been under the spotlight.
I know, maybe, all the 14 candidates from both parties in Orange Walk. Having this information in mind I had made my assertions and had gotten a general feeling. But the majority obviously could did not see what I saw.
I have never liked the ideas of split votes, not in Belize. The politics is still too petty. Mr. de la Fuente asserted that he will work with HIS new council. My take is that when a council is split then the town suffers since you have less people to serve them. When I think of the people that surround Mr. de la Fuente all I get is victimization, party politics galore and anti-PUP venom. None of these three are good for Orange Walk. It is left to be seen what responsibilities will be given to the 3 PUP councilors.
I knew too that the cane farmer issue was not going to pan out either way. The cane farmers involved are not so much from OW town. Dean Barrow was not running for councilor or mayor; he would have lost. I would not have liked the PUP winning because of that issue. I did not support the cane farmer stand anyway. I also did not support the Dean Barrow approach to quell.
All in all, the PUP is still in convalescing. It showed signs of getting up but the cancer imposed by the terrible twins is yet to be stricken totally. The People's United Party will need to go beyond remission before they can savour another win at the polls. March 4, 2009 was a step towards the total CHANGE that has been envisioned. The loss for all intents and purposes and ODDS was inevitable.
Too many people stayed away yesterday. They are like a sleeping giant that needs agitating. The PUP needs to show why they are NEW and IMPROVED. Belizeans did not see it; nor did they feel it. It is back to the drawing board to find that formula of success for the PUP and benefit for our invaluable people of the jewel.
For the new Orange Walk Town Council and Mayor this is like 2003 for the PUP. We need the best for our town. After all, there was much ado about nothing. Our democracy in Orange Walk prevailed. The majority have decided who they want to take care of their affairs.
I have always been one to go with who rules, PUP or UDP. Our leaders must be given a chance to make decisions and then elections come.
I will follow here and the electorate will also follow.
Later.
Monday, March 2, 2009
The Undecided!
Folks, like everyone in Orange Walk I also have family on both sides of the political fence. I have never worn a 'sloganed' T-shirt in my life but have always respected those that do. Who I vote for has been and will always be a secret. It is so interesting how people can be clairvoyant and KNOW who you will vote for. I so hope that this is ALWAYS so in our little invaluable jewel.
I have followed our politics for as long as I have life and now find this medium as one where this knowledge can be self-exploited in something basic as my opinion.
This will be a very short blog as I want to show you one of the reasons (other than the Central Park "Christmas Tree") why I am weighing to one side. You look at the picture and make up your mind.
The street lights are a good thing for Orange Walk but then these are on a list that is way, way too short. I will say no more.
I have followed our politics for as long as I have life and now find this medium as one where this knowledge can be self-exploited in something basic as my opinion.
This will be a very short blog as I want to show you one of the reasons (other than the Central Park "Christmas Tree") why I am weighing to one side. You look at the picture and make up your mind.
The street lights are a good thing for Orange Walk but then these are on a list that is way, way too short. I will say no more.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Endorsement!
Here at OW INSIGHT I will always have ORANGE WALK first in particular and BELIZE first in general with the MIGHT of TRUTH and the GRACE of GOD!
Over the past couple months I have tried to capture some feeling of what/who is better for Orange Walk. I have never liked slogans but I went on record last blog by exalting the "change is coming" since I get the feeling that it is deeper than a slogan. When I juxtapose that with "continuing the possibilities" I get mired in IMAGINING how an abstract can be perpetrated.
In essence, the UDP slogan seems to be saying that the UDP can possibly clean the streets, and possibly pick up the garbage. So if we the UDP are voted back into office then we will CONTINUE that possibility. Most likely someone has an explanation for me about why I am wrong. But you cannot blame me for getting that interpretation. The UDP slogan is, in my humble opinion (IMHO), incongruous with what they should be telling us the Orange Walk population.
Today as I walked around Orange Walk I got the feeling that we want Mr. Ramon Cervantes, Jr. in the Orange Walk Town Hall as the next Town Mayor with the rest of his team. I get the feeling that the fight will be what a democratic election brings; there is enough polarization for that. As the reconciliation unfurls Orange Walk will have a NEW and IMPROVED town council and Mayor.
Change is coming, it is unstoppable; that is what people want and they feel it.
Vote for Ramon 'Monchi' Cervantes, Rozel Arana, Rafael Avila, Kevin Bernard, Josue Carballo, Faride Riverol and Alex Lopez!
Over the past couple months I have tried to capture some feeling of what/who is better for Orange Walk. I have never liked slogans but I went on record last blog by exalting the "change is coming" since I get the feeling that it is deeper than a slogan. When I juxtapose that with "continuing the possibilities" I get mired in IMAGINING how an abstract can be perpetrated.
In essence, the UDP slogan seems to be saying that the UDP can possibly clean the streets, and possibly pick up the garbage. So if we the UDP are voted back into office then we will CONTINUE that possibility. Most likely someone has an explanation for me about why I am wrong. But you cannot blame me for getting that interpretation. The UDP slogan is, in my humble opinion (IMHO), incongruous with what they should be telling us the Orange Walk population.
Today as I walked around Orange Walk I got the feeling that we want Mr. Ramon Cervantes, Jr. in the Orange Walk Town Hall as the next Town Mayor with the rest of his team. I get the feeling that the fight will be what a democratic election brings; there is enough polarization for that. As the reconciliation unfurls Orange Walk will have a NEW and IMPROVED town council and Mayor.
Change is coming, it is unstoppable; that is what people want and they feel it.
Vote for Ramon 'Monchi' Cervantes, Rozel Arana, Rafael Avila, Kevin Bernard, Josue Carballo, Faride Riverol and Alex Lopez!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Change is Coming!
Obama managed to slough away the cliché from "change." He did so with the expectation that it will not be easy. He let his followers chant until they believed that "they could." "Yes we can" was the the echo that reverberated every filled football stadium. No echo would have been felt if it did not come from deep within and if it was not an accepted pledge of responsibility.
The PUP in Orange Walk is postured with its "Change is Coming" website and general disposition as the party in waiting for 2012 or earlier and beyond. With a NEW party leader the political spectrum within the party is yet shaping. I get the feel from reading and listening that the change that they are talking about is not necessarily cosmetic but one that more wholesomely has Belizeans in mind. This is just like Obama who had not white American, nor Black Americans nor Hispanic Americans but Americans from the United States in mind.
The PUP in Orange Walk obviously copied the 'CHANGE' word in its entirety. It was copied with all its novel significance.
I can live with less corruption. But many will agree with me that the system has to be changed since it is easy for a government to have absolute power. This opens gaping chasms for absolute corruption to be cultured and almost institutionalized.
I have always disliked when our fledgling Belize goes to consecutive/simultaneous polls and have ONE party ruling all the towns and of course the bicameral chambers by constitution. A catastrophe is waiting to happen.
In Orange Walk, the outgoing UDP town council is for its most part vieing to repeat as the elected council. The UDP Mayor is being replaced in the ticket by someone with no proven leadership. In fact, he stood beside his Mayor as power was being usurped. Mr. de la Fuente should have revealed truths and prove that transparency is more than a buzz word. It might still not be too late. Maybe that is why he crumpled at the idea of being challenged to a debate with and by Mr. Cervantes the PUP mayoral candidate.
Yes folks! He rejected the idea of openess and the MIGHT OF TRUTH.
To pound on this a little more, he should reveal if the ex-mayor, for all intents, will be gifted with his old job at OWTHS. He should also reveal if there are any other perks to the ex-mayor's exit. Like for example, will the ex-Mayor get any undue fully paid government scholarships to any university of his choice. Belizeans would like to know before we get surprised. It is a shot at transparency.
Anyway Orange Walk, the crux is in getting the best for our money's worth, our taxes. It is said that we get the leaders WE deserve. I put it further that many a times our slate of elected leaders reflect our society. As a society we need to work hard for ourselves and not expect handouts or undue scholarships or jobs we do not qualify for. Then when as a majority we all have plans and endevours and just objectives only then will our leaders also have the same.
So the challenge is there, from lil me. The change that the PUP is proposing as I read it goes beyond a slogan but it is Obamaesque. It encompasses new and improved Belizeans, a hyped Belizean working attitude, and the right Belizean societal attitudes. Only then can we also be a LAND OF THE FREE (the Caribbean version feat. Belizeans.)
Until next time... maybe tomorrow.
The PUP in Orange Walk is postured with its "Change is Coming" website and general disposition as the party in waiting for 2012 or earlier and beyond. With a NEW party leader the political spectrum within the party is yet shaping. I get the feel from reading and listening that the change that they are talking about is not necessarily cosmetic but one that more wholesomely has Belizeans in mind. This is just like Obama who had not white American, nor Black Americans nor Hispanic Americans but Americans from the United States in mind.
The PUP in Orange Walk obviously copied the 'CHANGE' word in its entirety. It was copied with all its novel significance.
I can live with less corruption. But many will agree with me that the system has to be changed since it is easy for a government to have absolute power. This opens gaping chasms for absolute corruption to be cultured and almost institutionalized.
I have always disliked when our fledgling Belize goes to consecutive/simultaneous polls and have ONE party ruling all the towns and of course the bicameral chambers by constitution. A catastrophe is waiting to happen.
In Orange Walk, the outgoing UDP town council is for its most part vieing to repeat as the elected council. The UDP Mayor is being replaced in the ticket by someone with no proven leadership. In fact, he stood beside his Mayor as power was being usurped. Mr. de la Fuente should have revealed truths and prove that transparency is more than a buzz word. It might still not be too late. Maybe that is why he crumpled at the idea of being challenged to a debate with and by Mr. Cervantes the PUP mayoral candidate.
Yes folks! He rejected the idea of openess and the MIGHT OF TRUTH.
To pound on this a little more, he should reveal if the ex-mayor, for all intents, will be gifted with his old job at OWTHS. He should also reveal if there are any other perks to the ex-mayor's exit. Like for example, will the ex-Mayor get any undue fully paid government scholarships to any university of his choice. Belizeans would like to know before we get surprised. It is a shot at transparency.
Anyway Orange Walk, the crux is in getting the best for our money's worth, our taxes. It is said that we get the leaders WE deserve. I put it further that many a times our slate of elected leaders reflect our society. As a society we need to work hard for ourselves and not expect handouts or undue scholarships or jobs we do not qualify for. Then when as a majority we all have plans and endevours and just objectives only then will our leaders also have the same.
So the challenge is there, from lil me. The change that the PUP is proposing as I read it goes beyond a slogan but it is Obamaesque. It encompasses new and improved Belizeans, a hyped Belizean working attitude, and the right Belizean societal attitudes. Only then can we also be a LAND OF THE FREE (the Caribbean version feat. Belizeans.)
Until next time... maybe tomorrow.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Fog of Incertitude
Six days are left to go before the elections and the fog of incertitude gets thinner and thinner. The view on the streets of our dear town is a PUP win. It is so clear that the take on the outgoing OW town council is that they did a poor job maybe terrible. Even if they are to say that it was the "Mayor" that created follies to fill up the ocean, as I have said in an earlier post, the council failed to council. And that is their job, they are the town council.
In 2003, the UDP lost a general election widely due to PUP being popular regardless of the 'perception' that two of its topmost leaders were definitely on the auto-take to put it mildly. Perception has a lot to do with the reality of many people. Whenever I read a newspaper, I read it as the opinion of a couple of people and nothing else. This blog is my opinion. But I do realize, that is not the case out there. If you are perceived as a failure it is usually a mixture of fact and fiction and you are doomed at the polls.
In 2003, the UDP was doomed at the polls because of their lack of candidates that were up to the task. In 2008, the PUP were doomed at the polls because of the terrible twins and the electorate castigated the entire slate for allowing these two to even still contest their seats. The UDP thus won by default; they had nor have any merit. See; it is difficult to rule fairly and skillfully if you are full of ire and desire for revenge. Many people are UDP supporters becuase of something they are angered over; this vile feeling does not allow for good governance.
The PUP base is an old one. It is made up of people that want to better the country. These people make up the majority. But the PUP lost the last two elections horribly in spite of being the majority becuase of a reeking cancer that had to be NOT nipped but slashed off. The perception on the PUP is that they had become too corrupt. I keep saying perception because until the proof is before the courts then who knows. I can guess as the normal Belizean.
The UDP came into power flailing at everything. Other than seeming mindless about the economy, clueless about the ever present crime and too ad hoc with the Belizeanized transportation fiasco, they love to shoot themselves on the leg whenever they can. They do things like relieve people of their jobs, like try to take away small properties, are guilty of super-nepotism, build large homes, and get married when you should be celebrating other momentous occasions. All this in one year!
People all around this country will notice...and they have.
Many in the UDP are too angry at something somewhere to give Belize some fair governance. The central government has officially less than four years to go. After their landslide victory, it seems to me that they would lose a general election this March 4. It is a sad case for Belize that our government got so unpopular so quickly. But that is the case when you do not actually win but your opponent loses.
In Orange Walk, I am sensing a PUP win for the mayor and his team. The manifestos that are out seem fair but the UDP manifesto tries to sweeten up the formatting without actually having content. The PUP one is conservative and if you ask me it is robust and achievable. I believe it does take into account that there will be a UDP central government that if precedent is any indication, and PUP town council these next three years will need to be precise and up to the task. The UDP government has promised money to anyone that takes office; but we know even that is campaigning.
In the next post, I will talk a little on the personalities. I happen to know, at least marginally, most of the 14 men and women running.
Remember to vote in the polls, here and OrangeWalk.net for the fun of it....serious fun.
In 2003, the UDP lost a general election widely due to PUP being popular regardless of the 'perception' that two of its topmost leaders were definitely on the auto-take to put it mildly. Perception has a lot to do with the reality of many people. Whenever I read a newspaper, I read it as the opinion of a couple of people and nothing else. This blog is my opinion. But I do realize, that is not the case out there. If you are perceived as a failure it is usually a mixture of fact and fiction and you are doomed at the polls.
In 2003, the UDP was doomed at the polls because of their lack of candidates that were up to the task. In 2008, the PUP were doomed at the polls because of the terrible twins and the electorate castigated the entire slate for allowing these two to even still contest their seats. The UDP thus won by default; they had nor have any merit. See; it is difficult to rule fairly and skillfully if you are full of ire and desire for revenge. Many people are UDP supporters becuase of something they are angered over; this vile feeling does not allow for good governance.
The PUP base is an old one. It is made up of people that want to better the country. These people make up the majority. But the PUP lost the last two elections horribly in spite of being the majority becuase of a reeking cancer that had to be NOT nipped but slashed off. The perception on the PUP is that they had become too corrupt. I keep saying perception because until the proof is before the courts then who knows. I can guess as the normal Belizean.
The UDP came into power flailing at everything. Other than seeming mindless about the economy, clueless about the ever present crime and too ad hoc with the Belizeanized transportation fiasco, they love to shoot themselves on the leg whenever they can. They do things like relieve people of their jobs, like try to take away small properties, are guilty of super-nepotism, build large homes, and get married when you should be celebrating other momentous occasions. All this in one year!
People all around this country will notice...and they have.
Many in the UDP are too angry at something somewhere to give Belize some fair governance. The central government has officially less than four years to go. After their landslide victory, it seems to me that they would lose a general election this March 4. It is a sad case for Belize that our government got so unpopular so quickly. But that is the case when you do not actually win but your opponent loses.
In Orange Walk, I am sensing a PUP win for the mayor and his team. The manifestos that are out seem fair but the UDP manifesto tries to sweeten up the formatting without actually having content. The PUP one is conservative and if you ask me it is robust and achievable. I believe it does take into account that there will be a UDP central government that if precedent is any indication, and PUP town council these next three years will need to be precise and up to the task. The UDP government has promised money to anyone that takes office; but we know even that is campaigning.
In the next post, I will talk a little on the personalities. I happen to know, at least marginally, most of the 14 men and women running.
Remember to vote in the polls, here and OrangeWalk.net for the fun of it....serious fun.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Orange Walk.net
Good Day everyone!
As I was rummaging through various webpages I stumbled across Orange Walk.net's poll on Orange Walk's Town Council elections. Since we are on election mode here at INSIGHT. I decided to place the results of the poll here right under the countdown. You are not able to vote on OW.net's poll here but you can go to their site and add a vote.
Our modest poll here at INSIGHT does not have the numbers but it shows a similar outcome. With some 8 days left to go, readers can choose to vote here to show that the trend NOW is the same. So if you are a visitor from Orange Walk.net welcome.
Even though I say courtesy of Orange Walk.net I do not have the permission to use their poll but in the spirit of openness and the wideness of the World Wide Web I am sure that they do not mind. Let me further add, it seems that the people at OW.net feel the same about my writing at INSIGHT. I have just noticed that they have a link to my OWINSIGHT. Whoever is responsible...thank you.
I invite them to place a picture link to this blog.
Until further Insight to your dreams!
As I was rummaging through various webpages I stumbled across Orange Walk.net's poll on Orange Walk's Town Council elections. Since we are on election mode here at INSIGHT. I decided to place the results of the poll here right under the countdown. You are not able to vote on OW.net's poll here but you can go to their site and add a vote.
Our modest poll here at INSIGHT does not have the numbers but it shows a similar outcome. With some 8 days left to go, readers can choose to vote here to show that the trend NOW is the same. So if you are a visitor from Orange Walk.net welcome.
Even though I say courtesy of Orange Walk.net I do not have the permission to use their poll but in the spirit of openness and the wideness of the World Wide Web I am sure that they do not mind. Let me further add, it seems that the people at OW.net feel the same about my writing at INSIGHT. I have just noticed that they have a link to my OWINSIGHT. Whoever is responsible...thank you.
I invite them to place a picture link to this blog.
Until further Insight to your dreams!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Education Impersonalized
The debate will rage on as long as there is life on earth as to what a proper education is all about. Juxtapose the education systems of any two countries and you will see clear differences. Everyone will think that their system is better. I have even heard this one... "We grade harder in Belize than in the good old 'United' States... but they have a better education system." Ask me again what it all means and I'll be as befuddled as you are.
In my humble opinion, education must be as unharnessed as possible and timeless. The grandmother going the college to get a degree whilst being an octogenarian tells a revealing tale. Those that hold the reins of educational institutions are to provide that unharnessed pathway in an unbridled fashion. Do not get me wrong. The very word education already spells its own limits so why corrupt it in any way by institutionalized or personalized petty censorship.
Our town is moving into the mode of town democracy where we will figure who should keep our town clean and healthy. There is so much attached to these two words. Our youth must be given a chance to listen to what many call "both sides of the story." I actually think there is only one--the truth. What they need to hear are two versions so that they can make up their minds. When administrators state that it is not policy to accept candidates to visit their schools, they are uttering a rejection of their students being educated in a rounded fashion. This would be excellent hands-on alternative type learning.
One thing is clear education cannot be impeded. Students are soaking in censorship and the basic abuse of position. They will make up their minds as to who is right and who is wrong; that is one thing that cannot be domineered. Schools are paid to be guides in education not indoctrination. I know of a certain school that seems to have missed the chance to educate wholesomely.
On another note: We the citizenry, bar none, should be given the chance to vote. I want to push in a couple of opinions here. The voting age is way too high. We are all equal... what happens at 18? In our age of technology and incredible thinking, there must be way to give more access. The second opinion it might take constitutional amendments but, the color thing is not doing it for me. I want to vote for people not for a color. I think we are more intelligent than that. What about placing the pictures of the candidates on the ballot? Anyway, I said that for the record.
I do not usually write TWO blogs in one night. But today is special. Let me call the next 14 days ELECTION MODE here at OWInsight.
Look out for the basic poll for the projected winners here in OW.
Look out for my prediction and, if you want to call it, endorsement. Not today though, there is still time to really do things intelligently.
Moh time!...hasta mañana!
In my humble opinion, education must be as unharnessed as possible and timeless. The grandmother going the college to get a degree whilst being an octogenarian tells a revealing tale. Those that hold the reins of educational institutions are to provide that unharnessed pathway in an unbridled fashion. Do not get me wrong. The very word education already spells its own limits so why corrupt it in any way by institutionalized or personalized petty censorship.
Our town is moving into the mode of town democracy where we will figure who should keep our town clean and healthy. There is so much attached to these two words. Our youth must be given a chance to listen to what many call "both sides of the story." I actually think there is only one--the truth. What they need to hear are two versions so that they can make up their minds. When administrators state that it is not policy to accept candidates to visit their schools, they are uttering a rejection of their students being educated in a rounded fashion. This would be excellent hands-on alternative type learning.
One thing is clear education cannot be impeded. Students are soaking in censorship and the basic abuse of position. They will make up their minds as to who is right and who is wrong; that is one thing that cannot be domineered. Schools are paid to be guides in education not indoctrination. I know of a certain school that seems to have missed the chance to educate wholesomely.
On another note: We the citizenry, bar none, should be given the chance to vote. I want to push in a couple of opinions here. The voting age is way too high. We are all equal... what happens at 18? In our age of technology and incredible thinking, there must be way to give more access. The second opinion it might take constitutional amendments but, the color thing is not doing it for me. I want to vote for people not for a color. I think we are more intelligent than that. What about placing the pictures of the candidates on the ballot? Anyway, I said that for the record.
I do not usually write TWO blogs in one night. But today is special. Let me call the next 14 days ELECTION MODE here at OWInsight.
Look out for the basic poll for the projected winners here in OW.
Look out for my prediction and, if you want to call it, endorsement. Not today though, there is still time to really do things intelligently.
Moh time!...hasta mañana!
System Restore; Default
Everyone that claims that they know about computers knows what it means to System Restore. It is a MS built-in piece of programming that allows you to go back to the last time when everything was all right and functioning. As reality will have it there will never be a perfect time when everything is going totally ok with your computer but sometimes you are VERY satisfied.
With that analogy out of the way, let me revert to our dear Orange Walk. I get the impression that the present leaders of our community flailed at the management of our town. And at providing leadership, the town itself will provide an assessment on March 4. My opinion is that the pettiness and immaturity of dealing with "the central government" was the downfall of the Orange Walk group. The councilors failed to council the Mayor. So stipends might have been issued to them in vain.
Now it is public knowledge that the Mayor was dangling from strings beyond his control. Too bad that those controlling the strings themselves do NOT have the proven skills to deal with a town and the organization it entails. One of them can hardly express himself much less run the resources of a town. The other, a flibbertigibbet, runs around on the successes of the offspring.
I promised not to get personal and I apologize for the innuendo but some things are so clearly mistakes that ought not to be repeated in the name of our town. We do not deserve it.
On another note, I do believe that Belize's Mayors and councilors ought to be paid handsomely. And, at best they should have part time employment whilst the rest of the time they should be at the town council offices looking out for the people. If the Mayor steps out, the deputy ought to be there. Like creole seh, "da chance" to have 7 people answerable to a growing town whilst they have their own full time jobs. Some rotatory measure ought to be implemented. Nowadays nothing is free. But as long as it is a cumbersome task to be mayor or councillors, they will keep shorting out the people. It ought to be jobs.
I do hate that the Town Council elections is many a times the report card of the central government. It just shows how the laws still tie the town to the whims of one. With having the Mayorship and Council as better paying positions, with increased responsibilities and with a greater self-governance (at the town level ) I can feel an increased chance of success. Of course, the importance of the central government will always be there.
Town councils winning by default should be a thing of the past. We in Orange Walk should vote for those that will plan and execute the best proposals for our town. Anyone that bickers should not be leading a town. Leaders serve.... that is the best leading they can do. So I propose lets tweak our town and restore a sense of living cleanly and healthily. That is the sole task of the town council... a major one I must say. We as a town should help anyway we can.
With that analogy out of the way, let me revert to our dear Orange Walk. I get the impression that the present leaders of our community flailed at the management of our town. And at providing leadership, the town itself will provide an assessment on March 4. My opinion is that the pettiness and immaturity of dealing with "the central government" was the downfall of the Orange Walk group. The councilors failed to council the Mayor. So stipends might have been issued to them in vain.
Now it is public knowledge that the Mayor was dangling from strings beyond his control. Too bad that those controlling the strings themselves do NOT have the proven skills to deal with a town and the organization it entails. One of them can hardly express himself much less run the resources of a town. The other, a flibbertigibbet, runs around on the successes of the offspring.
I promised not to get personal and I apologize for the innuendo but some things are so clearly mistakes that ought not to be repeated in the name of our town. We do not deserve it.
On another note, I do believe that Belize's Mayors and councilors ought to be paid handsomely. And, at best they should have part time employment whilst the rest of the time they should be at the town council offices looking out for the people. If the Mayor steps out, the deputy ought to be there. Like creole seh, "da chance" to have 7 people answerable to a growing town whilst they have their own full time jobs. Some rotatory measure ought to be implemented. Nowadays nothing is free. But as long as it is a cumbersome task to be mayor or councillors, they will keep shorting out the people. It ought to be jobs.
I do hate that the Town Council elections is many a times the report card of the central government. It just shows how the laws still tie the town to the whims of one. With having the Mayorship and Council as better paying positions, with increased responsibilities and with a greater self-governance (at the town level ) I can feel an increased chance of success. Of course, the importance of the central government will always be there.
Town councils winning by default should be a thing of the past. We in Orange Walk should vote for those that will plan and execute the best proposals for our town. Anyone that bickers should not be leading a town. Leaders serve.... that is the best leading they can do. So I propose lets tweak our town and restore a sense of living cleanly and healthily. That is the sole task of the town council... a major one I must say. We as a town should help anyway we can.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
St. Valentine's Day
I don't want to tell you how to celebrate St. Valentine's Day...and I will not even attempt. Simply (easy to say) allow yourself to be loved but first YOU need to be loving everyday of the year.Then we will all get along.
Enjoy some of these on your desktop. (Internet property ;))
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