Posts Tagged ‘Belize’
Your opinion counts!
Posted: 01/29/2013 in Belizean Politics, Community OutreachTags: Aria Lightfoot, Belize, Guatemala
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Daily Dingleberry 01-10-13 Is Whe Dis?
Posted: 01/10/2013 in Belizean Politics, Daily Dingleberry by Fayemarie A CarterTags: Aria Lighfoot, ARMED, Belize, Colleges and Universities, Du Di Rait Ting, Education, Fayemarie A Carter, Financial Aid, Kremandala, Micah Goodin, Patrick Faber, retaliation, Rotary Club, Scholarship, SJCJC, Student Council, Teens Belize
What’s all this about Micah Goodin? From all appearances, he di “Du Di Rait Ting”. He is President of the Student Council at SJCJC, Teen Belize Organization’s Personality of the Month, founder of A.R.M.E.D, a program aimed at mentoring young people, and the list goes on. One side says it is a simple matter of the scholarship program “Du Di Rait Ting” running out of funding BUT don’t you know how much money you have for scholarships BEFORE you give them out? Some say he took too long to complete his program and his share ran out. Others say it is retaliation, plain and simple for speaking out against Patrick Faber’s initiative to cut government subsidies of student fees. In any case, it would seem that he should not be left in the cold and he won’t be. Already, the Rotary Club and Kremandala have stepped forward to offer assistance.
Things that make you go “What?”
Watch This Blow Over Too by Fayemarie A Carter
Posted: 01/09/2013 in Belizean PoliticsTags: Aria Lightfoot, Belize, Belize City, Crime, Facebook, Fayemarie A Carter, God, Jesus, Murder, Prime Minister of Belize, twocanview
Da you! Da you!
A lot has been said, fingers have been pointed but does any of it make a difference? Will anything change? No. Why? Because we aren’t really interested in a solution. Many feel that what is happening in the South Side is irrelevant to their lives. The district people get on the bus and go home as soon as they are finished with whatever business dragged them into the city. The city folks jump into their air conditioned cars and drive to their burglar barred homes and wait for the chaos to blow over. An overriding sentiment seems to be ” I wish they would just hurry up and kill each other out.” Horrified yet? Maybe. Maybe not.
The self righteous religious people pray to God and assure themselves that the only reason these gang bangers are dying is because they need Jesus. They just need to pray and everything will be all safe and good again. The government treats them like a nuisance that needs to be put down by any means necessary, even murder. Screw trials and due process. What would be the point? We have a whopping 2% conviction rate. Let’s just open fire into a crowd of unarmed bystanders and see what happens. The Opposition is whining that they aren’t invited to the Press Conferences, which is PUBLIC by the way, so they sit on their hands and say “Da nuh we!” The GOB says “Stop the rumor mills!” and blames Facebook. That one is hysterical. Instead of blaming rumor mills and Facebook, embrace it. Use the social media to spread awareness and garner support for your efforts. Oh wait. Do you actually have any????? As far as anyone can tell, everything is hush hush thereby CREATING the speculation. And as for the media…well. What media? You call that journalism? Trampling all over the crime scene is just irresponsible and disrespectful to the process of justice…unless we aren’t planning on seeking any justice?????
The GOB’s response was inadequate in addressing the fear of the people. Nothing is ok about shots ringing out and children being frightened to go school. Instead of mocking the people’s concerns, how about some compassion? What are we waiting for…kids to get shot in their classroom because the BDF is opening fire randomly? And to the spectators…what the hell were you doing not moving out of the way? There were women actually confronting these armed soldiers. Then when one gets shot? We would cry “abuse of power”.
As for the men who were murdered. We know nothing. Who are they? Why were they targeted? Who would have wanted them murdered? Some are painting them as victims. Hmmmmmm. Let’s not do that just yet. Like I said, we know nothing. The only innocent victims in all of this are the children being terrorized on a daily basis. In the meantime, can we not use their deaths to vilify the GOB, poor people, the South Side? This problem is OUR problem. There is no one reason it is happening and no one solution to fix it. We are all complicit in the criminal lifestyle. Yes I said it… ALL. All of us have a brother, cousin, father, mother, sister, auntie, somebody involved in something that is illegal and we all look the other way. It is a lifestyle. You want this to stop? Start right in your own house.
Happy 21st!!!!!!!! Have a Blast This Weekend!!!!
Posted: 09/21/2012 in Belizean PoliticsTags: Aria Lightfoot, Belize, Belize Independence Day Celebrations, Fayemarie A Carter
Land of the Free
This Says It All… And Then Some by Fayemarie Anderson Carter
Posted: 08/31/2012 in Belizean Politics, Daily Dingleberry by Fayemarie A Carter, Justice for JasmineTags: Aria Lightfoot, Baptist Church, Belize, Belmopan Baptist High School, Benedict Groeschel, Catholic Church, Child sexual abuse, David Clohessy, Fayemarie A Carter, Franciscan Friars of Renewal, Jerry Sandusky, NCR, Pastor Willacey, sexual abuse, SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
Lock ‘em up
Anybody heard what the Catholic priest said about child victims of sexual abuse? He said that oftentimes, they are the “seducer”. You heard it right and he did say it, although if you go look for where he originally said it, you won’t find it. Instead, you will find that that article is already taken down and has been replaced by an apology article.
The Rev. Benedict Groeschel of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal said a lot of “dafuq” things in his interview with the National Catholic Register (NCR). Like what, you ask? O, that child molesters shouldn’t go to jail for their first offense, because they didn’t really mean to commit a crime; and, he refers to Jerry Sandusky as “this poor guy” as he wondered how no one said anything for years. “This poor guy” remember, is the Penn State coach convicted for molesting boys under his tutelage.
What did the Catholix have to say? Well, Editor in Chief of the NCR Jeanette De Melo, was really sorry they published what he said and called it an “editorial mistake”. Whatever, lady. And his fellow friars??? They likened him to an elderly relative, old and addled, not responsible for his ramblings. And what did HE say? Oh, that his brain ain’t the same since he’s been in a car accident. So then, why the hell was he in an interview again????? Bull!
David Clohessy, director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP expressed concern for victims, witnesses and whistle blowers saying that comments like that are “incredibly hurtful and mean spirited” and that there should be consequences for people like him.
So, here we go again. If this is the kind of thinking that is prevalent in our churches, is it any wonder that Pastor Willacy, of the Belmopan Baptist Church, got off with not a single charge??? Despite existing sexual harassment laws in Belize? Until we rise and holler at these people, refusing to swallow this garbage they spew from the pulpit, we can look forward to more of our children being used to satisfy the depraved sexual desires of our leaders. I don’t know about you, but I aint in for sacrificing lambs for that purpose.
Link to article about comments: http://ncronline.org/news/accountability/priest-apologizes-after-rebuke-comments-sexual-abuse
Link to apology: http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/father-benedict-groeschel-reflects-on-25-years-of-the-franciscan-friars-of/
Bashment!!!!!! Belizeans in Tampa!
Posted: 08/30/2012 in Belizean Politics, NewsFlaaaaaassssh!!!Tags: Aria Lightfoot, Belize, Belize Independence Day Celebrations, Fayemarie A Carter, Tampa
Daily Dingleberry 08-26-12 Does This Pass The Bullshit Test??????? Tell Me What You Think
Posted: 08/26/2012 in Belizean Politics, Daily Dingleberry by Fayemarie A CarterTags: Aria Lightfoot, Belize, Belize City, Business and Economy, Central America, drugs, Fayemarie A Carter, Florencio Marin Jr, Government, Law, United States
Direct link to the following http://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/74930
Aug 23, 2012
6 containers of suspected pseudoephedrine turn out to be chalk
FLORENCIO MARIN JR.
Earlier this year, a shipment of seven forty-foot containers housing a significant quantity of methylamine hydrochloride, a chemical precursor used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, was confiscated by the Customs Department. The consignment, valued at an estimated ten billion dollars, was shipped from China to Belize in February to Belize Gardens Consortium, a local company owned by businessman Vernon Cuthkelvin. Following the seizure, samples of the substance were sent to the United States for testing while the Anti-Drug Unit led an investigation into the matter. In the interim Cuthkelvin sought representation from attorney Lionel Welch, who indicated that a charge of making a false declaration on a customs entry was the only legal action that could be taken against him. But the charge never materialized and today Minister of National Security John Saldivar said that the chemicals, after being tested, turned out to be nothing more than chalk. The investigation, he added, has since been closed.
Florencio Marin Jr., Area Representative, Corozal South East
“Can the Minister of National Security say what is the status of the police investigation into the seven forty foot containers that were shipped to Belize in February containing chemicals which form the base for the deadly drug commonly known as ‘crystal meth’ and whether or not anyone has been arrested or charged in this matter?”
JOHN SALDIVAR
John Saldivar, Minister of National Security
“Mr. Speaker, samples sent abroad to the United States for analysis have proven that the container for the Belize Evergreen Distributors and Supplies was found to be chalk, calcium carbonate. The three containers that were declared as titanium dioxide for Belize Gardens Consortium was found to contain chalk, calcium carbonate which was found to the front of the container, while samples taken from the back of the container was found to be all methylamine hydrochloride which is a precursor for the production of methamphetamine. The other three containers which were declared as ammonium sulphate were found to contain some ammonium sulphate from the samples taken from the front while the samples taken from further in the back of the containers were found to contain methylamine hydrochloride. Mr. Speaker, calcium carbonate, ammonium sulphate, and methylamine hydrochloride are not prohibited substances under the current laws of Belize therefore there were no reasonable grounds to believe that the person or persons had committed or is committing any offence under the laws of Belize. As a result, there were no arrests made and the police investigation into this matter is considered closed.”
The “chalk” was destroyed, reportedly with assistance from the US.
PUP Speaks Against Recent Allegations Involving Baptist Pastor
Posted: 08/23/2012 in Belizean Politics, Justice for Jasmine, NewsFlaaaaaassssh!!!Tags: Aria Lightfoot, Baptist, Belize, Belizean, Belizean people, Belmopan, Central America, Fayemarie A Carter, High school, Pastor Willacey, Peoples United Party
The full text of what the PUP’s UWG said on August 21 – August 21, 2012
Press Release
The United Women’s Group (UWG) of the People’s United Party is appalled by the recent reports of sexual misconduct of adult men with minors, by persons in positions of trust and authority; and in particular by the matter involving the Principal and Pastor of the Belmopan Baptist School and Church who has confessed to being involved in an inappropriate relationship with a teenage female student and church member.
The UWG finds this report against this individual very disturbing. At a time when our young people are faced with lack of opportunities and positive role models, those in positions of authority entrusted as the guardians of the welfare of our children and youth, must not betray this trust for their own selfish gratification.
The UWG condemns in the strongest terms, any exploitation, sexual, physical, emotional or economic of Belizean youth. We deplor
e any conduct that preys on upon our women, youth and children.
The UWG calls on the Ministry of Education, the Belize Association of High School Principals, the Baptist Association of Belize and the Belize Council of Churches to act swiftly and decisively in dealing with this matter; and to immediately implement appropriate measures to ensure that such actions doo not re-occur within the school and church systems in Belize.
The UWG encourages all Belizeans to continue to advocate in the most vigorous manner for the protection of our children to keep them free from all forms of exploitation and abuse.=ENDS=
The UWG calls on the Ministry of Education, the Belize Association of High School Principals, the Baptist Association of Belize and the Belize Council of Churches to act swiftly and decisively in dealing with this matter; and to immediately implement appropriate measures to ensure that such actions doo not re-occur within the school and church systems in Belize.
The UWG encourages all Belizeans to continue to advocate in the most vigorous manner for the protection of our children to keep them free from all forms of exploitation and abuse.=ENDS=
Daily Dingleberry 08-22-2012 Raising the Age of Consent to 18
Posted: 08/22/2012 in Belizean Politics, Daily Dingleberry by Fayemarie A CarterTags: age of consent, Aria Lightfoot, Aria Llightfoot, Baptist pastor, Belize, Belmopan Baptist High School, Child abuse, Fayemarie A Carter, Intimate relationship, minor, power differential, preacher, statutory rape, United States, Violence and Abuse
School is supposed to be safe. Make it so.
I feel for the mother of the minor 16 year old girl accusing Baptist Pastor, Norman Willacey, of having an inappropriate sexual relationship with her child, a student under his tutelage and guidance for years at the Belmopan Baptist High School. She has appealed to all the people in authority she believes can help her seek justice but sadly, it’s been slow in coming. As of right now, the Baptist Church still hasn’t made a decision despite the mountain of evidence piled against him, including his own strange confession.
What I have an issue with is the proposal to raise the age of consent from 16 to 18. I believe that this is not the issue which needs to be confronted, not now, not ever. This is a knee jerk action designed to put a mother’s feelings of frustration and helplessness to rest. It is a move that, if pursued, will only create a false sense of security for parents because the truth is, predators don’t give a damn about laws. They will do the do no matter what. What will happen is you are going to criminalize the normal behaviour of young girls and boys who are experimenting with their sexuality all the while ignoring the real problem we face: abuse of power by people in authority.
This case is not about the sexual relationship between the pastor and the young girl. That is actually the symptom of a much larger, more entrenched societal attitude towards women and others deemed “less than”. It is about the power differential that exists between anyone who has any sort of authority over another: employer vs employee; minister vs voter; pastor vs believer; parent vs child; teacher vs student; adult vs minor. When circumstances create an imbalance of power, it is imperative that the person with perceived power exercise extreme caution NOT to abuse it. In other words, he/she must behave in an ethical manner so as to not exploit someone perceived to be the more vulnerable in the relationship.
How would changing the age of consent do anything about any of that? We need to understand that this is not about sex at all. It is about an adult abusing trust that was placed in his authority and position in the community. He didn’t only hurt this girl and her family, he hurt everyone who ever sought his guidance and revered his intentions. What we need are better sexual harassment laws period.
Please don’t jump on this bandwagon. I apologize to mom in advance but I firmly stand by this assertion.
