Year: 2012

Grade “F” – by Aria Lightfoot

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“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself. ”   Leo Tolstoy

I was watching a reality show on TV where a business expert , goes into failing businesses, observes the business, evaluate the weaknesses, implement changes and most importantly, attempt the difficult task of implementing the changes with people. As the expert goes through each suggestion of change, it is glaringly obvious to the viewer (me) what the weaknesses were, however, the failing business owner and employees, prior to the expert advice, barreled obliviously to imminent failure. This show made me think – What is it about change we cannot grasp, even when we know we are failing?

 

The hardest person to criticize is ourselves. Even though we seek approval from our peers and colleagues, it seems that seeking approval translates into seeking out people who agree with our positions. I was captivated as each owner and employee fought the idea of change even though failure was certain. The expert was subjected to name calling, discounted, accused of bias, and outright rejection. Some people took her expert criticisms as a personal condemnation and instead of grasping the opportunity to change, using the advice of a well renowned expert, they preferred termination and personal failure. The idea of change was a concept some could not appreciate, even though failure would undoubtedly change their lives.

 

I look at our political arena and all the people who are in running the business of Belize. Whether from a social, economic, spiritual, politically, legal or voter perspective, it is safe to surmise that we are failing as a society. We are not only failing, but we believe the fault lies somewhere else and with someone else.

 

The political parties that form the governments have failed to adhere to campaign promises and mostly delivered to friends and family members. They have allowed the demise of Belize by shortcutting , cronyism, special treatment, and using the public coffers as their personal bank accounts. The churches are failing to address our moral decline and have limited their powerful voice to the issue of homosexuality. Poverty, murder, theft, corruption is not addressed with the same “fiery hell” approach. Public servants have failed to serve with integrity. They have partnered with the politicians in the demise of Belize by taking bribes, ignoring protocol, not giving the tax payers a good days work, and allowing the politicians to act with impunity to the state. The Bar Association of Belize has failed to be an important check and balance to the injustices that permeate our society. The doctors have failed to educate the masses about health and be healers in our society. They have become vulture like businessmen who feed off people in their most desperate moment in life -sickness. The business people are failing by selling inferior products at superior prices and not partnering with the Government to create jobs and contributing to the elevation of our society through community development initiatives. The banks are failing with predatory lending and crippling interest rates. The NGOs are ineffective. The media is failing by not asking the tough questions and becoming organs or sympathizers of political parties. The parents are failing by not partnering with the teachers to discipline their children and teach them the true value of citizenship, value of spirituality and value of being decent human beings. The voters are failing by not holding politicians to a high standard. They are part of the problem by accepting bribes and expecting all of life problems to be solved by a politician. And finally neighbors no longer know each other. We have lost a basic respect of treating people how we want to be treated. We have not reached out the family who are in need, to the children who walk the streets, to the homeless in need of food, to the elderly that need assistance…

 

And before you say, this does not apply to me, I do not fit this description, we need to take a long hard critical look at the way we conduct the business of Belize and ask ourselves…How have I contributed to the demise of Belize and what can I do to change the direction of impending failure?

 

Elections 2012 – by Aria Lightfoot

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What you are not hearing from the major parties for Elections 2012:

 

1. A solution to offset corruption and crime.

2. A plan to alleviate poverty.

3. Any ideas to overcome our debt burdens

4. A proposal to create checks and balances

5. A game plan for nation building

　

　So what the major parties saying heading into Election 2012:

 

1. Excuses

2. Faults and accusations

3. Propaganda

4. Freebies

5. Political infighting

　Since Independence our country has declined morally, economically, socially. I predict that the winner of Elections 2012 will feel the wrath of the Nation.. Good Luck Belizeans…we have “leaders” who want to lead us with no solutions and an atrocious resume.

Birds on da Wire by Fayemarie Anderson Carter

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Bernice “Bernie” Toucan sees her friend Doo Doo “Dodes” Chickadee sitting on the wires at the junction of Fortification and Judgement Streets. Dodes looks worried. Bernie decides to go see what’s bothering her friend. Dodes worries about a lot of things. She is easily frightened by everyday happenings but lately, it seems to have gotten worse. Bernie reflects that Dodes doesn’t even seem to smile lately.

“Hey, Dodes. You seem so pensive today. What’s up?” asked Bernie.

Dodes doesn’t look at Bernie but starts talking. “You see Johnny John Crow over there? That’s nevah good. He only come rung when someting bad about fi happun.”

Bernie sighs. “Dodes, you can’t let him bother you. It’s just his nature. He ciant help it.”

At this, Dodes looks at Bernie. “I’m scared Bernie. Things just seem to be getting worse and worse. My daughter’s friend Aaron Pope was killed the other day. Innocent little boy, sleepin in his bed, fuh no reason.” Dodes voice cracks with emotion. “Who is it gonna be next? What has to happen so all these young people realize that all this shooting and killing don’t do nuttin but destroy what little good we have left? Ah feel like nobadi give a shit nuhmo.”

“Dodes. You have to remember that not everybody is like that. There are people trying, trying real hard to get people to start thinking and maybe start doing something to help this situation. Like da gial, Aria. I have been reading her blog and she seems to be really fair about everything…none a dis party politics rass. Shi nu fraid fi nobadi, it seems. People like her, is exactly what we need.”

At this, Dodes gives a little smile, then a tiny chuckle. “Shi de awn nuh tru? Shi even use di “f” word!” exclaimed Dodes. Dodes threw her head back and start laughing real hard now. Her voice going up an octave, “Shi seh, shi seh to PUP ‘Grow the fuck up already'” At this Dodes is bawking from her belly, her whole body shaking, tears streaming down her face. “Bernie, gial. Ah jus cud imagine po George Price di roll inah ih grave! Buwhahahahahahaha! Aye! Aye! Mi belly di hurt!”

Bernie smiles at her friend. She knows that the laughter hides Dodes’ fears but it’s still nice to see her laugh a good belly laugh. It’s been too long.

“Hmmmmmm, Bernie gial. Whe u tink people like shi cud really do, huh?’ Bernie frowns as Dodes is serious again. “Ah mean, she is saying tings I wuda wa seh miself and ah know dat lotta pipple wudnt dare. You know, dey fraid fi lose dey job and soh. But, innah di end, whe shi cud really do, huh?”

Bernie looked at her friend. She was right. Nobody survived in Belize unscathed and could be downright destroyed when they said what this girl, Aria is.

“Well, Dodes. Wi cud hope dat di pen is mightier dan di sword. Ah mean, wi ciant do nuttin bout nuttin if wi nuh talk bout it fus. Look. nuttin get done in a hurry. Tings tek time. Tudeh she? Tomorrow? 20 mo like she. Instead ah jus siddung ya and worry, why wi nuh join dis gial, huh? Show her our support. After all shi di do dis fi wi right? Wi haftu believe dat good and sound judgement will prevail. Just look at history, Dodes. Ah bet during di Holocaust pipple felt like it would nevah end and den one day it did. Nuttin bad last forevah but wi ciant siddung rung and wait fuh mek ih done? Who di hell wa do it? WE, Dodes WE!”

“But Bernie. U noh andastand. What can I do? Ah nuh educated like you. Ah beahli di hold onto mi job da di facktry. Dey nuh wa give wi wa raise. Deh nuh wa wi unionize. Ah mean. Wot wa happen to me and my pickney if dey fiah mi? U know dey pipple who I work fah big innah politics.” Dodes pushed out her beak and shook her head. “Ah nuh know Berns. Ah fraid.”

“Ok Dodes. U have a valid point. But if we don’t help ourselves, who will? U noh tink my ma and your ma had dis very canvasation befo we had independence? People had to get together and fight! U wa end up like Jamaica? Caz ih look like dat fi real. Most ah fi dey people po no rass and deh gat parts a city yu bettah no dare go to. Some a di village dem nuh gat electricity at all! Still? innah dis day and age? Ah nuh want Belize tun like dat mein. U feel mi?”

Dodes looks at her smart, pretty friend and nods. “Alright Bernie. I will try. I will follow dis gial Aria and show her my support. I wa tell all mi other frens fi pay attention tu. Hey, Bernie. Who wudda tink that lee ole me wudda di du dis? All I duz k bout da bash pan Satuhdeh.”  Bawk, bawk,bawk “Aye dems were di gud ole days, huh, Bernie? Memba whe wi duz steps? Wi mi tink wi soh hot!”

“Talk fi yourself Dodes! Ah still got it girl!” Bernie thrust her chest out and swung her hips side to side.

The two friends laugh as they remember their blissfully, uncomplicated days as young girls, when nobody was shot and they could walk around at night without fear.  Days when all that mattered was a note from a boyfriend and holding hands excitedly with him as you walk by Baron Bliss grave…well more than walk, a stolen kiss or two. Those days seem so remote now; but, a tiny hope has sprung in their hearts, as they silently pledge their loyalty and lives to fight to take back their country from the clutches of corruption and greed. 

Ten Alarming coincidences and the “damage” system of Belize: by Aria Lightfoot

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1. A poll that claims to speak on behalf of the average Belizean. The poll was conducted in secrecy and by a prominent member of the Republican party, who campaigned for McCain. Why am I disturbed? McCain was reportedly linked to a group called the World League for Freedom and Democracy involved in influencing politics in Central America and the world. Conspiracy theory maybe or maybe not.

2. A system that demands no accountability. When we live a life without demanding facts, we are simply gullible sheep being led to our slaughter. Never accept a word any politician says. Let them show you the facts. Spreading rumors and propaganda to achieve their ultimate goals have been the accepted practice for way too long. Our media should hold politicians to a higher professional standard.

3. Nardia Garcia, prominent member of the PUP and other members of the PUP seeking elected office are closely linked to the Guatemalan President thru very close family relationship. Disturbing in that our political parties are linked indirectly to a country that continues to claim ownership over Belize.

4. The Port of Belize was foreclosed on by the Ashcroft Alliance. It seems that Ashcroft is strategically acquiring prime real estate that will eventually derail any governmental power so we can become subjects of Ashcroftville formerly known as Belize.

5. PUP battle continue to spill out into the media. Belize need an effective opposition and if the new government is PUP…a stable government. Grow the fuck up already!

6. 17 million dollars of tax payers money will benefit only 770 families. Thousands of people pay their bills. How can people notes be written off without oversight? If you thought giving away $100.00 was generous…try $50,000 to unknown beneficiaries. Who will benefit and who is footing this bill? Show me the facts.

7. The enforcement of our laws are at the pleasure of the government of the day. We are declining socially because of wanton corruption. Selective enforcement and poor prosecution. Where else in the world would a DPP and Attorney General boast a 5% conviction rate and be rewarded with a Queen’s medal and job security?

8. Our children continue to fall victim to crime and violence. What will our future look like, if children are being traumatized by street wars, weekly death of family and friends, and no consequences for bad behavior. We need a 5 year, 10 year, 20 year and 50 year visionary for Belize.

9. There is not a mandated set date for elections. Not having a mandated election date creates uncertainty for investors and citizens. Let us mandate a day every 5 years for general elections and end this atmosphere of uncertainty in our country.

10. Disproportionate representation of citizens. Time for each citizen of Belize to have equal representation in the House of Representative. Until each citizen is equally represented, the people power and influence will remain in the hands of a very selected few thru the “ spoil system“. Spoil literally means to damage severely or harm something. To diminish and impair. Belizeans are victims to the “damage“ system.

Da whe da gial Aria seh? by Fayemarie Anderson Carter

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Bernie Toucan is sitting on her perch high in the tree when Doo Doo Chickadee calls to her from her perch on the electricity wires crisscrossing the road.

“Hey Bernie…yu heah bout di new blog whe suh gial name Aria something write bout dem politicians?”

“Yeah gial…what bout it?” answered Bernie Toucan.

“Well, shi talk bout all a deh…suh ah nuh really andastand whe shi di try do. Ah midi hope u coulda explain it bettah to mi?” asked Doo Doo Chickadee.

Just then, Buster and Paulie Piam Piam, the twins, landed next to Doo Doo.

”Happy New Year’s Bernie and Dodes. Whe di go awn?”

Doo Doo looked at Buster and said, “Well, ah midi ask Bernie if she know whe dis gial Aria di talk bout pan dis new blog bout di politicians dem. She talk bout all a dem so ah nuh know whe shi di try seh.” Doo Doo Chickadee shook her head with a look of true consternation.

Buster put his arms akimbo and looked up and down at Doo Doo, “Whe deh fi know Doo Doo?” and then in a sing song voice he bellowed, “Times haaad fi true!”

“Don’t give a damn; don’t give a damn, “ chorused  Paulie Piam Piam. The twins busted into a fit of giggles and nearly fell off the wire laughing at their own joke.

“Aye uno two,” said Bernie Toucan. “Well, mek a si di blog Dodes. Ah could go through it wid u and si if we come up wid something.”

Bernie reads quietly for a bit and then says as she continues to read,” Well di  fus paat look like shi just di seh  dat neither one a di paaty dem do whe dey promise fi do. Hmmm, shi seh dat dem liad and tief and dat wi all tyad ah the same shit, different liar approach.”

At this the twins start to giggle again.

“Shi tell di PUP basically dat dey di fight like sum two year olds and dat deh nuh have no leadership, no direction…den shi tell di UDP dat dey no do when dey seh dey miya do but dey still di blame PUP fuh eviting and how dey da big cover artists and dey need fi fix dis shit and be mo responsible”

“Ooooooooooooh,” sing songed the twins.

“Hmmm, Bernie gial. Da who dis Aria person? Dey wa fire fi shi rass quick ting fi di seh alla dat stuff inuh?” said Paulie Piam Piam.

“Well u know dat da tru if shi mi live ya but shi deh da faren soh ah tink shi wa be ok. Shi family? Ah nuh know bout deh!” said  Buster Piam Piam.

“Si dis da di  rass ret deh!” exclaimed Bernie. “Evibady tu gaddamn fraid fi seh what needs to be said rung dese parts.” She shakes her head with indignation. “Da why uno so damn coward fa? If evibady tell dey rass off like dis, maybe dey wouldn’t do stupidness!”

Silence settles for a second or two as the birds shake their heads in agreement.

“Shi seh anyting bout VIP, Bernie?” asked Buster quietly.

“Well…no much inuh. Shi just seh dat dey got a good grip a di situation wid di corruption and ting but shi ask if dey religious. Ah wanda why shi seh dat?”

Just then Charles “Charlie” Crow sat next to Bernie and injected his usually highly respected opinion.

“Well I think that that is a very valid question. We have to be very careful how we allow religious agendas to infiltrate our politics and consequently our laws.”

“But den Mr. Charles, we da wa Christian nation. How we nuh wa bring God into di convasation?” asked Dodes. “Look pan di United States. Dey gat gay people inna di army and now dey cud get married! Dat ciant be right? Ah mean, I nuh gat nuttin genst gay people…do whe uno want inna di privacy ah yu own bed but ah nuh wa my pickney di si dat. Wat if my pickney decide he gay tu?”

Paulie Piam Piam snickered and looked at Dodes like he could kick her off the wire. “Now dat just stupid Dodes. And ah surprised at u. U, whe goh da church evi Sunday and talk bout acceptance for all. “

“Nuh get mi wrong Paul. I nuh want dey get hurt or nutting but really…ih jus gross mi out mein” Doo Doo made a shivering noise and ruffeled her feathers.

“Well but si. Da pipple like u allow dey cracked ones fi do whe dey do! Cas u turn wa blind eye and pretend dat dey one whe seh dey religious jus really di spread hate and fear. Come on Dodes. You bettah dan dat!” Paulie hawked and spat as if to emphasize his point. “Anyway Bernie, what else shi seh?”

“You really wa continue? Dis bloody depressin inuh,” asked Bernie.

The friends look down but they all shake their heads yes.

“Well, shi jus seh dat di media nuh di help cas dey belong to di diffrant paaties dem so how wi fi know what da what?”

“Tru ting mein. Ah hafi turn it off sumtimes. And wuss di newspapahs dem. Ah tink ah rather read ‘The Enquirer’!” chuckled Buster Piam Piam.

“It looks pretty dire,” said Charles. “I’m not sure what to say or think about our future as a nation.”

The friends looked out towards the setting sun as they each pondered Charlie’s heavy words.

Resolutions 2012 – by: Aria Lightfoot

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Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account. Robert Paul Arguably, so are campaign promises.

As we embrace 2012, now is the time to reflect on our personal successes and failures, to conduct a thorough self assessment and create new goals. 2012 promises a new political era for Belize. As a country, we need to evaluate promises made and broken ; become actively involved in what we would like our leadership to look like and be vigilant and proactive citizens.

The political history of Belize is fraught with broken campaign promises by the leading political parties of Belize. UDP and PUP have blatantly disregarded their recurring manifesto promise, to curb corruption. It seems that corruption aka the “spoil system” may be the most compelling reason for the inept, inefficient and quite possiblyresponsible for our growing poverty, crime and violence. A society that selectively applies rules can only hope for chaos. After 30 years of Belizean political Independence, we have elected, voted out and reelected the same people . Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

With escalating crime, violence and poverty, the Belizean voters are becoming disgusted, sickened, dismayed, appalled and apathetic to the blatant failure of political parties to fulfil campaign promises, end family enrichment, and respect the confidence of the voter …What is a voter to do?

People’s United Party :

After 10 years of near economic collapse, the PUP was overwhelmingly voted out of office and the UDP was ushered in with a mandate promising good governance. PUP has done an awful job as an opposition party. Distracted by internal fighting. The PUP went thru a time of restructuring that almost resulted in the collapse of the party. The old guard was voted out by the party membership and the PUP was overtaken with old/new blood. Such a change did not last too long as the new PUP leadership seemed weak and failing resulting in the old guard return to party leadership. Since the re-emergence of the old leaders in new suits, all seems to be well for the upcoming elections…but is it? Where is Cordel and Mark? Their silence is now deafening as it echoes of a divided front marching towards major elections in 2012.

PUP 2012 resolutions should look like this:

1. Create a manifesto. Belizeans still want to know what you plan to do when in office

2. Clean House

3. Show the Belizean people you have learned from past failures and come out strongly against corruption.

4. Unite as a party.

5. Promise to make the changes within 100 days in office.

6. Finger pointing highlights the disgraceful undeterred corruption in Belize. Offer solutions. Offer solutions.

　

　United Democratic Party:

The UDP must remember they were ushered into office because of voters disdain for PUP in 2008. UDP is taking a big gamble by ignoring many major campaign promises. People anticipated that UDP would change Belize into a transparent democracy by promising to free Belize from unjust enrichment; empowering the Senate; creating national ownership of the oil industry; reduce crime and violence; creating 5000 jobs, prosecute Ministers who display sudden wealth and property ownership ; differentiate from PUP style politics, and most importantly, maintain and uphold [public] trust. There are reportedly 27 pages of promises. (source http://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/5616) . I must say, UDP has failed miserably to deliver an accountable system and have now reduced themselves to welfare politics. The number one reason the UDP gives is that PUP is to be blamed for the prior 10 years to UDP accession, however, during their campaign UDP offered solutions not excuses. Time for UDP to look in the mirror and see if they can now differentiate their style politics from the PUP that was voted out in 2008. As UDP prepare for 2012 battle, 17 million dollars of tax payers money are being given away without accountability. Such a move is quite disconcerting to the average tax payer that may not benefit from any of these initiatives. UDP risk alienating “jealous” voters…

UDP 2012 resolutions should look like this:

1. Create a new manifesto explaining failures without blaming the PUP and what to look forward to in the next 5 years.

2. Follow thru on your campaign promises, you are still in control. Your credibility is at stake

3. Become financially accountable

4. Create programs to uplift poverty instead of masking it.

5. Finger pointing highlights the disgraceful undeterred corruption in Belize. Fix the problems and stop making excuses.

　VIP/PNP

VIP/PNP has done a great job in highlighting corruption. They have great ideas and they are a fresh new face with new ideas in the political arena. I like their traditionalist approach to bring back an atmosphere of integrity and ethics. They are making great strides in the political environment and have been great as a check and balance in our system. Their presence in the political arena promises to derail one of the major political party aspirations for control over Belize. VIP/PNP has not been in any leadership position as yet, so I can only analyze them from their promises. However, what is refreshing is a new non-traditional blood of political aspirants. It will be interesting to see how the voters will respond to their presence in the political arena.

VIP/NIP 2012 resolutions should be:

1. Separate your religion from your politics. As candidates, you can be motivated by a higher power without imposing your religion on the voters. Everyone wants to be included in the political process regardless of religious persuasion .

2. Become more visible and more vocal. Demand to be seen, heard and included.

　And the media …

The Media many times have not lived up to their needed position as a check and balance. Most media outlets have been directly sponsored or affiliated with a party organization or special interest groups. They serve as an informational source rather than an investigative source. It is evident that the Belizean people are yearning for the end of the abusive and corruptive politics of Belize. Everyone should be entitled to a decent standard of living and fair wages and promotions and a society free of crime and violence. It is very important that the media begin to hold our leaders accountable for the positions they hold.

Media should resolve to ask tough questions, constantly remind politicians of their campaign promises and report without fear or favor or personal persuasion.