Belizean Politics

Hitler Who? by Fayemarie Anderson (yes, that one) Carter

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Look again. These are bodies.

What are you looking at?

Lately, as political debates reach ever higher summits of the ridiculous and maniacal, a common name hurled at people we don’t like is “Hitler“.  Now, we can all understand getting passionate about issues. The strength of our convictions and raging adrenaline gives us overwhelming courage to raise our voices and pump our fists. But to call your nemesis “Hitler” just because you don’t like him/her or don’t agree with his/her ideology is very immature, reactionary and truly tasteless.

It is very concerning to see OUR leaders act in such an  irresponsible and inflammatory manner. It almost always plays out the same way no matter if it happens in lee Belize or the big ole United States. Some high profile politico calls an opponent “Hitler”; it causes fierce controversy; the aggressor backs down but by then, the damage is done. That name, that image is forever linked in the voters’ minds.

Even people who are shocked and aghast at such vitriol, like the Germans in the 1930’s, we tell ourselves, “Oh, he didn’t mean that. It won’t turn into anything. After all, I know him. He is my cousin. He is a nice guy.” But that is the frog boiling. You know the metaphor: A frog, dropped into boiling water, will frantically try to escape. But if you place that same frog in a pot of tepid water and gradually raise the temperature, he will languish in stupor and smile his way to death. Is that what is going on here? I think so.

People with malintent and less than stellar ethics, are trying to colour our vernacular with the blood of millions of people who were murdered under the directive of a  lone, evil %$#&@!$*!@^#. Do you understand that when you use the name “Hitler” in vain, you insult the victims and the survivors of the most monstrous acts committed against humanity, EVER?  When we call others “Hitler” we minimize the horrors the whole world had to fight to overcome.

Imagine YOUR family portrait. Do you see your mother; your grandmothers; your father; your grandfathers; your aunts and uncles; your cousins; your baby brothers; your four year old sister. Do you see your mischievous 10 year old cousin pulling his sister’s hair? She is the one with her mouth formed in an “O” in surprise and pain. And then there is your tomboy of a 12 year old sister making googly  eyes at the camera.  Are you smiling? Now imagine putting an “X” on each and every face and telling your grandchild, “Hitler killed him”; “Hitler killed her”; “Hitler”; “Hitler”.

Lemme ask you something: Has any one of our leaders ever told millions of people they had to identify themselves by wearing a distinctive symbol signifying that they are the scourge of their nation? Have you ever had to watch your children being taken from you and put on a train to a concentration camp, your son is 4 and your daughter is a screaming 2 year old? Did you have to watch as soldiers lined up hundreds of the old and sick, each one being riddled with bullets in the blink of an eye? Did you have to watch your mother shrivel up from hunger and die slowly from the simple flu because she has no medicine or the strength to fight? Did you have your gold teeth ripped out of your mouth so some bastard can take the gold and melt it down? How about skinning your neighbour so a General can have a lamp shade made of his skin? Did you have to watch your daughters/sisters rounded up and sent to labs where there insides were mutilated and injected with poisons in “experiments”? Were you made to give up all your clothes and warm shoes then left to shiver in negative 30 degree Fahrenheit bitter cold winters?  And you better not stop working because you will be butted in the head by a gun.

No. You haven’t. And you won’t.

And before you dismiss my plea because you are telling yourself that it will never get to this point so why bother discussing it? It didn’t start with the gassing and the shooting. It started with toxic rhetoric. Beware words like: dictator, imperialist, unilateral, uncaring, supremacist, socialist,  or phrases like “threat to our freedom”; “if you are not with us, you are against us”; “it’s us versus them”; “take back our country”. And whenever you are not allowed to criticise a political proponent’s ideology and in turn are accused of being a “traitor” or identified as being partisan and blind, that is a huge signal that true democracy is NOT that proponent’s intent. Then, there is the actual poster with our Prime Minister dressed as Hitler himself. I’m not showing that picture here. That would give it more press and I refuse to be a part of that. Go look for it yourself.

It is a shame that politicos with self serving agendas are playing on people’s fears and emotions. Hitler took advantage of a depressed Germany to push his hate filled objectives. At first, the Germans didn’t even like him. He was unsuccessful at his early attempts. As the environment became more desperate and people sought a leader, he became their saviour, their knight in shining armour. None of them realized what they were heading for. Is this what we want for our people? More hate? More violence? More devastation? Check yourself. Check your motives. Check your tactics because it might turn out that “Hitler” is YOU.

Andre Alamina on his way!

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Lady Kim Barrow, Andre Alamina, Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Alvaro Alamina

Andre Alamina, Winner of twocanview.com essay contest,  got an opportunity to be a guest at the ceremonial opening of Parliament today.  I am very proud of Andre…Keep up the good work and reach for the stars!

Kay Alamina, Lady Kim Barrow, Andre Alamina, Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Alvaro Alamina

Lady Kim Barrow, Andre Alamina, Alvaro Alamina, Kay Alamina

Are you Sheep? by: Aria Lightfoot

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What is Propaganda?

Propaganda is literally translated into the “dissemination of information” and is the deliberate spreading of rumors to help or harm a person, group, movement, institution,  nation etc. to influence a person or community toward a certain position.  The information is many times geared towards telling the audience what to think about the issue or many times innuendos are used in a strategic way to get the audience to come to their desired conclusion.  Many times the propagandist appeals to your sense of emotions rather than intellect.

Where does the term come from?

The term originates from a committee of cardinals established in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV, having supervision over foreign ministries and the training of priests for these missions. After Pope Gregory XV passed away, he was succeeded by Pope Urban VII who established a school for the education of priest for foreign missions called the College of Propaganda.  Pope Urban VII waged war and propaganda to spread the “good news” …today, the Catholic Religion is still the most powerful religion in the world.

What are the tactics?

  1. Repeating information several times in different mediums until it is accepted as a fact without actually producing facts.
  2. Using catch words such as “reliable information”  or unconfirmed reports or “someone very close to me says” are telltale signs of the propagandist.
  3. Being vague, suggestive and illusive
  4. No evidence is offered
  5. The tone is accusatory
  6. Questions are rhetorical

How to overcome propaganda?

Remember, the propagandist may be your parents, who have held on to age old belief systems;  or your political parties, whose agenda is to win elections; or your priest or pastor, who interpret the Bible for you;  or your spouse that tell you how to think;  or some trouble maker gossiper.  Propaganda fails when the audience demands accountability and facts.  Simply by asking questions instead of tacitly accepting information one can undo the propagandist. If you ask too many questions the propagandist may become unraveled and unleash negative comments your way because they may not even know they are repeating unsubstantiated information.   When we begin as a society to demand sources and evidence we will begin to appreciate real integrity in communication.   When we accept propaganda, we diminish our capacity to think critically.  So my questions are…Do you accept everything you hear?  Do you ask for proof? Or are you sheep?

Cancer’s unknown impact by: Aria Lightfoot

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Cancer is one of the most heart wrenching diseases that exist. It does not discriminate amongst its victims. It has no sympathy for children, mothers, fathers, friends, cousins or loved ones. It cares not about your personality, political, religious or economic status.  Cancer is described in the A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia as the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells. Cancer grows out of normal cells in the body. Normal cells multiply when the body needs them, and die when the body doesn’t need them. Cancer appears to occur when the growth of cells in the body is out of control and cells divide too quickly. It can also occur when cells forget how to die. Cancer then can affect any part of the body since cells are the body’s building block and whilst some have symptoms and can be diagnosed  and treated early, some cancers do not show symptoms until it is well advanced and treatment is futile.

The first time I encountered this disease was at the age of 12 when my grandfather was diagnosed with Cancer.  I remember as a kid, he left Belize a healthy man and came back in a wheelchair and a mere fraction of his former self.  I remember my grandmother privately cried but presented a brave face when she administered care to him. I can still visualize him grimacing in pain, and fading in weight and size.  He quickly deteriorated and finally succumbed to the disease in less than a year after diagnosis.  Who would think cells that refuse to die can cause such a slow painful death.  It was the first time I was confronted with losing someone I loved so much.

In two short years, my mother was diagnosed with the same deadly disease. Her initial prognosis was positive. It was breast cancer and early diagnosis was good.  She underwent a recommended mastectomy but she did not do any other treatment as I recall.  The surgery left her emotionally scarred but her spirit was upbeat because she survived. I was also comforted  after reading a home encyclopedia that seemed to minimize the effects and  alleviated any fears of losing her.  She was physically scarred but she was still as beautiful as ever and most importantly,  she was still here and that was all that mattered.  I remember she told me that all she cared about was her children and her surgery was a small price to pay to be in our lives.   She resumed work and life as normal.

As life resumed to “normal”, my mother’s work life consumed her; she did not follow up on her checkups because time away did not allow her to.  In two very short years later, she began experiencing excruciating back pains and discovered another lump in her second breast.  This time when she went for treatment, the prognosis was not good.  The doctor initially predicted she would live for two weeks because the cancer had spread to her brain, but after a second look, there was no brain cancer and the doctors could not explain what happened, however, their prediction was still dire. Prior to the cancer years,   I had never seen my mother sick with a cold or flu but yet she succumbed to this disease in nine short months later. My mother suffered the same deterioration as my grandfather, her father; she grew weaker and weaker until she uttered her last words before she passed away: “ I am so tired!”

The memory that haunts me through is her doctor in Belize.   My mother’s doctor in Canada called a very prominent doctor in Belize to discuss her treatment and chemotherapy options. He wanted to ensure he would maintain her treatment in a last ditch effort to save her life. The Belize doctor promised the Canadian doctor to take over my mother’s treatment, however he never showed up one day to administer any treatment. My aunt, in a moment of desperation, visited him at his home to ask why he is not treating her; she emerged with tears streaming from her eyes. The doctor told her he did not have time to waste because she was not going to survive anyway.  He was cold, callous and uncaring. I don’t think I have hated anyone so much in my life.  As I write this piece I reflect on the lack of civility and care the doctor displayed towards my mother, who considered him a personal friend. She was vulnerable and he was an asshole for lack of a better term.   I later found out that my mother was not the only person he showed this level of disparagement towards. I met someone who shared a similar story about the “good” doctor’s treatment towards her father who also suffered and died from Cancer.  I still find him contemptible after reflecting 20 years later; his despicable behavior is maybe why I have the tendency to blow anyone “out the water” that act in such a manner towards victims.

Site Seven Belmopan - This list is limited to the people we are aware of.

 

The story of Cancer gets no better in my family.  Within a decade’s time, I lost my grandfather, mother, and two aunts. This may sound like a tragic story of the Branche/Gillett  family,  sad to say  it is not exclusive to my family.  In the area I grew up in Belmopan, every single street in the Site Seven area has had a Cancer victim.(see picture above).  I formed a cancer group on Facebook(What is causing Cancer in Belize, Let’s investigate) and I am trying to create an ad hoc database and map to give a visual of the frightening impact.  My maps are exclusive to Belmopan.  If you look at the map you will see the astronomical number of victims in site seven, a small community of maybe 500 families.   As we venture outside the Site Seven area in Belmopan, the picture becomes even more alarming. (The picture is limited to our personal knowlege, many more victims exist)  I am sure that this problem may also be as staggering in other areas of Belize, however, there is no empirical evidence to support this.

Janelle Chanona did a news piece called Cancer in Children, where two little girls were diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer in Belize. (http://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=17843)  You have to question what the odds of two people are in a small community from different families developing the same rare form of cancer.  I feel uncomfortable not knowing.  There are now too many victims to recall each triumph or tragedy as much I would love to do it here.  We need to investigate what is causing cancer in Belize. The causes could be diet, environmental, genetic   or mere coincidence, however, the lack of concrete evidence leaves us speculating the causes and making it impossible to create effective prevention and treatment programs. I write this letter pleading for some investigation and hoping to bring to light the long reach of this deadly disease.  The first lady is doing an excellent job  forcing and inspiring us to confront the disease.  Her approach is revolutionary for Belize.  My intention is that we have a database for all cancer victims, support groups and effective prevention and treatment options for Belizeans.  The database would also serve as a footprint for future investigators to take up the task and help us determine our root causes.

She seh, She seh: by Fayemarie Anderson Carter and Aria Lightfoot

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(Aria) I landed in Belize on March 6, 2012 and I was confronted with the political season from the get go. People were coming in to vote; there is was no doubting that. I saw political agents picking people up from the airport. My friend who is an avid UDP supporter and I met up in Miami. Her dad gave me a ride from the airport and the funniest thing he said was “Aria, I am not sure who you are coming here to vote for…should I just drive you in the woods somewhere and leave you there until the day after elections…” I laughed, maybe he was serious.

I had the opportunity to speak to several people regarding voting and I was a bit surprised at what people were telling me. I spoke to several people in Freetown who abstained from voting because they were not going to vote for no chineyman and not going to vote PUP. I even tried to reason with people about the importance of voting and people were adamant. I also spoke to well- known PUP (never voted Red) supporting family who told me they voted UDP because they don’t want Obama money encouraging homosexuality and Lisa M Shoman was going to change the laws. I met people who thought Dean Barrow wanted to take over Belize forever and were afraid of him…and all I thought was “how did we become so ignorant with the burst of information sources in Belize?” It seems to me that people were making choices based on fear and misinformation. I concluded that we are such a lazy society that we just sit and depend on other people to bring information to us without demanding sources, facts or evidence. So, it seems that politicians were playing on the fears and ignorance of people this election season and they played a dangerous game encouraging fear, spreading misinformation. It is really should not be just about winning, because fear and ignorance have been the biggest contributors to some of the worst atrocities in the world.
During my trip, I did meet some intelligent young people: kids who were savvy and open minded and were clear on the issues and mistrusted the information of the politicians, kids with no affinity for any party; kids who will represent the new swing voters in 5 years. I also met Andre Alamina, our winner of the twocanview essay contest. He was impressive in person, an intelligent humble young man who already knows what and where he wants to go in life. I see a light of hope for these youths since I met so many negative, fanatical older people who have accepted fear and hate were crucial voting factors.

I also noticed that some friends were so entrenched in the political game, that they avoided me, the ones who thought that politics were more important than friendship. It made me reflect. Why are we so divided in our society over something that really doesn’t impact us as much as we think it does? Of the 300,000 people voting, I bet 299,900 people lifestyle remains the same regardless of political party empowered, so it is truly a phenomenon and psychology that should be examined.

The highlight of my trip was meeting Mrs. Kim Simplis-Barrow. She was elegant and beautiful and very accommodating. She openly shared her struggles and pain and I see a fighter and a woman who will triumph. She transcends the political divide. She is something special. She has already touched the lives of many families who suffered in silence and took the shame away from the debilitating effects of cancer treatment.

We (Faye and I) also met the Prime Minster, the Rt. Honorable Dean Barrow. He was  very charming and accommodating and we met him in the midst of a crisis…dealing with the incident at Chetumal that “didn’t really happen.” I see why PUP hate him too…He is a formidable opponent and when juxtaposed against their leaders, there really is no comparison.

After that meeting, Faye and I met Glenn Tillett , who took us to Chaps in Buttonwood Bay. (Best tacos and margaritas I have had in Belize). To our surprise, Joe Coye was also there and after hours of conversation, drinks and tacos, I must say Joe was quite the charmer, story teller and philosopher. I am still waiting for the “rat in the cellar” analogy. A story he teased us with all night but never quite told.

Twocanview with Glenn Tillett and Joe Coy at CHAPS

Just before the night was over, the Hon. Said Musa (former Prime Minister of Belize) walked in. He also came over and exchanged pleasantries and took pictures with us. I was left with a favorable personal impression of all the politicians for that day. It is definitely a different picture from the thieving lying scoundrels that I have passively come to accept.

 

I realize, politicians are intoxicating individuals, I see why people enjoy being around them, why people become fanatical followers and also why people are many times disappointed when they fail to deliver. When I met Justice Clarence Thomas in the DC, I got the same impression about him. The sense of power and confidence exuded from him. He was a powerful Supreme Court judge and his essence was electric. However, if you don’t step back from their flattery and charm, you too may get caught up in the hypnotic gaze and fanatically follow them.

I guess I am most disappointed after the elections were over; it was quite disheartening to read Belizeans advocating and waiting on the sidelines for the Prime Minister to fail. I think that people think that supporting a political party is like supporting a basketball team or football team. They fail to see that if any Belize government fails, then we all fail. If you are celebrating crime increases, or price increases or devaluation, then you fail to see the big picture. What affects Belize will affect you, regardless of your political color or affiliation. It will affect you regardless of your race or ethnicity. We need to stop with the herd mentality when it comes to politics. Just because PUP or UDP says something doesn’t make it true. Investigate and ask questions. If a policy is good, it doesn’t matter if you are PUP or UDP, we should be encouraging good policies and discouraging bad ones. Opposition does not mean that we oppose everything. Opposition is there to act as a check and balance of the government of the day, not to criticize everything and find a way to dismantle every good idea.

So my ultimate thoughts on the elections: It was an election where bribery, racism, offshore drilling, immigration, corruption and every conceivable underhanded commercial or tactic was used by two parties. PUP crying foul because they lost by a razor thin margin is as hypocritical as any party can be. So my cynical side asks:  if both parties cheat, is the contest really unfair?

(Faye) Well Aria, I had some similar experiences. When I landed in Belize on February 24, 2012, obviously it was not for the same purpose. I was here for my brother’s funeral. But of course, politics was bubbling frantically. I had to travel up and down the Hummingbird Highway, the Southern Highway and the Western Highway, not to mention I was staying at the Pelican Beach Resort, so I was right next to the airstrip and I saw politicians come and go. The PUP machine was out in full force. Everywhere I looked in the South and West, gigantic blue and white flags covered trees and buildings. They were so large, that some voters jokingly said that instead of flags, the PUP should have made them into blankets for the homeless. On every lamp post was smaller, but no less distinct and impactful, blue and white posters. Sometimes, as I drove along, trucks carrying supporters to and from rallies almost ran me off the road in their zeal to get where they were going. Oh yeah, y’all need to NOT do that. It doesn’t speak well of your leadership qualities. The impression left is that of bullies. It wouldn’t do for you to get into accidents with people being flung out of the back of your trucks. Bad press, no bueno.

Along the way, I heard speeches being given; rallying cries shouted over bullhorns and secret support being whispered in the ear of politicians. I heard one PUP campaign manager definitively claim victory, reassuring whoever was on the other end of the phone that all the effort was not for naught. And he was working tirelessly, driving all over the countryside from morning till night, even going to immigration several times to ensure that certain supporters received their nationality. As for UDP, I heard a lot of complaints in the south. From the Rosewood issue to the bloody annoying as hell pedestrian bumps all along the flippin Placencia road. Seriously, that stretch added an hour to my drive time instead of the 20 minutes it should have taken to drive from Placencia to Maya Beach. I call them the “check if you left your wreck behind” bumps. I have to agree, they got to go. And the irony? Not a pedestrian in sight for flippin miles. And yes, that is a jab at my Uncle Melvin. Madafish!

THe Pedestrian Bumpah Scrapahs

My specific gut stabbing moment though, was driving through Dangriga. I know we are poor. I grew up there, but what I saw was just overwhelming. I don’t mind unpaved roads, ok? I understand that garbage barrels can and will get full to over running. I know that wooden houses sag and roofs rust BUT my goodness! It’s like as a collective people, the whole town is just depressed, so depressed, that noticing things like garbage on their steps is too much. Or noticing that the school is falling apart is too much. Or noticing that the grass is taller than I am is too much. It was seriously distressing. People walked slowly as if in unison, they all decided, it’s too much to even walk with purpose. And the only businesses that seem to have business were the Chinese grocery stores, and there were plenty of those. I am glad that the Chinese are finding success, but where are my Garinagu?

On a more positive note, there were many things that one could say is progress. Some will disagree I am sure but one cannot please everyone. The Kendall Bridge is being built…the road to Placencia is a flippin blessing! There is so much money to be made alllllll along the way: Hopkins, Silk Grass, Seine Bight…I am so happy that we have a highway finally! I remember it taking 8 long hours to get to PG one time because it had rained and our bus got stuck twice in the mud. Despite the poverty in some places, there is obvious development all over: Belize City; Belmopan; San Ignacio, Placencia, Caye Caulker, even some parts of Dangriga.

Sunrise at Tradewinds Cottages in Placencia, Stann Creek

My old school Ecumenical looks bona fide with benches, a cafe and nice little flowering bushes and trees dotting the landscape. Did I mention all the damn vehicles everywhere? And laptops and cell phones! SO…we do have access to information. I don’t want to hear that “we didn’t know” cas u damn well know what your neighbour is doin’ the minute she does it. So start paying attention to your political/socio-economical world.

Look good and find the brand new laptop.

Oh! And Prince Harry was a cutie-pie! Definitely worth the long hot wait! It was so much fun…made me feel like a little school girl again, I swear. I saw so many friends and family out there. And who could forget the two foot cow with no tail? He just walked up to my dad and said, “Awnisin?” like old times 🙂


This is a sentiment I heard toooooo many times: “me nah wah mess wid politics! me nah gat time” or “why bother? nobody nuh wah give me nuttin?” SMH my answer to that? “You better!” It is just so irresponsible not to be involved in our community in some way, shape or form. When our neighbour succeeds, so do we all. So the flip of that is: when our neighbour fails, so do we all. We can’t say crime is the police’s problem. That criminal is our damn son, our uncle, our mother, our aunt. We can’t say the school is the government’s problem because it is our children sitting in dank classrooms, bellies hungry while they swat at flies and struggle to read what is written on termite eaten black boards. We can’t say that the cancer victims and diabetics need to just go to the hospital to die because they deserve to be treated with dignity and their families need them to survive. We can’t just shake our heads and pump our fists when yet another little girl is raped, scarred for life. We need to take care of her and let her know we love her. Don’t shun her and pity her like she is a whimpering dog. She is strong and can overcome.

I heard desperation, I felt depression and I saw helplessness. Belize can be better but you gotta believe my people, in YOURSELVES. You’ve been downtrodden for too long but your voices ring in the night and your hopes shine on for all to see. Grab your life by the balls and take control of it. Stop waiting for that knight on the white horse. He ain’t coming. You have been your own hero all along.

Making our mark at Lazy Lizard's at The Split, Caye Caulker, Belize

(Aria) Our trip ended on a high note. Faye and I spent the last two nights in Belize at the beautiful Caye Caulker which was illuminated with the full moon.  Caye Caulker still offers the laid back rustic life for travelers who are weary of the rat race. It is a place where I can see myself running to time and time again for mental relief and visual ambience. (visit the split and look for our www.twocanview.com logo written on the railing).

Belize is our homeland and like every Belizean home or abroad, we all want the best for our country.  I believe in dissent as an important part of democracy but let’s elevate the debate to a professional and civil level. Passionate should not mean rude or personal. Disagreeing should not be diminished to mean and disagreeable. And my Belizeans start demanding verifiable information and stop accepting gossip and propaganda when making crucial voting decisions.  We must elevate ourselves first and everything else will naturally follow.  I love my blue friends and I love my red friends and I love my color blinded friends. But most of all I love Belize and I anticipate each government job is to create a better future for ourselves and children;  to ensure the safety and security of its citizens;  to provide a means for success we can take advantage of; and to ensure we remain a jewel. Let’s strive for utopia and let’s climb out of the gutters of politics in Belize.

Sore Losers by: Aria Lightfoot

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Look, I don’t mean to be a sore loser, but when it’s done … if I’m dead … kill him!

— Butch Cassidy

The elections are over and it played out like the final seconds of a heated game. Supporters from both sides held a collective breath as the magic 16 was reached.    UDP emerged the winner.  It was a well fought race on both sides.  Neither side seemed to have the advantage, and the final results indicated same.  The questionable tactics used by both parties did highlight some failings in our system. Corruption has spilled out and is now so open that it no longer offends the conscience of the reasonable man.  The standard has been lowered in our society. With that said, there seem to be a new disturbing cultural trend emerging- little or no respect for the highest office of the land; the Prime Minister of Belize.

Obviously the propaganda machine did not stop when elections’ season ended.  In fact, Belizeans are being told there was voter fraud, election cheating and just about every allegations and enough misinformation to convince people that their vote did not count.   I am seeing unfounded allegations being dangerously spread via the internet trying to convince people that PUP was cheated and they should be the rightful government; that Belize is headed for a dictatorship (for the past 5 years);  that our PM resembles a monster who murdered 6 million people, namely Hitler.

During the elections, Belizeans passively accepted the entire deterioration of our electoral process; however, the election is over and so should the silly season.  Belizeans tolerated the most distasteful, disrespectful and personal commercials ever seen in the history of our elections and it seems the deterioration continues, except with a dangerous undertone now. It stinks of poor sportsmanship and PUP is emerging as a sore mean loser with the rhetoric and lies to instigate mischief.  All these  allegations by the way,  attack the credibility of our public officers who conducted the counting in front of both parties and observers; it shows a lack of integrity of the people spreading rumors and it ultimately teaches our people and children to be disrespectful and distrustful of our leaders.

One more thing, anyone ever wonder what is PUP’s unhealthy obsession with Dean Barrow? Methinks racism albeit subtle! How dare this black man talk to ‘us’ this way?  Doesn’t he know his place?   We are so colonial in our thinking that even some black people are taught to believe a black man should not be as powerful and as successful as Dean Barrow.  Dean Barrow is no more or less arrogant than Said Musa was.  Dean Barrow is as successful as any intelligent attorney in his field and there is no doubting his personal success.     In fact, PUP rhetoric is a script from the Tea party rhetoric against President Obama.  The same Hitler accusations; the same rumors about “taking away the country”; the same talk about Obama’s arrogance. I find the recent posting and allegations to be salacious, tasteless, divisive, racist and inflammatory.  The election is over. PUP has lost! Accept defeat gracefully and move on.  I am turned off with the divisive and disrespectful rhetoric.  Please let us move Belize forward for all Belizeans.   Not a good look PUP…Not a good look!

My Vision for the Nation as Prime Minister of Belize by: Andre k. Alamina

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Our country is polarized by politics so much so that in the past 30 years of our short independent history, representatives from both political parties have rarely, if ever, united amenably for the betterment of our country as a whole. Instead, they eradicate or undermine policies set in place by the previous administration, essentially starting policy making from scratch. This, I believe, is one of the major reasons why our country has found such difficulty in making large economic, social and cultural strides towards a better Belize. If I were given the opportunity to lead this nation as its prime minister, my first order of business would be to create a master plan for the next 10 years in Belize. It will be a realistic, but challenging and robust blueprint that includes the prospective future for healthcare, industry, immigration, housing, education and other factors.

Among the many things I will need to accomplish with the initial establishment of my administration, one of the first things I will need to do is to seek and surround myself with people who are of high integrity, competency and committed to the development and betterment of our country. As the Prime Minister, I will never have all the answers, and I will need to be advised by talented and knowledgeable Belizeans living within the country, and those who are members of the Belizean diaspora overseas (who constitute for a large percentage of our educated population). These individuals will be chosen based solely upon knowledge of their proven efficiency, not based upon whether they hold a seat in the House or simply because they are members of my political party.

One of the greatest predicaments our country has seen is the vast marginalization of thousands of our country’s people, particularly our creole populace, due to the effects of poverty. For decades, these communities of poor people have been unable to break away from the suppressions of poverty, mainly due to the unconvincing efforts being made to assist them. The extent of government aid has been limited to issuing steady streams of cash handouts directly into the hands of these young, strong but often uneducated persons. Creating jobs for these people is the only real practical solution. How do I plan to do so?

In order to provide more jobs, I need to ensure there is more work created. Because of this, I will place greater emphasis on infrastructural improvement and waste management efforts that both require a large labor force the impecunious population of our country can supply. This will not only act to improve infrastructure and keep our nation clean, but it will provide these impoverished persons with a source of income.

I will also need to engender a climate that is attractive to foreign investors. However, I do hope to attract investors that will invest in fresh industries and develop them for the greater benefit of the people. Not those that will come in with rapacious intentions and exploit already profitable operations as has been the case with some existing “investors”.

Careful planning and strategy will be implemented to create the enabling environment that will attract, at the outset, foreign manufacturing enterprises such as, for example, garment factories and call centers. These will serve the purpose of employing our less educated populace as my policies in education bear fruit and produce a more educated, skilled and indeed robust and resourceful workforce. This initiative coupled with the sound management and investment of our existing and potential oil revenues will allow for increased and better quality job opportunities for our small population. The quick wins will portray themselves in lower crime and improved social harmony as undoubtedly this will strike at the heart of our increasing unemployment phenomena and chaotic way of life that currently prevails as a result. A nation that can achieve as near as full employment as possible, in my mind, is one that has the capacity to transform itself in the right direction.

These are just some of the areas that will engage my full attention as I lead my team, with a sense of purpose, to bring about tangible and sustainable economic and social transformation to this beautiful jewel of ours. Although I am just a boy, I am confident that given the opportunity to lead this country and manage the rich resources we possess here in Belize, I can make a tangible difference.

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Allegedly unconfirmed by: Aria Lightfoot

/ Twocanview LLC

I can’t stomach anymore hypocrisy this election season!  Thank God there is less than a week left!     This morning a lady did her Facebook thing and went on a verbal rampage against one of the electoral candidates.  Unfortunately she was not legally sophisticated to understand that personal knowledge is not enough to type or say things about people. If there is no proof in hand,  one may be held liable for libel and slander.  No sooner had she said it, out pops party counsel to advise her that she can be sued for her statement and should remove it forthwith, which she did.  I know you are sitting there thinking…”Whatever!  I see political proponents mudslinging all day. If that was true, they would be sued too”…Beware!  For every lie or misinformation shared with you, it is normally preceded with “unconfirmed” or “allegedly”.  Be careful how you follow these politicians and attorneys my Belizeans.  Don’t be an information mule, because they are exhibiting bad examples of leadership and will set you up to make crazy allegations which you may be potentially liable for.  They also have the legal body of their party backing them up…So unu stop di repeat and re-post things whe unu can’t prove!   The trolls are on Facebook!  I found the entire incident quite hypocritical as another prominent attorney from the same party is all over Facebook tagging people into some salacious gossip preceded by the words “unconfirmed”.   Hold it together my Belizeans…don’t be pawns to this game cause as I have said before, this game bigga than you or me!

Daily Dingleberry 2/28/12 by: Aria Lightfoot (until Faye is back)

/ Twocanview LLC / 3 Comments

 

Reading through the news tonight, I am concerned that people are facing the courts for serious offences without legal counsel.  I know our society is sick and tired of hearing about child rape or murder or attempted murder but our system ought to stand on principles of justice.  It may feel satisfying to send an unrepresented man to jail for the maximum sentence, but have the thought occurred… what if that man is innocent?  Are we trampling on the principle of justice that says “a hundred men may walk free as long as one innocent man never goes to jail’?  Who is there to guide that defendant (still innocent until proven otherwise) through the legal system and advise him properly of his rights?  What if one day I must stand without counsel; or my sibling; or a significant other? I imagine standing alone in front of a judge and jury (maybe no jury) and no knowledge of the system and no help to guide me through or help me fight and prove my innocence.  Are we serving justice to the nation of Belize or are we once again preying on the vulnerable and weak?  Eleanor Roosevelt once said that justice cannot be for one side alone, but for both, and Martin Luther King believed that a threat to justice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. I will never feel safe knowing the right person went to jail if that person was never given a proper defense.    I want the real criminals to go to jail and spend the maximum sentence, not just the ones we can bully through our system.  We need to stop cheating the justice system to win fights because as we railroad the poor through our justice system, we prove that we are a system failing horrendously. On the flip side, when the rich are suspected of egregious behavior, the system shows it failings by administering preferential justice. in matters of money, bar members step up to provide him/her with the best defense money can buy. It is a travesty of justice for any attorney to watch this unbalanced legal system continue unabated. Where are the attorneys to provide pro bono work? Do attorneys believe in a fair system?  Is the bar association just apathetic? Or is justice only for those who can pay?   I call on the bar association (especially the ones who hold degrees due to the generosity of the tax payer) to address the issue of poor citizens facing these serious offences undefended!  Shame on the legal system! Shame on all those who only fight for causes when money and status are factored in! Where are the human rights people to cry bloody shame on our legal system? Where are the Christian defenders of the poor as Jesus commanded?  Am I the only person who sees that each instance of imbalance in the legal system is a further tear on our already raveling fabric of justice?