Daily Dingleberry by Fayemarie A Carter

So toucans eat insects, eggs, lizards and berries EXCEPT dingleberries. Everyday, we would like to share some kind of pet peeve or annoyance we experience as we engage with others in political discourse. This way, we can address them without detracting from the posts we make or allow hecklers to derail us unto some tangent. Hopefully, some of you will share your pet peeves and annoyances too :)

Daily Dingleberry 01-11-13 For the Slow and Stubborn

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banner-evidence

GET THE FACTS, MAX

Ok. I really am getting tired of being targeted just because I ask for evidence. I have no problem asking the hard questions and socking it exactly where it belongs. But PLEASE do not get uppity when I ask for proof. Spreading rumours and crazy conspiracy theories will not help anything. That is just irresponsible. You can not say you love this country and its people when you engage in rumour mongering and propaganda. That obscures the real efforts to find the truth. Do you hear me???????  Our biggest problem is collection of evidence. While we are spreading rumours about how much the gang leaders were paid off, from $1500 each plus room and board to $40,000 each, where the hell is your concern for the murdered men???? You should be yelling and screaming about how the crime scene was handled. You should be yelling and screaming about how the bloody coroner might not have run tox screens or how he keeps giving different times of death…THAT is the concern here! Without evidence, none of this matters! Focus people. But see. That’s just it, right? You don’t really care about justice. You care more about causing hysteria and furthering your political agendas.

 

L-E-A-D-E-R-S-H-I-P

Find out what it means so you can show some.

You need to find out who did this because either way, it is the signal of greater changes to come.  If it is an international cartel, you have a serious problem you have not even begun to understand. If it is a state hit, you need to realize that miscarriage of justice is NEVER ok, no matter how much disregard you have for alleged criminals. Our justice system is in shreds. Nothing good can ever happen as long as we keep chasing our tails instead of real hard truth.

Daily Dingleberry 01-10-13 Is Whe Dis?

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400041_488048217903346_473731799_nWhat’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?”

Daily Dingleberry 10-11-12 Sedi Dun “Sed-it” Yu On Yuh Own

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I know. I know. You haven’t heard from me in a long time…my squawk box was broken and I had to take some time so it could mend. Miss me? Didn’t think so. So now to business.

I am extremely grateful to the people of Cayo who have continued to demonstrate all that is good about Belize and our people. They have once again raised their voices in solidarity and solemn determination to fight against the sickening crimes crippling our country. They have been respectful, peaceful and firm in their convictions. They have laid out their concerns and have turned to the government, who promised that it is the choice of the people, the voice of the people and are of the people, for direction and support. AND WHAT DID ITS REPRESENTATIVE DO? Hold me back now!

nothin….nothin….nothin….

He sat there and basically blamed his people for where we are and told us to fix it ourselves….I can’t even imagine what a mother or father who has lost a child must have felt to hear those words. What went through their heads when it was confirmed by the gatdamn  Attorney General   himself….you will not be getting no justice no time soon people…sorry your kid died but uhm…das yo problem boo…so Mistah Sedi…wut u gone do when people staat tun up DED????? Hangin from the lamp post? In front of the court house???? Maybe your front door?

Because….people will only take so much. When people come to believe that no one cares and there is no hope, they take drastic measures. I don’t want this to happen. Of course not. But if we can’t support each other in what is a debilitating situation affecting everyone of us, what can we expect?

Here’s what: Mr. Sedi Elrington was cruel in his dismissal of people’s pain and their pleas for his help. He was callous in his judgement and cold in his attitude toward his own people. Shame on you Sedi. Shame on our government for mishandling such an opportunity to join hands with the good people of our nation in a fight for our children.

May this fight continue in the name of Jasmine Lowe, Suzenne Martinez and all the missing/murdered girls and boys.

This Says It All… And Then Some by Fayemarie Anderson Carter

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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/

Daily Dingleberry 08-26-12 Does This Pass The Bullshit Test??????? Tell Me What You Think

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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. 

 

 

 

Daily Dingleberry 08-24-12 Wheel and Leave The House ‘Till You Learn Some Manners

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This is irksome and tragic….we need better quality  leadership than this. One in a position of authority should handle himself with a certain decorum, his influence with caution…this is a shameful display of immaturity and disrespect for his office, the government and the people….this show of machismo was unnecessary and frankly scary. The following is a long winded response to a question posed by Julius Espat.
Dean Barrow
“Mr. Speaker, as I believe you pointed out, he has to learn that in fact in here you and the standing orders govern and so he needs to learn these standing orders. He needs to try to educate himself; he needs to try to school himself so that he may be able to apply the standing orders to his duty. This is what forms the matrix of his representation and when he does that he will perhaps learn how properly to ask questions in order to get the answers that he seeks. Now, why have I engaged in this fairly long, prefatory introduction? Because you see Mr. Speaker, in terms of his question, I can say categorically that Ambassador Mark Espat has been appointed as an ambassador for economic affairs without any kind of remuneration. He gets no salary at all, no pay for that. With respect to the Debt Renegotiation Team, this is where the member gets into trouble. If he had the wit and sense and if he had perhaps studied his standing orders he might have framed his question differently because, you see, as he has put it down the short answer is that Mark Espat also gets absolutely no money, no pay, no remuneration for his work with the Debt Renegotiation Team. There is a company called Hallmark Advisory Ltd. and it’s with that entity that the government has entered into a contract. You may have framed, you might have, as I said if you had the wit and sense, you might have framed your question in such a way that I could have given you the answer. But since you asked specifically whether Mark Espat is being paid the short answer is no. Now you can come back next time and ask me about the professional rates of fees that are part of the contract with Hallmark Advisory and I will be more than happy to give the answer to you but yoh know how ears hard pickney haffi go da market two times, wheel and come again.”

Mein….leave all that posturin for the dancehall…pull up yu pantz G.

Finally…The Bapist Church Responds But Is It Just A Strategic Delay? by Fayemarie A Carter

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Broken Trust

After meeting with Willacey and the mother of child accusing Willacey of having an inappropriate sexual relationship, the Belmopan Baptist Church has placed Willacey on a 15 day suspension. Willacey will not be in school or on the pulpit. According to their policy, Willacey must be charged within these 15 days or he will be reinstated without prejudice. On the other hand, The Education and Training Act of 2010’s only child protection clause is that it is the responsibility of management…

Minister of Education, Hon. Patrick Faber has expressed concern about the situation and made a plea to the Baptist Church to “deal with the matter swiftly” but he also cautions that there is nothing the Ministry can do “to punish” the Baptist Church should they fail to comply with this request.

Hmmmmmmmmm…..why are we acting like we have never confronted this sort of situation before? By his own admission, the Minister stated that there are many instances of this type.  Why are there no safeguards in place against this kind of shit? What do you mean the Ministry can do nothing to protect our children in SCHOOL?????? All  students within a secondary school system should enjoy  the protective arm of the law and the Ministry of Education. What sort of message does this send to predators and victims? Why are we not charging him with rape of a minor since this relationship is over a year in duration, as already established by emails and texts? What happened to enforcing the sexual harassment laws???

I just feel like there is much hemming and hawing and wringing of hands that ultimately will lead to nothing.

Link to Channel 7 News: http://www.7newsbelize.com/printstory.php?func=print&nid=23248

Daily Dingleberry 08-22-2012 Raising the Age of Consent to 18

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Image

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.

Daily Dingleberry 08-18-12 Vile Wiles: Pastor Willacey Accused of Having Sex With a Minor Student At His School

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Norman Willacey

Taken from a transcript of the news as reported by Channel 5:

 

Voice of Mother of Belmopan Baptist High School Student

“He is a preacher, he is a principal, he comes to my house and he does counsel about the bible with my children and my daughter—my boys as well as my daughter. I trusted this man to the tip because I said he was a preacher. There were signs but I ignored this because I trusted this man with my child okay. And she and I were having a lot of difficulty. So different times, I was telling this man different things that she was doing and saying and how she was acting out. And he was using these same things come to find out against me with her and turning her more against me. When I was putting her on punishment about something, he was telling her how jealous I was of her because she has this fine body and I’m an old lady and I don’t. He’s telling her things as a councilor, as a man. I trusted him. So many times, she stayed back at school making up grades because she was behind with grades. I let him be there with her because I trusted this man.”

 

These are the words of a mother betrayed by a man in authority- a man of the cloth, a man in charge of an entire school filled vulnerable minds and bodies. Norman Willacey, a married man, pastor and principal of Belmopan Baptist High School is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a minor female student for the past year. Several things are immediately, glaringly wrong-  oh like:  older man in authority, minor student, preacher…but it gets worse. When the mother presented the complaint, complete with proof in the form of hard copies of emails detailing sexually explicit conversations between her daughter and Willacey, nothing was done. She presented all this to Child Protective Services and after getting no response, felt compelled to take her allegations to the media. It seems to have had the desired effect and she has been informed that an investigation has now begun.

 

Wondering what preacher man had to say? In a text to Channel 5, he said the following:

“She priduced a facebook conversation from about easter break while we were messing arond. I Deleted my copy and repented an told her to do d same immediately. she didnot an that is what will be published tonight and that is what jules said is damaging me as a public and authority figure.” 

Sounds like a confession doesn’t it? It also sounds like he seems to think that repenting should do the trick. I am just stunned at the casual way he has chosen to handle this but grateful too because it seems that he will make it easy for prosecutors. I hope that this poor mother and child recover from this gross injustice and that the church does the right thing and kick this wolf in sheep’s clothing from its flock.

 

For full transcripts, click the links:

http://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/74738

http://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/74735