Belize Times May 8, 2011 issue

Sunday, May 8, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

1

Issue No. 4743

SUNDAY May 8, 2011

Another Grenade Attack

Grenade #8 was used to attack innocent civilians on Tuesday night

Belize City, May 4, 2011 A terror attack almost wreaked havoc and tragedy in a Lake Independence neighbourhood when a hand grenade was hurled in a public setting not far from a small gathering.

The incident occurred last night on Moya Street, an unpaved street near the junction with Flamboyant and Lavendar Streets in the area known as “PIV” in the Lake Independence area

Big Changes in the PUP!

of Belize City.

The incident bears similar resemblance to previous grenade attacks of May 18th, 2008 on Mayflower Street, December 10, 2010 and others

Hon. Cordel Hyde

Hon. Francis Fonseca

Belize City, May 4, 2011 Today the National Executive of the People’s United Party discussed and unanimously approved the following changes: a. Hon. Francis Fonseca, Hon. Cordel Hyde and Hon. Mark Espat three senior parliamentarians will now serve as Senior

Deputy Party Leaders on the National Executive. Mr. Mike Eapat and Ms Carolyn Trench-Sandiford will continue as Deputy Party Leader. b. Hon. Florencio Marin Jr. will now serve as Parliamentary Liaison on the National Executive. c. Mr. Jaime Briceno,

currently the Chairman of the Orange Walk Central Constituency, will now serve as Co-Chairman of the National Campaign Committee , along with Senator Eamon Courtenay.

Attorney and former PUP Belize City Councilor Rachel Montejo has offi-

Continued on page 3

FRANCIS

SMITH

FOR PICKSTOCK See page 9

Dr. Francis Smith, New PUP Pickstock Standard Bearer

Continued on page 4

Minor’s head bashed with metal pipe in OW Belize City, May 4, 2011

By Carmelita Perez A student attending Muffles Junior College was killed in Orange Walk Town this afternoon when a fight among four minors turned very deadly.

Information to the BELIZE TIMES indicates that Shamir Gonzalez was killed by blows to the head which was inflicted with a metal pipe.

His attacker, another Continued on page 3

Hon. Mark Espat

in between that claimed lives and injured many more. Who can forget the one thrown but never detonated on Carnival Day 2009 near the Karl Heu-

Murder victim #45, Shamir Gonzalez, was beaten to death

Another baby dies due to inadequate health system Officials say there was no emergency transportation San Pedro, May 1 2011 Minister of Health, Pablo Marin, appears unready to put away his sun tan and Easter shorts and come off the long holiday break to at least comment on the devastating death of a child in the island of San Pedro last week Thursday morning.

Reports are the child died while inside the moth-

See page 3

See page 13

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, May 8, 2011

From the ghetto streets to PM Barrow

It’s all about drilling

Open Letter

to the Mayor of Belmopan

4th May 2011 Dear Mayor Lopez, It was a pleasure meeting you at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2011 National Agriculture and Trade Show, when we had an opportunity to exchange views in the presence of the Ambassador of the United States of America to Belize and the British High Commissioner.

On that occasion, I took the opportunity to inform you of the pressing concern of the Belmopan City Council employees, who told me that they were worried about losing their jobs if they, or any of their family members, attend and vote at the upcoming People’s United Party convention to be held in the City of Belmopan on June 5th, 2011.

I am pleased by your reassurance that municipal workers will NOT be victimized nor discriminated in their exercise of their democratic and constitutional right to vote at the upcoming PUP Convention. I wish to furthermore call upon your office, through this medium, to ensure that no supervisor, Council authority, or City Councilor attempt to victimize or discriminate any municipal worker for attending and voting at the upcoming City of Belmopan PUP Covention.

Yours in service to Belmopan, Lisa Shoman Senator People’s United Party

The Party is nothing but the vanguard of the people, the active organ of the people, working at all times in the service of the people.”

No faith in the Justice System Dear Editor, I am writing this letter to express my dissappointment, anager and lack of faith in our Police department, the Judicial System and in our Government.

My father is one of the ACCUSED police officers in the drugs plane that landed on the Southern Highway on November 13, 2010. My father along with three other police officers and a custom officer were later charge and remanded to the Belize Central prison. It is going on four months now that they have been behind bars. On February 9th, 2011 they were taken to court in shackles as if though they are psychotic murderers. People who commit murder in our country are not treated this way. Take for example the recent incident with the person who was convicted of murder and was taken to a dentist who later escaped. If he was taken in shackles maybe he would not have escaped and the citizens of this country could rest at night and not worry about a prisoner on the loose. My questions are: why are these men being treated this way? Why are they being paraded for public viewing in this manner?

Why are their rights as human beings being taken advantage of? Why is it taking so long for them to secure bail?

I strongly urge the police department to do its investigation the right way and focus on the REAL person(s) behind the drug plane incident and stop playing God with people’s lives. There are rumors going around on the streets from police officers currently in the police force, that the reason these men are still behind bars is because the government wants to hand them over to the US in exchange for vehicles and money. How ABSURD is this!

If there is any truth to these rumors, since when did our government start to use its citizens as bargaining chips? I am hoping for my sake as well as that of the general populace these rumors are not true because we want our country to go forward not backwards. If people accused of murder and other crimes can be given bail, I do not see any reason why these men cannot be offered bail.

These men were charged; fine; now let the law take its coiurse. I believe that is why we have a judicial system. Let them have their day in court and let the court decide whether or not their innocent or guilty. In our country you are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. I think it is high time that the DPP starts doing her job and stop letting officials in the police force and the government use her as a pawn in their games. Start basing your judgment on the facts and not on other people’s vindictive agenda.

15 year old, disenchanted with the Justice System

Dear Editor, kindly publish my letter to the people of Belize.

For months and months the battle over oil drilling onshore and offshore has been a big issue in our Belize. Belize is one of the larger territories in Caribbean; while as a Central American nation it is bordered to the North and part of the West by Mexico, and on the South and the remainder of the West by Guatemala. So you see people, Belize is surrounded by big countries which are more advanced.

What can I say about Belize?

That it is a small country that is full of ancient Maya history, so we have a lot of areas to protect for the future. From the day we discovered oil in the Spanish Lookout, Belize has gotten to a level we have never seen. We went from ancient historic sites to black gold exploration which opened the eyes of a lot of greedy people like this Prime Minister and his incompetent, one term government.

From the time Dean Barrow found out about the oil in our country, all he could have seen were drilling and dollar signs. The discovery of oil made him so greedy that it made him imagine of drilling all over the place just to make a quick buck. Dean Barrow and his government don’t care about who, what and where gets destroyed, like our

heritage sites and our protected areas.

All they care about is getting richer and richer while Belizeans suffer and suffer.

Every morning on the Wave (Tsunami) show you hear those three dodo birds preaching crap after crap, drill here drill there. I started to wonder, do these people have the slightest idea about the oil industry? Are they aware of the danger oil spills can create, both on land and in the sea? Do they think we have the equipment and resources for this type of industry? It seems not.

They are dumb enough just like the Prime Minister who doesn’t have a clue where he is taking this country.

What I am trying to say Belizeans is that this is how it goes. Dean Barrow is pro oil, pro big companies, pro exploitation and pro drilling. His family members end up with sweet oil deals, but Belizeans keep on taking more licking at the gas pumps. Yet they keep telling us that Belizeans will benefit from oil.

On Tuesday night’s news, an oil expert was featured. He came to educate this fake U.D.P. government a thing or two about oil drilling in bad areas.

I hope they were paying keen attention to the real oil expert because they will not last and they will always fail.

These hungry U.D.P. oil diggers. Until next week Belizeans, stay strong, one love…!!!

Respect, Roberto Peyrefitte

Benque community leaders say “Thank You” Mrs. Josefina Salas, coordinator of the VillaReal Community Project extends a sincere thank you to all those who assisted in some way or another in making possible the elaboration of “ las alfombras” for the Good Friday procession in Benque Viejo del Carmen Town.

It was a pleasure to see the active participation of the youths and many families working together in keeping alive one of the many traditions of Holy Week in our hometown.

Special acknowledgements go to NICH/HOC -Benque Viejo, Benque Viejo Fire Department, Benque Viejo Transport Department, Mrs.Betty Castellanos and Dra. Lesbia Guerra-Cocom.

We hope to continue having your support in the coming years!!!! GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

THE BELIZE TIMES EDITOR

Alberto Vellos OFFICE MANAGER

Fay Castillo McKay PRINTING/PERSONNEL SUPERVISOR

Doreth Bevans LAYOUT/GRAPHIC ARTIST

Chris Williams STAFF REPORTER

Carla Bradley TYPIST

Rachel Arana OFFICE ASSISTANT

Roberto Peyrefitte Printed & Published By The Belize Times Ltd. #3 Queen Street P.O. BOX 506 Belize City, Belize Tel: 671-8385 Email: belizetimesad@yahoo.com editortimes@yahoo.com

Sunday, May 8, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

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Unemployment skyrockets!

23% under UDP!

SIB hides full 2011 Census report Belize City, May 3, 2011 It cannot be argued now, even by the best UDP “pun artist” that the unemployment rate in Belize is way beyond unacceptable. After months of secrecy from the Prime Minister, by the Government’s very own Statistical Institute findings the number of persons of working age and without a job has been disclosed at a staggering 30,000!

It doesn’t matter how red you are, 30,000 who are not able to provide food and shelter for their families is not by any long shot acceptable, not for a young, developing country. Further to that problem, the minimum wage is still very unacceptable for those who fall in the lower income bracket.

This works out to around 23% of the population as being unemployed with statistics showing that the ratio of women to men being 2 to 1, except for Toledo, Corozal and Orange Walk where the ratio is even worse for women at around 3 to 1. Men also have a better average monthly income at around $922, while women collect roughly around $882 per month.

The population stands at 312,698, a growth from 240,204 ten years earlier.

The breakdown is as follows: 157,935 males to 154,763 females, with the Mestizo group now claiming 50% of the population, and Creoles 21%. The information relating to the other ethnicities were not disclosed as the Statistical Institute of Belize has failed to make the full report available to the media or the public. This level of secrecy is very suspect, especially since it took the SIB an extra eight months to finalise their re-

port.

Some other basic data revealed which stand out include that 15% of the population is made up of immigrants who settled here over the years, 19,000 of whom are Guatemalans.

The country is 44% urban, a decrease because people are now moving inland as the municipalities become more densely populated, the experts say.

Belize City is the largest-population urban area with 89,247 people, while San Ignacio and San Pedro have shown rapid growth.

ONE IN EVERY FOUR BELIZEANS IS JOBLESS Interestingly, the numbers also show that while boys outnumbered girls at the primary level education, by the time they reach tertiary level, the ratio shifted vastly, with girls doubling the amount of boys attending sixth forms.

A significant number of people who have no affiliation to any one religion have also doubled since 2000, but Roman Catholics still have the most religious support at 40%. That percentage decreased by 10% however, since 2000 and Pentecostalism has increased 7.4 – 8.5%.

There has been no indication when the full report will be provided to the media, or the public, even though SIB officials had promised to do so since Friday April 29 2011.

Minor’s head bashed with metal pipe in OW Continued from page 1

minor, had reportedly confronted Gonzalez who was in a confrontation with a primary school student.

The fight unravelled right in front of the Louisiana Primary School.

We understand that Gonzalez had gone to the school to confront the minor after learning that the minor had gotten into a physical altercation with his young brother, also a student of the primary school.

But instead of resolving the matter, Gonzalez and his younger

sibling got themselves into an altercation as well. We understand that is when a third minor, Abimael Pott, responded, thinking the Gonzalez brothers were bullying the minor. During the fight, the Pott reportedly used a metal pipe against Gonzalez, bashing him on the head.

Gonzalez fell to the ground, where he later succumbed.

Police have detained Pott, and investigators could charge him as early as Thursday morning.

Mason fined $10,000 for 86 grams of Cannabis

Abdul Myvette

BELIZE CITY, Wed. May 4, 2011 Abdul Frederick Myvett, 27, a.k.a.

“Lindon Myvett”, a mason residing at 7 Zacaranda Street, was fined $10,000 today in the #3 Magistrate’s Court after he pleaded guilty to drug trafficking for 86 grams of cannabis.

Magistrate Kayla Teck, who imposed the fine, gave Myvett until June 30 to pay and told him that if he defaults on payment he will serve 3 years in prison.

Although he was given time to pay the fine, Myvett was not freed because court records showed that he owed fines amounting over $3,000 for which payment was due. The fines were for convictions of drug offences which he got while using his real name and his alias.

Myvett was busted around 3:15 p.m. yesterday. The police were on mobile patrol on the Western Highway when they saw Myvett riding a white bicycle near Lord Ridge Cemetery.

The police approached Myvett because he was acting suspicious and when they did Myvett began to ride fast.

The police pursued Myvett and while they were doing so, Myvett’s bicycle struck against something on the ground and he tumbled over his bicycle.

The police searched him and the search resulted in the discovery of a black plastic bag containing cannabis in the waist of his ¾ khaki pants. Myvett was taken into custody and charged.

The cannabis was weighed and labeled as exhibit.

Another baby dies due to inadequate health system Continued from page 1

er’s womb, following a night of painful complications. On Wednesday night, the young mother went to the San Pedro Poly Clinic after she felt labour pains. While there, the doctor told her that because of the level of complications, she would need to undergo a C-section. But the problem is that the island’s Polyclinic is not outfitted with a child birth facility, and the mother was told she had to find a way to get to Belize City.

That presented an even more troubling issue, because the island no longer has an emergency transportation system. Since BATSUB announced that they were discontinuing that service in July 2010, the Government promised but has made no effort to find a replacement mechanism for emergency transportation.

The mother, though in excruciating pain, was forced to wait out the night until the wee hours of Thursday morning before being able to charter a private plane. Still it delayed the medical attention, because the flight went from the island to the international airport, and then to Belize City.

By the time the mother was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, the child was taken out as still born.

In this modern day, it is incredible that Belize’s health system is inadequate and substandard to the needs of Belizeans. The mortality rate, which had been scaled down under the former PUP administration, is increasing gradually thanks to the incompetence of the UDP Government and Minister Pablo Marin.

The island’s Area Representative Manuel Herredia must also explain how he sleeps at night knowing his 22,000 residents have no adequate emergency system set in place.

What is worst is that in August 2010, Herredia has promised to come up with a plan and to present it before Cabinet. That was ten months ago, and islanders are still waiting for such plan. Shame on you Manny.

Big Changes in the PUP!

Continued from page 1

cially taken up her post as the Party’s Secretary General. Ms. Montejo will lead a more active and efficient Party Secretariat.

The National Executive also received and reviewed detailed reports on the Party’s progress in various pivotal areas including policy development, social partner relations, national campaign readiness and voter communications.

It is expected that by June 30 2011, all 31 PUP Constituency Committees would have held conventions to select the Standard Bearers who will contest the next general elections on behalf of the Party.

Finally, the Party’s National Executive has resolved that by 31st October 2011, the nine teams that will contest the 2012 Municipal Elections will have been selected.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Another Grenade Attack Continued from page 1 sner Memorial Hospital on Princess Margaret Drive?

Tuesday night’s attack occurred with an air of divine intervention, because after the device was activated and hurl, a 14 year old boy, “Manny” who was helping to locate it, stepped on it but it never detonated. Lieutenant Colonel David Jones, the BDF’s bomb expert, says that if the explosive had detonated, people could have been killed, and dozens would have been wounded.

But while it could have exploded, it also didn’t because the person who threw it failed to pull the pin before throwing it.

The police, who showed up after they were called three times about the grenade lying on the street, received their share of bashing from the residents, who said that cops came to them searching them and “roughing” them up. The police, they felt, were also careless about securing them because the device remained on the street for more than two hours before the BDF expert was called in to remove it.

Police Press Officer, Sgt Fitzroy Yearwood, however, has staunchly

denied that allegation, saying that the police evacuated the residents, cordoned off the area and kept everyone at bay until the expert was available to deal with the situation.

The grenade is strongly believed to have originated from the batch of 24stolen in 2004 from the British Army Training Support Unit Belize, BATSUB. Now very much corroded, the devices are still thought to be very dangerous since they can still be activated years after their manufacture. So far, there have been no inroads on the stolen British grenades as far as arrests and BATSUB says it enhanced its security features to prevent another theft from recurring.

Police have made no arrests in connection with this latest grenade attack, but say they are following a few leads. They have also refrained from saying whether the incident has anything to do with one of the recent murders of a high standing gang member. Residents of the area, however, have said that they know that it was a direct attack on them because many of the people in Lake I are affiliated with one of the major gangs.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Agriculture Minister forsakes onion producers Belize City, May 4, 2011 Onion producers in the north are facing the worst crisis in the history of our nation, yet, instead of a helping hand or at the very least words of sympathy, Government officials in charge of the agro-industry have displayed total disrespect towards the many Belizean small growers who toil the ground daily to make a living.

There has been no discussion at the Cabinet level on how the Government will tackle the crisis. There has not even been a press release from the Ministry of Agriculture, recognising the problem, explaining how it will root out the incompetence of the Belize Marketing Board that led to the dilemma and detailing a rescue plan. There has been none of that.

What has come from the Barrow Administration has been retribution, against the farmers who cried out for help and exposed the UDP Administration’s lack of support and vision for the industry.

First there was the strategy to humiliate and shift the blame on the farmers. That was the job of the Marketing Board Director Roque Mai who cast the blame on the farmers, claiming they had planted without planning. Mai saw no problem with the fact that the Marketing Board, under his authority, had imported 5,000 pounds of onion from Holland even though farmers had alerted that they had enough for local supply.

Farmers have called Mai an outright liar, and have expressed distrust in working with someone of his character.

Clearly the Belizean public and the Opposition sympathize, the right way, with the onion producers. It is another of those industries ignored by the Barrow Administration, allowing things to go awry.

Perhaps, as the PM felt about the sugar industry as the crisis loomed last year – a feeling of no obligation whatsoever – that’s just the attitude towards the poor onion farmers.

If there was any doubt about that, the Minister of Agriculture Rene Montero confirmed it.

In a recent interview with LOVE FM, Montero said he will ensure he clamps down on onion farmers. The iron grip will include controlling the financing they get to ensure that they cannot invest in onion production unless the Government feels they should.

Montero said he would go to the point of restricting the local credit unions from doing business with onion producers.

What this means is that Belizean onion producers will continue to be disenfranchised, and the UDP Government will continue to promote hustling and the importing of Dutch onions, when it has been proven that local production suffices the demand.

And what about financial compensation for the millions of dollars in losses suffered as a result of GOB’s carelessness? Montero said there ain’t none available for onion farmers.

All they have are sacks of seeds, which again, will only be disbursed when the Ministry feels it appropriate.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

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A ROYAL REDUNDANCY Everybody likes pageantry. The British Royal event of last week was one of those. It was a made-for-TV event that was laid on by Buck’ House (Buckingham Palace). It had the usual pomp and ceremony in the British monarchy’s tradition. For the vast global middle class it was a diversion from wars and the spreading of political upheavals gripping the Middle East and North Africa where hundreds are dying for the cause of freedom and democracy. For millions of others it was simply a temporary opiate from the global economic crisis as we continue to be held captive victims of Wall Street’s greed and the indifference of unbridled capitalism. Our dependency on oil has us going back to basic moods for survival because of the manipulative powers of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Worse, the theatre of such an ostentatious celebration is far removed from the harsh realities of the misery of global poverty. It is aloof of the biting sting of malnutrition and hungry bellies in the Southside.

It invokes the heydays of a now dead British empire which exploited and oppressed our people for the enrichment of the Crown.

This Royal gala event of splendour was a celebration of live and love in a normal world. But it is no longer, never was a normal world for us and for many former colonies the British monarchy and its companion, imperialism, should be regarded as repugnant relics.

A LONG DISTANCE FROM THE POOR’S REALITY For the millions and millions of the very poor who manage to survive by eating mud cakes and who struggle to quench their daily thirst with dirty water, their world is far from normal. There is nothing to celebrate and nothing in life to love. For them the excesses of Royalty are depressing when all they have to celebrate is death.

Within the context, we note our Prime Minister Mr. Dean Barrow did not go to the Royal Wedding despite his own illusion of grandeur. He was snubbed, fortunately. If he was even invited, he should not have gone given the worsening economic mess he has created at home. But humility is not in Mr. Barrow’s DNA. If he had gone to London, he would have ended up with much political egg on his face. How could he have, and at the tax payers’ expense, our expense, when his government has badly mismanaged the national economy which is causing escalating grief for an increasing number of poor people in this country? Almost half our population is now poor.

On the other hand, it was a bad decision by the Governor General and his wife to attend the wedding. His invitation was no Royal Command. But who the hell, in the real world, cares? It was certainly not a jaunt paid for by Buckingham Palace. It was paid for by us, the Belizean tax payers, when we are having a hard time to make ends meet with rising fuel prices, the cost of living, housing and so much more misery, no matter how Mr. Barrow pontificates.

THE GOVERNOR GENERAL’S TWO DAY JUNKET The Governor General’s two-day junket across the Atlantic to be nothing more than a face in a crowd, serves to resurrect numerous questions about this post to Belizean aspirations. It invokes the question of the relevance of this job, this Constitutional post which has become irrelevant and even costly to our national situation and, for that matter, that of other British Commonwealth (former exploited colonies) countries. It is really a do nothing job for, generally speaking, a do nothing personality.

We need to revisit and resume the debate for relevant and radical Constitutional changes that are more in keeping with our changing world.

The Governor General is not relevant. And for any true nationalist, it represents the trappings of unpleasant colonialism. We can no longer afford this luxury, or what it represents, when Belizeans are bawling about the hardship of life. It is our DNA to reject any relics of the past. We were enslaved and exploited in the name of the crown. We took to canoes and fled the ruthless British tyrants in the Caribbean, our indigenous people for struggled through many tribal and civil wars to live in the land. Too many refugees have sought haven in Belize and have struggled for survival in this peaceful haven. The British crown, or its representative is not a reflection of our national personality. It is anathema to it.

CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE We would not be the first calling for Constitutional change beginning with the abolishment of the post of Governor General. Most British Constitution scholars agree that the Governor General’s role is mostly ceremonial. How relevant is that in our changing landscape where the GG’s opinion(s) (and we are sure that he is intellectually astute) is muted by political manipulators who tell him what to say and what to sign, even if it means assenting to draconian laws of the type, the UDP government appears intent on passing. It was a UDP government that unceremoniously dumped the current GG’s predecessor.

In short the GG, like the Queen, has no political power. But at least the Queen, in the British traditions and royal ceremonies attracts multimillion tourism dollars. The GG is not even a Constitutional Watchdog. That is why the UDP found it so easy to dump the predecessor of our current GG, and can get away with passing dangerous laws without a squeak from the Head of State.

BARROW’S DEFIANCE OF THE CONSTITUTION Mr. Barrow has defied any constitutional separation of powers of the Executive, the Legislative, the Judicial and administrative branches of the government. These lines for the separation of these constitutional pillars have been blurred. With his super majority and his ability to manipulate his unthinking minions, who surround and support him, Mr. Barrow has thumbed his nose at the freedoms guaranteed in what was regarded as a sacred document. He has attempted to trample on our rights as citizens of this country. He has tried to suppress freedom of information and of opinion by stomping on sections of the media. He has failed to expand the Senate. His most recent attempt at political voyeurism (which has become his hallmark) was his attempt to constitutionally remove a foundation of justice – trial by a jury of our peers. Mr. Barrow has, insidiously, become a Dictator.

These are issues that should be of concern to the Governor General especially when a government is far removed from representing the voice of the people.

We have tried as hard as we could to give some credence to the role of the GG. There is none that we could find. But the debate is open to justify this post. He only operates, it seems, at the dictates of the government.

RIBBONS AND DEAD EMPIRE AWARDS In his ceremonial role, the Governor General, like a character out of Animal Farm, hands out ribbons to those who are regarded, sometimes without merit, as more equal than the rest of us. It is a part of that British colonial culture to award knighthood to people without horses or by perpetuating a myth with medals and honours in recognition of a dead colonial empire. It is good to know that quite a few Belizeans have refused to participate as any true Belizean nationalist should. The cynicism about these Buck’ House awards would be diluted if the E in Empire in these awards would be replaced with a C for Commonwealth. As an example, why not an MBC for Member of the British Commonwealth to replace Member of the British (non-existent) Empire.

The status quo may want to differ and perhaps even conventional wisdom has been challenged. But it is only in this way that could we achieve meaningful changes in our society. It is a society which is still being weighed down by British colonial norms and attitudes so well displayed by the Royal creoles we have been discussing. We would like to see the role of the Governor General considered at the annual Commonwealth Heads of Government conference, a conference which has unfortunately become nothing more than a talk shop. We need realistic changes in the service of our people. Colonialism continues to haunt us.

The Barrow administration is slowly dismantling many of this nation’s achievements in the thirty years of its independence.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

101 Reasons

against Barrow’s Budget

75

. Since taking office, 175 workers have lost their jobs from Fresh catch and related companies.

75 more have been sent home from the Boom Shrimp farm, while at least two more shrimp farms have gone in and businesses have been closing left, right and center. If left to this budget, those Belizeans are ghosts. So are the ones fired from HLs, BATSUB, Novelos, the US Embassy, Ministry of Education and more. . What is in this budget to provide students about to graduate? Students in fourth form and UB are hoping for opportunities to get a job, but under this budget – NOTHING. This budget’s message to them – they are on their own. . The new Census says there are $12,000 more in population. That means more babies and greater needed for healthcare at the KHMH, more children for schools which equals more classrooms needed, more textbooks, more school, fees, lots more – but sadly this increase is not given an instant of a thought in this budget – NADA. . The budget just has in its estimate thousands of revenues deriving from residents of Chinese nationals for the 2011 – 2012. Yet the government went ahead and signed Statutory Instrument No. 32 of 2011 reducing the cost of Chinese residence from 10,000 to 2,000 dollars. That’s by a whopping eight thousand dollars which automatically creates a huge note in the budget estimate. Guess who’s going to pay for the short fall. The Minister?

Hell no – WE THE PEOPLE. . Poor Bureau of Standards. It’s been overlooked again. Government don’t give a damn. Yet they are asked to police all matters countrywide on the escalating cost of living. But do they get a staff increase? Zero. Do they get a new vehicle with gas supply? Zero. Do they get training? Zero. They are to do and do and do with less and less and less.

Just imagine the possibilities of a 2011–2012 budget. . The teachers, security persons, financiers, all public officers are just lying down saying nothing of the UDP administration. The last two salary raises for public officers were under the PUP. With the cost of living so high, they too can barely make ends meet. What is in the budget for them?

NOTHING. While the government has monies for new SUVs, travelling allowances, and 2.5% on GST to play with, public officers suffer. Time to speak out Mr. BNTU. . Twenty one days into the budget, fire fighters have gotten a letter from their Headquarters that no money noh deh for overtime. They can stay on the job – they can volunteer but no money is in the budget for overtime. What a shame! . Charity begins at home yet, Ministers smile away with 90 thousand dollars in salaries, a brand new SUV, free fuel, a paid driver, holiday allowances, travelling spending money, free telephone, free water hook ups, pay on top of pension, gifts, holidays. One would have thought that in these harder times that some cuts could have come from the Ministers and given to a single charity, but you guessed it…not a single aluminum cent. . The Belize City Swing Bridge and Belcan Bridge, The Hawkesworth Bridge, the Haulover Bridge, the Toll Bridge and Dangriga bridge are in dire need of fixing. Left to neglect under a UDP controlled Town and City Councils, yet big brother’s budget got not a cent in it for repairs or refurbishing. Heck, we don’t even have a Kendall Bridge since mid-2008. Yet all UDP Representatives from Belize City, Cayo, Orange Walk, Stann Creek and Dangriga voted yes to celebrate what not even they know. . The country needs a roundabout and a new bridge higher than the old one for Roaring Creek at the junction of the Western Highway. The road is begging for it since we drivers don’t say a word at all. The good news is we know what a roundabout looks like, we know how much it costs but reality check – not a cent in this budget for such improvement.

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MORE TO COME NEXT WEEK

Firing Moses Sulph was a Stupid thing!

Contributed I could not believe when I heard it through the grape vine that the UDP had fired Moses Sulph. Who would do such a stupid thing? So I waited to hear it from the UDP official source, Jules Vasquez’s Channel 7’s evening news, who broke the story that Sulph had indeed been fired.

The word put out in the streets by the UDP was that Sulph had been fired because of impropriety at work but Sulph’s troubles began when he became the head of COLA and organized a camp outside the Prime Minister’s office in Belmopan. His action was seen as a direct assault to embarrass the Prime Minister on the subject of oil, a matter which the Prime Minister and his violinist whisperers did not take lightly.

Like Mayor Moya, UDP Representative Marcel Cardona, Paul Perriott and others, Sulph made the same mistake believing that he knew Dean Barrow, the Leader of the UDP, and he worked so closely with them to get them elected. But more important, Sulph was on the ground for the UDP. One can argue that Sulph did more for the UDP than those family members who never wore a UDP shirt much less fly a flag or attend a meeting or those who were flown in from abroad to eat around the table of plenty. Where were they, he could ask.

HIS MISTAKE was that he thought he knew Mr. Barrow, but the Barrow Sulph does not know is the one that walked the streets of Mex Avenue bare footed and in short pants, the one that went to St. Michael’s College – the Dean Barrow that Said Musa knows.

Sunday, May 8, 2011 Firing Moses Sulph was a stupid thing and I’ll tell you why. Sulph ain’t giving the UDP quarter of the trouble he gave the PUP. COLA is not as kick ass as OCEANA who got the balkative and the money to get the job done. If Sulph was a problem, all the UDP had to do was to send him back to school and keep the baby’s mama drama on him, but no they had to fire him, make him an issue, get the PSU and Miss Shackron involved. Now the UDP have a program.

The conclusion is that the UDP will close ranks against Sulph swiftly, blaming him as they did in the case of Sharole Saldivar, the single mother fired from City hall, the school wardens fired the Ministry of Education, Mr. Charlie Good, the Chief Justice, Stilleto, Santino and Longsworth from BTB, Christine and Paul Perriot from Telemedia, and the list goes on and on. But while Sulph’s eyes were closed because of his shadowing of the UDP – his eyes are now wide open with the harsh reality of being left out in the cold by a mean, cold, callous and vindictive government.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

Eric Chang – Tian yu di?

Belize City, May 4, 2011 It made the news a couple of weeks ago when the Customs Department confiscated City Councilor Eric Chang’s late model pickup truck reportedly for unpaid custom duties. At the time of the confiscation, Chang referred to the entire incident as simply a “misunderstanding”, claiming that the customs duties had been paid in full. Obviously irate that the Customs Department would even have the nerve to target a “UDP Untouchable” like himself, Chang boldly declared that the matter would’ve been “cleared up” in the ensuing 24 hrs.

The confiscation of Chang’s pickup truck overshadowed another occurrence and one that should be of far more concern than unpaid custom duties, i.e. a police raid of Chang’s home on the “suspicion” that he has been operating an illegal gambling house. In response to that allegation, Chang angrily denied it, saying that it was a rumor and an absolute lie.

It’s now easy to understand why Chang had boldly and confidently declared that the matter involving his pickup truck would’ve been settled the following day. As it turns out and as the BELIZE TIMES has been reliably informed, Chang’s pickup truck was released back into his custody in less than 24 hours. Of course, this was not nearly enough to appease the peeved gentleman. As if the Customs Department had committed a cardinal sin, it had to also offer the privileged UDP an apology.

In Belize, there exist two groups of Chinese, namely those Chinese from Mainland China and those Chinese from the Republic of China on Taiwan. More interestingly, however, is the distinction that must be drawn between those Chinese who represent the working class and those like Eric Chang and Lee Mark Chang who represent the upper class. The former includes the majority of Chinese we see every day in our communities, the corner shop owner, the fried chicken outlet owner, the mini mart owner. The latter, on the other hand, includes high rollers such as the Changs. While the corner shop, fried chicken outlet and mini mart owners and their families work tirelessly in their small, tight spaces day in and day

Eric Chang

out, which, by the way, double as their humble abode, the Changs lavish in their opulent mansions.

For those familiar with Chinese history & culture, the term triad or “underground society” refers to branches of criminal organizations that exist across China and in other countries where there are significant Chinese populations. Often depicted in motion pictures, triads are known for their trademark ruthlessness. The triads usually engage in a variety of crimes that includes extortion, money laundering, human trafficking, prostitution and illegal gambling.

It’s been long rumored that an illegal gambling ring has been operating in Belize City and, perhaps, extending beyond and that prominent Chinese figures are involved. The recent police raid of Eric Chang’s home would suggest just that.

Like their abashed colleagues at the Customs Department, however, the boys in brown were forced to return the pool tables and other items they had seized from Chang’s home.

Eric Chang and Lee Mark Chang aren’t your “every day” Chinese. These two men wield a lot of financial power and are free to operate with impunity.

The questions that must be asked are: Who gave the order for the Customs Dept. to release Chang’s pickup back into his custody? Who gave the order for the police to return the pool tables and other items they had seized from Chang’s home? Why isn’t a full fledged investigation being carried out into the alleged illegal gambling being carried out at Chang’s home?

There are bigger questions, though and these are: Is there a triad operating in Belize? Is Eric Chang “Tian yu di”?

Bmpn Lions Club holds eye clinic May 4, 2011 The Belmopan Lions Club invites all residents of Belmopan and the surrounding communities of Roaring Creek, Camalote, Tea Kettle, Valley of Peace, Cotton Tree, More Tomorrow, Frank’s Eddy, St. Matthew’s, St. Margaret, Armenia, and others to its Annual EYE CLINIC to be held at the Belmopan Lions Den, near the Garden City Shopping Plaza from Monday, May 9 to Thursday, May 12 from 8:00 a.m. to

4:00 p.m. daily.

Come and get your eyes professionally tested .Visiting eye doctors from the USA will be doing screening, testing, prescribing and giving out glasses and shades, and making referrals for any necessary further eye care.

Come and take advantage of this opportunity to take care of your eyes, one of life’s most precious gifts. A small contribution will be accepted. (Press Release)

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Fisherman remanded

for firearm & ammunition

BELIZE CITY, Wed. May 4, 2011

By Roy Davis Andre Alvarez, 21, went from fisherman to inmate of the Belize Central prison today after he appeared in the #5 Magistrate’s Court and was charged with kept firearm and amAndre Alvarez munition without a gun license, offences for which the penalty has been increased The police reportfrom 2 years to 5 years. ed that when they Alvarez pleaded not guilty to the stopped Alvarez and charges. searched him they Magistrate Albert Hoare ex- found one .22 pistol plained to him that the court cannot with 2 rounds of amoffer him bail because of the nature of munition in the pockthe offences. et of his pants.

He was then remanded into cusAlvarez was asked tody until June 8. if he had any license The incident reportedly occurred for the firearm and around 7:25 p.m. on Monday, May 2. when he could not The police reported that they were produce any he was on mobile patrol on West Collet Ca- taken into custody and nal Street when they saw Alvarez rid- charged. The firearm ing a bicycle contrary to the flow of and ammunition were traffic. labeled as exhibit.

19 yr. old refused bail

after accusation of handling stolen goods

Tevin Abraham

BELIZE CITY, Wed. may 4, 2011 Tevin Abraham, 19, who was recently released from prison on bail after he appealed a conviction, was back in court today, charged with 2 counts of handling stolen goods for a 14 karat gold chain and a Motorola cell phone that were stolen during a robbery.

Abraham was arraigned in the #8 Magistrate’s Court. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Magistrate Emmerson Banner denied him bail and remanded him into custody until May 19 because he had violated the condition of his bail.

The first incident of handing stolen goods occurred on Monday, May 2 and it was for a black Motorola cell phone, valued at $300 that was stolen from Norris Santos.

The second incident of handling stolen goods occurred on April 27. It was for one 14 karat gold chain that was stolen from Earl Hamilton. The police reported that they found Abraham with the two stolen items.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Burglars

get away with $12,000

in heist

Corozal District, May 4, 2011

By Carmelita Perez Corozal Police are investigating a burglary that has left a 54 year old businessman out of more than $12,000 in cash and jewelry.

Fernando Williams, a villager of Calcutta, told Police that yesterday between 9:00am and 11:45am his room situated on the second floor of a concrete building was burglarized. Stolen from the room was $10,000 in cash in both U.S and Belizean currencies and an assortment of gold jewelry including chains, earrings and bangles.

The total value of the items stolen including the $10,000 amounted to a whopping $12,800. When Police visited the scene there was no sign of forced entry. While one person has been detained, Police are searching for another individual whom they believe can assist them in their investigation.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

9

FRANCIS SMITH

for PICKSTOCK Party Treasurer Julius Espat

Dr. Francis Smith pledges to continue the work for the peaceful, constructive revolution

New Standard Bearer Dr. Francis Smith says its time for true healing in Pickstock

Senior Deputy Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca

Former Party Leader & Former PM Rt. Hon. Said Musa

Deputy Leader Mike Espat

Deputy Leader Carolyn Trench-Sandiford

Pickstock resident won a useful prize

Dr. Smith embraced by supporter

(L to R) Hon. Francis Fonseca, Carolyn Trench-Sandiford, Rt. Hon. Said Musa, Dr. Francis Smith, Party Chairman Henry Usher & Julius Espat

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Belize Bank races in at 1st place

BELIZE'S #1 SPORTS PAGE

Team Belize Bank wins Smart River Challenge race

Other finishers: Team Wat-a-ting (2:33:24); 6th place overall, 4th Men’s division Paddlers: Johnny “Watt” Searle, Chris Guydis, Paul Hyde

Team Print Belize (2:36:16); 7th overall, 2nd Pleasure Division

Paddlers: Erwin Cruz, Rudolph Gentle, Javier Guardado

BNE/Pacz team (2:48:17); 8th overall, 5th Men’s Division

Paddlers: Denmarck Casey, Hector Toruffu, Aroldo Lopez

Team Ranza Gals (2:48:30); 9th overall, 1st Female Division

Ziprider Team came in 2nd

Paddlers: Ana and Francisca Cruz, Delilah Cabb

Team Grumpy Ol Men (3:00:54); 10th overall, 1st place Masters Division Paddlers: Dan Wakelin, Joe Fuzy, Jerry Wilkens

Police Peacemakers (3:17:57); 11th overall, 2nd Female Division

Paddlers: Audrey Moody, Jane and Bobby Dee Usher

JBD Drugdealers team (3:20:01); 12th overall, 3rd Pleasure Category

Paddlers: Elvina Bedran, Ricardo Barrera, Jamani Balderamos

Team Dead Skin, 13th overall

L.A. Goldies cricketers tour Belize

Francis Sutherland bowls

Clarence Mckay made 11 runs

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Ranza Gals were 1st in Female Category

Belize City, April 29, 2011 Team Belize Bank’s Evelio Flores, Amado Cruz and Daniel Cruz paddled their canoe to win the Smart-Speednet Belize River Challenge canoe race clocking 2:19:26 from the start at the Iguana Creek Bridge to the finish line under the Roaring Creek bridge by the National Agricultural Trade Show grounds to win the first prize and trophy on Saturday April 30.

Team Ziprider’s Jerry Rhaburn, and Justin and Jermaine Sanchez clocked 2:30:07 for 2nd prize.

At third place were Team NICH’s Oscar Cordon, Jimmy Valdez and Armin Lopez who paddled to the finish in 2:27:25. The Westrac team of Hener Cruz, Efrain Cruz and Jerry Cante paddled into 4th place overall, clocking 2:30:41 to win the Pleasure Division, while at 5th place was the St Ignatius High School team: Alfred Lopez, Byron Cruz and Sergio Lopez who clocked in at 2:31:42 to win the Intramural division.

Brown Bombers team Belize’s Kevin Flowers bowls

Bermudian Landing, May 2, 2011 The Los Angeles Goldies Cricket team completed their tour of Belize with a 2-win/2loss record after losing to the Belize national cricket team 100-97 in Bermudian Landing on Monday, May 2.

The LA bowlers dismissed Belize’s first 2 batsmen for 3 runs, but then Warren Anthony entered to wallop 4 boundaries for 32 runs. The LA bowlers dismissed the next batsman for one run, but the man of the match Mykelt Anthony entered to bat 4 sixes and a boundary, scoring 34 runs before he was stumped.

Kenny Broaters was bowled out for only 3 runs, and the next batsman was given an LBW, but Team Belize had 3 wickets to spare and Jevaugn Banner scored 4 runs and

Dorian Gabb hit a single boundary to put them over the top 100-97 for the win.

The L.A. Goldies had won over the defending Harrison Parks National Cricket champions, Surprise, in Lemonal on Sunday. The Man of the Match Melford Tillet batted 10 runs and took 6 wickets for 8 runs, holding the Lemonal men to a miserly 48 runs; even though Farron Muslar top-scored for surprise.

The L.A. Goldies surpassed the Lemonal score with 50 runs, and 3 wickets to spare, even though Surprise’s bowler, Andrew Banner, took 4 wickets.

The L.A. Goldies had also won against an over-50 veteran side in Crooked Tree last week Sunday, after losing to Brilliant of Crooked Tree on Saturday.

Brown Bombers crowned Crime Stoppers

U-16 champs Belize City, April 29, 2011 The Brown Bombers are the 2011 Crimestoppers Eaters Cup football champs after facing off with the Jane Usher Boulevard team at the MCC Grounds on Friday afternoon, April 29.

In the championship match, the Brown Bombers won 2-0. The goal scorer for Brown Bombers was Devaugn Zuniga with 2 goals.

Hattieville won the consolation Continued on page 10

Sunday, May 8, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

11

O.W. United upsets

City Boys 3-2 Other games:

BELIZE'S #1 SPORTS PAGE

Orange Walk, April 30, 2011 Paradise Freedom Fighters Orange Walk vs. Third World United stunned the up to then undefeated Raymond Gentle City Boys FC 3-2 in Paradise Third World the Belize Bank Superleague football Placencia Assassins vs. competition at the Hattieville Monarchs People’s Stadium on Sunday, May 1.

Olliver Hendricks scored O.W.’s two goals City Boys’ goalie Placencia Hattieville Stanley “Jordan” Reneau denied early tries by Cesar RobGriga Knights’ vs. Cayo South erts and Christopher United – rescheduled Hendricks, but when Roberts set table for Hendricks in the 37th minute, HenThird World vs. Griga Knights, dricks got the better Carl Ramos Stadium, Saturday night of Reneau with the Suga City’s 1st goal.

OW United vs. Hattieville Monarchs, Hendricks embarPeople’s Stadium, Sunday rassed Reneau again when the Suga City Placencia Assassins vs. Paradise Freedom Fighters O. W. United’s Jarret Davis boys won a free kick City boys vs. Cayo South United, MCC Grounds and the execution was textbook, beatfrom the ball game after a hard tackle ing Reneau with a 2nd goal in the 39th rebound fell at the feet of City on Jarret Davis, but Suga City’s efforts minute.

Boys’ top striker Deon Macauto capitalize on the numerical advantage The City Boys tried for a comeback lay, whose immediate response were frustrated. when Nigel Franklin executed a free was to send it into the net to In the 81st minute, Christopher kick floating the ball into the goal area equalize the score in the 64th Hendricks scored a 3rd, winning goal where Jason Young connected with a minute. for Orange Walk’s United 3-2 big win, header.

The City boys found themto now rank 2nd in the standings with Sugar city’s goalie Charlie Slusher selves playing one man down 19pts from 6 wins and a draw in 10 outfumbled a shot by Leon Jones, and the when Ian Gaynair was ejected ings.

1 3

2 1

Upcoming games:

Brown Bombers crowned Crime Stoppers U-16 champs Continued from page 9

game for 3rd place 4-3 over the Pickstock Raiders 4-2 in penalty shootout.

The game was tied 1-1 at the end of regulation time.

Crimestoppers’ representative Alberto Vasquez presented championship 2nd and 3rd place trophies to the winners, and individual medals to the players. Brown bombers’ Naim Wilson won the Most Valuable Player award and Pickstock Raiders’ Elston Flowers received the most Goals award.

Jane Usher Blvd placed 2nd

Centro Escolar Mexico & Independence

win ATLIB nationals

San Andres, Corozal, April 30, 2011 The Centro Escolar Mexico girls and the Independence Junior College men won the Association of Tertiary Level Institutions of Belize (ATLIB) national football championships hosted

by Corozal Junior College in San Andres, Corozal on Sunday, April 17.

The Centro Escolar girls won 3-0 over the Corozal Junior College girls. Marieli Mediana and Jamilie Moguel supported their attack on the wings, and Ruby Martinez and Lucy Dominguez broke up the CJC plays at midfield. The game wasn’t a minute old when Shannie Ucan had scored the first winning goal in the 16th second to be exact!

Cianni Castaneda made it 2-0 when she blasted in rebound from 30 yards outside the goal to embarrass CJC’s goalie Kristy Continued on page 11

Pickstock’s Elston Flowers scored the most goals

How they advanced: Pickstock Raiders vs. Survivors

3

Pickstock

1

Survivors

Goals by Elston Flowers (2), George Torres, Kenrick Card

Brown Bombers vs. Young Stars

CEM girls are champs

2

Brown Bomb

1

Young Stars

Goals by Jason Anderson, Niam Wilson, Brandon Myers

Brown Bombers vs. Pickstock Raiders

6

Brown Bomb

2

Pickstock

Goals by Devaughn Zuniga (2), Naim Wilson (2), Jonathan Juardado, Dimitri Fabro, Elston Flowers

Jane Usher Blvd vs. Hattieville United Youth Sports Club

3

Jane Usher

IJC men are ATLIB champs

1

Hattieville

Goals by Kermit Sutherland, Garry Young, Shemar Moore, Richard Waight

12

THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Centro Escolar Mexico & Independence

win ATLIB nationals Continued from page 10

Marin a second time and lead 2-0. In the 2nd half, Marieli Medina drove in a 3rd goal for the 3-0 win.

The Independence men won 3-2 over the Corozal Junior College. Aaron Parham scored the IJC men’s 1st goal when CJC goalie Jose Sajel misplayed the ball in what had seemed like an easy save. Luis Torres soon added a 2nd goal to lead 2-0, before Marcelo Gilharry surprised IJC goalie Leroy Pandy with a long lob that found its way into the net, but IJC was up 2-1 at the break.

In the 2nd half, Torres scored a 3rd goal. CJC’s Tomas Zetina drilled the ball through Chinchilla’s legs for the host’s 2nd goal and it seemed the CJC men had a shot at the title, but their next tries proved to be a comedy of errors, as the IJC men clinched the 3-2 win for the championship.

The tournament was abbreviated in its format as the southern regional champions, Stann Creek Ecumenical Junior College, were a no show. At closing ceremonies the CEM girls and the IJC men received the ATLIB national championship trophies and medals, while the Corozal Junior College girls and men received second place medals.

CEM’s Sharon Martinez controls the ball

Cianni Castaneda (CEM) scored the 2nd goal

OW Horse

Race results

By Ladrick “Mad Bull” Shepard The holiday on Monday meant battle for horse owners who gathered for the May 1st Horse Race competition at the People’s Stadium. Here are the results: 2 FURLONG RACE (29 seconds) 1st - Stacious 2nd - Run Away Bride 3rd - Made of Magic 3 FURLONG RACE (38.3 seconds) 1st – Death Warrant Jockey: Jockey Randy Barajona 2nd – I am Blessed 3rd – Prospector de Cash 5 FURLONG RACE (101.4 seconds) 1st – Kiss Them and Leave Them Jockey : Eric Martinez 2nd – Brittany’s Song Jockey: Kris Tillet 3rd – Little Arrow Jockey: Enrique Martinez 5 FURLONG RACE (101.4) 1st - 24K Jockey: Eric Martinez 2nd – Obama 3rd – Paloma Negra 7 FURLONG RACE (127 seconds) 1st – Dawn Jockey: Earl Budd 2nd – Overdrive

Shannie blasted in the 1st goal against CJC

BELIZE'S #1 SPORTS PAGE

Sunday, May 8, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

This Week’s

13 BELIZETIMES SUNDAY MAY 8, 2011

see full color at www.belizetimes.bz

E-NEWS MixVibZCrew

This local rap duo known as “Mixed Vibes Crew” from Orange Walk town has been rippin’ the scene with hit after hit. The smooth talking, talented rap team has released numerous singles from “Lik of the Thing”, to “The Sickest”, to “After Party”. There is no doubt that once exposed to the national scene, they can rise to greatness.

Beenie

warns Barbados

Grammy Winning Dancehall artist Beenie Man has warned immigration officials in that country to stop pressuring Jamaicans.

“Ease up Jamaican. Stop pressure Jamaican,” he said from the stage at the Reggae Beach Party in Brandons Beach, St Michael last Sunday.

He added that he had also been arrested on his last visit to Barbados but that he bore no grudge.

StephenMarley returns........

CATWALK FASHIONS

TOP MODEL

Seven-time Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter, Stephen Marley, is set to release his third solo project, Revelation Pt 1: The Root of Life from Ghetto Youths/Tuff Gong/Universal Republic on May 24.

Anchored in reggae’s drum and bass backbeat, The Root of Life is described as an organic and richly textured sound through its 14 tracks, which Marley says makes it a true body of work that delivers powerful messages and encouragement for the struggling masses.

The first single Jah Army, features Damian ‘Jr Gong’ Marley and Buju Banton over a one-drop rhythm with lyrics to rally the troops. “Whether it’s in the music or our life, get it together man, the Gideon is on,” declares Marley.

Kira • • • • • •

Secretary/Assistant Manager Graduate of EP Yorke High School Sign: Libra Likes: Watching sports, travelling, swimming Career Plan: Pursue Business Marketing Lives in Belize City

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ALL ITEMS IN STORE

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, May 8, 2011

The Secret Team That

Killed Bin Laden

By Marc Ambinder Updated: May 3, 2011 | 9:40 a.m.

From Ghazi Air Base in Pakistan, the modified MH-60 helicopters made their way to the garrison suburb of Abbottabad, about 70 miles from the center of Islamabad. Aboard were Navy SEALs, flown across the border from Afghanistan, along with tactical signals, intelligence collectors, and navigators using highly classified hyperspectral imagers.

After bursts of fire over 40 minutes, 22 people were counted, and five were killed. One of the dead was Osama bin Laden, done in by a double tap -- boom, boom -- to the left side of his face. His body was aboard the choppers that made the trip back. One had experienced mechanical failure and was destroyed by U.S. forces, military and White House officials tell National Journal.

Were it not for this high-value target, it might have been a routine mission for the specially trained and highly mythologized SEAL Team Six, officially called the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, but known even to the locals at their home base Dam Neck in Virginia as just DevGru. This HVT was special, and the raids required practice, so they replicated the one-acre compound.

Trial runs were held in early April.

DevGru belongs to the Joint Special Operations Command, an extraordinary and unusual collection of classified standing task forces and special-missions units. They report to the president and operate worldwide based on the legal (or extra-legal) premises of classified presidential directives. Though the general public knows about the special SEALs and their brothers in Delta Force, most JSOC missions never leak. We only hear about JSOC when something goes bad (a British aid worker is accidentally killed) or when something really big happens (a merchant marine captain is rescued at sea), and even then, the military remains especially sensitive about their existence.

Several dozen JSOC operatives have died in Pakistan over the past several years.

Their names are released by the Defense Department in the usual manner, but with a cover story -- generally, they were killed in training accidents in eastern Af-

ghanistan. That’s the code.

How did the helos elude the Pakistani air defense network? Did they spoof transponder codes? Were they painted and tricked out with Pakistan Air Force equipment? If so -- and we may never know -- two other JSOC units, the Technical Application Programs Office and the Aviation Technology Evaluation Group, were responsible. These truly are the silent squirrels -- never getting public credit and not caring one whit. Since 9/11, the JSOC units and their task forces have become the U.S. government’s most effective and lethal weapon against terrorists and their networks, drawing plenty of unwanted, and occasionally unflattering, attention to themselves in the process.

JSOC costs the country more than $1 billion annually. The command has its critics, but it has escaped significant congressional scrutiny and has operated largely with impunity since 9/11. Some of

service in the compound. How it did this without Pakistan’s knowledge is a secret.

The NGIA makes the military’s maps but also develops their pattern recognition software -- no doubt used to help establish, by February of this year, that the CIA could say with “high probability” that bin Laden and his family were living there.

Recently, JSOC built a new Targeting and Analysis Center in Rosslyn, Va. Where the National Counterterrorism Center tends to focus on threats to the homeland, TAAC, whose existence was first disclosed by the Associated Press, focuses outward, on active “kinetic” -or lethal -- counterterrorism missions abroad.

That the center could be stood up under the nose of some of the nation’s most senior intelligence officials without their full knowledge testifies to the power and reach of JSOC, whose size has tripled since 9/11. The command now includes more than 4,000 soldiers and civilians. It

add 50 positions to JSOC. When Gen. Stanley McChrystal became JSOC’s commanding general in 2004, he and his intelligence chief, Maj. Gen. Michael Flynn, set about transforming the way the subordinate units analyze and act on intelligence. Insurgents in Iraq were exploiting the slow decision loop that coalition commanders used, and enhanced interrogation techniques were frowned upon after the Abu Ghraib scandal. But the hunger for actionable tactical intelligence on insurgents was palpable.

The way JSOC solved this problem remains a carefully guarded secret, but people familiar with the unit suggest that McChrystal and Flynn introduced hardened commandos to basic criminal forensic techniques and then used highly advanced and still-classified technology to transform bits of information into actionable intelligence. One way they did this was to create forward-deployed fusion cells, where JSOC units were paired

its interrogators and operators were involved in torture and rendition, and the line between its intelligence-gathering activities and the CIA’s has been blurred.

But Sunday’s operation provides strong evidence that the CIA and JSOC work well together. Sometimes intelligence needs to be developed rapidly, to get inside the enemy’s operational loop.

And sometimes it needs to be cultivated, grown as if it were delicate bacteria in a petri dish.

Indeed, according to accounts given to journalists by five senior administration officials Sunday night, the CIA gathered the intelligence that led to bin Laden’s location. A memo from CIA Director Leon Panetta sent Sunday night provides some hints of how the information was collected and analyzed. In it, he thanked the National Security Agency and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency for their help. NSA figured out, somehow, that there was no telephone or Internet

has its own intelligence division, which may or may not have been involved in last night’s effort, and has gobbled up a number of free-floating Defense Department entities that allowed it to rapidly acquire, test, and field new technologies.

Under a variety of standing orders, JSOC is involved in more than 50 current operations spanning a dozen countries, and its units, supported by so-called “white,” or acknowledged, special operations entities like Rangers, Special Forces battalions, SEAL teams, and Air Force special ops units from the larger Special Operations Command, are responsible for most of the “kinetic” action in Afghanistan.

Earlier this year, it seemed that the elite units would face the same budget pressures that the entire military was experiencing. Not anymore. The military found a way, largely by reducing contracting staff and borrowing others from the Special Operations Command, to

with intelligence analysts from the NSA and the NGA. Such analysis helped the CIA to establish, with a high degree of probability, that Osama bin Laden and his family were hiding in that particular compound.

These technicians could “exploit and analyze” data obtained from the battlefield instantly, using their access to the government’s various biometric, facialrecognition, and voice-print databases.

These cells also used highly advanced surveillance technology and computerbased pattern analysis to layer predictive models of insurgent behavior onto realtime observations.

The military has begun to incorporate these techniques across the services.

And Flynn will soon be promoted to a job within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, where he’ll be tasked with transforming the way intelligence is gathered, analyzed, and utilized.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Lying Patrick!!!

San Vicente - Toledo West April 29, 2011 With the recent inauguration of the new school building in San Vicente, Toledo District, the Minister of Education from Belize City and the so-called area representative from Toledo West behaved in a silly manner.

They were high ranking gentlemen of no smells. Patrick Faber, a darn good liar, made a clown of himself in all the things he spoke about during the ceremony.

The Education Minister boasted about San Vicente at the last budget debate at the House of Representatives. He claimed to have walked among the people. Well, like the other stooge, it must another San Vicente and not the one in Toledo West. Never in history has a UDP Belize City based politician and parliamentarian visited San Vicente!

Not even the current area representative cares at least an afternoon visit. Why don’t you all lift a finger to guide the blind area representative from Toledo West to fix the road out of San Vicente?

Furthermore, Juan ‘junior boy’ Coy absolutely has no idea about the erection of the new school building. His thoughtful and wishful speech falls right back into dust. Juan Coy cannot even compose a story about himself.

Deep in our hearts, we all know that the school building was an initiative and a project of the People’s United Party

Government.

He boasted that after a certain hurricane, the people of San Vicente went and picked up pieces of the old school building over the Guatemalan border. Shame on you, San Vicente has never experienced a hurricane. Hurricane Iris of 2001 did not affected the community but passed north of the village. Tropical Storm Arthur of 2008 passed near Dangriga. Hurricane Richard tortured your constituency. Your people’s homes were ripped apart and up to this day nothing has been done about it. They are the ones that have pick up the pieces together.

Under the previous government, the road was an all weather road. The high school students never walked to neighboring Jalacte to go to a secondary institution.

We welcome you to visit San Vicente on a rainy day. How can we respect persons like you.

You are nothing but just a lying Patrick!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

A ban on tinted windows Belize City, May 3, 2011 A new statutory instrument which bans heavily tinted windows on automobiles will likely force certain Ministers of Government to be act transparently, as they will be required to remove the dark tint which hides questionable deeds that occur inside their Government-vehicles.

Some of the Government officials are Patrick Faber, Nemencio Acosta, Juan Coy, Melvin Hulse, Mark Pech and even UDP senators who have been driving around inside heavily tinted vehicles.

Ironically, it is Hulse who has signed into law the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Tinted Windows) Regulations 2011 which will take effect on June 1st, 2011. But it wouldn’t be surprising if the UDPs, who pretend to be better than regular Belizeans, are exempted from this new rule. The S.I. indicates that “the Minister may specify, by notice in the Gazette, that a motor vehicle or a class of motor vehicle is a motor vehicle exempt from the provisions of this regulation”.

Those who do not remove the dark tint may face a fine of not less than $150 and not more than $500.

The SI states, “no person shall use, or cause or permit another person to use, a motor vehicle on a public road if its windscreen, rear glass or any of its windows is tinted or otherwise treated, in a way that is likely to impede sight, from outside the vehicle, of a person or thing inside the vehicle”.

Elgin Martinez says: April 29, 2011 at 7:20 am

The death penalty need to be implimented.I am calling on this incompitent Government to stop the genocide of the Belizean People.”

Lova Boy says: April 29, 2011 at 9:50 am

Resign barrow just resign how can you sleep with all these murders on your hands.”

Rod says: May 4, 2011 at 6:31 am

Remove that …… Minister of Police. His mouth is bigger than everything.

He has mouth Diarrhoea. Instead of finding sustainable solution, all he does is talk talk and talk pure bull.”

Ricky Malthus Saturday, April 30, 2011, 16:53

It is apparent that the government has no idea of the nature of isoquants and isocosts in the agricultural industry,and as they relate to producers or vendors. I am astonished that your Marketing Board is so limited in its scope of economic thinking to not be able to find markets for all the onions,rice, sugar, citrus, and other produce. Shame, Shame!! Do you know that all the rice,beans, sugar,onions, garlic, etc . can be imported at half the price and all Belizeans will be better off?”

Posts are from www.belizetimes.bz, Belize Times Facebook Account and www.channel5belize.com

Sunday, May 8, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

Strictly Personal Barrow is bogus

By glenntillett@yahoo.com “…Recall mechanism for elected officials, prosecution under an unjust law for officials who are living a lifestyle, an empowered senate, not an elected, an empowered senate controlled by the social partners and not by the government of the day, an airtight accountability of the executive to the auditor general, the contractor general and the ombudsman among others.”- Dean Barrow, January 8th, 2008

Ghetto kids no longer want to grow up to be drug dealers – they all want to become politicians now. They see the ostentatious displays and figure that that is where the money and the lifestyle are at.”

Jamaican PM invites regional comments on special prosecutor’s office MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica (JIS) -Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding has invited commentary from regional prosecutors meeting in Montego Bay, on Jamaica’s planned move to establish a special prosecutor’s office, through a Bill now before Parliament.

The special prosecutor will be empowered under the provisions of the law to investigate and prosecute corrupt high-level public and private officials.

“We are introducing that office because we feel there is a need to create a special focus on corruption,” Golding explained in his address at the Commonwealth Caribbean Prosecutors conference dinner held on Saturday evening. – Caribbean News Now, May 4th, 2011 The Integrity Commission, the only regulatory body with the duty and au-

thority to enforce integrity among elected officials, is moribund.

It is now clear that Dean Barrow’s promises of “accountability, transparency and good governance” were hollow from the get go since the entire kit and caboodle – unjust enrichment, empowered Senate, enhanced Auditor General office, even the Public Accounts Committee, have proven to be farcical.

Barrow did not even have the decency to pretend to pursue the DFC Commission’s reports.

History may yet judge this Dean Barrow administration as one of the most corrupt and the most inept in our political annals.

There is a disconnect between Customs officials chasing and shooting after contrabandistas even as ministers and their darlings parade through the checkpoints with their bags and vehicles chock full of goodies.

There is a disconnect between Barrow administration officials ostentatious displays of wealth, through the building of multi-million dollar homes, and the GSU raiding homes and detaining people for less than a stick of weed or a single round here or a single round there.

This is the most unjust society yet.

There are persons in our society who have been granted immunity from prosecution of any kind hence they act with impunity. And because they believe they have immunity from the law enforcers, they are now threatening people like me because they want immunity from scrutiny and comment as well.

Is it any wonder our society has become so violent and crime prone?

Ghetto kids no longer want to grow up to be drug dealers – they all want to become politicians now. They see the ostentatious displays and figure that that is where the money and the lifestyle are at.

I don’t blame them because that is the God’s truth.

Is it any wonder come any election the begging and the demands from the voters are so overwhelming? If you want to get rich quick, being a Barrow crony is the way to go.

And the depravity of it all is that Barrow promised different – the diametric opposite. I did not put the words in his mouth – he stood before the nation and solemnly swore that he would do things differently. He pledged, he promised, he swore, he committed, before God and man, and here we are and he’s reneged.

What is worse is that he has not only reneged, but in the case of the 13th Senator, not only has he completely reversed his position at the penultimate moment and blocked its implementation, but remember he also denuded the Senate of much of its bite anyway. In short we are now in a worst situation where the Senate is concerned.

And he is so nonchalant where his complete and utter betrayal of his promises is concerned. Help me, we need a stronger description than “Hypocrisy on steroids”.

Barrow is bogus.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

REALITY CHECK!

BARROW’S COMMON SENSE AINT TOO COMMON, BUT COMMON ARE THE LIES UNDER THE UDP ADMINISTRATION

By Carla Bradley The 2010 census was finally released, almost an entire year after it was done and to no surprise the findings were interesting, both negatively and positively. It showed how much our population has grown, and that Belize is becoming bigger but unfortunately not better. Many of the findings in the 2010 census are controversial and questions are left lingering in the air with no real answers.

Census 2010 reports that 23% of our population is unemployed and while it might sound wonderful and pleasing to the eyes and minds, this in my opinion is not the truth. We can look at many instances when huge companies have closed down or gone into receivership leaving many Belizeans without jobs and yet they can say this? Novelos, who employed over 300 Belizeans is out, over 50 HL’s single mothers are jobless, and many other people who have been victimized by this current government in the past three years. Let us go back a little bit to 2008 when the UDP government took office and examine what the new prime minister stated in an interview on News 5. The census was compared to the findings of 2000 census, just 2 years after the UDP lost the election, and the PUP in the UDP’s words “had to carry that burden” on their backs of UDP’s horrible misappropriation of

funds and mismanagement of the country. The 2000 census said that the unemployment rate was at 20%, and in 2010 it’s at 23%, so the public might be a little lenient and say will this was a result of the recession, but this is wrong.

On July 14th 2008 during a House Meeting Barrow stated, “In the month April 2007, the rate of unemployment stood at eight point five. This subsequently rose to twelve point one percent in September, partly due to the hurricane and the seasonal downturn in demand for labour.” Now analyzing what was said, and the findings of 2010 Census, we can say that we are right back to where we started when the UDP was kicked out of Government in 1998.

The unemployment rate in 2007 was 8.5%. It then went to 12.1% because of a natural disaster and downturn demand for labor; a 3.6% jump.

Now in 2010 it is reported at 23%, making it a 10.9% jump in a matter of 2 years. Quite alarming if you ask me.

So while the comparison was made to the last census conducted in 2000, we could see that the People’s United Party had taken that unemployment rate down significantly, only to have it shoot right back up to where it started at the hands of Barrow and his administration. So when compared to Barrow’s exact words during the budget presentation in 2008, the unemployment rate went from 12.1% to 23% which is an increase of 10.9%.

So while the UDP boasts that it has only grown 3% since the last census in 2000, this is just another cover up of the harsh reality in Belize. So do not be fooled by the propaganda that will emerge from the 2010 census findings, as it is all yet another mask of the UDP Administration.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

In my perspective…

By Ray Young YES, WE STILL CAN “GROW UP”! Part I I can remember growing up as a child with my sisters in Libertad, Corozal when my dad would announce that we were going to Belize City, the joy it brought to my family! We were going to the city - a 90-mile, four hour journey because the roads were so bad, but we did not care, we were going to the big city. Back then, to us Belize City was the place to be. Coming from Libertad where there were maybe 300 people living there, Belize City was big with lots of people. Even though people had to take their waste out in a white bucket early in the mornings and dump it in the canal, we loved Belize City. And WOW, going over the swing bridge - that was fun to our family!

My dad would drive across the swing bridge many times because he knew we liked going across the bridge. We had nothing like the swing bridge in Corozal. Life was so simple back then and the simple things made us happy. The City was clean, the streets were paved, the homes though small were clean, the people were clean, proud and strict with their kids. Life was great.

Then my brother left home and went to Jamaica to study, my sisters went to Fletcher College in Corozal and eventually to Jamaica to attend a university and then to the USA. The Young family was changing. That simple life we so enjoyed was coming to an end. We were becoming grown people with responsibilities and our own families. We were growing up…. I just wondered if Belize ever “grew up”. Are things any better today than the simple life my family and I enjoyed back in the day. The canals are still there, the same street signs are still there (only rustier as most have not been replaced). Are the streets, roads and bridges any better today than when my family visited Belize City back then? If not, why not?

Will Belize be a player in this new economy? Can our infrastructure accommodate this new economy? I don’t believe we are anywhere near that possibility. Is it too late? No, but it will take an extraordinary person to bring the changes we need so badly. A person who would not seek re-election but would be focused on turning around this economy, putting in place the infrastructure needed to make Belize a place where businesses would want to do business. Jobs, Jobs, Jobs…

Let me share with you three incidents I encountered on one of my many mission trips to Belize helping to build churches and schools which show that we have a 50s mentality the simple days. My Belize passport was about to expire so I had to go to the Vital Statics office for a new birth

certificate. When I finally found the place I did not see an entrance. I looked everywhere but did not see the entrance. I asked the gentlemen sitting on the side walk and they told me it was in the back of the building. And sure enough that’s how you enter the building. The place was full of people and crying babies. Nowhere to sit to fill out the forms. Stacks of paper in boxes almost reaching the ceiling all over the office. Staff using mostly old antiquated equipment. An office this important to the public should be completely equipped with modern computers. All information should be on-line for easy access. This office should be in an area that is easily reached and the entrance should be in the front - not in the back of a building. Finally, I had to wait around almost an hour because the treasurer did not have change.

Now that I had my birth certificate I went to the immigration office in Belize City. This was a great experience. Their system is computerized and in less than a week I had my new Caribbean Community Passport. This is a good example of where the country needs to be - making our government work for us; using the latest technology for efficiency and productivity.

I stayed on the corner on Dolphin and Racoon Streets in Belize City and early one morning there was a crew cutting the lawn in front of the police station and the post office. There was a gentleman who operated a weed wacker and was doing a great job. Behind him were the other crew members - about ten of them raking up the cut grass and bagging it. I was impressed. Here is a group of people that was hard working, sweating like crazy but doing their jobs.

They had the bagged grass lined up for at least two blocks and they were moving on to the other streets. Later that evening I noticed that the bagged grass was still sitting there. What happened? I was so impressed before. I left a week later and the bagged grass was still sitting there.

As I drove around Belize City there are so many schools, so many kids going to school which is a good thing. But what does the future hold for them? What jobs will be waiting for them in 10-20 years. I know a security guard that works in Belmopan who works 7 days a week and is paid every two weeks - $219.00. That is not a living wage. No one can live off that. We need better jobs, high tech jobs that will attract Belizeans – like the many who had to move to other countries to make a better life for themselves and their families. You cannot build an economy on food stands and security guards (of which there are many of in Belize City).

It is truly sad to see so many of the homes occupied by the poor. Homes that are sitting on blocks that cannot withstand a good breeze much-less a hurricane or worst yet a tsunami. Homes that have been there since when my family and I came to Belize City to visit. Homes that are so dilapidated they are not inhabitable. No one should be living in these deplorable conditions. We need building codes and high standards for homes that are subject to high winds and hurricanes ever year.

I can’t imagine what it costs businesses or individuals in Belize City to operate a vehicle on these horrible streets each and every day.

Then there are the dogs that flood the streets especially at night. These mangy looking dogs that are rabies prone have Continued on page 24

Sunday, May 8, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

19

The Next Revolution……….

NOW is the Time

By Carolyn Trench-Sandiford – Deputy Leader People’s United Party - Belize

The time has come for us to roll up our collective sleeves and catapult Belize into the next revolution. The peaceful constructive Belizean revolution has fossilized. And while we must build on its legacy, 2011 is a new reality. It is a different reality. We cannot wait any longer. A NEW BELIZE must be birthed. The next revolution is inevitable.

30 years after independence we must come to grips with the state of our country and pave the way for a sustainable future of prosperity, national unity and happiness for the next generation, while attacking the fundamental urgent problems that plague us today, such as poverty, crime and unemployment, and the negative effects associated with them.

However, to do so, the next revolution must be engineered to unleash the full potential of Belize. This includes all of its resources, that is, land and all it contains, waters, air and people, and every Belizean must have a role to play, regardless of political persuasion, sex, socio-economic status, geographic location, religious or spiritual affiliation, physical or mental disabilities or age.

The next revolution also requires all Belizeans to join forces and utilize our knowledge base, retool and build our skills and competencies where necessary and or lacking, and engage in decision making that ensures the resources and wealth of this nation is distributed in a just and equitable manner, and targeted at regions and communities where it is direly needed.

Undoubtedly, this calls for a NEW POLITICAL, SOCIAL and ECONOMIC ORDER as what exists has not worked for all Belizeans. It has only worked for a few Belizeans.

The statistics tells the story. The landscape confirms it.

It is therefore time for new ideas. It is time for different approaches. It is time for a radical transformation of systems that are fundamentally and inherently flawed, and NOW is that time. For too long, the plight of the marginalized, the oppressed, the disadvantaged and the forgotten, has been ignored. For too long, the people have been excluded.

I shall therefore lay the case for the next revolution to the Belizean people in this newspaper over the next few months, and open the door for discussion. It shall be presented as three discrete components with sub-components.

Notwithstanding, in reality, they must be approached concurrently, interdependently and sequentially, for one feeds into the other, they rely on each other, and are occurring at the same time. It will be the ability to look at the forest through the eyes of a tree.

Firstly, JOB and WEALTH CREATION shall be the number one priority of the next revolution. It shall contain strategies to enhance our national and individual incomeearning capability, and grow ourselves out of the debt and external borrowing, to replace it with domestic economic security, sustainability and independence.

This shall be the foundation for POV-

ERTY ERADICATION, not alleviation or reduction, and consequently SOCIAL PROGRESS, the second component, which shall contain strategies to build our social capital, sustain our Belizean identity, and create, not imagine, the possibilities and opportunities.

Education shall be the epicentre of this order, as it is the key to social progress.

This will facilitate a third but equally important component, HOMELAND SECURITY for our people and country, for only if our people are safe and happy in their homes and communities, are energized to coalesce around issues that unite us rather than separate us, can there be national unity. This will be the NEW ECONOMIC and SOCIAL ORDER. The next revolution shall also redefine governance and decision making at all levels through a NEW POLITICAL ORDER designed especially to birth a NEW BELIZE and create the NEW ECONOMIC and SOCIAL ORDER. The NEW POLITICAL ORDER shall recognize governance, government and people as instruments to effect change. Governance as an instrument of change shall be about the people, and the order calls for a change in the way we elect our leaders and hold them responsible and accountable.

It sees parliament as a tool for solution searching, harmonizes and share decision making regarding the use of resources between national, municipal and village and community governance, and empower civil society and our people to be a part of government.

However, as an instrument to effect change, government is currently outdated, archaic in structure, disconnected from the reality of Belize, mismanages resources, is extremely politicized, and consumed with protecting posts, turf and programmes, regardless of their relevance. Thus, public officers are unable to capitalize on existing and emerging opportunities and function in a rapidly changing, information rich and well informed society.

The order calls for the stocktaking of national assets and resources, the designation of new ministries and departments, the realignment of existing ministries and departments and the abolition of unnecessary and irrelevant ones, to meet the challenges, problems and new realities of today, and the future, while inspiring public officers to work and serve their country, and at the same time providing the Belizean people satisfaction and value for money.

The new order is also about shifting from the administration of resources to the management of resources to address specific problems based on statistical and evidentiary data through efficiency, optimization and unambiguously defined and measurable results.

Finally, if our people are to be the third instrument, they must be emancipated from a mental construct that has programmed us to look for solutions outside, rather than within, which is illusionary at best. Thus the next revolution is about the people becoming accountable and responsible, and demanding a piece of the pie, and no longer the crumbs.

It is about a people assertively embracing ownership of the wealth and resources of this nation and ensuring that they receive their just share. It is about a people believing in themselves and in their country’s future.

In the next revolution, the people shall be the end and the means. Only so shall we break the cycle of perpetual subjection of our people, birth a NEW BELIZE, which will bring Prosperity, National Unity and Happiness to all Belizeans.

www.belizeandiaries.com

INFIDELITY! INEVITABLE?

B

y nature, I have always been an inquisitive person. I see something and I question why and how and the likes thus I enjoy having conversations with strangers not only because it opens up an avenue for new friends but also because it gives me an insight into the minds of these individuals. Following several recent encounters, I find myself playing with several topics in my head for this column but after meeting a young man over the weekend I have decided to touch on ‘infidelity’ since it seems to be affecting many unions.

In 2009 when I first started this column, I wrote on my personal experiences at that time and how it affected me.

Since then I have grown. My thoughts have evolved and my perspective has changed. Back then, being in my mid 20s, I was devastated at the thought of being cheated on and even more so when the proof of my partner’s infidelity slapped me in the face. Today, however, after sharing my experiences and listening to other men and women give their sides of the story, I have come to the conclusion that cheating may actually be inevitable in relationships, perhaps more so for men than women.

I have a good friend whose husband gave up their 10 year marriage for another woman – she kept saying to me that she was convinced that men are not made to be monogamous – it’s just not in their DNA. At first I thought that she was lashing out from her husband walking out but today, two and a half years later, we share the same view.

I have spoken in-depth with many men, and I am yet to find one who has not been unfaithful (there is one that keeps on saying that he does not cheat but then again his definition of the word leaves a lot to be desired). Men have confided in me their affairs, and women their experiences in dealing with infidelity and in my mind I think if you’re going to be in a relationship for the long haul, you prepare yourself for the pains of infidelity.

There I said it! Prepare yourself for it! Speaking to a young attorney last week, I mentioned to him that I wanted to write this article but was hesitant due to the backlash I may get from the ‘independent women’ in our society who keep professing that their lives are so great because they don’t accept bs or tolerate indiscretions. But tonight, as I sit here thinking about it all, I say, what the hay....it’s my perspective.

Now let me clarify, when I say that men will cheat on you no matter what you do, how well kept your home is...I

am saying that we need to understand the make-up of man. Many men are weak creatures – they are easily influenced by the scent of a woman and unfortunately there are many aggressive women in our society that will conquer whoever they lay their eyes on regardless of marital status.

In essence, when you enter into a marriage – be realistic about your expectations as a woman. Ensure that there are more pros than cons in order for you to be content. In my opinion, if you have a spouse that respects you, spends time with you and the family, provides for you, your home and family and still wants to play (safely, of course) out there then what will you do?

Will you give up the comfort of a home and family because of a situation that you will more than likely encounter again in a second relationship?

The first time is always difficult, I will give you that...the experience of being betrayed and cheated on has the potential to turn you into a cynical and bitter person.

But when you make an assessment of the relationship, yourself and humans in general, you become more at peace with yourself because you will find that you will no longer go into your spouse’s cell phone, or check the car for any traces of another, or question his whereabouts or why we are on the other end of unanswered calls.

By accepting and preparing yourself for this you need to have good communication with your spouse and let your partner understand that while you may be willing to work out your marriage beyond the indiscretions, there are certain conditions that need to be adhered to primarily: safe sex! In addition to this, men need to stand their ground and let the other woman understand and respect his home and family. Priority should always be given to the home and family! Perhaps if we understand that men don’t need to be emotionally attached or involved in order to have sex with a woman then we can go through these changes with more finesse.

Men can undergo their indiscretions with absolutely no thought of leaving his home or family and if you’re a woman in this type of relationship then from One Woman’s Perspective, take stock of what you have at home and see if it’s worth holding on to. Always keep in mind that you will never find all the traits you’re looking for in one man and always remember the saying, “this too shall pass” when you find yourself going through your issues. Never let anyone discourage you from making your marriage work – that’s a personal choice only you can make. For the other woman who sometimes gets caught up in a man’s promise to leave home – don’t be devastated when he doesn’t fulfil his promise of leaving – he didn’t keep his marriage vows so the possibility of him not keeping his promise to you is very high!

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Write to us at: editortimes@yahoo.com

Bravura

By Lucia Moguel While contemplating the exquisiteness of the clear night sky, A gleaming star I saw, the loveliest of them all.

Gentle star, your grandeur captivates my soul; Gentle star, I wish you were mine.

You may not be the largest aster in the sky, But most certainly the sky would be bare if your presence is lacked.

The light emitted from your splendor illumiates my path, And guides me through my gloom; Even though there are times in which you may not be present.

Gentle star, for you I await patiently, earnestly; Gentle star, your simplicity brings forth assuage.

Grant me the honor of being in your presence, For only you bring warmth to my winter.

You confer ease and endow with inspiration; Gentle star, what would I do without you?

Gentle star, allow your humble servant to remain by your side.

A star I see in the zenith of the night sky, My light is it, my most precious possession.

I shall remain close to you admiring your beauty; I shall keep you company even in the most tormented nights.

Gentle star, you are not alone; Gentle star, all my affection and attention you have.

The role of Youth in change By: Kevin Bernard - Councilor The youth are the backbone of our nation; however young people today are far more skeptical about politics and politicians on a whole. While this may be a true statement, they are the ones making the drastic changes within our society. There are young people who strive for betterment and to become positive young role models to other youth. Unfortunately, there are also young people today that are more interested in other things which are not useful to them or society. There are youth who choose to spend their time doing drugs and playing video games; some even spend their nights partying and living it up. Some of these same young people find themselves sitting at home in front of their televisions playing games all day long instead of improving their lifestyles or going to work. This may be because some lack the vision, and if they do have dreams, they do not have the drive to make any attempt at achieving them.

While the latter is a sad but true fact, we must get control of this. We must motivate our youth. We must teach our young people about responsibility and setting goals. However, we need to give open up opportunities in order for our young people to achieve their goals.

There are many young people in our society that have the vision and know what they want to achieve in this society. For this reason I continue to believe that young people can change the future of our society in a positive way.

More than ever today, the young people are demanding more of their leaders. As a young Politician myself and having been afforded the opportunity by the great people of Orange Walk Town to serve as Councilor, it has given me the opportunity to participate in the affairs of our Town while continuing in my focus to make Orange Walk Town a safer and better place for our residents. For this, I would be forever grateful. However, the work continues, and I believe

Life Today

By Lucia Moguel

Humans are indeed complex individuals; they are full of greed, lust and ambition. Our society has decayed over the past years, turning our children into hostile and ravenous predators. Our values, our morals, and our norms have been forgotten. Apparently they underwent metamorphosis and took a radical change which tossed them to the far end.

Today the new norm is to forget our neighbors and to worry about our own selves. People no longer care about those that are around; it seems as if we were all complete strangers separated by a myriad of barriers, which cannot be broken, not even by the hand of divine justice. Individuals segregate themselves and retrieve to the comfort of their perfect worlds in order to ensure their survival.

An addition to the norm includes the lust and greed for pieces of paper better known by everyone as money. Indeed we are going through hard times, but instead of helping each other we are destroying each other. Poverty exists and has proven to be very evident in our country. Instead of helping these people we hide our money and pretend that there is no one else in the world that needs it more than what we need it. We simply ignore and discard of the needy like if they were any other tree in the forest. It is sad to note that people rather spend their money on their cell phones (deliberately causing other people to become richer with your hard earned money) rather than giving a portion to a local charity or a church for the good of humanity.

But don’t worry, saving lives is not important, what is truly important is willingly giving your money to someone for a

that whatever we do as a community, a town and as a country, the young people should be in the center of all our decisions.

As a young politician, and one whose ambition is to continue the great work of nation building, I fear that if we do not take the necessary steps to address the issues confronting our young people and getting them involved, we will soon be supporting an entire generation of poor, visionless and desperate families. Things have to change, within our schools, with the older generation being good role models, with the older generation being mentors, and with the youth who are right now doing nothing.

I say to our young teenagers, you have a choice.

You can allow yourselves to stay your course and do nothing or you can rise above what the cynics around you expect and get educated or get jobs. We need to show the older generation that you can also become that wind of change by becoming good role models, demanding real political reform in our country and taking part in government affairs. This is but a few ways in which our young people can really play their role in change. After all, nothing can happen if you do not try. You will not become rich overnight by trying, but at least if you make an effort, then you have begun your journey to your dreams.

As a young politician, I believe that if our leaders can harness this attitude and also be real role models by showing the example in the right way, then only so can we gain the support of our youth in change. As a current elected Councilor of the Orange Walk Town Council, and one with future political ambitions, I remain committed and find it very important to continue to fight for the needs of our workers, people and community while ensuring that the young people are also at the center of all our decisions.

commodity that we can all do perfectly without. Not having a phone is not the end of the world.

Our times have drastically changed and life today is complicated, not only because we have to execute ourselves working but also because we have to be aware of the dangers of society. In temptation we are induced to fall every day, masked by the illusion of what is best for us. It is not a matter of what is wrong or what is right anymore; one acts according to what society now demands from us. The masses tell us to conform and succumb to the mediocrity and squander in which they live. They are envious; they don’t want to see anyone excel. They remain stationary inside a bucket and as soon as they detect that there is someone about to emerge, they clutch to him with their hands of malice in order to bring that one worthy person back down into the darkness.

No longer do people think of the good, pure life that was once present amongst our parents and our grandparents. Indeed those were other times, and we are now supposed to have become more modern since we now have so many aids and technological advances; knowledge lies at our fingertips. However, if we have made so much progress, why are we reversing when it comes to our human nature?

People have given themselves up to public opinion and they have thrown away their own ideals and philosophies.

Our youth are lost into drugs, alcohol and fornication.

It has become a norm for them to carry on with their lives in this manner. This is what everyday among them is. Some of them find solace in these foes due to family problems and discrimination. All they want is to be heard, all they need is attention, but for many, this is a dead philosophy.

What have we become? Is this the future we want for the upcoming generations?

Sunday, May 8, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

Bloody Haad Time

By anthony sylvestre I don’t know about you, but it sure feels that since Dean Barrow presented his “rebound” budget back in March, life in this country has gotten even more ridiculously painful and haada. More Belizeans have been flocking the casinos, and buying more lotto, mega bingo and boledo in the hope to ‘come up’. And crime and violence, well, that has just gotten even more crazily outta control, with murder and death being the order of the day.

After listening to Barrow in the House back in March you would have expected by now that the streets would be flowing with milk and honey; that all jobless Belizeans, if they in fact wanted, could find a decent job; that crime and violence would be eliminated; that rival gang members would be sitting on the street corner chilling with each other and singing cumbaya.

It’s not that anyone seriously believed Barrow. But mein, he has a way with words and a confident and dramatic flair to go along with it, that for a couple seconds, you really gave the man the benefit of the doubt. You really thought that mein, you know, he has the answers.

Ah mean, nobody can speak so confidently about a policy initiative unless they have thought about it many nights and days; tossed it around and looked at it from all different perspectives.

And Barrow did confidently beat his chest back in his budget presentation (as he loves to do) and talk about all the many pro poor initiatives that the poor could expect in short time; he too had boasted about his “brilliant and breakthrough” crime initiative to address criminal gang activity in the city- remember that one, sending 15 high energy gang members to the rural area.

But….

Less than two weeks after Barrow announced on the 11th March, in the House that he was exporting 15 high energy gang members to the rural area, something seemed to awake the soulless killers of the city. I don’t know what it was, but since then a tornado of senseless violence has since engulfed the nation.

First there was a murder of a youth

on Plues Street in Barrow’s constituency on the 25th March. Later that same night, another youth was gunned down on another side of the Southside of Belize City, in retaliation.

An innocent 51 year city resident also that same night, was shot mercilessly in a ride by shooting.

A day later, a young police constable on duty at the Belama Police Substation was shot in his chest and robbed of his service revolver.

Then on Tuesday March 29th, three days later, a Belize City man in his mid-thirties was gunned down on Plues Street in an assassination attempt. This gentleman luckily survived that attempted assassination.

Channel 7 then reported on the day later that a “string of shots were fired on Freetown Road” the previous night sometime around 8:30 p.m. in a robbery attempt.

Then later on the same night of the 30th March, sometime after 11:30 p.m., a 20 year old Hispanic taxi driver was found murdered in his taxi cab sometime after 11:30 p.m.

Then on the weekend of April’s Fool the city was thrown into full anarchy. Four murders took place within 24 hours.

First a middle age Creole gentlemen was senselessly slain on South Street in the early morning of the 2nd April. Two Chinese shopkeepers later that same day were senseless gunned down on King Street and Fabers’ Road respectively. And then a 39 year old contractor had his life wrested from him sometime around 12:30 a.m. the morning of 3rd April.

In response to the ruthless weekend killings, Barrow held a press conference on Monday, the 4th April and told the nation he had the answer to the crime problem- he would implement his preventative detention. Then he and his Cabinet met the next day, on the 5th April, and without any input from anyone, they in a knee-jerk response to the sickening violence, agreed to pass a constitutional amendment that would increase the period of time for a citizen to be in police lockup without being charged from 48 hours to at least 14 days.

The announcement of those “break through crime initiatives” by Barrow however, didn’t abate the violence. On the weekend of the 9th April, two more citizens were killed. Another taxi-man was killed for no reason on Mahogany Street. And later that same night, another gentleman in his forties was gunned down in Taylor’s Alley.

Two men were also shot in front of Palm Island on Saturday the 9th April in another gang related shooting.

On the 12th April, a well-known “general” of a southside gang was ambushed and assassinated in the Conch Shell Bay area.

Less than an hour after the assas-

sination, a lone gunman walked up to a group of young men hanging out at the Corner Waight and Fairweather Streets and opened fire, hitting one of them in the arm; this again in Barrow’s constituency.

Later that night at Circle R Food Supply warehouse on the Northern Highway, three truck drivers returning from making their daily sales were ambushed by two masked men with machete and gun.

Then on Saturday the 16th April, the 84 year old brother of the Father of the Nation was murdered at his home on the Northern Highway. He was the 39th murder victim of 2011.

There was a lull until Easter Sunday morning, April 24th, when a 50 year old bicycle repairman was stabbed to death.

On the 27th April, an innocent 16 year youth was gunned down in a suspected gang message killing; he died a day later at the Karl Huesner Memorial Hospital.

Then a day later, a 28 year old father of three was executed in broad daylight in another gang message murder.

Then on Monday 2nd May, while writing this article, another youth was

21 assassinated on Faber’s Road, again in Barrow’s constituency.

And at the same time while the blood of innocent citizens are soak in the streets, and murder and death is the order of the day, Belizeans’ economic power, the length and strength in their pockets (as Shabba Ranks would say) have vanished. People nuh have money to feed themselves and pickney and pay their bills.

Daily, and you have seen it even more over the Easter break when school was out, children are on the street hustling and begging to feed themselves. Our females increasingly have to degrade themselves to find money to put food on the table for their children and pay bills. As the lady by the court the other day told me, “If I have to sell mi p---- fi feed mi pickney, ah wah do it. Deh neva ask me fi come yah.”

This is the life of Belizeans a month after Barrow beat his chest and boasted about his “rebound” budget.

This is the life Belizeans live daily, yet Barrow and his cabinet colleagues in what seems almost weekly, jettison off on a plane to some foreign country at taxpayers’ expense and we have to nothing to show for it- except more crime and violence and wah gaping hole inna wih pocket and purse. Dah really bloody haad time we di live right now.

A tyrant will always find a pretext for his tyranny.

22

THE BELIZE TIMES

Why Can’t We Have Our Cake and Eat It? Have you ever heard the term before you can’t have your cake and eat it? While looking at a documentary “Myth Buster”, I learnt something new that I had never thought of before. Did you know that a bullet fired, and at the same time a bullet dropped will land on the ground at the same time? They must be released the same time and from the same height and amazingly they will both land on the ground at the same time.

This is an interesting feat, and the scientific explanation is that although one bullet is fired landing three hundred and sixty feet away, while the other is merely dropped to the floor, gravity pulls equally on both of them causing this remarkable result.

So can we have our cake and eat it? No, we cannot have our cake and eat it because creation exists on principles - we live on and by principles or laws.

Job 26:7 God stretches the northern sky over empty space and hangs the earth on nothing.

Looking at this scripture Job is saying that God hangs the earth on nothing. Of course in this age, we who study science can explain the principles behind hanging something on nothing such as gravity, magnetic fields, and centrifugal force to the point where we ourselves now hang satellites on nothing!

Let’s look at another scripture, Proverbs 8:29 I was there when he set the limits of the seas, so they would not spread beyond their boundaries. And when he marked off the earth’s foundations...

Here it clearly states God setting limits to the seas where amazingly, the sea is higher than the land yet it doesn’t overflow!

The expression “having your cake and eat it” comes from the belief that as humans we can do whatever we want, whatever feels right to us and yield positive results. Unfortunately, this is a myth and is a disregarding of principles ‘at will.’ See, life on a whole is built on principles. Do this, don’t do this, say that, don’t say that, eat this, don’t eat this. Life is simply “Do’s and Don’ts”. The Bible calls these keys and while using them can unlock wealth and success, abusing them brings certain failure or imminent destruction!

No one puts water in their vehicle’s gas tank; no one plugs their television into a piece of board and expects it to work. Why, because there is no principle supporting that!

The key that is important for us to understand is that God created the earth to function on principles and there is not one area of life that is exempted from this! More than this it is ultimately important to understand that God has a kingdom that we cannot see but is more real than the world we live in. In fact, the world we live in was created from this invisible realm. The same God also expects of us to learn the principles (keys) that this invisible world operates by and therefore he gives us the operating manual or ‘rule book’, which guides us step by step and even includes some predictions! Many are deceived believing that God wouldn’t do this or allow that to happen because he feels sorry for them. I must say that God does love us like a caring parent loves his and her kids, but God works and expects us to live by principles that he has set out. We cannot have our cake and eat it whether on earth or in His Kingdom.

Let me end by showing you a scripture that explains this principle without prejudice!

Proverbs 8:35-36 says “For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the LORD; But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death.”

Principles are laws that have been set up by which we have to function. As the same law applies to, both, a fired and a dropped bullet, the same spiritual laws apply to every one of us that have lived on earth. Love God and do not function as stated in Proverbs 8:36. If we hate God we love death!

Have a blessed week and remember though the cake may feel nice for eating - ‘You cannot have your cake and eat it’!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Sunday, May 8, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

Happy Mother’s Day!

23

Mother‛s Day Word Search Can you find the word “mother” in all these different languages?

Mother’s Day is here again!

Daddy and I are going to be doing Mom’s share of the housework and serving her breakfast in bed as part of our special weekend of treats. What are you planning on doing?

Colour and cut out “I Love Mom” and “Best Mother” to give your Mom, stepmom, grandmother or guardian as one of your special treats.

COLOR ME

Moeder (Afrikaans)

Makuahine (Hawaiian)

Haakui (Maori)

Ahm (Arabic)

Maji (Hindi)

Pabo (Punjabi)

Mother (English)

Mamma (Italian)

Madre (Spanish)

Maman (French)

Okaasan (Japanese)

Mzazi (Swahili)

Mutter (German)

Mater (Latin)

Muter (Yiddish)

COLOR ME

www.ActivityVillage.co.uk - Keeping Kids Busy

24

THE BELIZE TIMES

Game meat, Gravy and Leprosy May 4, 2011 Belize has long been considered the Caribbean jewel in the heart of Central America, but nowhere is our uniqueness better tabled than our love for game meat. Still largely popular in rural communities and carted into our town and cities as “delicacies”, are these wild meat coated in red ricardo and honey colored coconut oil.

So marinated is our love of game meat that we dared serve none other than Queen Elizabeth II the gibnut (Agouti Paca). Shortly after Independence in 1985. British tabloids reported the queen as enjoying the gravy from this local rodent. The headlines were “Queen Eats Rat”.

“Royal rats” sautéed in a pineapple and raisin marmalade is nothing new to Belizeans, although we prefer it with plain old white rice and baked ripe plantain.

In Belize not even lizards are safe, so check

In my perspective…

Continued from page 18

no place on our streets. How can we at-

tract businesses and investors to our Country when our streets are in deplorable conditions, homes are tipping over and mangy dogs are running around on our streets? Something has to change.

As I talked to many friends in Belize City, it seems they have lost all hope. They just accept anything. No trust in their government or politicians. Things seem to be getting worst than better for so many Belizeans. Government is for the politicians and their friends and the working poor have to carry this burden, I’m told. The gap between the poor and the rich and the well connected is staggering.

Is there any hope for Belize? You bet there is!

In my next report I will tell you what I would do to turn things around if I was the Mayor of Belize City. Belize doesn’t have to stay this way.

Just like me and my family grew up and moved on, Belize can too. Yes, we can still “grow up”.

carefully that a spicy platter of wing size drum sticks is not “garobo legs” stewed down to perfection with some dukunu. The BELIZE TIMES proudly advises non-locals that “garobo” is the colloquial term for the male iguana.

All will agree that whether it is guana, warrie, deer meat, gibnut, rabbit, or hickitee, Belizeans find first preference in these “exotic” options. It is no different for the local favorite in the “hamadilli” or armadillo.

The term armadillo is Spanish, from diminutive of “armado” meaning armed one and from the Latin armatus. This shelled animal first appeared in 1577. It is a member of the family (Dasypodidae) who are burrowing edentate mammals found from the southern U.S. to Argentina. They have their body and head encased in an armor of small bony plates.

Now the sizzling garlic stew of the juicy armadillo meat may be making some readers hungry but in other parts of the world it is making scientists weary.

It was recently reported by researchers at the National Hansen’s Disease Programs in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, that a likely culprit in the spread of leprosy in the southern United States is the ninebanded armadillo. DNA tests show a match in the leprosy strain between some patients and these prehistoric-looking critters — a connection scientists had suspected but until now couldn’t pin down.

That team comprising of a group of international scientists, who published their findings in Thursday’s New England Journal of Medicine, think it requires frequent handling of armadillos or eating their meat for leprosy to spread. No need to worry though Belizeans you can put the “hamadilli” back on the fireheart because as the study concluded: “Only about 150 leprosy cases occur each year… mostly among travelers to places like India, Brazil and Angola where it’s more common. The risk of getting leprosy from an armadillo is low because most people who get exposed don’t get sick with the ancient scourge, known medically as Hansen’s disease and now easily treatable.”

This is surely a close call but why has there been no whisper from our Ministry of Health?

We at BELIZE TIMES will continue to educate and inform the public and hope to continue to encourage them to keep recipes for healthy lives.

Bon appetite.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Sunday, May 8, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

en Español

Una redundancia REAL Todo el mundo le gusta la pompa.

El evento de la realeza británica de la semana pasada fue uno de esos. Fue un evento hecho-para la televisión que fue establecido por la Casa de Buck o sea “(El Palacio de Buckingham)”. Tuvo la pompa y la ceremonia habitual tradiciónal de la monarquía británica. Para la vasta clase media global fue una distracción de las guerras y la difusión de agitaciones del Oriente Medio y Norte de África, donde cientos mueren por causa de la libertad y la democracia. Para millones de personas se trato simplemente de un respiro temporal de la crisis económica mundial a medida que continuamos estando captivos y víctimas de la codicia de Wall Street y la indiferencia del capitalismo salvaje.

Nuestra dependencia del petróleo nos ha vuelto a estados de ánimo básicos para la supervivencia debido a los poderes de manipulación de la Organización de Países Exportadores de Petróleo. Peor aún, el escenario de una celebración tan ostentosa está muy lejos de las duras realidades de la miseria de la pobreza mundial. Este evento esta muy lejos de la realidad y se mantiene al margen de la picadura de la malnutrición y bocas hambrientas en la zona sur. Se invoca el apogeo de un imperio británico ya fallecido que exploto y oprimio a nuestro pueblo para el enriquecimiento de la Corona.

Este evento de gala Real de esplendor fue una celebración de vida y amor en un mundo normal. Pero para nosotros nunca fue un mundo normal y para muchas antiguas colonias de la monarquía británica, el imperialismo, ha de considerarse como reliquia repugnante.

Muy lejos de la realidad de los pobres Para los millones y millones de pobres que logran sobrevivir comiendo tortas de barro y que luchan para saciar su sed a diario con agua sucia, su mundo está lejos de ser normal. No hay nada que celebrar y nada en la vida que los motive a amar. Para ellos, los excesos de la realeza son deprimentes cuando todo lo que tienen que celebrar es la muerte.

En contexto, tomamos nota de que nuestro Primer Ministro Dean Barrow no fue a la boda real a pesar de su propia ilusión de grandeza. Él fue desairado, por fortuna. Si él hubiera sido invitado incluso, no debería haber ido dado el empeoramiento del desastre económico que ha creado en su casa. Pero la humildad no está en el ADN del Sr. Barrow. Si hubiera ido a Londres, habría terminado con mucho huevo político en su rostro. ¿Cómo podría atreverse a asistir a magno evento y en detrimento de los contribuyentes, a nuestra costa, cuando su gobierno ha manejado muy mal la economía nacional que está causando el dolor creciente de un gran número de personas pobres en este país? Casi la mitad de nuestra población esta ahora pobre.

Por otro lado, fue una mala decision hecha por el Gobernador General y su esposa de asistir a la boda. La invitacion no fue una orden real. Desde luego que no fue una excursión pagada por el Palacio de Buckingham. Fue pagado por nosotros, los contribuyentes de Belice,

precisamente cuando estamos teniendo dificultades para sobrevivir con los precios del combustible, el costo de la vida, la vivienda y tanta miseria más, no importa cuanto el Sr. Barrow hable.

Los dos días de Jira del Gobernador General La jira de dos días del Gobernador General a través del Atlántico no fue nada más que un rostro en la multitud, sirve para suscitar numerosas preguntas acerca de este puesto. Se invoca la pregunta de la relevancia de este trabajo, este puesto Constitucional, que se ha convertido en irrelevante e incluso costoso en base a nuestra situación nacional y, para el caso, de otras Mancomunidades Británicas (ex colonias explotadas). Es realmente un trabajo de hacer nada, en términos generales, una personalidad de hacer nada.

Tenemos que volver y reanudar el debate sobre los cambios constitucionales pertinentes y radicales que están más en consonancia con nuestro mundo cambiante.

El Gobernador General no es relevante. Y para cualquier nacionalista verdadero, representa los símbolos del desagradable colonialismo. Ya no podemos permitirnos ese lujo, o lo que representa, cuando beliceños estén llorando por las dificultades de la vida. Esta en nuestro ADN rechazar cualquier reliquia del pasado. Estábamos esclavizados y explotados en nombre de la corona. Huimos en canoas de los tiranos británicos implacables en el Caribe, nuestros pueblos indígenas lucharon a través de muchas guerras tribales y civiles para vivir en sus tierras. Muchos refugiados han buscado refugio en Belice y han luchado por la supervivencia en este remanso de paz. La

corona británica, o su representante no es un reflejo de nuestra personalidad nacional. Es un anatema de ella.

CAMBIO CONSTITUCIONAL No sería la primera convocatoria para el cambio constitucional a partir de la abolición del cargo del Gobernador General. La mayoría de los estudiosos británicos están de acuerdo en que el papel del Gobernador General es solamente ceremonial. ¿Qué tan relevante es que en nuestro paisaje cambiante donde la opinión del GG( por sus siglas en Ingles) (y estamos seguros de que el GG es intelectualmente sagaz) es silenciado por los manipuladores políticos que le dicen qué decir y qué firmar, incluso si esto significa que aprueben leyes draconianas del tipo que el gobierno del UDP parece querernos imponer. Fue un gobierno del UDP que despidió sin ceremonias el predecesor del actual GG. En resumen, el GG, al igual que la Reina, no tiene ningún poder político.

Pero al menos la Reina, en las tradiciones británicas y ceremonias reales atrae a varios millones de dólares del turismo.

El GG no es ni siquiera un organismo de control constitucional. Esa es la razón por la que el UDP encuentro tan fácil de despedir el antecesor de nuestro actual GG, y puede salirse con la suya aprobando leyes peligrosas sin un chirrido del Jefe de Estado.

El DESAFÍO DE BARROW HACIA LA CONSTITUCIÓN El Sr. Barrow ha desafiado toda separación constitucional de poderes del Ejecutivo, el Legislativo, el Judicial y las ramas administrativas del gobierno. Estas líneas para la separación de estos pilares constitucionales se han desdibujado.

Con mayoría absoluta y su habilidad para manipular a sus subordinados que no piensan, que lo rodean y que lo apoyan, el Sr. Barrow no se ha tentado la consciencia para interferir en las libertades garantizadas en lo que fue considerado como un documento sagrado. Él ha tratado de pisotear nuestros derechos como ciudadanos de este país. Él ha tratado de suprimir la libertad de información y de opinión pisando fuerte en los sectores de los medios de comunicación. Él no ha podido ampliar el Senado. Su intento más reciente en el voyeur ismo político (que se ha convertido en su sello) fue su intento de eliminar una base constitucio-

25 nal de la justicia - el juicio por un jurado de nuestros compañeros. El Sr. Barrow se ha, insidiosamente, convertido en un dictador.

Estas son cuestiones que deben ser motivo de preocupación para el Gobernador General, especialmente cuando un gobierno está muy lejos de representar la voz del pueblo.

Hemos intentado tan arduamente como podemos dar cierta credibilidad a la función del GG. No encontramos nada. El debate está abierto para justificar este post. Sólo funciona, al parecer, a los dictados del gobierno.

CINTAS Y PREMIOS DE UN IMPERIO OBSOLETO En su papel ceremonial, el Gobernador General, como un personaje de “Animal Farm”, otorga cintas a los que consideran, a veces sin mérito, como más iguales que el resto de nosotros. Es una parte de esa cultura colonial británico de la caballería de adjudicación a personas sin los caballos o al perpetuar un mito con medallas y honores en reconocimiento de un imperio colonial ya muerto. Es bueno saber que algunos beliceños se han negado a participar como lo haría un verdadero nacionalista beliceño. El cinismo con respecto a estos premios de la casa “Buck “se diluiría si la E en el Imperio en estos premios sería reemplazado por un C por la Commonwealth. Por ejemplo, ¿por qué no una CBM de miembros de la Comunidad Británica para reemplazar miembros de los británicos del Imperio(inexistente).

El status quo lo desea, y incluso la sabiduría convencional ha sido cuestionada. Pero es sólo de esta manera que podemos lograr cambios significativos en nuestra sociedad. Es una sociedad que aún está agobiado por las normas coloniales británicas y actitudes tan bien mostrada por los criollos de los que hemos estado mencionando. Nos gustaría ver el papel del Gobernador General en la reunión anual de Jefes de Gobierno, una conferencia que se ha convertido, lamentablemente, en un evento sin sustancia. Necesitamos cambios reales en el servicio de nuestro pueblo. El colonialismo sigue persiguiéndonos.

El gobierno de Barrow poco a poco ha ido desmantelando muchos de los logros de esta nación en los treinta años de su independencia.

26

THE BELIZE TIMES

THINK ABOUT IT BIN LADEN SHOT IN COLD BLOOD The alleged mastermind behind the daring attack that embarrassed the United States of America on 9.11.2001 has finally had his day of reckoning. Osama Bin Laden was ambushed at his house in Pakistan and was shot dead in cold blood in front of his wife and twelve year old daughter. His body was flown from Pakistan and dumped in the sea.

There was rejoicing in certain parts of America that their No. 1 enemy was finally brought to “justice”.

In 1980 Bin Laden volunteered to join the war against Russia which had invaded Pakistan. He formed the famous Afghan Mujahideen which eventually drove the mighty Russian empire out of Afghanistan. Considered an intense and shy person, Bin Laden married young and spent a large amount of time studying scriptures. He was born in Saudi Arabia but his citizenship was withdrawn because of his radical views particularly that puppet governments like Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, Egypt and many Arab countries should be overthrown.

The Muslim Brotherhood, considered one of the most influential Islamic groups, condemned what they called the assassination of Bin Laden and said that there should have been a trial.

The President of the USA, in breaking the news Monday this week, told the American people that Bin Laden was killed in a fire fight. This has proven to be untrue and America has been forced to acknowledge that Bin Laden was unarmed when he was killed. His twenty year old son Hamza was also killed by the elite Navy Seals unit of the US military.

Bin Laden was the cause that led America into two wars. Consequent to his planning which led to the plane attacks on the Twin Towers in New York and the Pentagon Building, America lied to the world and unleashed the invasion and occupation of Iraq and ongoing dirty war in Afghanistan.

IN COURT 8 This week while awaiting the Court No. 8 to start persons gathered heard a shocking story. A 15 year old charged along with another minor and about six adults for firearm and ammunition possession, was telling his horrifying nightmare.

His claim is that the Ladyville Police moved him from his cell and administered a cruel and brutal beating including the using of electric shock on his body in an effort to have him implicate one or more of the adults.

His mother along with two other mothers present sat behind the minor

with their eyes filled with tears.

Ladyville Police Station has one of the worst reputations for abusing citizens and engaging in actions which if published abroad will bring disgrace to Belize.

As the tale unfolded one person stated that the government had let down its citizens and were secretly supporting the ongoing accounts of illegal treatment of Belizeans in police custody. The person stated that the Ombudsman and the Minister of Police should be forced to resign as accounts of police abusive were reaching epidemic proportions.

MARK, CORDEL and Francis More good news for Johnny Briceño and the PUP. Mark, Cordel and Francis will be more active as the PUP starts to capitalize and benefit on all the errors, lack of leadership, lack of vision and abuses being heaped on citizens by the UDP incompetent government. Life under the UDP is unbearable and has been creating a ground swell of discontent and anger particularly economic hardship and the utter failure to create investment and employment.

Things are so bad that the government has virtually unleashed a low grade war against poor people.

Was it the UDP in opposition who were always shouting the words of Erwin X’s poem - “Life haad out ya”.

In three years they have succeeded in making life the hardest it has ever been out ya.

CO-OPERATIVES Belize needs to revisit the issue of co-operatives. There was a time when co-operatives made major contributions to employment and economic development. Think of the Fishermen Co-operatives and the Bee Keepers Co-operatives. In a sense Credit Unions are co-operatives.

Now more than ever we need to help our citizens. Co-operatives can be formed in a number of new areas. An example would be making small souvenirs for the tourist industry. These can be little art work from bamboo. Little items from straw and shells. Other products using the coconut shell, the coconut husk and the coconut leaves. We need to show our people that working in groups to make money is something beneficial to all.

On another point, there was a time when groups of citizens at the work place or sometimes at the neighborhood will form syndicates. These syndicates are operated along the lines that each person would put in say twenty five dollars weekly. If there were ten persons the first week the first person would get $250. Everybody continues to put in their $25.00 until each person has collected their

$250. It was your own money that you put in every week. Syndicates have played a great role in helping persons struggling to get a little small amount of money. Nowadays everybody is just hoping to win Lottery, Mega Bingo and all the other pie in the sky dreams that are being sold.

FIRE THE ONION MINISTER Where in the world in a functioning democracy what happened in Belize with the recent onion scandal could happen and not a single person is held accountable. What kind of ten cents country have we become? Farmers are abused in the most hurtful manner, their hard labor pissed upon, their means of earning a livelihood thrown in the garbage dump. While the farmers have onions, thousands of dollars of onions are imported just to allow a handful of hustlers to rip off the tax payers. No one is accountable.

The idea by angry farmers to transport thousands of rotten onions and dump it at the Agriculture Show should have been supported by the various social activist groups. In fact Belizeans should have boycotted the Agriculture Show but such a move would have required media and social partners’ involvement but neither feel the pain of these farmers who have really been screwed.

When farmers are screwed all of us get screwed.

Fire the Onion Minister so this

Sunday, May 8, 2011

nonsense never happens again.

WILLIAM “BILL” TILLETT For younger Belizeans who don’t know William Tillett, better known to his friends as Bill Tillett, was the President of the Public Services Union during the convulsion in the country against the Heads of Agreement in 1981.

Bill Tillett was a senior official in the Lands Department and later became a Permanent Secretary which is the highest position for public officers back in the good old days of the Public Service.

During the civil disobedience that followed publications of the Heads of Agreement in March 1981 the then opposition UDP was as ineffective as they could be. It was Public Officers who led the charge who was supported by the Chamber of Commerce and a number of organizations and individuals.

Bill Tillett is an unassuming Belizean. He is not the man to seek publicity or the type to blow his own trumpet. But he came under tremendous pressure from all sides including the British government and he conducted himself with grace and dignity throughout. It is a story that should be told. This is where the University of Belize and NICH- the so called National Institute for Culture and History have dropped the ball, missed the boat, let us down.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

THE BELIZE TIMES

UDP Minister admits Corruption blames public officers

Belize City, May 3, 2011 There is gross evidence that corruption is rampant in the Barrow Administration. The 2009 KHMH Commission of Inquiry revealed the purchasing of overpriced pharmaceuticals from selected companies by UDPs in KHMH authority, the Auditor General’s 2009 Report exposed that thousands of dollars were fleeced from Government’s coffers, UDP Ministers buy luxury vehicles which suddenly become privately-owned, Ministers create secret companies and then award themselves construction awards and export production licenses.

So obvious is the corruption that in an interview last week, UDP Cabinet Minister Manuel Herredia swore that “there is corruption in… several…departments [of Government]”.

But the admission that his UDP Government reigns over rampant corruption is not the most shocking testimony. What turned out to be was that Herredia tucked his toes in the sand, swallowed a deep gulp of dishonour and casted spurious accusations against public officers.

“We would have to do away with almost everybody in the public sec-

tor…in order to completely eradicate the problem of corruption”, uttered Herredia.

In those short words, Herredia painted every public officer as corrupt.

The teacher, fireman, the desk clerk, the accountant – Herredia said they are all corrupt. Isn’t that something?

The man, who came under fire for presiding over the most disgraceful SELL OUT deal against Belizeans in the cruise tourism by putting foreigners first, is pointing fingers at everyone else except himself and the corrupt UDP Cabinet.

And what has become a trademark of the UDP, the Police Department which has been accused before by its own Minister of Police Doug Singh of being riddled with corrupt, lazy and overweight officers, became an easy target for Herredia.

He said, “If we were to try to get rid of corruption in the police departments, we’d have to do away with practically everyone. At the higher rank it’s not that much, but at the lower rank, it’s terrible. And this is

also true for the Customs and Immigration departments as well, to name a few”.

Perhaps it’s just another case of foot in mouth disease, like the time when this same barefoot Minister stoned black Belizeans when he blamed them for the crime on his island home. Herredia ended up apologising for his verbal bile, and just the same he must now apologise to every public officer for the recent attack. If not, the GSU and customs should constantly raid his house since they would just be doing their jobs.

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Humor in UDP Politics!

I don’t know how Mark King beat Jenkins but he beat Jenkins.

(Lol) You see the last time around it was Jenkins who beat King. If this back and forth between Jenkins and King keeps up, wouldn’t it be safe to say that the next time around it will be Jenkins over King? (hahaha) We don’t export onions, we don’t export coconut, nor tomatoes.

Heck, we can hardly export much, but one thing Prime Minister Dean Barrow does export is crime. He sent 15 gang members from Belize City to district areas. We have so much crime that the PM can export it. Imagine that. Hahaha.

At Tuesday’s Cabinet, all UDP Ministers recognized that they are overpaid and have decided to give half of their pay to charities and the other half to the KHMH…yeah right. Hahaha After hearing the Minister of Agriculture’s speech at the opening of the Agriculture Show, the farmer of the year was asked to say something. We listened as the radio repeated, “Well, the farmer of the year said ‘I definitely not going to plant onions’”. Hahahahaha.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Sunday, May 8, 2011