St. Maarten Private Eye

Laviest - Cockfighting is Cultural.

Cooking over a wood fire used to be traditional and cultural, but progress bought us alternatives. Jumping off boats to catch coins tossed by cruise ship passengers at the harbor used to be traditional and some might say almost because cultural, until it was decided that it's not only dangerous, but also gave an impression of an island of beggars. Until recently we didn't have to wear seat belts, could those who get fined (are any?) not claim that their right not to wear one is traditional or cultural?

I suspect some of those who fought against emancipation and the end of slavery claimed that their right to own slaves was traditional and cultural, thankfully there were others who were brave enough to fight and struggle and as a result, move the human race and it's moral zeitgeist forward.

Today O & C - Cockfighting - 11th April 2008
Laveist opposes cockfighting ban - 11th April 2008

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Taxing Tips

Let start by first saying that I understand the need for tips to have some sort of tax regulation, but you have to ask, how do they expect to enforce and monitor the collection of taxes on tips? Are they going to have inspectors visiting every bar and restaurant? Riiiiiight! Will the 'tips' our officials and politicians get also be subject to tax and inspection??

Seems to me to be just another lame and burocratic attempt to raise a few pennies when really the overall tax system needs a complete overhaul and rebuild. Feel free to share your thoughts below.

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Maho Beach - Fun with 747's

Some of us had heard the story about a close call at the airport recently, a close call between two 747's. Well, it was caught on video and was put online.

Almost disaster in St.Maarten: Boeing 747 aborts landing because there is another 747 on the runway

A few questions.......

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So Long 'Roundabout Dog'

Anyone who travels over the Cay Hill on a regular basis will know Roundabout Dog. Sadly, a letter in Wednesdays DH tells us that she has died. I don't know about you all out there in SXM PE land, but I will miss seeing her. I would support getting rid of that eyesore on the roundabout and placing a memorial to her instead. Below I have posted a few photos I took of her a while back.

Letter - Goodbye Heather - 23rd May 2007

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Koolaid sales up, new shipments arriving soon.

It has come to my attention that some of the readers out there might not fully understand my reference to Koolaid in my previous blog post here, fortunately Roy has given me an opening to explain.

In the cynical world of blogging, the term 'drinking the koolaid' refers to those who lap up what is provided to them without question. For example, Frankie has been lapping up the Whitehouse Koolaid about Iran, in his speech to announce leaving politics he stated that calamity may come to the World and our tourism economy if the US were attacked by Iraq or Iran. At a time when St. Maarten is going to be broadening it's international presence, it's a good job he's leaving. Most people see the calamity coming Frankie, but it's not Iran that's going to be doing the attacking, at least not at first. As for Iraq......I need say nothing.

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Drinking Green Koolaid

Theo's announcement today in both papers about planting trees comes from the United Nations and it is believed to be the first time, other than a brief mention in an IC meeting by Gracita, that an elected politician has mentioned Global Warming in a public statement.

I have to say, I think it's going to take far more to get the green vote than passing on an appeal from the UN to plant trees, far far more. I will however accept it as an opening bid, lets see what else comes up in the coming 10 weeks or so.

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SXM PE Photo Video Challenge

Below you will find the first of what we expect to be many photo video presentations, the first is from the recent Coastal Cleanup on Mullet Bay, the second is my own first creation and is about the Lagoon. (OK, I had some help!) Enjoy and join me below to hear more about the SXM PE Photo Video Challenge.

St Maarten Coastal Cleanup 2006 - Photo Video

St Maarten - Simpson Bay Lagoon - Photo Video

(Click PAUSE before the video starts and let it load up a little for smooth playing.)

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Day of the Dolphin - Redux - 20th September 2006

Ric O'Barry has been dedicated to abolishing the billion-dollar dolphin slave trade and has headed The Dolphin Project since 1970. He is also involved with many other international organizations dedicated to protecting our oceans and recently stirred up the IWC meeting in St. Kitts. One campaign he has been working hard at in recent years is to stop mass dolphin slaughters in Japan.

Please watch this video - Graphic content warning!

Then join me below to find out how you can help stop it.

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1234, piggy poop on the floor!

A few days ago I counted 9 pigs (1 big mamma with 6 kids and 2 suckling babies) by the garbage bin of 1 2 3 4 and More store in Cayhill. The smell of the garbage containers was horrible. The pigs were fighting for food.

Cay Hill is a crowded low income residential area and there is even a children's playschool right by this location too. I wonder who will be held responsible if someone, or many, get sick and it is traced to pig droppings? Would the connection, if there was one, even be made?

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