St. Maarten Private Eye blogs

Hola from Barcelona IUCN Congress

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 05:56:36 -0700

As a result of a family health situation I am currently in Barcelona, Spain. Unknown to me before planning my trip was that the IUCN Congress would be held here at the same time, I am now writing from the Media Room at the Conference Center.

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental network - a democratic membership union with more than 1,000 government and NGO member organizations, and almost 11,000 volunteer scientists in more than 160 countries. The Congress, held every 4 years, is huge, over 8000 people are attending and there are over 900 events, workshops, forums, presentations and more over the next 4 days.

I'm not officially representing any SXM NGO, but those who read here know that my interest is mainly on the environment and Climate Change. I will be trying to attend anything that I think may be beneficial to my writing knowledge, our island's NGO's and I will try to write something here daily. Please visit the IUCN Congress Website and feel free to make recommendations or ask questions.

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The Road to a Banana Republic, without bananas.

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 06:44:11 -0700

Yesterday in Curacao two agreements were made, one on financial supervision and another concerning the new structure of Justice and the Police. I wonder how long it will be before the details and drafts of these agreements are made available to the public? Lets face it, our media just writes what they are told and have a very limited level of understanding to review these things.

I am asking because I am concerned. I am concerned that SXM has no independent civil rights body, police complaints board or ombudsman to ensure that our politicians are not giving themselves excessive power that may be abused for political purposes. I'm concerned that so far in all these reports we hear very little about reinforcing the democratic system, Good Governance, public accountability or transparency in govt. What about election reform to fight buying of votes and contributions made by special interests, a Code of Conduct? Roy's private jet trips are a prime example of this. Who paid for them? Something that still remains unanswered.

The Kingdom has a responsibility to reinforce and create democratic institutions and safeguards to ensure the island does not continue down the Banana Republic Road once separate status kicks in, so far I see no clear signs they are doing so. Hady has raised this matter before, laws are being created with no information or input to the public.

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Open Thread - 29th September 2008

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 16:36:21 -0700

Time for a new one! Got something to say or you feel needs to be discussed, but can't find a relevant blog post? Open Threads are the place to put it :)

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Compulsory Education

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 16:33:52 -0700

Some people still don't get it why graffiti, gangs, youth violence and crime has been rising these past few years. Could it perhaps be a weak and underfunded education system? Govt will claim that education gets the biggest chunk of the island's budget, but the problem with that is that SXM has a shoestring budget.

Sarah claims that compulsory education can't be implemented until the immigration system is fixed, "what" she say's, "would we do with extra classrooms and teachers once illegal children had been deported? Fill them perhaps with more illegal children or thin out over crowded ones maybe Sarah?

Dick Confronts Sarah on Compulsory Education - 26th September 2008

St. Maarten needs clear directives for implementing compulsory education - 25th September 2008

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Beware The Green Fraudsters

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 13:33:45 -0700

George MacGee's comment about Green Carjackers has given me an excellent excuse to browse back through SXM PE archives and blogs. You all should do it sometime, so many interesting things we forgot about, the laughs and tears, the scandals and memories...

George is right, there are Green Carjackers out there, unfortunately for them, we now have records and files and we know who they are.

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TI's List

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 15:55:43 -0700

Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. It hurts everyone whose life, livelihood or happiness depends on the integrity of people in a position of authority.

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Shiver me timbers!

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:20:09 -0700

Okay, so this is getting way out of hand. Russian warships in the Caribbean!! They left Moscow on Monday and are now on their way!!!
If it's not a hurricane, the local (mis)government or whatever other disaster you can think of then you can always rely on Russia to make you feel very uncomfortable.

Prepare for military exercises at your favourite beach in November or December...

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Open Thread - 22nd September 2008

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 05:50:48 -0700

Got something to say or you feel needs to be discussed, but can't find a relevant blog post? This the the place to put it :)

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International Coastal Cleanup September 20, 2008

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 13:35:05 -0700

Jadira asked to open a Blog on the upcoming international coastal cleanup on Saturday, September 20, 2008. Please find the 2007 ICC report attached in Pdf format along with an article and radio interview on PJD2 here.

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Who owns what?

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:58:23 -0700

Who owns the concrete businesses and other related stuff.

We don't really want the GEBE blog by Caribdude to get hijacked by a discussion about concrete, so here's a new post to use instead. :)

Please feel free to share information you may have about the business interests of our politicians, all parties, and other top public officials. Please be sure to provide as much information as you can to support what you say too. I expect readers and users to use their own judgment in this respect and to treat anything that is not supported by evidence as unconfirmed. Please comment and support or correct information posted that may be wrong.

If only we had a Code of Conduct eh?

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Calling all US Citizens - VOTE!

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:24:26 -0700

According to polls, Obama and McCain are neck and neck. For me as a non US citizen and observer, this is startling and extremely scary. How can anyone, with any measure of understanding of the issues involved ever consider to vote for McCain is totally beyond me. Totally. The man and his running 'soul mate' Palin are worse than Bush, if such a thing is possible.

The US has gone from being a country to admire and respect, to a country that kidnaps and renditions, tortures and imprisons without trail or appeal and spies on everyone. The constitution has been shredded and it is bankrupt. George Bush and all those who voted for him are responsible for over 200,000 deaths in Iraq and a rise in extremism and terrorism. The list or crimes and bad decisions is endless when it comes to this idiot and his polices and with an approval rating of less than 30%, how can McSame be doing so well??

I would like to make a personal appeal to all US residents on the island to make sure they are registered to vote in the upcoming US elections. Below I have posted a bunch of news links and information about how you can register to vote. Please, Please, vote Obama, I know he is not perfect, but the comparison between him and the alternative is as stark as night and day.

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Comedy Central Presents

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:17:07 -0700

Maria reappointed - News and views below...

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Open Thread - 9th September 2008

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 08:59:07 -0700

Laveist and Boasman deserve their own page, so here's a new Open Thread for other stories.

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Laveist, Boasman and Permits

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:00:13 -0700

I figured it was best to just change this Open Thread into one about Laveist and Boasman. We will add links and news on the matter below.

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GEBE - Are you being Served?

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 22:23:49 -0700

Although I haven't written about it in a while, Climate Change continues as it will for the rest of our lives and the lives of our children, you can now traverse the Arctic Ice Cap for the first time in recorded human history. While the rest of the World is growing more and more aware and active in finding solutions and alternative energy sources, we here is St. Maarten are stuck in the Oil Age.

Is GEBE really serving the people of this island by ensuring we remain completely dependent on oil for our electricity? Are they really serving the people by giving back a few cents now and then (not really) instead of taking that extra cash flow and investing it in the future and alternative energy projects and plans? A few cents now might keep a few people happier and quiet, but we will see the real complaints when the s**t really hits the fan.

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