Today Letter - Bankrupt Country 2 - 2nd December 2008
Submitted by Hady Nufyet on Wed, 2008-12-03 00:54.
Submitted by Hady Nufyet on Wed, 2008-12-03 00:54.
Today Letter - Bankrupt Country 1 - 2nd December 2008
Submitted by Hady Nufyet on Wed, 2008-12-03 00:54.
Today Editorial - Incomprehensible - 1st December 2008
Submitted by Hady Nufyet on Wed, 2008-12-03 00:54.
Open Thread - 1st December 2008
Sorry, bit late this week.
Why is everyone so quiet?
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Free the Internet
Just like the Public Library, access to the internet should be provided as a public service, in many countries around the World local national governments are behind efforts to provide the general public with low speed, but secure, reliable and free internet hot spots. This should be on any progressive agenda.
FCC Chair To Push Free Porn-Free Internet
There are a lot of risks out there in SXM when it comes to wireless. Be careful.
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SXM Govt - Bankrupted Integrity
No doubt this post is going to attract a chorus of DP supporters and I'm sure some laughs will be had as they try to defend the actions of their favored party, but this is really no longer a laughing matter. I think it's very clear, at least to me, that the Exco are bankrupt of integrity, Sarah's accusations of the NA playing charades as as excuse not to discuss the matter on the table pales in the light of her Soap Opera Govt.
Poor Richards states in the DH today that the government "is treading on principles of good governance." Are you sure Mr. Richards?? You've never shown your ability to recognize this in the past. It's time to call for Higher Supervision, it's time to demand that the Kingdom Authorites pull their collective fingers out of their asses and move on the disaster that is SXM Governance.
Let me make it clear, I am not a supporter of the NA or PPA, I think they are all inadequate, nor am I against SXM gaining more autonomy, however there needs to be a major reform and restructuring of the governing system before this. These clowns running the show are not capable or interested in those reforms and their drive to gain new status and powers is, in my opinion, against the best interests of the island and it's people.
Hady
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Are you happy with the direction and drivers?
Do you trust our politicians to do what's best for the island when it comes to new constitutional status? Do you think the new status they appear to be guiding us towards is the best thing for the island, or would you prefer Higher Supervision to straighten the mess out first? Do you feel some envy or concern that maybe the BES islands have made the better choice?
The NA are asking for a meeting so we can find out what's going on with govt, who's with who and what's what. The only voice calling out for intervention is Leopold James. All good basis for a discussion dontcha think?
Clarity needed on support for Island Council says NA - 24th November 2008
Letter to Mr. Franklyn RICHARDS,LL.M., Lt-Governor St. Maarten, - 21st November 2008
SXM PE Blog Post - Is SXM Ready - 2nd November 2008
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Constitutional Change | Hady Nufyet's blog | 8 comments | read more
Submitted by Hady Nufyet on Tue, 2008-11-25 02:24.Open Thread - 24th November 2008
Writers write when they feel like it, so there are often times when an important issue or topical news story doesn't get covered in a blog post. This is the place for those stories and comments, It's sort of like an open thread.
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Who would have guessed?
Never could have seen that coming eh? Guess the co-operation thingy still isn't going so well. I heard that our Govt wants to do it's own ting and the French side gave up with trying to move it forward.
French companies accused of using Dutch-side landfill to evade charges - 21st November 2008
French dump starts charging - 9th September 2008
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The Streets have Eyes
Who is going to be monitoring these cameras? Are they vetted? Will these cameras have audio recording ability? Seems like a case of cart before the horse to me. What's the point if you can't follow it up or back it up as needed? Can someone tell me? It's highly questionable if cameras will make any difference, even if manned and backed up by an efficient and fully staffed Police Force
Cameras not enough, ‘total package’ needed - 21st November 2008
Panneflek, Dongor lament shortage of human resources in Police Force - 21st November 2008
Surveillance cameras in town from January - 20th November 2008
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Everything is fine for 2009?
Honestly, I know very little about the conflicts and troubles with Carnival, just that they needed to be resolved. Hopefully it looks as though they have. I am curious about one thing though, who votes for the board?
Latest news and links to past news below.
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Heritage and Culture | Flipper's blog | 3 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Sun, 2008-11-23 18:11.The Hills are alive......
...with the sound of backhoes and construction if Roy has his way. Not content with the environmental damage he has already caused, he is now aiming to develop the hills. It sort of got missed in the drama of Laveist, but in the IC meeting of 3rd November, a motion was presented for a subdivision that I am told would run against the Hill Side Policy. It seems that some developers in St Johns want some exemptions and Roy, as usual, is happy to accommodate.
See the video at the link below (you'll have to pause the podcast audio). The motion was supported by Mr "Real Estate" DeWeever who claims that local young people would have a chance to own a plot, Maria supported it, presumably Sarah too. The vote was null and void as the NA did not vote. I would very much like to know more about this subdivision, can anyone out there tell us more?
Needless to say, making an exception would open the door to more exceptions, I expect we will see this issue back up for a vote again soon.
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Development and Construction | Environment | Local Hero's blog | 1 comment | read more
Submitted by Local Hero on Fri, 2008-11-21 23:05.Climate Change Roundup - The stakes are too high
There are still a few stragglers out there who keep clinging to the belief Climate Change is a hoax, a plot by liberals and caused by natural cycles of the planet. It doesn't matter to them that the scientific community, data and evidence are almost conclusively against them. Thankfully for us all, there is a new incoming president of the US who does trust in science, data and rational thinking.
"My presidency will mark a new chapter in America’s leadership on climate change that will strengthen our security and create millions of new jobs in the process."
"And once I take office, you can be sure that the United States will once again engage vigorously in these negotiations, and help lead the world toward a new era of global cooperation on climate change. Now is the time to confront this challenge once and for all. Delay is no longer an option. Denial is no longer an acceptable response. The stakes are too high. The consequences, too serious."
Obama's speech to the Governors Global Climate Summit.
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Climate Change | Energy and Water | Environment | Caribdude's blog | add new comment | read more
Submitted by Caribdude on Fri, 2008-11-21 12:18.New Island Government to be formed.
TIme for a new one considering the headline on the previous is outdated, I decided to keep it generic this time.
Laveist - “I firmly believe that our island should have a majority-backed government in the Island Council in order for St. Maarten’s future constitutional relationship in the Kingdom to be debated with the Kingdom partners from a position of strength,”
Right Louie, your support and participation gives that strength and integrity to the team. Latest news and back links added below.
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Bad Governance | Island Politics | Flipper's blog | 31 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Tue, 2008-11-18 09:34.Keep your eyes on the roads
All this talk of Theo's Road Plan reminded me of the reported 20 mill nafs in damages from Hurricane Omar, it seemed rather a large amount. Maybe it's just me but I really don't see the damage in those areas matching the amounts stated.
Sucker Garden Road isn't much different, couple more pot holes maybe, but just as 'beautified' as before the storm with trailers and piles or rubble on one side and knocked downs posts and mud with struggling grassy patches on the other. Arch Road, 940,000 nafs. Where is that damage? Or do these figures include repairs and improving that was needed pre-Omar?
Theo wants to invest lots of money into the infrastructure, apparently he also supports the road across the lagoon idea. There are lots of crumbs that will fall off the pie and the usual suspects are in line to snatch them up.
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Roads and Traffic | Local Hero's blog | 2 comments | read more
Submitted by Local Hero on Mon, 2008-11-17 20:35.Open Thread - 17th November 2008
Writers write when they feel like it, so there are often times when an important issue or topical news story doesn't get covered in a blog post. This is the place for thi=ose stories and comments, It's sort of like an open thread.
Here's one to get you started :)
Westin Resort robbed monday morning - 17th November 2008
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National Alliance prepared to form new government.
So, now, according to the latest report on SXM Island Times and a press conference, the National Alliance is prepared to form a new government with the support of Louie Laveist and they are in discussions with Theo about being a 7th vote. I think we can guess what Theo is going to do can't we?
I'm starting to run out of popcorn and feeling a bit ill. I'm listening to some voice of the NA, not sure who, defending their decision to work with Louie. Listen in to the press conference.
National Alliance announces decision to form next Island Government - 15th November 2008
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Island Politics | Hady Nufyet's blog | 9 comments | read more
Submitted by Hady Nufyet on Sat, 2008-11-15 22:05.EPIC event at the Dawn Beach Westin
There has been a little confusion and a few questions being asked about the fundraising event for EPIC that was held at Westin this past weekend. Please find below an email received from Rueben J. Thompson in response to these concerns.
Hopefully the board of EPIC will pay more attention to their representatives in future, and who knows, maybe we'll have an Environment Commissioner who listens too. You should apply for the job Rueben. I heard the event was rather quiet and few if any environmentalists were there. Rather sad really, it's nice for people to try to raise money for foundations and organizations, but they should have given this location a bit more thought.
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Open Thread - 10th November 2008
For all the comments and news stories without a blog post to call home.
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SXM Island Govt Falls
The blog post about Laveist going independent his filled up a bit and I have the feeling this is going to be a hot story this coming week. Monday's always a good day to start off fresh :)
Laveist seems to think he is in a powerful position. I really can't imagine the NA working with him, it would be really really dumb. I suspect a deal will be made between the two parties, or with another DP member leaving as suggested in a news report on SXM Island Time.
Oh, and big Welcome to Parliament too, glad you could join us. :)
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Bad Governance | Corruption | Island Politics | Louie Laveist | Flipper's blog | 42 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Mon, 2008-11-10 02:23.Laviest goes Independent
Poor Louie couldn't wait any longer for new status and has decided to go independent, just in time for SXM Day. The name of his party has not yet been revealed, suggestions are welcome below.
Bibi over at SMN News has a report that mentions the investigations of fraud now include the new government building and the fishmarket.
The soap opera continues...... grab your popcorn....
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Bad Governance | Development and Construction | Island Politics | Louie Laveist | Flipper's blog | 27 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Sat, 2008-11-08 02:08.Gumbs - Criminals over 18 can't be rehabilitated
While French Side President of the Collectivity (The Borg?) is on the right track when he states that the crime situation we have is linked to failures in the past, particularly in the social, education and labor spheres, I think his opinions on correction and rehabilitation of criminals is rather shockingly ignorant..
“Young people over the age of 20 to 22 cannot be corrected,” he said. “The mindset of an 18-year-old cannot be changed. The character and personality have to be built from an early age.”
Yes, people and attitudes are shaped by their upbringing, but attitudes can and do change, even as adults we learn and change our mindsets. Didn't a majority of the American electorate just demonstrate a mindset change? Are you the same person holding the same ideals and opinions you did 5 or 10 years ago? We all grow, we all get older, gain maturity and wisdom (most of us) and only a closed mind refuses to reexamine and if necessary refine their opinions and principles on a fairly regular basis. One can only wonder if Mr Gumbs, as a teacher, ever had a reformed criminal motivational speaker in his classroom or school.
I don't know much about Gumbs, but this dumb statement caught my eye and I'm going to listen out a bit more carefully in future. Can anyone tell me what his plans are? Is he following Louie Constant's previous agenda and program? Are there plans for a National Police Force? I'd be interested to hear about it, and his plans for correction.
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President Obama
My faith in the American people and democracy has been restored. I have hope and I am inspired, I expect many regular readers of SXM PE are too. Now we need to find an Obama for St. Maarten. lol
Lets hope he keeps the ball rolling and uses the goodwill around the World towards him. Did you hear the big collective sigh of relief?
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Murders, stabbing and shootings
The tragedies keep coming, on Friday the mother and baby in St. James, on Saturday the stabbing attack with one dead and today we have a body found shot on Back Street. I've listed all the news stories from these cases below and will update them as new information comes. Please use this thread to discuss them.
Updated with new shooting in St. Peters.
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Justice Police Crime | Flipper's blog | 16 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Tue, 2008-11-04 10:13.Open Thread - 3rd November 2008
Weekly news discussion page. Don't know where to put your comment? Here is the place :)
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Carnival 'not fine' for 2009 II
So whats going on with Carnival 2009? Anyone?
Latest news items below, older news on the previous SXM PE Blog Post - Carnival 'not fine' for 2009 - 13th July 2008
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Heritage and Culture | Flipper's blog | 1 comment | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Sun, 2008-11-02 22:13.Will Laveist resign?
Unfortunately I haven't been able to scan the news item in the Saturday Herald as of yet, I'll try to get it up in the next day or two. It reported that Laveist wasn't too happy about his portfolios being reassigned and gave no indications that he will be resigning. I guess that may mean the IC meeting scheduled for Monday could be interesting.
The previous post about Laveist's arrest can be found here, along with older news reports so far.
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Bad Governance | Corruption | Island Politics | Louie Laveist | Flipper's blog | 13 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Sun, 2008-11-02 20:50.
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