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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Climate Change | Energy and Water | Environment | Garbage and Waste | Caribdude's blog | add new comment | read more
Submitted by Caribdude on Mon, 2008-10-06 08:37.
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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Justice Police Crime | Dr. Voodoo's blog | add new comment | read more
Submitted by Dr. Voodoo on Sun, 2008-10-05 04:18.
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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Open Threads | Flipper's blog | 17 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Sun, 2008-09-28 19:34.
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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Education and Youth | Dr. Voodoo's blog | 17 comments | read more
Submitted by Dr. Voodoo on Sun, 2008-09-28 18:58.
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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Climate Change | Environment | Flipper's blog | 20 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Sat, 2008-09-27 16:20.
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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Corruption | World News | Angelina's blog | add new comment | read more
Submitted by Angelina on Wed, 2008-09-24 12:33.
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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Open Threads | Flipper's blog | 25 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Mon, 2008-09-22 08:40.
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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Environment | Mullet Bay | SXM Pride Foundation | SXM PE's blog | 10 comments | read more | 1 attachment
Submitted by SXM PE on Sun, 2008-09-14 13:47.
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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Development and Construction | Island Politics | Louie Laveist | Roy Marlin | Theo Heyliger | Flipper's blog | 2 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Fri, 2008-09-12 13:46.
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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World News | Caribdude's blog | 78 comments | read more
Submitted by Caribdude on Thu, 2008-09-11 01:26.
Maria reappointed - News and views below...
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Island Politics | Maria Buncamper | Flipper's blog | 15 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Tue, 2008-09-09 12:01.
Laveist and Boasman deserve their own page, so here's a new Open Thread for other stories.
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Open Threads | Flipper's blog | 5 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Tue, 2008-09-09 11:57.
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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Bad Governance | Business and Labor | Immigration | Island Politics | Louie Laveist | Flipper's blog | 9 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Tue, 2008-09-09 07:58.
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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Energy and Water | Caribdude's blog | 38 comments | read more
Submitted by Caribdude on Tue, 2008-09-09 06:14.
Last week a letter in the DH questioned wasteful spending by Winair in regards to full page ads of condolences. Full color for current (sic) employees, b/w for retired, or so it seems. This week, Winair was again placing full page ads in color, no special was featured, they just seem to want to remind us they are there. For a company who's financial state remains ‘very fragile’, doesn't it seem odd that they would waste so much money on ads? I mean after all, it's not like they have a great deal of competition on the routes they offer. I suspect fuel prices are not the only reason they are now being ridiculous with their baggage charges and ticket price increases, perhaps those is Saba and Statia, the most dependable on the 'dependable airline' should raise some noise.
Here we are, with another public company with sketchy and questionable finances, requesting a letter of comfort so it can rack up new debt. Why are they getting a new second Managing Director to handle finance, is the current one incapable? Seems so to me, shouldn't he be fired or retired?
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Hady Nufyet's blog | 4 comments | read more
Submitted by Hady Nufyet on Mon, 2008-09-08 01:34.
Any of you remember the old tv series Lost in Space? The one with the robot that flailed it's arms around and said Danger Danger when something was dangerous? I'm sorry, but it keeps coming into my mind.
Every few days it seems there is a new photo in the papers of some truck or trailer dangerously loaded, parked, or accidents that could have been much worse, you know, like breeze blocks falling off the side. I've posted a few of them below. What I would like to know is if these drivers and companies are being fined and penalized?
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Roads and Traffic | Hady Nufyet's blog | 1 comment | read more
Submitted by Hady Nufyet on Mon, 2008-09-08 01:11.
Recently the Daily Herald held a photo competition featuring the National Tree of St. Maarten, the Flamboyant. I love the Flamboyant like everyone else and think Theo should be planting far more of them than palm trees, just think, the DP could then get elections moved to August and claim the trees are voting for them too!
Seriously though, several here on SXM PE have argued that the national tree is really the Plastic Bag Tree, it grows everywhere, it blooms all year round and it is gradually becoming extinct in other countries around the World. They have a point don't they?
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Flipper's blog | 13 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Fri, 2008-09-05 03:47.
Love it!
By: P. Denicio Brison, Bsc. LL.M.
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Religion | Dr. Voodoo's blog | 10 comments | read more
Submitted by Dr. Voodoo on Thu, 2008-09-04 09:24.
I've been too busy recently to write much, but Tongas's recent comment defending Safe Haven and Govt and criticizing those who criticize, has left me with no choice, I need to write now or I will burst.
This blog post is for you Tongas, I look forwards to your response and invite others to join in as they will.
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Island Politics | Flipper's blog | 10 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Tue, 2008-09-02 18:05.
Hanna is forming, and appears likely to hover for a few days, just to our North. Possibly it may even drop or shift south before it heads off up into the Atlantic as computer models show, worth keeping an eye on.
Also, as shown in the image above which you can find here, there's a line of waves making their way across Africa. September will soon be here, eh??
More can be found in the Hurricane Season 2008 Thread.
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Submitted by Flipper on Thu, 2008-08-28 21:13.
Interesting subject for a discussion maybe? An information campaign about the new law is apparently being planned, we'll keep track of it here and file what we can below.
Daily Herald Editorial - Self Defence - 28th August 2008
Parliament approves law on self defence - 27th August 2008
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Justice Police Crime | Flipper's blog | 8 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Thu, 2008-08-28 19:47.
EPIC and SXM Pride Press release
On Tuesday August 26th, 2008 St. Maarten Pride Foundation and EPIC received word that a Dredger was seen removing large quantities of sand from the Simpson Bay Lagoon and depositing it on the Island of Little Key.
Foundation volunteers arrived at Little Key to investigate the reports and took several pictures of the dredger in action before its Captain ceased operations, boarded another vessel and hurried it back to its home port in an attempt to avoid further inquires by aforementioned volunteers. The Foundations have learnt that the dredger was in the process of digging a deep channel to a Marina located behind the Airport parking lot.
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Development and Construction | Environment | Epic Foundation | Mullet Bay | Simpson Bay Lagoon | SXM Pride Foundation | Flipper's blog | 32 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Thu, 2008-08-28 19:19.
Hoping to have new posts soon rounding up the news on the police reorganisation, Mary's Fancy, Winair, Freedom of Speech and perhaps some other stuff. Please use this new Open Thread to continue from the last one. - Flipper
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Open Threads | Flipper's blog | 14 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Mon, 2008-08-25 02:59.
To be added to the long list of reasons for the island government to enact animal legislation, with adequate financing too of course, to control animal welfare and movement. If you love you pet, get it vaccinated.
Distemper warning - 22nd August 2008
Read more about distemper here, here and here.
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Animal Welfare | Fuzz Buzz's blog | add new comment | read more
Submitted by Fuzz Buzz on Mon, 2008-08-25 02:32.
In an effort to help out here, you will find the latest round of news stories related to the the Maria Buncamper, Telem, Sky is the Limit story. I've rounded up what I could find, but it's left me with no time to write a blog. Never mind, the discussion seems to be doing just fine without one. I'll try to add some of my thoughts on it all in a comment sometime, if I find any, time that is, I have lots I'd like to say :). Please try to continue the discussion below instead of the new Open Thread, I'll try to keep it as updated as I can.
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Dr. Voodoo's blog | add new comment | read more
Submitted by Dr. Voodoo on Sun, 2008-08-24 20:20.
Open threads are for all those things you want to comment or start a discussion about, but can't figure out the best place to put it. A couple of regular writers are off island and I'm about to get busy with the long awaited upgrading and rebuilding of SXM PE. Please bare with us if things get a little kooky in the coming weeks in terms of site accessibility and viewing and if the blogging slows down a bit - Flipper
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Open Threads | Flipper's blog | 89 comments
Submitted by Flipper on Tue, 2008-08-12 15:11.
Just another heads up on weather to keep an eye on. Invest 92 and Invest 93
Hurricane Season 2008 Page
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Submitted by Flipper on Tue, 2008-08-12 15:03.
Please excuse me Dr. Voodoo, for hijacking your blog post, but I feel the need to make some guidelines and I didn't want to start another post on the matter.
First of all, comments are now turned off on all threads and news items on SXM PE that are about Vincent, you can only post on this one.
Second, anonymous comments on the matter will now be subject to a higher level of scrutiny, we here are not interested in his work relationship with his boss or personal comments that are hurtful or just plain nasty.
Thirdly, and I say this directly to his family. There are two articles in our two newspapers here today, one says the family is at odds and the other says they accept.
Which is it? Please ask the father to send the email he sent our papers to send it here too, or post it as a comment. And sort out your own communications and positions between yourselves too. Sorry to be blunt, but I'm not about to let this site be taken over with this sad confusing story. - Flipper (The Management)
Dr. Voodoo's blog post and news items below.
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Justice Police Crime | Dr. Voodoo's blog | 4 comments | read more
Submitted by Dr. Voodoo on Wed, 2008-08-06 01:12.
Back in early 2006 I wrote a blog titled Gay Gay Gay Gay Gay about the homophobic and bigoted hate mail appearing in our papers and how they could be seen to incite violence towards gay people. One month later Dick Jefferson and Ryan Smith were attacked in Maho. I've written twice more about it since.
This time I am so happy to see I am not alone, to all the people who wrote to the papers I thank you. Also, the Today deserves forgiveness for their past mistakes, their stance on the issue now is a very welcome change and spot on target, churches do not write our laws, or do they??
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Dr. Voodoo's blog | 5 comments | read more
Submitted by Dr. Voodoo on Sun, 2008-08-03 08:23.
This past week Maria announced that there would be an Inquiry into into the death of Esteban Caraballo while waiting for care at the SMMC. It's not the first time the emergency service at the SMMC has come under fire and promised a report.
I have used SMMC many times over the years and I have always been taken care of, by warm and friendly doctors, nurses and admin staff. However there have been a couple of times when I felt I could and perhaps should have been attended to sooner and was left sitting in the waiting room without anyone even doing a brief examination despite my concern.
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Health | Dr. Voodoo's blog | 2 comments | read more
Submitted by Dr. Voodoo on Sun, 2008-08-03 05:41.
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