St. Maarten Private Eye

As consumers become more eco-conscious, companies will go to ever greater lengths to present themselves as environmentally friendly. Some make exaggerated or absurd claims, others resort to downright lies. Fred Pearce, whose new weekly Greenwash column launches on the Guardian website today, reports on a sinister trend - and appeals to readers to help stamp it out

The great green swindle - 23rd October 2008

Not being pessimistic and gloomy, but the McCain campaign tactics is a grim reminder of the short term memory of people. McCain is constantly re-inventing himself in light of the fact that he does not have a clear identity of who he is and what he stands for and can do this with impunity because of the fact that people tend to forget things that happened six months ago.

His present election campaigning is now even operating on the premise that people are even forgetting what was said or done six weeks ago. and from the flipflopping McCain has done this past week in regards to his position on the Wall Street crisis, he is now even assuming people has already forgotten what he said six days ago.

Here is where the PR spin doctors of our local politicians come in and are actively taking lessons from the McCain campaign tactics based on the Nixon doctrine: Lie, lie, lie and lie convincingly and people will believe what you say to be the truth.

I had to shake my head when I read that Loulou said that not even the environmental groups spoke up loud enough to stop people from using plastic bags or stopping the supermarkets from providing plastic bags to their clientele. A Nixon/McCain tactic if I ever saw one.

So you know what I see happening?

At the crucial moment, Commissioner Louie Laveist will pass legislature banning the use of plastic bags and ofcourse Jadira Veen and Barbara Cannegieter will be happy for that, but they will have to grit their teeth while smiling as they look on and see Loulou become the green hero of the day and coast clear to another election victory as The Plastic Bag Man.

My advice: debunk that comedian with a public awareness campaign before he makes a joke out of all the environmental groups and what they stand for. Remember, voters have short term memories and will only remember what the last guy shouted the loudest.

I am The Plastic Bag Man, who can forget that?
Shameless self-promotion as I have never seen it before.
You got to hand it to the man. He knows his "Positioning".
Shameless self-promoter marketeers around the world would be proud.

The title of this post actually should read:
The Shameless Plastic Bag Man

From www.smn-news.com

Great Bay:---- Atherthon Martin, Regional Environmentalist wants to know which idiot could have given the necessary permits or even saying yes to the construction of Westin Resort in Dawn Beach. “There is so much that can be done on this beautiful island but when you go by the Westin one has to wonder how did this happen, who said yes and why they did; and what are the results” Martin said that when looking at Westin he came to the conclusion that the project came from some type of science fiction book since it simply does not fit its location. He asked who is responsible for this madness and how they can be held responsible for their actions. Hopefully this project or acres of concrete will be used as an experience to teach people not to make the same mistake in the future.

Martin who is on St. Maarten creating awareness on climate change on this World Tourism Day celebrated today. Martin addressed key stakeholders at a forum at the Great Bay Beach Resort which was attended by Commissioner Roy Marlin former Public Works commissioner and commissioner of Economic Affairs Maria Buncamper Molanus.

In his opening address Martin described the future of St. Maarten as bright since the island’s children are bright. Even though some of these children are intimated they are like everyone else who needs to be heard, and given the necessary space. He said they understand the issues that world leaders are wrestling with the last few years. Martin said that the youths are crying out to be in partnership with leaders and taken seriously. He said that if the leaders can establish the common ground that exists with the youths and adults then everyone would be able to sleep in peace at nights.

Martin said many people are not experts and they should not pretend to be however, they should all be like the young people who are curious, and willing to learn and share.

Progress means getting nearer to the place one wants to be and sometimes going backwards is going forward are only some of the quotes Martin used to get this message across.

The Regional Environmentalist used a power point to establish the need to communicate and what are some of basic steps that have to be followed to safeguard the environment in developing the economy. He said that Tourism has been the wheel of the economy of the islands but wondered if the necessary research were conducted.

He asked if policy makers and those responsible for development stay in touch with the scientist, engineers and technicians prior to making crucial decisions. He said he would constantly empathize with policy makers who perpetuates that they hold lots of power when in fact they are powerless. “Because of this several scientists have abandoned their professions to become politicians with their attitudes by telling the policy makers what they what to hear instead of what they needs to hear to protect their countries.

He reminded that if whatever one does compromises the health and wellbeing of any society then it can be considered a failure and they have seriously messed up.

Impressive is how Martin defined the Lord’s Prayer in development which he said is used at every meeting in his homeland and wondered if people here don’t pray before they start meetings.

He said development through corruption does not mean a community or country is advancing. He said that planners have to use the basic fundamental principles of life in development. Consideration should be placed on who stands to benefit in developments and if the development is a detriment or profitable to the inhabitants of any place.

He asked if those in the tourism industry are looking at the consequences of continuing to market the island abroad and if they are sure these islands are offering the same things that the travelers were looking for a few years ago. He suggested the island using its natural resources to develop a safer and more stable economy. Making sure other sectors are also involved for the greater benefit of the people especially the poor. He described poverty as hell and no one should want to send their people to hell.

He alluded that it is people who messed up the Climate Change since they knew better and that science was available for their guidance but it was not properly utilized. Which has caused the islands to be in the frontlines today; he said that scientist today can better outline the speed of the climate change which is a global activity.

People today are experiencing the daily effects of the climate change since they are hot days and heavy rain another day, flooding and other side effects that are effecting the daily lives of everyone. Martin said that people have exceeded their capacity to consume but yet they are still consuming to maintain the economy which they said is the driving force. “If the economy is our death would you want to drive it” He asked if the people here are willing to commit global suicide which is what this climate change boils down to. Instead people should do the right things to make sure they do not contribute to this global suicide.

Finally Martin advice that leaders and managers be trained and or retrained. Leaders he said must go through training programs because he knows what result can come out of people without education and experience in positions. He also advised that square pegs should not be place in round holes. This is what we teach children in schools yet adults wants to force things to meet their needs thinking they are fooling the youths.

From SMN-News:

"Great Bay:---- Atherthon Martin, Regional Environmentalist wants to know which idiot could have given the necessary permits or even saying yes to the construction of Westin Resort in Dawn Beach. “There is so much that can be done on this beautiful island but when you go by the Westin one has to wonder how did this happen, who said yes and why they did; and what are the results” Martin said that when looking at Westin he came to the conclusion that the project came from some type of science fiction book since it simply does not fit its location. He asked who is responsible for this madness and how they can be held responsible for their actions. Hopefully this project or acres of concrete will be used as an experience to teach people not to make the same mistake in the future.

Martin who is on St. Maarten creating awareness on climate change on this World Tourism Day celebrated today. Martin addressed key stakeholders at a forum at the Great Bay Beach Resort which was attended by Commissioner Roy Marlin former Public Works commissioner and commissioner of Economic Affairs Maria Buncamper Molanus. "

I was told that our official IDIOT Commissioner Marlin had already left when the question was asked. He probably knew what was coming.

This past week, SXM along with the rest of the tourism world celebrated World Tourism Day.
A Tourism newspaper was produced and written by Fabian Badejo and inserted in the Daily Herald.
Many people did not see this paper as only a few were made. But if anyone who has one should put it here on SXMPE.
The theme this year dealt with Global Warming.
Reading this paper it appeared that our local politicians who never speak about the environment, had a load to say as if they are experts in the field. Amazing also, they spoke about the issues as if they were hard core environmentalists.
They know their stuff man. Two articles come to mind; Loui Laveist our own local idiotus, wants to be called the Plastic Bag Man. He is quoted as saying he used be called the Lagoon Man for all the activism he has done for the Simpson Bay lagoon and now, his stand on the plastic bag issue.
Hilarious! Then, Roy Marlin says he believes in wind energy for SXM.
In the case of Roy, I cannot believe the turn around. Didn't he just make a statement not too long ago that we have to stick to importing oil for the GEBE generators?
So either he has a sudden change of heart or he is greenwashing himself for World Tourism Day theme.
As for our local idiotus Lou Lou, there were 2 letters in the papers contradicting this poor fellow who appears to have hijacked a campaign that was started by an environmental group.
These politicians will continue thinking they can fool when it suits them and their world themes. It is up to the public to keep on top of their nonsense and expose them for who they are.
In the Herald, Roy Marlin also said our coral reefs have to be protected, how the heck can he make such statements when he was solely responsible for destroying the reefs in front of Dawn Beach. In 2005, he said the economy was more important to him than the environment as he has to create jobs.
Mind you, he was not Commissioner of Labour nor Commissioner of Economic Affairs, he was Commissioner for the Environment.
Now that he is Commissioner for Tourism, he is quoted now as a protector of Coral Reefs. What a bunch of baloney-This is flip flopping on serious issues.

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