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Threatening advice
The problem with people who think they are infallible is that you can never get them to admit they might be wrong, or to reassess or reconsider their position on something, that’s why trying to engage them in debate here online is such a never ending saga of mind bending banality. Doing so seems to create even bigger problems, because quite often these sort of people are unable to respond to any valid and legitimate challenge or criticism and end up trying to discredit opponents using emotional, unfounded slurs and threats.
Leopold James has another letter up claiming full responsibility for his previous letter ’warning’ bloggers, like me, to be careful what we write, because our identities are being tracked and monitored 24hrs a day, he warns of ‘serious consequences’. Funny thing is, his new letter singles me out for special attention and I feel obliged to respond, I have a sneaking suspicion he won't like the 'quality' or 'tone' of it, but I promise to try to be gentle :)
It's all sadly humorous really because I myself haven't really said a great deal criticizing Leopold, sure, I make occasional comments over on SMNN on his letters and I've added a few here and there too, but I can only recall two articles here on SXM PE that were about LJ and they were written by Flipper and Local Hero.
The first one last year from Flipper was about the Nation Talk Radio show and how complaints had been made about the content. I never even made a comment on it, sorry but it was xmas/new year time, I had better things to do at the time, but I remember reading about it. I too have heard bits and pieces of that show and one time the Haitian bashing was heavy, with one caller calling all Haitians smelly and disgusting. Only those who think it's OK to promote intolerance and hatred towards race or nationality would have been surprised about the complaints.
Leopold, instead of respecting the owners of the station, broadcasting laws, and the possible validity of the complaints, immediately claimed that 'people with bad intentions' were trying to silence him and his Foundation and seems to have acknowledged no validity to the complaints at all. Leopold did make a response to the blog, but when Flipper tried to engage him in discussion he failed to reply, maybe he got lost or forgot about it, or maybe couldn't be bothered, who knows.
Three months afterward, Leopold was still stating in his letters that Nation Talk was 'removed' and a new episode of 'Leopold and Friends' started with Bijnsdorp as the target, it was the main subject of Local Hero's blog, Persecution and Paranoia. Please note that again, I didn't even make a comment.
Local Hero was even harsher than Flipper, trying to examine and understand Leopold's behavior, which for me was revealed in these words....
For Leopold, any criticism or challenge to his ideas and opinions is an attack, Flipper's blog and the Today's articles on the issue were attacks on St. Maarteners by 'people with bad intentions'. The whole saga about Bijnsdorp and the 'UA' activist who defaced the Travel Inn sign was very much revealing just how petty and tied to his 'philosophy' of in-destructible self confidence he is.
There was one other incident when I did engage Mr. James with comments, but it was on SMNN, not here, it was to do with my blog about the threats, accusations and violent comments being published on other websites over the 'Haar incident' and how I felt, and still feel, that they have a responsibility to moderate and ensure their sites are not used to promote or incite hatreds, intolerance and violent threats. Not doing so reinforces the belief of those who make them that they are acceptable, understandable or justified.
So, finally, let me address the most recent letter from Mr. Leopold James in which he refers to me as 'Shady Hady', lol.
Mr James states that I don't like his 'outspokenness' and throws in a note that he's a native SXM'er, perhaps to imply that has something to do with my disagreements with him? In fact I made rather a long comment to him at the end of this story explaining fully what my main disagreement with him is, his stated desire to create a 1st and 2nd, maybe even a 3rd class of citizenship (for the Hatians?) on the island. I think you will find my comments and 'tone' largely respectful.
He mentions too how the letter was not sent to SXM PE, but again he makes himself look foolish because being published online, it is available to anyone to read, it was quite clearly directed at SXM PE being the main BLOG site on the island, so what's the point, that we shouldn't read it or respond to it? I mean really, and by the way, IT WASN"T ME that responded, at least not in a blog, only in a comment. Please can you issue a correction! Unless of course you are talking about my comment, in which case it should be recognized that I was responding to your 'warnings' to bloggers.
Bah, it's hopeless isn't it, trying to engage someone with facts and logic when they are closed to both is tiring and I'd rather be doing something else. I have no ties to the Today, your accusation and theory, because that's what it is, is flawed, my blog about the Haar incident was all about the content of comments and the responsibility of online forums to moderate, but you somehow have twisted to to make me a pal of Haar. I'll tell you what, unmasking me would make you look so stupid in that respect. Did it not occur to you that journalists, which he is one, usually research and look to all sources and leads for stories, that he no doubt read LH's blog and your letter and decided to express his opinion about it?
I'll will tell you this Mr. James, I for one won't bow down to your threats, and your letter was threatening no matter how much you try now to claim that you were just 'informing' and 'advising'. And let me also say that I don't think LH or anyone else, including myself, hold SMNN responsible in any way for your letters, so you really didn't need to claim responsibility and vindicate them. I know for a fact that Flipper has often exchanged emails and cooperated with Bibi (and Haar) with information and although there are disagreements or criticism at times, there is also a great deal of respect and understanding.
I'll remember it though, I'll remember who is responsible if anything bad or violent ever happens to a blogger, a bloggers friends or their families. And I'll make you a deal, you call me "Shady Hady" and I'll call you "Crackpot James", agreed? Let me know!
Hady Nufyet
Once a upon a time the Sxmpe was a place people used to debate issues, topics that relates to the island. Things that newspapers are afraid to touch because of their involvement with politicians. Today this site is disgusting and it is loosing its purpose.. Here we are discussing people.. Let me say this at least Small mined people would discuss people, while great minds would move on to ideas.
Although I understand the need to defend your comments and SXM PE, I do not agree with the amount of time and comments that have been devoted to this topic.
If a child were to start calling you names, are you to sink to his level and call back, or simply state clearly that calling names is not appreciated and move on.
Education is not equal to wisdom. Mr. James may be educated, but he is not using it wisely. Nor is he able to see the danger of his actions.
Don't let SXM PE sink to that level and respond to all of his rantings. Instead, let's see if Mr. James is willing to rise to the occasion.
This is an issue, if not for you, then for those of us who choose to use alias's or pseudonyms to write blogs. Mr. James's recent letter attacks Hady, for what reasons we have been unable to determine, perhaps just for having the audacity to question him, or using the wrong tone. But threatening, or 'warning' as James now likes to put it is not acceptable, sometimes you just have to respond.
So, scroll back down the blogs if you don't particularly like this one, there are plenty of others that you might like more, or, if you really want some different content or have other issues to bring up, write one yourself. It's very easy.
LH
Yes it does concern the people who want to have an opinion and hide behind a smoke screen. At least with Leopold James everybody knows who they are dealing with. I guess that is why Flipper took down his blog on the Herald and Jump ship when he heard Locals know who he is now... Local Hero.. if you have an opinion on what is going on here, I think you should be man or woman enough to stand behind what you believe.. At least be proud of yourself.. I believe James is sooooo proud of this because a bunch of small minded people are giving him undue attention.. That way he would write another nasty letter..
Well, a few days at sea can do a great deal to refresh your mind, getting away from it all, with no chance to even take a peek has been good and I'm looking for some more of it. Highly recommended.
Now, first of all, for some reason the second part of my blog post about Taking a Break got lost/deleted, this seems to be happening now and then if a user fiddles around too much and edits too much before publication and I've sent a note to our tech guy about it, just be aware of it when posting. It sucks to have writing lost and having to go over it all again. trust me.
My decision to take a break had absolutely nothing to do with any fears of being outed as Flipper, in fact the threatening comment that was made that had a name instead of Flipper was made after I had announced I was taking a break. That name was an off target guess, off target because although that person does write here from time to time, it is not me. I want to make that very clear, because I will also hold those who spread false and dangerous rumors accountable for anything bad that may befall any blogger or commenter here as a result.
As for the Daily Herald spat and blog, yes, I removed it. After reflection and consulting with friends I realized that first of all my email to them about their website being so 20th century was rather harsh, confrontational and yes, I admit it, arrogant. I will also admit that the reply I got stirred me up and I should have really slept on it a night or two. I realized exposing this little spat did not put me, or the Daily Herald, in a good light and would do nothing to simmer things down.
I wrote about all this in my blog post, I also wrote about how I had been offered a chance to sail up to East Coast US and I decided I needed to do it. SXM PE is 4 years old now, I've been blogging for 4 years and maintaining this news library largely on my own, it's been like a monkey on my back at times, an endless task. That is why the top part of my blog mentioned about trying to get other people to use the blog option, to express their ideas and opinions. While LH, Hady, Voodoo, Caribdude and 3 or 4 others have access to the admin of the site and can take over the daily chores between them, getting other people to write has been difficult.
And here we are now, I've just read Leopold's letter of 'advice' to bloggers and the response of LH, also the second letter and Hady's response. I stand with and behind both of them and I'll remind you again that SXM PE stands against threats, intimidation and personal attacks on people. The blogs about Leopold, first by me about Nation Talk and the other by LH are about his distortion of the truth and stories and letters that he himself puts out there for public consumption and discussion. For him to now single out Hady just demonstrates to me how confused and sensitive the man is, I have tried to engage him in discussion and debate but he never responds, what does that tell you? Someone should ask Mr. James what Hady said that made him so upset? I'd like to know, wouldn't you?
In answer to your question and statement about 'hiding behind a smoke screen', I think LH did a very good job of explaining why people feel they need they have to here on SXM. In fact, does not Leopold's 'warning' letter and the threatening tone of some of the comments and statements made on other sites about Haar indicate that there are violent and unstable people out there. Just pick up a paper, violent crimes and attacks seem to happen daily, beatings, bodies get found in the bushes and lagoon, businessmen get shot in the head. Do you get it yet?
May I ask why you didn't write your own name under your anonymous comment? Not that I care at all who you are, and I mean that in no disrespect, but I am most interested in what you have to say, which is more respectful is it not? That's what opinion and commentary is, does it not make more sense to you to read what is written and decide for yourself what you think about it, that's what we encourage here. Some would like to distract from the issues and discussion, most often because it's too frustrating and challenging.
Blogging using pseudonyms and aliases is extremely common, practiced all over the world and readers are quite capable to decide for themselves which ones they connect with or agree with. My id, Flipper, has a reputation, you can go back and read all the things I have said on this site and decide for yourself if I have any credibility or if what I say is worth reading, your choice. I'm not going to say there are things I shouldn't have said and I am quite open to anyone bringing up any of it, my mind and opinions are not set in stone and rigid, I am open to new ideas, new opinions, new arguments and new information and I will adjust accordingly if I consider them valid.
The immense role the internet and freedom to be able to express opinions and share information has had around the world far far outweighs any negative aspects. Bloggers that are nasty or dishonest, spread false stories or distort them will always be found out and seen for what they are. Blog readers need to be capable of using their own intellect to sort though the information, read between lines and come to their own conclusions. Based on what is written. Blogs also allow people to share ideas, information and discuss issues, which without anonymity they most likely would not.
On an SXM News site (different from a Blog site), can't recall which and I don't have time to look, someone stated that I, Flipper, had made a comment one time saying something like 'blah blah blah, you must be a SXM'er' in a derogatory manner. I challenge anyone to go find that comment and prove it, because my recollection is that it was an anonymous commenter that made it and I believe I and others condemned and responded to it. But that damage is done isn't it, some of those readers, who know nothing about me, my heritage, my life or my family and friends now have the impression I am anti-SXM'er and racist. It's one of the reasons I use the name Flipper and not my own, not because those things are true, far from it, but because there are violent and extremist people out there who think they are.
Do you see now the reasons why it is important to stand up against BS? Do you understand why people who intimidate, issue threats or sinister 'warnings' and threaten violence and attacks upon others need to be stood up against? It is not acceptable at all, never, and the sooner people speak up and make it so then the healthier and happier SXM will be.
As to your last lines, you could be right, not about the 'small minds' because as I have explained above, there are good reasons for this discussion and debate, but about Leopold loving the attention he is getting. He does love that attention and respect, those who don't give it are often a target of his displeasure. I think maybe the sooner we have some blogs about other things the better :) Feel like bringing up another issue you'd like to see discussed then please, feel free to write a blog. You can use your own name if you like :)
Anyway, I don't have long and have a bunch of emails to respond to too, but I'll be back, perhaps not much over the next 2 or 3 weeks, but after that I'll be back on dry land and have more opportunity to get online. Until then, again as I had said in my lost blog, LH is basically in charge, he speaks for me.
Life is a constant learning process, I am not exactly the same person I was 10 years ago, or 5 years, or last year, nor are you. Things that happen, things we learn, things we do or experience, they are all constantly nudging and influencing us. There are some though, always will be, who are like sticks in the mud, stuck where they are.
Have fun SXM, and stay safe out there :)
Flipper
Flipper I believe you are here and believes everyone is foolish to believe you are not.. But that is not the point. I personally would not want anybody harming anyone for voicing their opinion. And you are no different... As for Hilbert Haar he loves beating women and someone should beat his ass back.. No one needs to threaten him. just do what he does best.. Sometimes people need to get nasty to gain respect.
As for you wanting to engage James.. I would not have responded to you either. How on earth you expect to gain people's respect when you dont trust them enough for them to know who you are.. If I ever received an email signed by Flipper I would trash it also because I would not be communicating with someone I dont know. Yes we found bodies in bushes and yes there is crime.. But you seem to forget its 99.9 gang or drug related. St. Maarten does not have hates crimes..
While I am happy you admitted that your mails to the Herald was not appropriate you need to understand no have to deal with people they dont know, and maybe if Paul knew who is dealing with he might have been nicer to your dirty email. The purpose of my note to you guys is that you all are wasting time to debate issues such as these.. While James maybe considered a racist and basher I never heard of him killing anyone because he hated them. Just get real.
After all that has been said already, particularly the part about that comment claiming Flip has slurred SXM'ers (trust me, highly unlikely, SXM PE exists due to love of the island, it's people and future) here you are now calling Haar a woman basher. Rather than edit your comment though, I think I should just add a some more information for other readers.
As far as I am aware, Haar has had two incidences of 'woman bashing' as you call it, both with the same woman, this hardly makes someone a 'woman basher' as if they have a long history and many cases of it, do you know of any? Let me put it this way.... If I had two similar incidences with someone and they happened to be a different race than I, would that make me racist? Some would say so, and ignore that it's just that we don't like or get along well. Personally I think he should have made more of an apology about it to the community instead of "it was wrong', but that's my opinion. Domestic violence is wrong and should always be avoided, between anyone, any race, any sex.
About anonymity, you are responding to us even though you don't know who we are, it's all about what's being said, not who is saying it. I think far too often ideas and opinions are dismissed because people look at who is saying it and forget about the details of what is said. Seems to me both Hady and Flipper made long and reasonable relies to James at times and I think it's pretty weak to not respond because he doesn't know who is writing.
I think SXM does have hate crimes, but who is checking or keeping score? I doubt if our police force keeps or tracks such details in crime reports, but I would be wrong. In any case, inciting or giving 'understanding' to people who are racist, xenophobic, bigoted or intolerant is a road to more of it don't you think? Just like we see in the US, radicals getting all stoked up and high on Glenn Beck and O'Reilly.
But you are right, it's time to get off this, I'll try to post a new blog today if I get time, not sure what about, and I'll see whats in the news that can be might stoke some discussion. Hopefully some other blogs will appear too :)
LH
Unbelievable the statements that such an INTELLIGENT man like Leopold make.
I said Haar is a woman beater not a basher, Whether its ten people or one person it changed nothing about his attitude. Is that woman his wife? No she was an employee of the Today and because he beat her there she quit. And what he did beat her again. LH it seems as if you would defend Haar all the way but let me see if the judge would let him off the hook.
Not much difference in the word and you are missing the points LH made, first that calling some one such based on just the two incidences with the same woman is excessive. I happen to know the woman, she is proud and firery and I don't doubt that these were confrontations she played a significant part in escalating.
The second point which you fail to address is the question LH made, about if he got into confrontation with someone of a different race, would that then make him a racist? Some people may not like Haar much and they are often the ones who will exploit and exaggerate anything negative they can find, take our good buddy Leopold for example. His letters and position gets critiqued and he calls it an attack from a racist SXM hater.
Anyway, the main point is that by calling someone these things serves to stir up those with more simple minds who seek reasons to justify their prejudices and hates. The court will decide on Haar, and in relation to so many incidences of violent crime and domestic violence this was a very small event that has been blown up out of proportion by those same people. People who seek to justify taking the law into their own hands and 'teaching him a lesson'.
Dr. Voodoo
PS. LH also said these things don't excuse what happened and that he thinks Haar should have made more of an apology to the community, how does that translate into defending him to the end? By the way, I also don't excuse what he did, but at the same time I will stand up to defend anyone against lynch mobs and threats.
Right, can I get some things straight?
Flipper = Hady
Local Hero = Dr Voodoo = Caribdude
????????????
It's okay, but kinda schizo. And I don't think the list's complete just yet.
Anyway, I think I am warming up to the idea of becoming a Commissioner one day. First class tickets and a Veracruz :)
Not bad at all! And of course there's just so many expenses out there you can legally put somewhere on the gov's bill. I'm so into this...
It's very easy to make is it not Cassie? Speculating and guessing. I've been blogging a long time before this site even existed under this name, some of my friends know I use it and I have not been as secretive as others have. While you might think it's fun, I have no desire to be confused with other writers here, I am responsible for what I write, nothing else, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
Caribdude
(currently in Spain)
OK, sorry then. But I think the others are correct.
XOXO
PS. Smile you're in Spain :P ®
Excuse me! if you know the woman, I know both of them. Haar has a special hatred for black people and more so successful people.He said that on more than one occasion. If LH is looking for an apology then he would not get it. Go back to the articles that was written and he said plainly he would not apologize.And yes I know of other people he terrorized, but I am not at liberty to publish their names here.
As for Leopold you guys are giving him what he likes. Undue attention. Try not responding to him and see what happens.
As most would agree there normally is some Truth behind most of the blog's on this site.
And as unfortunate as it is there are twisted & corrupt people out there , this island is a dangerous & corrupt island.
My hat is off to Flipper & the rest who have stamina to stay the course & Shed the LIGHT by exposing these corrupt characters.
It is a mute issue whether they are anonymous our not,as being public will get you no where on this island unless you have the power to make a difference & that still is questionable.
Stay the course fellow bloggers , unmask those that should be unmasked.
Hady, don't even worry yourself too much with the rants of poor miserable old Leopold. It's all hot air, like a big bark but without the teeth to back it up. He did the same to me (bark) when I was a student at MPC and he was the principal. It's obvious that in his mind, he still thinks he's the principal and we (the bloggers/readers) are his students who are not tolerated to against his views/opinions. If you do, you'll be swiftly smacked on the hands with a ruler. So be afraid!
To let yourself be frustrated by someone who obviously has nothing else to do than to write hate infested and "threathening" letters/posts is a waste of your precious time.
Love your replies though :-)
Jason L
It seems to me that delicate Leopold got upset more with your writing on SMNN than on here Hady, confronting him in public with your questions and own point of view. If he needs to clear up what I think then let me point to this comment.
On the one hand I can't be bothered much with what he say's, but at the same time he has a following, some of them have radical and extremist views, which he 'understands' and plays to, and they can be dangerous. But as you say Hady, Bite Me! Fear sucks and so do those who peddle it.
Dr. Voodoo
I probably got the spelling wrong, but it means to have conflicting opinions, in the same head, sort of like hypocrisy I guess? On one hand James has 'issues' with people who were not born here, ie 'foriegners' and on the other he sees himself as someone who can help unite. He seems to be growing more confused and radical as he gets older, strange, I thought most people started to mellow out. His letter about Haitians being underdogs reveals a stark ignorance about Haitian History and the compliance of the so called 1st World in appeasing nutcases like the 'Docs'. I've always thought it disgraceful that one of the World's poorest countries is slap next to one of the richest, the real problems never solved and every year or two an appeal for more aid. So much for the UN and IMF eh? I have to agree with Jason above and add that James thinks he is more respected than he really is, most are just afraid to upset him for fear of becoming a target for his crackpottery, some even appease him.
my post is not towards any other poster here.. i just want to say i luv this site and these are scare tactics used often to control the masses. Speak the truth and don't be afraid. It is the only way to live and sleep well at nite.