St. Maarten Private Eye

Blogs and Blogging

When I started SXM PE almost 3 years ago I knew that the concept of blogs and blogging was new to most people here on the island, that to some it would be controversial and scandalous, perhaps even scary. After all, St. Maarten's political history doesn't really tell a tale of harmonious and free political discourse, nor does it tell a tale of open transparent information and inclusion.

Freedom of speech and an independent media are fundamental to the success of a healthy democracy. The internet and blog sites like SXM PE have rejuvenated freedom of speech around the world, allowing ordinary citizens to voice opinions and ideas with little fear for their livelihood or lives. The internet and blogs have also rejuvenated independent media and information, allowing you, the user, to not only be a reporter and share your opinions easily and immediately, but also giving you much more information with which to make up your own mind on an issue or story.

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Media | Flipper's blog | 2 comments | read more

NOVA - Big Bang or Pfffft.

And so NOVA came, with less of a bang than some of us expected considering their name, but then, were we wrong to expect too much from them? SXM PE made a request to them to add subtitles to the shows when Dutch is spoken, their response was "It's expensive and our show is for a Dutch audience". Say's it all really doesn't it?

Although they are right, it is expensive and their audience is largely Dutch, SXM Maarten is part of the Dutch Kingdom in the midst of a very important decision making time, and, as they point out themselves in their show, English is the main language here. I've always thought that talking about someone in a language they don't understand in front of them is rude. Maybe it's just me, expecting too much.

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Dutch Politics | Federal Politics | Island Politics | Justice Police Crime | Media | Local Hero's blog | 10 comments | read more

Is Low Teacher Pay a Myth?: Teen Times Plagarizes?

Recently we were told that the Today Newspaper lauded an article in the Teen Times of February 27, 2008, entitled "Is Low Teacher pay a myth?" in order for it (Today) to continue its mission of demonizing the protest actions of the teachers. However, we have found that the only thing mythical is the scenario created by the TeenTimes writer.

The writer claims that the article arose out of "a simple debate between two of our writers," and that, "one of the conclusions by one of our writers was something many people only whisper: is low teacher pay a myth? In other words, are teachers getting exactly the amount of pay they deserve and are they simply over-dramatizing this 'where is our money' issue?"

The majority of this article is plagarized and taken out of context. If the Today indeed praised this article, then Shame on the Today newspaper for supporting the Myth of Plagarism!

One can also access the real article online here.

Or read the highlighted plagarized parts for yourself below.
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Education and Youth | Media | sybille's blog | 13 comments | read more

Fair and Balanced Transparency? - (Trademarked)

Two stories this past week centered on government transparency, the first was Maria's disappointment in the Daily Herald printing information about the draft Sports Policy and then the DH irritated Roy enough with an Editorial questioning his trip to NY to meet Murdoch that he felt a need to write a letter about it.

The issue with Maria is clear really and she contradicts herself in her letter when she states that the idea is to involve everyone in the process and get as much input and advice as possible" So what's the problem Maria?

Then there is Rupert Murdoch....

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Media | Hady Nufyet's blog | login or register to post comments | read more

Nova, Nazi's and the Today Rag

The Today Editorial today is a remarkable piece of work of sophistry for a newspaper which would have trouble investigating itself out of a paper bag. It is a rambling mess of irrational outrage at the news a NOVA TV crew is planning to come here and do some investigative reporting on the island about corruption. According to the Today, the perception that St. Maarten is corrupt is 'erroneous', 'ludicrous' and 'malicious'. It attacks any locals who are planning to talk to NOVA about corruption as being on par with Nazi sympathizers of the second world war in Holland who cooperated with the occupation.

The Today newspaper, and the Daily Herald, have played a major role leading SXM to the state it is in today, their pathetic standards of investigative journalism gives them no leg to stand on when another press organization decides to do so. The enemy here is not those who are brave enough to speak up and share information about the problems here, but those who would prefer to shut other people up and keep their heads stuck up their ass, believing they are smelling roses.

The Today to me is a pathetic rag erroneously using the label of newspaper.

More here
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Justice Police Crime | Media | Local Hero's blog | 4 comments | read more

Bodo Muth Lives Again!

Just over 2 months ago I revealed on here a racist neo nazi website i had discovered, run by a degenerate going by the name of Bodo Muth. The site was subsequently taken off line by Bodo admid an uproar, press coverage and information that he worked for a tour company.

I am posting again today to report that Bodo's site is back up again, a little less outrageous and racist than before, but not that it makes a huge difference, It's still clear as day the guy is a simple minded cretinous moron. I wonder if he is still on the island? Anyone seen him?

Inside SXM - White supremist sickness

The above link has been adjusted so as not to give his site any promotion with search engines.

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Media | Dr. Voodoo's blog | 9 comments | read more

Maria-NOT JUST ANOTHER POLITICIAN

The Democratic Party Government appointed Claudius Buncamper and Rafael Boasman to the board of St. Maarten Telecommunications Holding Company (TELEM). Claudius is the husband of Telecommunications Commissioner Maria Buncamper. He is already on the board of the Harbour and the head of maintenance at the Public Works Department. Boastman was the elections campaign manager for Maria Buncamper and he is the head of the Island labour department. The Leader of Government Sarah Wescot Williams says it is not unethical and not in breach of any regulation. When Claudius Buncamper was appointed on the board of the Harbour, Sarah said that his wife Maria was not a Comissioner at the time, but an island council lady-so she is not in the executive council. Well, now she is in the executive council. Is this not nepotism? DP says it is not. Well what really is Nepotism? People Speak. Click To Read highlighted News below:

Buncamper and Boasman on Telem Board
Board appointments draws Sharp Criticisms
Sarah says No Conflict Of Interest
Good Governance
Duncan says It is Nepotism
Gracita says it is Bad Judgment
Marlin tells Maria How Things Go
Moiky Slams Maria
Governor and Good Governance
Juliana Baptiste says I Believe in Nepotism
Duncan responds to Juliana Baptiste

Nepotism dates back to 1670 and it is the showing of favoritism toward relatives (favoritism as in appointment to a job based on kinship), based upon that relationship, rather than on an objective evaluation of ability or suitability. For instance, offering employment to a relative, despite the fact that there are others who are better qualified and willing to perform the job, would be considered nepotism. The word nepotism is from the Latin word 'nepos', meaning "nephew" or "grandchild".

Pronunciation: ne-pə-ti-zəm
Function: noun
Etymology: French népotisme, from Italian nepotismo, from nepote nephew, from Latin nepot-, nepos grandson, nephew, relative
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Island Politics | Media | sybille's blog | 11 comments | read more

Julien F or Julian A: Will the real PETTY please stand up?

Most recently Julian Pettty created quite a commotion on PE when he made the following statements:

“You can sit in you little cyber world with your little fake names and rub each other's ego's all you want, but until you get your message out in the mainstream with REAL PEOPLE attached to the complaints, you'll forever be having this lil members only party. This site is NOT mainstream. If you do a survey among the people that MATTER, you know, the "small man", nobody has even heard about or read this site.” – Julian A. Petty

“You bash politicians from behind a screen name the use the excuse "its your right". I beg to differ. People who hide behind a screen name are afraid that the hypocrisy of their lifestyles might render them silent if they want to give an opinon about anything. You preach about openess and transparency then hide behind a name. Hypocrites. After a while the only thing that comes from talking is SOUND! And I do believe that people are going tone deaf to this doom preaching from a bunch of ghosts.”
- Julian A. Petty

If that wasn't enough, he had the audacity to ask us to look him up. Julian, you asked us to look you up- Guess what, I did! You are most likely the indecent bus driver advancing your PAY AS YOU ENTER RULE

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Media | Roads and Traffic | sybille's blog | 10 comments | read more

Have you got something to say? - How to write a blog.

"St Maarten is a place of enormous potential. But in order to tap into that potential , it must embrace the values of open debate and self-critique. It cannot afford to do otherwise in a globalizing World economy. No society can, or it runs the risk of being left behind.

The above was taken from Jason Lista's article this week in the Weekender entitled.'What of St. Maarten today?' Please read it and then join me below to learn how you too can help bring 'enlightenment' to SXM.

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Media | Flipper's blog | login or register to post comments | read more