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Addiction and Consequences
Over the past few years I have written more than a few articles on here about Climate Change and Oil, in most of them I have argued that even if you are a skeptic about CC, that there are plenty of other reasons why we, the Human Race, must kick our addiction to it. It will be the death of us if we don't.
BP it seems, unsurprisingly, has been lying about how big the leak is. The true volume of the leak is not 5000 barrels a day, but may be much closer to 70,000 barrels a day, comparable to 1 Exxon Valdez every 4 days. I strongly suggest everyone to read the following links.
Bonaire & Scientology
After years of warnings about the consequences of dumping raw sewage and waste into the ditches and bush lands of Bonaire and the recent exposure by Sean Paton that these warnings have proved to have been on target, the government of Bonaire has decided to let Scientology's ship Freewinds continue the practice.
Yes, that is correct, Freewinds have the permission of the Bonaire Island Government to dump waste and contaminate the water table of Bonaire with bacteria and toxins, damage that will affect the environment and future generations of the island for decades to come. How did they get this permission?
Is it just that the Bonaire Island Government are ignorant incompetent morons, or is it because Scientology, known for circumventing and breaking the law, sometimes in extreme ways, have paid them off in some manner? I know what I think is most likely, because it's hard to believe anyone could be so stupid and blind to the consequences of what is being done.
Scientology Freewinds Enviro Criminals?
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Bonaire-State of emergency Part 2
For some years now down in Bonaire, Sean Paton has been fighting to stop the Scientology ship Freewinds from dumping it's raw untreated sewage and waste into the bush lands and ditches of the island. We have covered it here several times and tried to bring some exposure to the issue.
The latest videos from Sean show us that the water table of Bonaire now appears to be contaminated and that several wells should, in any self respecting country, be closed to public use. It would seem though that the Government of Bonaire is not self respecting, it has seemingly done NOTHING to stop this dumping by Freewinds. It's is interesting though that now they have taken to doing the dumping at night.
Please watch the two videos above and please leave a message on You Tube in support of Sean.
GEBE, Oil & Energy
If you ask me, setting up GEBE as a joint company with both Saba and Statia was a mistake, for them. Both Islands have a very good chance to become self sufficient in energy production and to become exporters to SXM, helping to keep Front Street airconditioned. With their new status they will likely end up getting a good bit of assistance and help in becoming energy dependent from Holland and the EU, in Solar, Wind, Geothermal and perhaps even Wave. If I were them I'd say to hell with SXM, we going on our own. Maybe they will yet.
Am I the only one who finds this ongoing saga of the GEBE Board vs Brooks tiresome? Clearly personal crap and vendettas are in play, perhaps there are even some legitimate complaints about Brook's management, but what a embarrassing and repulsive saga it is. I blame Roy Marlin myself, the man with the reverse 'Midas Touch', where he turns anything he touches or is involved in into crap. After all, wasn't it Roy who appointed Brooks while Chairman, and then appointed Lambert to take his place when he resigned from the board.
Legalize it - Can we talk about it?
Much more below on the many reasons to decriminalize personal use of marijuana. I'm not sure if SXM is ready for this discussion, I doubt any of our current politicians are and I don't think the majority of the island community is either, but I feel hopeful PE readers are.
I am not proposing instant decriminalization, such a thing would have to be well thought out and planned, but I am sure, that the day we have coffee shops then our hotels would be full all year round. The taxes, not only from the sale and farming of it, but also from increased visitor numbers to the island, would pay for more police, better education and treatment of addicts to serious and dangerous drugs like crack and alcohol. It would also create many jobs, directly and indirectly.
Preventive Health Now Confirms 22nd H1N1 Virus,
SMNN - GREAT BAY:--– The Preventive Health Department (PHD) confirmed on Monday the island’s 22nd confirmed case of Influenza A (H1N1) virus, a 56-year-old woman who was part of a family reunion event that took place earlier this month on the French side.
The ladies sample was taken on August 14 and confirmed on August 17. The 56-year-old has been given the anti-viral medication Tami Flu and is under isolation.
SMMC and FZOG reach agreement, cards being accepted
PHILIPSBURG - As of immediately, SMMC is accepting the FZOG-SVB cards as guarantee of payment for services rendered. After negotiations that took over a month, the SMMC and FZOG-SVB have reached an agreement concerning payment of outstanding charges, including services provided by SMMC that were disputed by FZOG-SVB, as well as a time frame for future monthly billing.[More....]
Preventive Health Dept Now Confirms 15th and 16th H1N1 Cases
SXM Island Times - PHILIPSBURG - On Thursday, the Preventive Health Department (PHD) confirmed that the island now has its 15th and 16th confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1) virus. Both persons, tourists, have been treated with anti-viral medications.
The National Epidemiologist of the Netherlands Antilles Izzy Gertsenbluth confirmed the cases on August 5. Both persons, a 58-year-old male for Baltimore, U.S. and a 29-year-old female from New Jersey, U.S., arrived on the island July 25.
Eight million euros for restoration of monuments in the Antilles and Aruba
SXM Island Times - Willemstad, Curaçao - The Netherlands Antilles and Aruba will get 8 million euros for the restoration of monuments and historic buildings.
The Aruban Minister of Labor, Culture and Sports, Mr. Ramon Lee, Lieutenant-Governor of Curaçao, Mrs. Lizanne Dindial, Commissioner of Bonaire, Ms. Marugia Janga and the Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science, Mr. Ronald Plasterk, signed the protocols that regulate this in the presence of the Chairman of the National Restoration Fund, Prof. Mr. Pieter van Vollenhoven. St. Maarten and St. Eustatius already signed a protocol earlier.
Preventive Health Dept Now Confirms 13th and 14th H1N1 Cases
SXM Island Times - PHILIPSBURG - On Saturday, the Preventive Health Department (PHD) received confirmation that the island now has its 13th and 14th confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1) virus.
It’s a six-year-old boy who is part of the family circle that recently took a cruise to Cozumel starting from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His parents were the 11th and 12th cases to be confirmed with H1N1 flu virus.
