COMMENTARY

Prev    Next  Commentary: Did the PDM take improper campaign donations? Monday, September 21, 2009 Recently there have been quite a number of media statements and TV shows and news addressing donations claimed to have been made to the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) party. All such donations are said to have been received almost three years ago when the February 2007 election was anticipated. read more... Commentary: Salt Cay Community Meeting with His Excellency Governor Wetherell Monday, September 21, 2009 The whole community gathered in anticipation of an informative meeting at the Salt Shed on Wednesday evening last week to hear what encouraging words or plans Governor Wetherell had in mind for the urgent growth and benefits of Salt Cay. The community warmly welcomed the Governor. read more... Commentary: Tearing down the TCI Saturday, September 12, 2009 What a letdown and what disappointment. My worse fears are coming to pass as I read that to pay the debts of lack of British oversight we will now be subjected to the liberal solution to the previous administration's reckless spending... more taxation. There are two reasons developers and expatriates have invested... read more... Commentary: The fundamentals of our economy are strong, but the 'white man speaks with forked tongue' Thursday, September 3, 2009 A few days ago, I watched in amazement as Martin Stanley announced after the first meeting of the Advisory Council that the Turks and Caicos economy is sound, but what we are experiencing is a cash flow problem. He further stated that we had a national debt of $120 million and a GDP of $600 million. read more... Commentary: The Kennedys talk to the TCI Thursday, August 27, 2009 The passing of Edward ‘Teddy’ Kennedy jolted my memory as I recall two famous speech lines, one from Teddy and one from his brother the assassinated President John F. Kennedy. Both of these well known phrases apply to the people of the TCI. Let us not lose the dream of a proper, dynamic internal self government. read more... Commentary: There arose a king in Israel who knew not Joseph Wednesday, August 19, 2009 Now that the Order in Council has come into force, there are a number of things that have begun to take place! First, there has been the total disrespect at the highest level in this country, that being – at the House of Assembly. Up to now Gordon Wetherell has not yet shown the courtesy or given the respect... read more... Commentary: It's over, let's get busy! Monday, August 17, 2009 We have finally arrived at the point we expected to be many weeks ago. Our two Premiers and their associates can no longer damage the fabric of the territory or waste our time and money. The statements just fielded by these two former leaders are very telling; a total disconnect with reality. read more... Commentary: Turks & Caicos: The wannabe list and the proposed list Friday, August 14, 2009 In Turks & Caicos it is almost laughable. I keep hearing about various circulated lists of those on HE Governor Wetherell’s Advisory and Consultative Committees for the Interim Government. Another writer alluded to the favourite pastime of one character of being seen wearing Union Jack ties. read more... Commentary: Calling for British heads to roll in TCI Monday, August 10, 2009 I received a surprising number of e-mails over the weekend from people accusing me, among other things, of being a “British stooge [for] giving Governor Tauwhare and other British officials a pass while calling for our Premier and his government ministers to be prosecuted.” Evidently they derived fodder.... read more... Commentary: Hard Talk TCI - Legitimate concerns at grass roots level! Tuesday, August 4, 2009 It’s a sad day when some media outlets are patting their backs and blowing their own trumpet and declaring victory over what is actually a serious indiscretion on the part of the Governor’s Office over the publication of the final report. Whatever happened to the legal maxim “innocent until proven guilty”? read more... Commentary: Compassion fatigue for Haitian migrants Friday, July 31, 2009 I join all citizens of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) in expressing profound sadness over the loss of life that occurred after a boat carrying some 200 Haitian migrants ploughed into a coral reef in our waters on Sunday and capsized. Latest reports are that 67 remain missing, and are presumed dead. read more... Commentary: Political advisors a failure Tuesday, July 28, 2009 It is never a pleasant experience to have to furlough employees but this experience is magnified when they are friends. Not that they became friends after they were in your employ but because they were your friends before you hired them. Obviously no other qualifications. That, people, is the rub. read more... Commentary: Laughter, the best medicine Tuesday, July 21, 2009 Yep, that’s what the doctor says. Keep laughing and keep your spirits up. Trouble is, sometimes it is hard to find humour in the challenges of daily life. Maybe that’s because we have our hopes too high. One thing about island life, especially in a place like Middle Caicos, you realise what is important in life. read more... Commentary: TCI Commission of Inquiry Final Report: Thank you, Sir Robin Monday, July 20, 2009 I doubt many, if any, TCIslanders have the means to thank Sir Robin Auld for the judicious manner in which he conducted the Commission of Inquiry into possible corruption and other serious dishonesty in relation to the leaders of our country. Prevailing public sentiment is such, however, that I fear no contradiction... read more... Commentary: Are the answers 'Blowing in the Wind'? Monday, July 13, 2009 The folk tune Blowing in the Wind was a number one hit on pop charts and still gets a lot of plays. God, how I loved those folk artists, Woody Guthrie and son Arlo, Pete Seeger, and the beautiful Joan Baez. How about regional artists, Sparrow and Marley? Don’t take my word for it, go to “U-Tube”. read more... Commentary: Time for maturity, responsibility and accountability Friday, July 10, 2009 It does not cease to amaze me that there are still people in this country who are convinced that Britain should bail us out of an economic quandary that is for the most part of our own deliberate and calculated doing. This country was placed in economic shambles by a leader who insists that the British government is jealous. read more... Commentary: Looking for our Moses Wednesday, July 8, 2009 As the election of 2003 approached, the country was doing well. Infrastructure was being put in place, slowly but without big loans and big debts. There was a budget surplus, not big but getting bigger, and the private economy had grown by leaps and bounds. All good first class investors. read more... Commentary: Turks & Caicos Government: A case of the inmates running the facility Tuesday, June 30, 2009 Has anyone ventured to listen to and read what is coming out of Turks & Caicos from government officials? Though it is appalling, it is most definitely not surprising. What do you expect from these individuals? Or the question more is what do they expect of themselves? read more... Commentary: Johnny did it! Friday, June 26, 2009 Do you remember when your child came home in some kind of trouble, maybe with torn clothes, and he told you “Johnny did it”. No doubt your child grew up or will grow up and stop blaming others for his problems. It is after all a sign of maturity to accept responsibility for one’s mistakes or bad judgment. read more... Commentary: Former TCI premier calls British governor a 'racist dictator' Friday, June 26, 2009 Regrettably, what passes for parliamentary debate in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) these days resembles little more than ad hominem rants by plainly discredited MPs. Of course, in light of the pending dissolution of the House of Assembly - pursuant to the TCI Constitution (Interim Amendment) Order 2009... read more... Commentary: The future of Salt Cay in the balance Thursday, June 25, 2009 The character of Salt Cay is encased in her history and the old historic landmarks. The salt merchant homes, churches, old boat house, Governor’s house and Deane’s dock are monuments to the rich history of Salt Cay and bring life and meaning to an important heritage that shapes the unique aspects of the TCI. read more... Commentary: TCI Journal does not tell the truth Thursday, June 25, 2009 A large percentage of the population in the TCI listens closely to the House of Assembly proceedings, as does the author of this article. I was astonished at what was published this morning, Thursday June 24, on the site known as the TCI Journal. I respect the TCI Journal’s editors’ rights to their opinion. read more... Commentary: Caribbean a perpetual doormat for the rest of the world Monday, June 22, 2009 No matter what century it is we are living in, the Caribbean always turns out to exist for, and acquiesce to, the wishes of others. After Columbus decimated the Indian population (not really Indian -- Columbus was way off in thinking he had found India) of the region and wrought never-before-seen violence. read more... Commentary: Is justice blind? Saturday, June 20, 2009 In my youth we respected attorneys. Looked up to them. They did not advertise, they did their corporate work, filing company papers, applying for patents or they took care of your will, your probate, your adoption, guardianship and 101 other items which required legalisation. Oh, yes, some defended criminals. read more... Commentary: Salt Cay: The past, present and future! Tuesday, June 16, 2009 The community of Salt Cay has always endured a hard lifestyle from the days of raking salt in the hot sun. Nearly three hundred years later the conditions are still tough and in many ways more frustrating, especially since hurricanes Hanna and Ike swept through Salt Cay leaving a trail of devastation. read more... Commentary: Only $100 million more! Monday, June 15, 2009 On Friday afternoon, all doubt was removed once and for all regarding the competence of the Williams government led by Galmo Williams and Royal Robinson. In a speech, which was obviously not heartfelt and was ill prepared, Williams babbled on making virtually no sense at all. read more... Commentary: TCI economy bleeds money Friday, June 12, 2009 Every and any government has the responsibility to build up its country and to establish policies that, in both the short and long term, create wealth for the economy as a whole, which in turn provides a better standard of living for all residents. There are hundreds of examples I could name. read more... Commentary: Policing in the Turks and Caicos: Part 2 Monday, June 8, 2009 In the Turks and Caicos, as in every country worldwide, criminologists adhere to multi-factor theories for crime in society but we can safely assume that, at the root of most crimes, the criminal is motivated by greed and the compulsion to make easy money. The question to ask is how the police force in the TCI can improve. read more... Commentary: Bishop Williams preaches independence to the 'wimpy' Monday, June 8, 2009 Bishop Coletta Williams, pastor of the Abundant Life Ministries, in one his most recent services told his congregation and the radio audience that the takeover by Britain will in the long run be good because “it will cause the wimpy among us to have courage and join the independence bandwagon.” read more... Commentary: TCI Sun editor blasts UK Saturday, June 6, 2009 Under two-inch high, full width red headlines TCI Sun editor Hayden Boyce has authored a 1-1/2 page article blasting former and present Foreign and Commonwealth Office ministers Meg Munn and Gillian Merron. Boyce begins by claiming both British MPs are caught up in a major scandal. read more... Commentary: A realistic challenge Wednesday, June 3, 2009 The so called state-of-limbo continues as the British have not yet landed and the Galmo Williams administration desperately embraces the borrowed time. As one government official aptly stated today, “no wine before its time”. However, while the waiting is in progress, it gives time for reflection, much needed reflection. read more... Commentary: The final report: Time for a special prayer Wednesday, June 3, 2009 Never in the history of mankind has there been a time to equal the time we are living in today. The Turks and Caicos, with its own special problems, are but a tiny example of the challenges faced by us all; God's stewards of the earth. We have arrived at a point where nuclear weapons in the hands of man can... read more... Commentary: National Health Care Plan - Boon or big boo boo? Saturday, May 30, 2009 Here we go again, the government is pushing the new Hall-conceived and Williams-approved National Health Care Plan with media postings and once again I am frightened of what this will cost the country. Hopefully, some financial wizard will read this commentary and show me where I am figuring wrong. read more... Commentary: Turks & Caicos: One Nation - One People - One Law Wednesday, May 27, 2009 It is being billed as some national unity event for Turks & Caicos citizens. Do not be fooled for a minute. D-Day is drawing near for T&C elected officials, who to quote the Commission of Inquiry, ‘lack legitimacy.’ As this event looms on the horizon to meet their T&C accusers and victims who they abused and robbed... read more... Commentary: Nuts! Tuesday, May 19, 2009 Students of World War 2 know about the Battle of the Bulge, the last ditch efforts of dictator Adolph Hitler to stop the advance of US and allied troops as they rolled towards Germany. While it was hopeless, the Germans marshaled a serious effort and stalled the Allies for awhile. A famous one word quote still echoes. read more... Commentary: Turks & Caicos: A country devoid of 'sunlight' and 'oversight' Tuesday, May 19, 2009 My readers on seeing the title of this article must surely be wondering if I am going off my rocker or suffering from a case of addled brain, since I must surely know that, unlike say the North Pole or some other places on earth, Turks and Caicos is graced with sunlight just about every day of the calendar year. read more... Commentary: Crossroads and heroes Thursday, May 14, 2009 It is hard to get excited about anything these days with patience wearing thin. Reminds me of my sailing days when I was trying to make port with no wind and a tiny engine and a big power yacht passed me, going at three times my speed and using ten times the fuel. The country is waiting for the final report... read more... Commentary: A new day has dawned Thursday, May 14, 2009 Bearing in mind what political and economic trauma the country is currently going through, Belongers and residents alike in the Turks and Caicos should now all be pre-occupied with little else but the thought process of nation rebuilding. Realizing what has happened recently in the halls of government... read more... Commentary: Swine flu by any other name Monday, May 11, 2009 Someone told me just today that, in New York, officials are attempting to limit the use of the term ‘swine flu,’ apparently because it sounds too biased and discriminatory, and unfair to the pork industry. They want it referred to as H1N1, which is the virus designated category. read more... Commentary: On fundamental human rights, our pledge Friday, May 8, 2009 Recently the United States decided to run for a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council. That decision reflects a reinvigorated commitment on the part of the United States to the fundamental human values that bind us all together, and a determination to promote those values in all available venues. read more... Prev    Next