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Opinion and Commentary

COMMENTARY

Next  Commentary: Cuba keeps ill writer jailed as Norway awards prize Saturday, July 4, 2009 (Bloomberg) -- A few weeks ago, Normando Hernandez Gonzalez got the kind of news that usually prompts cheers and emotion-filled toasts. The Cuban journalist and poet had been awarded the annual Freedom of Expression award by the Norwegian Writers’ Union. A delegation traveled from Oslo to Cuba. read more... Commentary: Haiti's culture and politics of social exclusion Saturday, July 4, 2009 The concept of social exclusion and its corollary, hospitality for all, have been the hallmark of my inquiry in most of these columns. As such, when the Haiti National Observatory on Poverty and social exclusion in coordination with the Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation organized three days colloquia. read more... Commentary: The 'Come-back Kid' strikes again Friday, July 3, 2009 As a youngster growing up, I used to read a lot. I used to read a lot of ‘Hardy Boys’, ‘Perry Mason’ and the like -- and a whole lot of Western books. I was usually fascinated with the star in the story and whenever he was in serious danger, especially if he seemed like he was about to die... read more... Commentary: Opportunities to strengthen Canada-Caricom relations Friday, July 3, 2009 Seeing Jamaican guest workers on a farm in Canada recently reminded me of the close relationship that has always existed between Canada and the Caribbean. Canada’s guest-worker programme for farms is as important to Canadian farmers, who need the labour, as payment for the work is... read more... Commentary: Michael Jackson was the King of Pop. But... Friday, July 3, 2009 Paying tribute to Michael Jackson as the King of Pop is rather like paying tribute to Joseph Ratzinger as the Pope. For, where his musical genius was concerned, Michael was not only entertaining, but also revered and respected to the point of seeming, well, Invincible. Of course his musical legacy is set in platinum. read more... Commentary: Dare to be Great: What a difference a day makes Thursday, July 2, 2009 “What a difference a day made” is a popular song originally written in Spanish by Maria Mendez Grever, a Mexican composer, in 1934. The English lyrics were written by Stanley Adams, made famous by Harry Roy & Orchestra. The song is in the Bolero Romantic style and its also known as “What a difference a day makes”. read more... Commentary: Other Business Thursday, July 2, 2009 I read recently that this week’s summit of the heads of government of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) will feature a packed agenda. Climate change is high on the list, according to CARICOM's secretary-general. Another item for discussion will be freedom of movement for CARICOM nationals. read more... Commentary: The situation in Honduras Wednesday, July 1, 2009 The media is very powerful, so much so that depending on the ‘perspective’ that is put forth, one’s view can be highly influenced. Based on the information I have uncovered, it appears as though "the system" has (to this point) stumped the efforts of Jose Manuel Zelaya to follow in the footsteps of his mentor. read more... Commentary: Deja vu: American-trained military executes coup in Honduras... Tuesday, June 30, 2009 It is probably more embarrassing than shocking to US government officials that the American-trained military of Honduras pulled off the first coup in Central America, where coups were once common, since 1993. Because that’s exactly what Honduran soldiers did when they reportedly seized the national palace. read more... Commentary: Law and Politics: The economy, health and culture Tuesday, June 30, 2009 All over the world today the major topic of discussion and serious concern is the economic depression and how it is affecting people in every country. And it is now so widespread and all embracing, that only the very few who are so well off and beyond the effects of any kinds of economic downturn... read more... Commentary: The People's United Party were in office long enough for any constitutional amendments Monday, June 29, 2009 I have been observing Belizean politics from the time I was a child and one of the major differences between the People’s United Party and the United Democratic Party, is that when the People’s United Party is in power, they are not afraid to do anything they please without the concerns of the public at large. read more... Commentary: Michael Jackson: Global musical genius lives on Monday, June 29, 2009 In a musical quilt laced with the textures of creative dance, funk, R & B, and pop, Michael Jackson, dead at 50, is enshrined as the world’s greatest superstar, by many, many miles. His musical legacy of 13 number one hits will continue to be marked by gratitude for decades to come. His songs are engraved in tributes of thankfulness. read more... Commentary: The government is delivering again to Belizeans with dual citizenships Saturday, June 27, 2009 The United Democratic Party Government of Belize under the leadership of Prime Minister Dean Barrow is delivering again, by making it possible for Belizean citizens who possess dual citizenship eligible to run for office and become members of the House of Representatives and the Senate in Belize. read more... Commentary: Who needs the Caribbean, when you have summer in New York? Saturday, June 27, 2009 It is my time of the year to travel to the Caribbean to enjoy the many cultural and religious festivals taking place from town to town. I left New York with a feeling of sheer ambivalence; summer in New York is so joyous that one wonders why one should, in summer, abandon the Big Apple for paradise in the Caribbean. read more... Commentary: Confusion, politics and mystery Friday, June 26, 2009 The selection of the West Indies team for the first two in a series of four one day internationals against India has been characterized with the same confusion, politics and mystery that has been an unfortunate feature of West Indies cricket in the recent past. Decisions made off the field have been as responsible for... read more... Commentary: Caricom leaders must move the Region forward or pay the price Friday, June 26, 2009 When heads of government of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (Caricom) meet in early July, a big responsibility will fall on the shoulders of Guyana’s President Bharat Jagdeo as chairman to heal the wounds that are causing the regional project to haemorrhage. President Jagdeo will have to dig deep... 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: China's expanding relations with Latin America and the Caribbean Thursday, June 25, 2009 The recent visit of Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva to China in May 2009 reflected the Asian nation’s expanding economic and political influence in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). One year ago, the Brazilian government had announced that China would surpass the US as its major business partner. read more... Commentary: A thoroughly un-American institution Thursday, June 25, 2009 Opened in 1946 at Fort Gulick in the former US Panama Canal Zone, the School of the Americas (SOA) has, over its lifetime, trained more than 64,000 Latin American and Caribbean members of the uniformed armed forces in an extensive program of military operations. Its graduates have included ten different... read more... Commentary: Bright future for regional cooperation Tuesday, June 23, 2009 At US Southern Command, I’ve worked closely with civilian government and military leaders, as well as with our partners to the south to improve the security and stability of the Americas. Together we have sought multinational, “whole of government” approaches to create a secure and stable environment for the Americas. read more... Commentary: Law and Politics: Some trying times ahead of us Tuesday, June 23, 2009 Concrete solutions in the social, economic and political spheres are as important and necessary as defending and promoting the dignity and the fundamental rights of every human person. In trying to achieve the above, the words of those who take on the responsibility must match their actions. 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: Rethinking fatherhood Monday, June 22, 2009 “Welcome to the fraternity of paternity,” were words of comfort that a close friend spoke, when I had given birth to a brand new season in my life. Up to that point, I had simply skirted around the thick forest of fatherhood. But I had not entered into its intriguing unknown. With considerable urging, family and friends... read more... Commentary: The debacle of the US auto industry Saturday, June 20, 2009 I first traveled to the United States for the first time in 1969. When I returned to Haiti a decade later, the most striking vista was the complete elimination of the stock of American motor cars in the country. After the gas embargo the American gas-guzzlers were totally replaced by energy efficient Japanese cars. read more... Commentary: Dare To Be Great: Using your Global Positioning System Saturday, June 20, 2009 Last year, while vacationing in Los Angeles, California, I had an opportunity to make full use of a GPS system in my rental car. I took my family for a wonderful, exciting eight-day holiday in the land of the stars. My wife wanted to hit all of the famous and not so famous shopping malls, while my 12-year-old... read more... Commentary: What did Bermuda get for taking Guantanamo detainees? Friday, June 19, 2009 I had to read the words of the letter three times because I could not believe my eyes on either of the two previous readings. This is what the Chairman of the US Congress, Bill Delahunt, wrote to Bermuda Premier Ewart Brown when his government controversially agreed to give refuge to four Chinese Muslims read more... Commentary: Iranians protest Ahmadinejad's re-ordination Friday, June 19, 2009 I appreciate how irrelevant the events unfolding in Iran must seem to many of us here in the Caribbean. But the global financial crisis clearly demonstrated that we are bound to be affected by adversities besetting any of the world’s most influential countries. In this case, the adverse impact on us... read more... Commentary: Too much personal information on the internet could lead to identity theft Thursday, June 18, 2009 I don’t twit. I don’t even tweet. I un-linked from linked-in. After being Plaxoed, I unsubscribed. I resented being tagged by Tagged.com. Instead of Facebook, I have my own website. These websites may work for many people because it is a way to network and stay connected. However, I have found they are very... read more... Commentary: Is Caricom at risk? Thursday, June 18, 2009 Prime Minister Bruce Golding of Jamaica is reported as having expressed concern about ‘a number of things’ that are ‘destabilising and threatening the existence of Caricom’. In particular he believes that the political integration being pursued by Trinidad and a number of countries in the Eastern Caribbean... read more... Commentary: Guyana at the 36th OIC FM Meeting in Syria Wednesday, June 17, 2009 The participation of Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, to the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) 36 Foreign Minister’s meeting in Damascus, Syria on May 25 did not make news in Guyana. The local media led by Guyana News Agency (GINA) decided that this was not worthy news. read more... Commentary: Why a sound succession plan is important for sustainable development Wednesday, June 17, 2009 A proper succession plan for your business has more of an impact than just the idea that your namesake will survive for future generations, but it’s also critical to sustainable development for the collective as well. Through my experiences with numerous European CEOs working the western European desk... read more... Commentary: Show the truth about tobacco Tuesday, June 16, 2009 Tobacco is the only product that kills half the people who use it, even when they follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Therefore, in order to save millions of lives, the public must be clearly warned about the harm caused by tobacco use, as we underscored during the commemoration of World No Tobacco Day. read more... Commentary: Law and Politics: Are we on the right road? Tuesday, June 16, 2009 I do not believe that it can be truly disputed, that we in these tiny Tri-island State of Grenada, with Carriacou and Petite Martinique to make up the legal structure have had more political upheavals, social and economic disturb-ances, and constitutional and legal bacchanal than any other in the English speaking Caribbean. read more... Commentary: PM Baldwin Spencer faces his Waterloo Monday, June 15, 2009 For several months leading up to the general elections held in March of 2009 to now, the United Progressive Party (UPP) has seen some grim times. It became increasingly obvious that though the UPP boast accountability, transparency and good governance in philosophy, and enacted legislation to ensure the same... read more... Commentary: The US and Cuba: Destined to be an environmental duo? Monday, June 15, 2009 Through accidents of geography and history, Cuba is a priceless ecological resource. The United States should capitalize on its proximity to this resource-rich island nation by moving to normalize relations and establishing a framework for environmental cooperation and joint initiatives throughout the Americas. read more... Commentary: Cuban oil: Havana's potential geo-political bombshell Saturday, June 13, 2009 As the Obama administration slowly inches towards normalizing its relations with Cuba, pressure is mounting on the new president to lift the decades-old, and universally acknowledged, anachronistic embargo. A relic of the Cold War, the Cuban embargo witnessed the loss of its stated purpose years ago. read more... Commentary: The common thread that links Haiti, Guyana, and St Vincent and the Grenadines Saturday, June 13, 2009 Three countries of the Caribbean: Guyana, Haiti and St Vincent and the Grenadines share a common social thread of desperation that binds them together. Their citizens are leaving en masse to find better pastures abroad and their governments are blaming everybody and their fathers for this but themselves. read more... Commentary: Grand Opening of Mind, Body & Soul Fitness Friday, June 12, 2009 As a point of personal privilege, I would like to use today's commentary to pay tribute to my sister, Alice. Alice is the personification of the power of positive thinking. And she is easily the most high-spirited and energetic person I know. I was not at all surprised she felt duty bound to open her own health and fitness center. read more... Commentary: Making CARICOM less 'at risk' Friday, June 12, 2009 Jamaica’s Prime Minister Bruce Golding says that the Caribbean Community and Common Market (Caricom) is “at risk”. He is right and regional leaders should shoulder the blame for this sad development in an area of small countries that need to hold together as the only means of retaining their identity. read more... Commentary: Understanding the OAS' historic decision on Cuba Thursday, June 11, 2009 The recent OAS decision on Cuba was an historic step for the inter-American system. The unanimous resolution took two important decisions: First, it lifted the 1962 suspension on Cuba’s participation in the OAS, should the Cuban government decide it wishes to return to the organization. read more... Next

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