Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

godfrey, you are a genius! you should formulate a third party in belize...

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

not even the opposition leader of belize has put forth a letter like this....we have to keep our democracy alive...godfrey keep up the good work!

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Maybe a bit too harsh (narcissus etc.) but you drove the points home. Let's see what will happen. You might've made some people cry (unread neophytes), Mr. Smith.

But it had to be said.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

touché!

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Questions and Comments on some points:

1. "You promised that the heads of corrupt ex-ministers would roll. None did; despite three attempted prosecutions."
-- I thought this was unfortunate. But at least Barrow tried. And now we know that yes, we can send our politicians to court for their misdeeds. I say, great move!

2. "When Minister Cardona went public in November 2008 about an opaque contract sanctioned by one of your political appointees, you sacked him. "
-- Yeaahh.. he shouldn't have done that.

3. "When the doctors in May 2009 exposed overpriced medical supplies at the national hospital sanctioned by political appointees, you promised that heads would roll; none has."
-- Again, at least he tried. And, we must commend the media for doing a great job covering this story. I think the country is coming a long way with exposing corrupt activities. Keep on trying with this one Barrow.

4. "Your sanctioning of criminal charges against your own UDP Mayor over a few $70.00 invoices has less to do with your will to stamp out corruption and more to do with your intolerance of her defiance."

-- Oh come on, Mr. Smith! Was it really over a few $70.00 invoices?? Did the media have it all wrong? Didn't she overpay herself thousands of dollars, then there's the mansion she's building, the flashy fashion, the big wedding ... really? over a few $70.00 invoices ... errr. I don't know if I believe you on this one. Also, on the flashy fashion, etc. she needs a political advisor. Her image really doesn't help popular public opinion (that she is crooked).

5. "But giving your ex-wife and daughter exclusivity in litigating government cases and putting your son on the board of the nationalized telephone company amounts by international standards to nepotism and cronyism."
--- this was a bit ballsy. I mean, these are very intelligent folks you're talking about here, and I think it's great their offering their talents to Belize, but it was a bad move, politically, definitely. Who is Mr. Barrow's political advisor?

6. "Justifiably, you excoriate the former government for odious secret contracts. The southern based environmentalists accuse you however of signing a secret contract for hydro-electric development that negatively impacts the Bladen Nature Reserve. Juan Coy, your junior Minister from Toledo, has said publicly he knew nothing about it. "
-- All I have to say, how is Juan Coy still the minister of Toledo? He has exceeded his strike limit, hasn't he? And he doesn't give enough interviews. I need to know more about this man, and he needs to provide more answers. As for Barrow's environmental insensitivity. I think he needs to do more nature trails and maybe work towards a PADI certification this year. It'll do him well.

I'll sign off here.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

LOL, I like this one!!!

Particularly the point about appointing Lois and Anwar to the Board of BTL. That one I never ever expected of Dean BArrow. To me he is truly a disappointment. I agree that the sacking of Cardona was two faced. Finnegan appeared on National TV and chided the Minister of National Security and nothing has been done to him.

A very very nice piece Godfrey. I now await the inevitable defence of the PM by "Intolerant of Hypocrites".

Not a genius just an observer

Poor Belize let's not get ahead of ourselves Godfrey is no genius and he is not leadership material. Successful attorney and a good observer yes. You see it is so much easier for him to criticize and analyze now that he is on the other side. He could have used some of these analysis skills he has developed right before he betrayed the G-7. Do you realize the PUP would still be in power id Godfrey did not betray them. He could have made his mark then and really stepped up as a leader in his own right. But he did not, as a result things fell apart and things are the way they are now. People criticize the current PUP leader but a lot of people dont realize that he is doing exactly what a leader should do stay in the game when times are tough. Anyone can be leader when times are good there is no challenge. Being a real leader is staying in the fight when all the odds are against you. Godfrey Smith has shown he cant stay in the fight he rather take the easy road (Proven Fact). Nevertheless his artices stir debate and is a great forum for all of us to share our own point of view.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Black Mamba. I think all of us are in the fight. In his role as a columnist and making these analyses, I'd still say he's very much in the fight. The political system of a country comprises more than just being a member of the opposition and ruling party.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

I agree with you Mamba 100%. Likewise Dean Zero oooops Barrow is also a crappy leader!

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

What a Judas and and an igrate Godfrey is. He can only with time and patience write like how he wishes he could speak impromptu-i.e.-like Dean O. It will never happen. Remember Judas, when you were a little whipper snapper-the first place you sought refuge as an attorney was right at Barrow & Williams until they fired you and ever since-the hating.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

thanks black mamba. it is our responsibility and obligation as citizens of this beautiful country to keep our democracy alive.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

I think Dean let Lois' hatred railroad his government, and conveniently so for him. Methinks he might be getting some of those legal fees. On that score you are right Godfrey; it has become government by litigation.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Godfrey, you are right on freaking target! You hit the nail on the head again! I also think he is running a racket with his ex-wife and getting a % of everything she collects from Government litigation. Very good revenue from that "business deal"!

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Godfrey, Isn't it easier to write (& not even that well)? This is proof! Because as a minister - you got an F!!

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Excellent. I think you hit all the points squarely on the head. My only wish, and it is probably a vain one, is that the PM would actually take on some of your suggestions. Ah well. At least you try.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Mind your head roll Godfrey. You are egging the PM to go after corrupt ex-ministers...mind yourself.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Godfrey Smith, the Writer?

Godfrey Smith is obviously now suffering from an advanced form of psychosis, bipolarity. His effort to remake himself as a “Writer” after his (even in the context of an epochal defeat for the PUP) spectacular personal electoral disaster, was at first entertaining. He is decent, if at times laboured, with words. And the tension between his new role as objective reviewer and the manifest sins of which he had been individually guilty as a minister, was enlivening. Of course, there was always the possibility that the artificial armature he had donned, would collapse under its own weight. But as long as we could feel that he was, even if he wouldn’t say it in print, conscious of the essential falsity of his position, the game could go on.

Alas, however, Mr. Smith these days is very much a bridge too far. He has begun to take himself seriously as some lacerating moral and political arbiter, and it simply won’t do. After all, it is but a moment’s work to recollect, and recite, all the shabby doings of our would-be Solzhenitsyn.

As an example, how could a man that as minister made the tax payers foot the bill for his bespoke suits from Taiwan, pose with any conviction as an Olympian? With Ralph Fonseca, there was at least a certain grandeur about the scale of his actions. Repugnance apart, there was heft-of robber baron proportions – to contend with. But Smith was always grubby. So that even when there was magnification, as with the Companies Registry, the 800k from the unbuilt Foreign Affairs Headquarters, the Marine Parade and St. George’s Caye land grabs, it seemed to lead only to an increase in shoddiness. Never was there any grandness of conception, any sweep of execution.

Obviously, Smith is unable to acknowledge the record of his own smallness. But affecting instead to inhabit some redeemed world as giver of a new gospel, won’t any longer fly. This is especially so when it comes to Telemedia, a matter that is a case study for the seaminess of Smith’s contradictions. Can anyone forget that it was in the teeth of cascading public disgust with Michael Ashcroft that Smith developed the habit of accepting the free rides on the private jet? (By the way, irony is one of the great tools of a writer. But it is a quality Smith clearly doesn’t possess. For it never seemed to strike him that there was anything remotely amiss with the racial optics of his Ashcroft – sponsored trip to Africa). Even now Smith is a paid advocate – when his G-7 nemesis, and the man the empire obviously considers his legal better, is unavailable – for Ashcroft. The blitheness with which Smith is able to shuck this uncomfortable fact and transition to being, from his commentariat perch, the righteous scourge of nationalization, is a precise measure of what’s wrong with him. Now if Smith were to confess that his ‘writings’ are apologetics for himself, his party and his patron, we could live with that. It is when he seeks to pass off hackery as oracular wisdom; or, worse, when he doesn’t any longer know the difference, that we take umbrage.

There is also the nasty elitism reflected in Smith’s fault-finding with the paper qualifications of current Cabinet incumbents. But Smith himself is the best example that degrees alone do not an effective Minister make. He was flash-in-the-pan as Attorney General. Early promise faded early; and the questions came thick and fast about the Court of Appeal material and design being so strikingly replicated at the concomitantly constructed Marine Parade Chambers.

Equally, Smith was not liked at Tourism by the stakeholders, and not seen as successful. Again, the ministerial discretionary fund seemed to serve as a platform for abuse both rank and petty. But this was indeed small beer compared to the NEMO relief supplies ending up in the private warehouse.

Then there was Foreign Affairs. Here, Smith himself has conceded that he was less than engaged. The judgment of his colleagues on the Negotiating Team with Guatemala, is, of course, far harsher. By most accounts he was a washout, and suffered terribly by comparison with ministers before and after.

So, Godfrey, give it a rest. There is nothing that equips you as any serious critic, gives you any right to judge. Dilettantism, only, remains your strong suit. Go back, therefore, to that frothy confection in which you play merely the role of cerebrally amused observer. That way you can chuckle to your heart’s content at the weird ways of the world, the bizarre remove between Parnassian aspirations and pygmy abilities. Just don’t forget to laugh even when it is clear the joke is on you.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Okay, "Really?" -- that was nice. But stepping aside from analyzing Godrey Smith, the writer, why don't you comment on the points he brought up? We sure would like to read your thoughts. (Zenaida Moya, Cardona, the ex, daughter and son ... etc.)

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Really!, hhmmm, you REALLY ought to stick the issues. If I didn't know any better I'd swear you were dodging the bullet, much like what the current administration does about everything. You know, real magic act. Make a diversion with the left hand while the right hand pulls the wool over people's eyes. With all the big words, us poor grass roots are lost in the rhetoric.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

WOWWWWW THAT POST IS DOWNRIGHT SCANDALOUS. LOL!!

You guys already know which one I'm talking about. Talk about not throwin stones when you live in a glass house......

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Really. Although I agree with much of what you have to say, your piece comes off as you trying too hard to sound intellectual and match witts with Godfrey.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

"Nihil est incertius vulgo, nihil obscurius voluntate hominum, nihil fallacius ratione tota comitiorum." (Nothing is more unpredictable than the mob, nothing more obscure than public opinion, nothing more deceptive than the whole political system.) - Cicero

Really! writes like an English major flunkie who spent too much time reading Shakespeare in hopes of supplementing his fourth rate education. "Alas," "Obviously," and "Equally," to which I would add "Unfortunately" preoccupied with his own limitations that he mistakes political populism for "oracular wisdom." Here's a tip: the oracle does not exist; it is a self-fulfilling dictatorship . . . predicated on the belief in destiny. To think that the "oracle" is "wise," is to be a fool in the mob.

More to the point, Belize needs less people like you. Partisan cronies that vote UDP or PUP because at some point or another your mother or father "knew someone" or "was someone" in either party. Yes, the PUP is not perfect, however, their internal disagreements in the last term were based on ideology. In this (also imperfect UDP) administration, the internal disagreements are lodged in territorial disputes and graft.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Hey, Belizean in Foreign, tell me more about this difference in ideology with the PUP in their last term ...

I've always found it difficult to see any particular ideologies standing out of both parties. And when you ideology are talking about left and right?

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Belizean in foreign - I pray your contribution was easier to write than it was to read. Still I concede, they must have much bigger books "da foreign" our impoverished asses wouldn't know Cicero from Soulja Boy. But to your comments. Based on ideology! Good one. Let's see....guarantee Intelco's debts with Social Security Funds so that your dear friend's "startup" can surely succeed (Ashcroft called it a pension scheme for the "boys"), then force BTL investors to cover SSB's exposure - by buying up the Intelco assets and junk collateral and cover their subsequent exposure in an accommodation agreement for which taxpayers will have to ultimately foot the bill - all without telling your own Cabinet or the Belizean people...yeah, that sounds pretty ideological - if the idea is kleptocracy.
Sharp point, that one.
To quote the author, Godfrey of Said Musa's self-appraisal:"To say that at the end of the 1993-1998 UDP term "the people felt cheated and there was growing cynicism in the land" without admitting that at the end of the 1998-2008 term the people felt violated and there was galactic cynicism in the land contradicts any claim of objectivity.

If indeed the "vision was for a nation where laws and institutions are honoured and the government accountable to the people" why was the party perceived as one of the most unaccountable? To lay the blame for this on feuding immature ministers and a jaundiced media is, to put it charitably, overly simplistic and unconvincing.

It was difficult to get beyond the sentence: "The issue of 'secret' contracts was a media creation.", when in fact the government was riddled with them."

Did dear old Cicero, sage that he was, say anything about missing the boat completely?

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

I really think that idea resonates with quite a lot of the educated people in Belize, Student. Ideology being identified in our political parties is as easy as finding honest politicians...

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Godfree of PUP - since you set it up so perfectly, I will oblige . . .

I did not miss the "boat," Barrow, et al., landed it on the reef, so it never arrived.

You too, like the rest, are a part of the problem. I am sure you feel indebted to some UDP crony for a wasted piece of land that you did not have the decency to pay full price for, yet you would speak of robbery by politicians. People like you don't understand the futility of defending these politicians due to some sense of "loyalty." Be honest with yourself, you are not loyal, you are indebted. YOU ARE AN INDENTURED SERVANT. i pity you.

I am sorry you don't have books. Perhaps your ignorant minister of education will give you a scholarship to UB? If you ask nicely, I'm sure he will concede. Oh, and good luck finding a job once you graduate, all of us "da foreign" are coming home to take your jobs.

I hope you see how easy it is to hurl insults . . . try to be a part of solution.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Belizean in Foreign: You attack others for being:txtSearch"

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Belizean in Foreign: You attack others for being UDP symphatizers by defending the UDP politicians "due to some sense of loyalty" Please, I pray tell, why do you so vehemently defensive of the PUP. How is your defence of the blue different from Godfree and Really's myopic defence of the red?

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

So back to the points Godrey brought up in this column, what do you guys think?

How about this one for starters, "You promised that the heads of corrupt ex-ministers would roll. None did; despite three attempted prosecutions."

I thought this was a noble effort on Barrow's part. I'm sure we can all agree that some ex-ministers should have been charged. Perhaps we can find some ministers in the current administration that should be charged.

I thought this was progressive and a good step in democracy for Belize to hold corrupt ministers accountable. It wasn't successful, but a good step nonetheless. Any thoughts?

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

At least it shows the people that our leaders in government are not untouchable. I think too many people feel that they are. In fact in Belize, as in many other developing countries, we expect our political leaders to get away with corruption. So I think, this is a fostering a new element in our political culture.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

I agree with you Student. Godfrey is being assinine to hold the PM responsible for the fact that the Courts have exonerated the corrupt ex ministers.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

And how about this one:

"When Minister Cardona went public in November 2008 about an opaque contract sanctioned by one of your political appointees, you sacked him."

This is what I pulled from the news archives: "[Losing his portfolio in Cabinet had to do with the debacle between] Cardona and his NICH President, Diane Haylock over her decision to sign a concession agreement without conferring with him. Things turned ugly with Cardona and the NICH Board calling for Haylock’s termination, the NICH administrator resigning his post, and members of the board at one point locking Haylock out of her office. After appearing in front of the Cabinet ministers to defend her actions, Haylock was not fired, but rather suspended for a month, much to Cardona’s embarrassment, who also had to publicly apologize to the P.M."

Then there was also this:

"Funds for the Venezula Housing program had passed through Cardona’s hands for his constituency and only benefitted a construction company owned by Cardona’s first cousin (who refuted the claims made by Finnegan in a Channel 5 news article)"

What exactly is the story here with the "opaque contract." Did Cardona deserve to be "sacked"? Could have Barrow have handled this better?

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Student: One had nothing to do with the other, the venezuela money was many many months after. Barrow sacked Cardona because he dared to call out one of his favorites. Punto final end of story!

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Did Barrow ever explain his decision to sack Cardona to the public? Can't find anything in the news archives. I'm curious. And what did Diane Haylock have to say about all this?

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

PM never explained his decision. It was simply because Cardona had embarrassed one of his favorite girls.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

I wonder why "Really" did not mention the highjacking of the Companies Registry. Could it be because either he or his family was involved? I can see you Really, I know who u are...and most would be very very very surprised to know it is you, here, live and in person, the demigod in flesh on our little forum!

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

I note that Really!'s long comment has been reproduced as a full page column in this week's Guardian. Really! is really Dean Barrow. One would think he has better things to do than write political columns - columns that attack opposition personally as opposed to addressing the substance of the criticisms.

Open comment to PM Barrow: You won the election already sir. Start campaigning in 2012. Not now. Run the country right now. The time it took you to write that article, you should have had a read of the Crooks Report and formulated some thoughts on how to effectively implement it. Better still, you should have put in a phone call to the AG and ask him what his Sol. Gen. is doing because in these recessionary times, the Government cannot afford Lois Young's Senior Counsel rates of $700-$1000 per hour.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Sounds like that big marbles (with words) di play ya between Godfrey and Really! Godfrey succeeded in getting the PM's attention for sure. I would dare say this open letter even prompted a state of the nation address. Let the marbles continue to roll. I love to watch di game!!

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

It is obvious that all you guys writing are PUPs & Godfrey commenting on his own forum under another name --what a joke. Be fi real!

What Really! wrote is the truth --personal --but the truth nonetheless. Let's not forget

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Did everybody see the little love sonnet that Dean gave to his ex on National TV?

"Loisy Loisy... U worked for free...indebted I am to thee...now you shall make all the money... from our country....Married I am...but in my heart you will forever be...never mind kim...she da only mi bally"

What none of those idiots at the press conference, Jules included, asked was why isnt the Solicitor General handling the litigation for GOB! We can ill afford to pay Lois $1000.00 an hour. I dont buy that bull about his firm not making any money either!

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Did everybody see the little love sonnet that Dean gave to his ex on National TV?

"Loisy Loisy... U worked for free...indebted I am to thee...now you shall make all the money... from our country....Married I am...but in my heart you will forever be...never mind kim...she da only mi bally"

What none of those idiots at the press conference, Jules included, asked was why isnt the Solicitor General handling the litigation for GOB! We can ill afford to pay Lois $1000.00 an hour. I dont buy that bull about his firm not making any money either!

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Man, I can’t wait fi next Tuesday to see what “Shafts of brilliance” di PM’s cabinet weh come up with. These are the man’s words:

“You know I try answer every question but I really would prefer to hold my powder until the Cabinet has been able to grapple with this issue on Tuesday. There are some broad outlines that of course appear to be inevitable but please I think I would be unfair to my colleagues if I started running my mouth when they have not yet have a chance to look at the numbers and come up with the shafts of brilliance that will obviously be needed, that will enable us to get over the hump.”

Any ideas, anyone? Perhaps Godfrey can write a letter with his own shafts of brilliance!!!

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Shafts of brilliance from the UDP Cabinet?.LOL..LOL..LOL..LOL..LOL Haha..shafts of brilliance from Pablo Marin....LOL...Perdomo...LOL...Sedi..LOL...Erwin(unless it's football)..LOL. We di get shaft yes..but da nuh brilliance! PM tek this article personal fi mek he have to answer personally, just goes to show that the truth hurts. It hurt so bad that his response tek up a whole page in the Guardian. I guess Basketball Federation nuh wa get anymore money fi send Godfrey go argue fi the National Team!

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Don't think that's the PM commenting here, but even if it were, what's wrong with that? If I were the PM, I'd make a comment too. In fact, better yet, I'd respond to this column in a TV interview. Belize is so small, that this little column carries heavy weight, doesn't it? Same with Mr. Hyde's articles. Aren't they newsworthy?

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

And this isn't just some ordinary column -- it's an open letter to the PM that has been shared with the public. I think he should respond publicly. And, he shouldn't point any fingers at anyone.That won't get us anywhere, and he will look silly. But I think he should respond to all criticisms made by Godfrey Smith and others in a public forum of some sort. He can comment on some points brought up in this column such as the "unread neophytes" or the Cardona sacking, etc. And we can all listen and measure his defense.
Ooh better yet, the next time the PM holds any public conference where journalists can ask questions, I think one of the reporters should keep this column handy to ask some questions. There we go. And he can go from there.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Question: Why is it that our daily evening news doesn’t address these political commentaries? I can see News 7 squeezing in a "Former minister, attorney general and current attorney Godfrey Smith recently published an open letter to the PM on his online blog, Flashpoint. Today we met with Mr. Smith to ask him more about his latest commentary / Mr. Smith did not return our calls. We also met with the PM (or someone else from the Barrow administration) to share his (their) thought(s) with us on Mr. Smith's column (insert interview) / or no one from the Barrow administration returned our calls.
And followers of the column also had their bit to share: Maybe even ask the opposition for their take. For example, "I think Godrey nailed it in this column,” said Opposition Leader Johnny Briceno … etc.

LOL. Okay, I might be getting carried away with my imagination.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Student - you watch channel 7? hmm....

anyway, i agree, that the news producers in Belize are "wanting" in their daily broadcasts. you have to remember though, their is no "independent media" in Belize. it is a question of motive. that is, there is no intention/desire to provide unbiased news or factual information. instead, the media (if you can call it that) are really just megaphones for their respective parties; they are "party organs."

in a way, you have to realize that there are simply not enough "eyes" watching the news in Belize daily to force change . . . the bread and butter revenue is patronizing the respective party viewers who watch the news in the hopes of some "smoking gun" story defaming the other party.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Of course I watch Channel 7. And I watch Channel 5 as well. (just threw 7 out as an example.) I'd encourage everyone else to do the same if they have the time. Why deprive yourself of the other opinion, especially if you're attempting to make your own judgment of matters.

There's got to be some cohort of viewers that doesn't match up to this generalization of TV news viewers, you're giving here Graduate. There's got to be a group, like me, who's looking at both channels (of course since they air simultaneously, this would mean people with internet access) and trying to see through the propaganda.

Anyway, TV on a whole has been notorious for not providing independent views (as in American media), but I'd argue Belize is more in your face partisan kind of like FOX more so than CNN.

How about radio and newspapers? Are those outlets more effective in Belize to force change?

Would it be better then for the PM to address his critics in those media?

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Or, I mean, better then, that those media (newspapers and radio) try to create a news story based on these political commentaries?

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Are they more eyes on newspapers than TV, more ears to radio than TV, you think?

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Lightbulb! What about public television or radio? Could we swing that in Belize? A non-profit that relies on donations to survive (like USA's national public radio or american public television) or maybe taxes ... to operate (like the BBC)?

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Top Ten reasons why Barrow sacked Cardona:

1. Cardona dared to interfere with a woman with whom the PM has some history. As a candidate for the UDP of course, I hope your minds were not in the gutter, remember that she ran on the UDP ticket in Pickstock when Sedi was on one of his frolics.

2. Cardona uses to much grease in his hair. The PM having no hair..yu get the picture?...hair envy!

3. Cardona worked for Ashcroft for a good many years! (As did the PM, I wonder why he hasn't sacked himself?)

4. The PM saw what a bunch of good for nothing lawyers in Cabinet could do between 1998-2008 so he preferred to limit the numbers to just himself and the Knight in Bearded Armour of Pickstock.

5. The Chetumal fiasco (remember that? Lol, dat was funny..for those of you who don't know, he was involved in an accident in Chetumal and it was plastered in the Chetumal TV news. Cardona stood away from the cameras with his head to the wall..LOL)

6. Too many Nortenos in Cabinet speaking spanglish was undesirable.

7. Cardona took his portfolio too seriously. Sports and culture is only a token Ministry and the Minister should only smile and make appearances at football and basketball matches and ribbon cutting ceremonies as is the case with Elvin Penner.

8. You don't have to explain things to Penner as many times.

9. Looks are deceiving and Cardona didn't turn out to be a "YES MAN"

10. Lois told him to do it!

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

How about the "unread neophytes"?
One of our commentors, mentioned that Godfrey was being "elitist" with this statement.

Do you think the Cabinet should assign monthly book readings? Didn't someone in Cabinet request that they read Ashcroft's book at some point?

I think that'd be a good idea. Everyone assigned a book to read each month and required to submit a book report. Maybe read about the political structure of a different country to collect ideas. This month we'll read about Universal Health Care in Taiwan. Next month we'll read about the abortion policy in the United States, firearms in Switzerland etc.

Why has Godfrey come to the assumption that they are unread anyway?

It's understandable that not everyone who tries to enter politics will be a Harvard graduate or an educated superstar. Arguably, a genuine desire to help a country should be good enough, but maybe we need to have some intensive two-week training workshops for our ministers following election victory. And a refresher, once every two months or so wouldn't hurt.

Two week training Excerpt:
Held in Belmopan.

Monday:

8-10 a.m.: Corruption: how to avoid it; making ethical decisions while carrying out your portfolio; how to tell drug lords, "No"; etc.

10-10:30 a.m.: Break -- discuss workshop with other ministers over coffee; low budget snacks (due to recession)

10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Handling the Media: How to explain to reporters your projects etc.; making transparency a priority; maintaining composure, professionalism ... avoiding childish name calling and using the phrases, "As far as I know" or "to my knowledge" as they demonstrate lack of communication and weakness in your team.)

12 p.m. 1 p.m. LUNCH (low-budget due to recession)

1 p.m. - 2 p.m. -- Previous Mistakes: Analyzing the errors made by previous administrations (both UDP and PUP) and discussing what you would have done instead and why (e.g. overpass on Northern Highway, misappropriation of Social Security funds, etc.)

2 p.m. - 3 p.m. -- BZN political history: Special guest historians reflect on movement to independence -- what can we learn from former leaders: Discuss nationalism

3 - 4 p.m. -- Counseling by licensed psychiatrist-- how to handle criticism and stress; balancing politics and family ...

-- So what I'm saying is, okay, maybe we have some foks in Cabinet who didn't receive a College education, but they are here, they've been elected, so let's train them for the jobs.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Just an observation, but has anyone noticed how many times the Prime Minister begins a sentence with, "I THINK." This is not good. It doesn't show unity, and instead of speaking on behalf of his administration, it seems he's speaking for himself. I really think, he should try cutting this habit, and say "WE THINK." And if that gets someone angry in his Cabinet, then well, that says a lot about a lack of cohesion within his administration.

So, let's see from news archives how many times our PM has begun a sentence with, "I think."

Feb. 11, 2010, "Will the government negotiate with the teacher’s union?", Channel 5

"When that year is finished I think there will be a turnaround because so much of what’s happening here is related to world economic circumstances."

"[...] I think they have to come into the discussions with realistic expectations and a preparedness to recognize that they are part of a larger society that is going through some fundamentally difficult times as the world, as the region are going through difficult circumstances."

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Feb. 11, 2010, "Credit Unions to provide micro-financing for 15,000 households", Channel 5

"I think it’s very important. It obviously is designed to be a poverty alleviation tool"

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Jan. 6, 2010: "PM says he won’t reprimand Foreign Minister for his comment", Channel 5

"I believe that the reaction is overblown. I really think that it’s exaggerated; it is not justified by the facts. I am prepared to concede that in the context of what was said, the whole incident is very regrettable."

The point here is, he needs to stop telling us what he thinks and what he believes. Even if a reporter asks him in interviews, "What do you think?" he should answer "We think", "the Cabinet thinks" ...

From the interviews, he brings across this one-man show thing that has been one of Godfrey Smith's repeated criticisms. Understandably, there are times when he will have to say what "he thinks", but in many cases, he could make an effort to express his views on behalf of the Cabinet.

Am I over analyzing?

Just an observation.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

The PM really thinks us Belizeans are idiots! It look like when yu turn Prime Minister yu start believe the schupidness weh yu talk. Mek ah tell unu something, yu see how the PM the rail up bout how every other lawyer in the press conference last week is in Michael Ashcroft pocket. Then he point out 2 in attendance n said that they were not. Well guess what, he DEAN BARROW is also in Ashcroft's pocket. His firm BARROW & WILLIAMS still represents the Belize Bank and as a partner he i still making money from Ashcroft. So when he talk bout every other lawyer di work fi Ashcroft, he forget fi seh that he da one a dem too!!!!!

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

I felt a lot more insulted by the previous prime minister. This PM still has a bit more slack with me.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

I would hope that instead of being ashcroft's prophet you would return the money that you squandered while being a minister. What is the point you and Deano using a thesaurus to transfer basic info to us poor ignorant Bzeans. Sadly you are all the same after you get fat off the resources of the Bzeans then suddenly you become a problem solver. Get real and stop doing this ridiculous blog! You had your chance and you blew it you are a hypocrite in our eyes!!!

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

DEAN BARROW is a poser. His law firm STILL OWRKS FOR ASHCROFT. What do you have to say to that Dean?

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Could any of the Dean Barrow apologists like "Intolerant of Hypocrites" or Dean Barrow himself through his alter ego "Really" please exlain how it is that Dean Barrow poses on TV to scoff at and complain about lawyers representing Ashcroft when his very own firm represents the Belize Bank!

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

mr smith was defending our democracy...that is all that he was doing...stop complain people.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

His firm is still handling the Belize Bank's mortgages. When was the last time someone from Barrow and Williams appeared in court for any of the Ashcroft shadow companies or the bank? The fact that he and the firm can make money off Ashcroft shows that he (Ashcroft) is stupid enough to let Barrow and Williams make money off him as lawyers. What is of relevance to the Belizean public is that OUR affairs are not compromised by their relationship with Ashcroft as lawyers. Let Eamon Courtenay show (not tell) where his loyalty as a politician and where his loyalty as a lawyer lie. The answer? Squarely at the foot of the Lord.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

RAGM, your comments are quite amusing and had u said it in my presence i would have handed you some toilet paper for you to wipe ur mouth. I mentioned the work of Dean Barrow for Ashcroft only because he raised the issue himself. He accused every other lawyer of being in Ashcroft's pocket as if working for Ashcroft is equal to working for the devil. The reality is that even though he tries to put out to the nation that working and collecting money from Ashcroft is such a terrible thing he and his partner get a check from the Lord every month. Whatever you try to say will not negate that fact. The next time the PM is addressing the Belizean people about lawyers who work for Ashcroft he needs to declare that he is still collecting money from the very same devil he curses!

As for Eamon Courtenay, I would never attempt to defend him but your comment is even more ludicrous. He owes no loyalty to anyone as a lawyer except to the person who is paying him, your PM can tell you that, he like Courtenay, has pushed numerous cases in his career which may have been perceived as against the national interest at the time. Courtenay is a professional and he is doing what he is being paid to do... end of story. To take your point to its logical conclusion, if one of our notorious criminals is rushed to the emergency room, the doctor should in good conscience refuse to save his life because it is in the national interest to do so? I doubt it.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

RAGM, your comments are quite amusing and had u said it in my presence i would have handed you some toilet paper for you to wipe ur mouth. I mentioned the work of Dean Barrow for Ashcroft only because he raised the issue himself. He accused every other lawyer of being in Ashcroft's pocket as if working for Ashcroft is equal to working for the devil. The reality is that even though he tries to put out to the nation that working and collecting money from Ashcroft is such a terrible thing he and his partner get a check from the Lord every month. Whatever you try to say will not negate that fact. The next time the PM is addressing the Belizean people about lawyers who work for Ashcroft he needs to declare that he is still collecting money from the very same devil he curses!

As for Eamon Courtenay, I would never attempt to defend him but your comment is even more ludicrous. He owes no loyalty to anyone as a lawyer except to the person who is paying him, your PM can tell you that, he like Courtenay, has pushed numerous cases in his career which may have been perceived as against the national interest at the time. Courtenay is a professional and he is doing what he is being paid to do... end of story. To take your point to its logical conclusion, if one of our notorious criminals is rushed to the emergency room, the doctor should in good conscience refuse to save his life because it is in the national interest to do so? I doubt it.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Excellent point about the doctor Said Barrow.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

So Eamon Courtenay working for Ashcroft is fine, but Barrow doing the same isn't? Barrow also happens to be a 'professional', no?

SAID BARROW, you missed the salient point here, which is that Barrow making money off Ashcroft is the business of Barrow and Ashcroft. Ashcroft making money off Belizeans with Barrow's consent (which he is NOT) is OURS. Barrow stands up to Ashcroft. The only ass in the equation is Ashcroft, who, as a businessman, can't get a quid pro quo from Barrow.

Convince me that Musa signing those secret agreements and giving tax breaks to Ashcroft for payments to his party's purse is equivalent to what Barrow is doing.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

RAGM, the fatal flaw in your reasoning with me is that of a typical Belizean. You feel that because I criticize Barrow that makes me PUP and therefore you resort to pointing fingers at the past wrongs of the PUP in the hope that I will jump to their defence and thereby forget the point I was making in the first place. Well you are wrong, I cannot convince you that Musa signing those secret agreements and giving tax breaks is equivalent to what Barrow is doing because I cannot convince you of something I don't believe. I do not support/defend the actions of any party blindly as my name implies. When the UDP does nonsense (as is quite often) I will speak out, likewise when the PUP does so I will also be the first to criticize. Musa betrayed the Belizean people by signing those agreements, his duty was to the people of Belize and he failed us but that is why he is now relegated to a washed out opposition observer who is used as a punching bag in the House of Representatives.

On your other point, the first one you made which was that Barrow too is a professional. He happens to be but HE is the one who has been parading on the media suggesting that it is a capital offence to work for Ashcroft when he has not declared to the nation that his firm continues to do so. Why can't you see this point? Are you so blinded by your support of Barrow that you can't see he is being a hypocrite? And yes it is Eamon Courtenay's constitutional right to work for whoever he pleases, we still live in a free country don't we? Or did that change on February 7, 2008? Did anybody call out Barrow in a press conference when he chose to defend notorious drug traffickers from extradtition to the US?

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

SAID BARROW -- I know I had heard something about Barrow defending notorious trug traffickers .. but I might have been too young to be paying serious attention at the time. Can you tell us more about that? Nothing pisses me off more than the drug trade and politicians who make it extra hard for us to prosecute those heading the business.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Dean Barrow has defended known traffickers from extradition proceedings, but that is not the point. The point is that as a professional he was free to work for whom he pleased and nobody jumped down his throat for it even if his defence of these persons was against the national interest. Had anyone called him out on it I would have been the first to defend him because as a man he is free to work for anyone that can afford his fees, full stop. Now that he is in Government he will scoff at others for doing the same thing which he was doing not many months ago. This is the level of hipocrisy that disgusts me in politics. Also particularly disgusting is the fact that he constantly attacked the repulsive nepotism and cronysim of the PUP but under his hand his son is named a Director of the state owned BTL along with his ex wife and his brother is appointed to the Court of Appeal! Yet he does not see how this is business as usual. The more things change the more they remain the same.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Sooo, to save political face, Barrow needs to:

1. remove the assignments given to his ex-wife, daughter, brother and son -- they may be excellent at what they do, but it's urgent that he does something about this ...

2. clarify his remarks about attorneys working for ashcroft and explain his firm's business interests with Ashcroft.

p.s. I can't believe our P.M. once defended drug traffickers. I know it's before he took office, but still, we voted in a leader who protected those people..? this makes me cringe. i don't know how you can accept dirty money for your services to drug traffickers and then feel confident enough to run for politics. I guess it says that Belizeans have a high tolerance for the drug trade. I'm guessing the P.M. before was in a similar situation too ... we are an interesting group of people.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Mr. Smith, could you please consider shedding some light on how the drug trade works in Belize in one of your upcoming columns and explain its implications/ties in the political, economical and legal circles?

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

About defending drug traffickers -- I need help understanding this. because, well, everyone needs representation in court -- the murderer, the rapist, the drug trafficker, and someone's got to do the job defending ... does it make that person bad? not necessarily, right? .. so maybe i'm wrong about condemning my P.M. because he defended drug traffickers in his legal career? for example, Obama defended a slum lord, in his legal career, but it didn't stop him from running in politics and even getting elected as president. Thoughts, anyone?

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

When will Dean Barrow explain why his firm still acts for Ashcroft's interest?

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

When a brave reporter asks him the question in the next interview.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

JULES! Since you like the parade bout like you are the fountain of everything righteous next time you get a chance ask Dean Barrow when will he explain why his law firm is still creating mortgages at the exorbitant interest rate levels(that he so often complains about) for Ashcroft.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

JULES! Since you like the parade bout like you are the fountain of everything righteous next time you get a chance ask Dean Barrow when will he explain why his law firm is still creating mortgages at the exorbitant interest rate levels(that he so often complains about) for Ashcroft.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Godfrey, write bout how Mark Espat wa join yu club!! How much money you willing to donate to his scholarship fund?

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Man ih waahn look like Really! chasten Godfrey, 'cause ih gaan quiet pan wih.

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Well stated, however nothing new, nothing changes. pray for Belize

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

Student, get an education and read news archives and talk to your elders and stop trying to use this forum as a tool to pretend you need "explanations". Your diversions are, well, 'diverting', in the dictionary sense of amusing. You are a troll and you must come out from under the bridge.

On to more sensible things - Dean Barrow has not yet been challeged on the ridiculous assertion that he paid Lois Young Barrow 1.5 M and in return she recovered 42 M ...how bout that whopper, Said Barrow?

Re: Open Letter to the Prime Minister: Feb 7th 2010

CITYCRAB, I like to think that I play the role of representing the ignorant neophytes of the masses esp. of the early 20 something Belizean generation who are just starting to pay attention to politics. Put yourself in my shoes. Just getting your college education, just starting to keep up with the news, you're LOADED with questions! This forum is a way for me to be a participant in the democratic process rather than just a subject or parochial. But I admit, I do interject some humour in here, especially with my intensive workshops suggestion : ) . I'm assuming most people who comment here are older and more knowledgeable about our political system than I am ... I learn a lot from them and Mr. Smith.

But yes, on to more sensible things!