Re: Basta, Briceño!

In the words of Dumas' Count of Monte Cristo:

"Live, then, and be happy, beloved children of [Belize], and
never forget that until the day when God shall deign to
reveal the future to man, all human wisdom is summed up in
these two words, -- `Wait and hope.'"

By the way . . . who are these "cast of handlers, speechwriters and image-makers" of which you speak?

Put me in coach!!

Re: Basta, Briceño!

And replace him with whom? Put the old guard back? Ha! Neva play...

Re: Basta, Briceño!

And replace him with whom? Put the old guard back? Ha! Neva play...

Re: Basta, Briceño!

These words ring so true... There are many PUP's who want to serve... many who want to support, there is a reason the ground swell is not happening...

This commentary has many points that are accurate... It would be nice if the author would give HIS opinions personally, since he once served and states:

"the weight of whose corruption had cracked the concrete pillars of the mighty edifice of the party and brought it crashing down"

Re: Basta, Briceño!

Mr. Godfrey,

You say that John Briceno is a master of provincial politics...tell us master of what are you?
In the matter of politics, by your record, you don't even qualify to be called an apprentice of urban or neigbourhood politics......we note that now you are dedicated to being the puppet...of guess who?

Talk about the Venezuelan Monies...please tell us Mr Godfrey just how much of that money did you get to spend in "your constituency"...and you still got booted out! You were part and parcel of the corrupt bunch you frequently make reference to.

And do you really believe that John Briceno and his supporters will just accept what the pseudo-intellectuals/attorneys of the City want? We've been there done that and got real burnt...didn't we Mr Godfrey? Weren't you a part of it? Get Real! We are tired of liad politico-attorneys....most are just a bunch of leeches.

As we would say in spanish....!Adelante a los que se creen chingones...aqui en el Norte les esperamos!!!!

Re: Basta, Briceño!

i can agree with Mr Smith on this.. but maybe if Party Leader had more season politicians around him not like Stuart Leslie that comes from a PRO UDP family in the kings park area and i know many of Johnny's loyalist from OW dont even know that. how can u have such a man be ur so called chief of staff and even thinks that he is bigger than the deputy chairman and every other executive... But Party leader u have alot of useless people around u that have positions in the executives like Eamon Courtney that cant do shit, what funding has he brought to this party he is a waste of time then u have so called deputy like Dan Silva that is racist as they come a one time UDP mayor in cayo converted PUP come on man we dont need racist on the executive we need ppl that have vision and the only vision i h have heard he has is to rid this party of arabs and turks.. Ms Alma not sure what or who u are but dont defend something or someone when u dont know what the full story is... I have faith in the Party Leader but like Mr Smith said he is weak to attack and weak in his creativity on how to attack this dumb ass government. u have a ton of creative young minds in the party try and tap into this and make this thing possible or else its another 5 yrs of frustration, murder, diseases, corruption,, etc this other idiot "I d listen on" the So called old guard have their faults but remember and appreciate one thing u were safer and eating way better when they were in command of things compared to now unless u are one of the few blessed by the barrow administration to earn a descent living

So done this shit and lets be grown adults and make this party lead this country back to where it should be

Re: Basta, Briceño!

With Idiots like Johny and Traitors like Godfrey what more could the UDp and people of Belize want-nice advcie on how to mutiny coming from Godfrey-didnt he try, flip and fail? What a bunch of hypcrites.

Re: Basta, Briceño!

Matthew 10:2-22. "And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.".

Can't wait to see where this one will go.. The PUP of George Price is no more. The small semblance that remained over the past 10 years is officially dead. This new shakeout pits the three factions against each other into what is shaping up to be a mortal combat to the end. Musa is too soiled to bring any credibility, while Briceno is too week and as Godfrey stated, too provincial to prove national leadership appeal. Mark has gone to far in the shadows, and his game is obviously to emerge as the Phoenix after the ashes are cooled.

The PUP is failing to realize that the electorate of today features a huge middle swing. This swing, no matter how disgruntled with the UDP, will not support an uncertain regime, which is all that PUP has to offer. They have yet to bring the loyal under a single tent, mush less bring the swing vote, and certainly are a far road from influencing even borderline of disgruntled UDPs.

Re: Basta, Briceño!

Nice article except that I would not have ruff up the Party Leader so much. The Devil (with a capital D) is Henry Charles Usher, who was planted in the PUP by the Old Guard to destroy Briceno. The Party Leader is between a rock and a hard place. Either he pleases the Old Guard or be removed from the leadership. The irony is that he will lose the leadership in any event since the Old Guard is putting their supporters in the constituencies to eventually overthrow him. All the standard bearers who were endorsed will vote against him for the leadership. One more thing, and this is a promise, the party will not win Belize Rural North in 2012 (or 2013)!!

Re: Basta, Briceño!

WELL PUT GODFREY,

Re: Basta, Briceño!

"Cry havoc! and then let slip the dogs of war." Being the hammer on the anvil of discord within the PUP must be pleasing to you. You long to return to reap the spoils of war. Your legitimate gains give you no pleasure.

Re: Basta, Briceño!

Instead of criticizing the Leadership why isnt there a forum to make suggestion on how we can make the party a better organization for all of us. We always quick to criticize. That is why we are where we are as a nation all we do is criticize criticize. Start offering suggestions man, gosh sick of all the blame game, and bringing down people. its not healthy

Re: Basta, Briceño!

Both the PUP's and the UDP's should step down and go into exile forever. under their leadership, Belize has seen nothing but financial and economic disaster,foreign usurpation of our natural resources, incompetence in governance of the country, bombast on part of all politicians who become parvenues at expense of the public coffers; both parties are guilty of excessive taxation,corruption, theft of public resources, corruption/graft/kickbacks which when added together have the cumulative effect of retarding development at all levels because this leads to inflation, increased prices, iincreasing interest, increasing unemployment, and a bankrupt country. Yes, not godfrey Smith, not George Price,not a Reconditioned Musa, not Barrow can bring Belize back from the chasm and bottomless pit of bankruptcy ,kleptomania, nepotism, and mismanagement. Let the two parties disappear and let's prepare new talent to ascend which will have no prejudice in governing. As to Johnny Briceno, Buddy, you don't have what it takes; you know it , the people know it. You will cause more pandemonium, more corruption, more favouritism,more taxation, more of the same evils. So go away, youare an embarrassment to yourself and the nation!!!!

Could Be About The Lesser Of (02) Evils; Instead Re-course For Our Youth:

*MINORITY & THE DISENFRANCHISE, WE NEED A REAL RESOLUTION:

So, '2011 is finally here, a time when so many look forward to new beginnings. In retrospect '2010 made for a horrid time in many African, and Black Minority Communities, particularly as it pertains to the tremendous amount of Youth Violence, that can be attributed to Gang Activity. Since efforts to "stem the tide" have largely failed, are we misdiagnosing the problem?

I recently read an Interview, done by (Mr. Kendall Moore) about the much-heralded activist, (Dick Gregory), and because of that discussion, I come to realized it's not a matter of "black on black crime," or even "youth violence." The problem is crime: And albeit against each other, simply put, it's just "crime" period. When White People Kill; 95% of the time they kill one-another too. Why don't the System label it "white on white crime, or white youth violence"??? This is not to "minimize" the Abhorrent act of Murder, but rather to make the point that they kill each other too. However, those instance are observed and evaluated differently and without prejudice.

Yes, '2011 is here, but will we finally come closer to the Core of this Societal Problem? Are we going to find an answer to the burning question that plagues our Communities, each and every day, which is : What is the Solution to Youth Violence, and senseless Slaughtering of our Young Black People?
Experts throughout the World, including the USA Attorney General Mr. Eric Holder, are still scrambling to identify an Antidote. The so-called Gang Chiefs, mostly are either "locked-up or dead." The Street Wise, they don't respect Law Enforcement, and base on the History of Profiling and Police Brutality, It's arguably for good reason. Now, even older Generations are Afraid, and have all but "wash their hands" on this situation, without a Plausible or Tangible Resolve. We continue to fool ourselves into thinking, that change is coming, while accepting "bad behavior" from our Youth, and continue to make Excuses for them saying, "times are hard, and some are un-educated." This is a Recipe, and Breathing Ground, for our Youth, to give-up on them-selves. Yes, many System are broken, however, we need to discontinue using this excuse as a Crutch. Moreover, we don't need to look to any one individual or Political Party to solve the problem in a City or Village, as the old folklore saying; we need the whole village to raise the child:This will require the village and a "cross- generational collaboration" to heal our society, where we reside. We need to take our heads out of the sand. We must listen to our Youth, and truly Engage them Tangible Options. We must regain that "trust" of this Generation that Re-present our Future. It's a Daunting Endeavor, when coupled with the problem of Consistently High Un-employment Rates and the Recession. But that as it may, the Opportunity for a Resolution still presents it-self. We have a lot to tackle in '2011, mostly Poignantly Youth Violence. We must truly get to the "root" of this problem by addressing the Mental, Physiological, and Spiritual Worth of our Youth. Let's Engage them by Listening to them, we already know what is Lacking in their Echelon. Prayers, and talk, and promise will not address this situation. One of my ambition, when I return to Belize, is to once again Simultaneously Engage myself, in Youth Activities.



Lionel E. Smith. Jr
former National Youth President, Belize:

Re: Basta, Briceño, is he good for the PUP?

* I grew-up in a predominantly PUP family, when I arrive at the tender age of adolescence, and then into adulthood, I begin to realized, that after the retirement of the Lion of the PUP, Mr. George C. Price, now leader Emeritus. That the PUP, was taking on a "new face," now, change is necessary and required, in order to progress and excel to the next level. But when a Political Party, or Company, will stray away from it's basic and natural principles of which it was founded upon, then it presents itself for disaster and vulnerability, and or self-derailment. While serving in Government, at the Belize, Defense Force, I visited my Mother in the City, and met one Mr. Phillip Bracket, who I came to under-stand, was a Principal of Nazarene High School, and an aspiring politician for the "albert division," where my mother reside at the time. This gentleman was well spoken, and gave a good presentation of his vision and aspirations for the "albert division," and since I was getting out of "public service," tried to enlist my support, my reply was, I will give it some thought; he return (02) days later, and said to me well? I let him know I agreed, then he introduced me to Thomas Morrison, bright guy again; he was an architect by trade. I was taken down to the UDP, HQ, where I was introduce to Mr. Kenroy Tillett, I believe the then UDP, Secretary General, articulate fellow. By now, I was a transformed and newly minted UDP soldier. I was quickly embraced at the within the party, because of my sometimes "militant views, and aggressiveness," towards the Dickey Bradley Radio Talk Show. After the late Mr. Richard Stuart went to study, who was the National Youth President of the UDP, I campaign against one Mr. Rodriguez, Vice Principal of the then Excelsior High School, for the leadership of the National Youth Arm of the UDP. Delegates, were bus-in from all "six districts," and by the end of the day, I won the leader-ship of the party's youth arm. I served the UDP, faithfully, for approximately (10) years, after which I notice the greed, and selfishness, and the "higharchy" of the party didn't care BULL about the plight of the Youth of the Country. I went to the Media, with my concerns, and that was the end of my relationship with the UDP, they were the ruling Government at the time. I was invited by Mr. Musa, representative of the Forth George Division, to his office, and he interviewed me a bit, and advised me, that he heard of my story and struggle, and he would like to invite me to joined the PUP; I was reluctant at first, because I didn't know what would be the reprisal from the UDP. I was written up in the then official party organ, which was the Guardian New Paper, and labeled a traitor and the likes. That year I campaigned for the PUP, and I even went on FM'2000, and predicted a "land-slide victory" for the PUP, which they achieved.
Mr. Musa, assumed the Primer-ship of Belize; this went well for the first (6 - 9 months) as he was seen as Moses, delivering the Belizean people, from the grips of the almost "strong handed rule," of the Esquivel, Barrow & Elrington Government. Now, Plagued by dishonesty allegations, Mr. Musa, had to eventually relinquished leader-ship of the PUP, for the sake of the very survival of the party, which was bitterly won, by current party leader Mr. John Briceno`, who unfortunately is experiencing some up-set from within his own circle and party. As for me, I am currently pursuing a Law Degree, in the United States, and is still a registered PUP voter:

Hello Godfrey

Mr. Godfrey Smith,

How are you doing sir? I like your "web site," I didn't know you had this site, until I heard of it on the 7news Belize. I think this is a very interesting forum for amicable and healthy discussion, Belizeans should utilize this "out - let," that is your "brain - child," for the sharing of ideas and opinions, and make a positive contribution to the "political - process," in Belize. As you wrote; they may not personally agree with your language, ideas and concept, but I believe this is what keeps the "fire lit," in the political process:

Re: Basta, Briceño!

Please and please find a way out, Belizeans needs a way out, but lets begin with you leading by sea, land or air, just find your way out. Who the caps fit let them wear it.

Re: Basta, Briceño!

Please and please find a way out, Belizeans needs a way out, but lets begin with you leading by sea, land or air, just find your way out. Who the caps fit let them wear it.

Re: Basta smith

Bilizean here,and i am not a pup or udp deciple,could never be,to be one will be to betray belizean-in the colonial days it was the WHITE MAN who had belizeans as slave in belize,today the white man has left,the ones who have taken thier seat are now NIGGERS,they have become the masters of belizeans,enslaving them with special laws for the rich in belize.pup and udp are a criminal organization,a mafia,and its leaders are criminals with a lawdgree,pup and udp are the 2 lawfirms that are bringing misery to belizeans since the biggining of thier movement-

Re: Basta, Briceño!

Mr. Godfrey,

You say that John Briceno is a master of provincial politics...tell us master of what are you?
In the matter of politics, by your record, you don't even qualify to be called an apprentice of urban or neigbourhood politics......we note that now you are dedicated to being the puppet...of guess who?

Talk about the Venezuelan Monies...please tell us Mr Godfrey just how much of that money did you get to spend in "your constituency"...and you still got booted out! You were part and parcel of the corrupt bunch you frequently make reference to.

And do you really believe that John Briceno and his supporters will just accept what the pseudo-intellectuals/attorneys of the City want? We've been there done that and got real burnt...didn't we Mr Godfrey? Weren't you a part of it? Get Real! We are tired of liad politico-attorneys....most are just a bunch of leeches.

As we would say in spanish....!Adelante a los que se creen chingones...aqui en el Norte les esperamos!!!!

Re: Basta, Briceño!

Wow - learned more from these "fish-from-riva-battam" comments than from the article itself!

Re: Basta, Briceño!

TIME TO RALLY AROUND THE PARTY LEADER FOR SOLUTIONS OR SUGGESTIONS TO FIX THE MANY PROBLEMS WE FACE AS A NATION. I WOULD RATHER HAVE A WEAK LEADER THAN A TYRANT AS MR. BARROW HAS BECOME.

Re: Basta, Briceño!

The article is spot on regarding Briceño. I've always said that he will never become Prime Minister of Belize. Pity. I would like to see the day when a norteño becomes PM of this country. But JB is simply not cutting it. The PUP are not cutting it either, for that matter. And the UDP? God forbid they win again! So where in hell does that put us? Man, we are in deep "poop"! The independent movement is nascent, and led (or mis-led) by mediocre (albeit well-intended) people. So that does not provide an alternative for 2013 either. Unless good, well prepared, committed and dedicated Belizeans from each of our electoral divisions start thinking country first and enter the political arena. Something akin to an ad hoc coalition of independent candidates. They don't even have to subscribe to a political party which, I submit, is the root of all evil, politically speaking. Political parties need major funding to keep their machinery well-oiled. Big money comes from big special interests, which then expects HUGE payback post-election. Ideas, anyone? I'm scrambling for some here...

Re: Basta, Briceño!

OTO,
Would that not be Puppet Di criticize Puppet? So Godfrey is on the Lord's payroll along with Eamon; Johnny's buddy, but hold on.. Who owns Smart, now?..., and who diverted the Venezuela money for Said and Ralph? and which banker has all the PUP cronies in hock?

Sorry, but I think that for at least the next election, until a real alternative comes along, PUP or otherwise, Dean has very little to fear, and Belize has not much choice. Sure there is no compelling reason to give the UDP a second term, but there is no compelling reason not to. Think about it; the alternative is a fully Ashcroft controlled term, no matter who takes control of the PUP.

Re: Basta, Briceño!

wow - our country is in deep shit - the Opposition cannot get its act together to give us hope and the UDP Government has brought us hopelessness - wow ...wow...wow - we in deep shit! The PUP lost because of their corrupttion and the UDP that demounced it finds it fitting to be equally corrupt - whom do we go to.... so I lift my eyes to the heaven whereforth my strength cometh from!

Re: Basta, Briceño!

I believe Hon. Mark Espat would have made a wonderful and inspirational Peoples United Party leader. When the PUP got washed away in 2008 - he was the only PUP candidate that did extremly well. Belizeans from Corozal to Punta Gorda admire this guy. I really hope the PUP realize that times has changed. The fanatics of both political parties does not decide who will win. It is the fence/independent voters - which is now the majority - will decide the faith of either party in 2013. Long live Belize!!!!

Re: Basta, Briceño!

I think Godfrey intentionally pretends not to have been a part of the corrupt 98-08 PUP malAdministration because people get so riled up about it! I for one, will no longer complain about this issue because I do not want to provide anymore food for his ego which can barely be contained inside his bulging head and waistline!

Re: Basta, Briceño!

Renegade, Mark's major problems are two-fold. He is not trustworthy and he doesn't have any balls. He is afraid to face the PUP National Convention, because he has worked so well as the rust corroding the foundation of the Party and now nobody will vote for him. His time has passed.

Re: Basta, Briceño!

Pinky strikes again! Godfrey just gave it to Johnny.

Re: Basta, Briceño!

"How a leader and party perform in Opposition is a very good indicator of the kind of government it will be." I need not say more. RIP. PUP.

Re: Basta, Briceño!

Michel Rodriguez, what a hypocrite you are! Serious in what world were you living when the PUP (98-08) were in power and we were eating better? i guess and i think i guess right that you were getting fatter on the belly and on your pocket because you were one of the OLD GUARD CRONIES!!!!
BE REAL if form 98-08 thing were just fine why do you think people spoke and a RED TSUNAMI NEARLY EXTINCT the PUP!!!

Re: Basta, Briceño!

Boy; I do not understand why all these comments above.

Mr Smith must be satisfied for his writings really attracted many viewers(Mr Smith has notched up in the top 10)
What people dont seem to understand, is that these articles are only written to attract as much attention as it can. This makes them saleable, and would make a lot of money of Smith would be selling them.
What I do not understand is how the PUP and Caucuses would be giving so much attention to this article. The political rule is that the more attention you give to something, it may start to have some truth in it. The big winner here is Mr Smith, since he is achieving what is articles are set out to do.

Why are people so foolish as to follow everything they hear. Well maybe that is what marketting does.
I am glad to now have the wisdom to see above and beyond.

After all we only are here for a specific time.

Re: Basta, Briceño!

I agree, with Bzean Thinker. Godfrey wallows around rolling around basking in all the attention he gets as happy as a pig in SHI...! Only thing here is that I dunno if he is the pig or the other thing!

Re: Basta, Briceño!

WHAT IS THE SOLUTION? HERE AND THERE, I HAVE TRIED TO ADVISE MR BRICENO, BUT THE FELLOW SEEMS WITHOUT FOOTING. HE IS SURROUNDED BY TOO MANY MEN WHO ARE ATTEMPTING TO DO THINGS BEYOND THEIR SPECIALTIES...FOOLS, IN OTHER WORDS. HISTORICALLY, WITIHIN THE PARTY ARE SPECIALIZED PEOPLE WITH GIFTS TO UTILIZE...JOHN HASN'T KEPT IN TOUCH WITH THESE PEOPLE. I'M CERTAIN OF THIS, BECAUSE I AM ONE OF THEM...MY TALENT CONTRIBUTED A POSITIVE ELEMENT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE FORMER PUP GOVERNMENT. BUT ALAS, THE GREATEST OF MACHINERY COMPRISES OF MANY WORKING PARTS, AND ONE CRITICAL FAILURE CAN BRING THE WHOLE THING TO A HALT_ IMAGINE WHEN IT'S BROKEN IN MULTIPLE PLACES. BUT THIS PARTY HASN'T REPAIRED...THE MECHANICS ARE GONE...SCAVENGERS HAVE PICKED UP TOOLS THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO UTILIZE. THE PUP WAS ONCE SMARTER, OUR SUPPORTERS MORE CONFIDENT, WE WERE RESOURCEFUL AND UTILIZED THE MANY TALENTS OF OUR SUPPORTERS_ WE WERE A VISIBLE PARTY. JOHN IS NOT THE MAN FOR THE JOB...SO THEN WHO, WHO IS? WE NEED A SOLUTION...PERHAPS YOU SHOULD WRITE A CONCLUSION TO THIS, BUT I THINK THAT MAY NOT BE REALISTIC EITHER!

Re: Basta, Briceño!

WHAT IS THE SOLUTION? HERE AND THERE, I HAVE TRIED TO ADVISE MR BRICENO, BUT THE FELLOW SEEMS WITHOUT FOOTING. HE IS SURROUNDED BY TOO MANY MEN WHO ARE ATTEMPTING TO DO THINGS BEYOND THEIR SPECIALTIES...FOOLS, IN OTHER WORDS. HISTORICALLY, WITIHIN THE PARTY ARE SPECIALIZED PEOPLE WITH GIFTS TO UTILIZE...JOHN HASN'T KEPT IN TOUCH WITH THESE PEOPLE. I'M CERTAIN OF THIS, BECAUSE I AM ONE OF THEM...MY TALENT CONTRIBUTED A POSITIVE ELEMENT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE FORMER PUP GOVERNMENT. BUT ALAS, THE GREATEST OF MACHINERY COMPRISES OF MANY WORKING PARTS, AND ONE CRITICAL FAILURE CAN BRING THE WHOLE THING TO A HALT_ IMAGINE WHEN IT'S BROKEN IN MULTIPLE PLACES. BUT THIS PARTY HASN'T REPAIRED...THE MECHANICS ARE GONE...SCAVENGERS HAVE PICKED UP TOOLS THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO UTILIZE. THE PUP WAS ONCE SMARTER, OUR SUPPORTERS MORE CONFIDENT, WE WERE RESOURCEFUL AND UTILIZED THE MANY TALENTS OF OUR SUPPORTERS_ WE WERE A VISIBLE PARTY. JOHN IS NOT THE MAN FOR THE JOB...SO THEN WHO, WHO IS? WE NEED A SOLUTION...PERHAPS YOU SHOULD WRITE A CONCLUSION TO THIS, BUT I THINK THAT MAY NOT BE REALISTIC EITHER!

Re: Basta, Briceño!

I AM INTERVENING NOT TO ATTACK ANYONE, BUT TO MAKE MY HUMBLE CONTRIBUTION ON THOSE FACTORS THAT CAN MAKE THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS WORKABLE.
FOR ANY GOVERNMENT TO FUNCTION FOR THE GOOD OF THE NATION -THERE IS THE IMPERATIVE NEED TO HAVE AN INTELLIGENT AND CONSTRUCTIVE OPPOSITION.
DURING THE COLONIAL ERA, THERE WAS A PEOPLE'S UNITED PARTY, MADE UP OF THE VIBRANT YOUTH, GUIDED BY THE EXPERIENCED ELDERS. BUT AS SOME YOPUNG PERSONS WILL ERRONEOUSLY ARGUE THAT FOR A MODERN ERA A PARTY NEED NO VETERANS OR THEIR ADVICE. THIS HAS BEEN THE DOWN FALL OF OUR PEOPLE'S UNITED PARTY. I NOTICED THE INTERROGATION OF " HOW CAN THIS BE ACHIEVED?" I HAVE ADVICED BEFORE THAT FOR A PARTY TO REVIVE, THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE MUST PREVAIL. I DID NOT SAY THE WILL OF FLAG-WAVERS-TOWN CRIERS OR TRUMPET BLOWERS OR CALIENTE GIRLS. I MEAN OPENING THE DOORS AND WINDOWS TO THE FENCE SITTERS, DEMORALIZED FOLLOWERS AND REBUKED ELDERS. THERE IS PRESENTLY A STRONG BREEZE OF ARROGANCE THAT ANY CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM IS NEGATIVE. MY SUGGESTION TO ANY POLITICAL PARTY IN TROUBLE IS TO ERAZE THE SLATE AND START AFRESH. IF THE LEADER CANNOT DO IT FOR SOME REASON, PLACE A TROIKA TO PUT THE HOUSE INORDER.- NOT THE O.D.S. FOR GOD'S SAKE. WILL THIS EVER HAPPEN ? FALSE PRIDE FDECIDES.

Re: Basta, Briceño!

Reproduced from the Belize Times' Editorial, March 6, 2011:

So it seems that Godfrey Smith was not satisfied with merely being a political commentator to his ‘cynical electorate’. He has now made a delusional call for Hon. John Briceño and his advisors to step down from their leadership posts of the PUP – a call that must have been automatically triggered by an overflow of the toxic bile that has backed up his system after his resounding defeat. Once an asset to the PUP, Smith has become a back-biting, bridge-burning, and disgrace to himself in his full blown opposition to our great Party.

His latest attack on the PUP was, in fact, so misinformed and unwarranted that on Saturday at the National Party Council, Smith’s own brother denounced Godfrey’s actions, distancing himself and reminding the Party faithful to ignore the distraction and stay focused on the task at hand – SET BELIZE FREE FROM THE UDP. And this brotherly rebuke comes as a particular sting in our tradition, where familial blood has always been thicker than political water.

If that denunciation weren’t damning enough, one only need to glance at Smith’s bewildering post “Basta, Briceño!” to see its glaring defects. Drawing on rumor, bizarre attempts at reason, and a preposterous use of so-called logic, Smith praises the despised Karl Rove and Dick Cheney as shining examples of political leadership while misappropriating the lovable Dr. Seuss.

If you are not scratching your head yet over this self-cancelling cast of contradictory characters, just wait….Smith goes on to complain that the standards of today’s leadership have fallen and goes on to cite Oliver Cromwell as the benchmark of leadership strategy. (And here, Smith is correct – we are no longer living in the 1600s)

It is strange logic to advocate replacing a deserving, sincere and admirable leader with one modeled on a seventeenth-century Machiavellian dictator backed by the mastermind of U.S. Republican Party dirty tricks and a White House junior executive responsible for the untold horrors of wars of convenience and “extraordinary rendition” – that’s torture to you and me.

The king-maker Rove remains unapologetic for his underhanded tactics, including his greatest crime of all, the grand theft of the 2000 US presidential election. And all the while, Cheney (like Bush and Rumsfeld) remains an unrepentant advocate of torture. By proposing leadership as currently and historically discredited as that of Cheney, Rove and Cromwell, one has to question Smith’s very capabilities of having any kind of constructive or responsible advice for Belizean politics.

We will not allow Smith to put our Party Leader, the Hon. John Briceño, in the torturer’s track. There is no place for Smith’s insatiable desire for revenge, a petty but all-consuming activity that has become Smith’s other specialty. With some stabs at reason warped by resentment, Smith’s attack on the PUP leadership is uninformed, unfocused and UNJUST.

It would be best if Mr. Smith had the decency to restrain himself from this unwarranted hostility. But if he does not, the PUP’s positive and forward-looking vision is resistant to the resentment that Smith biliously exudes in his diatribes.

Smith concludes his latest hatchet-piece by quoting verbatim Dr. Seuss’s appeal to “Please Go Now” from Marvin K Mooney and irresponsibly aims it at the PUP’s leadership. But what Smith ignores is that Dr. Seuss’ plea gained its rightful recognition because it was directed at the autocratic Richard Nixon just before his resignation from executive office. Smith should not distort Seuss’s work by combining it with a call to recruit discredited Washington statesmen.

So enough with Cheney, Rove, Nixon and Cromwell – and enough with Smith! It is not John Briceño who should go but Godfrey who should withdraw himself from the political forum. Incapable of adding anything reasonable or rational on the discussion of Belize’s political future, the acrimony of Smith can only poison the potential worth of any opinion that he may have to offer.

Just go, Godfrey, go!

Re: Basta, Briceño!

Boy Don Smith.

You really taking a licking.

Maybe you should be careful how you say things.

Later Amigo

Re: Basta, Briceño!

I suggest Mark, Cordel and all the strong leaders of teh PUP who may still have scruples, get and start helping out the independent brothers for general elections. Independent nowadays means that some ###head leaders from the executive wanted to endorse by force and you have slapped democracy and the Belizean voters in the face. Mike nuh di win ina Toledo East, Nobody wants Eden. In Stann Creek West, Ferguson da wa nadda big thief who nobody want and Jenkins responsible fi the law weh prohibit Belizeans from planting Citrus now. We need wi very own educated youths to step up and run independent. There is still time. Good leadership begins with generosity. Be humanitarian!Some of these leaders who have been corrupt these 30-40 years they have been inpower will find out that their deathbed will teach them how they should have been when they were walking around crippling their people.Let's unite and challenge and if wi strong leaders work with new blood, the PUP will be as strong as ever. Everybody starts as a novice, but nowadays our young people are much more educated than before, and they cannot be compared to those who have all the tricks up their sleeves. If a leader doesn't prove himself and doesn't satisfy us when he had the chance to, what can make us believe that he'd do different if he returns. Call yuself wa ##s if you do.

Re: Basta, Briceño!

I suggest Mark, Cordel and all the strong leaders of teh PUP who may still have scruples, get and start helping out the independent brothers for general elections. Independent nowadays means that some ###head leaders from the executive wanted to endorse by force and you have slapped democracy and the Belizean voters in the face. Mike nuh di win ina Toledo East, Nobody wants Eden. In Stann Creek West, Ferguson da wa nadda big thief who nobody want and Jenkins responsible fi the law weh prohibit Belizeans from planting Citrus now. We need wi very own educated youths to step up and run independent. There is still time. Good leadership begins with generosity. Be humanitarian!Some of these leaders who have been corrupt these 30-40 years they have been inpower will find out that their deathbed will teach them how they should have been when they were walking around crippling their people.Let's unite and challenge and if wi strong leaders work with new blood, the PUP will be as strong as ever. Everybody starts as a novice, but nowadays our young people are much more educated than before, and they cannot be compared to those who have all the tricks up their sleeves. If a leader doesn't prove himself and doesn't satisfy us when he had the chance to, what can make us believe that he'd do different if he returns. Call yuself wa ##s if you do.

Re: Basta, Briceño!

Would really like you to write an article about Jamal "Shyne" Barrow putting a foot in his mouth everytime he talks and saying that he is an Ethiopian Jew. Which part of he Ethiopian? Come on, Mr. Smith, I am 100% sure you could do an excellent piece on this one.

Re: Basta, Briceño!

Politics is a world with no law, even though they make the laws. Not for themselves, though, only for us! I see that honesty doesn't fit in there.

Re: Basta, Briceño!

Your prediction came true. Now lets see if it is for the better of the PUP.

Re: Basta, Briceño!

After reading your article, Mr. Smith, you sound so disgusting. How can you talk about your party leader in such a way???You think you know it all. Whats happening in Belize is that everyone wants a piece of the pie. Once you guys get in power you take the whole pie to yourself and forget about the poor people who put you in there, and it iis called GREED!!!!! This happens throughout the whole world. That is what is happening in the Arab nation, such as Lybia, Iraq, Iran , Syria and d rest of the Arab world. The common poor people had enough and start running them out of power and killing them. Belize is getting worst and worst, that I am afraid to visit my own country now with all that crime that is happening now. I thank God I no longer live there but I pray for the poor people in Belize and hope that things will get better. This will only happen if you give a chance to the MANY, YOUNG AND QUALIFIED Belizeans an opportunity to serve the people of Belize,