Tony Astaphan blasts Hector John over Chanderpaul’s Dominican citizenship

John (left), Astaphan

Senior Counsel Tony Astaphan has responded to claims by the Opposition Leader Hector John that Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit acted against his Cabinet members by offering a Dominica Passport to West Indies cricketer Shivnerine Chanderpaul.

John has branded Skerrit’s move to bestow citizenship upon Chanderpaul as an act of contempt for his cabinet.

He also described the Prime Minister’s act as “impulsive” and one of showmanship deliberately aimed at covering up the fact that, for the third significant event in the life of the stadium, he failed to show up there.

But Astaphan, who is one of Prime Minister Skerrit’s main legal advisors, has shrugged off John’s claim and said that John and members of his United Workers Party (UWP) need to focus on development plans for Dominica.

Astaphan said they need to explain why is it that after 10 years the nation has not been able to hear some credible alternatives from the UWP on how they can move the country forward.

“The Opposition Leader needs to grow up. I think Hector John need to stop behaving like a child. I think the UWP needs to stop behaving like spoilt brats who cannot get over the fact that they have lost the elections. They need to go into parliament and do the people’s business,” Astaphan said.

According to Astaphans, the Prime Minister has the absolute prerogative to make a decision on that nature.

“The Prime Minister may not have discussed it with his Cabinet before but he will take it to the cabinet and get the approval for a decision of almost 99.9 percent,” he said.

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117 Comments

  1. Uzbekistan
    August 29, 2011

    Should every Icon that lands upon Dominica’s shores be given citizenship. Interesting!!! I am Dominica, Are you? what does that Ad really mean? Use Japan’s change for example. “Longer term, continuously issuing debt into a vacuum is not a productive enterprise and is not sustainable,” (Fink)..“The whole point of loose fiscal policy is to engineer growth, and that growth must take place in order to justify the issuance of that debt,” (Fink). For 10 years it hasn’t. So far, we have very little to show for it,”. revise our actions Dominicans. revise our foreign policy formulation and conduct. Take time out and read JAPAN’S GENERATIONAL CHANGE IN PREMIERSHIP: An Estimative Analysis. learn more about how A new Japan is in the offing ready to take its rightful place in global and regional affairs as the world’s second-richest nation. Dominicans, I am Dominica, Are you?

  2. Jah Guide
    July 19, 2011

    But what Tony think nor only he can speak. (shocks man(! He must prove his manhood and contest the next general election.

  3. July 18, 2011

    I HOPE UWP DOESN’T DIVULGE ANY OF THEIR PLANS FOR SKERRIT AND THE LABOUR PRETENDERS TO STEAL THEM AND CLAIM AS THEIR OWN… AS USUAL

  4. Dominican Abroad
    July 18, 2011

    I can’t even believe some of the comments that I have read. Not like I am surprised by them, but most don’t seem to address the issues. Instead it appeared to be red against blue.

    As someone who obtained citizenship in another country, and who is not an athlete, but just work and pay taxes,I saw it as a good Caribbean gesture. Don’t know why all the politics.

  5. Melda
    July 18, 2011

    Dominicans look it. I have no problem with the gesture. I just find that Skerrit must stop acting on spur of the moment. He has a cabinet and everything that large should be a cabinet decision not one made in Veille Case.

  6. Empress 2
    July 18, 2011

    i am not saying the way the PM went about it is the right way. I believe one should discuss with his cabinet before he makes a decision like that. hwever one says the US do not just give their citizens to some body because they are good at sports.No.US have their. hwever the russians and other people come to the US to their sports academy.they are greanted a a special visa after five years they can apply for US citizenship.And when they get it to represent the United States. so their is a procedure so so not say what US doing and dominica dominica. I proud of my counrty,Mr John and the others people read dominica news online to everything that is said online is going through the federal government and people read and listen to the radio you all love to call talk some time i am ashamed of the way people speak about the country. the only part in our body that have no bone is your tongue and the tongue can bless and also curse. and all we do is curse dominica no government that has been in power was never good when will we stop complaining? when and hector please tell us what you will do for us we need to know thats how u win election no complaing like a baby that have a wet diaper.stupes pala pala pala sort.tell us what you will build for da and your prevout not helping.

  7. campbell i from
    July 15, 2011

    every thing skerit do he right but why nh?

    • ANON
      July 27, 2011

      because “de caribbean change”

  8. spy
    July 15, 2011

    TONY TALK WHILE U CAN.

  9. INSULTIVE TONY
    July 15, 2011

    CACADORE,COCROACH,CRAZY MOSQUITO,PIGS I WONDER WHATS THE NEXT NAME HE WILL CALL DOMINICANS

  10. ANON
    July 15, 2011

    DE CARIBBEAN CHANGE WELL VEX PEOPLE TALKING AND GIVING THEIR OPINION WE, BOY BUY 10 CENTS ROPE BY 4D AND GO ON ROSEAU BRIDGE AND HANG YOURSELF. AND STOP HARASS DOMINICANS FOR QUESTIONING THINGS BOY, IF U ASELF DOESNT THINK TWICE BEFORE YOU ACT THEN IT IS CLEAR WHY U BEHAVING THE WAY U ARE, U DONT WANT PEOPLE TO THINK WHAT IF JACK.

    • DE CARIBBEAN CHANGE,
      July 18, 2011

      Go Hang yourself at Stock Farm.

      • ANON
        July 27, 2011

        you first!!!

  11. dominican
    July 15, 2011

    That is what Dominica is reduced to and it is pathetic. I mean the way that some persons express themselves and some people respond to their fellow countrymen. The insults, the disrespect, the acrimony. Oh what a waste. I listened to the contribution of the Parliamentary Representative for St. Joseph and I shook my head in dismay. Here was a young man straight from being the President of the National Youth Council using his obvious talents to do exactly what the others in the House were doing: that is addressing personalities; not heightening the level of debate; lowering standards that so need to be heightened… and we find that scenario being reflected in posts like we see here. Indeed pathetic.

  12. sane
    July 15, 2011

    I COME ON THIS SITE TO READ ABOUT THE POSITIVE THINGS HAPPENING IN DOMINICA BUT I MUST SAY WE NEED TO OPEN OUR EYES. HOW CAN PEOPLE INVEST IN DOMINICA IF WE DON’T GO THE EXTRA MILE AND DO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO FOR THE SAKE OF THE COUNTRY. THE PM DO SOME THINGS THAT MAKE YOU SHAKE YOUR HEAD BUT AFTER SPEAKING TO THIS MAN DURING MY TRIP TO DOMINICA I MUST SAY HE PUT DOMINICA FIRST. I HAVE PLAYED WITH CHANDERPAUL IN FLORIDA AT OUR CHARITY GAMES AND I CAN ASURE YOU THIS MAN HAVE NO INTENTIONS OF MOVING TO DA SO HECTOR YOU ARE SAFE HE WON’T TAKE YOUR WOMEN OR YOUR JOB. IF FOR SOME STRANGE REASON HE WAS INTERESTED IN DOING BUSINESS IN DA AND COME ON THIS SITE. YOU HONESTLY THINK HE WOULD AFTER SOME OF YOUR POLITICS COMMENTS?

  13. Soverign
    July 15, 2011

    Citizenship is an exchange so to speak. We the people of Dominica are citizens as we are born there, work, live etc. We are sovreign citizens as we are expected to positively contribute to the country for the good of the country (good for all). We (generally speaking) we contribute positively to our country because the country is an extension ofourself and we all times want to set a good impression about our selves, so we’ll do our best to make our country the best in everything…Now when citizenship is given to an outsider, there should be/must be an exchange of sorts..The outsider must have provided or have the potential to provide The Commonwealth of Dominica with some positive contributions whether it be monetary investments, skills/expertise, time, ideas, connections and network, promotions, etc. Citizenship is (and should be granted) based on what the individual(s) can POSITIVELY contribute to country. Citizenship should be given with a view of a beneficial partnership, a win-win situation. Case in point a Dominican excells at 100M track and is granted citizenship of let’s say USA. USA (whether it’s the president or low-ranking official) grants this D/can citizenship NOT JUST because the person is an excellent athlete, but because this person will promote USA, this person will give USA a great chance at winning (Olympics etc). USA don’t just give their citizenship away, matter NO country does…Citizenship in exchange for “how will {name of country} benefit by you being a citizen?” Chanderpaul achievement in itself was a personal achievement (true it was done on D/can soil, but that’s where it ends). His achievement in itself has no benefit to Dominica. The test match is over and everyone gone back to normal life, ppl still need jobs, ppl still need to feel a sense of pride and dignity in providing for their families. Just as born and bread D/cans are expected to do their part in developing and positively contributing to the Commonwealth of Dominica, so to it should be IN FACT MUST BE expected and DEMANDED that ANYONE granted citizenship to our country, MUST act and behave in the best interest of the nation. So, my question to Hon. PM Skerrit, is…in giving citizenship to Chanderpaul, how is he (Chanderpaul)going to contribute positively to D/ca? Will open a cricketing school to teach and share his skills with D/can youths interested in playing International cricket? Whenever he goes to play cricket will he be flying the Dominican (representing D/ca) flag? When he is doing promitions/adverts will he be showing casing D/ca if and when the opportunity arises?

  14. SENSES
    July 15, 2011

    SKERRIT IS TOO FULL EGOS.SINCE WHEN TONY IS A POLITICIAN? SKERRIT SHOULD HAVE ONE OF HIS MINISTERES TO ADDRESS THIS MATTER

  15. for sure
    July 15, 2011

    tony shut up, every time he have to put in his mouth

  16. One Love
    July 15, 2011

    8-O SO THAT IS HOW ITS DONE?

    I WAS ALWAYS TRYING TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE PASSPORT SCANDALS COME ABOUT – A ONE MAN SHOW AND CABINET BOUND TO APPROVE 99.9% OR ELSE !!!!!

    THANK YOU TONY – – -MOUT OPEN TORY JUMP OUT EH?

  17. rain
    July 15, 2011

    I think given a chance, the PM can do a great job of speaking for himself,if Mr Astaphans for once, stop running the hole in his face,any party could sit and develope a national plan for the country,and build our nation.

  18. Sout Man
    July 14, 2011

    Granting of citizenship is a legal matter so the government’s Senior Counsel has every right to comment in the face of ridiculous accusations. The Senior Counsel was making three inportant points.

    1. The declaration was made by the PM but the Cabinet has to approve. Afterall, timing was important and I think the PM leveraged maximum publicity for Dominica by announcing the granting of citizenship to Chanderpaul at the time he did. It was DA’s first test match and Chanderpaul’s 133rd test cap, the most by any WI player. He had an unbeaten century (116 n.o) and man of the match award.

    2.Making an announcing by the PM was not a fait accompli, even if he was assured of being endorsed by his Cabinet. Why shouldn’t they, in this case? Don’t we all want to be citizens of CARICOM, with the privilege to travel freely?

    3.Granting of citizenship is not the same as selling you a passport. You become elligible to receive one but there are procedures in place to apply for one. The PM does not have a filing cabinet full of passports that he gives to whomever he desires.

    Finally, the determination for elligibility for US citizenship is made by low ranking bureaucrats; not the Pressident nor his Secretary of State. So why can’t our PM use his judgement to propose? Did anyone receive a US passport upon naturalization? You have to apply and pay a fee. You only need a passport to travel. Thousands of assylums and US citizenships are granted every day. Oh how we wish we had it?

    • ANON
      July 15, 2011

      rrrrrruuuuuUUUUUUUBBBBUISSSHHHHHH

      • Sout Man
        July 15, 2011

        With all due respect; is this all your brain can muster? ( rrrruuuUUBBB U ISSSHHH ?).

      • ANON
        July 27, 2011

        YES thats all i wish to say, it come out effective eh???

  19. I am Dominica
    July 14, 2011

    I really understand the excitement of the Prime minister; but why didn’t he name a field (cricket) in one of the communites in Chanderpaul’s name instead. That way Chanderpaul himself might help with the upkeep of that field.

    I have never voted in my life; but I do think our prime minister is surrouned by the wrong set of persons.

    How can you just give awa our pasport like that!!! ARE YOU NOT DOMINICA!!!!

    PM take this from me (I CAN DO BETTER ALL BY MYSELF!!)

    • politbureau
      July 19, 2011

      granting of citizenship does not automatically give one a passport .those are two distinct processes ,although one gives the right to the access the other.the citizen still has to go through the process of applying for a passport.

  20. ROSEAU MAN.
    July 14, 2011

    Who LET THE DOGS OUT!?????????

  21. joe
    July 14, 2011

    the pm did not discuss it with his cabinet,that mean what he says goes.so whats the point of voting on it later if has already made his decission .MAN TONY NOT THINKING BEFORE HE TALK

  22. true dominican
    July 14, 2011

    miss natika you too shout up we know our supporters so don’t come with your crap

  23. la beauty
    July 14, 2011

    all of allu dat want 2 hush up tony would have 2 hush up lennox linton and angelo aleyne as well..becuz just as tony is the mouth piece of skerro is just so is angello and lennox 2 hector john :!: tony is being paid 2 do a job and he doin it dam well..bravo tony :lol: :lol: :lol:

  24. true dominican
    July 14, 2011

    just like eddison and Ron green is the mouthpiece off hector. tony don’t have to be in Dominica who cares. all tony have to say is f*** Dominica and hell with everyone because all off u is just forkress

  25. ?????????????
    July 14, 2011

    Let Tony talk. This is democracy and you don’t have to agree with him but let him talk as long as one does not insult anyone. The Opposition needs to talk about alternatives for the countries development and not do as little children demonstrating and making mountains out of molehills.

    Do you know this guys are insutling us – not moving to a higher level of politics but using the beff and confusion on us. Wake up people and let us ask the Opposition to respect us and get out of their dirty gutter style politics (beff , maligning and gossiping) I need to hear some objective and constructive and alternative ways to do things. Plans for the Country’s development if I would have to vote the Opposition

  26. miss natika
    July 14, 2011

    Tony u are being ridiculous now i am a labour supporter but if u dont shut up and take a back seat i will never put a X by the shoe again just for your sake –so mr pm make up ur mind–get some Bal1s

    • Jim
      July 14, 2011

      you a certainly not a laborite. Why are you saying you are just to make a point.Jokers

  27. Lavie Dominique
    July 14, 2011

    July 14, 2011 Your comment is awaiting moderation.
    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    I Cannot stand a bone in this body? DNO please stop giving him a platform to jeer at the cacadoes and cockroaches! he is an eye sore to us! Duh do us that nuh man!

  28. July 14, 2011

    I did a search for buy Dominica passport and this site came up. For $100,000 US dollars anyone can become a Dominican.

    • mouth of the south
      July 14, 2011

      u sure is not u.s $10000 lol

      • July 15, 2011

        NO BOiiiiiiiii is $5.00

    • campbell i from
      July 14, 2011

      wen a dominican pasport lose they have to pay &500.00 to get one back and you telling me the pm just giving one away just like dat hmmmmmmmmmmmm i don’t think so

      • campbell i from
        July 14, 2011

        remember chander have money eh ok!!!! and d under table ting still hot!!! in dominica hmm hope not lol

    • Anonymous
      July 14, 2011

      is true… http://www.dominicapassport.com/english/cost_and_duration.asp

      can’t believe … bold so … something need to be done!

  29. Anonymous
    July 14, 2011

    BUT WEY HAPPEN TO TONY NOR,DE MAN IS A UNITED STATES CITIZEN TONY YOU THINK HE WANT A PASSPORT FROM A COUNTRY WHERE YOU CAN’T GET ENTRY TO NO WHERE? DOMINICA PASSPORT HAS LOST IT VALUE EVERY WHERE IN THE WORLD YOU ENTER WITH IT YOU ARE UNDER RADAR, POLITICAL MILAGE SKERRIT LOOKING FOR CHANDERPAUL COME OUT OF RICE CITY DO YOU THINK HE WOULD WANT TO BECOME A DOMINCIAN POVERTY TO POVERTY, BUT WEY ARSE NOR TONY SHOW US YOU PASSPORT IT IS NOT DOMINICAN MOVE OVER TONY LET DOMINICANS FIGHT FOR DOMINICA

  30. Locato
    July 14, 2011

    What tony propose let no man dispose- Wha you say!!!!!!. Next levellllll

  31. vip
    July 14, 2011

    having food on my table more important right now than who gets passport.

    • ANON
      July 14, 2011

      as i said very ignorant person, u have a very narrow perspective of the mechanisms at work why your maybe have no food, and i certainly dont have time and patience to break it down for you but u can rest assured that it all comes down to our PMs attitude, read between the lines and it will become clear to you.

    • Soverign
      July 15, 2011

      Food on the table is important, no doubt about that, however, protecting the soveringty of your country is also important. Se it is critical to be mindful of who you give rights to your country. Let’s bring it home. If you are the head of your house, you make the major decisions in the household (and you will make those decisions based on YOUR perception of things). Let’s suppose you relinquish your decision-making role to an outsider, and they feed you. So they make the decisions and feed you…think about it…you wouldn’t like it one bit.

  32. CARIBBEAN MAN
    July 14, 2011

    To be honest what is really going on in Dominica and who died and made Tony Astaphan Gate Keeper of Dominica. Too long have this man have insulted and treat Dominicans with the utmost contempt and what is funny is that you all just accept it and life goes on as normal,please Dominicans wake up and ask yourself one question,who elected Tony Astaphan as a minister of the DLP???????????

    • Tourist
      July 15, 2011

      At last – somebody has said it! When was this man elected and who made him a minister? As far as I understand he is a legal adviser to the government, nothing more. So, what gives him the right to speak on behalf of the government or prime minister on a constant basis? I can only assume they (prime minister and other ministers) have got nothing valid to say!

    • DE CARIBBEAN CHANGE,
      July 15, 2011

      Stop following the Band Wagon.

  33. DE CARIBBEAN CHANGE,
    July 14, 2011

    The Queen bestows Knighthood in de Monarchy, why can’t our PM bestow Residency in the State House? After all, we are all one caribbean people and should behave like one caribbean people. Don’t we want to see the caribbean islands develop?, its people develop?, its institutions develop?, its systems develop?, its infrastructures develop?, its universities develop?, its professionals develop? After all Shiv is a professional cricketer and not a thug or a hoodlum. We should all support the free movement of all caribbean people from one isle to another as long as we are no thugs or hoodlums trying to create trouble. After all, we are the United Islands of the Caribbean, just like the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and so on. I feel so proud of St Lucia that they are building a state-of-the-art General Hospital in Castries and renovating and modernizing the ST. JUDES HOSPITAL in the second town of Vieux Fort. These things we should all feel proud of as a caribbean people. Tomorrow we can all boast to foreigners how progressive and developed the islands of the caribbean are.

    • Anonymous
      July 14, 2011

      YOU SOUND LIKE real jack arse , where is chanderpaul going to develop in Dominica? yes st lucia have hospital unlimited, can your sick arse go to st lucia when you fall down in Dominica?idiot with sense just pissed me off.

      • DE CARIBBEAN CHANGE,
        July 15, 2011

        You are the jackass; Shiv will impart cricket knowledge and experience to our young boys of today and tomorrow, not only in Dominica but all over the caribbean. You and your UWP FOLKS are just ignoramuses loking to create trouble in every corner of DA. At least Shiv is a professional and you are not. What can you do for the caribbean? Nothing! What can you do for Dominica? Nothing! You are absolutely nothing. You are a nonentity.

      • DE CARIBBEAN CHANGE,
        July 15, 2011

        You are such an ignoramus that you had to call yourself “anonymous”. Don’t want people to know who that foolish guy is.

      • DE CARIBBEAN CHANGE,
        July 15, 2011

        You sound just like Farmer Brown and his jackass.

    • ANON
      July 14, 2011

      STOP IT RIGHT THERE!!! dont try and add insult to injury, there is a proper way to do things
      only u and our malcassay pm that dont seem to know that

      • DE CARIBBEAN CHANGE,
        July 15, 2011

        You all are just jealous of the PM. Bottom Line. Get a life. What have you done for your country? Nothing! Get a life!

      • ANON
        July 15, 2011

        U HAVE A JOB TO DO MY BOY!!! AND I HAVE MY COUNTRY TO PROTECT, SO DO YOUR WORK AND LET ME SPEAK MY FREAKING MIND, JUMP ON THIS PRICKLE TREE IN YOUR RASS AND U WILL KNOW WHAT, JEALOUS OF WHAT, GO AND BEG FOR YOUR BREAD, CUZ UR PM CANNOT TOUCH MINE WHERE IT IS, I DEAL WITH DRUG DEALERS ALREADY

    • July 18, 2011

      :-o MY GOD!!! THIS GUY IS AN IDIOT!!!!

      • July 18, 2011

        …and by this guy i mean “DE CARIBBEAN CHANGE”

      • DE CARIBBEAN CHANGE,
        July 19, 2011

        Reggie, get yourself a decent education and you will understand me better. You are nothing but an imbecile and an ignoramus. What have you done for your country? Nothing! Both you and Anon need to take a hike.

  34. July 14, 2011

    That is thoughtless by the prime minister.I am a supporter of the prime minister,I will not support you on this Mr,Prime Minister.Chanterpaul may not even interested to be a Dominican citizen.

    • ANON
      July 14, 2011

      i love you brother, u show objectivity and perspective. even when we disagree sometimes we can aggree

      • DE CARIBBEAN CHANGE,
        July 15, 2011

        What have you done to put things in perspective in the caribbean? Nothing! You are just another ignoramus from the ghetto.

    • Theatrics
      July 15, 2011

      and thats why he accepted the offer? hmmm… seems other people love our country more than we do!

    • DE CARIBBEAN CHANGE,
      July 15, 2011

      There are many caribbean professionals who don’t live in their native island, the Mighty Sparrow from Grenada living in Trinidad, Joseph Reds Peirara from Guyana living in St Lucia, Steve Comacho from Guyana living in Antigua, Justin Simon from Dominica living in Antigua, and so on. They are all making contributions to the caribbean as caribbean people. The PM is simply showing appreciation for the good work of caribbean people like himself. What have you done for Dominica? What have you done for the caribbean? Nothing! Nothing! Get a life and do something so you can be appreciated. But you are nothing! Your ignoramus.

      • Anonymous
        July 15, 2011

        your comments make no sense you come across like a 2 yr old, i wonder why your ignorant mother had to call you ignoramus, i feel sorry for you.go find reasoning and come again.arsewipe your nose is brown

    • DE CARIBBEAN CHANGE,
      July 15, 2011

      Stop crying over trivial things and over spilt milk. What have you done for Dominica? Nothing. What have you done for the caribbean? Nothing. Shiv is now de “macho man” in Dominica. Take it or live it. Yesterday was Irvine whom the Guyanese fans loved, now today is Shiv’s turn.

      • ANON
        July 15, 2011

        and what you do already for dominica my boy?????? elightent us please and stop blowing your own damn horn we hear it enough

    • DE CARIBBEAN CHANGE,
      July 19, 2011

      Stop writing for writing sake, Dahman.

  35. REVOLUTION NOW
    July 14, 2011

    Tony,it’s time that we shut u up.Don’t u learn a lesson from what happened to Chavez and Savarin?Death will shut u up soon,we did not vote for u,this shows that Skerrit is really not in control.

    • DE CARIBBEAN CHANGE,
      July 15, 2011

      Stop gloating over people’s illness. What has someone falling sick got to do with the status quo? What should we do when you fall sick, one day? You are a complete jackass and uneducated. Get a life!

      • ANON
        July 15, 2011

        when savarin see what kind of jumbie he dealing with the frighten and get heart attack…… it have more hungry DOGS LIKE ME thaN well fed gateH wasSSS like you AND WE WILL EAT YOU BOSS

    • DE CARIBBEAN CHANGE,
      July 19, 2011

      Anon, you are too stupid and low-life. You are the jumbie, stupid. Stop reveling in people’s illness, your fool. Get a life and educate yourself.

      • ANON
        July 27, 2011

        I WONDER HOW EDUCATED YOU ARE???? GIVE ME YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AND I WILL SHOW U HOW EDUCATED I AM…….TILL THEN PUT UR LEG HIGH UP AND LICK YOUR SAC LIKE THE DOG THAT YOU ARE.

  36. Red-Antz
    July 14, 2011

    Tony Astaphans is not my favorite person but i have to agree with him on this one. The opposition has definitely failed the people and has neglected it’s duties to this nation. A little maypwee, beff and scandal does humor dominicans at times but to adopt this as the modus operandi of a political organization is childish and unprofessional and certainly does not spell well for the politics or development of this country. The opposition has fallen miserably (flat on it’s face) and does not seem to have the impulse to push itself back to even a kneeling position. The opposition leader himself is not just a child but a puppet, a mare mouth piece with a title who serves only to echo the thoughts and callous views of his masters and the jesters who serve his masters.

    The opposition has also launched a campaign of character assassinations against outstanding dominican citizens and academics who operate in and around the government circles, while we may question the motives and abilities of some of these individuals, to seek to destroy them using matters not related to their professional capacities is unethical and by no means gives positive credit to the opposition.

    UWP has reflected in their actions the saying, “a drowning man will catch at straws”. Petty and unimportant are the issues that they seek to use as leverage against government and not once have we heard from them a solid argument nor a positive alternative to correct the ills that they claim exist in government. The opposition’s presentations to the dominican public are laughable at best, each presenter a comedian in his own right.

    If Labour bad for Dominica, UWP 10 times worst, they lack the maturity and the seriousness required to run our country.

    • campbell i from
      July 14, 2011

      shot up you stupid

      • Red-Antz
        July 15, 2011

        @campbell i from

        is that all u’ve got? typical of workers response, personal attacks and name calling rather than dealing with the realities with which u are confronted.

    • In hell
      July 14, 2011

      Ask the farmer in his field how much it hurts being beaten by RED ANTS. More examples in our faces, right under our noses, of the dictatorial trends in Dominica.

      Nor even his cabinet colleagues, Skerritt would respect. Dominicans know for sure that Skerritt did not thrash that latest decision with anybody. That was implied.

      No right thinking, sane Leader would take a decision without first discussing it with his cabinet. Dominica cannot be Skerritt’s estate. After disrespecting his own colleagues, he then goes to them for ratification? Pure madness in this day and age. That tells us Dominicans of the calibre of Skerritt and his ilk.

      Dominicans we are in 21st. century where the whole world is fighting against dictatorship, Bad governance, lawlessness, corruption, immoral behaviour. Sadly, in Dominica some want to experiment living under the rule of a dictator. A stitch in time saves nine. It seems we are not part of this world, which we say is a global village?

      How many of you Dominicans really love yourselves and/or your children? Consciously or unconsciously you are putting more pressure on those youth by supporting a showman disguised as a leader of our country. For sure, those youth are not going to stand for dictatorial rule. Never. The patriots of Dominica will not sit by and allow dictatorship to take over our beautiful island. Impossible. Skerritt and TA put that in your pipes and smoke it. All you taking barley for rice.

      In fact, Dominicans have allowed those guys to get away, literally, with murder that it will take determined, committed, persistent struggle to bring Dominica back on track. Fight injustice, narcissism, corruption now or forever be damned. God helps only those who help themselves.

  37. Wey
    July 14, 2011

    This is very sad for Dominica. Can’t believe this last statement by Tony.

  38. Anonymous
    July 14, 2011

    :) What about Dominican citizens, they don,t have a say in the matter? Tony just shut up man….

  39. true dominican
    July 14, 2011

    listening to all these comments from all of these political hungry people it seems that u all missed the whole point hector like a big dummy just talkin like an empty barrel i wonder if it was he that was the prime minister what his move would of been.giving the guy a passport is not a bad move at all its not the first time this happened in the caribbean

    • Dominican too
      July 14, 2011

      Isn’t Shivnerine Chanderpaul a Caricom national already? What is the importance of this Dominican citizenship. To enter Lybia and China without a visa? “The Queen bestows Knighthood in de Monarchy” What’s the comparison in this statement here? Get the F#%@k outta here. Seriously.

  40. DO NOT CUT ME OF YOU
    July 14, 2011

    AS I WAS SAYING: I Fully endorse what Hector John has said, and dismiss as utter and unadulterated rubbish the garbage spewing from the mouth of this man whom noone has elected to speak on their behalf ……

  41. kristoff
    July 14, 2011

    A few years ago, former queen marcella larouque was granted citizenship by the vincencian government. did vincencian get on the way you all DOMi Ni Can is getting on? Brian lara was issued land in Antigua for scoring over 300 runs, did antiguans get on the way allu getting on here… Grow up people, stop make politics have allu like illiterates…. Grow Up Dominicans….

    • PJ
      July 15, 2011

      Do you know whether or not there was a consultation with cabinet members before those decisions were made? I don’t think the uproar is about granting citizenship, it is about the procedure avoided in doing so.

  42. Anonymous
    July 14, 2011

    the more i hear tony astaphan, the more i think his mission is to bring down the government.

  43. RAS B
    July 14, 2011

    It is difficult to fathom the purpose of Tony’s Outburst. He allowed himself and his attack to disintegrate into political mepuis and has said nothing about the granting of the citizenship. I expected Tony, as a lawyer, to present a sensible argument about the legal implications for this action, but no Tony had a different agenda, apparently he is always on the lookout to have his picture on DNO and hug the limelight, how sad!

  44. Lavie Dominique
    July 14, 2011

    I Cannot stand a bone in this body? DNO please stop giving him a platform to jeer at the cacadoes and cockroaches! he is an eye sore to us! Duh do us that nuh man!

  45. ANON
    July 14, 2011

    PRAISE GOD FOR C.M.C.E

    It is time for us as a people to rise up and take a stance against our governments, and demand that our future and the future of our children be attended to. Corruption, party politics, ego, self interest are all getting in the way of a sustainable future for all of CARICOM citizens, and it is time we stand against this. In Trinidad and Tobago, the issue of Reshmi Ramnarine, and that of missing pianos are taking precedence over food security. In Jamaica, the Manat and Phelps issue involving the Jamaica labour Party trumps the eradication of poverty. We cannot leave our future up to our heads of Governments, for as CLR James said, political leaders in the West Indies discuss everything else other than serious politics.

    • ANON
      July 14, 2011

      IT IS TIME FOR SENIOR COUNCIL TO MOVE AND LET THE PEOPLE ACCESS THEIR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE SO THAT HE CAN ANSWER QUESTIONS FOR HIMSELF

      • ANON
        July 14, 2011

        mr astaphans, jus now you will fight with DR.AAron for the position of PRO???

      • DE CARIBBEAN CHANGE,
        July 15, 2011

        What questions? He has answered those questions already, and the people responded 18-3 last year, your fool.

    • DE CARIBBEAN CHANGE,
      July 15, 2011

      What are you? A Tameel Tiger from Sri Lanka? You talking about rise up.

  46. Emil Ti Kwen
    July 14, 2011

    No! Did ‘Astaphans’ (sic) really said what you published in the penultimate paragraph of the above article?

    • Homeboy
      July 14, 2011

      Ha ha ha… I bet he did as Admin would never risk the WRATH OF ASTAPHAN… hehehe

  47. ANON
    July 14, 2011

    “The Prime Minister may not have discussed it with his Cabinet before but he will take it to the cabinet and get the approval for a decision of almost 99.9 percent,” he said.

    WELL THANK YOU!!! HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHHEYYYYYYYYYYYY

    • ......
      July 14, 2011

      The PM has all authority to make a decision..what is wrong with allu ppl..if he can’t as leader of the country and of his party who will?

      just wait until UWP is elected with a different, leader, president and option for PM and allu will see chaos in Dominica….

    • campbell i from
      July 14, 2011

      shut up in wat ever oganisation you are the leader must meet with his members befor taking any dicision…. alas dominica wat a shame to the members of the cabinet

      • DE CARIBBEAN CHANGE,
        July 15, 2011

        What cabinet? The kitchen cabinet? They all voted 18-3, last year. That’s why there is nothing more to take to the cabinet, your fool.

    • ANON
      July 27, 2011

      BOY DE CARIBBEAN REALLY CHANGE EH, TOO MANY SOUTH AFRICANS FROM MUGABE’S CAMP ON DNO, WE DONT WANT ALLU IN DE CARIBBEAN! SO CHANGE!

  48. Wow
    July 14, 2011

    Oh Tony get a life! Chupes

    • DE CARIBBEAN CHANGE,
      July 15, 2011

      He is still breathing, still walking, still talking, still working, still sexing, still providing for his family, his heart still beating, so he has a life.

  49. Anonymous
    July 14, 2011

    and who is the .001 percent that will thats likely to oppose the PM. It only shows de cabinet with foochets from china is a one man show

    Voice

    • DE CARIBBEAN CHANGE,
      July 15, 2011

      It is sad that you can’t be a one-man show in anything. It goes to show how imbecile and ignorant you are with a chinese foochet in your hand.

      • ANON
        July 27, 2011

        TONY LAPTOP U USING MAN MY BROTHER….???????????
        JAH BOY U PERSISTENT. MOSQUITO DOE PERSISTENT LIKE U EH MY BOY….

        LETS GIVE HIM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR NOT GIVING UP!!!

  50. linky
    July 14, 2011

    but what tony think

  51. Referee
    July 14, 2011

    This is further proof of the dictatorial tendency of the pm who sees himself as a little despot. I guarantee he will do more of these in the future. And why not? he has publicly said he is more powerful than the constitution. He also believes he is outside the purview of the courts since he has the pssawed on his side to manipulate the courts at will.

    There is no way one can make the case that the country is not heading into a dictatoship. Skerritt learnt well from Chavez .

  52. Evolved
    July 14, 2011

    There is no direct benefit to Dominica giving this man a passport – the decision was impulsive and in my opinion not well thought through – the West Indies team over the years have shown poor sportsmanship, a complete lack of discipline and in my view that does not warrant a passport. Skerrit should be looking at what incentives he could offer the Cricket board to have additional matches in Dominica – it should all be about business – foreign exchange injection into the economy – nothing else

  53. Justice
    July 14, 2011

    The Prime Minister may not have discussed it with his Cabinet before but he will take it to the cabinet and get the approval for a decision of almost 99.9 percent,”because not one of them can oppose their God, he will take away their daily bread. In that case Tony, would you oppose?

  54. Domnitjen
    July 14, 2011

    Is Tony Astaphan Government’s Press Secretary or the nations mouth piece? Why can he let the PM speak for himself? If Tony is always up front to comment on every issue facing government, why doesn’t he run for elections?

    • KAYA
      July 14, 2011

      TOTALLY AGREE

    • campbell i from
      July 14, 2011

      tony know why he talking like dat cuz all of dem going into the same room lol hehehehehe

    • DE CARIBBEAN CHANGE,
      July 15, 2011

      He is a defense attorney defending our PM from the mouth of ignoramuses like you spewing rubbish and garbage.

      • campbell i from
        July 16, 2011

        you that spewing rubbish you fool ( sot!!!!! jack ass

  55. rasta
    July 14, 2011

    Mr Astaphans while it is true these guys may act like kids…why are u bent on discriminating Dominicans like that?

    And anything that the Prime Minister say the cabinet will always vote 99.9% because they don’t have no choice

  56. Anonymous
    July 14, 2011

    Why is Tony always the mouthpeice for the PM? SMDH…..

    • campbell i from
      July 14, 2011

      he know why!!!!!

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