Eef I wuz

EEF I WUZ,

The CARICOM SECRETARY-GENERAL, I would insist that our member governments to accept the compilation and PUBLICATION of a CARICOM IMPLEMENTATION CHART. It would be a quarterly LISTING of where EACH country stands in actual adoption (whether by executive edict, or legal or Parliamentary ratification) of resolutions and protocols passed at the annual CARICOM summits. It would be one subtle way of pressure on the individual governments to IMPLEMENT what they formally agreed to do. Concerned citizens would learn precisely which countries – and more to the point, which governments – have failed to honour their own word!

EEF I WUZ,

A POLITICAL OBSERVER, I would feel somewhat saddened by the departure of Sir Brian from the IPO Commission.  He brought great credibility to the institution. Still, in the last few months, apparently in an effort to demonstrate his independence from the powers-that-be, he became somewhat imprudent with implied criticism via the media and other public fora.  That was wrong.  So he did the honourable thing, noting that while he could NEVER be forced.to resign on spurious allegations, he perceived the loss in confidence. He should also be remembered for these parting words “I also want to take this opportunity to place on record that I have been deeply impressed by the seriousness, professionalism, devotion, and integrity with which the Chairman and all other members, past and present, have attended to and conducted the business of the Commission.” Amen to that.

EEF I WUZ…

A PROGRESSIVE ECONOMIST, I would firmly believe that that if TRADE really took off for developing countries (i.e., if the richer nations played FAIR, allowing them a reasonable foothold in Western markets…) and the increased revenues put to health, education, infrastructure and such-like (and NOT pocketed like in some African countries…), then many in the world who struggle to stay afloat would be living a much better life. Indeed, the world would be taking a giant step toward actually eradicating poverty.

EEF I WUZ

A NATIONALIST, I would suggest it is time we implement some specific measures that support our DOMINICAN music and musicians (and that’s way beyond our fabulous calypso).  We can start with GUARANTEED radio time. In France, for example, radio quotas require 40 percent of playlists to contain French language tracks. And a new law calls for NEW ACTS to make up a specified proportion of music played. Such policies (in the proposed DOMINICA BROADCASTING ACT???) would help Dominicans to appreciate our own varied talent –  and the rest of the world to become familiar with our bouyon, calypso – and other traditional and even classical rhythms so soothingly exposed by performers like JEAN LAWRENCE-MATHURIN,  MICHELE HENDERSON, the SISSEROU SINGERS,  RIVERSONG, and others.

EFF I WUZ

SCOTIA BANK, I would encourage all and sundry to pick up a copy of our very useful pamphlet “31 TIPS FOR SAVING MONEY”.  They are all very practical suggestions, and so opportune.  Now, can we look forward to a similar “PRACTICAL TIPS to improve on DOMINICAN PRODUCTIVITY”?!?    Mr. Productivity Consultant?

EEF I WUZ…

A CITIZEN OF HAITI, I would really believe I have been once again BETRAYED by my own home grown leaders. It was MISCHIEVOUS to allow former exiled President Aristide to return to Haiti and risk stirring up past political divisions. It was MALICIOUS to allow that to happen just two days before the Presidential election.  The potential for unrest and confusion was HUGE!  At time of writing, nothing had happened, but the risk remains. Haitians are extremely volatile. That sort of bad decision by its indigenous “leaders” over the years is what has kept Haiti unstable and in extreme poverty.  One can only hope and pray that this weekend’s UN-supervised election will lead to transformational CHANGE.

AND FROM THE EEF I WUZ  ARCHIVES…

November  2010…

EEF I WUZ…

GOD, I would bestow these Independence Gifts on the following:

PRIME MINISTER SKERRIT – continuing PATIENCE to tolerate, even to ignore, the daily bombardment of irresponsible and speculative allegations by his political enemies on the talk shows, as but one of the costs of DEMOCRACY.

PRESIDENT LIVERPOOL – DISCERNMENT on how best to take the lead in influencing the media to be more POSITIVE in reflecting the news of Dominica and the opinions of Dominicans.

Businessman KARL NASSEF – an OPPORTUNITY to invest in a significant and VIABLE agriculture project (like his late grandfather once did…)

Opposition Leader “SPAGS” JOHN – INNER STRENGTH to break away from the failed negative approach to leadership exhibited by the UWP

JUDITH PESTAINA – COURAGE to break away from wholly unsatisfactory opposition strategies directed by the UWP

LENNOX LINTON – a SPIRITUAL out-of-body experience to help spur a transforming CONVERSION to RE-DIRECT his great gifts of articulation and persuasion towards our country’s national goals of economic development and the alleviation of poverty.