I apparently created a firestorm with my comments a couple of days ago about political developments in the country and what they portend, going forward.
I was not surprised by the intensity of the response, both pro and con. After all, I have been a regular visitor to the island, and despite the old refrain that I do not live here, the frequency of my visits and my significant real estate holdings on the island should put to rest the notion that I am somehow an alien in my land of birth. But more broadly, the argument lacks merit no matter to whom it is applied.
The latter point needs some amplification. Every time there is a debate in which the Diaspora community weighs in, there is a faction among the Dominica public that will not hesitate to go down the low road of dividing Dominicans between those who live here and those who don’t, as if Dominicans who earn their living overseas, by some unknown decree, have suddenly lost their Dominican citizenship.
It’s a sick and pernicious attitude that serves no useful purpose. It’s also short sighted, if not entirely blind to the reality that Dominicans living overseas provide a valuable, and some argue, an indispensable safety net for the entire country. As one commentator in favor of my statement noted, if you wish to silence Diaspora opinion, you may also wish to return the life saving barrels which arrive on a regular basis. In a very real sense, transfer payments (from overseas) which represent some 20 per cent of GDP in most developing countries, represent some form of tax on those living overseas and these payments find their way into circulation in the recipient economies and account for a significant portion of economic activity. This fact is undeniable. So to state that we do not live here and do not pay taxes is to be blind to economic reality.
I hope this puts this bogus argument to rest.
My general reaction to comments in response to my statement varied from detached amusement to acceptance of the reality that there may indeed be two Dominicas. There are those who will support the status quo simply because of their honest conviction that the country is on the right course. Fair enough, if that’s their position. All that can be said is that they are entitled to their views, provided they are being honest with themselves. But this sub set of people supporting current policy may also include others who are doing so because of a deliberate calculation that doing otherwise may bring economic ruin and are thus prisoners of conscience. (Think of those who hold ambassadorial positions).
On the other side of the spectrum you have people whose views are informed by a genuine desire to preserve the values on which the country was founded: Honesty, hard work, love of country etc, and are pre-occupied with preserving those values and the need to hand them down to future generations. The culture of this country cannot be defined by greed and corruption at the highest levels, and that seems to be at the heart of the debate to define the soul of the country.
Which brings me to a point that I learnt from one commentator: There seems to be a form of moral relativism taking root in Dominica. Right and wrong are not always absolute but are relative to who is committing the act. If what is generally regarded as wrong is done by a favored person, then the act becomes acceptable. Enriching one’s self at the expense of the public is wrong yet many will admit that it is okay if the prime minister stashes away a bit because at the end of the day he is helping the country. That’s what I mean by moral relativism and there are numerous examples around. They are not difficult to find.
My final comment has to do with the tone of the discourse. Some feel that they need to hurl insults in order to make a point. If this had been a live forum in a physical location, these people would be shouting at the top of their lungs. This reminds me of my former parish priest in Mahaut who began a sermon with the observation that as an altar boy he noticed after mass a small piece of folded paper by the pulpit. When he opened it he saw the inscription:”point weak, shout like hell”.
They cannot shout online, so they take comfort to in hurling insults.
We can all agree that it is healthy to disagree but it is not healthy to do so disagreeably.
Happy New Year to all.
JBS
To suggest that the Prime Minister is enriching himeself at the expense of the public, is wicked, malcious and should be condemned. If you had written this article in another country about the head of that country, say in the middle east for example you would never be able to submit another article. So my advise is, enjoy our democracy brother!
Mr. Sampson, I challenge you to name three articles you have writen in ten years complimenting the Government on something good. More so, like the IMF, CDB, world Bank have done complimented the gov’t, have you ever publicly done this?
well mr sampson all lot of the famaliy members who send barrells go in to certain labour areas you have not made or attracted one single investor to this land .you cannot secure one single cent outside of da but yet you bray. show some respect to your flag stop the talk and roll in to action or else just plain shut up
Yes Mr. Sampson, your significant amount of real estate? is that the land that you inherited up belfast river on which you put a mansion on the hill or, is there more? All you need is your own helipad to get to your mansion because Mahaut is now beneath you.
LOLOLOL…..Mr. Andrews. I love DNO. I wish I could get a job with you editing some of those blogs. I tell you it would be “lafeh sho” on some of those bloggers with their bad words, insults, bad grammar etc.
Lord, but we Dominicans are politically sick wi!!
is there anyone who can submit without fear of contradiction that fearing for ones job in the public service is a new phenomenon? Can the UWP say that during its time on the national stage,there was no fear for ones job in the public service or any statutory organization? In 1995 the UWP campaigned on a “Fear No More” slogan. Did they hold on to that principle. I will ask Jeff Scotland, Velma Paul, Cecil Shillingford, Camilla Bellot etc for their experiences in fearing for their job. Mr. James used his slim 1 seat majority in the house to pass a law to close down the DBGA. Mr. James placed Angeo Allen on the News Desk of DBS Radio to manipulate the news. Velma Paul left for exile in fustration, never to return because the powers that be led by Eddison James sent her packing from GIS. Julius sampson was either supportive of these decisions or he was busy making money with Merryl Lynch and cared to hoot about developments in Dominica. To his credit, Lennox Linton left the board of Directors of DBS radio quietly in disagreement over the appointment, it is alleged, but he never went public in disagreement citing a threat to democracy and free speech.
Mr. Sampson has a point to make and he has done so with some clarity. However, why is it that those from the diaspora who choose to comment on and lead voices on things in Dominica always do so when things are said or alleged against government. I have not seen or read an articulated commentary about positive developments in Dominica from the diaspora. Those from the diaspora who have commented on positive things in Dominica seemingly are ordinary people who may not have the ability to illucidate on issues but would simply write a line or two. individuals like JBS who with the ability and claim to retain their Dominican citizenship and right to speak about things in Dominica, seemingly have not seen any good development in Dominica. Their every commentary has been a lamentation and a lamentation after another. The people of Dominica who live here and are experiencing the dialy toil and struggle to survive know very well who are the people who have their interest at heart. Certainlythey have delivered a successive and resounding “NO” to the UWP on three separate and distinct occasion – 2000, 2005 and 2009. If that makes the people of Dominica foolish, stupid, uneducated and ignorant then the likes of JBS should assist in making us understand what is the dynamic here. Why, for all their public posturuing of morality to the high heavens and ehtics to their back teeth, and possess of the ability to transform things locally even when the world is experiencing serious financial and economic turmoil – a world we depend on for everything, the UWP has not won the hearts of the vast majority of the Dominican public?
By the way Mr. JBS can you identify any significant opposition to Mr. Skerrit other than the tried and tested UWP agents both resident and in the diaspora?. These mouth pieces of the UWP have failed and they will continue to fail again and again. The people of Dominica knows best about where their interest is. Again why is it that suporters of he ruling regime are selfish, opportunists and think only of themselves and lost oportunities should the Labour lose office. What is the acid test that would separate Labour Party supporters and the UWP supporters in this respect? Both groups wants their party to be in power.
JBS, it seems like many like you with their sinister agendas are seeing things one -sided. To you it is all well an good that the Diaspora are entitled to express their opinion as they have not lost their Dominican citenzhip.This is very true so why the hell do you all guys find it an issue when the Diaspora are allowed to vote in our Genaral Elections? This is also their way of expressing their opinion so we must not put forward a position when it only suits our selfish and political motives.
No one has a problem with anyone voting, what we have a problem with is people being paid to vote which is wrong. If those people want to vote they should do so of their own free will and pay their flights themselves.
Gary boy some people fraid to lose their jobs but police whispering about what went down with the Isidore case eh boy didnt you see it was the man in charge of the police service commission that was escorting Isidore to court? that alone speaks volume.
This kind of bitching and division in Dominica, it is reputed, caused Christopher Columbus to quickly leave the island when he bumped into it back in 1492 (or thereabouts). We must stop, or no future Chris Columbs will take us seriously.
@Gary,well said anyone with commonsence should understand your point,I’m proud of you,alot of guys out there believed because they are educated they can fool people.I’m 47years old first time I heard Dominica is not a democratic country,What troubles me is some guys doesn’t know when to put politics aside and country first . if you are living overseas and you are not intend to contribute to this country, I guess your point should be fear and balance not one sided.
i am not in politics or want to think that this writing was political but to tell you the truth this long list of words made no sense. again this is my opinion.
Let me start of by saying to you Mr Sampson, reading your previous comment and this one, I”m not so much disturbed by your claim of patriotism to your Country or your claim to being Dominican being absent from the Country. What clearly disturbs me, is some of the statements you have made about your Country.You being a former Journalist and Editor who’s task it was to get the facts and report it. You were responsible for accuracy, that means checking your sources, verifying them before publishing the story and finally, as a Journalist and Editor you were also responsible to tell the truth because it is the moral thing to do. I must say you have not shown any of these traits from your past as a Journalist and Editor, instead you have chosen to showcase your political agenda. The search for facts and the truth are no longer your ambition, your Journalistic skills are thrown out.
Your reference describing the two divisions of People in Dominica based on your observation and analysis by the reactions to previous comments you posted tells me how little you understand the situation that is before us as a Nation and what is the catalyst of such problem and why such a problem still persist one year after a general elections have been held.. Judging from your comments I assume you are of the latter division as describe by you quote “people whose views are informed by a genuine desire to preserve the values on which the country was founded: Honesty, hard work, love of country etc, and are pre-occupied with preserving those values and the need to hand them down to future generations.” Why is it the people in that division like you think that your are all well informed and want the best for the Country and the other division does not want the best for the Country and they are not informed. Where does that ludicrous thinking comes from? You know, i thought being well informed has always been seeking the facts,based on evidence, and not hearsay, and not making gross exaggerated claims such as quote “Recent events surrounding a high-profile case before the courts alleging theft of millions of dollars from a law firm and government’s unusual deployment of security forces around the court send sends a clear message of intimidation and betrays government’s intention to use the state’s security forces for political purposes” This is a quote from a past commentary you wrote . Let us be honest, are statements like this true? Are you telling me that you are well informed and care for your Country? This does not sound like someone who is well informed at all, but someone with a political agenda who is reckless with the search for the truth. Here is another one quote “I believe Dominica’s democracy is imperiled by attempts to undermine the judiciary and the criminal justice system when government intervenes in a private matter before the courts and seeks to influence the police in their exercise of their duty” Mr Sampson as a former Editor and Journalist is that what you called well informed?
I”m in no way implying that you are not entitled to have your political views or express what you feel as to what is going on in your Country You have a right to believe what you want. Let us not forget there is a difference between what believe and what is true. What you perceive, your observations, feelings, interpretations, are all your truth. Your truth is important. Yet it is not the truth. Never forget truth only reveals itself when one gives up all preconceived ideas. Finally, i would like to join you in the plea to stop the insults and sometimes racial slurs and let us focus on seeking the truth that is what will set us free as a Nation. The truth will revel, time will tell.
Gary it is obvious that you are incapable of rational discourse only because you are so blinded by Partisanship. In fact you sound like a kid and I assume you are and maybe , just maybe one day you will be able to hold a solid discussion.
What I’ve notice is that you continuously extract excerpts form people’s contribution for critical analsis and you continuosly fail. In critical writting one must present a counter argument with reasoning, supportive data. If you disagree with someone’s point of view then you must intelligently do so. Please dont take this the wrong way but you do sound like a broken record as your evry and only argument is based on the “Hearsay Factor”. Just a bit of knowledge Gary- The Hearsay factor is fundamental to any type of investigation.It was the same hear say that revealed the facts regarding the Garbage Bin fiasco or error if that makes you Gary feel better. It was hearsay that exposed fertilizer fiasco , the land purchase tax “errors” and much more. I am certain that today you and many others are ” well informed” of the above noted occurences so much so that you can have a meaningful opinion – bias, objective or otherwise.
The alarming feeling that our democracy is being threatened is not based on hear say and neither is the threat to democracy unfounded. The Brisbane attack, the engineering company public lynching , the deliberate diregard for the law by those in authority ( Citizenship melee) , the red clinic- ” not your darn buisness government responses and much more lies and dishonesty are acts of threatery. Gary if you dont think that the noted acts are not in anyway a threat to our democracy then please state your position intelligently but dont just say that this is is hearsay.
On a recent blog I noted that Tony Astaphan is still pissed off at Mr Emmanuel because Mr Emmanuel ordered Tony’s arrest for contempt of court. Your response was laughable and worthy of redicule. I implore you to read carefully before commenting or formulating a critical analysis. If you dont have facts or data to support your bias opinion then it is better to remain silent. One does not have to barbel to show off his or her intelligence.
In reiteration you need to read carefully and deal with the facts. if you wish to disagree with one’s point of view then you must clearly present a supportive counter argument.I do hope that the next time you choose to be critical however bias , objective or otherwise that you do so conviction.
To Espwa Malpapaiy
I will say this to you .Everyone hears only what he wants to understands and as in your case it is no different. You accusation of me being a kid shows arrogance. Let me tell you why, arrogance and rudeness are training wheels on the bicycle of life for weak people who cannot keep their balance without them. I have noticed that when people cannot understand something they always turn to teaching, as in your case talking about critical thinking and what it is, but giving lip service. Your have not showed anything thing as to what you ascribe to critical thinking other than the same old Political rhetoric.
You accuse me of quote “What I’ve notice is that you continuously extract excerpts form people’s contribution for critical analysis and you continuously fail.” well you have not told me what i have fail at. here I’m going to quote one of your ludicrous statements and show how ludicrous you sound . You wrote quote . “The Hearsay factor is fundamental to any type of investigation” really, that is the stupidity and foolishness I’m talking about, this i will tell you, the most fundamental factor in an investigation is gathering evidence since, that is what is going to decide the final out come of an investigation as to if a crime was committed or not. Hearing something in public and not having the facts or evidence to back it up is not fundamental in an investigation, ask any professional investigator they will tell you they want the hard facts, Yes a tip might be helpful in the investigation but again it must be supported by evidence or else that tip is of no use.What is so hard to understand that hearsay is not admirable in a Court Room, you cannot decide someone guilt or innocence with hearsay that is not in our constitution.
You make statements saying that our Democracy is threatened, Why can you not show me how that is true?. Do you really understand what Democracy is and the things that threatened a Democracy. Government officials are accused or alleged of stealing, Private citizens freely criticizing their Governments openly and Broadcasters accusing the PM of a Country and you telling me that in Dominica Democracy is threatened. Some time ago you made a comment that “Mamo” was responsible for the arrest of Mr Astaphan on contempt of court. I told you how ridiculous that is since it is only a court official which is a Judge or a Magistrate who can find someone contempt of court. “Mamo” was not a judge or a Magistrate so how the hell she could do such thing and told you to get your facts straight. Now here you are laying you did not say it was Emmanuel period!! who was responsible, had you said that i would not object.since he was at the time a Magistrate and the one responsible for finding Tony contempt of Court and you are telling me I’m laughable and worthy of ridicule. There is a saying liars have no memory and that is exactly what you are portraying to be .
The advice you gave in regards to read carefully before commenting or formulating a critical analysis, that is for you..You have shown nothing in that in regard to my comment or any of the comments you have made in the past but instead paying lip service and having the same nonsensical Political rhetoric and calling me bias. Why do you want me to remain silent? I’m not there to babel or show intelligence this is not what this forum is about. I know fully well that we all have different ideologies, and different beliefs and we are not going to understand each other sometimes, but trying to put someone down showing superiority when you cannot agree with them this just shows the kind of personality you are up against.
You make no sense at all. Your problem is you dont read carefully and you should take that advice with humility.
Just to be short. Why would I say Mamo when my entire discusion was based on the Isidor/ Emmanuel case. How does mamo (dead 4 years ago) get into the discussion. If you read objectively you would have notice that at the begining of my blog I refered to the plaintiff as “you Follow- MANO ” – Mano is the shortened form for Emmanuel ” I did not say Mamo. Assuming that I typed Mamo the rational person would recognize the typo. Mamo has absolutel. It’s OK Gary dont feel so bad. Just make a consertive effort to read carefully. I wont respond to your diatribes I will ride the high horse and remain on the high road. Look who is the liar. Check the DNO news archive
” The hearsay factor is fundamental to any type of investigation”- That does not signify that hearsay is the ony factor.When someone says something is fundamental it implies importance and significance. That said, I wont dispute that conclusive evidence isn’t paramount to the final outcome of an investigation. A second grader would clearly understannd what I said in my previous blog simply because I supported my statement – Please read again and you will notice that I followed through by highlighting a few issues that were labeled as malicious and unfounded (hearsay) but ultimately these hearsays brought gto light the malfeasance and misconduct in government. Please read again. If not look at CSI or read a book.
Gary when I said that our democracy is ” THREATENED ” that does not mean that democracy is non existence. Put simply ,I did not say that we have NO democracy in dominica. Dude your problem is that you allow emotions to dictate your reasoning. Note that I again made reference to a few incidences that suggest that our democracy is under attack.
I cannot continue to respond to such nonesense. I just realize that I’m actually stooping to a lower level of discourse.
Bye Kid .
To Gary lets see who the liar is . Go to the DNO search engine and type Isidore and you will see my blog on Wednesday December 29 .Just to save you some time I will paste the blog so all can read and realize the Boowick in you… Here you go
espwa mal papiy Well-loved. Like or Dislike: 17 5December 29, 2010 • 10:27 am
I’ve already predicted that this case will be settled out of court. There is just too much embarassment for too many people in high places. Tony Astaphan would be more than happy to settle. I am absolutely sure that Tony is a “Blauffere”.
If “YOU FOLLOW” wants to settle then why is there a need for the arab messiah. The arab messiah has a personal axe to grind with mano. Remember mano had Tony arrested for contempt of court andTony still feels that You Follow was out a place to arrest an Astaphan. Tony had been waiting for an opportunity but this time does not seem to be the opportuned moment.
The higher and faster the monkey climb is the more it expose it’s ugly rear. That applies to politicians and young lawyers who are overly ambitious and seek to get rich overnight. You put a kid in a candy store and sooner or later thetooth aches.
Land for sale, lawyers for sale, political favors for sale, passports for sale, bishops for sale, pastors for sale, police officials for sale, mayor for sale, dual citizenship documents for sale, court papers for sale, matt for sale. The whole darn country is for sale.
How the hell does Mamo get in there- Only through the mind of an appologist and an ignoramus
Gary it seem like Espwa had the last laugh.
If I was in your place I would put my tail between my leg and hide under a table. Espwa you tight my brother.
We dont need to go to the courts to believe that our PM is a crook. We did not go to the courts to learn that they reaped off the treasury on some cheap garbage bins and fertilizer. We dont need to go to courts to learn that the ownership of the villas is tainted. Time will tell
Please why is it wrong to be loyal to the PM or the party in power, it is what the people want. We cannot be angry with people for making choices, no matter the choice.
There are those who love Eddison James and are loyal to him, nothing is wrong with that. There are /were those who loved Miss.Charles, nothing was/ is wrong with that. Now the people love the PM just as they loved PJ in his term and those who cared and loved E.O Leblance, yet envy distroyed E.O Leblance he went into self-imposed exile, PJ was distroyed by those who envied his position, Rossie an Charles died on the job.again not appreciated.
When are we going to stop the hate and envying. There will be another election in 2015 and all in the diaspora can throw their hats in the ring and run to become the peoples champion.
sorry i meant Fontaine not Thompson
If this is your way of getting your foot through the door of the political arena…then i think u have the wrong approach…while it is commendable that u live and work overseas and continue to make your contributions to D/ca like most of us do.. you should be ashamed of yourself for posting an article which only serves to fuel the already tense political climate in the country while your ***s reside overseas…that i think is very selfish…if you do not have anything POSITIVE to contribute to the further development of the country then i suggest you keep your negative ideas to yourself….All you accomplished by posting this article is adding your name to the list of guys like Lennox Linton, Thompson and the likes who will only dream of becoming the next PM …thank God is the people that have the final say at the polls…and they have already spoken loud and clear so put that in your pipe and smoke it..
Nature Boy, you need a lot of help. I find your comment more demeaning and politicallyl innervating towards “peace in Dominican politics”.
all i am simple saying is give the PM a break let him do the job the people elected him to do the people have spoken respect that
To Whom It May Concern
Please take heed and believe me (this humble mortal) when I say D/ca is in crisis but some will no doubt say, oh no – nonsense; the ones manipulating the system/general public to self-fulfilment/indulgence – milking the system, filling their baskets.
Moral philosophy is a branch of philosophy, which seeks to address questions about morality; that is, about concepts such as good and bad, right and wrong, justice, and virtue.
To those suckers, intent on bleeding D/ca dry I say “fools laugh at their own calamity”
Dominica will prevail!
nature boy i can point my finger @ mr sampson . if u want mr sampson to smoke his pipe i would like to know who R
PLZ be man and tell me ur name thanks
Nature boy need stop hating those who live in the diaspora and get back to school and get a real degree with hard work like Dr. Fontaine and all the thers so he too can make a meaningful contribution to his country’s development.
I have come to the understanding that once u are liked in this island u can commit all the wrongs there is it’s ok,u can be forgiven.If uare not liked,u’ll be sent down to hell.When a man like Charles Maynard can ask why a man should Skerrit leave office poor and at the same time condemn Edison James for corruption? The reason is simply because he did not benefit from Edison but now he’s profitting from Skerrit’s theft. What message is he sending to me? So if one day he employs me,it’s ok for me to steal from him.
Well put Bro, I could not have written it better. I must say that presently in Dominica we have many ‘prisoners of conscience.’ right is right and wrong is wrong no matter who does it. Nuff respect!
Nice commentary.
To Whom It May Concern
Please take heed and believe me (this humble mortal) when I say D/ca is in crisis but some will no doubt say, oh no – nonsense; the ones manipulating the system/general public to self-fulfilment/indulgence – milking the system, filling their baskets.
Moral philosophy is a branch of philosophy, which seeks to address questions about morality; that is, about concepts such as good and bad, right and wrong, justice, and virtue.
To those suckers, intent on bleeding D/ca dry I say “fools laugh at their own calamity”
Dominica will prevail!
MR. SAMPSON….PLEASE KEEP SPEAKING YOUR MIND….BUT YOU SHOULD ALSO EXPECT AN ATTEMPT ON YOUR LIFE SOON FOR YOU ARE TRYING TO FIGHT A WELL ESTABLISHED DICTATORSHIP. WISH YOU ALL THE BEST….KEEP YP THER GOOD WORK SIR.
i agree 100% with that statement,,,,if u disagree then u must be a ************,,,,well i guess that’d make me one as u,,,,so i’ll keep it to myself lol
When the diaspora is needed to vote for the DLP, they find no problem with the diaspora distorting the feelings on the ground. Clearly it is the diaspora voters imported en masse by the plane loads who caused the 18-3 victory of the Labour Party by changing the numbers in tight seats at the last minute. The problem comes when the diaspora people stop and say “wait a minute, What’s this really about” Where did those millions come from to bring us in for one day to vote for you? ” While we give you one cross on a ballot paper and are then shipped back out what does the ones who put up the money for our trip get out of the deal?” And as for the fawning ambassadors, they are uncomfortable with their sin of gaining the whole world and losing their souls by pretending they do not see wrongdoing, just take a look at how they smile to the ordinary labourites-correction -grin at them.
Plain and simple. These are not the people of the diaspora who voted for labour. With or without the diaspora, the labour party would still win.
Wel Said sir… We as a people in general can be considered as being gullible and tainted by our likes and dislikes especially along political lines… There is a massive brain drain in Dominica, with a high number of the population hardly read our engage in thought provoking discussions. Therefore, many derive their opinions based on what the political leaders say… may it green, blue or read… We need to wake up and think constructively for ourselves… It is very sad to see the level at which we are and the road we are heading too… one prominent Caricom lawyer said to me and I quote “Dominica society is so small it is hampering the practice of true democracy” and I ponder on this comment… Is it true???
Bro Julius, You do not even need to respond to some of the superficiality of the response. You have to understand if you comment of the ills which plague the country you will be perceived as attacking the provider of their bread and butter. So never mind these people. You see, you are not a beggar and you do not have to walk up government steps to get a salary, neither can you be oppressed or be fired. You have given your fair share of contribution to Dominica, you have the right to comment as much as you want to. Most of these young minds are not able to step where you have trodden, and please do not for one minute take any of these negative comments are worthy to listened to, they just fire comments anonymously and not warrant a response. I look forward on reading much more from you. Who don’t like it, well that’s just too bad for them.
Why don’t you state your position instead of hiding behind your keypad. As mentioned by you and your ilk, evil isn’t evil unless administered by the unfavourable. You are just as much to blame as those you accuse of being corrupt. With your significant amount of real-estate (as noted by you), do you take the time to spare a thought for the poor man who is helping to enrich your pockets too. It is easy to call a storm a storm once the receiver is on the periphery. All of you who criticize and throw shade at the current regime are only doing so to work your way into the exact position you denounce. Opportunistic, hypocrites, liars, and troublemakers are the only words which best describe you and the rest of your kind.
Well said Sir. Being in the foreign does not mean we have lost our Dominicanness!
Our people still behave like savages.Our social skills are dispicable; courtesy is non existence even at buisness places. Two months ago I went to the ministry of Tourism and the lady at the front desk was very rude. I walked up to the front desk and she was reading the news paper ; it was about 10:30 AM. The young lady failed to acknowledge my presence even while I stood at the edge of her desk. It was only when I decided to approach someone else in the room that she responded.
I often ask myself wether or not the behavior of our people can be attributed to cultural upbringnin. In this day of mass communication and high speed information access Dominicans need to learn and adopt proper communication and social skills.
As noted by the writter even the people who are suppose to know better, the educated ones display such arrogance and rudness. Our people’s way of showing disagreement is by insults and derison. Dominicans think that talking down to people is a form of establishing turf and authority. I’ve witness such behavior at immigration, customs, supermarkets, Hotels and other government offices.
I am afraid that we are shooting ourselves in the feet when we are disrespectful to others. It is rather not surprising that our country is now plagued by so much violence. By reading many of the response on this web site I believe that a significant number of the interactions would have been physical in a person to person situation.
Written like the late GM! Well said.
When I was back home some time ago there was a song that said “if you want a job in the ministry is a a pull string” and like the song goes too get any thing done in this country of mines one has to know people.. I am all for networking but when i come one here and read about the network off dishonesty taking place in Dominica by Public Servants its not hard to see we are going bad from top to bottom.
Ha! Ha! Ha!…..It was good reading this piece..
Great point and well written piece. I think it is time that we all agree to disagree and not insult our brothers and sisters to make a point.
MASTERPIECE!
WELL PUT
Your comments were justified and Correct and TRUE. “Who vex lost.”
skerrit was also born in dominica
JBS!!! It’s that type of commentary which ferments disgust and forces one to respond. Enriching one’s self at the expense of the public is wrong yet many will admit that it is okay if the prime minister stashes away a bit because at the end of the day he is helping the country. That’s what I mean by moral relativism and there are numerous examples around. They are not difficult to find.
My take is that, your quote is so vague, misleading and without any substance. If one is to consider himself as objective, he has to rely on facts rather that saying what one hears from someone without seeking the find out whether it’s true or not. I know that your song came directly from Lennox Linton’s hymn book. I challenge you to produce one iota of proof as to what you have said.
Lennox and his group sang so loudly, which caused every dog near the St. Gerard’s Hall to bark, yet members of the Integrity in Public Office Commission (IPO) fell asleep. The IPO silence is deafening for lack of credibility on the part of Lennox. Yet you’re trying to revive this Oldie Goldie. If you are desirous of reviving this Oldie Goldie, then you may need to produce fact, and we all know that facts are stubborn things. By the way, did you hear Ron Green’s assessment on BBC Caribbean Report on this same topic sometime last year?
I live in North American, I visit Dominica several times a year, I also have over US$1M in investment, yet I continue to be objective in my writing and pronouncements. I may not have attended a prestigious University as you did and holds no big job with Merrill Lynch as you do/did, non-the-less, I obtained a college degree and I’m proud of myself. I have never encountered people holding me as someone in the Diaspora or considered myself as one. The sad fact is, people know nonsense when they see it. When you left Dominica very few people had a college degree and we all took them for granted, this is no longer the case. I know of 20 year old kids with college degrees now, so hold your fire, Sir.
Happy New Year to you and be of good cheer.
this is not objective writing sir!
i dont think u have a college degree u don’t sound so
You cannot fight fire with fire sir. Your comment is exactly what the writer was talking about in the first place.
Obviously you do not know anything about JBS. JBS did not get “freeby” cuban scolarship to enable him to go to study at tax payers expense. He had to “graft” for his hard earned qualifications. Do not begrudge him. He is one of the very few Dominicans who came back to contribute to our economy and development after his tsudies unlike most of those who received their “skolarsheeps” because of their party political connectionsat that time.
He has left Dominica yet continues to invest in Dominica which he should be commended.
You talk about obtaining “evidence” yet you do not yourself seek to find out the evidence about this man’s background which in my view absolutely qualifies him for the views which he has espoused.
In fact I think that JBS has been very patient for a long time indeed.
I would hang on to every word he utters.
Please do not chase one of our “worthy” Dominicans away from the discussion with the usual tide of hostility.
There are many more of us who respect JBS than we do people like you.
He has earned it.
Julius: do not be deterred from giving us the benefit of your sage.
It is so easy for a fool to criticise a wise man.
BE CAREFUL MR.SAMSON YOU MIGHT BE LABLED A MEMBER OF THE UWP,JUST LIKE YOU WERE LABLED A MEMBER OF THE FREEDOM PARTY DURING THE DAYS OF MR. PATRICK JOHN BECAUSE YOU WROTE ABOUT THE CORRUPTION AT THE TIME.
well said indeed – no need for me to add to your commentary JBS – it’s spot on.
Stay in you Homeland America or Come to Dominica and work or Shut up!!!
Dominica has jobs? Where? Some of you are so jealous! You ever stopped to think that if Dominican had jobs that a lot of those who leave would stay. Please, don’t be ignorant.
we will never shut up it u vex just die
No one says that you should remain silent Mr. Sampson. However you just cannot comdemn one side based on the bias rubbish coming from one side of the fence.
In Dominica Democracy is very alive and very well dispite what you hear from the other side
open your eyes u are blind by your love for skerrit lies after lies and u are not seeing that O,M.G
Your points are noted.
The fact is this – TRUTH – is a relative term.
Political objectivity is something that is not found online in many cases.
What many people in the Diaspora do not totally know of or understand is that the average Dominican is not caught up in the Red Blue & Green back and forth.
Some people don’t care/are busy/fear for their job or their well being.
This website provides vital information in a very timely manner.
I may not support Labour views or members, but we know what is going on.
Don’t take the comments seriously, I view it as a rite of passage in Dominica.
Politics creates some strange bedfellows….it is the nature of the beast.
I do look forward to your views in future postings.
Well said. Shouting or insults do not make ” right become wrong” or “wrong become right”.