A call has been made for patriotism as the Layou community came alive last weekend when Dominicans turned out in large numbers to witness the official opening of this year’s Independence Celebrations.
The call was made by National Security Minister Rayburn Blackmoore who also said that no one party can build Dominica after the ravages of Tropical Storm Erika last year.
This year’s Independence opening occurred in collaboration with the Titiwi Festival which was also hosted in Layou.
“The celebration of our Independence Celebrations is also about all of us notwithstanding our party colours, our difference in religious belief, it is about all of us demonstrating a sense of patriotic attachment to our national flag,” Blackmoore, who represented Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, said. “Let me remind you that, that demonstration of patriotic attachment to our national flag is not limited to flying our national flag at our homes, on our vehicles, in our business places, it is indeed much more profound than that.”
Blackmoore said patriotism also entails Dominicans joining hands and committing themselves to pursuing a singular national goal.
He described this year’s Independence theme, “Strengthening our Commitment to Nation Building” as ‘appropriate.’
“Our theme for this year’s celebrations could not have been more appropriate, strengthening our Commitment to Nation Building…none of us will forget August 27th 2015 when many lives were lost and more than 90 percent of our country’s Gross Domestic Product was washed away in a few hours by the monster storm Erika,” he stated.
Blackmoore went to say that government has given the commitment to build back better, “but no one party can build back a better country…”
“It will require a change in our collective consciousness as a people to build back a better Dominica. We can only build back a better Dominica if we see it as a national project,” he said.
why every time Independence is here is the only time we are hearing about patriotism? what happens on a day to day?
Putting aside the politics…independence season is my favorite time of year in Dominica. I hope it is a great one and everyone enjoys it.
They eat every day and vote during each election;why think of them only during election…
The same thing every year….In addition why not call upon Dominicans to respect our supreme law,the constitution? Why not a vow to stop the begging syndrome the Evil DLP has created on island..Why not a call to look at Salisbury and Marigot as villages in Dominica?Are we really I.dependent?
tell st jean that all now he should be in jail for kidnapping as well as assault!!!
IF anyone of you Workers supporters think that you lots will be better off with Edison James and Linton mobsters, you people must be mad as a broom stick,in order words jackasses.
The truth really offends. The fact that the alternative to inept Skerrit and his corrupt Labour Party mop are real and Dominicans see decency and are more trusted by good political people like Eddison James, Hon Lennox Linton and his Team is killing the mentality of people like Sixth nine, whatever his name represents.
We need better in Dominica and Skerrit and his mob must go, thy cannot deliver the goods. Too much corruption
“Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.”
Dr. Johnson 
Dominicans are “NOT PATRIOTIC”——Period!
If they did they would be outraged with Bad Governance..
A Patriot is proud knowing that his/her island is achieving something in terms of leading in some sector,,,but in today’s dominica it’s the reverse….they’re the Poorest and Slowest Economy and their citizens are completely unable of raising the level of discuss and debate gaining some kinda of results…
Look how backward dominica is…almost all their sister islands have electoral reform and making strides yet those educated fools in dominica are still in the dam dust…
to hell with them dunce dominicans…
My Comment is rather simple
Why is The Minister of National Security making that headlined comment during this cultural event.
Isn’t there a Minister of Education, Sports and Culture… correct me if I am wrong.
And why is he calling for patriotism when he, as he almost looks like PM Skerrit, and the Skerrit administration are causing the people of Dominica not to be.
We are patriots; that’s why we think the country would be better off without you.
Keep in mind: “United we stand. Divided we fall.”
Tell Skerrit that. He is the master of Caesar’s old dictum: Divide and rule.
@Me
You walk around, sleep, wake up, eat and drink with hatred in your heart. This is not a godly act, if you are a Christian. You will answer to God for this.
Is there any end to your charades? Do you not get tired of the same repetitious old story – over and over again? Do you not know it does no good and is boring? This attitude will never make you a happy person. It will eat you up.
You have a wrong notion of patriotism. You need to learn the meaning of it and to genuinely practice it.
Skerrit and his gang are the last set of people, that should be asking people to be patriotiic, I doubt they know the meaning of that word
Mr. Blackmoore, I am a patriot. I don’t even have anything against the labour party but don’t ask me to unite as a patriot behind your leader Roosevelt Skerrit. That is something I can never do. That man has hijacked the labour party and is using our country for his own selfish gains and I will not rest till he goes and I shall wave my flag when that happens.
Blackmoore should know that his Boss doesn’t know what the word Unite means Skerrit is a divider and that’s what he does best . I read that he’s going to Toronto Canada to attend a private madam wob show, what I understand The group that is organizing the show are the same persons who are trying to destroying the Dominica Association in Toronto Canada and is in Court, so why would he be associated with such a group but that’s how dangerous he is, so how can we as patriots unite behind such a man , in Toronto Canada there are so much division in the Dominican community .
Dominicans are divided at home and in the diaspora Toronto Canada is no exception
People as you think you know other people’s hearts and can read them, what is in their mind.
You must know Dominicans as you are not one and the same with others. Everyone also has a life and a schedule; some are busy, hectic ones.
You are doing very well in this sphere, causing division; not uniting with your own and cooperating with the government. Therefore, who are you to talk/comment about that?
It is the PM’s prerogative if he wishes to visit Toronto to attend a D/can function. Who are you to criticize him? Mind your own business.
Patriotism should not only matter during independence celebrations or when the government feels like calling for it Sir. It should be shown each and every day to enhance our way of life and culture.
It also means that ministers should not be arresting and beating people in their private torture chambers on allegations that they stole their dasheen. Not even police is allowed to beat people and now a lack of patriotism compounded by the bougoise mentality is destroying any patriotic feeling we had left. What is patriotism sir without respect for human rights?
God is good all the time.
Always Assertive!
You are so right “Patriotism should not only matter during independence celebrations” it should be all year round but not under this government. They have lost all respect from us Dominicans.
This kind of beatings will get worse.
Dominica let them get away with trying kill GON and his wife and stealing his money
Dominica is letting them get away bobol on a scale that would make satan himself blush.
What do you expect?
Here is a story for you. A man was sitting on his veranda one day and noticed that the house of his neighbor had caught on fire. He never liked his neighbor anyway as he was jealous of his riches. So he did nothing and continued to sip his rum punch. Then the fire spread to his house and burnt it down.
There you go
Patriots dont sit by and bend over and keep getting wood shoved up thier as… and stay silent. Dominicans have always loved thier independence. Stop trying to insinuate that there is lack of patriotism. Why you think all these folks come home for festival?
Israel a nation founded in a desert Exports to Europe include fruits (citrus, avocado, grapes), vegetables (sweet peppers, tomatoes, potato, melons, sweet potato), ornamentals (cut flowers, potted plants, propagation material) and herbs. In 1997, agricultural export (fresh and processed) reached over $1.329 billion, and u talking about patriotism, u people are the most incompetent Govt on our entire planet.
You are comparing little D/ca with approximately 70,000 people to Israel?
Do you know how big Israel is and its population? Israel is far more advanced than D/ca. This has nothing to do with D/ca.
Israel is a Jewish nation. It is also getting big money, much help from the US, no doubt from Canada and Europe. Where is D/ca getting its help from and how much?
How old are you? You should ask what happened to the money Great Britain gave D/ca when it seceded from it and attained statehood and independence. How much did it benefit D/ca and nationals?
I do not view those who consistently complain to be patriotic. You are one of them. Some of you are chronic fault finders. You do absolutely nothing for D/ca.and to enhance it. This is not being patriotic.
If you do something good for D/ca which is effective, then you have reason to complain if nothing is being done in D/ca. Otherwise, keep quiet. Nationals as you are a hindrance to patriotism and unity.
Why is Israel more advanced than Dominica? It is because the leaders are decent, not corrupt, put Israel and its people first. invested in them and key resource people and nationals to build Israel, also there are systems in place to stop and avoid corruption. My advice to you is get a plane and send the entire corrupt Labour party cabal to see how Israel they got where they are in the dessert.
You must be ashamed – now Tell the Truth. To come out with this stupid statement you must be politically blind and in denial. Shame on your and your corrupt labour friends.