Former Magistrate Tiyani Behanzin wants the Roosevelt Skerrit-led Dominica Government to pay careful attention to the lessons and guidance that it provides to Dominica’s youth.
Behanzin was speaking at a youth panel discussion held by the Bath Estate Improvement Committee at the Dominica State College Campus on Monday evening.
According to Behanzin there is an inherent contradiction in Dominica’s current political leadership. “For those of us in society that take short cuts, amassed wealth that we cannot explain and justify lawfully, we cannot go back to the young people and say to them, ‘look work hard and you will achieve,’” Behanzin said.
The former Magistrate added, “We can’t just simple say that young people must work hard, go to school and they will do well. The children are not stupid, they can see in some circumstances that make no logical sense to them. In a corrupt society you can work hard all you want, you will never achieve anything.”
However, Behanzin’s approach at the event did not go down well with Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Alvin Bernard.
Bernard, who was also present at the discussion told Dominica News Online that the statements of the former Magistrate were, “ambiguous allegations and innuendos which are being driven by an ulterior motive”.
He pointed out that by making a departure from the agenda of the forum, Benhanzin seemed to be exploiting it for reasons other than its objective.
The theme of the discussion surrounded peer pressure and several young person’s including Delroy Williams, Head of the National Youth Council also participated.
I find it rather amusing that the ministers and the government for that matter take turns in chewing out Mr. Behanzin……hmmmm when you are right you never put up a fight Mr. Bernard.
I guess the hopes you had Mr Bernard is the youth to get doped up and have many kids, with very little education. How a great island you can run without any effort on you or the minister or the PM’s part.
Wake up people, did you notice the minister did not voice his concerns of his youth? Perhaps since he was not to speak, just someone to overlook and spy on what was happening?
We want the best for the youth, to make Dominica for once on the map. Behanzin was not insulting us, just raising us up to the other islands who surpassed us….what is wrong with that?
My father always told me that the ultimate disrespect to one’s family and country is the adoption of a foreign name and culture,if Douglas is not good enough for him then why ride on the coattails of the past leader,what are his motives
a name means nothing if you do not have character, he has it….and in the last few years here he showed that, and got chased away….how’s the crime rate now??? why would govt hate someone who wants to do better, think about it
Allow me to put my “two cents” as a DOMINICAN
While i agree with what Mr B said. what are we suppose to tell our children. that if we work hard things might not always go as planned. Don’t we all know that? so because of that we should not encourage our children
to persue their education? It seems that almost everyone who does not like the Prime Minister uses him to persue their own personal agenda. Can’t imagine me telling my kids go persue an education but things might not work out as planned. They all know that!
So i should say do not try hard to persue your dreams it just might not go well. What
Motivation! What ever happen to work hard
educate yourself things are more likely to work for u rather than sitting by the roadside and do nothing. Sad comment forfor someone who should know better.It is a political agenda Mr B. You have accomplished ur dream allow the others to do just that
How can we say we love Dominica? Think about that!
true thing if some of us want to turn a blind side to these thing AB you my boy but for real most of us if you dont have a contact or kiss some ones feet we young people hard work goes in vain. Cause if i did not have children i give up allready cause our hard work going out the window its discouraging.
LMFAO: another A$$h*le i going to take your own tounge and beat you, ACCOUNTABILITY, children learn by example, by what they are exposed to. and when Government, parents and Pastors dont want to show ACCOUNTABILITY, what u expect from
the children, thats why they are called CHILDREN and we are called ADULTS, because ADULTS should understand that children not only need responsible leaders but they need to see their leaders ability to be ACCOUNTABLE. we do not buy these things at SAVE A LOT, these things are principles which are handed down generation to generation.
let their a** marry before they take office, if a man cannot be accountable to his wife and children he cannot be accountable to the nation. u ever see an american president without a first lady?? me ass self when marking those that robbing the country so when the time comes to be accountable for bread on my family table i will know where to go and cut grease.
Basically majority of things in d/ca are politically driven and this hinders progress in the country in this time where we should be coming together and working collectively to build this country rather than bashing at each other!!! its not gonna get us anywhere…come on Dominicans will and come again the times are changing rapidly and we need to keep up!!!
To all those who looked passed the message and attack the messenger,one day you will be awaken to a Dominica that is no longer free to speak your mind and freedom of speech will be no more.What Behanzin said is 100% correct.If our leaders are not role models to our youth,who do you think they are going to look up to?the drug dealers?the pimps?thieves?
If our youths are seeing and hearing all these next level of corruption by our leaders,they are naturally going to emulate them.Bad does not follow good.Telling a youth to work hard and you will succeed,then you do the opposite is morally wicked.
I do not see anything wrong in Tiyani’s comments. In years gone by you could follow a politician and emulate his mode of operation, it was “inherent” in politicians then irrespective of what side of the political spectrum they found themselves to act appropriately. The carried themselves well and were able to give a good account of themselves not even being called to question on the unlawful acquisition of wealth. I see a blatant departure from this and carefully observe how “statesmen” these days have a way of deprive the citizens whilst empowering themselves. They feed you a little bit whilst amassing the BULK for themselves and cronnies. They feed you enough, just for today so you can beg at their tables tomorrow and all the days after that. It seems that we are “picking up” some things from the chinese people and throwing away the essence of their culture. It is the chinese that suggest that “instead of giving me a fish, give me the line and other fishing equipment and allow me to fish for myself so I may continue feeding my family”….. WE FORGET THAT CLEAN! Those fellas oil will fry them soon enough….. This is not what I had in mind when i thought “tooth & nail” for DEM FELLAS! hmmmmmm alas. Roosie signed $15,000 loan for man who were already public officers for years and a few years later them same man can give the country a loan from what they’ve acquired, magwasa!
*depriving…
wow what a confused bunch of proffesionals we have in DA…
do dominican Proffessional understand basic issues….
them man so badly off its a shame having a degree….
guys like AB which the arrow points to him..
have nothing of sucess or postive engagement to look at..they what you call the suckers of the blood veins of dominica while the island crumples..what a shame..their education is way to hollow!!
Alvin stop trying to defend all the nonsense your government is doing, it is clear for all to see. This government has a great part to play in the moral decay of our society we need effective change and Tiyani is just speaking the truth. The truth surely hurts.
I am saddened that not even a discussion these days can be of a healthy one. Some people are so politically sensitive it’s not funny. Some see red whenever a view is expressed, some see blue and very few see green. Many of our people are so politically extreme and this is very destructive.
After elections it seems that many people cannot “move on.”
Tiyani I am very happy you are speaking to the youth especially the young men. They need some kind of role model or someone they can listen to. Our politicians have betrayed the mandate and trust we have given them from the time Dominica became an “independent” country. Unfortunately, Dominicans are unable to see that as comprehension and illiteracy is at it’s best in this country.
The real issue here is maturity; I’ve always said that our politicians are very immature in the ways of development and progress. Our politicians can’t seem to put away their personal agenda and focus on the big picture factors. In my opinion Tiyanni may have been directing his comments at the government politicians however from a mature perspective one could surmise Tiyanni’s comment as a call to lead by example and that those in leadership positions must do so unrelentingly. Note also that Tiyanni’s comment could also be directed to drug dealers, smugglers, passport scammers and thieves. In my opinion the objective of the occasion should be considered way bigger than Tiyanni’s comment and so Mr Alexander others need to be more mature , step up to the plate and rise above what they consider to be innuendoes, aspersions or accusations.
A different take :How many of us seat in church while the pastor (hopefully not Pastor BJ ) preaches on a certain issue and feel like the pastor is “jetaying pawol” for you. If so the only reason you feel that way is because of guilt. With regards to the issue of maturity the ministers just gave proof to the popular adage – “ The Truth is an Offense”
but never a crime…..well said brother
viva la resistance.
Well said Porssie Radical and i have noticed your comments are always educating, unbiased ,imformative ,uplifting ………..
keep it up .
If Alvin didn’t take part in the discussion, why is he commenting? Dominicans wake up and take note of the behaviour of your ministers, dey fraid to engage in serious discussions.
Ought to be clear to all and sundry that Alvin has to support & defend what he happens to be part of.
There were allegations of how much he demanded to be the candidate.Age re: retirement gratuity and pension we were told were factors used to arrive at the sum.”Never let a politician grant you a favour……..” He ‘s being controled hence must defend the piper.
True or false?
Brother Bob.
!!! TRUTH THAT
the truth is to be spoken and only a lie can make the truth look pretty
Mr. “Behanzin” Douglas should know better than to accuse people of amassing wealth illegally with no basis in fact to support his accusation. He cleverly avoided calling names so he will not be sued, but his intent was clear and it was certainly reckless and ill-mannered.
He should try to set a better example for the youth of the country and not use their forum to launch an attack because of his personal failing. He should conduct himself in a manner – more befitting a son of a great Dominican.
Oh please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ARE YOU PEAPLE SERIOUS?….BEHANZIN SEEMS TO BE TRYING TO DO SOMETHING TO BETTER THE COUNTRY’S YOUTH…BECAUSE HE DOESNT KISS THE POLITICIANS REAR HE HAS TO BEHAVE IN A BETTER MANNER????…GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!
IM WAITING FOR BEHANZIN TO ANNOUNCED HIS POLITICAL ASPIRATIONS,,,SO HE CAN CLEAN UP THE RUBBISH GOING ON IN THE COUNTRY
Those statements did nothing for the youth except to get their blind support. There was nothing educational or uplifting in what that man said. Really just carelessly repeating what is the “feeling” of corruption in Dominica without proof and to make himslef look like Dominica’s New Hero
Really?…Clean up? Tell me you people don’t see true dictatorship in the manner and behaviour of Behanzin…. Give me what I want because I want it attitude!
That guy is far more dangerous than you people think skerrit is!
ME TOO I,M WAITING TO KICK SOMEBODY BUTT SO HARD . THIS BERNARD WHAT EVER WE KNOW YOU HAVE TO SAFE GUARD YOUR MASTERS YARD BUT WOE BE UNTO ALL OF YOU FOR BRINGING DOMINCA TO A STATE OF POVERTY
listen to this A$$h5le!! tsk tsk. shame on you my friend. its obvious that mr behanzins comment has hit a special nerve with you. dont be paranoid and sell out yourself, he wasnt talking about you directly either, if u felt u had justly acquired what it is that u so OBVIOUSLY have, u would not even have wasted time to comment. u hung your own self there buddy!!!!
Well… continue to tell the kids that we cannot expect much from them because the society is corrupt and we shall surely see the results.
Continue to point fingers at the government, parents, the church, pastors and teachers for what they are not doing, and do not ever let the children be accountable for their own wrongdoings, not studying their work etc.
Continue to play politics, do not tell the kids about being responsible to themselves. When they go off to study or work, aren’t they exposed to drugs, crime, theft, prostitution etc.?
So when will they ever be responsible to themselves?
Whether or not you believe Mr. Behanzin words to be true or not… the point is that they were off topic and not the forum to push anti-government agenda… A ‘man of the law’ whether currently employed or not advocating disrespect to authority is doing no good to the youth either
secondly whats wrong with telling your children to got to school, work hard and they will achieve something…my parents said it to me and I did achieve something…
So with all the corruption going on in all the other countries on the globe does behanzin suggest that we tell all children of this generation to take what you can without deserving because he assumes someone else was doing it…
I like people who stand for things that are right but those statements at that particular event was careless and irresponsible and really you people who can’t tell Tiyani when he is wrong are worst than the people who you say support Skerrit blindly… Talk about miseducation!
How many people are “educated” in this country yet they can’t find jobs after searching tirelessly? Simply because YOU achieved “something” doesn’t reflect the reality on the ground where many “educated” people are unemployed.
Thats just it! The basic concept of being Educated to many Dominicans is completing High School and not even necessarily doing well…just the accomplishment of the five years…
No offense but not many people here are educated…they “just finish school”. nothing more…
Educated people make use of the many opportunities there are in this country. Apply what they have learnt in POB, POA, History to make something happen… not sit and say there are no jobs… As a matter of fact I have two jobs… I see Haitians employed and they are supposedly less educated.
People are lazy and Tiyani basically asked the youth to disregard the authority of its leaders until HE gets in power!
HOW DOES TYANI’S TALK OF CORRUPTION AND OTHER ILL’S OF SOCIETY APPLY TO THIS GOVERNMENT . . ?
THE MAN THROW A STONE BEHIND HIS BACK – THE DOG THAT BAWL AAAIIIIEEEEE! IS IT THAT GET THE LICK OF STONE::: AS BROTHER BOB SAID “WHO THE CAP FIT LET THEM WEAR IT”
According to Behanzin there is an inherent contradiction in Dominica’s current political leadership. “For those of us in society that take short cuts, amassed wealth that we cannot explain and justify lawfully, we cannot go back to the young people and say to them, ‘look work hard and you will achieve,’” Behanzin said.
THIS IS THE SMAE BEHANZIN THAT IS CRYING BLOOD TO WORK WITH THIS SAME LEADERSHIP….THERE LIES THE CONTRADICTION.
If the leadership is so bad, why are you asking them to jump the process of law school/Bar and call you to the bar with some preferential treatment?
PRINICPLE IS PRINCIPLE AT ALL TIME…NOT WHEN IT FITS OR DOESN’T FIT YOUR AGENDA
And Behanzin is no different. I really thought he would come up with a different and a more international approach on the political process but he is falling in the same old trap of hear say, nonsense that all the other opposition parties are doing.
For haven sake don’t get dragged into this mess of using forums to enlighten our youth by politizing the lectures.
I listen to Dr. Severin deliver an address to the disabled and he used the opportunity to politize his speech.
Grow up guys and stick to the subject. When the opportunity arise to be political then let her rip.
WENNER SOMEONE CAN BE WORKING IN THE PRIME MINISTERS OFFICE AND NOT SHARE THE VIEWS OF THE GOVERNMENT….SO WHAT EXACTLY ARE YOU SAYING?…BEHANZIN WANTS TO BE A MAGISTRATE WHERE HE CAN DO HIS WORK,,,DOES THAT MEANS HE MUST AGREE WITH THE VIEWS OF THE GOVERNMENT?
THE PROBLEM IS THE GROWING CLERGY OF DRUG DEALERS SEE IT FIT TO INFLUENCE THOSE IN POWER TO GET BEHANZIN OUT!!!!…BUT CHANGE SOON COME.
WENNER YOU ARE SUCH A JACK ARSE RIGHT NOW YOU HAVE NO CLUE WHAT YOU OPPOSE GET YOUR LAZY ASRE UP AND GO HELP BEHANZIN DO SOMETHING FOR THE YOUTHS SORRY MAYBE YOU AVE A LIFE TIME MEMBERSHIP TO THE RED CLINIC, YOUR NAME AND ALL MAKE ME SICK .
Both gentlemen have a point and they both have an agenda!!
So what happen to the other ministers that was invited and was not present i am not surprise DNO SMH.
DEY FRAID TYANI
LOL. TRUE SAY.
The truth hurts so badly that Alvin Bernard could not stand it. Dominicans know the truth so continue with your bru-ha-ha Alvin. You will never fool all the people,your days are numbered like the many before you. The time to reflect is now before it’s too late.
i think mr.benhenzin mine well we meed people like that we meed in in dominica
wy does it always has to be ulterior motives? Any one who works in the best interest of the country is always looked down upon.
What he said is so true.
Tiyani is so right. I wish I was there to shake his hand. We all know what is going in this country. We can see, we are not blind. This country is totally corrupt to the core. From the leader go down, and this Alvin Bernard man must be living on planet xxx for him not to see what Tiyani is saying is true. This Alvin Bernard man is blind to the core like all the other Dominicans including the ministers. Everytime someone speak the truth about the way things are happening in this country there is always someone like that man to say otherwise. BLIND BATS WHAT YOU EXPECT.
Looker i can see you have no idea what is going on in DCA!!
Why not try listening to other radio stations like Kairi or DBS for a different perspective of what is really happening on island – Q95 is not doing justice to you at all!!!
Areyou serious? these 2 stations do nothing to educate the populace. At the moment Q95 is the most informative, educational and entertaining station on Island. The nation radio has failed in it’s responsibility and need to go back to the drawing board.
The talk show on kairi is a one sided affair which adds nothing of value to intelligent discourse. Everyone is free to call Q95 to express their views and will be engaged in a discussion if the caller is willing to be engaged, the same cannot be said about the animal show. The only thing they do is mis-lead, mis-inform and call people names.
LMFAO: just listen to this rubbish, where solid waste. the owner of kairi dont want vendors whose only way to make a living is selling outside his little club, he want to run those people all accross by sisserou. and is that P.I.G i going to give airtime….think again
dominicans we must learn yo respect each others opinion and not keep on being held down by mental slavery. if we are open minded and noy so narrow minded we would look at the broader perspective and not try to show our ignorance every time someone try tio enlighten and educate us.
What Mr Benhanzin said is so true what examples are we setting for our children none at all but we always busy to criticize them i have always learnt that Satan can never correct sin
I PREDICT THAT IF THERE IS A NEXT GENERAL ELECTION,ALL OPPOSSITION FORCES WILL COME TOGETHER AS ONE UNIT AND MR.TIYANI BEHANZIN WILL BE THE POLITICAL LEADER,BETTER YET THE SON OF ROSIE DOUGLAS WILL BE THE NEXT PRIME MINISTER OF DOMINICA.
Most people cannot stick to their given topic. That shows poor preparation.There is a place and time for things. Surely, this was not the place and time for how some people amass their wealth.
I was there, Mr Bewhanzin was talking about the lessons that we send to young people, under the topic of peer pressure, a lesson to adults. He turned it on the head and suggested that peer pressure is mostly described as negative, but could also be positive in rear circumstances. When Behanzin made what was an open statement, he simply introduced a few concepts to stimulate discussion, Alvin Bernard then said how he enjoyed everyone’s comments and contribution but launched an attacked on Behanzin, saying that Behanzin accused him of being a Parrot, which he did not do, so when Behanzin responded much later, he then corrected Alvin and stated that We are in a leadership crisis, a moral crisis, we are selling passports, and a crisis in terms of rule of law,a constitutional crisis these issues we must be careful may be sending the wrong messages to our young people. We have ganster mascarading as Pastors, we sell our very soul when we have government staff selling passports to allow criminals and terrorist access to the ports of the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Europe. Behanzin was very balasnced and it was easy to follow his argument, I believe he did stay on topic, in fact he was clearly the most exciting of the contributors and Alvin clearly had it for Behanzin, both he and Ambrose George, who clapped for everyone (not for Behanzin) but was visibly upset at Behanzin, for no apparent reason.
thank you
YOU IDIOT DONT YOU REALIZE THIS IS EXACTLY THE TIME AND PLACE WHERE ELSE WAS HE SUPPOSED TO SAY IT WILL THERE EVER BE A TIME AND PLACE? IN THIS OUR LITTLE ISLAND, THANK YOU MR. BEHANZIN YOU HIT THE NAIL RIGHT ON THE HEAD THATS WHAT WE CAN’T STAND WHEN PEOPLE SPEAK THE TRUTH
of course it was, these are all intertwined peer pressure, youth, advice to the youth, don’t steal, be honest, be a good example to the youth especially as a leader….DUHHHHHHH!!!
rubbish again……where solid waste nuh…. u think the children of today are naive??? fools…. ur corrupt leaders have forced me to find a new way to raise my child, children who are full of energy and so impressionable. i have to now tell them that even though they see Mr. Lawyer and Mr politician brambling people in a bunch of get rich schemes abusing their authority for them and their friends personal gain. be like daddy and do the honorable thing?? when it is so obvious that allu dishonesty putting allu in a position to give allu children more and better than me that being honest??? how i can teach them honesty, when allu making dishonesty seem more profitable???