What’s the weather like for us?

A tropical wave along 54 West is steadily marching towards us. Conditions are not favorable due to widespread dry and sinking air to the north of the wave. However, there is some shower and thunderstorm activity occurring with this wave.

On its present path, it will reach the Lesser Antilles Thursday night and Friday. Its passage will cause an increase in showers and thunderstorms but conditions will remain unfavorable for development through this week in the Caribbean.

Meanwhile, our first Tropical Storm of the season (Arlene) was located along the coast of Mexico about 70 miles south of Tampico, early Thursday morning. Arlene has sustained winds of 65 mph with gusts to 75 mph. Arlene is moving toward the west at 9 mph. it is predicted that it will make landfall within the next hour or two but should weaken quickly later this morning.

A hurricane warning is in effect along the east coast of Mexico from Barra De Nautla northward to La Cruz. 

The PowerHouse will always keep you on the alert.

Don’t forget we are in the hurricane season and I implore you to always remain prepared.

Where de money gone?

In our previous article, we reported on the outcome of high-level talks held in Jamaica between the Secretary of State and CARICOM foreign ministers. We reported that an allocation of US$77 million to the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) to tackle the full range of security and criminal threats to the Caribbean basin. We pointed out that we were not sure that our Foreign Minister was in attendance. Today, we are happy to report that he was at the meeting.

HILARY CLINTON AND CARICOM'S FOREIGN MINISTERS

Today, we are also happy to inform you that the 2010 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Saint Lucia is now available on the US State Department Website. The report which is dated April 10, 2010 was compiled by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.

Some of the issues highlighted in the report are issues persistently raised by the POWERHOUSE. Consider Section 4 Official Corruption and Government Transparency:

“Corruption continued to be viewed as serious and was widely discussed by the media, the business community, and opposition politicians. Observers expressed concern that the country was moving backwards in terms of transparency and accountability. There was also concern that some foreign assistance programs went through the specific offices of parliamentarians, providing the opportunity for graft. There was an increasing public perception that certain politicians were wielding undue influence over the law enforcement community to shield them from investigation for corrupt practices.”

The above extract looks exactly like an excerpt in a POWERHOUSE editorial.

We remain very worried about the corrupt practices associated with our foreign minister and its impact on the image of our country abroad. Just this week, the Choiseul fishermen were pointing an accusing finger at him over monies donated by the Japanese to purchase equipment (namely an excavator and a dump truck) to help in the de-silting the pond.

An undisclosed amount was presented to him on behalf of the fisherman and all they were told is “the cheque is with the Village Council”. Similar stories were also told for the Moroccan donation of almost a million dollars and other donations from Portugal etc. Those monies which were initially deposited at the credit union have now been removed and nobody knows about their whereabouts.

The Choiseul/Saltibus constituency is very curious about the whereabouts of those monies procured on its behalf. Speculation is rife that the District Rep may have, among other things, loaned those monies to one "Mr Smith" to help him purchase the 2-million dollar condo at the Landings, with a promise repay upon the receipt of Libyan funds promised to him. 

But the question is: Suppose the Libyan funds never materialise - and indications are, they won't - then what become of those funds? The State Department may have solved some of the puzzles; but the people of Choiseul/Saltibus need answers.

CORRECTION: JUST LEARNED ON HTS THAT TUCKER DID NOT ATTEND THE MEETING. THE NATIONAL SECURITY MINISTER ATTENDED ON BEHALF OF ST. LUCIA. THE PHOTO WHICH ACCOMPANIED THE NEWS STORY WAS AN OLD ONE. APPARENTLY, KING IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH BOUSQUET ATTENDING THOSE MEETINGS WITH THE US. IS IT A CONDITION LAID DOWN BY THE US: THAT BOUSQUET IS DEBARRED FROM MEETINGS WITH US OFFICIALS?

US moves to Combat Government Corruption in the Caribbean

The US has increased its financial support to the Caribbean not for the purpose of development but among other things to help combat "government corruption".

The support is coming under the Caribbean Basin Security Initative (CBSI)

The disclosure was made on June 24th by Secretary of State, Hilary Rodham Clinton in Montego Bay, Jamaica, following high-level talks with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Foreign Ministers.

The aim of CBSI is to develop a joint strategy to tackle the full range of security and criminal threats to the Caribbean basin and this includes "tackling the illicit trafficking of drugs and guns; advancing public safety and security through programmmes to reduce crime and violence and improve border security; and promoting social justice  through  justice sector reform,  combating government corruption, and assistance to vulnerable populations at risk of recruitment into criminal organisations.”

The total allocation for the CBSI is US$77 million, a 70% increase over last year. 

Clinton said that “This support is just one piece of our broader regional security issues that we are tackling,”  and she reported that the US was pleased with the progress made so far and that she was optimistic about what the US can accomplish in the future.

St. Lucia's foreign Minister is Hon Rufus Bousquet (aka Bruce Tucker). However, we have no information on whether he attended the meeting on behalf of St. Lucia. It is noteworthy that several allegations of corruption have been leveled against Mr Bousquet and some members of his government are currently either facing charges of corruption or have been hauled before the courts on corruption charges. 

Mr Bousquet is also an ex-convict who was released from the US Federal Prison on 12-09-1984. His prison registration number is 77316-012.

What a shame for St. Lucia!

CRICKET, LOVELY CRICKET IS CRYING: West Indies Cricketing problems

West Indies begin their 2nd Test at the Kensington Oval today. Once upon a time,  during our “days of glory”, Kensington was paradise for us and a win was 99% guaranteed. But how things have changed!

Over time, we have become spectators  - not of brilliant, enterprising and inspiring cricket but  - of a steady degeneration which took us from the top to the very bottom. This is a phenomenon that all cricket-loving West Indians have been grappling with  - and we may well have to grapple with for a long, long time, because although we are graced with the occasional déjà vu flashes of brilliance, we have become more consistent in failure and mediocrity than excellence or any sign thereof.

Gayle is still frolicking in the wild

But what is our problem? Why do we have world-class enterprising and exceptional players and yet we persistently fail? Moreover, why do (arguably) those players perform with excellence for other teams, except their own? Why is Chris Gayle and Pollard so formidable in the IPL and they can’t can transfer their prolificacy to West Indies cricket?

The above questions lead me to my own mini-theory: that the Windies cricketing problem is not batting, bowling or fielding but thinking!

Sammy welcomes psychologist, Dr Rudy Webster

  

Why would we have a problem with batting when we have proven batting virtuosos like Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shiv Chanderpaul? Why can’t we achieve the smallest of test cricket totals even when these legends are on the team? Why would we have a bowling problem when we consistently wreck batting sides for less than 300 runs in an innings?

The problem’s got to be in the minds of the players. They may have ample value-added competencies that perhaps no other cricketer has; but they lack the tenacity of the mind, the will and the spirit.

But the problem goes beyond them. I am prepared to boldly generalize that the problem is not just with the players but it is universal to West Indies Cricket on the whole; even the selectors and management have the infection, too.

Dr Hilaire: CEO of WICB

Why would I want to castigate a genius like Dr Hilaire or a Chairman like Hunte who has a university of knowledge in Sports management and administration at his disposal? But I argue: just as we have “perfect players”, we also have a superb management team; but also, just like the players they manage, they too have not got into the right frame of mind.

I will hastily summarise by placing my argument in a philosophical context: The Windies problems remind me of the ongoing great debate between ‘psychology’ and ‘logic’. I believe we have got the logic right but the psychology is the challenge.

Dr Hunte: Chairman, WICB

Cricket is not just about the impeccable physique and rigorous physical training or coaching; it’s not just about the verified, demonstrated and value-added competencies; it has to do more with the thinking plus the psychology that goes into it. If our cricketers feel impotent, then they will never perform when they are expected to so.

The way forward: we have got to treat cricket as a “discipline” – not just an art or a craft; but equally a scientific discipline. The good old days of Sobers, Viv, Holding, Croft and Ambroise are over. Let’s make the corresponding paradigm adjustment.

Notwithstanding all that I have written, let me wish the Windies team the best. I look forward to a victory in the second test. Sammy and crew, don't surrender; put your mind to it and the rest will follow!

MORE HEADACHES FOR THE FISHERMEN

About a month ago, DBS reported that the parliamentary representative for Choiseul had finally remedied the silting problem at the Choiseul Fisheries. The interpretation by many listeners, especially Choiseulians was that this perennial sand problem at the fisheries complex was "gone for good".

But hardly a month has gone by and the problem has worsened and the fisherman are back to "square one".

All the boats are back on the shore again

The "mound of sand" at the entrance of the pond is back again, perhaps more conspicuous than ever before

Naturally, the pond is empty again

This promontory only added insult to injury. It has accelerated the accumulation of silt in the pond

The silting problem is a lot bigger than we think!

Meanwhile help on its way from Kent Adonaie who promised to contract the services of an excavator to help clear the entrance to the pond. Thank you Kent for helping us and may God bless you!

Meanwhile, Choiseulians are curious about the excavator donated to Choiseul by the Japanese to help the fisherman in that regard. They want to know the whereabouts of it. 

After all, a gift to the natives is not a gift to the district rep.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY . . . WITH A GRAIN OF SALT!

Father's Day is a special day on the international calendar. According to the literature, it is the day when we “honour our fathers, celebrate fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society”. In St. Lucia and many other countries, it is celebrated on the third Sunday of June.

Father's Day dates back to 1909 and was the brainchild of an American woman named Sonora Smart Dodd - dubbed the "Mother of Fathers' Day" - who thought of the idea for Father's Day while listening to a Mother's Day sermon. She wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart - a Civil War veteran who became widowed when his wife died while giving birth to their sixth child.

Mr. Smart was left to raise the newborn and his other five children by himself on a rural farm after the death of his wife.

In 1924, President Coolidge endorsed the idea of a national Father's Day. In 1966, President Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day. In 1972, President Nixon signed the proclamation into law.

PHILLIP - 2009 MAGNIFICENT FATHER OF THE YEAR

However, in the Roman Catholic tradition, Fathers’ Day is celebrated on Saint Joseph's Day, commonly called Feast of Saint Joseph, March 19, though in certain countries Father's Day has become a “secular” celebration. It is also a common practice for Catholics to honor their "spiritual father," their parish priest, on Father's Day.

Fathers’ Day celebrations have different orientations or customisations across different countries.

Argentina has made several attempts to change the date to August 24, to commemorate the day on which the "Father of the Nation" José de San Martín became a father.

MR FRANCOIS IS A CANDIDATE FOR "THE GREATEST FATHER" AWARD

In Australia, Father's Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of September. The Victoria YMCA carry on with a tradition of honouring fathers and “father figures” by “Father of the Year” awards in 32 municipalities in Victoria.

In Brazil, Father's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of August. That date was selected in the mid-1950s in honor of Saint Joachim, patriarch of family.

In Canada, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June. It typically involves spending time with one's father or father figure. Usually, small celebrations and gifts may be part of the festivities organized for Father's Day.

Today, St. Lucia is historically “celebrating” Fathers’ Day with a thousand-man march – and because a march is a type of protest or demonstration –I asked is Fathers’ Day the best day for a “march”?

EMMANUEL ALPHONSE (PA BLANC): ANOTHER SUPER FATHER

Tangentially, would we celebrate Christmas Day with a Christmas Day march? Or Easter with an Easter Day march? Or Independence Day with an Independence Day march?

Irrespective of the theoretical soundness of the rationale for doing so, my opinion is the timing and context of the 1000-man march are wrong, for the “raison d'être” of Father’s Day according to its founder is “to honour our fathers, celebrate fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society”; and I believe in this regard that the organisers of today’s march maybe confused!

I would have preferred if we highlighted and concentrated on Dodd’s vision and honour our fathers and stage the march at some other time instead.

So, Happy Fathers Day with a grain of salt!