The following appeared in the Antigua Sun, and I’ve always wondered how we came to call each other “garrots”. However, the Sun’s explanation beggars belief or at the very least is suspect….
“…The term ‘garrot,’ actually a strangulation device, which mainly Kittitians use to refer to Antiguans traces back to Weston. It was rumoured that Garvey described Weston as such because he betrayed him. There is no record of such an event happening though….”
Posted by: P.L.MÂ
March 26th, 2008
I will not ask where thou liest low,
Nor gaze upon the spot;
There flowers or weeds at will may grow,
So I behold them not:
It is enough for me to prove
That what I lov’d, and long must love,
Like common earth can rot;
To me there needs no stone to tell,
‘T is Nothing that I lov’d so well.
Yet how much less it were to gain,
Though thou hast left me free,
The loveliest things that still remain,
Than thus remember thee!
The all of thine that cannot die
Through dark and dread Eternity
Returns again to me,
And more thy buried love endears
Than aught except its living years.
Lord Byron
Posted by: UPP
March 5th, 2008
I’ve stated in the past that CSME is not good for Antigua. Reason given, it means more foreigners coming to Antigua with a criminal record, plus, Antigua is already over burdened with foreigners. Just how much more can we absorb? We are only 108 square miles, we can afford to continue this trend, there has to be some balance. Was there a referendum taken on the CSME question? How could the government of Antigua commit themselves to a policy without any input from the people, it’s a fait accompli.
The people of Antigua has been taken for a ride, the politicians in Antigua are not doing what they were elected to do, and must be held accountable.
Posted by: Concern Antiguan
February 25th, 2008
Walking along the pink sandy shores of Barbuda, a small low-lying isle with an ecologically large underwater habitat, produces for many an opportunity to enjoy a number of undeveloped natural spots. I had the pleasure of strolling along beaches full of salty spray, shells and smooth pebbles washed by a foaming sea, along and beneath each soothing water-filled step, while the sun danced along the horizon of the shoreline, among the restless waves.
It is these moments of natural beauty, that produces the greatest sense of urgency in the ongoing efforts to combat the effects of global warming.
The International Energy Agency predicts energy use will increase to 50% by 2025, with fossil fuels still remaining quite significant in the future economies.
This unhealthy bit of news is part of a continuing problem which have led scientist in the US to believe that there will be a dramatic disappearance of Arctic sea ice. According to the latest modeling studies, it appears that northern polar waters could be ice-free in summers within just 5-6 years. This was said at an American Geophysical Union meeting at which it was reported that previous projections had underestimated the processes now driving ice loss.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change\’s (IPCC) synthesis of its 2007 global assessment indicates, that an increase by three degrees Celsius, will put millions more people at risk of coastal flooding, decreased cereal production at all latitudes and widespread death of coral reefs.
If the artic melt-down is happening sooner rather than later the global sea-level will indeed rise, and do so at a dramatic rate.
We therefore need by proportional contrast, to reduce emissions within 10 years if we are to keep the global temperature rise to two degrees Celsius and below. It is believed that if we fail in reducing fossil fuel emissions and leave it for another 25 years, then the dangerous three degrees Celsius would likely be attained.
The UN Environment Programme executive director Achim Steiner said, “We can achieve significant greenhouse gas reductions simply by looking at energy efficiency”
In an earlier commentary I indicated that “….Sooner, rather than later, policy makers should take the Total Quality Management (TQM) approach. This is a management philosophy that seeks to integrate all organizational functions to focus on meeting needs and organizational objectives.
A central principle of TQM, which is very applicable to the need to regenerate the ecological systems is the premise that mistakes may be made by persons, but most of them are caused, or at least permitted, by faulty systems and processes ( Lack of adequate laws, regulations and enforcement agencies). This means that the root cause (Lack of planning, greed, self-interest, dysfunctional behavior) of such mistakes can be identified and ( hopefully!) eliminated, and repetition can be prevented by changing the process.
In other words, in our environmental planning, we must adopt the Concept of Continuous Improvement, if we are indeed serious about putting an effective plan in place…”
Further adding to the complex problem of global warming is a finding by the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which believes that forests are being lost at “an alarming rate” - lately, of course, fueled by the well-intentioned but strategically unplanned rush towards biofuels, particularly the kind of biofuels which can be used for transportation. The IPCC have indicated that vehicles which causes a significant amount of pollution, should become more fuel efficient, using eco-friendly technology.
For countries whose livelihoods are dependent on marine resources and coastal business endeavors, an increase in the sea level must be a factor which have to be seriously considered in business planning and statistical forecasting.
To combat the many harmful conditions which would arise due to climate change, requires resolve and sacrifice.
There cannot be any agreement on a meaningful emissions-reduction framework in 2008, unless as part of an overall commitment by the industrialized nations, to increase substantially the funds available to help developing countries to adapt to climate change. If is indisputable that If developing countries fail to join the effort, there can be no viable solution to this global challenge.
A slow step towards arriving at a solution began last year with the Bali Climate Change Conference, which was held as a precursor to the creation of a successor to the Kyoto protocol. A significant result at Bali was the creation of a working group on long-term cooperative action to discuss a wide range of issues under the four “corner-stones” of finance and investment, mitigation, adaptation, and technology transfer.
But despite the fact that all the governments present accepted the scientific findings that global warming is “unequivocal” and that any delay in the reduction of emissions increases the risk of more severe climate change impacts, there is still the reality that some nations are selfishly guarding and protecting their economic interest.
If this is the case and certain economic elites and/or multilateral corporations remains an entrenched obstacle to progress, then any forward momentum towards solutions will be undermined.
We have reached the stage where a planetary rescue mission is needed to save this “global village” from suffering a tortured and unnatural existence. But, are we prepared to do what is necessary?
Posted by: Clarence E Pilgrim
February 25th, 2008
There seem to be some sort of confusion as people are under the impression that I (the website’s administrator) censor people’s comments. I’ve addressed this issue before and though it was over, but I received another email accusing me of such act.  So this post is to clearly define what I do as a system administrator.
·        Implement New Features – at least that’s the plan my goal is to build a “real community” where people from all walks of life (even the politicians) can come and post their views/opinion. Over time I intend to add a few features to the site that will help to make it a true online community.  I’m just a bit slow on this part because of time.
·        Approve the FIRST Comment made by new users – When a person signs up for the very first time and makes a post, the system sends me the comment by email to confirm (the reason for this is the site also gets a lot of spam) By reviewing the FIRST comment, it help me to ensure that it was not sent by someone trying to spam the website. After this FIRST comment is approved the system automatically assumes that it’s a legit user and therefore does not send future comments by the same user to be approved.
·        Post New Articles – As most of you already know the site is open to ANYONE to post their views. When someone clicks the “POST YOUR VIEW” link and makes a post, it comes to me by email. I simply “REVIEW” the post for “basic spelling & grammar” error before I post it live. However, if anyone is interested in becoming an “OFFICIAL publisher“for talk Antigua they are welcome to do so by simply notifying me. Becoming an official publisher means you have DIRECT access to the website’s backend to make your own post, without my intervention.
·        Promote the website – As I said before my goal is to build a community online, but this involves getting the word out. The truth is I’ve been failing in this department since I’m low on budget to get this done properly, but I promise to get this going again by requesting link exchanges with other sites etc.. However if anyone is willing to help by requesting link exchange and making suggestions on how we could get the website more popular I’m open to suggestions.
WHAT I DO NOT DO: I do not censor comments in ANY WAY, as I said before once the first comment get’s approved everything other comment post is automatically posted to the website. However it is a fact that the system has censorship technology, but this is only in place to make the website “cleaner” if you want to say F***k then that’s all you need to do. The website is not an “adult website” and there are possible (I have no clue) school children that visit the website, what kind of example are we setting to the generation of tomorrow if I (the system administrator) were to allow this. What I’m not sure of and will look into is if it’s possible (and I doubt it) is if the system removes entire phases.
I know some of you are probably wondering who’s the face behind this website, just Google “Dwain Browne” and you’ll see (my personal website is down at the moment www.dwainbrowne.com) .
So to sum things up, I’m OPEN to new suggestions, new ideas and change request. I do not censor comments and I’m NOT affiliated with any political party. In fact the site is not all about politics, as you’ll note there are other categories, but somehow politics seems to be the hottest topic, and that’s fine too.
Hope this clears up any issues, please leave a comment if you have any questions or I did not address something in full.
Thanks
February 8th, 2008
I am a 28yr old Antiguan I have been studying politics and politicians for a few years now. What I have grown to realize is that no matter which side of the divide the politician is from the same method of politicking is practiced. One may ask where or should I say what would lead me to this conclusion, well take the duty free issue into consideration. A few years ago when the ALP was in government there was wide spread protest about the large amount of duty free concessions that were been handed out to would be supporters, now today it is the UPP government that is doing the very same thing they once condemned. Do not get me wrong if the duty free concessions are used to aide in the development of the people which in turn develops the nation then go for it, but if it’s used to gain favor for the governing party and that’s wrong. It was wrong in the days of ALP ruling therefore it remains wrong in the UPP’S REULING!
Posted by: chronic
February 6th, 2008
While crime IS a problem in Antigua, this is something that has to be thought out carefully and to adopt the examples of tougher this and tougher that won’t do much as can be seen in other countries where tougher laws have made very little difference where a democracy is concerned.
The first thing we need to recognize is that a criminal will not give up his gun and any endorsement of tougher gun control is counter-productive and works in the favour of criminal elements and special interests, who in most cases ARE criminals themselves. So, when you say we need more gun control, you are really saying we will support the criminals and continue to endorse gun crimes by supporting more gun control. Remember, when it comes to crime and killing we go back to the days of Able and Cain. Crime is occult in nature and you reward crime when you seek to punish, pre-judge, or assume future criminal intent by robbing the righteous the ability to defend themselves, their family and their property.
Not everyone who migrats to Antigua is bad and it is unfair to assume such. To call for drastic and immediate measures to be put into place only plays into the hands of the criminals and special interests. Remember crime is occult in nature and those in the know are probably paying for crime to happen in order to generate enough sympaty in order to promote their own agenda.
In developed western countries, the process is known as Problem-Reaction-Solution (remember that!). When the governments know that the people will reject a certain law without due cause, a problem is manufactered which the goverment reacts to by offerring their own, already developed, solution.
To keep things short, the police need your support, but they think “they” are in a police state and want things done their way or else they’ll just pout and not do anything significant to help fight crime and also because politics are involved, the situation has become quite serious.
The Immigration authorites are American / Israeli trained and thats as close to the Nazi’s they’ll come, so no need to worry there. Soon enough, they’ll be asking YOU for your papers while they keep track of where you been throughout your entire life and while they can only see intra-caribbean, the US and Israel will be able to “see” the entire global picture in near real-time.
Congratulations, you wanted to be part of the New World Order, well now..Welcome, but ceratain laws have to enacted and without the current crime there won’t be any outcry and as the outcry gets louder…Problem-Reaction
-Solution.
Posted by: Jedal
January 31st, 2008
Crime is destroying antigua, and no one seems to be doing anything about it. Since tourism is Antigua’s only source of income, isn’t it prudent to keep crime at a minimum? the police need proper training, there are a few judges who should be replace, a slap on the wrist should not be acceptable by the public, in short, more severe prison time, re instate capital punishment, let us send a message to all those killers, thugs, and thieves you do the crime you will be dealt with severely.
When it comes to crime, antigua is way out of control, if steps are not taken now to bring Antigua back into the fold, there will be a mass exodus of nationals, and surely, that will be the end of Antigua.
Posted by: P.L.M
December 28th, 2007
When will the prime minister of antigua put a stop to the illegal immigrants entering antigua? there should be a sign saying: no more vacancy. I remember as a little boy , the people from the larger islands use to laugh at us calling us small islanders, now they are flocking to the small islands, how strange, antigua can ill afford to absorb any more foreigners.
Antigua boast of being the meltting pot of the caribbean, what a shame; with an area of 108 square miles and more people coming in, where will they reside, will they displace antiguans? it\’s high time we close the door.
Posted by:P.L.M
December 24th, 2007
Antigua was awarded $21 million in sanctions from the US over a law (UIGEA) that breaks WTO rules. Antigua won their case at the WTO and claimed they should be compensated up to $3.4 billion per year to replace their lost revenue stream.
The $21 million Antigua won in arbitration today was $3.38 billion less than they had desired and $20.5 million more than the US claimed they owed the small island nation.
The sanctions will allow Antigua to offer pirated copies of music, movies, and software from the United States, but the amount they will be allowed to pirate will not have a significant effect on any American industry.
The world-wide online gambling industry, estimated to be worth more than $10 billion per year, was hoping these sanctions were so strong that the likes of Microsoft, Time Warner, and Disney would be forced to speak up to challenge current US Internet gambling laws.
The Internet gambling community will take this as one of the final blows in its fight to restore freedom and fair trade across the world. The only hope for the industry now is the iMEGA case in the US that challenges the UIGEA law, and Barney Frank’s bill HR 2046, meant to legalize online gambling. Neither situation offers too much hope in an industry that has taken one hard left to the stomach too many over the past two years.
Comments from Antigua attorney Mark Mendel and US WTO spokeswoman Gretchen Hamel are still being awaited.
Source: CasinoGamblingWeb.com
December 21st, 2007
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