Saturday, January 22, 2011

Court to Settle Queen’s Chain Controversy

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20 comments:

John Mangal said...

This is what happens when the people of St. Lucia remain passive. Nuff talk on the talk shows and no action to back it up. The decision in the Sandals erection of walls at Pigeon Point beach and the decision by the so called Tribunal or whatever it was called should have sound a warning bell for St. Lucians. At the time the people did nothing and put their tails between their legs and allow the decisions to stand. Now what do we expect?. This is so pathetic that the people have not seen it right to stand up against the raping of our patrimony for economic gain.We are so blind to see the long term implications of such acts of treason.We are so polarized as a people by politics, that we are unable to differentiate what's in our nations interest. The politicians on both side's pay lip service to the issue. In my view the National Trust requires the full support of every St. Lucian and it must be tangible. We gather in droves at the political rally's, but something as important as this where is the action from the people. We allow the freaking Lawyers to determine the future of our patrimony while we sit back as a mentally enslaved people. Something which should unite the whole country we are too timid to act. why? Is it because we do not want to offend those we support politically? As far as i am concerned this is a moral issue which should be settle by the people and not by any court. Any government who allow this has committed treason. It's that simple. Freaking Politicians and lawyers trying to spin what is clearly an act of treason for economic gains. It's a crime against the people. Do we see how difficult it is for Cuba to get back Guantanamo? Is that what we want for our future generation? Back room deals and the masses in total ignorance.We like it so

January 22, 2011 at 1:57 PM
Anonymous said...

As someone said on luciantalk.com the constitution should be amended. It would place the Queen's Chain or what it will become when St. Lucia becomes a republic, in the protected section of the constitution.

January 22, 2011 at 2:54 PM
Anonymous said...

St. Lucians elect governments based on which of the most likely PMs can beg better on the international scene. They are the neo-slaves, the children of the same slaves who worship idiots like the PM, crooks like those in his cabinet, drug barons in his cabinet, and real jailbirds as MPs. What a shameful legacy!

First chance I get, I am taking my offspring out of Kenny's kennel, Frederick's Grave Yard, and King's killing field.

January 22, 2011 at 3:05 PM
Anonymous said...

The National Trust should take it to the Privy Council if we fail. The Queen's Chain remains the land of the people, don't mess with us.

January 22, 2011 at 5:08 PM
Anonymous said...

What do you get when you get dummies like Jookbwa into government? You lose your birthright. They sell your birthright right under your feet and give you chicken and rum to elect them to sell you out some more.

January 22, 2011 at 5:31 PM
Anonymous said...

sorry, you're 15 years too late.
Raymond

January 22, 2011 at 7:24 PM
Anonymous said...

The problems we have in St. Lucia have nothing to do with "Queens Chain" or the wealth of our country. It is amazing how we hyperventilate about everything but that which is really our problem. We look for every reason to attack "mass" "de Government" , "de boss man"

Our problem in St. Lucia is about a lack of descipline, lack of morals, lack of focus on the correct things of life. From journalists to leaders to our academics we want to "do we ting" instead of doing what is morally right.

We always want to attack authority instead of concentrating on our own selves and our indecipline. Fro example an article just came out that said:

"Countries that experienced particularly high tourist arrival growth were Anguilla (10.7%), the British Virgin Islands (8.6%), Guyana (8.1%), ST. LUCIA (15.4%) and St Eustatius (11.6%). The countries still experiencing declines in tourist arrivals were Antigua and Barbuda (-1.4%), Bermuda (-1.1%), Curacao (-7.5%), Grenada (-7.9%), Montserrat (-8.4%) and St Vincent and the Grenadines (-2.1%). This suggests that tourists are returning to the larger and better developed countries first, such as the Dominican Republic (+3.5%) and Cuba (3.4%). That said, the growth trend does appear to have been established and we expect all countries to return to growth in 2011, particularly given the fillip of the high season over the Christmas and new year period."

So St. Lucia is coming out of the recession better than all others but we all complaining that there is no money.

There is no money because too many people in St. Lucia are trying to get something for nothing (including the politicians). Rather than working hard everybody is on a "hustle".

WE are causing our own problems and no amount of crying over every problem involving Government is going to make our situation better.
We could find oil under St. Lucia and there would only be more corruption, more stealing, more incest, more family breakdown. Look at Trinidad.

So stop barking up the wrong tree and improve yourselves St. Lucia.

We could take every article in the Voice or in the Star and all of them are focused on self promotion by writers, attacking of authority, excusing bad behaviour and a refusal to look inward.

"One step forward, two steps backward"

January 23, 2011 at 8:05 AM
LuciaBoy said...

Dear John;

I believe this is the second time that I have to respond to a post of your suggesting what should have been, and what the "people" should to in response to either the crime wave or the selling out of our patrimony to the highest bidder.

While I agree with you that The St. Lucian people are passive and apathetic and they take a lot of things like, official misconduct, abuse of power and office, official incompetence, corruption, etc. without even a mumur, the question is what can we do to channel popular discontent and opposition to a public or private sector policy or conduct that is inimical to the national interest or well-being.

The people express their frustrations about these things on the radio talk shows, and that can be used as a barometer of their displeasure to the issue in question. What is needed at this stage is leadership whether individual or organizational to galvanize that popular discontent and mobilize the people into action.

Thus we need organized pressure groups with credibility,watchdogs of the people's interest, institutions or organizations that provide oversight with legislative power, among other things, as part of our societal landscape.

Who is going to take the initiative to provide the impetus for that movement that will send the message to the government in power "we are mad as hell and we aren't gonna take it anymore."

Are our people mature enough to embrace such organization and do not question their bona fides, and not ascribe political motives to their actions?
I am not naive we will have some of that, but the true mark of a leader is to demonstrate courage and press on in the face of opposition if he/she believes in the justice of his/her cause.

Yes our country is polarized by the politics of invective, hate, and distrust and people view our actions and public statements through a partisan political prism, it does not excuse us from that most important responsibility.

The ball is in your court John, if you feel that you are too steeped in the opposition party and that your motives will be questioned, form a "coalition of the willing" of true patriots of all political persuasions to take on the challenge.

Love of country should always trump love of political party or political leader. It takes courage to tell your political leader, "Sir I am still Labour or UWP, but I am a patriotic St. Lucian first, and I am respectfully opposed to this policy."

January 23, 2011 at 9:01 AM
Anonymous said...

I hope the people of Saint Lucia will stand behind Bishnu Tulsie and the National trust on this issue. As John said, the people and not the courts should be the final arbiter on this issue. It is for reasons like these that the Tourism industry has not been able and will never be able to garner popular support. There is absolutely no reason why we must give up our patrimony for jobs.

CSI

January 23, 2011 at 9:55 AM
Anonymous said...

I do believe what has taken place in haiti in terms of the people were allow to cut down trees for charcoal and development has over the years cause major flooding and landslide.

am hoping that all st lucians should speak on issues like this and stand with the national trust and protect our pristine areas from these corrupt politian.

Don;t forget that trees are very much important to our survival.
We breath in oxygen and breath out carbon dioxide and where does it go to [TREES]

Our Environment and the atmosphere we are part of need to be protected.
So watch out for our good for nothing missleaders.

January 23, 2011 at 3:01 PM
John Mangal said...

Simple Lucian boy. The Leaders must be made to lead by the people. Where is the NYC and other community organizations on this issue? Do they have a position? Is it known? I mean the youth are the ones who are going to be affected the most with such a decision. So are you telling me that the people from the various constituencies are unable to get their respective reps to address the issue. So we forget the old fashion demonstration at government buildings? If the people were serious they would know their position of their representative on this issue. It's a simple for or against. We can start there.On my part i want to know the position of all the parliamentarians on that issue. Can't the so called journalist find out who is for and who is against this. What is Lennard Montoute, Ezekel Joseph,Stephenson King,Richard Frederick,Phillip Pierre,Guy Joseph,Robert Lewis,Marcus Nicholas,Keith Mondesir,Edmund Estaphane,Jeanine Compton,Arsene James,Harold Dalson,Alva Baptiste,Kenny Anthony, Rufus Bousquet and Moses JnBaptiste position on this? Now for those reps who are against it are you telling me they are unable to mobilize their constituents against this? If they are not doing anything can't their constituents hound them? Our attitudes must change and i dare say the reason why nothing is happening because we have long accepted our reps as the Boss man and we their servants when it is the other way around. When we as a people recognize that things will change. I am sorry to say a lot of shit will be thrust down our throats until we recognize that basic fact and act on it. We created the monsters and only we can destroy it. As a people we must stop waiting for leaders to emerge and make things happen. In the right environment they will emerge. We don't like to face the simple truth and fact that all the shit which goes on in the country is as a result of our tacit endorsement as people. As a people we do not know right from wrong? It's a choice we have to make and the ball is in our court and not in no leader or politicians court. We have to accept collectively responsibility for the crap which goes on in our country

January 23, 2011 at 3:27 PM
Anonymous said...

What? High-sounding words like patrimony mean nothing to most St. Lucians. They don't even understand the word freedom. St. Lucians have to live with the scum of the earth that the scumbags elected to parliament. While people are dodging bullets from the cross-fire by the gangs of vermin, who will lift their heads and look at these same scoundrel politicians with deals on the side, selling away the Queen's Chain?

LPM and SLP are opposed to the sale. The real PM of the country, and not the puppet that the ventriloquist Richard Federicks makes his mouth move, is the man behind the sales.

There is no need for interviews and what not. Guns do the talking in St. Lucia. Nomme sans gwen are everywhere around us.

January 23, 2011 at 4:58 PM
Anonymous said...

The attach link will guide you on the LPM position:

Therefore, the lands associated with those public assets should be strictly reserved from sale and any disposition.

In addition, the LPM wishes to increase the participation of St. Lucians in the future development and expansion of the island’s tourism industry, and to share directly in the income streams flowing from tourism investments related to those public assets. This, the LPM believes, might be secured by active shareholding, and by way of long leasing of lands falling under the rubric of the Queen’s Chain and Crown Lands.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001266758184#!/note.php?note_id=136745613022367&id=100001266758184

January 24, 2011 at 7:48 AM
LuciaBoy said...

Hi John;
Why don't you and some of your like minded friends make a few notices, to wit: "St. Lucians are banned on this beach", or "No lucians allowed", or "For tourists only" etc. and place it at the entrance of some of our popular beaches and monitor how the people react, video tape the reaction.
Get confrontational if needs be that way they will see how that policy will directly impact them. Create the media buzz by releasing the video to HTS or the other TV station. Get the Star and the Voice on the case.

It's called thinking outside the box, go viral with the video put it on U-Tube, forward it to the regional and international media do you see where I'm going with that. Sometimes the people need a push, the motivation and the proverbial kick in the butt to activate their interest and inflame their passion on an issue.
Organize a group to silently picket near the high court on the day the case is to deliberated. Picket the next session of parliament send the message to the politicians that we do not want to sell our patrimony.

If it means shaming the politicians for their lack of foresight, their lack of political will, testicular fortitude, and their propensity to be "on the take" then that's what needs to be done. Here's your chance to be a hero so to speak. Grab it. Good luck

By the way, I know "Simple Lucian Boy" was not a typographical error. You are too quick to engage in name calling. You appear to be a little more intelligent than that. I would be very dissapointed if that were not the case.

Let's engage in a good old fashioned facts-based debate with cogent and logical arguments to provide clarity on the issue to those reading the blog so as to motivate them to take a stance and achieve the shared ultimate goal.

January 24, 2011 at 4:07 PM
Anonymous said...

BRAVO! Saint Lucia National Trust. This action gives me a little feeling of wanting to be a St. Lucian. Everything else has caused me to want to revoke my St. Lucian citizenship. Things out here just stinks to high heave. The Stephenson King administration realize that they are on their way out. Those whom the GODS seek to DESTROY, THEY FIRST MAKE MAD.

January 24, 2011 at 8:13 PM
Anonymous said...

Brute Beasts in Political Office. May they be cursed, in the mighty name of Jesus, for destroying St. Lucia. Be cursed, in the name of Jesus.

January 24, 2011 at 8:25 PM
John Mangal said...

My apologies Lucian Boy. It was indeed a typographical error. You have made some very good suggestions. I take them in stride though. My question is why don't the Parliamentarians and the various leaders of community groups lead their constituents and members in that direction? Why me and like minded friends? Why exclude yourself? You brought out these very good ideas and you exclude yourself from a leadership role? Why not we? I will stand by my position that those who are elected to lead must be made to lead. The like minded people like you and me must bring these ideas to our reps and force them into action. Why were they elected? "Here's My chance to be a hero"? Why not here's our chance to accept our responsibilities? We elect those reps and leave them to their whims and fancies without holding them accountable and ensure that they represent us.That it what they were elected to do. Every one of the members of the House of Assembly were first and foremost elected to represent people and not to become Ministers and Prime ministers. Sad to say i don't believe that is in the mind of most St.Lucians. We seem to believe that we elect our reps primarily to form a government. Are you telling me that the Parliamentarians who oppose this idea cannot mobilize his or her constituents to take the suggested actions you propose? There is not one of them who can take action on the suggestions u made? They are being paid to do their jobs and must be made to do it. We also have to realize that they will not be effective without our support as it is a two way street.

January 24, 2011 at 11:59 PM
LuciaBoy said...

"Criticism is necessary and useful; it is often indispensable; but it can never take the place of action, or be even a poor substitute for it. The function of the mere critic is of very subordinate usefulness. It is the doer of deeds who actually counts in the battle for life, and not the man who looks on and says how the fight ought to be fought, without himself sharing the stress and the danger." - Teddy Roosevelt(1894)

Raising the issue by expressing our opposition to the proposal or policy in the electronic and print media is useful, it is part and parcle of the whole package of sensitizing the people but more needs to be DONE (the action part) to achieve the level of self governance that we desire of the people.

Demorcracy is not a spectator sport we need to garner the courage to roll up our sleeves and do the dirty work of mobilization and protest by ourselves do not leave it up to politicians.

We've been doing that all our natural lives and look where it has gotten us. The hand wringing and the righteous indignation that we all are engaged in will not bring about change only conscious, deliberate, and effective ACTION will.

I was a community leader and activist back in the day. I held "groundings with my brothers" on the block to educate them on the issues of the day, I held classes for CXC students, Sports club and council executive. Development association executive, vocal political critic and activist. I did it all. Lamentably, like many folks of my time, I had to find the way to secure a future for myself and children in a foreign land. I have never given up my birthright - proud, concerned, and loyal citizen just like you.

I've planted the seed even though I'm not on the ground. Get to action. Good luck. Don't be shy, don't be afraid, there is justice in this cause. Take courage in the fact that good triumphs over evil all the time. Give my regards to Henry.

January 25, 2011 at 1:44 AM
Anonymous said...

'John' and 'LuciaBoy,' you have both written some sensible things yet you seem to remain blind to the bigger picture - the real controlling factors, namely, the international money-power boys and organizations. These are the amoral powers that rule the world these days. For example, some Hedge Fund directors can earn over a billion US$ per annum! These guys, and the other power mongers, float all round the Caribbean and elsewhere buying up all the best properties and national resources while bribing money-hungary politicians in the rich and poor nations alike.

What St Lucia desperately needs is: (i) a first class education system (our UWI facility should be opened as soon as possible) based on strong ethical values; (ii) a national social-development plan, not just another economic-development plan; and (iii) to learn to respect ourselves and fellow St Lucians equally. We waste too much time talking about others, despising them, and trying to destroy their reputations.

The reason foreign interests and local politicians can control us so easily is because they know our weaknesses too well!

Concerning the 'Queen's Chain' land etc., don't you get the picture? The hoteliers are terrified that our crime will scare off their rich paying tourists. To ensure that NOT happening, they want an apartheid-like 'exclusive' private property setup, and who can blame them for wanting to safeguard their huge investment dollars?

St Lucia, we have only one solution if you want the tourist dollars AS WELL AS access to all our beaches: WE HAVE TO CONQUER OUR CRIME/DRUG PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY!

January 25, 2011 at 8:28 AM
John Mangal said...

I am in the Same position as you Lucian boy and did my share. I am also in a foreign land like you. The suggestions you have put forward ought to be taken up by the people affected.It really saddens me that no concrete action has been taken in support of the National Trust's position. If money can buy our dignity as St.lucians then we are finished. If our main concern is to fight crime to protect the Tourism industry then we are also finished.If we cannot protect our own citizens how in the world can we protect the tourists. As Shanti say "there can will be no peace without social justice and stability is a joke if you can't get the youth to work"

January 26, 2011 at 9:14 AM

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