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THE BELIZE TIMES
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Respect to the BELIZE TIMES, power to Belizean women!
Jorge Aldana’s writes
on Barrow’s Empty Pot Budget Dear Editor, please allow me some space in your newspaper to share my take on the budget debate proceeding last week The Budget Debate last week was historic. The action of Parliamentarians begs the question whether the debate over how Government expects to spend the people’s money, moved to that of “an animal farm” quarrel? Many things occurred before our very eyes; things that will go down into our political history. Let me first say that this is the first Budget Debate that brought the Barrow Administration under fire from the Opposition and at least one member of the ruling party. It was also the first time that a fight erupted in the gallery between supporters of both major political parties; inside a house that should be the most honorable place in Belize. It is also the first time that the Speaker of the House allowed disorder and chaos to take control of the day’s proceeding forcing the Budge Debate to temporarily be suspended. Day one was the Leader of the Opposition Hon John Briceño’s day to shine and shine he did. He took a little over an hour to chastise and rip apart the Prime Minister’s budget presentation delivered a week before the budget debate. Hon. Briceño started by calling the Barrow Budget an “Empty Pot Budget,” questioning how much of the 21 pledges made by the UDP in 2008 has been accomplished so far by the UDP. The PUP Leader’s opening remarks paved the way for what would become the most fiery budget debate under the Barrow Administration. But even when the Prime Minister had
The Party is nothing but the vanguard of the people, the active organ of the people, working at all times in the service of the people.”
his last words on Day 2 of the debate, he failed to say how much of the 5000 jobs promised have been created so far by his administration. In his response to the Leader of the Opposition, the PM made no reference to Briceño’s statement that unemployment has almost doubled since the UDP was elected. On Briceño’s questions on crime situation and the UDP 360 degree approach to curb crime, the PM used the corruption card once again to dodge the bullet before the nation. As Briceño tore apart the Government’s figures for 2011/2012, he was constantly mocked and deliberately interrupted by members of the UDP gallery who shouted comments from across the isle of the ruling government. Even while being interrupted, Briceño maintained his calm and focus and was able to point to the PM and the nation that this year, like the previous year, will bring no alleviation to the burden Belizeans are facing. Briceño indicated that the lack of growth has increased unemployment and created and increased underemployment. He added that Belizean families are unable to pay for their basic food and a decent shelter. He presented facts showing how more Belizeans have fallen below the poverty line and will not be able to afford the basic goods and service such as food, health care and provide for their children’s education. As statistics are indicating that our poverty levels continue to show an increase, Briceño pointed out that the middle class is fast disappearing. He was sharp in pointing that families fall into economic misery, suffering from crime and all those other issues that are plaguing Belize. Barrow was also bombarded by one of his own party members, as Orange Walk East UDP Area Representative Marcel Cardona aimed his contribution at Deputy PM Gaspar Vega and the PM himself. In his explosive remarks Cardona referred to the PM’s ways of running the people’s business as that of “an animal farm, where some animals are more equal than other.” Cardona wasted no time in questioning the Barrow Budget citing that the budget has nothing for his constituency. Cardona told the nation that his people were sick and tired of the unfair treatment inflicted on his people by his own government. The Area Rep said that the proposed budget showed a clear discrimination and abuse against his people who are treated like lepers or sub-humans without rights and privileges. Of course Cardona would not be allowed to fly free with his comments as he was frequently interrupted and mocked by his own UDP colleagues and
Dear Editor, As the close of International Women’s Month nears, I would like to express our deepest words of appreciation to your organisation for helping to positively illuminate our Belizean women. I have noticed significant changes in the newspaper, which I am told, came about with certain changes in personnel. Let me commend you and your staff (old and new) of the good job you do. I read your newspaper every week and was enchanted as your front pages were graced with photos and features of beautiful, successful and positive Belizean women. From your coverage of Melonie Gillett’s new music album, to the contestants of the African Queen pageant, to the winner of the pageant Nadia Avila, I found your choice of featuring women in most possible positive ways an admirable one. Your respect for our mothers and sisters is also obviously not limited to the front page, as inside you give prominent space to the PUP Deputy leader Carolyn Sandiford, who I foresee will one day transform Belizean politics with her ideas, and even a young writer Lucia M. I also note that a young and brave female reporter, Carla Bradley, is a member of your staff. Power to women! This you do, at a time when your opponents are showing the greatest of disrespect to women. They should be ashamed, I tell you. I ask you Mr. Editor to continue on this commendable track. We the women of Belize are grateful. Thanks, Mrs. Gretel B. (My family is made up of seven women and one man so you would understand my excitement.)
This is no Surprise Dear Editor, It was a hot and sunny Saturday afternoon about a month ago, I was washing my motorcycle and my kids were playing in the yard, you know just one of those days. I turned on the radio to see what was on and when I did, they were announcing Shyne’s returning to Belize for a concert. They said it would be the biggest concert in Belize so Belizeans should come out and support. So they said. I guess it is because he is broke and trying to make a comeback or because he is the son of the Prime Minister, so he figured he will get the support which he did. It was like a green light for Shyne Barrow to shine on the Belizean people once more, but instead he has out hustled the poor Belizean inna these hard time. It didn’t surprise me as I used to be a Shyne fan. I am so mad at this system to see how a convict like him can get a position like Musical Ambassador when you have so many great Belizean icons, real grass root artists. It’s just not fair at all. To me as a Belizean Shyne is nothing but a fraud and a joke to the music industry. Even the big producers from outside didn’t have enough confidence in him. He should change his name from Shyne to Dull because that’s what he is. To me, Shyne acts more Jewish than so-called Belizean and that’s my opinion on our fake Music Ambassador. Shyne, I think the whole country of Belize deserves an apology from you, right now. Thanks for publishing, Roberto Peyrefitte
THE BELIZE TIMES EDITOR
Alberto Vellos supporters on the gallery. While Briceño and Cardona shined during the two days of budget debate, so were disrespects, chaos and unruly behaviors. The National Assembly is an honorable place and must be treated as such. But even with the frequent interventions by the Speaker of the House, Hon. Emil Arguelles, lawlessness and disrespect ruled. He failed to keep “The House” in order, allowing supporters from both political parties to shout at members of the national assembly creating havoc. Party supporter should not be allowed to shout comments to any member of the National Assembly but it happened during the two days of presentations. Unparliamentarily language is forbidden and if a member uses such languages, the Speaker of the House
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