Quality assurance

I am leaning more and more towards not voting at all whenever elections are announced. I have looked and listened and all have been found wanting.

It is not to say that I seek perfection but standards of some decent level are a reasonable expectation. What the hell is being fed to us by the persons driving after political governance of this country? The utter drivel that flows from the mouths of men and women that we all know are intelligent, socially aware but maybe not wise, or fully cognizant of the effects of their conduct, their words, their omissions.

I am tired of the stories and the fairy tales of tracking, following, creeping, cheating, suspecting and depositing. I want someone who has the ovarian or testicular fortitude to handle the issues, offer a realistic perspective, propose to find the truth, or adopt the phenomena of fairness.

But as I said in a previous blog, the means by which our limited Westminster system operates demands that we sell our voices and consciences to achieve Parliamentary milestones. How many retired (whether forced out by scandal, loss of constituency seat, or voluntary exit) politicians have track sheets of their acts or omissions in the name of party loyalty that would have spun the lives of Vincentians amiss?

So it comes back to the title, where is the monitoring system in this country? We have the Chamber of Commerce and the Bureau of Standards that theoretically are in existence to maintain certain levels of fairness and representation on behalf of certain entities and consumers alike. Even though we all know the misnomers that can arise from believing that these systems are the sure fire way of addressing the concerns of their relevant stakeholders - at least they do exist.

So where is our truth regulator? Where is the person or the persons concerned with demanding the maintenance of some standard of quality among our leaders? The irony is that a government may have to be the one to formulate, fund and facilitate the creation of this dire need.

And then that entity would be subject to criticisms of unfairness or unwarranted suspicion, like J F Mitchell's indictment of the Supervisor of Elections, according the media coverage this week.

And then where are the masses in this whole fiasco? Sitting back nonchalant, cussing, quarreling, defending, rinsing of our brains, requiring nothing further than a hype, a momentary flash of angry at the unjustly actions of the reds and yellows. We have not determined within ourselves the need to be treated better, found the ability to demand a higher level of discourse.

Why? Maybe we are fearful of our own voices, our minds? Do we think ourselves unable to express our concerns for ourselves, families and country? Are we so intimidated by the titles, the flash and the misconceived notions of 'me-reach-high-above-u' that we silence our cries for our communities?

So here we are, stuck in the maze of confusion, filled with endless communiques of useless information that accomplishes the flushing of our mental cheeks, making us undertake a temporary indignation but not a righteous one.

The ULP/NDP ad

If you deign to look at SVG TV during the news period (7-8 pm), like me, you would have likely seen that black and white ad from the ULP that took most of its content from an NDP ad - I was confused - I was not sure why there was an NDP ad with a voice over (sounding suspiciously like Kaleel Cato) dissing the same ad, until I realised that it was a ULP ad. And another oddity was the red lipstick on V. Frederick's lips - poor video editing because the red smudge smears its way up to her nose and across to her cheek.

But enough about that, this is all I have to say - if an ad is claiming to promote the capability of the ULP to continue running the country by flattering us, calling us intelligent people, at least learn how the hell to spell, so we could see none Vincentians rather than non-Vincentians.

Peace out.

Shock me to reality

Over the years I have been exposed to and possibly been a part of the the "blame game theory" - where we find ourselves in precarious, troubling situations and we summon from within ourselves the ability to point fingers and identify the systems, government officials, and entities that are responsible for our untimely demise - yet unable to determine our own role in the saga.

But I was rather disappointed when I read a letter to the editor by Ms. Vynette Frederick, my fellow GHS colleague and the energetic youthful face of the NDP about the plight of the residents of 'Poleyard' - a community that has found itself on the upsurge within recent years. She called it a 'bustling community' of over 200 residents. But what bewildered me was the cry that she made for them to be provided with water because such amenities had not been yet provided to the area. Isn't this an area that houses VINLEC poles and therefore electricity in larger numbers than usual? Should they not be relocated - especially since the government always seems to have lands to give away within recent times?

But I am guessing that numerous politicians have threaded their way through the area and made possibly genuine promises that faltered in the shadows of the reality of the location. I am not an electrical expert (I scream at the slightest spark from a outlet and I am tempted to shut down the fuse box of my house at the hint of lightning) nor am I a community housing expert but I consider myself to be reasonably minded female with a growing notion of what is commonsensical in this day and age. Why would CWSA run pipes in the area to provide them with water - since the chances of it becoming an established community are low to nil? Their continued occupation of that location, while probably founded on the basic need to find somewhere to live cannot be reasonably seen as having any sustainable future.

And giving water to the residents of Poleyard is not even logical in the imagination of the most revolutionary of political directorates - electric poles and water don't mix favourably the last time I wikied that topic. So despite the noble garb of the passion expressed by Vynnie V., it still reeks of unreasonable political hype

What also struck me was her reference to water as an amenity, rather than the basic need that it is. Have our politicians become so sullied by the thrust for power that WATER has become a "pleasant feature of a place" {the definition of amenity in the Oxford}? Usually, I hear the term being used on HGTV, when describing the golf course and the swimming pool access that comes along with a condo being shown to a young couple looking for their first home. I would not readily apply it to anyone in the world that does not have the ability to use clean water for cooking, cleaning, washing, drinking not to mention the automatic absence of sanitary toilet facilities.

And not to mention the fact that Poleyard is located in the vicinity of the airport. I know all the talk about the development of Arnos Vale into a new city and the transformation of the airport into a commercial wonderland - all dependent on the completion of the Argyle International Airport (and we all know what thin strings that balances upon). Why would anyone be interested in improving the well-being of the residents of a community that is so unfortunately positioned?

Would it not be more feasible, both on a political strategy point and national interest point to move them completely? When is someone going to hand these people reality rather than impassioned newspaper coverage? When are we going to be shocked for once and for all and hear someone in authority make an executive decision, disregarding the social upset it may cause and focus on the long-term solutions?

But this is one of many situations that our politicians have allowed to fester, while promising outcomes of grandeur, dismissing the poverty that has driven people to that point and somehow justifying their claim to destitute lives.
Like the Long Wall and Quarry situation, or the houses on the beach in the Georgetown community, or the squatters perched on the hillsides in my own community whose constant clearing of the forest has caused at least two landslides within the last two weeks and damage to the property of a family who would have worked hard to build their home and hearth.

Stride on

Finally, I am back on the blogging train.

The death of my four year lap top and the quest for a new electronic investment took a while; but at long last the keyboard is all mine to putter away at in an attempt to express myself at my own pace or maybe not at all.

So as a re-introduction to the cyber world of social commentary, I take this opportunity to capture my brief time of using this forum as a means critiquing our world and in essence, analyzing ourselves. A couple of my fave blogs have taken hiatus from individual blogs with their own personal reasons - justified I hope and not based on intrusive apathy at the issues that we face every day. I admit to having experienced the apathy-the niggling acceptance of the status quo and the shrugging away of the feeling that I should be comfortable speaking my mind.

As an avid reader and an appreciator of the perspectives of others, I can honestly say that blogging has been a refreshing means of indulging myself after a day of hard labour at a varnished desk in Kingstown.

The beauty of publication at any hour - the only deadline being the satisfaction of your inspired moment. The ability to flaunt the art of the English language is its full scope n nt in shrtend abbreviations and shortcut phrases.

The truth is - is that I think we are capable of so much more than the typical - the expected. Like Herbert Samuel, the Vincentian engineer that has entered the GE Ecoimagination Challenge -using the addictive phenomena of social networking for something holistically positive - monitor your electricity usage by entering simple info from your bills and then networking with other persons around the world. I will blog about my actual use of the programme, especially since I have a dislike of social networking.

This is an excellent example of just going beyond usual expectations of engineering or anything for that matter. Widening the scope of our understanding of what we can accomplish if we just open our minds and our hearts to support each other in the journey to create a better global existence.

Hush

HUSH...

(1) part of a traditonal lullaby which promises rewards for silence of a crying child

(2) an apology in Jamaican parlance

Issues that once thrived valiantly on the airwaves, print media and tongues of many now struggle to remain within our realm of consciousness for too long. And I realise that silence is the tool used by the powers that be or concerned parties to dismiss the furor and allow it to die a quiet death.

Like the dunce question...where did that go to? Personally, I found it was appalling that the education of young minds would be tampered with in such a blatant manner and especially since several months have passed since the exam was actually written. I didn't blog about it because the issue was being dealt with by everyone from Anesia to Chris and the ones in between...
The resolution of this issue was relegated to a statement by the Ministry of Education that they don't deal with those problems on a public level but rather leave it to be addressed internally...HUSH.

What about the business that is not a bar and will only sell alcoholic drinks after 6 pm in the school district area? It has not failed to amaze me that the authorities have no problem granting necessary permission to run a business that is not a bar and will only sell alcoholic drinks after 6 pm in that area but yet seem paralysed to make into a school zone...demanding the turning down of music on mini vans, driving with some measure of awareness as to lives that are at stake there, prohibition of the alarming horns and the placement of patrol officers in the area during peak hours... to ensure that another child is not dragged for several meters again... What care and concern we have for our nation's future.

The whole talk about not selling alcohol before 6 pm was and shall remain a figment of imagination in the minds of any right thinking person. Can you imagine a conductor swinging off a bus in a casual yet flamboyant manner, running into the business place with his sneakers that match his cap which match the shades, shirt etc, and demanding two guiness for himself and the driver...and the owner saying...nah man is only 4:45 p.m.....BS if I ever heard it. HUSH

Constitutional Reform ...frozen in liquid nitrogen on 25/11/09 ) H
Argyle International Airport ) U
Breaking in ULP headquarters ) S
The Canadian attorney that was allegedly ravished by the PM ) H

So much more than I can recount....but it is all in passing...all a deja vu experience...1999-2000 all over...where the Opposition was plied with the pleas of the people...calling, crying yearning for change...how much we needed it...wanted it...were willing to do anything to get it...and get it we did....till we created a monstrosity called the present government.

And we are doing it again...failing to learn from our ways...we have not done anything to uplift ourselves and persistently seek the engines of others to propel us on. We are glorifying the underdogs...the unproven...giving to them our unrequited love and adoration.

Unaware of the fact that democracy is not only the ability to remove and the ability to put in place but the power the demand the standards at which our leaders should function at, the power to demand that we be led not danced down a stony path to socialism (which ever version that Ralphie adhers to, since it is not the ones in Cuba and Venezuela).

So we spew out our troubles as they cross our path and we chant along with the sorrows of others until we get the newest mourning call...HUSH

And we move on leaving in our shadows real persons with real problems with no solution...HUSH

But we have done our bit...hyped up in the heat of the battle, pursued in the moment in time...for our own cause...and then we fall silent. HUSH.

We blame it all on the present and lean on the promises of the desirous...HUSH

Hush little baby don't say a word...Poppa's gonna buy you a mockingbird

Well-informed?

The calamity called the socio-political climate in SVG has again continued to thrive in the most outrageous manner.

I will never try to attempt in my blog to claim to have the whole story and despite my attempts at passionate opines on matters of Vincy life...I must question whether I can be ever truly informed on the issue...or can any one for that matter on any issue.

Our lives are constantly merged with present-day illustrations, futuristic implications and historical resurgences...we cannot separate any of them so as to claim independent original thought. It would seem to me that what we experience is the framing of an idea, concept or incident in a way that captures the minds of others...grabs their attention and seats itself in the corridors of their minds for future reference.

This whole drift about socialism - potential, impossible, subtle, blatant....the list can go on.

The Vincentian editorial this week said that all the debate is causing unnecessary fear in the nation...because we would never relinquish our democratic freedom. But rhetorically we were asked in the same editorial...what really is socialism? Is it the implementation of programmes to better the society and people...you read the article, you should get the idea they were going for.

It was brilliantly coined...can we ever define it? Even those who want to list their names proudly in the ranks of ALBA...is it fully grasped..can it ever be? My understanding is that socialism holds to many theories - one being the unfairness of capitalism and the exploitation of the majority by a minority, therefore it seeks to institute a system of governance that would ensure 'equality' among the people.

Which is flawed in its own estimation...because there will always be hierarchies...rank and file...superior and inferior...well-done and rare...the leaders and the followers.

If one were to ensure that no aspect of socialism existed...we might as well go back to the monarchy and create our own royal dynasties...I have my title already picked out...Empress something.

It is not that I am disregarding the import of the issue...Dr. Jules Ferdinand gave his no to socialism last week...and people may have seen it as blowing the issue out of the water. But there is merit to addressing the point.

In reality even though we know...well I KNOW I can never support the concepts of socialism and would fight valiantly against any attempts to implement such in my nation...should we not reasonably be concerned that our own PM has signed on to a document that clings to such ideals...that the nation playing a key role in the existence of ALBA, Venezuela, has a significant record of human rights violations and a practice of nationalising at their own seeming whim and fancy. What impact is this going to play in the mind of Dr. Gonsalves? Even if he is not going to be successful in instituting it...he may not even intend to - But are we not justified in asking a question as to the impact of such a clause in documents we have signed onto?

I once read that no political theory has ever been perfected - we have never given them the chance...capitalism has ruined pure democracy, ironically so because that freedom of choice is the fuel behind that economic system...socialism and communism were battered equally by capitalism, monarchism and hubris within themselves.

And the reality is that we have a people that are dependent on the 'socialist' elements within our society for mere existence...which is why the welfare department is jam packed on a monthly basis...and NIS is a saving grace for others. Yes, these are socialist elements....programmes instituted by the government to ensure the betterment of society. The same way Barbados has been funding the education of their students all the way to University for decades and Trinidad and Tobago introduced the GATE project several years ago to provide education up to your Masters...government did that...not a private entity.

I have never had reason to go into any of the learning resource centres around the country...but if there was a private company doing that...we would have to pay an entry fee...a user fee and there may be an exit price.

I don't get...they call us third world countries because of underdevelopment (ignoring their ravishing of our limited resources and the oppression and stranding of an entire people)...but by God's grace look at what the first and second world countries have fucked up...USA has fostered a culture that finds it acceptable to live above their means because one credit card or four will tide you through...Obama got heat because he wanted a piece of legislation that would ensure the provision of health care for most Americans...his visionary way of maintaining America's economic dominance in the world...and he was called socialist for it...because he was taking business from the private sector...if that was not an excellent example of the callousness of capitalism...I don't know what would be.

Look people...all around us are examples of what has worked and what has not...learn from it. Not just government...but we ourselves. Like the same lessons we have failed to learn from America's obesity problems..spinning into diabetes, kidney and heart failure and people who frankly cannot fit into one seat in a plane...that is why Pizza Hut, Subway, Church's are coming our way...we have not learned.

Random idleness

For the last few days the most utter shit has been running through my head and there is this incessant urge to blog about the arbitrary thoughts that are sprinting a lap in my brain...sometimes overwhelming rational thought:

Here's a list of what I can recall:

1. My period is due....and I am craving chocolate and sex.

2. Men are all whores...some are just controlled whores.

3. Posting my resume online because I want a new job.

4. I broke down in the bathroom of my office today and sobbed uncontrollably because my boss decided to act like a jackass...oh and I was PMSing. Obviously related to (3).

5.What has happened when your laptop screen goes white?

6. In all fairness to (2)...All women are sex freaks...some have just not been released as yet and never will be.

7. I think my guy friends jokes are utterly hilarious...and I am over the fact that I am the only female laughing at them.

8. I miss my best friend in Trinidad so much.

9. How to become very financially comfortable quickly and honestly?

10. I am tired of explaining to people why I am childfree and single at age 27 and absolutely comfortable with it. I am now planning to get married and divorced so the topic of relationships will become taboo around me.

11. All these years Karib Cable was illegally tapping US cable....we now have Spanish shows and ads...joyous.

12. I heard a whisper that a friend is getting married to an completely useless excuse for a man...who has no job but walks around blinging...which is long code for drug dealer. And I am silently hoping that I go to his funeral first before I go to hers.

13. I want to organise a flash mob in SVG...to Bomani's song ..."This Island" around Independence this year.

14. I am due to get my BB in less than a month and I am afraid I would not be able to figure out all the apps.

15. Who are these people leaving Chinese comments on my blog? I haven't ordered the Rosetta Stone - Mandarin edition yet people
And the well runs dry.