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| Volume No. 1 Issue No. 41 - Sunday April 20, 2003 |
Which Way Dominica?
 Giftus John
When one listens to all the talk, all the rhetoric and misguided information that is spoken throughout the country, especially on the Talk Shows of the local radio stations, the question I want to ask is: Which Way Dominica?
It is appalling that in these modern days, we are in a situation where Dominicans continue to be fed with HATE, LIES and POLITICAL DIVISIVENESS, by a few selfish and opportunistic political zealots. What are we trying to do? Whom are we destroying? We no longer live in a vacuum. We are part of what is now referred to as The Global Village and whatever happens in Dominica no longer stays within Dominica. Today, Dominicans throughout the world, and people of other nations, know what�s going on as it happens.
After twenty-five years as an Independent Nation, where are we? What have we achieved? What can we walk around proudly and boast about? Some of our political leaders have taken this country to lows that every Dominican should be ashamed of. Yet some Dominicans seem to want to continue accepting mediocrity. Isn�t it time that we realize that we need to get off our butts and do something to get this country off this comatose state?
The last time that I visited Dominica I was appalled at the state of the Immigration and Custom�s Department at the Melville Hall Airport. I couldn�t believe that this was the welcome that we were presenting to tourists entering the country. Imagine climbing over boxes and suitcases to get your luggage!!. When I voiced my opinion, someone felt that I, coming from the US had no right to complain about the conditions that I saw.
This is what has helped put this country where we are today. We are prepared to accept mediocrity and that is what we get from our politicians too. Just do a little to get elected the next time and we�ll be okay. The time of the old order is over and we have to accept the fact that in order to take our place in the International society, we have to reach for excellence.
Isn�t it time that those political leaders who had their chance to lead this country, yet failed and made a mess of it, sit back and allow those in charge to rule. Isn�t it time for the constant callers to those talk shows and the talk show hosts themselves on those radio stations to realize that all their talk, all their hatred, all their animosity, does not make the situation any better.
They only continue to divide this country and help dig a deeper grave for Dominica. I am from St. Joseph, one of the most divisive political constituents in the country and I have seen first hand what has happened to that village because of the fanatical political following, among other things. Yet, tell me, what has St. Joseph achieved from all this?
How many leaders and prospective leaders keep talking about building an International Airport and when they get into office simply seem to do worse than their predecessors. I was a teenager when I first heard talk about building an International Airport in Dominica. In my opinion we�ve wasted valuable monies on the Canefield airstrip which could have been spent at Melville Hall.
We have spent monies paying consultants to find out if we can build such an airport. Yet we continue hearing the same talk every time, even though the politicians know that getting funds for an International Airport is a long shot. So why raise the hopes of Dominicans just to win their votes and not deliver? Why don�t they support the upgrade of the Melville Hall Airport? Is there anything wrong with that concept?
I hear Dominicans complain about the distance travelling from Melville Hall to other parts of Dominica, yet these same Dominicans have to travel longer distances when they visit or live in Canada, England and the United States. Do they complain then? I was a teenager too when they spoke of building a new road to the Melville Hall airport starting somewhere around St. Joseph. What ever happened to that �dream�?
Today we don�t have a sporting facility that we can really boast of. Does anyone care of the growth of sports in the country or is it just mere talk to get votes? Oh my heart was so full of hurt when I saw what had happened to The Windsor Park when I last visited Dominica. What was the Government thinking then?
Who are the people advising these politicians or are they making these decisions themselves. Has any concerted effort ever been made by any government in power to enhance sporting facilities in Dominica? Yes, they threw a bulldozer here and there, leveled out a piece of land, but what next?
The economic situation throughout the world is in shambles. Even the Mighty USA is reeling under the pressures. So many of us have lost and continue losing our jobs on a daily basis because the economic situation is at a standstill and is very slow at moving on. What makes us in Dominica think that we are immune to those conditions?
The very countries that we run to and beg aid from are hurting. Do we listen to the news around the world? Do those talk show �usuals� listen? I will not mention names but they have to stop fooling the Dominican public with their misrepresentations. This is sick. Is this what we have freedom of speech for? I think we�re abusing it.
I want to ask: Where were the so-called �leaders� during the recent bus driver�s strike? Where are they as all this violence is showing its ugly head throughout Dominica? Where are they as public servants and their leadership think they can hold the country hostage on mere assumptions?
Why don�t they speak up and condemn these actions. They can propose figures and numbers to get the country out of its economic woes, why don�t they speak out about the murders of innocent children and women in the country?
Why don�t they rally against all those sickening situations that put a stain on our country�s image? These are the things they should rally against, but where are they? Do they want a state of anarchy to prevail in the country and then prey on the people?
I reside in the United States but Dominica is my country. It will always be my country. I am a Dominican everyday of my life and what goes on bothers me. I want my children to be able to enjoy the country I enjoyed as a young man when they visit on holidays.
I want to feel safe when I return knowing that Dominica is still the best place in the world. I want to be proud to be an ambassador of Dominica and exhort people of other nations to visit the country.
But are those who are bent on destroying it with their tongues, their deeds and actions going to prevent me from so doing? I want to ask all Dominicans�Which Way? Which Way Do We Want To Go? We cannot allow those political and misguided individuals to take this country to the grave. Please, fellow Dominicans, my cry to you is Which Way?
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