Comments on: Final Constitution of the 5th Constitutional Convention http://cruciansinfocus.com/2009/06/01/final-constitution-of-the-5th-constitutional-convention/ "We knew the job was dangerous when we took it." Wed, 23 May 2012 09:03:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: The Distruction of a Culture http://cruciansinfocus.com/2009/06/01/final-constitution-of-the-5th-constitutional-convention/comment-page-4/#comment-7814 The Distruction of a Culture Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:22:06 +0000 http://cruciansinfocus.com/?p=309#comment-7814 Below is the philosophy of VI Restore “Destroy” Hope and its leadership. The information at this link can be very disturbing if not taken with a grain of salt. Virgin Islands culture has been the target of so many distorted media attacks that it could make your head spin. These attacks have been well calculated throughout the years to erode the true history and culture of native Virgin Islanders. The Virgin Islands indigenous people rights will never be protected in the Virgin Islands Constitution as long as these types of media go unchecked “In the 1990s, Eastern Caribbean immigrants have been exercising greater voting clout and in 1996 elected Dominican-born David Jones and St. Kitts born Roosevelt David to the 22nd Legislature. In the 1998 elections, five out of 15 senators elected were born in the Eastern Caribbean. These results underscore the importance of an umbrella political organization (The Association of Caribbean Organizations) which mobilized the Eastern Caribbean vote. It also reflects the rejection of nativistic attempts to legitimize a very restrictive definition of "Virgin Islander." “In the first instance, the absence of any strong social consensus means that progress in writing a constitution acceptable to voters will be difficult. The major stumbling block here will be the question, "Who is a Virgin Islander?" http://www.saintmarys.edu/~jmcelroy/Race%20Ethnicity.htm Below is the philosophy of VI Restore “Destroy” Hope and its leadership. The information at this link can be very disturbing if not taken with a grain of salt. Virgin Islands culture has been the target of so many distorted media attacks that it could make your head spin. These attacks have been well calculated throughout the years to erode the true history and culture of native Virgin Islanders. The Virgin Islands indigenous people rights will never be protected in the Virgin Islands Constitution as long as these types of media go unchecked

“In the 1990s, Eastern Caribbean immigrants have been exercising greater voting clout and in 1996 elected Dominican-born David Jones and St. Kitts born Roosevelt David to the 22nd Legislature. In the 1998 elections, five out of 15 senators elected were born in the Eastern Caribbean. These results underscore the importance of an umbrella political organization (The Association of Caribbean Organizations) which mobilized the Eastern Caribbean vote. It also reflects the rejection of nativistic attempts to legitimize a very restrictive definition of “Virgin Islander.”

“In the first instance, the absence of any strong social consensus means that progress in writing a constitution acceptable to voters will be difficult. The major stumbling block here will be the question, “Who is a Virgin Islander?”

http://www.saintmarys.edu/~jmcelroy/Race%20Ethnicity.htm

]]> By: Persona Non Grata http://cruciansinfocus.com/2009/06/01/final-constitution-of-the-5th-constitutional-convention/comment-page-4/#comment-7465 Persona Non Grata Wed, 05 Aug 2009 22:16:20 +0000 http://cruciansinfocus.com/?p=309#comment-7465 Yes, LR, you're right. Like an abused wife, we are focused on the blows we're getting today and have forgotten the ones we got last week. I have heard nothing about the Draft Constitution for close to a month now. It's almost like it never happened. Yes, LR, you’re right. Like an abused wife, we are focused on the blows we’re getting today and have forgotten the ones we got last week. I have heard nothing about the Draft Constitution for close to a month now. It’s almost like it never happened.

]]> By: Luis Rivera http://cruciansinfocus.com/2009/06/01/final-constitution-of-the-5th-constitutional-convention/comment-page-4/#comment-7463 Luis Rivera Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:53:07 +0000 http://cruciansinfocus.com/?p=309#comment-7463 Well, sir...It is obvious that having a constitution for the colony is nobody's priority. Where's the court decision? Surely, the 10-day deadline to send it to Washington has passed long time. How can the governor determine for we what is constitutional, and what is not? This is nonsense. Any limitations to what we can put in a constitution are based on how Washington applies federal law to the territory. So let the feds determine the constitutionality, not someone who is trying to be politically correct for his benefactors. Some of the stuff in the Marianas and Samoa constitutions - and even some of the things in Guam law - would surely be unconstitutional in the governor's mind. Why are these things constitutional there, and we can't even get an assessment of our draft constitution? Nov. 2010 can't get here too quickly. Luis Rivera Well, sir…It is obvious that having a constitution for the colony is nobody’s priority. Where’s the court decision? Surely, the 10-day deadline to send it to Washington has passed long time. How can the governor determine for we what is constitutional, and what is not? This is nonsense. Any limitations to what we can put in a constitution are based on how Washington applies federal law to the territory. So let the feds determine the constitutionality, not someone who is trying to be politically correct for his benefactors. Some of the stuff in the Marianas and Samoa constitutions – and even some of the things in Guam law – would surely be unconstitutional in the governor’s mind. Why are these things constitutional there, and we can’t even get an assessment of our draft constitution? Nov. 2010 can’t get here too quickly.

Luis Rivera

]]> By: Carlos Otero http://cruciansinfocus.com/2009/06/01/final-constitution-of-the-5th-constitutional-convention/comment-page-4/#comment-6422 Carlos Otero Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:37:15 +0000 http://cruciansinfocus.com/?p=309#comment-6422 We should follow the mesage of the speaker at the 2009 Emancipation Day ceremony in St. Croix who concluded that "It is only from the base of our collective Caribbean identity that will propel us toward a natural political evolution as a society. This is the next phase of emancipation, and perhaps the most challenging phase since the struggle which began in 1848. We must remove the barriers which have been artificially erected to fragment Caribbean people in our society. We must forge the strategic Caribbean alliance which is critical and essential in the building of a 21st Century Virgin Islands. We must embrace the richness of our collective Caribbean identity. We can forward from there." We should follow the mesage of the speaker at the 2009 Emancipation Day ceremony in St. Croix who concluded that “It is only from the base of our collective Caribbean identity that will propel us toward a natural political evolution as a society. This is the next phase of emancipation, and perhaps the most challenging phase since the struggle which began in 1848. We must remove the barriers which have been artificially erected to fragment Caribbean people in our society. We must forge the strategic Caribbean alliance which is critical and essential in the building of a 21st Century Virgin Islands. We must embrace the richness of our collective Caribbean identity. We can forward from there.”

]]> By: Verdel L. Petersen http://cruciansinfocus.com/2009/06/01/final-constitution-of-the-5th-constitutional-convention/comment-page-4/#comment-5538 Verdel L. Petersen Mon, 15 Jun 2009 02:36:17 +0000 http://cruciansinfocus.com/?p=309#comment-5538 I never said anything about homosexuals. I love all humans regardless of their sexual orientation. The problem is that some people's minds are always in the gut. Is there a definition for someone who takes dick in the dictionary? What is a dick, anyway? Why is it okay to call the present Gov. a dictator? It is obvious that some of you are bias and have a filthy mind. Do you understand the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution or the meaning of libel? I have a right to express my opinion as long as I do not knowingly make a false statement. It is my opinion that the former Gov. was being dictatorial when he convinced other delegates to support a document that discriminates against gay couples. Anyone who knows me can tell you that I embrace people of all background. Those who think that I am offended by their insult, please note that I am not not at all disturbed. I am a proud heterosexual, but I have friends who are homosexuals or bisexual. Variety is the spice of life. In fact, I would like St. Croix to be a place that welcomes everyone. Any homosexual or bi-sexual reading my comments, please feel free to contact me. I can tell you which hotels and restaurants welcome you. Again, our present Gov. made a wise decision by not allowing the proposed VI Constitution to go forward. If you are gay, I am sure that you'll be happy too. The draft prohibits same sex marriages. I never said anything about homosexuals. I love all humans regardless of their sexual orientation.

The problem is that some people’s minds are always in the gut. Is there a definition for someone who takes dick in the dictionary? What is a dick, anyway?

Why is it okay to call the present Gov. a dictator? It is obvious that some of you are bias and have a filthy mind. Do you understand the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution or the meaning of libel? I have a right to express my opinion as long as I do not knowingly make a false statement. It is my opinion that the former Gov. was being dictatorial when he convinced other delegates to support a document that discriminates against gay couples.

Anyone who knows me can tell you that I embrace people of all background. Those who think that I am offended by their insult, please note that I am not not at all disturbed. I am a proud heterosexual, but I have friends who are homosexuals or bisexual. Variety is the spice of life. In fact, I would like St. Croix to be a place that welcomes everyone. Any homosexual or bi-sexual reading my comments, please feel free to contact me. I can tell you which hotels and restaurants welcome you.

Again, our present Gov. made a wise decision by not allowing the proposed VI Constitution to go forward. If you are gay, I am sure that you’ll be happy too. The draft prohibits same sex marriages.

]]> By: Verdel L. Petersen http://cruciansinfocus.com/2009/06/01/final-constitution-of-the-5th-constitutional-convention/comment-page-4/#comment-5537 Verdel L. Petersen Mon, 15 Jun 2009 02:14:58 +0000 http://cruciansinfocus.com/?p=309#comment-5537 I never said anything about homosexuals. I love all humans regardless of their sexual orientation. The problem is that some people's mindsa are always in the gut. Is there a definition for someone who takes dick in the dictionary? What is a dick, anyway? Why is it okay to call the present Gov. a dictator? It is obvious that some of you are bias and have a filthy mind. Do you understand the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution or the meaning of libel? I have a right to express my opinion as long as I do not knoweanewly make a false statement. I never said anything about homosexuals. I love all humans regardless of their sexual orientation.

The problem is that some people’s mindsa are always in the gut. Is there a definition for someone who takes dick in the dictionary? What is a dick, anyway?

Why is it okay to call the present Gov. a dictator? It is obvious that some of you are bias and have a filthy mind. Do you understand the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution or the meaning of libel? I have a right to express my opinion as long as I do not knoweanewly make a false statement.

]]> By: GladtoBeYoung http://cruciansinfocus.com/2009/06/01/final-constitution-of-the-5th-constitutional-convention/comment-page-4/#comment-5529 GladtoBeYoung Sun, 14 Jun 2009 20:29:01 +0000 http://cruciansinfocus.com/?p=309#comment-5529 "Paul Leary, a political science instructor at UVI agrees." UVI does not even have a political science major. I would be hesitant to trust them on any issue of political analysis. “Paul Leary, a political science instructor at UVI agrees.”

UVI does not even have a political science major. I would be hesitant to trust them on any issue of political analysis.

]]> By: EyesWideOpen http://cruciansinfocus.com/2009/06/01/final-constitution-of-the-5th-constitutional-convention/comment-page-4/#comment-5513 EyesWideOpen Sun, 14 Jun 2009 17:11:46 +0000 http://cruciansinfocus.com/?p=309#comment-5513 A Case of Majority: The current governor presently has the MAJORITY OF THE POLITICAL MONEY and has a MAJORITY OF THE POLITICAL MACHINE. All the good governor needs now is to get the MAJORITY OF THE POLITICAL VOTES. A gift: The Proposed Constitution and its great opposition by the MAJORITY OF THE VOTERS. As I have said before, the proponents of the Proposed Constitution might as well consider themselves by default a part of the governor’s re-election campaign committee. A Case of Majority:

The current governor presently has the MAJORITY OF THE POLITICAL MONEY and has a MAJORITY OF THE POLITICAL MACHINE. All the good governor needs now is to get the MAJORITY OF THE POLITICAL VOTES.

A gift: The Proposed Constitution and its great opposition by the MAJORITY OF THE VOTERS.

As I have said before, the proponents of the Proposed Constitution might as well consider themselves by default a part of the governor’s re-election campaign committee.

]]> By: Busted http://cruciansinfocus.com/2009/06/01/final-constitution-of-the-5th-constitutional-convention/comment-page-4/#comment-5511 Busted Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:45:06 +0000 http://cruciansinfocus.com/?p=309#comment-5511 Here's an interesting article: http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/index.pl/article_home?id=17636724 Take note that even the Convention's attorney who was adamantly proclaiming the native issue unconstitutional says he thinks Gov deJongh overstepped his boundaries. Paul Leary, a political science instructor at UVI agrees. I find it amazing that present and future senators (Hill, Golden, etc) and others who should know better are applauding the governor who is clearly acting as a judge. Do we no longer respect the separation of powers? Why bother write a constitution? Here’s an interesting article: http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/index.pl/article_home?id=17636724

Take note that even the Convention’s attorney who was adamantly proclaiming the native issue unconstitutional says he thinks Gov deJongh overstepped his boundaries. Paul Leary, a political science instructor at UVI agrees. I find it amazing that present and future senators (Hill, Golden, etc) and others who should know better are applauding the governor who is clearly acting as a judge. Do we no longer respect the separation of powers? Why bother write a constitution?

]]> By: Ten Again http://cruciansinfocus.com/2009/06/01/final-constitution-of-the-5th-constitutional-convention/comment-page-4/#comment-5510 Ten Again Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:37:09 +0000 http://cruciansinfocus.com/?p=309#comment-5510 Those who control the hand that wield the gavel controls the outcome. Yes, follow the law. But, after all that is (exactly) the issue at hand. Proponents on both sides are adamant that the other parties are not following the law. This issue can be settled immediately (although only temporarily) by the legislature even while it is before the court. But it is likely that the Legislature will wait to see the memorandum from the court. It's perhaps unfortunate that we were unable to wait and see what would be feedback from the Federal government. So again: What is the next step? While many sit and wait for the court to act, the wise political strategists are planning three moves ahead. They have already lobbied members of the legislature. They have already lobbied members of the Congress. And they are prepared to lead the populace to agree with their positions. Those who control the hand that wield the gavel controls the outcome. Yes, follow the law. But, after all that is (exactly) the issue at hand. Proponents on both sides are adamant that the other parties are not following the law.

This issue can be settled immediately (although only temporarily) by the legislature even while it is before the court. But it is likely that the Legislature will wait to see the memorandum from the court. It’s perhaps unfortunate that we were unable to wait and see what would be feedback from the Federal government.

So again: What is the next step? While many sit and wait for the court to act, the wise political strategists are planning three moves ahead. They have already lobbied members of the legislature. They have already lobbied members of the Congress. And they are prepared to lead the populace to agree with their positions.

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