Note To Our Readers
Sometimes it takes a crisis to wake us from our slumber.
And we all know what happens when you wake a sleeping giant – most times you wish you had left it alone.
Well this giant is awake and we plan to do all we can to keep it that way.
You all know what the issues are – and they keep growing every day – so we don’t need to repeat them.
We want to assure you that we will continue to investigate and publish any and all information that we can verify – no matter how strong the resistance – because now more than ever, we need to stay awake. And we are still waiting for some answers.
The spin doctors are dizzy from their frantic efforts to distract us from the issues at hand. Here at CIF, we’ve seen blatant (and amateurish) efforts to confuse and divert the information flow. We’ve heard the talk from those who have a vested interest in continuing to feed and be fed by the political machine. We’ve seen the efforts to discredit people and documents that tell a disturbing story – a story they don’t want you to hear.
These are classic propaganda tactics – deny the situation long enough and maybe they’ll just get tired and go away.
Well, the public has awakened from its slumber, and we’re not going away.
In the past few weeks, we’ve seen a record-breaking outpouring of comment and interest on this website. In the absence of coverage from the mainstream media, people from all over the world are visiting the site to try to understand what in heaven is going on in these Virgin Islands. The increase in traffic to this site is astronomical.
That tells us there is a need to continue to communicate and that’s what we plan to do.
So keep talking, keep listening and keep reading. The truth is that if only 10% of the suggestions that have been made here around cost cutting and efficiencies were implemented, many of the financial problems we are facing would be greatly eased. But as long as our leaders rely on borrow and spend, instead of organize and manage, the crisis will escalate until it explodes.
We know what happens when you corner a wild animal – as its options for escape become more limited, it’s behavior gets wilder, more vicious and ultimately, out of control.
So be it. We will stay focused on the pertinent issues and will not be distracted by the noise. We will continue to devote the time and the resources needed until there is some resolution.
We are committed to the positive, forward motion of these Virgin Islands.
And we are not afraid.
The majority of our Stimulus monies should be targeted towards the advancement and support of our youth and youth programs. Attention to our children will ease the burden on all social programs, as well as directly address the out of control escalation of violence and crime in our “Paradise almost Lost”.
With 1 of those millions of dollars we could put a recording studio in each public high school. We might keep those young men from dropping out a little longer if not through to graduation. This is also one of the ways we save our culture, by promoting an industry such as music in a BIG way in our schools.
Let us be charged and challenged with giving our children new options in a world of technology and communication. Instead of playing video games teach the youth how to make money creating video games.
I understand we do not have an Art program at UVI.
Bull Foot Soup –
We know the all the root causes. We also know what we need to do about it. The question is – Will we do it, or will we just keep electing self-serving, lip-servicing politricksters?
Pandora: Oftentimes I think that what we believe are the root causes may really only be surface chatter. Looking under the hood to see what’s really in there is too painful, so we don’t do it.
Oh, and it has nothing to do with the government, politicians, senators, throwing money around, you know, the usual knee-jerk reaction, the crisis management we are all guilty of.
It’s older and deeper than that. Think 1733, thereabouts. Probably even older than that…
Dear PAndora… my response!
10 Things bout di Govna: (up for debate)
ypur accusation of the sao-called Diageo debable can’t even be proven yet. Puerto Rico is so scared of how much money the VI will be maiking the yare pushing for legislation to stop the Diageo deal. I think that tells us something huh.
Who knows whats been going on with VI lottery that has been a problem since Turnbull.
The violence in crime was already on the rise pre- de Jongh Francis. Crime being is a community effort and not just the Government. So crying about expecting the gov’t to do something does nothing.
MOU between VIPD and the US DOJ? Would like to know more? What is MOU?
Obvioiously you don’t read the paper because winter of 2008 de Jong flew to DC to meet with possible renewable energy sources. And I belive we are down to 2 candidates. This is something you don’t rush I’m sure you could agree with me there.
6. Continuing consent decree between the Fed Gov and the Bureau of Corrections. I cannot comment on this one.
7. Property taxes resolution – NOT. Obviously it is in the process of being resolved retard! Read the paper fool. WE have outsourced to audit the taxes.
8. No planner ever hired for St. John, as promised. What do you mean planner? As in school? Because I seem to forget that we had Senator Rockefeller donate land from the National Park for that.
9. Blatantly violating the terms of his own hiring freeze. Cannot comment on now but I will soon
10. Using public funds to increase the value of his already million dollar house. Correction Pandora… using public funds for security improvements… and it is not illegal either. How bout that huh?
Thank you!
Anonymous( Governor deJONGH or Assistamt) Stop defending the governor , he’s one arrogant liar, and he need to be locked up.
CRUCIAN4LIFE you made mention about the vi lottery ask PAUL FLEMMING about the money he used to fund deWOLFS campaign. THE nerve of you to say that deWOLF house was a million dollar house,that piece of wooden barn could have not worth no more than $250,000 that is why he is now using PFA funds to up grade the piece of crap. SO when you come back bring facts and stop spreading false information.
ROBIN HOOD, I will ask Mr. Paul Flemming if you don’t mind. And what are you talking about million dollar house I am only reiterating what my peer said before me, Pandora. And what false information would I be spreading. Because this whole website does a good job of exactly that.
Crucian in West please stop trying to change the subject.
We get so caught up in the moment that we often forget to take these items and fit them into the puzzle. Yes the puzzle still has missing pieces, but by now we should have a very clear understanding of what is going on. If anyone has been listening to the radio, Wednesday was budget review. Did anyone hear the part that the Gov. intends on borrowing yet another $107 million to keep the Government afloat? Am I the only one that is on the verge of panic? I think this administration is trying to drive the entire USVI into federal receivership. We need to get on top our elected officials and inundate them with calls that this needs to stop. Let’s stop and consider the what ifs…primarily what if Congress regulates the rum cover over money? Diageo will pull out, then we are stuck with $250 million in debt with no way to pay back. We are putting all of our eggs in one basket! We need to take off the blinders and look at the entire picture…think of our children and grandchildren!
And the beat…: let’s think statehood and be done with it.
Beat – I share your apprehension about the Diageo situation. I’m not sure people understand that the portion of the cover over revenues promised to Diageo are subject to a regular renewal by the US Congress. In these tough times, and with the focus on spending and pressure from Puerto Rico, these funds could be in jeopardy and, to your point, if those funds go away, Diageo can walk away scott free.
The other question I’ve always had is why the difference in the amount requested for the bonds floated by the VI (was it $230-$250 million -don’t have the exact number handy) and the published cost of Diageo plant construction, which I last saw at approx. $170 million. What’s the rest of that money for?
I remember being soundly criticized for opposing this deal, accused of being anti-development, etc. etc. But I never understood how this deal, which offered only 40 positions for the residents of St. Croix, and gave away the financial farm, was a good idea.
Time will tell.
the governor is a true VIRGIN ISLAND{ZERO} GOOD BUDDY NOT HERO. A HERO IS SOMEONE WHO DOES GOOD, NOT STEAL FROM THE PEOPLE.
I am concern what was Roosevelt David and Louis Penn doing on St. Croix Friday morning having breakfast with two known radio talk show regular participants? I wonder if they have been trying to ad more people to list who are out there trying to convince the public that the governor did no wrong using public funds. Hmmmmmmmmmm…………! I wonder why the Governor himself come out and speak since he claims that he has legislation from 2007 that shows that he had permission to use public funds. PLEASE GOVERNOR SAVE YOURSELF AND COME TO THE PUBLIC.
Anonymously bashing politicians and each other is fun, isn’t it? Not.
Anyway, for the adults here (if there are any left), did you go to Fort Frederik and experience the SCARP demo on Saturday? This is a wonderful thing. It is much, much more than just looking at names and dates on a piece of paper or a data base. It is a looking glass. Look deeply. You will see who you are. Why you are what you are. How things became how they are. Mysteries will become clear. Myths will die. Reality will set in.
The roots of our dysfunctionality are buried in the past. But thankfully, with the intro of SCARP, slave descendants will finally begin to know who they are. They will learn their connectivity with life, history and culture. Once the current generation has passed away it will be replaced with one that is intelligent, focused and true.
I wish I would live that long. Because this will be a great thing indeed.