"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
“There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.” In an ironic sort of way, this line from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Gov’t thanked for avoiding direct rule”
In my spirit I am hearing voices. One says, “Born free; as free as the wind blows… .” Another says, “And before I’d be a slave, I’ll be buried in …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — ‘Born free,’ writer opposes direct rule”
Growing up in the Virgin Islands, I had the opportunity to hear and learn the meaning of certain sayings which we now refer to as local proverbs. Recently, I was …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — In response to letter, a history lesson”
This week I read a commentary about the Commission of Inquiry in the Beacon’s Aug. 26 edition, which was captioned “COI seen to bring checks, balances.” As someone who dabbled …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — COI commentary draws sharp retort”
A few months ago, I wrote a commentary in which I suggested that three generations of Virgin Islanders would have seen our relationship with the United Kingdom from different perspectives. …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Writer reflects on VI-UK ties”
It was not my intention to make a submission to the Commission of Inquiry, nor do I have any interest in appearing before it, but after hearing the evening news …
So, the commission of inquiry is searching for information to verify, or not, the claim that there is corruption in the Virgin Islands. Who would be interested in providing this …
Some individuals may not want to acknowledge that there are ties which bind the United Kingdom and the Virgin Islands, and I think I can understand why that would be …
I couldn’t believe it when I turned on the radio to listen to the BBC News last week and heard that there was to be a commission of inquiry in …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Gov’t defended as COI starts”
Winston Churchill is credited with the following quote. “A lady came up to me one day and said, ‘Sir! You are drunk,’ to which I replied, ‘I am drunk today, …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Questions asked about UK-VI ties”
Some time before Hurricane Irma, I was standing on the roadside waiting for a bus. An impressive looking vehicle pulled up and the driver offered me a ride. I was …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Citizenship series concludes”
In an article written several weeks ago, I put forward the view that the Virgin Islands is in a mess on every level. I still believe that this unfortunate situation …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Citizenship series continues”
Prior to Hurricane Irma, I had been experiencing a sense of helplessness and hopelessness about what the Virgin Islands had become. That feeling was reinforced when I listened to a …
Continue reading “Commentary — Irma like ‘the voice of God’”
I indicated earlier that the provisions of the 1948 Nationality Act did not favour ancestral Virgin Islanders and that fact was not generally known here. It may be that the …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Past nationality laws deemed unfair”
I have written more than one commentary on this subject. I think that if you stay with me we can come to a place where there is understanding of what …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Former citizenship rules get more scrutiny”
In an earlier commentary, I referred to certain categories of ancestral Virgin Islanders who were placed at a disadvantage by the 1948 British Nationality Act. Among these were illegitimate children; …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Former citizenship rules draw more fire”
When I speak of ancestral Virgin Islanders, I am referring to those persons whose ancestry goes back to the middle and late 1800s. I expect that such persons would have …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Former nationality rules draw scrutiny”
In my time I have had the opportunity to attend a number of graduation ceremonies and listen to some interesting commencement addresses. Only two of those addresses had the kind …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — HLSCC graduation speech praised”
Well, sir! Whoever said that the more things change the more they remain the same was right on the money. But that doesn’t mean I can’t hope. For a brief …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Territory seen to be ‘in a mess’”
I have never admired or respected Premier Dr. Orlando Smith more than I do as I write this letter on June 19. Of all the options he could have chosen …
The devastating hurricanes of 2017 were a gift to the United Kingdom. Think about it for a moment! Imagine yourself as the parent of a recalcitrant young adult, living in …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Storms called ‘a gift’ to the UK”