What’s obscene?

A Beaconite is very disappointed that her recent attempts to learn more about the territory’s law banning obscene publication have been unsuccessful. Under Virgin Islands law, a person commits an offence if, for the purpose of trade or distribution, they produce or possess “any obscene writing, drawing, print, painting, printed matter, pictures, posters, emblems, photographs, films, discs, or any other obscene objects tending to corrupt morals.” This law seems very vague to the Beaconite, as it does not provide details on what exactly qualifies as obscene. For example, under this law, is selling a piece of artwork that features nudity banned in the terrority? What about a work of literature or a movie that includes a sex scene? Although the Beaconite has reached out to police and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, she has yet to receive any clarifications. If no one is even willing to explain this law, then how are citizens expected to follow it? The question seems particularly relevant given that the Crown is currently prosecuting a man for obscene publication for a video that allegedly was posted to his Facebook page. Who might be next?

Surf study

Many Virgin Islands residents swear by the health benefits of regularly swimming in the ocean. A new study might help test that theory. As part of the Surfer Biome Project, Cliff Kapono, a biochemistry Ph.D. candidate at the University of California, San Diego, is travelling the world to measure the effect that repeated ocean exposure has on the bacteria in surfers’ guts. Though a Beaconite can’t help wondering about the reasons that motivated Mr. Kapono, an avid surfer himself, to choose a project that requires him to visit the best surf spots in the world, he expects the project will provide results that would be of much interest here in the VI.

Not okay

A Beaconite enjoyed the Miss Regional Police Pageant. The female officers who competed were not only very entertaining, but they offered good ideas on fighting crime in the Caribbean. However, the competition, which was scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m., didn’t kick off until almost 8:45. Also, it didn’t end until almost 1:30 a.m. The reporter has covered many pageants, but this one took the crown, edging out many others that have begun late and ended very early in the morning. She would like to advise other pageant organisers to consider attendees’ time, but she has made such pleas before and she fears they often fall on deaf ears.

Happy camper

A Beaconite has been in the Virgin Islands for more than a year now. Throughout it, he’s seen and experienced many things that are likely commonplace to people who have spent their whole lives here, but were vibrant and memorable to him. Electric green, bike-length iguanas sprinting across beachside roads. Herds of staring goats impeding traffic. Egrets battling plus-size crabs. Rum-fuelled conversations with groups of people that speak more than dozen languages and come from five different continents. Hitchhiking (actually, that may have lost its novelty after 12 months). Dancehall concerts. The view from Bananakeet. Snorkelling. More than anything, the Beaconite appreciates the often-random, always-interesting nature of this place. After one full year, he is in no hurry to leave the VI.

Humble in defeat

Last week, a Beaconite vowed that he would leave the territory if the Beacon Baskets Basketball Club didn’t defeat the Bayside Blazers in the K&J 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament. Ever a man of his word, the Beaconite will be off this rock by Aug. 15 thanks to a crushing defeat at the hands of the Blazers. The only thing the Beaconite cares about is that three-pound golden trophy that tells him he’s the best. If he can’t win one of those here, then perhaps it’s time to find another island. The Beaconite’s retirement from competitive basketball in the Virgin Islands came the same weekend as another legend of sport retired from his respective domain: The Undertaker retired on Sunday after losing his final match at Wrestlemania 33. From one legend to another, the Beaconite would like to congratulate Mr. Undertaker on an amazing career in the sport of professional wrestling.

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