"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”
Culture change and changes in social behaviour are the prerequisites for a safer and more wholesome society. A society is simply the sum total of individuals, families and communities that …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Call made for change in New Year”
The following familiar motto is attributable to Benjamin Franklin: “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Another familiar unofficial slogan for the British Army states, “Preparation prevents piss-poor …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — VI urged to take planning seriously”
Festival schedule The Beacon won’t print next week because of the August Emancipation Festival holiday. Advertising and editorial deadlines will return to normal leading up to the next edition on …
The present discomfort and nervousness with United Kingdom indirect rule of the Virgin Islands is a very necessary wake-up call for the territory. We all know that the grandstanding and …
The recently ended Summit of the Americas will likely be best remembered for the United States’ decision not to invite Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua; the chaotic unprepared way in which …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — ‘US influence in the Americas is waning’”
Customer service A Beaconite is happy to hear that a director of customer service is to be appointed to “enhance” the government’s Customer Service Care Centre. For whoever is hired, …
Members of the House of Assembly representing a district are rewarded with a salary and other benefits for participating in the lawmaking process and furthering the interests of residents in …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Fahie urged to resign D-1 seat”
Roadside service During the recent roadworks in Fish Bay, a Beaconite noticed a refreshing example of excellent customer service. Twice, he drove up to the site from the Road …
The National Unity Government’s performance to date gives its well-wishers scant assurance that its members understand the challenges the Virgin Islands is confronting, let alone have a strong enough vision …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Reform plan’s viability questioned”
The one clear and straightforward route to Virgin Islands independence is through a referendum. So why are the “elites” shirking from a referendum and yet pontificating on the subject of …
No rapid tests When returning to the Virgin Islands from St. Kitts this week, a Beaconite opted to get her Covid-19 rapid test upon arrival since government announced recently that …
In 1975, while sailing north through the Caribbean, stormy weather caused me to take shelter in the Virgin Islands. The anchorage off Road Town was exposed and uncomfortable, and I …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — VI urged to rediscover ‘paradise lost’”
Since watching the recent press conference where the governor and premier discussed overdue police service increments, I have been waiting for the wider conversation. Payment of increments should be step …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Gov’t urged to up civil service pay”
The culture of “wrong and strong” is a Virgin Islands folly that will be the territory’s undoing. Currently, a significant subset is averse to the new reality of correctly imposed …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — COI came ‘just in time,’ writer says”
Intern A Beaconite was thrilled to work with the newspaper’s intern for the week, K’launi Williams, as part of Cedar International School’s outreach programme. It’s always fun seeing the news …
VI politics Last week, a Beaconite virtually attended a community meeting that, on the surface, was unremarkable. It took place in an empty classroom and lasted less than an hour. …
Earlier this month at a conference on Caribbean security, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Motley spoke about the consequences of the war in Ukraine and the now unavoidable impact it will …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Caribbean expected to feel effects of Ukraine war”
Food-sufficient countries frequently possess a vibrant internal market culture. This is a way of life driven by farming and associated commercial activity. Food and drink are critical for human existence …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — ‘Agriculture, fisheries and inflation’”
Scooter lessons A Beaconite got her first lesson in riding a scooter on Sunday. Though she’s been able to operate one on the roads of Martha’s Vineyard and Anegada, she …
Tournament triumph Being out on the water for Saturday’s Wahoomania tournament brought back a lot of fond memories of family fishing trips for one Beaconite. There’s just nothing like being …
For most, a passport denotes citizenship, belonging, certain rights, and residence. For others, especially the world’s wealthy, obtaining a “stronger” additional passport than the one provided by their country of …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — ‘Citizenship by investment’ under fire”
Nothing better illustrates the divide that exists between today’s Caribbean and its past than two unfortunate images of Prince William and his wife Catherine during their recent visit to Jamaica: …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — ‘Royalty, republics, and reparations’”
Rising inflation diminishes the economic and social well-being of consumers, especially people on fixed incomes: employees, retirees, students on scholarship, small business owners of nonessential products and services, and unemployed …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Inflation seen as economic threat”
Court reporting For one Beaconite, reporting on a recent High Court trial was made more stressful by the difficulty of obtaining basic information about the case from relevant government offices. …