Two in one Over the weekend, a Beaconite had the opportunity to travel to St. Thomas to cover Virgin Islands Friendship Day, a celebration of VI culture attended by representatives …
October 23, 2019
October 23, 2019
Commentary — VG clinic, other issues spark concerns
If the new Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre is to open soon on Virgin Gorda, with vastly improved facilities, hopefully (that word again — more later), why is the BVI …
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October 17, 2019
Commentary — UK seen as ‘Balkanised’ amid Brexit woes
Brexit has entered an expected phase. The United Kingdom is becoming Balkanised. The Brexit civil war has generated divisions in the UK that cannot be bridged unless the two sides …
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September 26, 2019
COMMENTARY — Ideas offered for storm prep
In the age of global warming, building resilience and defence against climate change and natural disasters have to be at the core of Caribbean social and economic development. Lifestyle change …
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July 23, 2019
COMMENTARY — More Brexit fears aired
Brexit is the most damaging event in recent United Kingdom history, equivalent to the Suez Crisis of the early 1960s in terms of its malevolent effect on UK politics, economics …
July 16, 2019
POEM — Today
Say something kind to someone today. Too soon that someone could pass away, And you’d be left with pain in your heart, Wondering why you didn’t do your part. …
July 8, 2019
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (July 4, 2019)
Quiet support The Beacon, like other media outlets, occasionally finds itself embroiled in controversy (the reasons for which are far beyond the scope of this Reporter’s Notebook). When that happens, …
July 8, 2019
COMMENTARY — Call made for economic change
In his preaching on the need for a new capitalism that will power social and economic prosperity in the West in the decades ahead, economist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate …
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July 3, 2019
Commentary — Call made to separate ‘big money’ and politics
Neo liberalism is the idea that markets are self-correcting. For 40 years the belief that free markets allocate resources efficiently ruled. Jack the Tycoon was king, and whatever was good …
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June 24, 2019
COMMENTARY — ‘New economic thinking’ praised
Neo-liberalism — supply-side trickle-down economics — has failed the world. However, a new economic thinking can save the day, according to a number of influential economists. The new thinking is …
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June 11, 2019
Commentary — Ideas offered for immigration reform
A week is a long time in politics. Two weeks is an aeon, especially when public meetings are held after the event. Over the weekend, the premier seems to have …
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June 4, 2019
COMMENTARY — Residency debate sparks ‘disgust’
Our newly appointed “King” Fahie (see government press release) may have called a National Day of Prayer for today but I am afraid he and God have an uphill task …
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June 4, 2019
COMMENTARY — Call made for more cops in EE
I have been having problems with a nearby resident who I believe is heavily on street drugs. This man has been tormenting the Old Plantation area neighbourhood, my daughter and …
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May 7, 2019
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (May 2, 2019)
Sustainability A Beaconite has been heartened to see some of the valuable efforts to contribute to sustainability in the Virgin Islands over the past week. She was so heartened …
May 7, 2019
COMMENTARY — Crypto deal draws distrust
Somebody please tell me this is a joke? Over the years we have seen sensible investors such as the Rockefellers, Dr. Henry Jarecki and Sir Richard Branson. But many carpetbaggers …
May 7, 2019
COMMENTARY — Call made for national library to house salvaged books
I am still rescuing books after Hurricane Irma. Incredible! At last I’m getting around to my store of books at the Old Family House, which had been unoccupied for more …
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May 7, 2019
COMMENTARY — Gov’t warned of early grumbling
Smart politicians pay heed to early disenchantment from voters. Why? Because to be forewarned is to be forearmed. Voter grumbling and voter discontentment at specific matters usually mark the beginning …
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April 30, 2019
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK (April 25, 2019)
Ban the ban? The Virgin Islands is among a dwindling number of countries and territories worldwide that continue to ban alcohol sales during Good Friday. Last year, after much …
April 30, 2019
Commentary — ESHS, other projects scrutinised
So we are to get a third reincarnation of the “litter wardens.” What happened to the previous two times they were appointed? Were they paid? Are they still being paid? …
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April 23, 2019
Commentary — ‘A contrarian view of independence’
The world’s first formal stock exchange was established in Amsterdam in the early 1600s. The two major companies listed on it were the Dutch East India Company (founded in 1602) …
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April 17, 2019
Reporter’s Notebook (April 11, 2019)
Bush whacking A Beaconite was fortunate enough to travel to Guana Island this week with scientists from the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, exploring and identifying native plant species. The …
April 17, 2019
COMMENTARY — WE ferry dock seen as crucial
In terms of value for money, investment in the West End ferry terminal is the most critical tourism and seaport investment the Virgin Islands can make right now. Investment in …
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April 17, 2019
COMMENTARY — Ideas offered for new gov’t
Congratulations to our newly elected members in the Virgin Islands House of Assembly, and God’s blessings throughout your term. The campaigning was quite short. As a result, many candidates did …
April 17, 2019
COMMENTARY — Ideas offered for e-gov’t, telecoms
Moves towards e-government are welcome but overdue in an economy dependent on telecommunications to make its tourist product and financial services industry more attractive and efficient. We might emulate Estonia’s …
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April 9, 2019
COMMENTARY — Talk show host called out
Talk show host Claude Skelton-Cline knows perfectly well why the British government imposed the Recovery and Development Agency on us. Just one reason. Successive governments here have shown themselves to …