Glad to see that the government is gradually catching up with the 21st Century by abolishing the illegitimacy laws, so that children born out of wedlock (as some 60 percent now are) are not disadvantaged in inheritance situations. Of course, problems were always avoidable if people made proper wills, which unfortunately a large percentage of people do not do. Such children used to be called “bastards,” but there are so many these days that the word has fallen into disuse, except in swearing.

 

Now we need to change the ridiculous law that pertains to children born here of expatriate parents, who are not considered to “be from here.”

This is discrimination of the worst kind. This Virgin Islander-versus-the-rest problem has got to stop sometime. After all, not one of us, unless we can prove a direct line to the Caribs, is here except due to the emigration of our ancestors. Black, white, Hispanic, African and down-island are emigrants all. So everyone born here should have a right to “be from here.” This is one of very few countries where being born here does not make one a citizen. Look how so many VIslanders travel to St. Thomas or Puerto Rico to give birth so that their children can be classed as United States citizens. Though I suppose some may be having second thoughts on that, what with the FATCA regulations now in place.

Expatriates at Festival

Commentator Donald De Castro thinks that “expatriates” should be barred from August Emancipation Festival celebrations! Looks like the August Monday Parade will be pretty thin this year!

And now a Bajan businessman is urging the minister of education to introduce Portuguese and Chinese into our school system. First question: Which Chinese language? If we need so many residents speaking those languages, it means we will have a large influx of people speaking them, and that means the territory will have more problems than mere inability to communicate. Incidentally, online commenters are accusing the minister of having this idea. That is very unfair on him.

Right now we are seeing an increasing number of Filipinos who speak Tagalog or their local dialect. Fortunately, they come from one of the largest English-speaking countries in the world, so we don’t need to speak their native language. Incidentally, it is government and VI employers who are bringing them in. What’s behind it? With the economy in the doldrums, who are they replacing? They can hardly be additional labour? And where are those displaced going?

Anyway I think schools need to concentrate more on the English language first. Watching the national spelling bee competition, I felt really sorry for some of the contestants. I don’t know whether it was the acoustics or what, but the pronunciation by the judges of some of the words was so bad that I could not understand them. No wonder the kids couldn’t either.

Water and Sewerage

Now then, what’s going on down at Water and Sewerage? Are they short of funds, expertise, manpower? They seem incapable of curing the leaks in Sea Cows Bay between the desalination plant and the “Elevator” road. They are continually digging up the road. Replacing rotten pipe one piece at a time is not the way to cure the problem. There was a leak further along in Palestina for weeks before they attended to it last week. A major refurbishment is needed. But I guess the same applies over most of the island.

Meanwhile, what goes on at the headquarters? They cut off our water three weeks after we paid the bill, never having been in arrears. There were dozens of people in the office complaining because they had been cut off for not paying the meter bill, having used no water. So they have to pay $20 to reconnect. This is apparently the policy of the new “boss,” who has also threatened to actually remove the meters and cut off the supply permanently if the meter bill is not paid.

Some time ago, they said that they would no longer be sending out bills, and that all customers had to go to the office every month for their bill! What a state of affairs. Since then they definitely have been sending out some bills, but the staff give conflicting information as to whether they send out bills or not. One month I got two identical bills. Even if they do send them, they take weeks to arrive. Staff try to blame this on the post office. That’s another story: Does anyone realise how long overseas mail takes to get here?

Now to the fastest gun (trial) in the West! Illegal guns found March 18. Culprit tried and convicted April 4. Almost a record for any prosecution here — I think only bettered by the USVI fisherman caught and fined a ridiculously huge amount for “fishing” without a licence, in only a few days.

The editor recently decided to start a new “Party Party” instead of the “White Envelope and Refrigerator Party.” I still think my “Bald Headed Party” would win hands down, or pates up! We both have as much chance as the “new” People’s Empowerment Party of has-beens does of forming a government.

{fcomment}