A daunting task awaits

Flooded streets on the city's south side.

Whether it is Darrel Bradley leading a returning UDP slate or a fresh group of PUP politicians that eventually lands in City Hall next year (2012); the task will be a daunting one.

Belize City is undoubtedly the epicenter of a terrible crime wave, the likes of which we have never seen before and which, by the grace of God, will NOT be the inheritance of the next generation.

City infrastructure are under severe strain; citizens are living in deplorable conditions; businesses are feeling the economic pinch and life as we once enjoyed it in the old capital is but a memory, splashed upon the pages of time less than a generation past.

I watched in dismay tonight as my colleagues at Channel 7, chronicled the plight of a single mother, an asthmatic, living in conditions no human being should be subjected to.

With ankle deep water as her flooring, bed perched precariously on planks above feted mud and grime, a boa constrictor in the roof, swarms of insects for companion at night and testimony of her children afraid to sleep in their bed, the sad tale as told tonight by this lady is sadly the norm not only for her; but many others. 

The suffering, most times in silence, is deep.  The suffering is terrible. The suffering is heartbreaking.

Today, one of the major political parties launched their campaign leading up to the next municipal elections.  The other major political party will soon follow suit.

So what will they come to the poor, suffering, electorate with? 

What will they offer people like the single mother whose story on the news tonight was a stinging indictment of the entire community? 

Will the going get good for the election season and then a return to the dark days of dispair after the 'X' is cast and the ballots counted?

No doubt it is a daunting task that awaits whoever lands in City Hall next February. But let is bear in mind that the process of living is a daily undertaking.

And while for most of us, the dawn of a new day presents fresh opportunities for us to eke out an existence, for many there is no dawn; because they can't awake from the dream turned nightmare. 

Try as they may, they hear the beaconing call to rise and shine; but alas the burden of the terrible circumstances visited on them is truly a daunting task indeed.

What do you think?

When you say nothing at all!

I met my doctor one afternoon at a restaurant.  In the midst of the customary good afternoon, and without much thought into it, I asked the doc if he was feeling alright. 

Serenity

It wasn't until I was in the car that I realized how odd it was for me, the patient, to be asking him, the doctor if he was feeling alright.

Somehow I thought the question was out of place; but at the time it was asked, we both laughed it off and he said he was okay, and I replied, ‘that is good to hear.’ 

There are times in life, I guess, when we, on the spur of the moment say things that, had we give it some thought, we would rather bite our tongue. 

On the other hand however, I believe that it is in these spur of the moment thoughts, that sometimes the honest truth gets mentioned. 

Subconsciously we may be thinking something; but because of fear we consciously suppress the urge to speak them. Many times we keep things bottled up inside, to our own detriment. 

Sometimes we are forced to keep things inside, whether it is to maintain a friendship, a marriage, a relationship; but don't realize that the greatest harm is being done to ourselves. 

Keeping things bottled up is what leads to outbursts, sometimes which are completely contrary to who we are.  Harsh words, a violent outburst, sometimes have their origins deep within the bottled up hurts and emotions that pent up over time. 

I've often met people who, with a simple how are you doing, end up releasing pent up feelings and ideas and thoughts.  Sometimes you visible see a lifting of their spirits, just by their talking and relating what's on their heart.  Sometimes the burdens are made lighter, simply by expressing what's inside; however trivial it may seem. 

That is why sometimes it is far better to engage the listening and disconnect the tongue.  Just my thought. What do you think?

The old man liveth; so stop the gossip madness, please!

Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price

When the Rt. Hon George Price was rushed to the hospital via ambulance on Wednesday morning, September 14, the very private life of the iconic leader was thrust into the public.

Since the hospitalization, accurate information on the prognosis of the Father of the Nation has been comparable to a state secret, with bits and pieces trickling out in disjointed spurts.

And as is typical in Belize, things have a way of getting bent out of shape post haste.  And it is not helping that Mr. Price's family have been jealously guarding any information regarding his condition. 

There is an upside to this, and there is also a down side.

On the negative, the vacuum of credible information has given rise to wanton speculation, some of which range from the ridiculous to the downright scandalous.

As the iconic leader who led the People's United Party (PUP) for decades, and under whose leadership the nation entered political independence on September 21, 1981, George Price belongs to the nation of Belize.  Therefore, I believe, the nation deserves to be kept updated on his prognosis.

The family has asked the nation to pray for Mr. Price as he recuperates; but even so, it is difficult a task to do even for the most devout Christian, when they do not know for sure how their beloved Mr. Price is doing.

On the other hand, Mr. Price and his family do deserve to have their privacy during what can only be described as the most difficult time of his life. 

Our prayer is that he will pull through. That he will be with us a good while longer; but if it is the Lord's will that he be elevated to a new assignment in the sky, then we must all accept the Lord's will must be done.

In the meantime, let us continue to hope and pray for his speedy recovery, while appealing to the family to let us be there with you in this difficult time. 

We love Mr. Price just as you do. So, feel free to let us know how he is doing and end this gossip madness that is clearly more counterproductive than anything else.