Do you see anything to smile bout?

By: Mike Rudon Jr.

A couple of the morning shows are good barometers of the mood of the people living the reality of modern day Belize. It’s not exactly about what the hosts are saying but about the cries of the callers – the frustration, the anger, the sense of betrayal. This morning I listened to one of the hosts on Love FM and was a little surprised to detect palpable disgust in his voice as the discussion zeroed in on the Belize City Council. I imagine that it would be hard to stay objective when the suffering of the people is heard each and every day, when their calls for help are ignored each and every day. This morning the portion of the show I caught was dealing with the cemetery mostly – apparently there are only 9 or so spaces left at Lord Ridge and the City Council is only now trying to find an alternative solution. Let’s see – nine spaces at the current rate of murders in Belize works out to about 3 or 4 days. So in a few days we won’t have anywhere to bury our dead and there’s no option in sight. And then a caller went off about a bridge in North Creek which had fallen into the creek. He was furious because the residents had reported the matter time and again without any response from the Council or the Area Representative. But what’s new.

As a writer who is passionate about pointing out the many faults and inadequacies of the stupid people running this country, I should be in hog heaven. But I’m not. I’m frustrated and angry because I am a Belizean first and I look around and see what is happening to my country. Seriously, there is absolutely nothing to smile about. But maybe I should clarify – there is nothing for the common Belizean to smile about; nothing for the Belizean whose last name isn’t Barrow to smile about; nothing for the Belizean who isn’t a UDP Minister to smile about; nothing for the Belizean without special relation to UDP Ministers to smile about. I clarified simply because I would imagine there is plenty for the ex-wife of the Prime Minister to smile about (hell, if I received a voucher for more than half a million dollars in one day I’d be grinning like a loon). I would imagine that there is plenty for the daughter and son of the Prime Minister to smile about, for they have been richly blessed through their association to daddy. And there are quite a few UDPs who have plenty to smile about – that retarded (sorry, Kim) grimace on Gapi’s face is actually a smile. My friend Boots is smiling pretty right now. Mr. Castro and his wife are smiling. Mr. Montero in Cayo is smiling. The boy Mr. Barrow created in his image (though with more hair) is smiling.

But what about the rest of us…those without the special privileges and perks of UDPness?

I look around and there is so much wrong with this country that it is ludicrous. And no, it isn’t the fault of the previous administration, Mr. Barrow. That one has gotten old. Look at the crime situation and the already defunct Operation Restore Belize. It’s not the previous administration’s fault that Mr. Barrow has not a clue how to deal with the crime situation. His brilliant solution was to place his UDP Chairman Doug Singh at the helm and where exactly has that gotten us. Singh’s nationally proclaimed fixations have made policemen wary, confused and angry. His public taunts of senior officers have made them laughing stocks at a time when they should be commanding respect. He has done absolutely nothing to curb the escalating crime and violence. The blame for that lies squarely on your shoulders, Mr. Barrow!

There is a serious problem with our 911 system, a system which is a lifeline for our citizens in need. The officer in charge has revealed that their equipment is antiquated and they have no facilities to record calls. They are struggling to get proper training for the persons manning the phones. Our 911 system is inadequate. Mr. Barrow, how difficult would it be to upgrade the 911 system to adequate, if not international, standards? How difficult would it be to provide proper training for staff manning the phones? Your administration owns BTL, does it not? Perhaps you could advise your Minister to tone down his obsession with sweaty, spandex clad policemen flexing their biceps and deal with upgrading the 911 system and ensuring that it is staffed by qualified, professional personnel 24 hours. Which one would save more lives, Mr. Barrow…a new gym or a revised, updated 911 system?

And then there’s the dengue situation and negligent hospital situation and the garbage situation and the UDP City Council situation and the Chief Justice situation and the cemetery situation and the economic situation and the unemployment situation and the faltering tourism situation and the high cost of living situation and the poverty situation and the corruption situation and the unjust enrichment situation and the oil situation and the messed up roads situation…I could go on and on but I’m sure you get the picture. There’s nothing to smile about in Belize these days and nothing seems to change. But there’s a UDP ad out right now glorifying Dean Barrow with the caption ‘Inspiring the Future.’ Boss, we need help RIGHT NOW. You’re destroying the present…how the hell aren’t you ashamed to claim to inspire the future. You’re a sick man!

| | | | | |