Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

2023: A new year with the same old problems

Alred C. Frett. Photo: VINO/File
Alred C. Frett

Losing our Lands and Identity:

I wish you a Happy New Year because Sentimentally, we like to think of a New Year as the beginning of many things including Resolutions for our lives... However, in reality our lives do not stop and start at the convenience of a Calendar... Our joys and sorrows, mourning and celebrations care nothing about the hours, days or months of the year – Every journey is a start and continuation until we reach the end.

Far too often, we sleep when we should be awake and, by time we awaken, there is nothing left but sad memories... Like Rip van Winkle, some of us have been lucky enough to last long enough, but what is the worth if we only awaken to regrets of lost opportunities or, the horror of seeing Children die before their parents? And, what is the value in seeing good turn into bad, or, young men become old criminals?

The decadence is all around us and, as much as we try to avoid doing others wrong, some seem to think being peaceful means being cowardly, blind or ignorant, and some simply prefer not to see things as they are, while others wonder why... On those occasions, when we see the perpetrators of evil suffer and die before their time, we claim it’s the hands of God ricocheting their attacks back on themselves.

This sounds nice, except, good people also die, since no one was created to outlive the world...  All we have is here and now, along with the self-satisfaction that we do the best we can for as long as we can... Doing good is imperative, because not all crooks are labelled and the doers of evil may extend from the lowest ranks of poverty, to the top levels of Government, and, excuses for abuses will flourish.

We become acutely aware of this when, Governments run their Countries into Financial Quick Sand; and the desires of Politicians and demands of the People, are met with empty pockets and rubber checks... At such times, the focus of Leaders turns to Banks and Foreign Investors who may be poised and anxious to purchase our rights, privileges and real estate with their promissory notes or fake dollars.

These Divestors are fully aware, that Real Estate and Natural Resources, form the wealth of a nation and their values will grow faster than any local stock market or interest rates on fluctuating Dollars... They know that countries who sell the lands and rights of their people never recover – after all, land never rots while to lose your land is to lose your identity - Besides, Paper Money remains easy to burn.

The Plantation Mentality with the Wickham’s Cay, Palm Grove Shopping Centre:

By now, we should be smart enough to realise that who owns the plantations owns the people and who owns the people owns the Country... These investors are really divestors or modern-day missionaries, and the Politicians act as Slave Traders who can no longer sell their people, so they turn to selling out their Lands – We have seen such Politicians make fortunes by selling the inheritance of the Children.

Unfortunately, we have seen this continue in the classic case of Government and the Wickham’s Cay, Palm Grove Shopping Centre... This tiny portion of land was reserved and developed in the form of a 99-year leasehold - under Governmental management and control - as a means of providing BV-Islanders with a last-ditch ownership in their Country, provided they met strict conditions and required Payments.

Several Tenant-Owners met these conditions, completed their stipulated payments and were about to recoup their investment when Hurricane Irma caused extensive damage to the property... Naturally, the Government is responsible for repairing said Property and having it reinstated to its rightful owners... However, not only did Government fail, but they restricted the owners and created a Plywood Barricade.

Too often, their excuse is about persons squatting on Government/Crown Lands without paying dues or meeting their commitments but, if so, this can be dealt with... Furthermore, as elders we are predestined to crossover, so, this must be about generations to come and not fabricated excuses, to disenfranchise BV-Islanders and make innocent pay for guilty, in order to steal or sell the birthrights of their Children.

It is morally wrong that: the People’s source of income was not replaced and their Monies returned... Instead, there are rumours of Politicians making secret deals with Foreign Divestors to sell them the People’s Property... This Governmental Malpractice cannot be claimed as accidental, since it has been practiced and passed on from Government to Government - Seems they would like us to lose our Country.

Such ongoing corruption depicts Government as a 21st Century, Plantation owner, willing to steal the Slaves’ money and deprive them of their rights...  This mentality has led Slaves and the Oppressed to seek their own Gods, since, the rich and powerful regard, might as right, possession as nine-tenths of the law, and it’s okay to provoke you into defensive action so their planned reaction excuses their intent.

Refusing to Learn from the Mistakes of Others:

Clearly, the System is rigged, with us as endangered BV-Islanders facing oppressive persons, ready and willing to prevent our survival...  I speak from experience, but this is not about me and I am not seeking your sympathy; there are many more less fortunate, who will likely face present and future challenges - Some are already complaining of having minimal BV-Islander presence in the Courts and Police Force.

Maybe they fail to realise that these bodies or organisations do not belong to us – These are not our Laws or Force... Been there – You may recall the Property I bought from Expats who were able to do whatever they wanted with it, yet, for over 10 years, foreigners, locals and Governments have tried to prevent me from erecting a Medical Building to provide affordable Health Care for the General Public.

I appreciate some of you thinking that we are almost there but in fact, the battle continues... Meanwhile, we are seeing Health Care strikes and challenges raging in the UK and commonsense should require that we learn from these... As a trickle-down country, who have seen respect and credibility of the US and UK in shambles, we should use our visionary imagination to reason, what may be in store for our People.

The incident I mentioned was only one of several experiences with Governments, Bad minded people and Courts of law, but this is not really about me... We exist in a webbed Society of interconnectivity so, in reality, this is about the extent to which the wicked can impose their brand of state-sponsored unfairness and injustice, in order to hurt, harm and hinder the Youth of Today and Tomorrow.

As children see their role models penalised, they no longer know whom to trust and they enter a state of despondency... If we understood this, then there would be no need to wonder why Children act as they do, and unless and until we correct the situation, there will always be the absence of hope... Poor will fight the poor for pittances, but they will also resent the rich with a passion and, no one will be safe.

The Dollar is really a Dictator but we still call it King...  There is no doubt that the World is headed towards a Financial Crisis and those who are terrified of an impending Recession, may soon learn that Inflation hits the Poor harder than Recession... Strikers across the World may also learn that the forced increase of incomes by a dime, may result in the reduction of purchasing power by a dollar - Be careful.

PS:Will continue addressing some of your Questions & Comments on Live BVP Radio Programmes

5 Responses to “2023: A new year with the same old problems ”

  • Tahini (12/01/2023, 17:13) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Another good read frett
  • ccc (13/01/2023, 07:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    You are correct same old same old bull sh**

  • Thank you Sir (13/01/2023, 09:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Such an energetic article, refreshing and revitalizing. I trust many others will be motivated to make a difference for the youths of tomorrow.
  • Native senior citizen of the British Virgin Islands (13/01/2023, 10:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Alred Frett, good piece of writing. It is a reality to those of us who are able to accept and appreciate its many trues.
    Most people don't realize that money is a tool, not a master, but the Uk government, the BVI local government leaders, and the majority of us have being allowed it worshiping it as our King, not as our servant.
    Remember that there is a saying "Cash is King? This lie is equal to a noose aroung our necks or a downpressers knee on our neck

    I do disagreed with the late Bob Marley on was his religious belief, the the song that he has sung, reference: "Woe to the down presser, they eat the bread of sad tomarrow." is ongoing. Because of this misdirection of mind, not only we the adults, but also our children, and grand children will forever be slaves, one way or the other. Why? Because the borrower is the slave of the lender.
    Yes, the owner of the plantation has power over the slaves.
    Covetiousness is the Chief robber of true of all who genuinely seek freedom. "Who the cap fit let them wear it.

    Wakeup BVI people, especially our youths.

    Note care the the following factual statement from God our Creator to me to you, below.

    The enemy of my enemy may not necessarily be my friend, nor yours.
  • @ NATIVE SENIOR CITIZEN (14/01/2023, 16:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    YYOUR RESPONSE WAS VERY IMPRESSIVE ALSO , ITS VERY GOOD WHEN YOU CAN READ SOMETHING CONSTRUCTIVE ON WHATS REALLY GOING ON IN THE COUNTRY WITH THESE HYPOCRITES WHO ARE RUNNING THE COUNTRY INTO THE GROUNG AND ARE SKILLED IN USING PROPAGANDA THEATRICS AND ALL KINDS OF EXCUSES TO COVER THEIR CORRUPTION


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.