Rubber Boots

“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words..”

I believe a lot of the problems we face in our nation can be fixed with an attitude change. Maybe I'm an optimist. Our parents constantly lament about the way things used to be; it's within our generation that radical change have been occurring. But are these parents not the ones who raised and socialized us? Did they not plant a seed, and are now alarmed at the growth of the weed? We need realistic dramatic action.

A human being with no fear is out of control. When we have no fear, we act on our most basic selfish animalistic instinct, with no regard for the other members of our society. By nature, we're a communal species; we have to have the well-being of our fellow man at heart for success and peace. As Belizeans, this used to be true. Now it is not.

There is no fear. A commuter has no fear, so she throws garbage out the window of a bus. A child has no fear, so he curses and back-chats the teacher. An adolescent has no fear, so he robs the Chiney around the corner. A gangsta has no fear, so he shoots his enemies out of beef. A politician has no fear, so he pours the national coffers into his pocket. There is no fear in our country.

Now me, I'm afraid. My mother put the fear of God into me... I fear, therefore I respect, the written laws of Belize, and the unwritten laws of common decency.

So put the fear into the little ones growing up now; talk to a child, and if necessary, discipline him or her. Remember the lessons you learned and home and in school and act accordingly. Clean your yard. Cut your grass. Don't litter. These little actions, my friends, they'll seep up like capillary action! It all starts in the little things.

Don't forget charity. Help people, when you can, if you can. Have a heart for the human condition. Don't forget your fellow man, and most of all, the generations to come. How then, my friends, can we as a people fail and be miserable? Without this attitude change, our Jewel will lose its sparkle. And I know none of us want that.

Depression & Dilapidation

So, as I drove into Belize City from the airport this morning these were my observations.

1) Potholes, potato holes, elephant holes EVERYWHERE. Drivers dodging the ones they can, but in the end they get you. Every year it is the same excuses. Find the money, fix the road and stop blaming the swamp and rain. If we can send a man to the moon, then surely we can solve this.

2) Uncut medians....they look as though they haven't been cut in months....wait...they haven't. Get on with it Citco.

3) Skyscraper grass on every open lot. For God's sake Citco..make yourself some money and clamp down on these people and start issuing tickets....wait...oh...forgot...no political will.

4) Garbage EVERYWHERE....and no Mr Dean O. this is not business house garbage that you claim is the problem..these are water bags, soft drink bottles, and BBQ containers. The stuff that plain ole prideless citizens deposit wherever they feel like.

5) Busses stopping every 10 feet. Can we please open the book on the world standards on bus stops. This is so easy to correct with a little management and enforcement.

6) School kids and workers dashing across the highway wherever they feel like it. Not only are they not using the overhead walkway, but they are jay walking all over the highway. Not only is it dangerous but it doesn't help the traffic situation at all.

7) Street Signs down. What little there are have fallen and can't seem to get up. Yes, the same "make up a sign color that is not international standards" fluorescent green ones that say we should go 15 MPH. I have a book on Sign Standards if Citco would like to borrow.

8) Clogged drains. Not only are they clogged but they are overflowing with marrass.  Yuck!

So, when you combine all of this with the general lack of zoning and untidiness of the city, why would anyone in their right mind want to live in Belize City or must less come and visit.

And we wonder why everyone is fleeing Belize and tourists are rating Belize city as a horrible experience.

Please do something Citco...I am begging you.