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Task Force on Food Security Needed

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One Caribbean Nation. We need a task force on food security. Here's why. Dr. Chelston Brathwaite By Chelston Brathwaite In June 2022, I brought to the Senate a Private Member's Resolution to discuss the issue of food security in Barbados. The objective of my efforts was to bring to the attention of the Senate and indeed to the attention of Barbados society, the precarious situation of food security in this nation. The bill was grounded in the fact that we only produce about 20 per cent of our food and was presented in the context of the proposal by the CARICOM Heads of State to reduce the food import bill of the Caribbean by 25 per cent by 2025. With that date being months away from today, in my view, the goal is unlikely to be met. The economists of the world have predicted increases in the cost of food in 2024 due to global shipping challenges and volatile climatic conditions. They have indicated that due to the war in Gaza and climatic challenges in the Panama Canal, ships w

International Women's Day : Our Caribbean Women, Our Hope

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One Caribbean Nation As we celebrate International Womens’ Day, we are cognizant of the role our Caribbean women have played in the cultural social and economic growth of our region and evolving Caribbean civilization. They , like our men , have risen from the depths and decadence of slavery , to the highest political and corporate ladders in the region. They have given birth, to millions and have made and continue to make significant contributions to those in the Diaspora. In many cases, where they were not the biological mothers, they nurtured, cared and developed those , who were deprived of parenthood , and socio-economic hope. They are in our classrooms, directing young and fragile minds , how to navigate a world that we in the region , must forever avoid being dragged into conflicts of the so-called super powers. They are pursuing all the opportunities of our tertiary educational institutions, including the University of the West Undies, often in higher numbers than our men. I

Protecting our Culture and Economic Development

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One Caribbean Nation. We aware that our culture is being infiltrated and seriously penetrated by our exposure, both physically and mentally to foreign norms We will continue to remind regional leaders that our culture is our major strength and while we are appreciative of their efforts to support our cultural practitioners , we believe that a more concentrated effort is needed , in our schools and communities. As a region, we have the distinction of creating the only musical instrument of the twentieth century, in the form of the steel pan (drum) of Trinidad and Tobago. We have also brought the calypso and reggae music , to the globe.  Every day we blend our culture with economic activity in all areas. Our foods , are magical and each island has its share of culinary delights that incorporate all our cultures .  We have made the cardinal error of being embarrassingly slow in linking our culture with the tourism industry , which is the economic mainstay of many island economies. Our s

Spring Has Sprung : Rebirth, Renewal and Hope !!

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One Caribbean Nation. SPRING  MICHAEL HEADLEY LETTER FROM BROOKLYN                                                                        by Michael Headley After a relatively mild winter, Spring was ushered in on March 20.  And the signs of Spring can be seen at Canarsie Park, on Seaview Ave, in Brooklyn, New York and local gardens on the blocks.  The monotonous chirping of the Sparrows and the cheerful whistles of the American Robins can be heard in the park, as the birds fly from tree to tree.  Colonies of Gulls and flocks of Geese can be seen overhead, before landing, to forage for food.  Doves can also be heard cooing in the distance.  As if not to be outdone, the early Spring blooms of Crocuses, Tulips and Daffodils are quickly emerging and showing their beautiful flowering colors.  The buds on the deciduous trees are bursting out, and soon their branches will be full of leaves and fruits, to give shelter, nesting sites and food, to the birds and insects. The earthworms, on the

Former Teacher and Educator looks at Education Reform in Barbados

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One Caribbean Nation. My Education Reform Synopsis Stewart Russell   http://stewlyn.blogspot.com/2023/03/my-education-reform-synopsis.html     Stewart Russell was a teacher for forty years and ended his career as a Peripatetic Officer, responsible for Mathematics. He continues to take a very deep interest in educational matters in Barbados and the wider Caribbean. He writes on current affairs through his blog : Unworthy of God's Love." using the poetic/poetry style : stewlyn.blogspot.com A devout Christian , Stewart and his wife Lynette , are the proud parents of two children. Kindly use the links above to read his article. 

Government Missed Opportunity on ID Card Discussion

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One Caribbean Nation. by Michael Headley Letter From Brooklyn On the March 05 Brass Tacks program, the government missed an opportunity to communicate, directly, and in real-time, with the public by not having a representative participate in the discussion on the safety and security of the now mandatory Trident ID card.    Moderator David Ellis had even offered a Zoom feed, for their convenience - to join the conversation any time. The topic, Trident ID, how safe are we? was very apropos and the panelists fielded calls and tried to shed light on some of the unanswered questions.  On the panel, along with David Ellis, were Technology and Cybersecurity expert Niel Harper and Democratic Labour Party (DLP) President Dr. Ronnie Yearwood.   A query, pertaining to the medical records, cyber-attack, at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) hospital was raised.  And the input, from QEH Executive Chairman, Juliette Bynoe-Sutherland, who called into the program, was welcomed - she confirmed that n

Freedom of the Press Must Prevail

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One Caribbean Nation. The Capital Building Kevin McCarthy Tucker Carlson                                                              Brooklyn By Michael Headley Letter from Brooklyn Thanks to House Speaker, Kevin McCarthy, for courageously giving, previously unseen video footage of the 2021, January 06 riot, at the Capitol, to Fox News Tucker Carlson.  Carlson in turn released it to the general public for viewing.  Now the genie is out of the bottle and some of the secret political 'swamp' creatures - some Democrats and Republicans- are scurrying like rats on a sinking ship, while making loud calls for censorship of the press.  The video snippet clearly showed that exculpatory evidence was withheld, thereby depriving some defendants of their right to a fair trial. In their twisted and self-righteous world, the January 06 commission - formed to investigate the events of January 06- apparently restricted the public from seeing both sides of the story.  What Chutzpah! The new v