Online Forum - Website posting from caymannetnews.com

Wednesday,  November 3, 2004

• Response to Mark Price
  Mark, please contact Jen at 345-916-1199 or at jen_d@candw.ky
  - Jen Dixon
  
   
• A secretive approach breeds distrust
  I am a Caymanian currently working in London, with family and friends living and working in Cayman. Since Hurricane Ivan hit the island it has been virtually impossible to ascertain any information either from the island directly or through the international media.
  The UK and World press has focused on the aftermath in Grenada, Jamaica and the US where they appear to have had media crews on the ground prior to and immediately after the event. Why was this not the case in Cayman?
  As a British Crown colony surely the UK, and the world at large, are interested in the welfare of its people? Coverage of Ivan, at the height of its ferocity, saturated the UK print and broadcast media, and in doing so highlighted the plight of hundreds of Grenadian, Jamaican and the US citizens, in turn speeding up the aid and recovery process. Yet Cayman was ignored - the old adage - out of sight, out of mind…
  Thankfully I have been able to talk to my parents, albeit briefly, to confirm that they are okay but communication is haphazard and they continue to live in extremely basic conditions whilst they await the re-connection of utilities to their district.
  Having watched and read about the BBC Correspondent Gavin Hewitt’s visit to Cayman I do harbour concerns that not enough is being done to help the people of Cayman.
  One thing is for certain - information is scarce and limited in its content. If fear is behind this ‘policy’, I would suggest that the international community would by far prefer an open and frank dialogue where assistance and aid can be made readily available as quickly as possible, as opposed to an insular and secretive approach which breeds distrust, suspicion and apathy. You never know - it might just spark off curiosity about Cayman and introduce a new wave of visitors to our shores! - JLS
  
   
• Cayman Government Steps Up Police Presence
  Is England taking the responsibility it should in the clean up and rebuilding of the Island? - Ruth
  
   
• Proud of Cayman Net News during crisis!
  Congratulations Cayman Net News. We who have been logging in your site for the last year knew you had a place and a role to play in the betterment in Cayman. I must say to me you confirmed it in my mind. You were a source of information and a rebuttal to a lot of misinformation during Cayman’s crisis (Ivan).
  We who supported you during your various squabbles with certain politicians can only say that you performed admirably in spite of the stresses you were under. I feel Cayman has developed a world class new paper that belongs to nobody but the people of Cayman. If you were not on the map before, you are certainly there now.
  While I’m at it I might as well congratulate Caypolitics, because they also proved that they had a role and value to offer the Cayman people during this onslaught. May I say thank you both. I relied on the information you both provided - Concerned Caymanian
  
   
• A Nation Survives
  Your editorial gets it just right. I have friends and business colleagues on Cayman, and I was trying to get all the information I could on the situation. Thankfully, Cayman Net News was available to give me something. Keep up the good work - Andrew Eisman
   
• I too was surprised to learn that at least the Governor was not properly equipped with a satellite phone in order to keep London and the world appraised of the situation. Congratulations on your efforts and good work. Keep it up - Colin Panton
   
• Greetings to all our friends and family in the Caymans. In this time of sorrow many people are with you, even just in their hearts and heads. We worried with you just as much as you did yourself. Having gone through Gilbert in `88 I have an idea of the fright one has, alas this storm was so much more destructive. Our hearts go out to all of you - Franz Datzreiter and son
   
• Thank you for keeping all the ‘ex ex-pats’ informed Desmond. Your newspaper and the website stormcarib.com were my main sources of information as I tried to follow the effects of Hurricane Ivan. I lived and worked in Grand Cayman and have many fond memories of your beautiful island as well as many friends who still live there. Thank you for all your efforts in keeping the rest of the world informed at this very difficult time - James Woollard
   
• Just to thank you sincerely for keeping us all informed as well as possible. We were worried sick and glued to Cayman Net News. I agree with your observations about communications. We were horrified that the Weather Channel and most US news reports skipped any news about Cayman - Janet Seffer
   
• Reporting Ivan
  I would like to say a big thank you to all the staff at Cayman Net News who continued to report both during and after Ivan. As one of the lucky people who managed to get off island before he hit, your web page was invaluable in keeping me abreast of what was going on; it certainly wasn’t reported on US news. Thank you - Jacqueline Boswell
  
   
• May there be peace and happiness soon
  We are devastated to hear about the Hurricane Ivan and the terrible damage it caused. We hope and pray that everyone will be safe in their homes very soon as we are very fond of the island and the wonderful people who live there. May there be peace and happiness soon - Ruby and Eddie Heft
  
   
• Letter brings focused attention
  Shame on you, Timothy Adam, for your harsh wordings about us needing military help, because the British are too far away. And ending with “pay attention and listen loud” that’s no way to ask for help. Where are your manners, boy?
  As a Caymanian, I think if England has to travel from around the horn, then let them do so. Leave the US military out of this - should George W. send troops in and then they are shot by stupid looters, that means more bad publicity for the president.
  For too long Cayman thought they’d stay on top, loose cannon McKeeva Bush wanting self government — see what would happen in times of disaster should they pull away from England (begging for help from the US) — everything was too outpriced and overpopulated. Now we’re beggars in the streets, never thought the wealthy Cayman Islands would succumb to this, eh? From riches to rags.
  This is a warning from God — it’s a preview of a bad movie of what the islands will come to should self government set in. So send your SOS to England, so we can all chant “the British are coming!” - Anonymous
  
   
• Prayers for safety and recovery
  Tom and Phylis Abate want all our friends in Cayman to know our prayers have been for your safety and recovery of this terrible tragedy. Mr. Seales should be congratulated for his valiant efforts in keeping the world informed of the devastation of Grand Cayman.
  
   
• Government is hiding the truth
  As a concerned Caymanian abroad I am appalled at the way the government is hiding the truth about the devastation of Grand Cayman. Our people are in need of a lot of assistance of all kinds. And here they are worried about opening the banks. How can they ask people to come to work full time when they may in fact have no home to even leave from in the morning and displaced families to attend to?
  I am sure that the residents need money to get goods but then again that’s the government’s job to set up agreements with the stores to accommodate people with food.
  What happens to the people who can’t afford to buy food from the stores?
  All the Government cares about is the almighty dollar; that’s why Cayman is in the mess it is today. People have become less God-fearing and only concerned about material stuff and now our nation has to suffer.
  Cost of living is so high that the crime rate in the last two years has risen mainly because a regular job cannot pay for all living expenses and selling drugs becomes a fast and profitable way to pay for cost of living.
  Why must Cayman people suffer because the government is afraid of losing tourism and banking? With assistance from other nations Cayman would flourish as before. How profitable would Cayman be if it has to be out of commission longer than needed because the government does not ask for help?
  Cayman has opened its doors to all nationalities from all four corners of the world and I know these countries are more than willing to assist Cayman. When America faced 9/11 Cayman people raised funds to help and I know America is willing to extend its arm to Cayman but how can they if the government won’t say what has really happened?
  I put a plea out there to Caymanian people don’t let the government allow Cayman to suffer anymore. Ask the world for help by phone, letters, email, web pages and any other way you can.
  I pray that God be with you in this time of need. He has spared your lives - take this as a blessing and continue to thank and worship Him in this time of need.
  I as a Caymanian will be going to all the lengths I can to help my people in anyway I can. Cayman my home I will always cherish and my Caymanian people I will love. God bless - Anonymous
  
   
• Reader Comments on Hurricane Ivan
  I love Grand Cayman and hope that the Island recovers fully and quickly. Looking forward to my next visit. God Bless! - Claudette
   
• As a former resident of the islands and serving RCIP Officer, my heart goes out to all the people of the Caymans and the hard road ahead. To my special friends you are in my thoughts and I hope recovery for you will be swift.  Take care Neil & Cathy, Tammy, Schoey, Jenny, Brian, Mick, Martin & Liesel, Craig and all at Reef Divers and those on LC - Mike, Pete H and all at SCC. Many thanks to Cayman Net News, as I have been disgusted with US news coverage from CNN and FOX news - shame on you! I may be lording it up in Thailand right now, but I think of you often. God bless and good luck - Tim O’Leary, UK
  
   
• Bravos
  Lest you think me a curmudgeon, let me say that I respect your efforts on your Cayman Net News site and, from here in Ohio, I can appreciate the difficulties you often face in extracting information from government sources — information that should be open to the public.
  We still have such problems with local and state agencies that think information is to be guarded, not shared. Enjoy your news site - Anonymous
  
   
• Response to request for military assistance in Grand Cayman
  My husband and I were once employed on Grand Cayman. My question is why would anyone from the U.S. want to help you? Expats are treated very poorly. Tourists are taken advantage of.
  You want to be an independent nation - unwilling to accept British direction or law. As I see it this is your chance. Stand and be a nation, quit whining for help.
  Try balancing your own budget on the back of Caymanian citizens rather than padding your pockets from the hard work of others and taking advantage of tourists.
  I have contacted my congressman to let him know that I am greatly opposed to any assistance to Grand Cayman. I would rather see us go to Jamaica where there is truly a hardship and need.
  Cayman treats others poorly! Has Cayman ever offered help to anyone else, even friendship, fairness or kindness? Not to this expatriate - Anonymous
  
   
• The Cayman Islands are British
  I am English and may I say how disgusted I am that the British Government has not sent military support sooner.
  My government knew that the hurricane was coming and, in my opinion, should have sent at least two Royal Navy ships (with a complement of Royal Marines on each) to help the people of the Cayman Islands with the relief effort, and law and order.
  Perhaps someone should tell Tony Blair that the people of the Cayman Islands are British, and thus have the right to British help, in any way, shape, or form.
  May I take this opportunity to tell the people of the Cayman Islands how we are appalled by the actions, or inactions, of the British government, and we pray that better counsel will prevail, and that whatever help you need will be sent from Britain.
  I am almost ashamed to call myself British on reading your article and I hope that your Islands return to normal as soon as is possible. May I once again apologise for my government, and I hope Tony Blair, MP will pull his finger out! - Paul

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