Reader comments:

• I read the Net News everyday and am grateful for this info from home - Peter van der Bol
  
  
• A rose to whoever designed the Net News website. It doesn't have all those dancing irritating flashy graphics, and it is very easy to use, easy to read, easy to navigate. The archive format is so direct; it's much superior to what even the Trinidad Express uses.  In fact, I sent a note to the editor of the Guyana paper Stabroek News that he should take a look at the NETNEWS website as a good model to follow.  People get caught up with applying all these technology gimmicks that only create clutter - Dave 
  
  
• Hi, I'm based in London. I find fantastic to be able to read your newspaper on line. I just noticed that there are so few job classifieds. Is there any other way to find a job in the Cayman Islands? - Sandra Gennai
  
  
• In response to Gordon Barlow's Letter in the Caymanian Compass 22, March 2004 - "Counter Action Call Issued"
  
  Barlow, I think you need to see this whole issue through the eyes of one Caymanian astounded by this case and angered by your attitude in this matter.
  
  Let me start by saying that the granting of some 2800 statuses by the 'Cabinet' has really appalled and angered a staggering number of people including those residents that have been here for 10 years or more and have contributed this country's economy as if they were Caymanians, yet have not been given what they duly deserved, whereas many others who were not fitting the criteria and conditions once stipulated in the Immigration Law, got status. 
  
  As I understand it "The People" came to work one day and saw personally or heard of a massive line of residents, visitors and quite possibly foreign criminals in line to get what was later known to the public as police records for application of Caymanian Status. Historically, this was a rude-awakening and outrageous act by the members of Government responsible in the initiation and the issuance of statuses to some 2800 residents/foreigners including absolutely non-qualified ones and without any level of public notice. 
  
  As we understand it, the LGB claims these grants were done under the section of the law that permits the Cabinet to grant statuses for "special circumstances or reasons", yet as I understand it, we the people or the governmental offices that require knowledge of the "Special Reasons" have not been informed of these some 2800 coincidental "Special Reasons". 
  
  Let me reiterate: coincidental special reasons. The people had requested to have the names of the status recipients gazetted and in response to this request the LGB stated that the names "would not be gazetted until all grants were done". Preposterous isn't it?
  
  I'd like to say that you need to understand that Cayman and its people we call "Caymanians" (like the people of any other country that are generations of descendents) will suffer a great and more sudden impact in many aspects as you well know the consequences, however you insist to feed the minds of all status recipients and other residents with your rhetoric. 
  
  You need to understand that the CBA is not "out to get" those that have been granted status previously and in the right manner, nor are they opposing the reinstatement of those that legally qualify. You insinuate that even foreign property owners will be "targets"... You use the word "target" making it seem as if the CBA are being malicious and spiteful... out to revoke all statuses under any circumstance. 
  
  You simply know that the way this was done was wrong, wrong, wrong and in a "wholesale manner" in the issuance of these 2850 coincidental "Special Reasons" but yet you insist to create warfare. It was simply wrong and you know it. 
  
  What you are doing is instigating legal and social unrest and subsequently economic retribution in this country that will affect your life and many of your people who has made a living and a life here in this gold pot we call the Cayman Islands in case you're not proactive enough to figure that out.
  
  I'd like to assure you that the CBA is not out to do what you are impressing upon your people. 
  
  In light of these unruly acts, I pledge my utmost support for attorneys on the Cayman Bar Association (CBA) in their quest to undo this obviously contemptible act or to bring to justice these members of Government responsible. I say to the CBA to never withdraw your intent to follow through and see this to the end and most importantly, to the people of the Cayman Islands, I strongly urge you to be of most support in the carrying out of justice in this outrageous act.
  
  Thanks for reading - One Angered Citizen
  
  
• Given the freedom to express one's views, opinions and maybe some raw facts, please allow me to express and share the following and challenge any repercussions imposed by certain members of government.
  
  Firstly we have come to learn that governments around the world are a secondary, if not the primary source of the downfall and destruction of their respective countries by means of deceptive promises during political campaigns; personal greed; corruption; injustices; retribution; dictatorship; power and control; political in-fighting (leading to instability); lack of or failure to address and resolve critical Issues that effect the people of that country; irrational decisions or, moreover, decisions and implementation of laws (swiftly and without public input) catering to their personal interests; persistence to follow through with decisions and implemented or proposed laws despite great opposition by the majority of citizens of their respective countries (personal interests); and delegation of Governmental Department Heads, setting the stage for better exploitation of the countries people and resources.
  
  With just a few of the possible ways the governments of our countries we call, or once called home, I would like to ask that you take a few moments to review these 13 merciless and manipulative ways of the members of governments to see just how many of these can be applied to this government or to what individual members.
  
  Listed below are a few major events that has taken place or are brewing here in the Cayman Islands and regrettably my lack of being fully knowledgeable of these events begs for answers to the following questions. 
  
  A. Yet another project in the making is the preposterous proposal to dredge a channel into or across the North Sound from the Mangrove shoreline behind the Galleria Plaza on West Bay Rd. in the development of the proposed Yacht Club, which is said will be controlled and operated by The Port Authority of Cayman. Has it not been learned that any such dredging in the North Sound would create detrimental effects on the marine life including coral reefs and effectively tourism in this sector? Has there not been past proposals that petitioned and opposed? If so, then will the LGB Mr. McKeeva Bush be a prime candidate for approval of this project. I challenge the LGB to stand firm in not having this project approved. Now here's the next question. Is not all or the majority of the mangrove property along the Harquail Bypass owned by the rich and famous Dart? Could this project be owned by Dart and required for the rich and elite residents of the future development that is said to be planned along the Harquail Bypass? If approved, what would this suggest to the people of the Cayman Islands?
  
  B. It has been mentioned by the LGB that the Government. is looking at the possibility of the decolonization of the Cayman Islands, meaning totally self-governed with no British authority in lawmaking. If the Cayman Islands were decolonized, who will be the Governor or in the party system as we know it, "The Prime Minister"?
  
  C. It has been mentioned by the LGB, the possibility of a Defense Force being implemented in the Cayman Islands. And we ask, why would there be a need for a Defense Force in the Cayman Islands when as a British Colony, we have the British Military and quite likely the United States that would be here in a moment? Well I'd like to suggest that if there was ever the case where the government of the Cayman Islands became a power and control oriented one, this Defense Force could be used against the people in future protests and to protect the members of Government as we have seen played out in many other countries being controlled by dictators and power driven governments.
  
  Can we see this as bad business? I'll let you be the judge.
  
  Okay, enough said or asked, there is a message in all this. The objective is to shine a light or shine a brighter one on the course of events that has played out here in the Cayman Islands. To let the people be aware of the possibilities of this set of islands we call home or once called home and its people, falling victim to the potentially devastating results if we allow the members of Government to carry out acts that might be suggestive of some of the 13 merciless and manipulative ways. With this I strongly suggest that we the people, do not allow this kind of governing to be carried out.
  
  I will also add that if our country falls to ruins, that by then the members of Government, the rich and elite residents and citizens who may be partakers in these types of events for their financial gains, will be in good financial standing or simply leave this country in ruins and go back home wealthier than they came and the rest of us will then be deemed as refugees not being easily accepted in the US or other countries, thus will have to stay and live the laws of the jungle.
  
  In saying all this, I will say to my fellow Caymanians... Hear ye, hear ye, there is no greater power than the power of the people and this power is achieved when we the people are united. It is time we stand up and come together in the serious matter of stopping any abuse of the system as maybe be confirmed and preventing any possible or further abuse.
  
  Power to the people - One Smart Citizen
  
   
• Hi, really I don't speak very well English but I try. I'm student in Cuba, and my interest is to meet peoples, be friends and try to know their cultures and make exchanges on that way. Thank you - Lamine
  • Editor’s note: If any of our readers would like to contact Lamine, we will be happy to pass on letters or e-mails. Send them to us at PO Box 10707 APO or caymanet@candw.ky
     

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