and here they are:
maybe not so funny
refreshing your memory:
the conscience many political clowns lack
selection of acts in Curaçao's political circus, starting with the most recent ones.
our 10th year
nothing to be thankful for
We started out with only the really clownish acts
but things soon got out of hand—
so many dirty tricks that we must remember
what's the difference?
Cuba, Curaçao: cutting the cake
Francis Ford Coppola - The Godfather II, 1974
"The only people who don't want to disclose the truth
are people with something to hide."
~Barack Obama
Grimm Fairy Tale
Once upon a time (2005) there was a prince who drove around much too fast in his uninsured, untested and unlicensed car.
He knocked over an old woman, killing her, and drove on.
Later he became prime minister of his country, where he continued his criminal career.
Then he was caught and brought to justice! And we all lived happily ever after.
I warned you, it's only a fairy tale. But grim, that part is true.
"Solution"
What has always been considered a windfall, to be applied to education and economic development, to wit: the Belasting Regeling Koninkrijk [kingdom tax regulation] will be used to cover the "negative budget surplus" (to keep in style). Naturally, the newspapers omit to tell us how much this is, but it's sufficient to cover 2011 (163.4M), 2012 (32.7M) and 2013 (5.1M). The last two years is what they say now, but don't put any trust in them. We were supposed to have a positive balance that first year of independence, 2011.
Needless? to say, Cft is not enthusiastic. PM Shorty has announced lots of measures, refusing to call them that; most of those entail the social health services. He refuses to accept that Curaçao is in a financial-economic crisis, but that wouldn't bother him anyway.
2012-05-17
Rent-A-Guru
Shorty's government rented a guru to tell us what to do about Curaçao's future. His first appearance sounds like a pep-talk: we have to look at PPP (people, planet and... poop? forget my own name next... o yes, prosperity.) In October a complete plan will be ready! Then we'll have a "Longer Term Strategy for the Durable Economic Development of Curaçao" and that means in 2025 "a higher standard of living to stimulate citizens to keep developing themselves and their country, all based on decent governance, durable social-economic developments and education." Sounds great! Who could possibly disagree?
There have been more of these sages around the last years; they're starting to be a regular pest. First, 2001, we had Vishón Kòrsou and in 2010 another one, I forget. So has everybody; oh, here he is. Gee, I wonder how much they pay those guys! Where they find them is easier to answer, look under flat stones.
This latest pundit is professor Charles Cambridge of California State University Chico. His ratings: out of 5 an average 2.675—just above mediocre.
2012-05-17
Interesting
We, for years and years, have been paying 20 guilders monthly for our Selikor service. All of a sudden, the date for this has been advanced from the 15th to the 9th. They must be short of cash?
2012-05-16
Saga Turns Soap
Those poor guys in the USA must be wondering what to do with all those contradictory instructions they get from Curaçao about dos Santos. First, our attorney general Piar sends them a request to freeze accounts; then justice minister Wilsoe asks them to unfreeze them; then the attorney states that Wilsoe is all wrong and is denying facts (proof of which has been published in the media); and at that time, Wilsoe suddenly disappears to the USA for two weeks. For private matters (guess that's
2012-05-16
Kranshi Moves—Again
After Civil Registry Kranshi moved some ten years ago to a building the other side of the bridge, they are again getting ready for the same act. (To my recollection, the rent they paid was ANG7M/year.) Now, it will move to a school building—which has just been bought by lawyer Marius Römer for a group that, for now, prefers to remain unknown. Römer is well known as a supporter of FOL-Godett, though.
PS sinister Sonk says there's nothing unclear about the deal. It's the media that make it sound unclear. Well, it's unclear to us; maybe Monk can clear it up? Please?
2012-05-16
Money to Waste
Curaçao Airport Holding want to start using solar panels for electricity (not wise but who are we to judge?) and will buy fifty electric cars. However, these will not be charged with solar power: Aqualectra sees a market for charging stations distributed over the island. A technical school will "monitor" the electric cars.
First question is: Does CAH have the money for all this and much more? How much of that is coming out of the airport tax?
Second question: What would be the price per kW Aqualectra would charge for charging?
One kWH is the equivalent of 3.60*l06 Joule; 1 liter of gasoline ~ 34.7*l06 Joule. Put it like this: 1 liter of gasoline, price now ANG 2.48 replaces 9.64kWH for which Aqualectra asks ANG 6.36. To spell it out, gasoline is less than half the price.
Somebody's crazy here and it's not me.
2012-05-16
We Needed No Confirmation
Cft [committee financial supervision] insists that the ANG40M with which the 2011 budget (un?)-expectedly has gone into the red must be taken out of the 2012 budget. Which means that one will have to be reconsidered. Good.
But will it help any? Those -40M came as a total surprise for same Cft, even though we amateurs saw it coming all the time. What guarantee is there that the same thing won't happen next year? Or ever after?
The main problem is those government companies that we were supposed to get rid of, but which are much too handy for giving fat jobs to political
2012-05-15
Promising
We got it all wrong: it was Jamaloodin who two weeks ago was interviewed by the cops. He's suspected of forgery and conspiration in the same bientu business. Wilsoe now complains that the attorney-general doesn't follow his orders, blaming him for 'insubordination,' 'cognizant deceit/misinformation,' 'undermining authoity' and 'punishable acts'.
Makes you curious about those orders of Wilsoe's? Oh, he wants the AG to stop the bientu investigation. Which he has no business to interfere with and, according to Frielink (dean of lawyers) is reason for the AG to start a court case against Wilsoe.
We can hardly wait.
Remember, Wilsoe is a member of Wiels's team, that dumb dictator guy who walks around bragging that "his" ministers will stand any screening.
2012-05-14
Ain't That Cute
One of the ministers has been interrogated, at home, by the police. Media info is scarce and mentions no name, but the inference is that it's in connection with the Bientu [dos Santos] affair. Then it must be Wilsoe, right; his predecessor Dick muses that Wilsoe may well have committed an offence, punishable with three years in prison, as he breached the law.
2012-05-12
Smart Thinking in Aruba
Over there, 600 people have started protesting against more wind generators: an ugly waste of money. We don't have to state their arguments, it's getting repetitious (for now, just a reminder that in Europe's greenest country, Denmark, a kW costs about US$0.40, about ANG0.73—even more than we pay here.) Will they have success with their action? That would be a real surprise. But they have engaged a lawyer to take their case to court if the generators do come, regardless.
Meanwhile, China is casting a beady eye on AUA's refinery, shut down twice since Esso oops! Exxon left. There's money in them thar barrels, and it's hot air turning those wind generators.
2012-05-10
Lucky Luke: The Escort
Laying down the Law
Ex Curaçao court president (and ex-governor) Jaime Saleh gives a little lesson: separation of powers in a constitutional state is of prime importance and must be maintained. Political power should have no influence on the judicial department. Hear, hear.
Reminds me of a Wodehouse joke, about 'a chappie who's been put in jail and his friend comes to visit and asks him what he's in there for and the chappie tells him and the friend says "but they can't put you in jail for that" and the chappie says "I know they can't, but they did."' (The style the Master himself told it in... how like him.)
Could he possibly mean Wilsoe versus Piar? He might as well have been thinking of PM Shorty who has ignored three discrete and separate court orders that VDK director Gumbs could not be fired. Or maybe he means still other instances... plenty more where they came from.
Remains the question, what's our present governor doing? Are the umpteen signatures in use as toilet paper in his palace?
Finally, I hope, Holland indicated in the strongest terms that Wilsoe should crawl back into his hole and not interfere with the course of justice.
2012-05-10
More Wishful Thinking
The badly constructed government, held together by powers only agreeing on greed, seems to be falling apart. Not before we were ready for it; but for now it's still standing, albeit shaking and trembling.
PAR states that PM Shorty was lying during his statements in parliament and asks him for proof for several of his allegations, but none is given. The party gives Shorty two weeks time to stave his accusations before it will ask for a public meeting.
I'm afraid Shorty will not be impressed. But freedom-lover PS Wiels is so impressed by what the press dares to comment that he declares in a radio program that Antilliaans Dagblad editor-in-chief should be "run in and shackled." The newspaper, so declares Wiels in all his weird wisdom, is a terrorist organization.
Dutch parliament is getting a mighty interest in all this and wants a kingdom minister meeting subito.
2012-05-09
A Whole Manure-Hole
Some makamba honkie asshole bastard who rents out rooms to interns had them park their cars on the opposite church lot, without bothering to ask the Good Shepherd. Who got fed up after a while and shut off the entrance with a chain. The afore-named cracker then took away the chain and (skipping a few story steps) had some shots at the Frocked Male. Quite out of bounds, and he's sighing in a cell now. Here's the kind of man that gives the Dutch a bad name.
On the other hand, let's not get over-excited. That whitey is a fool (on drugs? it's a thought), but he didn't use a "gun"—only a 5.5mm caliber air gun. It's all in the telling. But given the right dum-dum type pellets, these can kill.
2012-05-08
Medicine Cheaper
Profit margin on medicines will be lowered from 37% to 20% leading to 15% cheaper medicine, but the importers think this is all wrong. They had offered (last December) to bring prices down with 7%, but the government (minister Constancia) didn't accept their proposal.
2012-05-07
Yeah, Well...
MFK PM Shorty may have thought he was in the clear with his discourse on security service VDK, but it starts to look like this is the beginning of his end. Wishful thinking, to be sure. But when other parliamentaries (PAR) start calling him "a pathological liar" (we tend to agree) in public, and MFK in turn accuses PAR of having instigated the Dutch investigations and interference (that word again) it looks like there's no other solution but for this government to leave. Wishful thinking, to be sure.
Contrary to Shorty's claims, Dutch government announces VDK definitely will be reorganized with help of Dutch counterpart AIVD (hope I got it right.)
2012-05-07
Un-Solution
That's the only word we can find for the "solution" for a new Hato hangar, that became so high that traffic control lost sight of taxiing aircraft. Can't those guys read blueprints or what? Who designed this thing (probably the Dutch army or so)? Well, it's easy: from now on, the planes will taxi to their take-off position on the take-off/landing strip, where they can be seen from the tower. Which is dangerous and will result in up to 45 minutes' delays. And, hey look! it's not even our money that's down the drain if that thing is torn down.
Hey, how about that FAA
By the way, another item that popped up thanks to a letter-writer. What is that press finding out these days, except scanning unsollicited emails? Nothing much. True, that's nothing new.
2012-05-07
Green & Clean
The foundations of the former 18 wind generators at Playa Kanoa are still sitting there since they've been replaced by 5 new monsters. Amigu di Teracomplains and remembers a promise that they would be used for the new ones. But how could that be in the first place?
2012-05-07
Shorty's Strong-Man Act
After having been clowning around so long, PM Shorty now comes on as a brawny strong man (next he'll start ripping
The consensus is, Strong Man Shorty is eating Humble Crow Pie and pretending it's his own recipe. PAR doesn't even deign to react to Shorty's allegations, but PS Wiels says he'll have the name of one parliament member, mysteriously alluded to by Shorty, out in the open: As it turns out, he mentions two PAR members (Dick and Jacoba)—without offering any proof. Jacoba reacts by first stating she never did so, politicians should not get involved with screening; and goes on to say there'd be nothing wrong with it. What a mess.
That would be the third such investigation asked for by this government. Maybe this one will be followed up on; PS Wiels wanted two in the past, one on the functioning of justice and one on KLM's alleged cartel activities but no more has been heard on those.
2012-05-05
Wilsoe Back in Town
After two days of holding himself incommunicado, so nobody could ask him difficult questions, MFK justice minister Wilsoe suddenly started calling newspapers. He told them their stories didn't hold water; he had not tried to intervene with judicial process in the USA, adding that he couldn't do that if he wanted to (he's right there at least.) Alas, he omitted to tell them the version that, according to him, was correct.
He also said that he followed the course set by his conscience. Right: two days later Antilliaans Dagblad printed a copy of the letter with which he had interfered. Another "pathological liar" led by his conscience.
About a week later, Wilsoe fired attorney general Piar.
2012-05-05
No Such Luck
Hato manager Adriaens concedes what we knew all the time: the FAA will not turn the airport's degradation around before 2013. Personnel has to be trained before FAA will even come check to consider. One result is that InselAir cannot fly to Miami; no mention is made of the effects on the Space Gang's ambitious plans.
MAN Cooper first announced the FAA would re-upgrade Hato in December 2011; then he said "mid 2012." Now, not even a month is mentioned. The downgrade dates from September last year. Adriaens praises Cooper to the sky for doing such a good job, but it's hard to agree.
2012-05-04
New Rumors
We were not aware of this, but one more item has joined the long list of PM Shorty's alleged misdeeds that mark him as a "totally unreliable and mendacious person" (George Lichtveld's letter to Amigoe editor): Lichtveld mentions obscure plans of Shorty in conjunction with v.d. Dijs and compromised Haïtian president Martelly.
2012-05-03
Yawn... Not Interested?
An inquiry among 241 people (no way of judging if this is a sound sample) showed that 77% was aware of Frente Sivíl's actions, but "only" 41% felt those three MFK guys have to step down. 39% wants new elections and 60% doesn't. So there we are—nowhere. Well, not absolutely nowhere, no matter how inquirers and media interpret it: there's an awful lot of discontent.
2012-05-03
Well Chosen
It's only now I realize that the party name MFK Movementu Futuro Kòrsou has been well chosen: our future is starting to look like our past, only more so.
2012-05-03
Wilsoe Writes
A pretty unique act: the minister of justice gets personally involved and does what usually, habitually, is done by the public prosecutor. Wilsoe has written to his USA counterpart and requests to release the Robbie dos Santos funds that have been seized there. While Wilsoe's act isn't exactly illegal, it's very much out of step and thwarts the ongoing investigation. But then again, dos Santos and Wilsoe are MFK family members.
Dutch parliament and cabinet were taken aback by Wilsoe's action as well, calling it "bizarre."
2012-05-03
They Failed
About 3/4 of the 140 candidates who wished to get the Dutch nationality ignominiously failed their exam. They couldn't make out the admittedly ugly but still rich and thus notoriously hard to master, language at all.
In all reasonableness, they probably spoke and understood Papiamentu pretty well. But we're still Dutch. Some people don't like it, but a large majority voted for that by referendum; that's the hard, and/or harsh, reality.
2012-05-02
We Saw It Coming
PS sinister Monk doesn't read our site, that's obvious. He held a discourse asking for Dutch rehabilitation and (of course, the most important part) money, to pay back for... you'll never guess... slavery. Well-timed, Monk!
In Monk's speech he admitted that if we didn't keep stirring up the people about this, they would just stop to care and don't bother with it any longer. On the spot, Monk! Keep it up. Say, come to think of it, wasn't the guy Colombian from origin? Jolly good show, Monk!
I didn't so much like his remark that we must fight individualism: it divides us and weakens society; and the same goes for some of the media. We heard all this before, not lastly, alas, in Europe ~1935. It gets boring but you never get used to it.
2012-05-02
Less Dutch Tourists
The Dutch are taking less foreign vacations than last year. Small wonder, what with all economy problems, and the €C, they just have less money. As 60-75% of tourists are Dutch, this is not so good for tourism. No problem, though... just falsify some more statistics to keep the CTB subisidies flowing in.
Why they still come at all may seem a good question (certainly not to listen to Wiels rave and rant) until you realize that they can still speak their own ugly lingo here.
2012-05-02
How Dare You!
Selikor director Kook, who had been
2012-05-02
Government Exodus to Central Bank
Tiens... Several, not to say many top civil servants working for department of finance have taken leave, among whom secretary-general Jardim. They will all move to Central Bank jobs.
No doubt they're all fed up with that Bank Tromp's corruption and will go to work there as spies for their old boss, sinister Jamaloodin.
Jamaloodin's turn to it, he was proud that private business appreciated his personnel so much. Private? The Central Bank "private"?
2012-04-28
Who Next?
The St. Maarten government coalition has fallen apart. A parliament member of UP party is going on his own, and an independent parliament member canceled his support, leaving the coalition left with only 7 votes out of 15.
Would be far too optimistic to hope for something like that here. Even granting that Wiels and "his" PS party must eventually run out of its supply of ministers; a "peak-minister" crisis.
2012-04-28
Monk's Revenge
The confessional schools have not received their monthly subsidies from PS education minister Sonk's department, and would not have been able to pay salaries and utilities if their banks had not helped them out. Monk's excuse is that the school budgets for 2009-2010 have not yet been presented, but the schools (both catholic and protestant) claim they have presented not only those, but even those for 2010-2011 already.
One day later Monk gave in, maybe because his punishment had not worked. Now the schools say it's not enough in the first place!
2012-04-27
What Do You Know? What Do We Know Now?
VDC national security announces its own CvT supervisory committee has investigated the leaks there has been so much ado about, and no information has been leaked. The whistle-blower's story then would be completely fabricated.
VDC has lodged a complaint against the whistle-blower with the public prosecutor. Now I'm really getting curious how this will develop. The more so as in Dutch parliament discussions it has been claimed "trunks full of secret information" about not only VDC, but also CIA, FBI, DEA (USA drug enforcement) and Dutch coast guard have reached private hands.
2012-04-27
Wise Words
The RKCS [catholic school management], in a 7 hours parliament meeting, aired the problems schools struggle with. After being accused by PS sinister Monk of stealing and abusing money, the management declared they had neither the money nor the intention to fight these allegations in court; they'd rather apply that effort to education. It was no use blackening each other (using an incorrect term); if Monk suspected this he should lodge a complaint.
Shortlist of problems: too little money; no school maintenance; criminality; growing aggression of children and parents; psychiatric children problems; too large classrooms; vague policies; lack of communication between education partners; too little parent participation; no continuity in projects instigated by Dutch Usona; teen pregnancies; too little time for social and creative courses; insufficient educational inspection; and an inadequate subsidy system.
2012-04-27
That Will Teach Them!
PS Wiels had another of his bright ideas. As there are more and more problems with criminality on schools, all teachers should be trained and get a commission as volunteer cops with the license to frisk suspect pupils for firearms, drugs, knives etc.
If any teachers like the idea, please do us all a favor and fire them instantly.
This is as good a place to mention it as any: there's a popular superstition that the growing poverty causes criminality. It's just the other way 'round. It's criminality that causes poverty; and criminal politicians are the worst culprits.
2012-04-26
Intimidation Will Get You Nowhere
St. Maarten has declared it will not knuckle down to intimidation by the Curaçao government. PM Shorty may want to cancel the Central Bank loan for St. Maarten's harbor, but the regulations are that both governments are not empowered to interfere with the bank's policy.
Meanwhile, Holland has firmly declared that under no circumstances a split up will be tolerated.
And a good thing too, no matter what you may think about director Tromp.
2012-04-26
Extreme Measures
Is what PM Shorty has announced to mend confidence in VDC security. "VDC has been losing credence since 10-10-10, and many believe it has become a play-ball of politics," says Shorty. Whatever gave these many that idea? He does not give any details (like firing the director?); those remain a surprise until the next parliament meeting, May 3. Nor does he deign to refer to the Dutch plans to integrate VDC with the Dutch security services.
2012-04-26
Tiresome Politician's Games
Today was the last day for introducing the 2013 budget in Staten parliament, but there were not enough members present to do so. Both opposition party PAR and coalition party MFK were absent. Maybe they have good reasons, but it's hard to think of them.
This means that parliament has acted contrary to the compatibility directions. Staten president Arsjes held the absent members personally responsible (sounds like nonsense to me) and announced the budget will be on the agenda for every following meeting until it's been accepted. Even then, the country now is in an awkward position.
2012-04-25
Thought So, But Wasn't Sure
The government in its awful wisdom has ordained that half of the Nieuwe Havenweg (new harbor road, dating from ~1950 and the first 4-lane highway of the island) is half closed for all traffic on Sundays, so people can get together there for what strikes me as pretty vague idealistic nonsense. My idea was not many people would go there; the ambiente is far from ideal with no shade and hard wind, but I could not be sure. Now they tell me I was right; the originally budgeted 7000 guilders/week are not only a waste, but the amount spent has already grown to 37,500/month.
Officially, the name of the road is Rijkseenheid [National Unity] Boulevard but nobody ever calls it that. With "national" is meant "kingdom" anyway.
2012-04-25
Next Step
A PAR motion of no confidence based on Frente Sivíl's documents expectedly did not get a majority in parliament. Frente Sivíl is unfazed and will proceed to the next phase.
For the record, FOØL Godett also voted against the motion, showing who he thinks his friends are.
2012-04-25
PS Blames KLM
Wiels' Pueblo Soberano accuses KLM to have been guilty of cartel activities to break DCA, in 2003. While this is quite possible, our impression is that it would have been superfluous. DCA was quite capable of breaking itself and proceeded to do so.
KLM has "no comment" until they are officially indicted.
2012-04-25
Surprised?
The year 2011 shows a negative balance of 20 million guilders, while the original budget had a "modest" surplus. The media are surprised, which is surprising; we all saw it coming. Of course, the government blames
Next day, the "negative surplus" (to use a politicians' term) turned out to be more like 40 million, with more bad news feared to follow: economic "growth" keeps going down, automatically resulting in less taxes.
2012-04-25
Don't Get Paranoid
PS minister Wilsoe as from now will have to report monthly on the fight against growing criminality. He doesn't think that's of much use (we tend to agree) and has announced some measures that sound like a step up, or down, to a police state. "Preventive frisking" is one. No way of telling if this means anybody can be stopped in the street and frisked. There will be more police patrols, but only based on info received. "Police will not hit the streets for nothing anymore." Great, just great: we always understood that a cop on his neighborhood beat is the best way to fight burglaries and attacks.
Generally, people are so fed up with the crime wave (this year there have already been seven fire-arm killings) that they like these measures; but similar things happened in the past in other places, giving the people cause to regret them later.
2012-04-23
Bungled Boat
A super-fast boat for the Dutch Navy [Koninklijke Marine], built in England, turns out to be a flop. In the first two tests the nose was torn off; in the third test chairs and windshield disappeared. The contraption got nicknamed "rubber Titanic" and "floating coffin;" total cost €22.8M for 48 vessels, which may not include over 70 "improvements." That's over one million guiders each, folks.
The preceding "super-Rhibs" were not so great either. After spending millions to get them in a reasonable state, mostly only 6 out of 12 are available.
These 9m long things (well over 100,000 guilders/meter) are supposed to do 45 knots with a range of ~175NM, mainly to try and catch dope smugglers. Lots of luck with that broken toy, boys; hear those dopers laugh like hyenas. The "cigarette" type speed boats used for smuggling run much faster anyway and can be bought for 1/10th the price.
2012-04-24
Still Waiting
It may have passed me by, but we're still waiting for results (last January promised to follow in four weeks) of MAN Koeiman's Isla workgroup.
2012-04-23
Two Demonstrations
Pueblo Soberano has held a demonstration in Fort Amsterdam against the Central Bank loaning St. Maarten $150M, and Frente Sivíl demonstrated at Waaigat against the government, which of course includes Pueblo Soberano. Surprising guest appearances were made by Pierrot and former PM Maria Liberia-Pieters, proving that Frente Sivíl is not a mere PAR appendix as often claimed. Caribiana mentions respectively 800 and 1200-3000 attendants, but Antilliaans Dagblad "a couple of hundred" and 800. Take your pick.
Wiels himself denies there were only 300 heads to be counted and claims 1500 or even more, but he "had to stop counting as he had other things to do." Maybe practicing multiplication.
One day later, Antilliaans Dagblad wrote that 1004 signatures had been collected at the Frente Sivíl manifestation, which made them reluctantly conclude there must have been at least that many people there. Well, yeah... The newspaper mentioned a ping-rumor that a Colombian hired killer would be among those present (to pick out future victims?)
2012-04-23
Screw-Worm Fly and Dengue
In 1953 Curaçao island was used in an experiment to eradicate the screw-worm fly, which lays eggs in open wounds of animals; the larvae then infect the animal.
Males were sterilized by cobalt irradiation and then released in enormous amounts from small aircraft. The chance for females to pair with a fertile male was reduced to virtually zero, and in ten weeks the fly was completely eradicated. Alas, not enough attention was given to re-infestation by way of imported cattle and goats and the fly has been back long since.
A similar process is now being tried in Brazil to eradicate the Aedes aegypti mosquito, potential carrier of yellow fever and dengue infections. This one was also as good as eradicated here in the 1950s by more conventional techniques, but later came back full strength when controls were relaxed, resulting in what now is a virtual dengue epidemic. This looks much more promising than Constancia's quack cures, especially because of Curaçao's isolation. Another proof of her inefficacy; not that we needed any.
2012-04-23
I'll then pick up on the backlog until it's all over and done with
so please check on what's been added below
thanks for your interest!
2012-04-23
Leeflang Adds Fuel to the Fire
Seeming not to worry too much about van der Dijs' action, Leeflang writes a letter to Amigoe newspaper and does not mend her ways. It's about "our" proxy minister Osepa, who's threatened to use all means in his power to tackle her freedom of expression. She then relates how Osepa has claimed to "have carefully studied her complaint with Amnesty International" while she has lodged no such complaint [yet]. Reminds me of that other worthy foot-in-mouther, Leerdam.
Finally, she points out that Osepa's efforts in Holland have not been able to prevent that the formerly autonomous VDC now effectively is under Dutch and USA control, and how since our much-vaunted independence the mafia is threatening to get a grip on the Central Bank. I was too naïve to see that's behind all those actions against Tromp.
2012-04-21
Van der Dijs Objects
Shorty's father-in-common-law van der Dijs has lodged a complaint with the court, accusing PAR ex-minister Leeflang of libel, insults and defamation. She has called him, director of Aqualectra and Refineria di Kòrsou, a boef [scoundrel] on Fakebooc and in the press. She also referred to Lovers (managed by him) and Vanddis (which he owns) companies as "scoundrels" and called on the people to boycott them; an attempt at property damage, states his lawyer.
There's a lot more, but even more interesting is that v.d. Dijs last year started a similar suit against Central Bank director Tromp who had accused him of corruption, but the public prosecutor never took any action (v.d. Dijs seems to resent that.) He claims "false accusations undermine the roots of society and the constitutional state." Right, and you could mention more things that do so.
Wow! A good thing I never called them "scoundrels." And I didn't need Leeflang's incitements to avoid them like the plague either.
2012-04-21
MFK Forgets, PAR Remembers
After MFK Jamaloodin claimed in a television speech that he has always objected to a joint Central Bank of Curaçao and St. Maarten, PAR reminded him that his party was part of the coalition that accorded the arrangement in 2010.
2012-04-20
Shorty Speaks
PM Shorty has taken the trouble, during one of his rare stays on the island, to hold a speech on television, following the tedious example of other dictators like Castro and Chavez who love to occupy the air waves for hours. He deplores the uneasiness among the population caused by the crime wave, the groups that try to put pressure on the government, and certain government acts. The last two items are really the same, of course. People do not like the fact that all these things are now uttered in public, says Short and he may be right; not that it matters.
I wasn't there to hear it (as if I'd want to) but from the descriptions, it seems Shorty wants the pressure groups to stop and let the government do what it wants. Sure; but that's his, and many others', idea of democracy. But his speech certainly was inspired by Dutch Brandpunt documentary, and he never touched on the real problems with his government.
Durgaram of Frente Sivíl objected to Shorty's characterization of the group as agitators, while they are only want to guarantee government integrity.
2012-04-20
Now It's Secret!
A bit late: Holland has declared all government discussions around VDC and its leaks a secret. Dutch minister Spies says co-operation between VDC and Dutch intelligence is presently limited to security investigations.
2012-04-19
Jamaloodin Lodges Tromp Complaints
MFK minister Jamaloodin has lodged two complaints against Central Bank director Tromp, in the name of the government. He's giving no details, only lets it be known that a third complaint may follow and that the integrity of Tromp is under serious doubt. No matter if he'll turn out to be right or wrong; this is much better than the innuendos bouncing back and firth.
Two of the bank's directors have also written Tromp to hold him responsible for several of the Bank's actions.
2012-04-19
Pen Plan
Yet another plan to
2012-04-18
Parking Problems
Don't we all have them, ever since parking meters were put in all over town because some guy wanted to build a parking garage in Pietermaai. But now he has a problem with accounting authority Rekenkamer: His accounting is just as much of a mess as the governments. Small wonder; I know places where car owners park all day long, no doubt having made a deal with the guys checking the meters. Seems to be a discrepancy of over 1 million guilders; just disappeared from the books.
2012-04-18
More Crimes
We have added a few more crimes to the list of those committed in the past by our top criminal, PM Shorty. We hope he's stopped by now, but have to express very little confidence.
Besides, we know that the list is far from complete. Possibly missing items can be found here.
2012-04-18
Wages of Slavery Sin
There is a continuing debate on how much Holland has made on slavery in the past, what with possible Wiedergutmachung payment claims sounding highly attractive to some people. Researcher Karwan Fatah-Black of Leiden University in Holland has figured it all out; present value of Dutch earnings is €700 million. 600,000 slaves brought a profit of 120 guilders each.
However, that was not the net profit of sales price minus the purchase price and costs; it was the total sum earned by all related economic activity like trade in weapons, textile, jenever [Dutch trade gin] and gun powder.
We can only conclude that Holland by taking over Curaçao's debt to the tune of 4.5 billion guilders (2 billion €s) has amply, generously and honorably acquitted itself.
2012-04-17
Getting Worse
Nothing more has been heard about Shorty's claims that Schottegat harbor would be cleared of oil pollution in less than six weeks, but that's only six months ago, and we know he's been busy. Small wonder that private enterprise is reported to have taken over with cesspool-cleaning trucks routinely dumping their loads in there.
2012-04-16
Brandpunt Must Burn
Proxy minister in Holland Osepa thought he'd make it even clearer that dictatorship is what our government wants. He will leave no avenue unexplored (and probably upturn all stones) to tackle the Brandpunt edition. "As yu di Kòrsou, abroad you must stand behind your government." We heard that one before: "Ein Volk, ein Führer!"
I plead guilty. I even agree with Osepa that the program doesn't contain any new information—you don't have to watch it if you've been following our Circus acts; we knew it all the time.
2012-04-16
Coincidence
It's just that, that NAAM organized a meeting of Curaçao journalists today, to discuss the meaning of the International Day of Freedom of the Press and what the journalists were worrying about.
2012-04-15
Next Step Down: The Media
Dutch KRO-TV program Brandpunt [a pun on focal point and burning point] had the temerity, the incredible chutzpah, the impudence to record an item here on the way PM Shorty's gang is working on establishing a solid dictatorship here, without even interviewing him! (He was away on one of his many jaunts, this time unannounced to India.) Shorty's cohort Stella van Rijn fired off a letter to protest: director de Koe should have asked for official comments and "not only have registered what some people think." Which serves to confirm de Koe's thesis:
Freedom of the press means it can publish what it wants to without having official approval. Trying to stop this is what tyrannies do.
You can see the Brandpunt report here.
2012-04-14
De-centralizing Banks
It's three weeks ago that the St. Maarten government decided to get out of the Central Bank of Curaçao and St. Maarten, without bothering to tell Curaçao about it. Of course it's well known the Curaçao government wants out as well. They both want their own wee bank.
Besides the problems with corruption allegations against director Tromp and maybe questionable loans, a new coin that has been in the works since 10-10-10 still has not arrived. It's taken so long, new editions of the same tired old ANG-coins had to be released. But let's face it, St. Maarten has been using US dollars since within living memory; why should they want a new coin now?
2012-04-13
Who's Worse? Wiels? Wilsoe?
Sinister of justice PS Wilsoe seems to be dissatisfied with the pressure applied upon him by his bomba Wiels, so much so that he wants to quit. But Wiels feels he can't be party leader and minister. Be glad for small favors, folks! And don't lick your chops, it's all redu [rumors] anyway.
2012-04-13
Fire Killed Gotomeer
The September 2010 fire in Bonaire's Bopec oil terminal may have effectively killed off much of Goto lake's, a protected area, ecology. After two storage tanks started burning for two days the wind direction changed several times, resulting in soot particles and other pollution getting blown over the lake. Among other things, this is a feeding place for flamingo's and important as a fish nursery.
At first it looked like the damage was not too heavy, but now this seems prematurely optimistic. One result may be more and more flamingos have moved their foraging to Curaçao's Jan Kock-St. Marie salt ponds.
2012-04-13
The Dutch Are Worried
Dutch parliament thinks it a good idea to have their own security services AIVD and MIVD reorganize the Curaçao VDC (a pox on all those acronyms!) They think it unsafe to leave that to PM Shorty, as VDC's involvement with Colombian and even private security organizations may have resulted in sensitive Dutch information, shared with VDC, having leaked out.
2012-04-12
That's Some Promotion!
PS minister Monk's
Even Monk's boss Wiels is kicking up a stink, the more so because another person has been given the job only last year. But, while Monk claims all this has been oh-so transparent as his predecessor Girigorie promised the same person that job, Girigorie denies that this entailed such a salary raise.
A week later her appointment was canceled—by order of the PS management.
2012-04-12
Isla Overhaul
Long-delayed overhaul of Isla refinery's cat cracker and more has now started and should take six weeks at a total cost of USD76M. A temporary job for 1850 workers of whom 1200 are imported. The refinery will be shut down for that period; so enjoy breathing clean air while you can.
However, Isla workers privately think the work will take three months. We'll see if it's ready by end May or mid July.
2012-04-12
Impressive?
Metro, "the world's largest metropolitan newspaper" with free editions in more than 100 cities, has held a competition among all their readers with as prize a free space-trip from Curaçao.
There were 9,206 competitors altogether. Hmm.
2012-04-12
Illegal Building
Large-scale illegal building is not only an eyesore; it makes planning almost impossible. Now, mudbelly Cooper is putting signs at illegal building locations, politely asking the builders to contact his department. "Of course they will check if the building can't be legalized."
Wonder if one of those signs will be put at Caracasbaai.
2012-04-11
Red Tape Torn to Shreds
MFM minister el Hakim announces an end to red tape: new companies starting in Curaçao will get their permits and licenses quickly from now on. But PS Wiels has misgivings. Boiling them down for you, it looks like he's worried that honkies will use the opportunity to sneak in, thus voiding all his efforts to
Even el Hakim acknowledges this, when you take all the hype away, is just a start; there's plenty red tape left to get tangled in.
2012-04-11
Listen Who's Talking
Prince, who was fired as head of Wega di Number lottery has gone to court as announced, found his opposing lawyer there goes by the name of Elizabeth Asjes. Could this be a relation? In that case, it's extra ironic that she claims Prince's job was a political appointment [so he should be kicked out and replaced by our political appointee.]
Make a long story short enough not to bore you to yawning tears, after two weeks the judge decided Prince was right and should be paid his salary. End of story?
2012-04-11
Daal Must Go; But Will He?
Although the judge has declared Daal may not be fired as head of Kranshi civil registry, the government still wants to fire him anyway. "A large part of personnel will not accept him" which at least seems to be true enough. Now they offer Daal another job (that must be Plan B), but he and his lawyer want to know more about it.
2012-04-11
Transparency International
TI is coming! Not before we were ready for it. Still, who'd thought it would happen, despite Shorty's November promises? In May TI will start a National Integrity System assessment that should help us fight corruption. Total price will be about half a million guilders (wonder if Shorty gets a kickback—just kidding? Maybe, other people are not so sure.)
For those interested in participating, check this out.
2012-04-05
Our Representative
Curaçao-born John Leerdam, a flopped actor who went into politics (how fitting) and has even been acting as a Curaçao voice in the socialist fraction of Dutch parliament, was fooled to state in radio interviews that he knew about a non-existing pop group; commented on recent statements of Israel PM Sharon without realizing the man has been in a coma for years; and criticized the advanced release of non-existing terrorist JaBlaBla [really!]
Good riddance—the man was an embarrassment long before this happened.
2012-04-05
Dos Santos Arrested
Robbie's robbed of his freedom! When he, as called for, appeared at the ministry of Justice at 8 o'clock in the morning, he was arrested. Sparing you the technical details, he can be held prisoner for a maximum of 26 days; should he be released before then he can't be arrested again. At least not for the same crimes (money laundering, tax dodging and fraud.)
Robbie partially did win his fight against the seizure of his bank accounts in the USA ($30M or $46M, depends upon the source.) For three accounts, the seizure was ended; for three others, it remains in force. Robbie himself was freed after a few days, but that money is still held captive.
2012-04-04
Dreadful Sorry, Clementine
Yes, "Gone and Lost" maybe even "Forever:" the archive of RVD government info service. All 2200 films and videotapes plus tens of thousands of photographs have disappeared without a trace. Until 10-10-10 it was
2012-04-04
Wiels Wants Probe
Wiels has written a letter to governor Goedgedrag, insisting on a full and complete security screening for his newly proposed minister Trinidad, remarking "we've noticed our present PM likes to deviate from established procedures." Wiels adds his party wants to avoid any semblance of doubt on integrity of its ministers, and that this has never been under discussion.
He conveniently forgets to mention Rosalia.
2012-04-04
New Trick
Isla refinery lawyers thought up a new trick to stop the court from stopping their pollution: they claim there's a new permit, still to be signed by health sinister Constancia, that would allow the refinery to just continue spewing out filth. I grudgingly admit it's a smart move, but Smoc wonders why the permit is in English and if Constancia
2012-04-04
Spending Stopped
Not enough by half, alas. But the Rijksministerraad [Kingdom ministers] did halt a giant delegation of eight ministers and their
Several have been to a wedding in India, very important for our collective future, as you can imagine. "Sheik Hakim's" outing to Rio was estimated to cost ANG37K; among other reasons because he needs English, Dutch, Portuguese and even Papiamentu interpreters. Instead he planned a 2-week trip to the U.A.E., Qatar and Dubai; guaranteed to be even more expensive even if he may not need an Arab interpreter. Minister of justice PS Wilsoe has been to a conference in Vietnam. Vietnam? you ask. Yes, Vietnam, don't ask.
2012-04-03
Proof Presented
Frente Sivíl presented parliament head Arsjes documentation which allegedly proves that at least three ministers (PM Gerrit Schotte, Abdul Nasser el Hakim and George 'Jorge' Jamaloodin (all MFK), are not "ministeriable." This is some weeks after Dushi Korsou, part of Frente Sivíl, presented the same material but without "proof." Frente Sivíl wants new elections when their material is not properly investigated in parliament.
2012-04-02
Worried
Entrepreneurs club VBC is worried about Aqualectra utility's financial position. They are so short of cash that they offer discounts to users who are behind with payments (like Jamaloodin?). Such a shortage may lead to problems with energy and water supply, warns VBC. Apart from the fact that such a policy is an injustice to those who do pay on time.
2012-04-2-02
Hurry!
The Dutch are proposing measures to stop further inflow of Curazoleños, Arubianos and St. Maartenese (that can't be correct. Anyway.) They must have a job and (or maybe and/or) an income, speak acceptable Dutch and have no criminal record. This would be presented before summer in Dutch parliament.
Other politicians don't agree: It would merely result in those guys going to Holland but not getting registered, so they would become part of the criminal world as, naturally, they cannot receive welfare. But that very last factor may stop them; why else move to the e tera friu [the cold cuntry]?
2012-04-01
There is a growing interest in "healthy" food products. Our supermarkets propagate them for all they can, and so do several government institutions. Alas, already high prices tend to grow as well, so only those with higher incomes can afford them. But are they really that healthy at all?
Examples from the article in Caribiana: Gluten-intolerance affects only 1 in 500 to 1750 people in the USA, the equivalent of less than 1 person here; for people who do not have celiac disease there's absolutely no need to bother. (Remember the MSG [monosodium glutamate] scare? It just faded away; very few people are susceptible to it.) "Unhealthy" food additives really are very carefully controlled, which cannot be said of "biologic or organic" agricultural products. There is no evidence at all that these products are healthier; to the contrary, they are often to be blamed for food poisoning outbreaks due to the use of that miracle grow product, compost.
2012-03-31
Arsjes Is Disappointed
Of the 338 letters sent by parliament-members, the Schotte cabinet has replied to only 58. The oldest one dates from 13 October 2010. But why is Arsjes "disappointed"? It's a fine tradition! Worst non-responders are PM Shorty himself, health Constancia, "mudbelly" Cooper and education Jansen (who can't even reply anymore as he's left.)
2012-03-31
Perfect Timing
Just before a new court session, Isla refinery managed to exceed the pollution norms heavily. While the norm is 500 microgram/m3 of air for no longer than ten minutes, the measured concentration was far above that for longer than seven hours, with a peak of 893.3µg/m3.
2012-03-31
Curaçao Leads the Field
Rather surprising statement by BTP [Telecommunication & Post] director de Canha at first sight. Meant is our "green" energy supply. Total supply is supposed to double to 240mW of which a large part will be supplied by wind turbines. Uh oh. He's not the only one who emphasizes the importance of saving on energy.
The hard fact is that we are literally awash in a sea of energy. Even discounting future sources like nuclear thorium reactors, there is so much natural gas around that there's an actual glut in the USA long before all sources have been opened, sufficient for over 200 years of present energy use. Prometheus would say "So use it, already!"
Bottom line for me as an experienced solar panel user: It works out to be about ten times more expensive than our high Aqualectra rates.
2012-03-31
Yeah, right.
Amigu di Tera [Friends of the Earth - they mean well] has written several letters to the government on the abuse, contrary to law, of the Northern island plateaux for putting up those wind generators. It's supposed to be a conservation area, melud.
This is our view now. I rest my case.
2012-03-29
Uh Oh
Dutch Parliament would like to be informed 'completely' on the leaks of information to foreign [read: Columbian] and "private" "security"
So would we.
2012-03-29
Big Surprise
The government is "surprised" (and disagreeably at that, one assumes) that, out of the ten candidates they'd proposed for a new director's function in the Central Bank, not one was chosen. Instead, a bloody outsider, a black horse so to speak, got the job. Sinister Jamaloodin feels that Curaçao should have a 2/3rd majority in that kind of decision, but the Bank's decision makes clear that it doesn't matter what Jamaloodin thinks. Good.
2012-03-29
Gas Goes Up
Once again, gas prices will go up. This time to ANG2.48/liter. While this is a far cry from those in Holland (over 4/liter) (really!) it's also in sharp contrast to those in the USA, ANG0.56/liter. And remember, a lot of that gas comes from here!
2012-03-29
Inflation Inflating
According to CBS statistics bureau, inflation over the past year was 3.2% in February; which means, they add, it's steadily growing. What else is new?
Hey, somebody should fire those guys and replace 'em with faithful Shorty-followers, à la 1984.
2012-03-28
Just for Laughs
A (very small) number of Dutch schoolteachers have decided that Papiamentu must be introduced in the Dutch school system. In Holland. Because a lot of people in Holland speak Papiamentu, get it? And they have their rights, get it? Among the advocates, we find the same guys who want restitution payment for slavery. Naturally!
A lot? Let us be generous and say there are 300,000 people in Holland who speak the lingo. That's 0.02% of the Dutch population (one out of five thousand). There are many more people here who speak Dutch, like at least one out of ten—but of them, it is expected that they learn Papiamentu. Naturally! Get it?
2012-03-28
"It's You! No, It's You!"
Like schoolchildren playing yoyo, St. Maarten is accusing the Central Bank of loaning Curaçao Aqualectra ANG300M, and Curaçao accusing same of loaning St. Maarten $150M for their harbor—the same amount, give or take.
2012-03-27
New Traffic Signs
3000 new traffic signs will be introduced shortly. This is the responsibility of MAN "Mudbelly" Cooper. A local manufacturer will make them as they have to be replaced quickly when needed (and also, it's easier to collect, we maliciously suspect.) But Henk Pasman, one of yr. faithful letter-writers remarks, when they introduce new mailboxes why not put up decent street-name signs? No doubt somebody will gracefully take the hint; more money to be made!
2012-03-27
Just in Time
Holland has introduced higher requirements for Havo and WVO [high schools]. But while Curaçao was supposed to sign this, what with all those ministers merrily going round they just plumb forgot. Which may result in Holland not accepting our diplomas.
Oops! The very next day, minister Jansen signed (his last official act.)
2012-03-27
Smart Solar
Goisco Supermarket has installed over 500 solar panels, supposed to deliver more than 100kW of electricity. Hmmm.... let's figure... that's about 200W/panel. Judging from the photographs in the press (courtesy Shorty's Eco-Energy), the panels measure about 100*150cms. Looks like the Kyocera KD210GX-LFBS 210 Watt module.
Well, Goisco is in for a disagreeable surprise. Even here, the sun only shines for 12 of 24 hours which brings the effective yield down to 50kW, just like that. Figuring clouds and low angles in morning and evening, they can expect at most half of that again; let's be generous and say 25kW. If that. The panels cost, even without taxes, about $400 each, that's $16/ANG29 per kW. Not counting mounting and cables, switching and all. I know, I was one of the first guys to use them here.
On Eco-Energy's web-site, 4 275W panels are offered for ANG7400. You don't even have to go to Alibaba to find them for much less than half the price.
2012-03-26
Flying Fortress?
No... building crashing castles in the air! Minister el Hakim is paying a visit to Brazil to try and convince GOL airlines to start a route Sao Paolo-Curaçao-New York. This will cost (us) a small fortune, with 400 of our families depending on food stamps to fight hunger. All in vain, as GOL announced last year that they had chosen Santo Domingo as their station instead. Doesn't the guy read the papers? Can he read at all?
2012-03-24
Musical Ministers' Chairs
PS Minister of education Jansen will quit, the third in a row after Girigorie and Rosalia. His follow-up is Monk, until now planning sinister (following Girigorie), who will in turn be replaced by Carlos Trinidad (who is thus ensured of a fat old age.) Wiels, the dumb dictator, comments he's not satisfied with anybody, himself included. Neither are we, Wiels.
2012-03-24
Frozen Credit
The Central Bank has asked all banks to freeze all credits in order to reduce the national balance of payments deficit. But the banks complain that it is not only unclear what exactly is meant, they feel it's much too rigorous and freezing of consumptive credit would suffice. The banks predict "an economic disaster." But a week later, it all turned out to be a storm in a cup of Caribbean Sea: private credits have been frozen for six months.
2012-03-24
What Wrong with Wiels?
PS Wiels thinks it a good thing that people start opening their mouths and protest against the government. That's because the "culture of fear" that existed under former governments has come to an end (and we here thinking it was the other way round.) His proof is that he, a social worker, was side-tracked by PAR. Too bad he only tells us now.
2012-03-24
SMOC Supported by... Wiels!?
After a presentation in Staten parliament, who would have thought that PS Wiels would support SMOC's fight against Isla refinery pollution: PdVSA must keep to their obligations stipulated by nuisance laws and government should control this. But Wiels, after stating that former governments neglected acting against refinery pollution, omitted to confirm that he and his party would take action.
2012-03-24
Pseudo-Science Is Winning
Aqualectra utility will stop fluoridation of the water supply in 2014. Super-superstitious naturopath Rudolf de Wit claims fluoride results in many cases of breast cancer, which is good enough for health minister Constancia (without bothering to check with GGD public health or Curaçao Dental Society.)
Dentist Eric de Brabander, in protest, remarks that the Caribbean Sea, the source of distilled drinking water, is poor in fluoride in the first place. De Brabander ought to know that distilled water would not contain any fluoride, no matter how much the raw water source contains.
2012-03-23
More (Anonymous) Claims about Hakim
One more email doing the samizdat rounds. No way to check if it's true. Correct, all this certainly is not. It's not meant for publication so we left out several details.
FOØL Godett, when a member of the preceding PAR-PNP-FOL coalition, was bribed by now PM Shorty to award beach-cleaning to now minister el Hakim's Costa Bonita. Officially, LVV [agriculture dept] is charged with this but Costa Bonita does the job, causing much money to flow into one mr. Leito's wallet.
Hakim is the real "owner" of political party MFK, and Shorty is a mere straw-man.
When el Hakim had his tax troubles, all paperwork pertaining to his contractor company "de Goede Hoop" was removed from his office locations. The company was involved with restoring Willemstad buildings, and also with building barbecues on (again) beaches. Money flows freely between ministers.
Shorty's company Eco-Energy uses community money for free propaganda; all measures taken to promote solar energy have resulted in his company achieving what amounts to a monopoly.
2012-03-22
Lights Out
Earth Hour this year will be celebrated on April 22 at 20:30 (8:30 PM for you, gringo loco) with the yearly "lights out" action, plunging the whole world back in North Korean darkness for an hour. Thought I'd be visiting the Grand Canyon then, where it wouldn't make much of a difference. Good, because I will not join the
2012-03-11
You must have seen this photo before, if not in this colorful splendor:
Tyrannocracy North (top) and South (bottom, you'd never guess) Korea at night, from space.
image from Measuring Economic Growth from Outer Space
with their kind permission.
rather revel in this beauty
The View from Space:
Cities and Coastlines
Now We Understand! That Explains It!
A while ago the government in its impressing wisdom decided to make all imports of "green" stuff import-duty free. That's solar panels, wind turbines, you name it. A good thing of course, if only because less money will flow into (and all too soon out of) the government coffers. Still, we wondered: why?
But an email circulating (much against the wish of the original sender) supplies the answer: PM Shorty is the owner of a company Eco Energy and thus has an immediate advantage here. It's simple once you know.
Among other things, they offer LED Pool lights - oh, how green and environment-conscious in our semi-desert island.
2012-03-21
Biomass
Even the Chamber of Commerce thinks it worth while to organize a symposium on "biomass" as an energy source. Let us, for the sake of argument, accept that this is feasible, even if with the ethanol flop in mind, this is pushing it. Where will we get the biomass from? Takes us right back to the good [?] old days when Curaçao was exporting manure, charcoal and wood as "agricultural" products. It's in the past half century or, to be more exact, the last twenty years, that we finally got some vegetation back with the goat eradication.
2012-03-21
Samizdat
You may have noticed, I most certainly did, that more and more items making this page originated as emails, be they anonymous or public. Not everybody wants their emails distributed like that—in which case, here's some good and free! advice, don't send 'em. But what I want to say, hey, don't push me, OK? is that this is a new and recent phenomenon. Somehow, we did not feel this need to communicate in this manner before the present government made its stage debut. Which is telling a lot.
Samizdat is how Communist-era underground publications were published in good old Russia. People took the trouble to type 'em out on typewriters (max. five readable copies) and pass those on to their friends. This is how Alexander I. Solzhenitsyn's masterpiece One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich got around. After all, it seems to beat the chess-board legend by a long way.
2012-03-21
Competition
While the space scoundrels proudly brag how fine it is that they already sold €4.2M worth of tickets, competitor Branson of Virgin Air announces pre-flight sales of $60M, just about 10 times as much worth.
2012-03-21
Show Us the Money!
One of the ideas taken over by Shorty & His Gang from the despised former government was to improve the barrios. He thought it such a good plan, he even extended it from five to twenty: Plan Nashonal, with fifteen more to be added in 2013. But since then, nothing has happened: a sum of ANG200M was budgeted for; Plan Nashonal as a combination of five ministries worked out detailed plans; but none of the ministries came through with money.
2012-03-21
Credit Freeze Frostily Received
Sinister Jamaloodin has been requested by CBA Curaçao Bank Association to postpone Central Bank's idea to freeze all credit for a period of six months, to give Central Bank time to explain further. They feel this is all too rigorous and may have a further negative influence on the economy; which is one thing we definitely don't need.
2012-03-21
"Confidential"
MFK PM Shorty has sent 4 full file folders on Aqualectra utility to parliament members. As they are confidential, he has requested those members to treat them that way. Trouble is, they are meant for discusssion in a public meeting. Maybe Shorty can explain how this rhymes with his vehement protests against all those leaks.
2012-03-21
Space Scandal
From a forwarded email's attached documents, it turns out that FOØL Adriaens, as manager of Hato airport, has been forced to pay ANG750K to those guys with spacious space schemes by sinister el Hakim, called "the godfather" of the so-called Droste-group. All loans to the group are reported to be unsecured and interest-free.
But the space groupies should not even be able to get an AOC [air operator's certificate] license for Curaçao-based operations, as this requires "substantive local ownership" and "effective local control"—which works havoc with Hato's already degraded status. The Droste-group is accused of consistent efforts to negate our DvL [aviation dept], mainly by denying it is an "aviation" company.
While CAH [Hato] supplies most of the money, all corporate power is held by the Droste-group.
It has become clear as well that Droste-group filched the concept for space travel from the first group with Curaçao space tourism plans, consisting of young scientists at a Dutch university named Wouters & Alders. The Droste group signed agreements on financing etc. while they were not even a legal entity [yet].
Maybe the best part is that the Droste group does not consider itself bound by the Convention of Warsaw, as it is "not an airline" and thus is not obliged to refund tickets if the whole enterprise grinds to a stop. Neither is it obliged to pay back any "loans" advanced by CAH/Hato.
2012-03-20
SMOC Writes to UN
SMOC has written an email to the United Nations Children's Rights committee to advise them on the Isla refinery pollution. Downwind live 6,000 children and there are 19 schools. The pollution results in 18 premature deaths per year, and 85% of people living there want to see a doctor, move away and are just scared.
SMOC seems not to expect any direct results from this letter; looks like they're just frustrated. Aren't we all.
2012-03-17
It's All Gone
Old age pension funds will be exhausted by the end of next year. So there. The age on which you get it has already been brought up from 60 to 65 years, but that didn't help much; and MAN sinister Koeiman's proposal to bring the transitory age (now 58) for those who'll get it 5 years later down to 57 or even 56 would make it even worse. Raising the premium won't help either, as it will probably result in the economy going (still) further downhill.
2012-03-16
Recipe for Desillusion
PAR ex-minister Leeflang suggests that it's possible to introduce a motion in parliament by "citizens' initiative" which in Holland would call for 40,000 signatures. She makes a wild guess at 10,000 needed here, so this doesn't seem to be regulated by law. Anyway, Holland has roughly 100 times as many inhabitants so 400 signatures would be ample here—Frente Sivíl collected ten times as many, over 4,000.
I don't want to be pessimistic, but I am: parliament boss Arsjes would never permit such a motion on the floor.
2012-03-16
Half Smart
According to Constancia, lowering the medicine importers' margin to 15% combined with some minor measures will result in a reduction in costs by half. She must have another brand calculator than I have, or maybe she's smarter. Too smart by half, is a good guess.
But there can be saved a lot of money on medicine. Example: Symbicort (opens up blocked lungs and bronchial tubes) uses an expensive inhaler that can be used for a year, with monthly refills. However, the importer only sells packages complete with inhaler—I'm sure there are lots more like these.
2012-03-16
Headwind Pushes from Back
The judge has spoken: DAE may use their wet-leased MD83, notwithstanding InselAir's arguments. And now, InselAir declares this is great, as it opens their way to many more constructions to cooperate with other, foreign, companies. Why didn't they think of that in the first place?
2012-03-15
From Worse to Badder
Now it's the Cft Commissie financieel toezicht [committee financial supervision] that's complaining they have no idea at all what's going on. Several large unnamed government foundations and enterprises were in severe trouble some years ago, with "enormous deficits", and Cft suspects it's even worse now, but just doesn't receive the yearly figures on 2010 and 2011.
Cft explains that many institutes are forced to adjust their tariffs down because of political pressure, while politicians say there's much waste and inefficiency. Our guess is, both apply.
The government has promised all cooperation to get the accounts to Cft. That's a relief!
And we are curious what government will do about one slight oversight: there's no budget for the new hospital.
2012-03-14
Tax for Ministers and for Us
Turns out, sinister Jamaloodin is protesting his tax assessments. We have to do so in less than two months, or forget it and pay up; but Jamaloodin's assessments date from way back when. Hey, what's going on here?
And is really none of the media interested in how much el Hakim is, or will be, paying? Didn't it occur to them to ask? Or, if they did, why don't they tell us? Again we have to wait for a little birdie to blow its wee whistle.
2012-03-13
Stranglers
This time we don't mean the government or tax. In Aruba where boa constrictors have become a real pest, there are regular hunts for them. Now, several have been seen and found here as well, but they're not a pest—yet. The snakes are not endemic, but have escaped, or been turned loose, by animal lovers. Just like the lionfish. We only have to wait until two meet and mate.
2012-03-13
Simplistic Solution
PM Shorty has a simple and stupid solution for the medicine problem. No doubt health sinister Constancia advised him. The importers may not earn more than 20% on products, and their suppliers must lower their prices with 15%.
But the importers think differently. First, because of high water/energy costs, stocking medicine here is very expensive. Second, you may get the suppliers to lower their prices with 7%, as has been done in Aruba, but they won't go for more. This is of little concern to the government: if the importers don't comply, the market for medicine will be deregulated.
2012-03-13
No Wonder They Have Problems
I paid my last Aqualectra utility bill on March 6. Today I received the next bill, and separate a letter dated March 7 warning me that if I don't pay that first bill by March 19, they'll come and cut me off. (If only they'd done that with other people, like Jamaloodin... but I get carried away.) Point is, if they would wait one day longer and check their accounts first, they'd save themselves money. Free tip, you (words fail me).
2012-03-13
Better Stock Up
The botikas drugstores threaten that, if the problems with payments in arrear have not been solved by the end of this month, they will not be able any longer to supply medicine to their customers. SVB social security has promised to pay in lump sums instead of fragemented installments, but the drugstores have not received anything yet. Another triumph for sinister of health Constancia, the Cuban quack cure fiend. At least her colleague el Hakim can move much faster; once he gets inspired, that is.
2012-03-13
No Confidence
Frente Sivil, the group in which seven other action groups have united forces, has after the parliament debacle sent all members of Staten parliament a letter stating that PM Shorty's government may not and cannot have parliament's confidence any longer.
The PM made a farce of the screening process, and the leaked documents have shown clearly that the ministers are not fit for their functions (Frente Sivil calls 'em "not ministeriable"), that the cabinet has knowingly supplied wrong information and has suppressed it.
Frente Sivil, who has no political ambitions, plans to keep the people informed on what has been going on and what is being planned, "all following the law like decent people do." You think they mean the cabinet does not consist of decent people? It's a thought.
2012-03-13
El Hakim Pays Debts
Sinister el Hakim is paying his tax debts, he claims in a letter to the press, accompanied by letters from the Tax Man and SVB social security bank. His arrangements with those guys are from October 2010 and March 2012—hey, that's just now! So the final arrangements only stem from after his info was leaked. The media don't seem to have noticed that, as usual; but the leakers may be satisfied.
But we'd still like to know what exactly those arrangements are: did el Hakim get a discount?
2012-03-13
Uh Uh...
The Public Prosecutor does not wish to comment yet on the government's statement that the prosecutor saw no reason to investigate PM Shorty's capricious financial stunts. He may merely have meant he lacked sufficient information to start an action on. Suspicions are that the prosecutor never received the relevant MOT documents. Two top PP people, Piar and Joubert, are in Holland now and we await their return with bated breath.
2012-03-12
Ombudsman Bites Back
The ombudsman, who really is a person, Martijn states that PM Shorty has no business interfering with her function, which is independent from the government—for very good reasons, Q.E.D. To put it snappily she tells him to shove it.
2012-03-12
Kiribati: Spelling Lesson
Found out about this because the inhabitants of the Kiribati archipelago want to move to one of the Fiji islands. Right they are, they are living on an atol with only sand, so agriculture is impossible; they have no fresh water anyway. (The claims that it has to do with rising sea levels because of
Reason I mention it, until just know I figured to pronounce Kiribati like this: KeereeBAHtee. All wrong: it's KEEleebash. You see, it used to be called the Gilbert[Island]s, which got transmuted in their lingo, but then came the spelling. As they have no "s" they took the sound out of 'naTIonal', presto, "ti=s". And the "r", you ask? You guessed it: they have no "l" either. Ask them why they didn't just adopt those handy characters. What do they do, black 'em out on their keyboards by government decree?
You know, somehow I'm reminded here of Papiamentu and its insane spelling. Is why I thought I'd mention it, making myself more popular all the time. Granted, it's not more insane than English spelling—but nothing could be. However, English spelling grew quite haphazardly and more or less by accident (and now we're stuck with it); for Papiamentu, some learned fools got together and deliberately planned the mess (and now we're stuck with it).
Also reminds me of the Japanese, who have no "r" either. Miruku for "milk", basaboru for "baseball." But it was a Japanese who remarked to my brother wrestling with chop-sticks, "Why don't you use that great Western invention—the fork."
2012-03-10
Outraged by Proxy
Curaçao gevolmachtigd minister [proxy minister] in Holland PS Osepa has informed Holland that Curaçao follows the kingdom policy versus Iran. PM Shorty is outraged, and so is PS. But Osepa comments this is not a subject for politics: "Curaçao is on Holland's side or on Iran's [...] I am a jurist, I know the rules and I'm not just shouting." Ouch.
2012-03-10
No Connection
16-year old Shurendly Maduro hangs around on the Fort Amsterdam premises, the cave of Ali Baba and the forty brigands—in other words the government seat, helping out people and explaining things. He had the temerity of holding a highly successful speech at the protest meeting last Monday. Now, all of a sudden, he is forbidden to enter the buildings. But security says this has nothing to do with that speech, which sounds plausible. Even Shorty and Arsjes couldn't be so childish—or could they?
2012-03-10
"It's Going Fine"
The Hato Space Port for the Vomit Comet, where from next year you may possibly make trips into space for €70k has "already" sold 60 tickets. How many of these have been sold as lottery items or just plain been given away, not sold, we're not told. Anyway, that's €1,400,000 (ANG3.3M,134/USD1.8M); not very impressive when Curaçao has to invest $450M—for starters.
The necessary laws are well on their way to being adapted, too, we're told. So that's what those loafers in government have been doing, besides picking fights and raking in money!
2012-03-10
That's What I Was Afraid Of
Language: "one of the most powerful, dangerous and subversive traits that natural selection has ever devised." (Matt Ridley in Wall Street Journal). Please read it! Really hits the spot on what I feel about Papiamentu: one more way to keep us isolated.
2012-03-09
As Expected
There will be no independent investigation of the integrity of the cabinet. This was decided by staten parliament after a PAR opposition motion. The coalition didn't like Dushi Kòrsou's presentation either: it was received with distrust, scorn and animosity. Totally predictable, what a bore.
However, Grupo 40 has already announced there will be an independent investigation, if not by staten. So there.
The US Trade Department's International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) contains several paragraphs about the worrying fact that no action is taken by Curaçao to check the integroty problems.
2012-03-09
Well? Why Wait?
Curaçao government has informed the press that in December 2010 the Public Prosecutor has looked into PM Shorty's financial capers, to wit the MOT declarations, and saw no reason to prosecute him.
The question remaining is, why wait so long to release this info? It's not as if everybody had the utmost trust in Shorty until now.
2012-03-09
WOW!
Even Arsjes didn't like MAN Koeiman's "joke" on tax debts. No doubt he'd been sweating all the time while Koeiman was giving his stand-up act, wondering when his own turn would come.
2012-03-08
No Inquiry
No further inquiry will be the only follow-up to the >4000 signature action, so parliament in all its self-serving wisdom has decided. If you want any comment on that, surely you can think of some expletives, quite possibly better ones than I can come up with, yourself. What it means is: they don't care a fart what we think, and why should they?
2012-03-08
Lying Liars
PM Shorty announced his two sinisters had made a deal with the Tax Person, reason for us to ask for a leak showing details. We got what may be an even better one, nr. 4 in a hopefully ongoing series: the two hadn't even bothered to declare income tax from 2005 through 2009. Same applies to MAN Koeiman. Man's Cooper's last declaration year was 2006; for health sinister Constancia it was 2005, Shorty the Great, 2008. All this at the date of screening, 2010. Some had fulfilled all their obligations, among whom Rosalia (remember him?)
Wonder how they manage to do that. When I don't declare in time, which is in April - long before October 2010 screening date, I get the most terrible and ridiculous fictive "estimated assessments" [ambtshalve aanslagen] with outrageous fines to boot. Something totally rotten in the tax emporium.
2012-03-08
Now That's a Meeting!
There'll be a meeting of minds, using the word loosely, with the governor next week from Monday through Thursday to discuss the VDC-leaks. All parliament fractions have been invited.
An emergency meeting, no less. Somebody must be getting serious. And about time, to.
2012-03-07
Vanddis Loses Face
There's a banner circulating on Fakebooc with the text "Stop het sponsoren van boeven" [stop sponsoring crooks], calling for a boycott of Vanddis gas stations. Seems to be quite popular; small wonder.
Never go there anyway, I like my FunMiles [unpaid advertisement] for free BigMacs [unpaid advertisement].
2012-03-07
It Was a Joke
MFK fraction member Rosier yesterday morning in parliament started reading out loud alleged tax debts of PAR Sulvaran, de Jongh-Elhage, Jesus-Leito and Dennis Jackson and himself, totalling ANG650K. Then he presented 21 forms to be signed by all parliament members, enabling public perusal of their tax debts, and he signed his own with a flourish, taking good care to keep it on his desk. Even his coalition members were outraged. PM Shorty later said it was just a joke, Rosier had merely been reading fictive amounts from blank papers.
Chicho: "Thatsa some joke, hah boss? Hahahahaha!"
Groucho: "Zepirelli here may look like an idot, talk like an idiot and think like an idiot, but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot."
Finally, Shorty announced that one of the two sinisters (didn't say which one) had arranged a settlement with the Taxman after having received a final assessment. Can somebody please leak that final assessment?
2012-03-07
Stuff It, Shorty
For once, Dutch parliament (VVD) agrees with us: Shorty should take his
Shorty is complaining that it will cause gasoline prices to go up, what hard luck for the poor Curaçao people, boo hoo. Watch the crocodile tears streaming down his cheeks; but higher gasoline prices mean higher profits at Vanddis gas stations. Finally, Shorty doesn't seem to understand that crude price goes up when the dollar goes down (and with it the guilder), in perfect sync.
Like, Schottegat, sorreee... pun in Dutch: Shorty[***]hole.
2012-03-07
Cleopa's Poppycock
MAN Cleopa feels, and asserts, that it's 'undemocratic' for groups in society to call for abdication of the government. While he respects these developments, or so he claims, we all have to sit back and relax while the government decides how to react. Alternatively, we have to wait for new elections, then we'll see. After all, the government has been chosen and voted for, so it's
2012-03-06
Civilized Frente Sivíl
Last night's protest meeting resulted in all groups uniting in one, for the time being: Frente Sivíl [citizen front]. As always, difficult to count the people there; estimates range between less than 1,000 to over 3,000. People tend to come late and leave early anyway. Everybody agreed, those 3 sinisters Schotte, Jamaloodin and el Hakim must go. Others feel they should all go. Frente Sivíl emphasized they want to bring "civilization back" to Curaçao government in "a civilized manner".
Surprise: it seems that the signature letter will be discussed in Staten next Wednesday, not yesterday.
2012-03-06
Tetanus? Tough!
No medicine for tetanus on the island; tough if you get infected. PAR Leeflang wonders why health sinister Constancia is prepared to spend almost 1 million guilders on a Cuban quack cure-all when there's no money to buy real medicine.
2012-03-06
Hospital in Otrabanda, etc.
Otrabanda pressure groups feel the best location for the new hospital still is the present one in Otrabanda. They make some good arguments, but they would feel that way, wouldn't they? Then, we hear the new location has already been established: the Amstel brewery terrain! Oops, we're not allowed to say that anymore, or else... Then again, we're not allowed to say "Otrabanda" either. Here, a Bronx cheer!
2012-03-06
Shut up, Shorty
No one cares what you have to say about your doubts whether oil-sanctions against Iran will work. You may not agree with the Dutch policy (but Aruba has already done so); it will not change one iota. You have no say in the matter and your opinion doesn't count. Please go home to count your money and don't bother us.
Shorty the megalomaniac also states he wants to see "proof" that Iran is working on a nuclear bomb. Give us a break, Shorty. But of course, with those sinisters of yours, this hardly comes as a surprise. And don't forget the good relations between the regimes of the Fat and the Short Dictator.
2012-03-06
More and More Action
There is a new action group now, called Frente Sivíl [citizen front] which is supposed to bundle all those forces, now joined by an older one, Movementu Patria pa Tur [movement country for all]. One I didn't know about yet is Kòrsou Integro i Konfiabel [integer and credible Curaçao]. Between you and me, Dear Reader, that's overdoing it. There must be throngs of those movements.
And WS Piels wants a counter-demonstration pro-government. That could be fun!
2012-03-05
PAR Finally Starts Moving
PAR leader de Jongh-Elhage declares that in the past fifty years there never has been a VCD-leak and that it never has been used as a political instrument. PAR holds PM Shorty responsible for several breaches of law which were made public last week and announces that, if the government does not take any action, PAR will take further steps towards an independent investigation.
2012-03-05
Some Splainin' to Do
PM Shorty will explain in staten parliament about the tax leaks tomorrow. That promises to be a virtuoso acrobatic performance—not to say contortionist. Guaranteed to be a funny act, but will it be any good? Won't do any good, but we knew that already.
2012-03-05
Leaks Like a Colander
Yet another set of confidential info has been leaked. This time, and well-timed it is, it's all about PM Shorty. A person calling itself Mary Doityourself sent out an email to press and all, among which several politicians, containing details of Ongebruikelijke Transacties [Disclosure of Unusual Transactions] forms. Mary figures, if nobody does anything, we should do it ourselves. To be sure it's a false and assumed name with a fake email address to boot. It makes for fascinating reading. Keep in mind that at the time Shorty was Eilandsraad (island parliament) member with a monthly salary of 5979.54.
From January to November 2009 he deposited a grand total of over ANG417,000 (almost $230,000). We have combined the info from four forms into one spreadsheet.
We ware especially mesmerized by the enormous checks Vanddis regularly writes out. And who are those mysterious "derdengelden" and Hu A Ng? Also the intriguing transaction with the International School. About the 1000/month from Night Life Entertainment we don't know what to think. Don't suppose Shorty moonlights there as a bouncer!
There seem to have been 2 of these emails before, but we haven't seen those. If you happen to have copies, please send them over. Thanks!
An item not even included in the list is two checks from "Foundation Gerrit Schotte" totalling $73,000, cashed by Shorty while in the USA. Brings the Grand Total up to well over half a million guilders, ANG548,445.69. 2012-03-05
Getting Even Worse
There are five primary schools now teaching in Dutch; the rest is in Papiamentu. However, there is not nearly enough place for pupils who want a Dutch-language education; some schools have almost ten times more requests than they come accommodate. Nothing new here... it's just getting worse.
2012-03-04 Not So Fast
The new law on illness costs which was supposed to start working on April 1 turns out to be a fools' joke. Even the sinisters agree it's no good. It was flim-flammed up much too fast and will now be rewritten for release on June 1.
2012-03-04
Gas up (before Monday)
Gas price is going up again; while in January it was lowered to ANG2.25/liter it will go up next Monday to 2.383. It's because international prices have gone up; true enough, but still that same gasoline processed here and then shipped to the USA is expected to hit, later maybe, $5/gallon—which equals only ANG1.875/liter. Right now, it's only $3.716/gallon or ANG1.716/liter, 74% of our price.
2012-03-03
Lotsa Luck with That!
New elections before June is what action groups Dushi Kòrsou (hey,listen, they all spell it differently) and Pro Pueblo [resp. 'Sweet Curaçao' and 'For the People'] want. Reasons? There are not just a few rotten apples, the government is full of rotten potatoes and is demolishing democracy. Parliament doesn't function either. Hear, hear.
Meanwhile, Duski Kòrsou has supplicated Arsjes if they may pretty please be present at the parliament discussion of their signature letter?
2012-03-03
Whatever Became of That?
PS justice sinister Wilsoe announced last year that he intended to reduce criminality that year by 10-20%. If he'd succeeded we would have heard, don't you agree?
Between 1995 and 2008 (last year the CBS-site shows) crime victims per year went down from 39% to 26% of the population, but since then burglaries have gone up with 20%.
2012-03-03
No Confidence
Prince, who has been fired as per last December 31 from his director post at Wega di Number [numbers game lottery] is going to court to fight his contract conclusion; he wants his salary to continue or indemnification. The new management, installed by Shorty's government, has "no confidence" in Prince. Interestingly Robby dos Santos is a member of that new management; maybe, just maybe, Prince is too honest for 'em.
2012-03-03
Into Thin Air
Architect Carlos Weeber, in another letter to the editors or we'd never learn about it from our media, tells us about 100K + 200K that just plain disappeared [watch my magic wand: POOF!] from government budgets for to-build buildings. Together ~1/3 of a million... it all adds up you know!
One of those projects was instigated by Rosalia; both are FKP projects. They seem to have money to burn, anyway.
2012-03-02
Insel Air Prefers Insular
Again, Insel Air goes to court (they just love that, don't they) against DAE who have the temerity to fly to Santo Domingo with a wet-leased MD83! What chutzpah!
All this while Insel Air, they say at least, has enormous efforts at enormous costs to keep within the law and train pilots. In reality, Insel Air buys geriatric MD83s and fixes them up so old ALM/DCA pilots don't have to retrain.
Worst (for Insel at least) is, the DAE MD83 is registered in the USA and so, DAE has no problems with Curaçao FAA degradations.
2012-03-02
New Public Action
It still looks like next Monday Staten parliament will, finally, have a meeting on Grupo Kòrsow's petition. As nobody knows what time the subject will be dealt with, they plan to be there at 9 in the morning. "They" includes Grupo 40, Kòrsou Uní, Akshon Curaçao and trade unions. They don't expect much of a result, also because all this has been kept out of any parliament discussion up to now, and call for a new action at 19:00 at the SSK trade union building.
2012-03-02
Wiels Warns
WS Piels warns that all those leaks of tax debts will have a negative effect (are you ready for this?) on foreign investors. They may be afraid their data will become known to anybody. And anyway, it's the companies owned by those guys that are in debt, not the guys themselves. Besides, he adds in another streak of his kind of logic, don't we all have debts? (I don't.) And as all letter-to-the-editor writers for once agree, how is it possible that those debts grew to such fantastic proportions?
Nice try, Piels, but if you're serious, better discard your loony 80-20 ideas.
2012-03-02
Peace Please
VDC security's CVT [supervisory committee] publicly states that VDC regret it's not possible for them to work in peace and quiet, what with all sorts of allegations uttered against them. They warn us not to believe all stories going around (like this one?) but fail to make clear what not to and what to believe. They also state that there have been many allegations, but not one single official complaint has been lodged.
Ombudsman's office states they have nothing to do with the newly leaked documents, but that these may come from a meanwhile fired worker at VDC. Shorty and PS justice sinister Wilsoe deny everything, what else is new: they "haven't read the papers" so can't comment.
Gee, I wonder how much you get paid as a committee member.
2012-03-01
Deeper in Debt
We are quite used to our country building up more and more debt, but our politicians manage to do much better. Maybe there's a connection. Nevertheless, the show goes on: yesterday media and several parliamentaries received a new batch of documents which expose that sinisters Jamaloodin and el Hakim are even deeper in [expletive] sorry, debt. El Hakim has an ANG286K ($157K) debt with SVB social security bank and Jamaloodin over 1.7M ($935K).
2012-03-01
"It is not allowed any longer to call the Amstel terrain the Amstel terrain," says PM Shorty. Talk about dictatorial. The real name is Scadta and that's the name we must use from now on, Shorty stipulates. But that "real" name is yet another brand name, so what's going on here? Besides, how do you pronounce it?
2012-03-01
Trouble seems to be, gradually it becomes clearer bit by bit, Central Bank has loaned Curaçao Aqualectra ANG300M ($165M) under pressure of MFK PM Shorty and sinister Jamaloodin. But if Aqualectra fails in its obligations St. Maarten will have to pay up as well. They don't like that, and who shall gonna blame 'em?
2012-02-29
You No Coma Clean, We Breaka You Fingers
An IT-manager of VCD Veiligheidsdienst [security] has been taken to a hotel room by two Colombians and was pressured to give details on the network, cooperators and naturally! the leaks on the sinisters. They refused to identify themselves, but stated they were acting on instructions of PM Shorty. They also asked for lists of passwords so they could copy all files to their hard drives; if they didn't get those they would start hacking.
If this sounds like a mafia-operation to you, so it does to the IT-manager who next went to the ombudsman, who in turn sent a report to the governor. Later, the manager was denied access to his work. Another quite scintillating detail: an outside forensic service has copied all VDC files by order of PM Shorty.
2012-02-29
An Expert Agrees
MFK sinister Constancia has budgeted ANG900K, say 1M, for a pilot project to study the effects of Heberprot-P—what we've called a Cuban quack cure. Now surgeon Rodney Juliet has written her an open letter, again emphasizing that she'd better put
2012-02-28
Medicine = Money
Like in the USA, in Curaçao MDs may run their own pharmacies. Not so in Holland, but even there I guess they may own shares in them. Anyway, of course this tends to run up prices. The good doctor would rather prescribe expensive brand medicine than generic brands and make more money. The president of Curaçao general practitioners' union knows nothing about this confusion of interests or he "would take action at once." Why doesn't anybody tell him, or why doesn't he take a ride around town? There are all-too-many botikas next to combined MD offices; so-called "medical centers.".
2012-02-28
Unfree Skies
MAN Cooper tells us that DAE's "unyielding and respectless [that word again] attitude" is a danger to Curaçao. The government is working on an aviation strategy towards agreements with other regional countries, with stipulations against unfair competition (they call this a "free skies" policy); these agreements may be terminated because of non-compliance. [But how can they be terminated before they have been agreed on?]
2012-02-28
I Don't Get It
All I understand from the newspapers now is that there is a tremendous quarrel between Curaçao government and the Central Bank; so heavy that several directors there have already contacted their lawyers. It's about a debenture bond for [total] $150M to finance St. Maarten harbor. Again, they seem to want to fire Curaçao bank director Tromp; it's like a conditioned reflex: when you mention his name, they want to fire him. Which even Jamaloodin admits they can't.
Maybe tomorrow an article will appear written by somebody who understands what's the point; if so, I'll inform you. Sure, it may be me who's obtuse.
Still don't get it. What seems to be going on is that Curaçao sinister Jamaloodin and/or his counterparts in St. Maarten don't agree on how the Central Bank works and try get a grip on that by illegal/illegitimate means. This could result in the Central Bank falling apart—which may be what they are aiming for. But that seems as good as impossible; tough.
Trouble seems to be, gradually it becomes clearer bit by bit, Central Bank has loaned Curaçao Aqualectra ANG300M ($165M) under prssure of MFK PM Shorty and sinister Jamaloodin. But if Aqualectra fails in their obligations St. Maarten will have tro pay as well. They don't like that, and who shall gonna blame 'em?
2012-02-27
Harbor Hospital
Curaçao Tsunami Risk Management committee notes that the "New Harbor" in Schottegat is "tsunami sensitive." While this applies by default to all Curaçao harbors (and almost all hotels) it seems unwise if not downright foolish to build a new hospital there, as now planned. For some reason, especially MAN Cooper seems all set on building on the old Amstel brewery location.
To keep a cool head, the Amstel location is lowest on the orange list, danger range Red-Orange-Yellow-Green. Still unwise.
2012-02-27
Analogy
Holland will investigate if AMS Schiphol airport is guilty of power abuse: the airport keeps growing and tariffs grow with it. Makes us wonder even more about the downright outrageous plans for "our" Hato airport.
2012-02-27
They Paid!
After Isla refinery has, finally, paid the water bill for several houses that had to be cleaned up after the white powder that escaped at the cat-cracker incident, action groep Basta! advises all those who had to clean up at the time to send a request for payment to Isla.
2012-02-25
The Fat Hits the Fan, uhh...
... the shot's in the fire! Tax info about meveral sinisters is now making the rounds via an email Oordeel zelf!!! [judge for yourself], addressed to 'anybody who loves Curaçao.'
We received yet another version with covering letter in English, from which we quote: "Although I'm very strongly against breach of confidentiality of our citizen's MEDICAL, TAX and BANK data under "normal" circumstances one can no longer accept gross improper behavior from the top executives of our country." Here are the documents:
Jamaloodin 1 - Jamaloodin 1 - el Hakim 1 - el Hakim 2 - el Hakim 3 - el Hakim 4
2012-02-24
Like, in Aruba
Sinister Cooper states that sinisters should be exempt from airport screening, like "everywhere else in the world, for example Aruba." Also "their entourage," whatever that means, should be be waved through. Like El Hakim's?
As usual this man with a mouth even bigger than his mudbelly doesn't know what he's talking about. Even if a directive by the Curaçao Civil Aviation Authority has now been hastily produced,stipulating the sinisters and goons must be waved through, this contradicts a 1971 Montreal international aviation protocol signed by the kingdom of the Netherlands (we, or us). Phooyeh... so what; only marks on paper. Lawlessness rules the land.
2012-02-24
Kranshi Continued
Kranshi head Daal was supposed to go back to work last Thursday, but decided not to in order to avoid further stress'n'struggle. Meanwhile, a committee has been installed to look into the matter, but Daal claims this is not what you'd call impartial and neutral and he wants it replaced. Among too many other things to mention here, what summons suspicions is that after Daal had won his case in court, WS Piels (who calls himself a politician) announced over the radio that, now, it was time for Plan B.
Gee, I wonder how much they pay those committee members!
2012-02-23
Where Can He Be?
It's a small island... But in spite of that, sinister Cooper cannot be reached; he's what they used to call incommunicado since the Central Bank announced that ole mudbelly never asked for a debenture bond, as he is claiming now; he just wanted to finance his infrastructure improvements. One of the time-proven ways for a politician to rake it in is a large public project.
Instead of the debenture bond CB proposes to set up a financing fund to control the project, with as members the consumers' union, foundation for traffic safety, local financial sector organizations (no bankers need apply) and the chamber of commerce (no bankers need apply); which would make it very hard for a politician to make a decent living. But it seems Cooper never realized that there is no essential difference between debenture bonds and regular loans: they're both loans.
2012-02-23
New Hospital?
Medical specialists union has written a letter to sinister Constancia expressing their worries about the way things are going with the new and badly needed hospital. In short, they wonder if things are going at all. It isn't even clear how much the new building will cost; what the such-as-it-is budget covers; and where the money is supposed to come from. In their opinion, it will not come from anywhere. But Constancia doesn't talk to them. How like her.
2012-02-23
News flash:
Staten will discuss the signature-action on March 5. But Arsjes, so we hear, was irritated because Dushi Kòrsou "again" had sent a letter with "false accusations" - while they don't understand what he's talking about. Maybe he does so himself, occasionally; give him the benefit of the doubt, although he doesn't deserve it.
2012-02-22
May Get InterestingGet on with It, Already
First, Venezuelan Fat Dictator Chávez is risking sanctions by sending a tanker with diesel oil to Syria, worth 43,000 fill-ups for Assad's Russian T-72 tanks. As his main customer still is the USA, risky indeed. Also, he's getting less and less powerful in OPEC; with Qhaddafi's Lybia out his only remaining ally there is Iran.
Then, the USA oil production boom will almost double its 2010 production, from 5.1 million barrels/day to 9.1 in 2015. That's only half of it's present use, but with the enormous natural gas reserves the USA foresees an autonomous energy supply in 2022. Then, where will PdVSA go with their precious Orinoco oil? China is also busy on the fracking front.
Next, presidential candidate Henrique Capriles may well win the next election, even with Chávez still around.
I mention all this not only because right now not much else is going on here except carnival parties, but also because it can get very important for us. Capriles looks like being a much more reasonable man—bad news for Piels and his gang of goons. Then, in what amounts to an energy gut, what can we reasonably expect to happen with PdVSA and Isla refinery? Their contract runs out in 2019 and they may well decide just to keep the Pile of Rust running as long as possible, until it collapses of its own.
2012-02-21
MAN Cooper tells us that not only will the roads be repaired, about time too, but the entire infrastructure will be tackled; grand total ANG500M-600M/USD300M. It should take 6 to 10 years and according to the Central Bank the needed ANG50M/year can be found in the local market.
It's just by a coïncidence we found out that the Stichting Wegenfonds Curaçao (foundation road fund) is presided by our old acquaintance Tilly Pikerie.
2012-02-21
Poof! Goes The Budget
For some reason, no doubt a very good one, it's not possible to introduce Basisverzekering [base insurance] on April 1, as planned. Every month of delay costs the government ANG6M/$3.3. P.P.-cardholders (free medical care) were supposed to start paying a total of ANG38/year as from October 12 last year; but for, again, some reason this has not happened. Worst part is, this endangers the building of a new hospital, but I didn't even have to tell you so.
2012-02-18
I'd Cancel, Myself
The government owes FKP public housing ANG295M (over $160M) on unpaid rent subsidies from 1981 to 2011; for those who don't have a calculator, that's ANG15M/year. The board twice arranged a meeting with MFK sinister Jamaloodin, but he canceled both. Two years from now, FKP will be kaput if nothing is done. I guess so, yeah.
2012-02-17
Surprise!
The Parke Tropikal zoo will disappear and be replaced by a dam. (In Constancia's lingo that probably means a reservoir.) This will come as a big surprise to workers there; some of them told us only yesterday there was a master plan that entailed enlarging the park. The zoo, originally proeftuin [experimental garden] may not amount to much as a zoo, but is as a park quite popular for recreation.
2012-02-17
They Must Be Serious!
The Vaste Statencommittee [permanent parliamentary committee] will have one meeting per month to discuss the new hospital. Now we're getting somewhere, slow. Maximum cost is estimated at $108M, which means ANG195M, but we'll see about that; and it should be operational in 2015. We'll see about that as well—they're still quarrelling about the location, which is one of the first things a real architect informs himself about.
That committee hasn't been meeting for the past year. Gee, I wonder how much you get paid as a committee-member.
2012-02-17
No Surprise: No Reply
Action group Dushi Kòrsou is disappointed that they have not had a reply to their January 17th letter asking for an independent investigation of Curaçao government members. The fact that a large part of the population (4062 signatures) is just ignored shows "gross contempt for the people." Well may they be disappointed, but what did they expect, anyway?
Dushi Kòrsou, supported by Pro Pueblo, E40 and Akshon Curaçao now asks for a permanent committee to investigate in a structural manner integrity problems and corrupt acts in the island government. Good luck with that, kids.
Gee, I wonder how much you'd get paid as a member of that committee.
2012-02-16
Above the Law
All us suckers sheepishly submit to a not-very-effective frisking by airport security whenever we want to board a plane, but our
2012-02-16
Show Me Yours, Then I'll Show You Mine
PAR was told this by MFK sinister Jamaloodin about his tax papers: if all PAR parliament members make theirs public, he will follow suit. Of course, those 8 PAR members are not in a position that calls for a screening, so it's yet another feint; later in the meeting, he said that the law will not allow him to make his tax figures public. (I doubt this very much.) But he did not deny the debt.
Jamaloodin kept asking for greater tax info security, but nobody in parliament reacted, not even his own party members; except for WS Piels who blamed the media for all the trouble
Turns out, added to Jamaloodin's tax debts he has a 1 million guilders debt with SVB social security and 200,000 with Aqualectra utilities; grand total 1.7-2.2M guilders (at least $1M) which definitely makes him a liability.
Rumors are that our Great Leaders are working to remit his debt; and worse, that Jamaloodin has tampered with his water meter. Wouldn't put it past him; quite in character.
2012-02-16
Getting Serious
In 2008, a complaint was lodged by Frida Ahrendt against her former employer, present MFK sinister el Hakim for tax evasion, fraud and forgery, but no action was taken by the public prosecutor; nor on her follow-ups in 2009 and 2011. The prosecutor looked at this as a civil rather than a criminal case. She has now approached the Gemeenschappelijk Hof van Justitie [common court of justice] to order the prosecutor to start a criminal procedure. He has No Comment.
2012-02-14
Blame Banks And Business
WS Piels blames our economic problems on the banks and private industry: "You can't borrow any money in Curaçao without bank intervention" (he probably prefers borrowing from loan sharks) and those PAR-scoundrels have systematically stopped protectionism (which is in keeping with the GATT accords, of course; and a good thing, too.) But Piels wouldn't care who signed what, when.
Piels calls banks and commerce "parasites and vultures." Even if he may have a point, look who's talking—a politician! Apart from the scatterbrained logic: fulminate against trade and in the same breath ask for protectionism.
2012-02-14
Now We Worry
FØOL Godett wonders why Arsjes complies with sinister Jamaloodin's request for a parliament meeting on the tax leaks. He feels what's happening is undemocratic. If even Godett feels so, we truly have reason to worry.
2012-02-14
Dickgusted
Former PAR sinister of justice Dick feels it's inappropriate to prosecute bailiff Specht who released tax info on sinisters Jamaloodin and el Hakim. Dick's idea is that his act was in the public interest and asks why, then, MFK PM Shorty was not prosecuted when he showed bank statements of Central Bank director Tromp on television. "Next thing, we'll have political prisoners," says Dick.
2012-02-14
Free Air Competition
After DAE received a letter from Curaçao Civil Air Authority reminding them they should keep to a 2007 tariff agreement, they announced they would not. The then government stipulated minimum tariffs, but DAE feels this stops free competition. (They only have one competitor on the flights to St. Maarten, InselAir.)
Next day, MAN mudbelly Cooper said in a radio interview that DAE should not offer lower tariffs, as this would result in unfair competition. Really!
2012-02-13
Aaw, Man...
This morning's Staten parliament meeting could not be held because there were only 6 members and there should be a quorum of 11 out of 22. Hey, listen, it's carnival time!
Interestingly, several members (the media don't tell us how many) of PAR were present but preferred not to sign the attendance register. An old trick.
Arsjes then held a preach about what a pity this waste of money was. He probably has better uses for it.
2012-02-13
I'm Boss!
MFK sinister Jamaloodin kicked up a stink when Hato airport security wanted to subject him to a screening and told a family member not to be bothered and just walk through. Jamaloodin even threatened to have the security personnel member fired. This happened end 2011, but our fine media only now report what the redu rumor-mill has been passing along all the time.
2012-02-13
Some Splaining to Do
PAR wants a Staten parliament meeting to ask MFK sinister el Hakim what's the upshot of his grandiosely named plans, like "Snowball," to stimulate the economy, as it only keeps shrinking. (This year, only 16 groups participated in the children's carnival parade because parents complained they couldn't afford it.)
2012-02-13
Another Letter to The Editor Speaks Truth
Rogelio Chirino in Amigoe newspaper: at the last 2010 elections, sinister Monk got 180 votes; parliament president Arsjes 158; justice sinister Wilroe 0 (zero). All three belong to the Piels party, Pueblo Soberano.
Chirino goes on to say that MAN sinister Mudbelly Cooper claims that the roads will be fixed three years from now, but everybody in the know agrees it will take more like 6. Besides, there's no money anyway. This causes an average car damage of ANG2000/$1100 per year; if correct, downright frightening.
Here's an idea for Cooper: why not stop building those useless humps, that have no effect anyway, and leave the holes in the roads instead? They work just as well and are free!
2012-02-11
Saved by the Web!
As it turns out (as usual, in a democracy we never get asked) the new internet code for our Proudly Independent Nation is CW Charlie Whiskey; stands for Curaçao Willemstad (not KT Kilo Tango Kòrsow Tulaville.)
Only the government, and and maybe a couple of other fools, will use it because the registration fee charged by UNA university is way too high—like four times what you pay elsewhere; we'll stick to www.****.com
2012-02-10
Something in That, I Suppose
Raad van Advies [advisory council] suggests a PAR proposal to stop sexual intimidation in the workplace is discriminatory because it only concerns civil servants.
2012-02-10
Muddled Transparency
MFK wants a Staten parliament discussion on their own sinister Constancia, because she's had the chutzpah, the temerity, the impudence, the brass-as-boldness to sit down with PAR to discuss some problems. That's not transparent and publicly irresponsible! (As so often, how I wish I were kidding.)
2012-02-10
Shows Us Where It's at
Seems sinisters Jamaloodin and el Hakim have lodged a complaint with Landsrecherche [The Cops] about the
2012-02-10
Right Now, In Curaçao!
Old CTB slogan to bait
2012-02-10
Not-So-Fast Work
MFK PM Shorty, on a visit to €urope, found time to go by Transparency International. You may not remember why, it's so long ago, but we do: he promised to have them investigate his government. Mark, he just went by for "a short visit"—he hasn't asked them anything. Not that such an investigation would be of any help or use; hey, maybe that's the reason!
When did he promise, you ask? Oh, that was last November. No doubt Shorty figures, as Transparency takes at least a year to get results, when he waits long enough by then his government may be getting ready for the new 2014 elections. Après nous, les prochains brigands.
2012-02-10
Botika Troubles
Because all public insurance companies, but especially that for civil servants, are hopelessly behind with their payments, the botikas [drugstores] are losing creditability with their suppliers and threaten that it's a matter of weeks before recipes cannot be fulfilled any more. So let's eat cake, already.
2012-02-08
Izatso?
Wind generators, turbines - no matter how you spell it, it's all wrong - will be turning on Curaçao East side in May; no news yet when those in Tera Kòrá will be active; together they will deliver 20% of all energy needed. Oh yeah? We also hear that in 2030 60% of Curaçao's energy will be delivered by "renewable energy." Oh yeah?
Okay now, which of you sporting persons wants to bet me on this? I darst you, I double-darst you: it will not. No taking me up on this by PM Shorty, not-so-coïncidentally our sinister of energy (yet another bet I stand to win.)
Manufacturer Vestas needs the business badly - they're going bankrupt fast, so where will we get spares? Why worry! The sooner those monskirs fall apart, the less it will cost us.
2012-02-08
No More Fun
Asogas must stop giving away Fun Miles at their gas stations, has been declared by Bureau Post and Telecommunications. Whatever they have to do with that. Anyway, Asogas is considering going to court and fears this is a start of government free market interference in favor of a small group. Keep tuned!
Last news: Asogas will go on giving away Fun Miles.
2012-02-08
No Money, No TV
Telecuraçao TV will not transmit the Carnaval Gran Marcha this year. Thing is, the groups in the parade want to get paid for it. They have a point: Telecuraçao has been intensively approaching advertisers in Holland for commercials during the (quite popular) show.
Telecuraçao finally gave in and will pay an as yet unknown sum to the groups.
2012-02-07
Forward Down, Party Soldiers
There is a long-running quarrel between the ADC diagnostic center and its director, Potmis. The ministers (Constancia) feel he should be maintained, but the ADC board has now fired him. I don't know what it's all about; maybe because I do know that, after the same sinister requested the media not to publish ministers' statements on this, not a single statement has appeared in the media. Long live the Real Free Press!
So it was a nice surprise to read in Antilliaans Dagblad that Potmis, co-founder of the Dutch Islam Democrat party (a contradiction in terms if I ever saw one) did not pass a check by FSC Forensic Services Caribbean. Sinister Constancia accepted him anyway, but PM Shorty does not.
ADC-personnel went to Ali Baba's Thieves Grotto, Fort Amsterdam, in protest and now, Potmis is out. But personnel wanted him in—so don't ask. Finally, Potmis stepped out on his own.
2012-02-05
Old Trick, No Treat
PAR wanted a staten [parliament] meeting on the Kingdom conference; they would like to learn why the government before the meeting declared they would hollow out the Statuut, only to embrace the Kingdom after the meeting. But the silk shorts dictator took good care PAR didn't get a chance to have this interesting item discussed. When he had PAR Jacobi forcefully removed, all other PAR members left as well.
One day later, Godett moved to stop yet another Staten-discussion on this discussion which was unanimously voted through—except for PAR of course.
PAR lodged a complaint with governor Goedgedrag because this means only motions approved for discussion by the majority can be discussed in parliament.
2012-02-02
Tyrannocracy
Again, staten [parliament] refuses to follow a court order. Staten should offer another job to a fired clerk, but simply invites her to apply for another job; it's claimed that's the same thing. Besides, they already hired another clerk, so that's that. If they understood what it meant they'd say "fait accompli!"
Back to court for the clerk? This is another plain revenge action by credit card Arsjes.
Upshot: the clerk was cleared of all imputations by Rekenkamer accounting: when she started in her job, it was a "customary" way of using a credit card. Telling, that.
2012-02-02
Protesting Civil Servants
Personnel of Kranshi [civil registry] is protesting against their "terrorist" boss Daal; he was fired by Shorty and his gang, but the judge ordered him back. Now 15 of 40 Kranshi "workers" have gone to their minister Monk in another effort to force Daal out.
Throughout the years, there have been many complaints from civilians about the awful service at Kranshi. Some workers are good and civil while many are rude and uncivil. They hold long private phone calls while you are standing there waiting and more in that vein. The impression definitely is that Daal wanted to improve this. Also, the term "their minister" used above is appropriate; there's a photo of the 15 protesters on the Caribiana web site, and a letter-writer recognizes 11 of them in photographs he made at a PS-meeting.
After Daal was forced to take a two week vacation, personnel returned to their
2012-02-02
AOV (old age pension) minimum age will go from 60 to 65 years in 1914. At once. Too bad if you're 58 now and counted on getting it then. We're being told it's the only way to keep the reserves "positive" - until 1930, that is. After then, the deluge!
Even that scheme will only work if annual GPD growth continues at the "present rate" of 2.6%. Alas, the "present rate" in fact is only 0.7% or, more realistically, minus 0.6%. Go figure!
2012-02-01
They Just Gave Up
Algemene Rekenkamer Curaçao [accounting control] has a lot to say about the yearly accounts of DOW public works and it's all bad. Accounting is such a mess that they can't make head nor tail out of it. It's MAN mudbelly Cooper's department, but to be fair, although this is about 2009 it was all the same from at least 2000. Endemic Curaçao government mess.
But the same ARC, in a reaction to PS Piels' asking PS minister Wilsoe for an evaluation of the court of justice accounts, declares they see no reason for that and, at the same time, that the judges have not stopped it from such an investigation. They do state that Piels' and Wilsoe's questions are "not correct." Which tends to confirm that Piels' questions are just another way to try and get back at the judges for their treatment of another party-gang, Arsjes.
2012-01-31
Spiral Down
Just a few years ago, when Venezuela's Fat Dictator Chávez offered eye patients free treatment in Caracas, with a free flight thrown in, the medical world warned that here, health care conditions were much better—and they were right. Now, with our present sinister of
2012-01-31
They Worry along with Us
To explain once again, Curaçao is an autonomous country, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Got it? You don't have to understand, just accept it's so. Now the ministers of the kingdom are worried and well they might be, about the 2012 Curaçao budget. The 2008/9 yearly accounts of government enterprises and foundations are "bothersome." Some of the largest have a strongly negative own capital, which unless proper steps are taken soon forms a direct threat to the national budget. The more so because the budget contains ambitious plans for old age pensions and health care, but also figures very high income from those government-owned companies and foundations.
2012-01-30
Bounder's Chutzpah Knows No Bounds
Now PS Arsjes is complaining that PAR doesn't respect him in his function as Statenvoorzitter (parliament president)—they dare criticize him but should choose for "discord or unity." No doubt it's not a coïncidence that his PS boss Piels has sent a letter to (also PS) sinister of justice Wilsoe about corruption among judges. That judge must have really hurt them.
2012-01-30
What Do We Know.
Nothing! That is, as much as they tell us. In 2010, UTS telecommunications and Aqualectra utilities jointly decided to buy the old Amstel brewery terrain for their new headquarters for an outrageous price, about 2.5 times the going rate. Now, they're being sued by project developer Scadta for all costs, as Aqualectra management (read: Shorty's government) stopped all activities last year—the first we heard about it. Transparency hits again! And what about future UTS plans?
2012-01-28
Whatever Gave Them That Idea!
Entrepreneurs club VBC complains that the government lacks a master plan to realize the ambitions of the 2012 budget. "It rather seems governing is based on impulses, emotions and opportunism centrally focussed on own and/or party interests." As a result confidence in the government is decreasing.
2012-01-27
| Makes you think a bit, Jeeves |
| It's just a rough guess, but about 25% of the items on this page have been distilled from Letters to Ye Editors. Now, that really makes One Wonder where the editors are at. I mean, shouldn't they go out and find out for themselves? Isn't that what some of us pay subscriptions for? Oh Marjo, where are you now that we really need you (once again)? She's been reduced to writing Letters to Ye Editors! |
Wiels Barks, Leeflang Bites Back
Ex PAR minister Leeflang has started an action for libel, slander and affronts against Wiels and newspaper Ultimo Noticia. They have published several items repeating allegations against Leeflang for which Piels lodged a complaint with the prosecutor, who saw no reason to follow up.
2012-01-26
He Was Paid by Whom?
A private road, illegally built by a project developer on a terrain belonging to somebody else, has been badly damaged by all that rain we've had. Now sinister mudbelly Cooper has instructed DOW [public works] to repair it. We are paying, of course; this while the same Cooper keeps complaining there is no money for proper road maintenance.
2012-01-26
What Else Did They Expect
A strike of Isla refinery contract workers, which resulted in the usual long lines at gas stations, is still going on. Their complaint is that more and more work is going to Venezuelans and Venezuelan contractors; which has been going on ever since PdVSA took over. Also, as far as we can find out all those guys don't pay taxes here, just like PdVSA. None at all.
What else to expect from Chávez' "anti-colonialist" socialist revolution?
2012-01-26
Arsjes Must Pay Back
The judge found that Arsjes must pay back his full salary "earned" when he "worked" for Selikor (after getting the job one day before the directors—that is: the government—was replaced.) It's ANG89K/USD49K. The judge had some harsh words for Arsjes: he, as a university graduate, should under these circumstances never have accepted this job. Hah! Almost forgot the best part: Arsjes is supposed to pay compound interest as well.
Next day, Arsjes had the chutzpah to publish a press-release in which he accused the judge of "obvious subjectivity," darkly adding that the guy had been appointed by Holland (and a good thing, too... no wonder he resents it.) Arsjes added that he would pay up (he'd better) to compensate the people for the ANG100K "wasted by Selikor in the witch-hunt for him." What a noble guy! Brings the tears to our eyes. Tears of laughter.
2012-01-23
Never Thought of That
KLM Airlines, in an unholy alliance with the so-called Space Port, has announced ticket sales is "flourishing." Small wonder: the gimmick is, KLM buys the tickets and then distributes them to air-miles earners via a lottery.
2012-01-23
We Don't Need No Stinkin' Screening
A former worker for sinister el Hakim, Dr. Frida F. Ramos-Arendt, has written the editor of Antilliaans Dagblad (2012-01-06) that a screening of this personage is superfluous as she knows he is a quote swindler unquote. He committed tax fraud by never paying the ANG60K salary tax subtracted from her salary and her complaints at the public prosecutor over 2008, 2009 and 2011 did not result in any action.
El Hakim reportedly also told her he was a member of Lebanese terror organization Hezbollah, because he "resented Jews." Her suspicions were also raised because el Hakim just happened to be in Argentina during the 1994 AMIA Jewish Center terror attack (100 dead and 300 wounded.)
While we're at it, check this out.
2012-01-23
CAT Cracks Up
After the infamous cat-cracker has been down for a while at BOO's request, they're starting up again. We keep upwind whenever we can. This was not the promised 75-days maintenance shutdown. Isla apologizes in advance for the stench and noise; well, that's something but doesn't help much.
2012-01-21
Fast Work (if You Can Get It)
MAN sinister Koeiman has installed a committee that's supposed to enumerate the Isla refinery problems. In four (4) days. Then, they have one (1) more day to come with recommendations for a solution. Based on their conclusions, there'll be a workgroup that's expected to present a solution in four (4) weeks. As the problems have been chronic since 1985, that would be a real miracle.
Gee, I wonder how much you get paid as a committee or workgroup member.
2012-01-20
Remarkable
Copa Airlines is opening new routes to Curaçao as from June this year, after (or so sinister el Hakim claims) one visit by him and Chata-director Dindial to Panamá. They will start with four flights a week (el Hakim asked for two), need no seat guarantee and no participation in marketing. "Isn't that a remarkable performance?" el Hakim asks, meaning Dindial and him. No, it's really not so remarkable.
Then el Hakim spoils it all by comparing this with Colombian Avianca, who haven't been able to bring one (1) tourist more here.
2012-01-19
Look Who's Talking!
Yes, it's silk-underwear credit card Arsjes complaining about the use parliament members made of credit cards. In the past, you understand. The PAR-past, you understand. That's all over and done with, Arsjes. Could you by any chance be passing the dummy? We are much more interested in present
2012-01-19
Don't Bet on It
Dushi Kòrsou has delivered its letter to Arsjes, requesting installing an independent commission to investigate the integrity of "our" ministers, now reinforced by 4062 signatures. They want a reply in two weeks. I hope they're not holding their breath.
2012-01-19
Awfully Good Question
Dutch parliament member Lucassen advised minister Spies to "look for" the billions of subsidy Holland has paid to the islands in the past. "I've been looking myself, but I can't find out what happened to that money."
Hint: Look in the pockets of your Dutch colleagues, Lucassen. A lot should have ended up there.
2012-01-18
Ein Volk, Ein Front!
A motion was accepted with everybody (except PAR) voting for, that in meetings like last week's St. Maarten disaster all representatives should vote the same way and Follow the Leader, whatever act he pulls. Another notch down towards totalitarianism.
2012-01-18
No Competition... Or Else!
There are two combinations of gas stations in Curaçao, one of which is AsoGas who give out Fun Miles when you tank there. This has now been officially forbidden by the government (which is led by PM Shorty, whose partner is director of VandDis gas-stations, the main player in Copda, the other combination.) Looks like Asogas won't take this lying down.
Next day, Shorty's father-in-law van der Dijs, owner of VandDis, declared that he had nothing to with this. Whatever gave us that idea? Asogas, on their part, said they would go on giving out Fun Miles. Only Curoil's two stations announced they'd stop. Keep tuned.
2012-01-17
Cruise Tourism Down
Even the Curaçao Tourist Board liars couldn't fake a hockey stick upward bend in the cruise tourism statistics. It has definitely gone down, and that hasn't to do with that Eye-Talian cruise ship Costa Concordia going down—wait for that effect to ripple. But, say the
In that case, why the song and dance about the urgent need for a second mega-pier?
2012-01-16
We Told You so, First
Newspaper Antilliaans Dagblad publishes a sensational item: former Shell-director Wawoe is quoted in a book Slagschaduwen, Erfenis van een koloniaal verleden by Dutch journalist Colet van der Ven and tells about the circumstances when Shell left. Shell offered to clean the ground down to 1 or 1.5m and to leave the terrain clean. But employment was more important to the Curaçao government, so another deal was reached under the explicit condition that Shell could not be held responsible.
This was confirmed by Jaime de Sola, another former Shell direction member, in a radio interview.
Asphalt Lake. What Antilliaans Dagblad misses are the other allegations appearing on this site last November: Shell offered to pay 350-450 million for the removal of the asphalt lake but the Antillian government preferred to do it themselves. 'Nos mes por!' You may well laugh, but it's rather sad. So Shell transferred that money to the Curaçao government.
Now, where are those 400 million dollars? Come out, come out, wherever you are! Check out the link, you won't believe your eyes - but better believe 'em.
2011-02-16
Spies Get Serious
Dutch minister of kingdom relations Spies threatens to freeze the SEI social-economic initiative if she doesn't get a future vision on Isla refinery pretty pronto. But the Curaçao government doesn't think she really means it. Besides, they're working so hard on it! It's a study consisting of 9 (yeah, nine) studies and it has been set in motion in December 2010.
2012-01-14
Their Only Way Out
The kingdom-meetings in Sint Maarten, with representatives from Aruba, Curaçao, Holland and St. Maarten turned out to be worth nothing, as the coalition partners left without anybody accomplishing anything because the other partners did not agree with them. Of course those old Arsjes and Wiels led the way. They felt they were "not respected" which by now is getting really old.
Hey, can't somebody murder those two? Just a suggestion. [It's a joke, for crying out loud—I realize fully well that getting rid of two worthless guys in exchange for umpteen years of your life is not worth it.]
2012-01-14
5% or 6%? Who Knows?
While there was an intensive campaign last year to brainwash consumers into forcing entrepreneurs to presenting a "proper" bill with a lot of details I haven't seen on any, many businesses were left wondering. Has it, as a matter of fact, gone up? We never were officially informed; had to get it from the newspapers.
And mentioning those fishwraps, I have not been able to discover what Wiels' acting up when the budget was presented has resulted in. Is his precious if to us idiotic 80-20 deal in there now, or not?
2012-01-13
Too Little, Too Late
AOW old age pension is in trouble; in 2011 there was paid out ANG100M more than came in. The choice is between a 1% higher premium or raising the age from 60 tot 65 years. Or, of course, paying out ANG600 instead of 834/month and forget about the raise to 1000, or even with 3%. Present reserves will run out next year.
But MAN minister Koeiman wants to wait until his complete packet is ready. When pigs have wings?
2012-01-13
Big Deal
As from today, you won't have to pay import duties on
Meanwhile, it seems in England electric cars are such a huge success that there are more charging points than cars!
2012-01-12
Afraid
Curaçao, which with its present population and also serving the other islands of the former N.A. should have four neurologists, will shortly have nØne. It's hard to attract new ones, what with the crummy old hospital and a government that wants to downgrade medical services (to save money which they'd rather use for other purposes.) Now the medical world is afraid that sinister Constancia will compensate by importing less than fully trained medics from Cuba. So are we.
Be afraid—be very afraid.
2012-01-10
Arsjes Active Again
The Staten parliament meetings can be followed via a webcast. This was done by a company called Chacoline. After the experiment had run for a couple of months, a company Savaja got the contract to continue. But as this was only started on December 8 last year, there are strong suspicions that it was yet another PS Arsjes deal.
Chacoline's Castro says he has MFK, MAN, PNP, PAR and FOL behind him (that's everybody except SP) and they will investigate.
2012-01-10
Iz Dat so?
From what we hear here, it seems it was bailiff (Specht) who culled most interesting tax info on several sinisters. Seems he even offered them to PAR Atacho, who claims he destructed the files instantly. Atacho also denies it was he who instructed Specht to collect the info.
Not to put too fine a point on it, but Atacho should have gone to the police to denounce Specht when he was approached. A politician is not a journalist who has the freedom, even the obligation to protect his sources. Which doesn't mean Shorty and his Gang have not been lying through their back teeth about all this.
2012-01-09
Translation
Those people who are completely dependent on AOW [old age pension] were promised a raise to ANG1000/month starting this month. They will now get 25 extra for a grand total of 989 (~USD454). It didn't go through because of "administrative difficulties"—translation: it's such a &%$#£ mess that this simple measure couldn't be realized.
2012-01-09
Oops, Wiels Forgot!
Amigoe letter-writer J. Martina notes that Wiels in his list of jobs plumb forgot to mention his own brother, who is warming a seat at Aqualectra.
2012-02-07
FAA Degrades Hato
Yup, it's official: we now have a second-grade airport, notwithstanding mudbelly Cooper's big-mouthed assurances. Of course nobody expected else, most probably not even he. Nobody knows for how long. Naturally, Cooper boringly blames the former government. Fact remains, the FAA only degraded after mudbelly became sinister. Sure, I agree—he was congenitally sinister.
2012-02-07
Mud Flung Back
MFK and MAN say Wiels is a'lying! No doubt; no news. And, just as I confidently predicted, they threaten him to put up or shut up or they will publish lists of PS political pastechis. We all hope they will—the sooner the better.
MFK Rozier says Wiels agreed with all those jobs when they were given away, and mentions there have been about fifty (50) of them. That's about one per week; our government has been hard at work to spend out money well. Rozier also says Wiels now admits those decisions were wrong and yet agreed at the time; so did the other two parties of course.
2012-01-06
Bailiff Bounced
A bailiff working for the tax person has been relieved of his duties and forbidden access to the building: the files for several sinisters made public recently were accessed via his log-in code. Which doesn't necessarily mean he was the culprit. There are ways...
2012-01-06
Money-Hungry Monsters
USD74 million worth of them arrived. The dreaded wind generators, ready for assembly. Reason why I mention it, Aqualectra states they have an expected life of fifteen years. Oh yeah? Wanna bet? The present ones lasted for maybe ten. If true, they will ruin my view for even longer: the last batch has not been working for over two years and is still there.
2012-01-06
Aaw...
The Tax Person will not punish you if you decide to come across and correct your falsified past income declarations. But she gives fair warning that if it turns out crimes have been committed to "earn" that money, you may be prosecuted for those crimes.
2012-01-06
W U 2
Wiels, who first said he had nothing to do with how Arsjes' wife got a pastechi [patty, pastry - unlawful favors] job with CPA, now has reversed course. Like a drunk driver, Wiels weaves his wacky way. He asks PM Shorty how nine MFK-members got their jobs, among whom:
MFK Rudolph Garmes, parliament member's brother, interim-director at Referineria di Kòrsow
MFK Gino Campbell, interim-director at Gaming Control Board
MFK Ralph Acosta, related with a minister and interim-chief at LVV [Dept. of Agriculture]
MFK Sithrey van Heydoorn, candidate at last elections, interim director at Wega di Number Kòrsow [numbers game]
MAN Urvin Macaay, director of Fondo di Garantia pa Bibienda Kòrsou [fund for living guarantee - rather ironic, that]—. Didn't work.
MAN Sandra Smith, manager at UTS. We can add all these to the blacklist, now containing 11 names. I'm sure more will follow soon.
Wiels also asks about a company "advising" RdK refinery (for ANG14K/month); and if RdK plans to appoint someone soon who'll do the same work somebody else does already (14.5K/month); if LVV uses one or more contractors related to a member of parliament and if so, which member; if a MAN member of parliament has been appointed to customs without applying and which one; and if at CTB (get this) the wife of a nephew of an MFK parliament member and who that is.
Next thing, we hope, is that Wiels gets a dose of his own medicine back in turn, so the whole sorry pie of lies may collapse.
2012-01-06
Grupo 40 Takes Action
Grupo 40 has announced it has contracted an (unnamed) international "investigating institute" to check points like: Will our present ministers pass our local screening; has there been a normal screening; do office-bearers have international contacts that endanger national security? Delving out answers may take some time as Grupo 40 expects the government to try and frustrate the investigations.
2012-01-05
2*MB: MudBelly MailBox
Mudbelly Cooper has announced that your mailboxes should have specific dimensions and be installed at defined heights, or you'll get NO MORE MAIL. A leaflet specifying all this has been distributed before.
Now it's a fact of life that virtually all our mailboxes and all those sold in the hardware stores, are the US standard size. So we're all doomed not to receive any more mail shortly: our mailbox should be 25cm wide, but the standard US size is only half that, 5" or 12.7cm.
2012-01-05
Good Start
PS Arsjes wife Tara Prins has joined the Gang; she's been given a job as manager at CPA for which a perfectly good manager had to be fired. But hubby claims she only told him after applying for the job and getting it. Others say she never officially applied, which is less hard to believe. Arsjes also claims Tara made a multinational with 300 employees out of an obscure company; there are precious few here that answer to that prescription—but it's common knowledge she "ran a Taco franchise into the ground."
Another fight broke out immediately in the coalition, with MFK asking their own sinister El Hakim awkward questions (are they jealous?) El Hakim wants CPA management to explain how and what. PS Wiels "leader" declared he couldn't care less how his party members
Father Prins is rumored to be the main PS financier and was instrumental in getting Arsjes, via Godett, the luxurious Selikor job he was pretty pronto kicked out of.
2012-01-03
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