'Dominica'

I cannot get Dominica out of my mind. The island is officially known as the Commonwealth of Dominica. She has a President and a Prime Minister. I guess similar to Trinidad and Tobago. She is therefore on her own, on her own to fend for herself. Many of the other islands that have been devastated have a big brother like France or the Netherlands or the USA and Britain. Dominica is a very lonely island. Apparently the Prime Minister visited the United Nations today appealing for help. From what I am hearing T&T has been doing its fair share. I agree with many that to cry down the PMOTT's call for assisting the people of Dominica is really being very uncharitable. Whatever help we can give, I understand that the private sector has organized vessels to leave by the end of the week with supplies. This gesture with no publicity whatsoever, just doing what a good neighbor would do.

The island is roughly fifteen (15) miles wide by forty (40) miles long. Previous hurricanes went across the breadth of the island therefore only parts of the island were damaged. 'Maria' went across the spine, straight up, from bottom to top which has devastated the entire island. The distance between POS and Arima is about sixteen (16) miles and I guess the distance between POS and say Pt Fortin is roughly forty (40) miles.  Reports are that the entire island has been denuded, all the tree cover has been blown away, such is the destruction. I see that Living Waters is asking for volunteers to work in Dominica on a rotation basis. We are a good people, we do know how to help our neighbours and to support those in dire straits.

Today, September 23rd, is the 62nd anniversary of Hurricane Janet that passed directly through Grenada and Carriacou in 1955. 'Janet' had winds of 175 mph. A hurricane hunter aircraft flew into the storm and was lost with all eleven crew members. I met a lady today who had not only lived through the hurricane but gave birth two days after. She said that the shops in her village were able to supply the residents with supplies even though they did not have money. That was then, not sure this would happen today.

This weekend we celebrate Republic Day, tomorrow. This has always played second fiddle to Independence. I am not sure which day should really hold the real significance for us as a nation finally becoming totally independent. I guess if the Republican constitution had really created that true break from being a Colony then we might have been in a better position today. No blame to be laid on the framers, that was what was accepted. Today things are very different and the citizens of this country understand, for the most part, what real governance is. We have seen what a bad contract with the people can do. Our nation is educated, people understand how the system works, we can no longer be talked down to and we expect elected persons to perform. The contract with the people has to be changed. It has to reflect who we are and how we expect to be governed. I would love to hear our President make these statements tomorrow during the speechifying.

My Republic Day 'jouvert' partner is missing in action this year so I guess I won't be at the Oval in the morning. Enjoy the celebrations, more fireworks tomorrow night, medals, officialdom! No parade, no 'dancing backhoes', hope all heavy equipment has been sent to assist Dominica.

Good night and good luck!