Dominik360-Blog

By Sam George

Dominica is a unique country, home to the second largest boiling lake in the world estimated 365 rivers, cascading waterfalls, hot springs and so much more. We cherish and preserve our natural resources and environment while we appreciate and seek growth and development in our nation.

After 30 years of independence, Dominica has established relationships with many different nations which have been instrumental in the development and economic opportunities for Dominicans. One of the most important relationships is that of the United States of America and Dominica, unfortunately there has been zero growth in our diplomatic ties in the last 25 years.

The perfect opportunity for diplomatic relations with America to improve was at the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad & Tobago in April of this year. Opportunity cost is an economic term used when one misses a chance to buy or sell a commodity because time and resources were devoted to another commodity.

In my close observation of the summit, it is my conclusion that Prime Minister Roosevelt Skeritt missed an excellent opportunity to reset diplomatic relations with America when he seemed to walk away from an opportunity to have a “one on one” dialog with President Barack Obama. I must confess that they may have talked behind the scenes; though one would expect a meeting like that along with its perceived outcomes would be boasted on and well published, evidence of which I’ve not seen.

Cost to the average Dominican, “Priceless”.

It seems Mr. Skeritt had to be some place more important than speaking with and attempting to gain some notice from the most powerful man in the world, ‘the US president’. I do have much respect for Mr. Skeritt he is an impressive young man, I’d hoped that as the youngest head of state in the west he’d have used this to his advantage and help improve the lives of all citizens of Dominica.

To be clear my views are independent of any political influence or preference. My conclusions would have been regardless of who the PM is.   I’d still ask what his vision is for the island.

Leadership demands patience, strategy and sound character among other virtues including respect for the job he or she holds, respect and care for your staff, and fellow citizens. Being a leader does not mean that you are always right and people are to follow you like sheep. A competent leader must be able to receive admonishment without becoming annoyed, he should be comfortable with constructive criticism, a true leader picks his battles carefully and seeks compromise when disagreements arrive (within reason of course) .

Mr. Skeritt in my opinion missed an opportunity to attract Obama’s attention at a time when sharing his vision for Dominica with the president could only be beneficial to us finding some common ground for example Dominica’s abundant energy resources would have paved a way of bonding as two leaders need to forge new and improve on existing relationships.

We can harvest wind energy from the Dominica’s east coast, tidal energy in the Martinique Channel and geothermal energy from the south. Energy is a very hot debate in America these days and the Obama administration is working hard to implement a green economy.

The strategy here should have been to show off Dominica to president Obama as a potential partner in creating a green economy and an energy leader in the West Indies, with the added benefit of creating jobs for Dominicans.
Our Eco-Tourism goals could have served as good and interesting conversation, invite Obama to Dominica, let him know who we are as a people and that we are ready to improve on our relationship. At the very least the nature isle would be on his mind.

Can you imagine the economic impact of an American President vacationing in Dominica? Wow!  Dominica is one of the most beautiful places on earth and is still unspoiled with respect to her natural beauty, the United States still is, (never mind the current economic down-turn) the richest most powerful nation on earth, how many of us would give anything to have a friend like that, a friend we could call on anytime we’re in trouble? Nations have the same need. I do hope that Prime Minister Skeritt gets another opportunity to get America’s attention.

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Knock ‘em dead speech!

A speech born out of necessity. As I sat in from of my television and listened to US Presidential hopeful Barack Obama deliver his speech on race relations and racial divide in America today and at the same time explain his relationship with his pastor Reverend Wright. I must admit that this was the first time in a very long time that a politician has been able to keep my attention for more than fifteen (15) minutes. This speech should become a teaching tool or a model for Political Science students and even future Presidential Candidates alike, it was the best speech ever given or the best I’ve heard by a political candidate on a subject that frankly no-one wants to talk about, lots of people especially those who are willing to maintain the status-quo will continue to draw negative reactions to the speech or aspects of it.The truth of the matter is race still makes a difference in America it happens from the poorest neighborhood to the richest from the biggest jobs to the smallest people will look at you differently sometimes its not their fault its the way they were raised of ignorance and its on both sides. However the most important lesson I got from Obama’s speech is that no matter how we got here the fact is we are here, we are Americans and ultimately just different sides of the of the same coin and unless we come together and stop ignoring the issue of race and talk about it and attempt to find solutions to solve these issues we’ll continue to treat each other badly in the same breath as we smile at each other we’ll be thinking the same negative, racial bias and prejudice as when slavery was legal. More over each side will keep saying my anger is more justified than yours and no matter you have been through or how much your ancestors have suffered at the hands of mine you have no right to complain, you have welfare and affirmative action or and you are good at sports you make us we give you some money and even better you can marry white women without fear of being lynched. The other you made us slaves, you’d treat your pet better than you would us, when we walk into your store if you don’t ignore us, look at us with a strange look on your face you might just follow us around the store like we are about to steal from you therefore we just might because you owe us anyway Such thinking and stereotypes haven’t gone away they are just hidden and if we don’t do something these inexcusable acts of disrespect and mistrust will continue to haunt this great nation, it’ll kept under the rug near the surface, hidden but not swept away and every once in a while pop its ugly little head out especially when something happens and the rug begins to move out of place then we see some dirt and a little dust gets into our eyes so we cry for a second or two and go back to business as usual. This is my opinion of this speech however look at the speech in its entirety and draw your on conclusion. Click here

Editor, dominik360.com

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