PUP selling out Belize’s Oil To Family, close Friends and cronies.

The objective of the Global Village News Line is to disseminate information that are harmful to our people and to their future, so you be the judge to this Case “Belize Government”

For those of you who are not familiar with the country of Belize, it was once known as British Honduras but in 1981 obtained it's Independence from GB. Since then this small country has faced numerous transformations with development but encounter constant battles with corruption.

PUP More Corrupt Than Ever and Getting Worst PUP selling out Belize’s Oil To Family, close Friends and cronies. Thursday, 18 October 2007 Download the Letter from Lagoon Resource to Said Musa Download the ZMT PSA Download the BCH PSA Download the Lagoon Resource Agreement $aid Musa's Version of the Map of Belize As election approaches the current PUP are apparently going for the kill, trying to hustle last minute sweet deals for their family and friends. Polls have been showing the increasing unpopularity of Said Musa and the PUP administration, mainly due to outright corruption and robbery. Like a zebra with its stripes, so are the PUP's -full of corruption, deceit and lies. Coming to light this past week were two production sharing agreement for BCH and ZMT International, one registered in the British Virgin Islands and the other in Panama. However, they are local, the signatories are principals Antonio ‘Tony’ Zabaneh and Mike Duncker - two PUP businessmen from Independence Village. Additionally Zabaneh is the husband of the Speaker of the National Assembly. The agreements are for blocks 15 and 16. That same block 15 had been optioned to a company called Lagoon Resources Limited. But it never was exercised and Lagoon Resources Limited was cheated out of what had been promised. Information coming to freeBelize.org indicates that Johnny Briceno ( former Deputy Prime Minister of Belize) is allegedly one of the owners of the Dunker Group and made available the PSA bid terms so they could offer better terms and subsequently be awarded the PSA. However, that same block 15 was awarded to ZMT International, government agreed to far less than what Lagoon Resources Limited had offered. According to the PSA, Tony Zabaneh will pay 1.5% on the first 25,000 barrels; 2.5% on the next 25,000 barrels; 5% on the next 25,000 barrels. On the other hand Lagoon Resources Limited at 30,000 was going to pay 40%. When you get to 50,000, Tony Zabaneh will pay 7.5% In a letter from Lagoon Resources Limited it states “ We have learned that Minister Johnny Briceno is an owner of the Dunker group and he made available our PSA bid terms to them. We find this to be an outrageous abuse of political power and a clear case of restriction of free trade between the United States and Belize.” It goes on to further state “ We believe that Minister Johnny Briceno acted unilaterally to restrict free trade between the United States and the country of Belize, that Johnny Briceno further acted in his own personal interest to redirect the award of these blocks to local associates of his with the express intention of personal financial gain. These actions cheat companies in Canada, Belize and the US, but more importantly cheat the Belizean people out of an opportunity to achieve energy independence.” As Said Musa and the PUP term comes to an end, they have been going on a wide spread stealing spree. Taking anything they could get their hands on before they get elected out of office. The PUP’s have no intentions on changing, they have proven to be wrong in the past and wrong for Belize’s Future. Last Updated ( Thursday, 18 October 2007 ) by FreeBelize.org

Note from GVnews Line: Up to date no one can give account of the financial status of Belize's Governmental ministers. It is alleged that some ministers have healthy bank accounts in foreign countries. We appeal to those organizations who investigate corruption to take time to look into the financial status of Belizean ministers.

Copyright The Global Village Newsline 2007

Large Oil Field Is Found in Belize; the Angling Begins

All Things Considered, October 11, 2006 · An oil discovery in Belize could be a windfall for this poor, underdeveloped Central American country. But there are concerns that the government will mismanage the resource and allow the new oil industry to destroy Belize's pristine wilderness.

U.S. oil companies are also fuming that the government promptly slapped large taxes on all producers, which they say may hobble the industry before it gets on its feet.

For a country wedged between Mexico, Guatemala and the Caribbean, becoming the world's newest oil exporter may bring great change: Oil has recently hovered around $60 a barrel.

Shelia McCaffery, director of Belize Natural Energy, recalled the positive exploration tests.

"Suddenly to see that pressure building," she said, "and just to see the magnitude of God's creation underneath the earth really coming to the surface, it was just like unbelievable. There must've been 40 guys on the site and myself. And I witnessed 40 guys weep openly with tears of joy."

After 50 dry holes over 50 years, major oil companies had written off Belize.

And then along came BNE which, backed mainly by Irish investors, drilled five successful wells. Now the combined production is almost 3,000 barrels a day of sweet crude -- so low in sulphur that some farmers pump it directly into their tractors.

Of course, Belize's output is dwarfed by its northern neighbor, Mexico, which produces more than 3 million barrels a day.

Still, any oil strike is huge news in a country smaller than Massachusetts, with fewer than 300,000 people -- and three stoplights.

Foreign oil companies eager to explore Belize for additional deposits are dismayed that the boom may bust before it gets going.

Responding to popular pressure that the government of Belize was giving away the store, the parliament is close to slapping a 40 percent income tax on oil companies. On top of other profit-sharing costs, this would push the government's take to more than 60 percent of net production, according to one Texas oilman.

And so, for now, all new wildcat drilling projects to search for additional oil are on hold.

Larry Jones, president of Spartan Petroleum in Houston, had drilled dry holes in Belize in past years, and he was excited about new exploration in the northern part of the country.

"I'm very disappointed," Jones said. "Belize is scaring off potential, well-funded operators. If things stay the same as we're presently faced with, we will probably go somewhere else."

Copyright The Global Village Newsline 2007

Brutality is the Norm of Burmese military

Lets join hands together and denounce those tyrants ungodly
Government and keep in mind that we are all equal before our creator.

By Satya Sagar 3 October2007 As the Burmese military brutally cracks down on a popular uprising of its citizens demanding democracy the question on many minds is – so what is the world going to do about it? From the trend visible so far the answer is simple- nothing at all. Nothing, that is, beyond the usual condemnations and pious appeals for ‘peaceful dialogue’ and the posturing at international forums in support of the Burmese people. Nothing more than sending a lameduck UN envoy to negotiate with the paranoid Burmese generals. Negotiate what? Funeral services for their innocent victims mowed down like rabbits on the streets of Rangoon? It is not that nothing can be done at all – to begin with, how about kicking the illegitimate military regime out of the UN seat it continues to occupy and replacing it with the country’s elected government-in-exile? Why should Burma continue to be a member of ASEAN or for that matter, by default, also of the Asia-Europe Meeting or ASEM? What about international sanctions on foreign companies doing business in Burma- including dozens and dozens of Western companies apart from those from Asia? Why should large oil companies like the US based Chevron, the Malaysian Petronas, South Korea's Daewoo International Corp or the French Total continue to be involved in Burma without facing penalties for their support of one of the world’s most heinous dictatorships? The answers to these elementary questions are quite elementary too- it is Burma’s abundant natural resources and investment opportunities that really matter. Which government really gives a damn for corralled Burmese citizens desperately battling a quasi-fascist regime that is open to foreign enterprises and shut to its own people. Following the bloodshed in Burma the new French President Nicholas ‘Napoleon’ Sarkozy for instance grandly called on French companies to freeze all their operations in Burma. Close on his heels Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner clarified however that the French oil giant Total, the largest European company operating in Burma, will not pull out for fear they will be ‘replaced by the Chinese’. Gordon Brown, the British Prime Minister also expressed ‘outrage’ at the Burmese government’s despicable behaviour but was mum about UK companies merrily investing away in Burma. Between 1988 and 2004 companies based out of British territories invested over £1.2bn in Burma, making Britain the 2nd largest investor in this supposedly ostracised country. The sun it seems has not only set on the British Empire but–on its way out- also deep fried the conscience of its politicians. The Japanese government, another monument to global hypocrisy, shed crocodile tears at the cold-blooded killing of Kenji Nagai, a Japanese journalist shot by a Burmese soldier after he had fallen to the ground while photographing a fleeing crowd of protestors. Mustering all the courage at its command Tokyo asked for an ‘explanation’ and got the response ‘ooops….very sorry” from the Burmese Foreign Minister who must have also muttered ‘that was easy – Moroni San’. On the question of cutting off aid to the murderous Burmese regime of course the Japanese made their position quite clear- ‘ it is too early’ for such action. They are probably politely waiting for the regime to murder an entire posse of Japanese pressmen before doing anything - Burmese deaths being of no consequence anyway. The most predictable rhetoric of course came from US President George Bush who while announcing a slew of sanctions on Burma’s military leaders incredibly said, “I urge the Burmese soldiers and police not to use force on their fellow citizens”. Wait a minute, that is what the Burmese soldiers and police are trained and paid to do- shoot fellow citizens- so what was the point Bush was trying to make? As usual only he and his Maker- from whom he claims to take instructions directly- knows. Bush could have maybe uttered better chosen words but none of it would have been credible coming from a man with a record of war mongering and mass killings in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Bush own regime’s systematic destruction of international human rights norms have robbed it of the right to lecture even something as low as the Burmese junta about anything. A sad situation indeed. What about Burma’s old friends like Thailand, Singapore or Malaysia who in a surprise indictment of their fellow ASEAN member expressed ‘revulsion’ at the use of deadly force against innocent civilians? Their statement was welcome no doubt but comes at least two decades too late to be of any real meaning. Burma’s military rulers have already milked the dubious ASEAN policy of ‘constructive engagement’ for what it was worth to shore up both their regime at home and claw their way back to recognition abroad. In the early nineties when the Burmese generals were really down and out it was ASEAN who offered them succour and friendship while chastising those who called for democracy in Burma as being ignorant of ‘Asian values’. All this leaves China and India, two of Burma’s giant neighbours, who for long have showered the Burmese junta with investments, aid and sale of armaments and whom the world now expects to use their ‘influence’ over the generals. China’s active support for the Burmese regime is not surprising at all for a country with its own sordid record of suppressing democratic movements at home and shooting civilian dissenters. I don’t however think the Chinese are really worried about Burmese democracy triggering off another Tiananmen-like event in their own country- not immediately at least and not as long as Chinas’ consumerist boom keeps its population hypnotised. In fact the Chinese, pragmatic as they are and conscious of protecting their many investments in Burma, may also be among the first to actively topple the Burmese junta if they feel that the tide of protests for democracy is about to win. Their future position on Burma will surely seesaw like a yo-yo depending which cat, black or white, is catching the mice. Of all the countries around the world the most shameful position is held by India, once the land of the likes of Mahatma Gandhi but now run by politicians with morals that would make a snake-oil salesman squirm. India likes to claim at every opportunity that it is ‘the world’s largest democracy’ but what it tells no one, but everyone can see, is that its understanding of democracy is also of the ‘lowest quality’. Why else would the Indian government for instance send its Minister for Petroleum Murali Deora to sign a gas exploration deal with the military junta in late September just as it was plotting the wanton murder of its own citizens. In recent years India, among other sweet deals, has also been helping the Burmese military with arms and training- as if their bullets were not hitting their people accurately enough. It was not always like this though. The "idealist" phase of India’s foreign policy approach to Burma dates from when Indian Prime Minister Nehru and his Burmese counterpart U Nu were close friends and decided policies based on trust and cooperation. After U Nu’s ouster in a military coup in 1962, successive Indian governments opposed the dictatorship on principle. At the height of the pro-democracy movement in 1988 the All India Radio’s Burmese service for instance had even called General Newin and his men ‘dogs’ (very insulting to dogs of course). With the coming of the P.V.Narasimha Rao government in 1992 though it is India that has been wagging its tail all along. The "pragmatic" phase of Indian foreign policy toward Burma since the early nineties meant throwing principles out the window and doing anything required to further Indian strategic and economic interests. An additional excuse to cozy up to the military junta was the perceived need to counter ‘Chinese influence’ over the country. In all these years however there is little evidence that India’s long-term interests were better met by "amoral pragmatism" than the "muddled idealism" that had prevailed in the past. In fact, what emerges on a close examination of current Indian policy is that, for all its realpolitik gloss, the only beneficiary is the Burmese regime itself. Take the myth of India countering China which, according to Indian defence analysts has in the last two decades gained a significant foothold in Burma, setting up military installations targeting India and wielding considerable influence on the regime and its strategic thinking. They say that India’s strong pro-democracy stand in the wake of the 1988 Burmese uprising provided a window for countries like China and Pakistan to get closer to the Burmese generals. Indian and other defence analysts, with their blinkered view of the world as a geo-political chess game, forget that the then Indian government’s decision to back the pro-democracy movement was not a "mistake" born out of ignorance, but an official reflection of the genuine support for the Burmese people among Indian citizens. The second myth that propels the Indian foreign ministry to woo the Burmese generals is that by doing so India can get Burma’s support in curbing the arms and drugs trafficking that fuel the insurgencies in the Indian Northeast. This argument assumes that the Burmese junta is both willing and able to control the activities of Indian ethnic militants and Burmese drug traffickers along the border. In the case of drug trafficking from Burma there is reason to be worried—groups close to the regime benefit directly from the trade. Through its current policy the Indian government has achieved none of its strategic aims in Burma and instead alienated Burma’s pro-democracy movement and its millions of supporters worldwide. While sections of the Indian population are apathetic or ignorant about their government’s policies towards Burma, their silence does not imply approval. India is not a democracy because of the benevolence of its elitist politicians, bureaucrats and "defence analysts" but despite them and because of the strong abhorrence of dictatorship of any kind among the Indian people. It is high time that the Indian government respected the sentiments of its voters and stopped misusing the term "national interests" to support Burma’s military dictators. As for the Burmese people themselves what the world’s wilful impotence in dealing with their brutal rulers indicates is that ultimately they will have to achieve democratic rule in Burma entirely on their own strength. The people of the world will of course support them in whatever way they can but to expect governments around the globe to help topple the Burmese military regime is as unrealistic as asking the regime to step down on its own. There is no option but to keep the struggle going. www.zmag.org Satya Sagar is a writer, journalist and videomaker based in New Delhi. He can be reached at sagarnama@gmail.com

Copyright The Global Village Newsline 2007

Leonardo DiCaprio putting thumb print in Belize

Di Caprio putting thumb print in Belize

By Melvin A Flores

Belize C.A 10th Oct 07

It appears that even the Stars in Hollywood have found heaven in Belize, this once hidden little country, which lies in the heart of Central America and the gate to the Caribbean. It has transform to the paradise for those in search of a place where they can invest freely without the hassle from major competition and the flexible investment restrictions placed by the local government.

Leonardo Dicaprio has now joined the list of famous foreigners to buy a piece of prime land in Belize. He bought Blackadore Caye in 2005; which is located northwest of San Pedro Town between the southern Corozal District and Ambergris Caye. Blackadore has an area of 104 acres and is 2.2 miles long. Reports by the local press in Belize are that Di Caprio has paid US$1.75 million for the small island.

Di Caprio has recently announced that he will open an upscale eco-resort in Belize. He recently struck a deal with the Four Seasons Group to create what’s called a green resort. Groundbreaking is reportedly set for 2008.

The list of other foreigners that own prime land and important business in that country are Lord Michael Ashcroft and the famous film producer Francis Copola.

Copyright The Global Village Newsline 2007

VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!

Dear residents of the Global Village take a close look at this notice it may of interest.

All drugs containing PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE are being recalled.
STOP TAKING anything containing this ingredient. It has been

linked to increased hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in brain )
among women ages 18-49 in the three days after starting use
of medication. Problems were not found in men, but the FDA
recommended that everyone ( even children ) seek alternative
medicine.

The following medications contain Phenylpropanolamine:

Acutrim Diet Gum Appetite Suppressant
Acutrim Plus Dietary Supplements
Acutrim Maximum Strength Appetite Control
Alka-Seltzer Plus Children's Cold Medi cine Effervescent
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold medicine (cherry or or ange)
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine Original
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold &Cough Medicine Effervescent
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold &Flu Medicine
Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold &Sinus Effervescent
Alka Seltzer Plus Night-Time Cold Medicine
BC Allergy Sinus Cold Powder
BC Sinus Cold Powder
Comtrex Flu Therapy &Fever Relief
Day &Night Contac 12-Hour Cold Capsules
Contac 12 Hour Caplets
Coricidin D Cold, Flu &Sinus
Dexatrim Caffeine Free
Dexatrim Extended Duration
Dexatrim Gelcaps
Dexatrim Vitamin C/Caffeine Free
Dimetapp Cold &Allergy Chewable Tablet s
Dimetapp Cold &Cough Li qui-Gels
Dimetapp DM Cold &Cough Elixir
Dimetapp Elixir
Dimetapp ! 4 Hour L iquid Gels
Dimetapp 4 Hour Tablets
Dimetapp 12 Hour Extentabs Tablets
Naldecon DX Pediatric Drops
Permathene Mega-16
Robitussin CF
Tavist-D 12 Hour Relief of Sinus &Nasal Congestion
Triaminic DM Cough Rel! ief
Triaminic Expectorant Chest &Head
Triaminic Syrup Cold & Allergy
Triaminic Triaminicol Cold &Cough

I just found out and called the 800# on the container
for Triaminic and they informed me that they are voluntarily recalling the following medicines because of a certain ingredient that is causing strokes and seizures in children :

Orange 3D Cold &Allergy Cherry (Pink)
3D Cold &Cough Berry
3D Cough Relief Yellow 3D Expectorant

They are asking you to call them at 800-548-3708 with
the lot number on the box so they can send you postage for you to send it back to them, and they will also issue you a refund. If you know of anyone else with small children,
PLEA SE P ASS THIS ON. T HIS IS SERIOUS STUFF!

DO PASS ALONG TO ALL ON YOUR MAILING LIST so people are informed. They can then pass it along to their families.

To confirm these findings please take time to check the
following:
http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/ppa/

PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO YOUR CHILDREN IN CASE THEY GIVE IT TO THEIR CHILDREN OR TO FRIENDS WHO HAVE CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN.

Copyright The Global Village Newsline 2007

REPORT #436 October 2001

Produced by the Belize Development Trust
The Belize Development Trust over the years and long before it existed, received complaints of cases, of both political and civil service bribery in Belize. Probably the most common has been complaints with the national political police. It is not that common, but periodically in certain locations from Dangriga, to Corozal to Caye Caulker we do get these complaints.

More common are the complaints by foreigners, who are immigrating to Belize, or starting a business in Belize and that sort of thing, on a relatively small scale. Usually under a million dollar investment. They seem to get hussled by the occasional Cabinet Minister and also senior civil servants of departments, who want bribes to do their job. Mostly, these sort of complaints come from Belize City, and the Orange Walk and Corozal District. Some up in the northern part of the country seem to be very blatant about it, with senior civil servants alleging they represent Cabinet Minister's as bag men and want a bribe to carry a bribe also.

There is no way to investigate these things, or find out if such allegations are true, or not. You only have the word of the victim. Cold cash demanded and received is hardly traceable.

Locals rarely have to pay bribes, though it has happened, but more often is more subtle as in free drinks, or meals sometimes. Or a barter for services, such as sex. It does not seem to matter which political party is in power. Bribery complaints keep coming.

There are also many allegations of corruption in politics and mismanagement of the treasury funds of Belize. But under the current system, which is a British system, this is a built in purpose of exploitation of parliamentary "winner take all" government. There are currently no checks and balances to the corrupting influences and temptations of 'absolute power'.

There are many people, including the NGO Spear, as well as the Belize Development Trust debating and submitting BILLS for the changing of the parliamentary system to something better. A political framework in which the corroding effects of bribery, intrigue and ambitions are confined, controlled and limited in scope. Of course, there will never ever be an end to scandals of corruption and bribery. It is just not in human nature. We do hope that eventually, Belize will evolve to a more Federalized form of governing, so that bribery and corruption is isolated to individuals and small pockets, more easily caught and identified.

At the moment in Belize, there is no recourse to such things by law. For one, the difficulty of getting evidence. Though with SPY cameras and small tape recorders it could be done, but the National Police Force is a political party directed force and would never be able to operate such STING operations. Nor if they did, would such things ever be allowed to be prosecuted.

Such JUSTICE that occurs in Belize is warped and biased by a political angle. Fair justice is unlikely to be done and most of the scapegoats are the poor. Though this is a two edged sword and often investors, or well connected people can get out of non-threatening criminal charges by paying fines for lesser offenses.

Generally speaking, you are much less likely to be asked for a bribe in Belize than any of our neighbors, such as; Guatemala, Mexico, or Honduras. Most of the time, most government locally is fair and open. Though every transaction has a political price as the country is usually polarized into those who are known controlling political party supporters and those that are known to be political opposition supporters. Amazingly enough, for being a Banana Republic; the small country of Belize has a very large number of both politicians and bureaucratic civil servants that do very good honest jobs. So, if you are asked for a bribe, or tip. Please refuse! Stand up and be counted. It may cost you some inconvenience in government service, but is worthwhile for the future of Belize. Bribery and corruption is not the common standard in Belize. Though it occurs more often than many would like. But one could say this of anywhere, including the USA.

Copyright The Global Village Newsline 2007

Financial Management Development Programme - Belize

Responsible agency: DFID (UK) Project number: 083-004-001 Agreement partner: Government of Belize Implemented by: DFID, Government of Belize Type of aid: Bilateral Approval date: July 1997 End date: July 1999 Project stage: Completed Amount committed: 1,247,800 GBP (1,967,294 €) DAC sector: 99810 AC relevance: Implicit Recipient countries/regions: Belize Americas Keywords: Public (civil) service reform and management;Expenditure management, accounting; Project description: The project was much larger in scope than was recognized by the client, the consultants, and perhaps DFID itself. The project called for nothing less than the revamping of the entire Ministry of Finance, both structurally and in its method of doing business. Although it appeared initially that the Government of Belize was committed to the project, as its full implications were recognized, it became clear that the Government would be extremely hard pressed to meet its implied and explicit obligations from a resource point of view, both financially and in the availability and provision of trained personnel. Faced with the problem, decisions involving the commitment of resources were delayed time and again. These delays were experienced almost from the very outset. Indeed, the project initially ran without a Government of Belize leader for a full 12 months. As another example, the appoinment of a qualified individual to head the revitalised Belmopan Computing Centre - a central part of the entire plan - did not take place until some 16 months into the project. These are only the most glaring examples of tardiness in providing personnel. Many other posts needed for the successful completion of the project in areas such as the computerization of Accounts Payable and Funds Control were at the time of the final mission in March 2001 still unfilled. On a day-to-day basis, the project suffered from the lack of a continuous presence in Belize of appropriate consultants. In retrospect, a consultant's project officer should have been set up from day 1 and continuously staffed by appropriate consultants, with the Consultants' Project Leader permanently present and other consultants rotating as necessary. Because of the understaffing on the part of GoB, those GoB persons assigned to the project on a part time basis (or "full" time basis, for that matter), found themselves caught up in other day-to-day activities of their various departments. This in turn meant that for those periods when the consultants were not present in Belize, actions points were often not followed up, or took considerably longer than was planned. Project information last updated 21 Mar 2003

Contact persons: Jaya Singh Verma DFID 1 Palace Street , London, SW1E 5HE United Kingdom J-Verma@dfid.gov.uk P

Copyright The Global Village Newsline 2007

THE AFRO, A HOMAGE TO…

by Abby Oliveira

Over the years the afro hairstyle has been many things, but it has never been shy or humble.

It was the ‘fro that earned us names like ‘jungle-bunny’ and ‘microphone head’, the ‘fro ensured that we stuck out like sore thumbs in the countries we settled in, it seemed to grow to epic proportions just to spite the National Front and assert the fact that it was here to stay. The hardiest hairstyle there ever was!

Of course, certainly in Britain and what few of them there were in Ireland, the ‘fro was the first to suffer when black and mixed-race people began to some degree to internalise the negative effects of racism. People could not change their skin colour (oops, sorry Michael Jackson, I mean besides you), so of course the obvious thing to get the chop was the ‘fro. Millions were murdered, leaving piles of defunct hair on carpets across the country which would easily sort out the problem for billions of Caucasian, ‘follicly challenged’ men. Black children came to hate their hair. The poet Chanje Kunda from Manchester writes (in her poem ‘Hair’) about how she used to tie long scarves to her head, swish them around and imagine they were flowing blonde locks.

All across the world afro hairdressers were becoming dedicated to the elimination of the ‘fro in its virgin form: braids, dredz, twists, the chemical weave (which strikes terror in the heart of all ‘fro lovers!), the number two shave with little palm trees shorn in the back…There’s no denying it’s a versatile sort. Anything to avoid the afro comb (for those of you who’ve never used or been attacked with one, just imagine self-flagellation).

There was a resurgence of virgin afro styles in the 60’s and 70’s. You know, those beautiful massive ones which were perfectly rounded off and not a curl out of place. I think it’s more than just a passing coincidence that this resurgence occurred during a time of great tumult regarding the fight for black civil rights. The ‘fro was taking a stance just like the people, and if it had fingers, it would have stuck them up at the establishment (then poked its eyes out). Of course the capitalist, conservative 80s seemed to then depress the afro so much it went back into retreat, and it has never been seen to the same degree since.

So in this homage to the ‘fro, we call for this rare creature to come back us. We know you’re there, we’ve seen you on billboards. We need another ‘fro revolution. Nappy heads unite!! Besides, you know that ‘fro just makes you look so much cooler!!

Copyright The Global Village Newsline 2007

THE AFRO, A HOMAGE TO…

THE AFRO, A HOMAGE TO…

by Abby Oliveira

Over the years the afro hairstyle has been many things, but it has never been shy or humble.

It was the ‘fro that earned us names like ‘jungle-bunny’ and ‘microphone head’, the ‘fro ensured that we stuck out like sore thumbs in the countries we settled in, it seemed to grow to epic proportions just to spite the National Front and assert the fact that it was here to stay. The hardiest hairstyle there ever was!

Of course, certainly in Britain and what few of them there were in Ireland, the ‘fro was the first to suffer when black and mixed-race people began to some degree to internalise the negative effects of racism. People could not change their skin colour (oops, sorry Michael Jackson, I mean besides you), so of course the obvious thing to get the chop was the ‘fro. Millions were murdered, leaving piles of defunct hair on carpets across the country which would easily sort out the problem for billions of Caucasian, ‘follicly challenged’ men. Black children came to hate their hair. The poet Chanje Kunda from Manchester writes (in her poem ‘Hair’) about how she used to tie long scarves to her head, swish them around and imagine they were flowing blonde locks.

All across the world afro hairdressers were becoming dedicated to the elimination of the ‘fro in its virgin form: braids, dredz, twists, the chemical weave (which strikes terror in the heart of all ‘fro lovers!), the number two shave with little palm trees shorn in the back…There’s no denying it’s a versatile sort. Anything to avoid the afro comb (for those of you who’ve never used or been attacked with one, just imagine self-flagellation).

There was a resurgence of virgin afro styles in the 60’s and 70’s. You know, those beautiful massive ones which were perfectly rounded off and not a curl out of place. I think it’s more than just a passing coincidence that this resurgence occurred during a time of great tumult regarding the fight for black civil rights. The ‘fro was taking a stance just like the people, and if it had fingers, it would have stuck them up at the establishment (then poked its eyes out). Of course the capitalist, conservative 80s seemed to then depress the afro so much it went back into retreat, and it has never been seen to the same degree since.

So in this homage to the ‘fro, we call for this rare creature to come back us. We know you’re there, we’ve seen you on billboards. We need another ‘fro revolution. Nappy heads unite!! Besides, you know that ‘fro just makes you look so much cooler!!

Copyright The Global Village Newsline 2007

Covenant Love.

covenant Love.

Pastor Phelim Doherty

“This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 1Corinthians 11:25

We can never understand the way God works in our lives, why He answers some prayers and not others, until we come to understand that Covenant is at the heart, at the centre, of everything He does and that it is His purpose in dealing with us, that covenant would be at the heart of everything we do.

We can think of a covenant as an agreement between two parties, in which both commit to certain requirements. But a covenant, in the biblical sense, implies much more than a contract or simple agreement. A contract always has an end date, while a covenant is a permanent arrangement. Another difference is that a contract generally involves only one part of a person, such as a skill, while a covenant covers a person’s total being.

We can see from that definition that marriage, from a Biblical perspective, is more than just a contract, it is a covenant.

The amazing thing about God’s covenants with His people is that God is holy, all-knowing, and all powerful; but He consents to enter into covenants with people who are weak, sinful, and imperfect.

God has made a covenant with you and I, and our weaknesses, our imperfections and our sin have been taken account of and taken care of by the power of this new Covenant, which is sealed in the blood of Jesus.

But covenant also makes you vulnerable. It is a risk to love like that, because in opening your heart to someone, the danger is that they will break your heart. Every parent knows that. We know that the more you love someone, the more vulnerable you are to be hurt by them. If a colleague at work betrays you, it will hurt you. But if your husband or wife or children betray you, it will do more, it will wound you. Why?

Because covenant relationships run between hearts, not heads.

Isn’t it amazing to think that the all powerful, almighty God of the Universe became vulnerable to be hurt by ordinary people like us, because He chose to love us? Just think of that.

You and I have the power to grieve the Spirit of God. What gives us that power? ……….His covenant love for us.

Copyright The Global Village Newsline 2007