Too a large extent-, it has to do with a complete distrust of Government-, law-enforcement- and the justice system in 'Country St. Maarten'-, just a few months after the long heralded '10-10-10'.
Many people seem to believe that there is a kind of 'conspiracy of sorts' involving the earlier mentioned institutions supported by certain sections within the media.
There is however-, a very clear difference in terms of who in the media world seems to be concerned about the rule of law-, and about right of the people of the island to know what is going on in their country.
In that regards-, we must admit-, that kudos are most definitely in place for the TODAY-newspaper-, and the smn-news.com website.
By reading the these outlets-, and in particular the many blogs in the smn-news.com site-, one can realize that there is a very strong scary perception growing among many residents on the island-, as well as skepticism of the relevant institutions.
A very good case in point.
The recent scandals involving Minister Maria BUNCAMPER-MOLANUS and her husband-, as well as drug smugglers (See attachment TODAY, December 16, 2010, Suspected drug smugglers about to escape justice)) seem to confirm a long held belief that the law-enforcement-, the justice-system-, are being held hostage' and controlled (?) by corrupt Government officials-, as well as by organized criminals.
That this perception is serious-, is more than an understatement.
The fact that institutions like the Governor's-office-, the Prosecutors-office-, the office of the OMBUDSMAN-, and of the president of Parliament-, the Prime-minister are simply not speaking out on the apparently-, very blatant case of corruption by minister Maria BUNCAMPER-MOLANUS, is only fueling the speculation that there are all 'linked together' one way or the other.
In other words.
One can not escape the impression that-, they all seem to have something on each other-, and therefore will sacrifice justice simply to 'save each other's hide'.
In the meantime-, the country is being held hostage.
Worse yet.
Many juveniles-, are becoming even more frustrated because they are oftentimes picked up for the tiniest of infractions-, or even without hard evidence.
On the other hand-, with so much evidence being made public on the internet for all to see and read about the BUNCAMPERS-, they are still walking around maintaining their 'honorable'- titles-, salaries and perks.
It seems that now St. Maarten has officially become the latest 'BANANA-REPUBLIC' in the world-, and within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Although the Dutch Government for understandable reasons-, might not (yet) want to 'intervene'-, the US-government might not be so pleased with having such an 'open 'haven for crime and terrorism', smack in its own back-yard.
Still-, we will give St. Maarten some time to regain the confidence of the people-, by making sure that lady Justice remains 'blind' as to whoever might have perpetrated any crime.
However-, it has been done before-, and can be done again.
Bring down the 'Higher supervision hatchet' on the island-, if those n charge fail to guarantee justice..
Drs. Leopold JAMES
President SNBF/ Association L' Esprit de Concordia
