soapbox

Hate fuels the fire!

 This video shows how “values” are held so highly, that limited resources like gas are worth the sacrifice just to prove a point. Of all the continents in the world, Africa is the poorest, and we can only image how this man’s horrific death may only be the beginning of the lives lost because the  gas they used to burn him is so scarce. It is a shame that sexual orientation is so important that items like heat used to disinfect, cook, and warm homes goes overlooked for such a sinister act. I am sorry that acts like this occur, and it shows how there is truly a lack of awareness of the real problems at hand. (Africa is NOT the only part of the world were this irony occurs)

The Source: Diageo

Diageo in Thailand

Today my boss told me about a petition being started by… to forgive student debt instead of giving corporate tax breaks. Whether or not this is a real document/movement I hope that someone takes it serious! St. Croix knows that corporations, such as Diageo, have ample money to pay taxes. Diageo is the largest rum company in the world, and they have been bribing the government of the Virgin Islands with millions to ensure their share of the island. On the other hand this pressurized economy is like a balloon being squeezed from the bottom up. The government of the Virgin Islands has issued an 8 percent cut to all government employees, and as gas prices rise, so does the cost of living. To add to the economic strife, the citizens are paying inflated energy bills that equal up to a 90* increase.  With all this going on, I can only wonder if the man in the picture is showing us the level that we are going to be in debt by the time their facilities are built.

The Frederiksted harbor underwent reconstruction a couple years ago, and ever since people have been taking care of the area. Beach clean-ups led by schools and the Government of the Virgin Islands. However, the transport of waste has been made easier due to the aesthetic changes. Since this area is now concrete rain water can now freely wash soil and other sediments in to our ocean. This complicates our ability to enjoy the nice quality of our water because; if there is a spike in certain micro-organisms, this means a closed beach. This also means that the water is not being absorbed the same, causing more water to flow on the surface of the sand, leading us to a receding shoreline…or rocks on rocks on rocks. If we could replace some of the bricked pathway with sea grape trees and other shoreline plants, there would be a bit more sophistication in our shoreline filtratrion and absorption.

Eating local in many places doesn’t always mean just eating food grown in the location you reside. I think capitalizing on the indigenous wild fruit that can be found on the road sides and in the bush can save you money. It can also enhance your culture and expose your palate to new and exciting flavors. In this picture, I’m sure he could have chosen to eat a local tangerine, but it wouldn’t satify the craving for the fruit in his hand called a soursop. A taste like no other!

White Sand Beach? Or beach with white sand? This manmade island is my guilty pleasure. Hotel on the Cayclad clear water, and powder-sand. An interesting story about the island is that the sand was transported from another island(not St. Croix). No one has been able to tell me where from. If you have any idea let me know!

Boats for Fun, but not for fish…It must be lovely to live off the east end board walk on one of the many boats that fill the Christiansted harbor. If anyone can correct me I would appreciate it, but where do all these boats dispose of their waste? The local fisheries suffer because of many reasons, but habitat destruction and overfishing are the main causes. The issue should be evaluated through the lenses of both leisure and business. For many fishermen the restrictions imposed by the fish maturity and the seasonal availability make it hard for to make a living. In addition, locals have to settle for mysterious fish from abroad that are frozen. We will never run out of boats, but will we continue to think that there is always more fish in the Sea.

How big should a mango be? In my opinion, the beauty of a fruit is always on the inside. When I bit into this mango, it was watery and tasteless. I was fooled by its large size and what I thought was a juicy find was actually a 3lb mass of disappointment. I grew up eating small kidney mangoes that taste like honey, yet become bruised and soft after about three days off the tree.  Grafted mangos, like in the photo, tend to be the most popular in the grocery stores and serve as the poster child for mangos everywhere, especially since they have a longer shelf life. So if you do encounter a mango that looks small and spotted, don’t discriminate, unless you’re interested in the peel.