Attorney Komives has presented a clear and quite compelling argument for citizens of the Insular Territories to enjoy the right to vote in national elections. There can be little question that those who crafted the earlier Supreme Court decisions regarding the Territories and their peoples did, in fact, base those decisions on outright racist and sexist beliefs that have no bearing today.

Remember the front page of the local publications about three months ago or so with the truck end in the air and the nose in the hole? Well, it's longer, wider, more dangerous, more polluting, and stinks worse than ever.

Here we are several months after the fact, and the pit is still wide open, blocking the entrance to a fine eating establishment, polluting the environment and water, disgusting the locals and tourists, and no one has an answer as to when it will be fixed.

Tis the seaon to be jolly but I don’t feel that way. A sense of hopeless seems to be pervasive. Why?

It is because I have absolutely no faith left in the possibility for change for our Islands under the present system of Governance.

I do not believe that a new Governor or new Senators can ever break through this thick dysfunctional system that has been in operation for many years now.

Becoming independent has long been discussed in US Virgin Islands. Growing, and packaging our own food is an excellent idea. So is using solar and wind power to decrease dependence on other methods of producing energy. However, there are more issues to deal with than might meet the eye.

Here are a few to ponder:

Postal service - we will have to set up our own. Rates will probably go up.
Border protection - the Coast Guard will be gone. Who will set up and PAY for the manpower and equipment necessary?

is anyone else concerned about Mr. Willis blatantly breaking the law without repercussions?
and what about Sen. Donastorg? Pushing? Scratching?
For heaven's sake, who are these people?!

There continues to be a major "out of touch" element to the serious issues that impact the citizens who live on our small Island and the powers that be over on St. Thomas that make critical decisions.

Governor de Jongh is the first Governor who has established direct, regular and honest communication with St. John so this concern is not directed to him. He works hard in his attempts to get our needs met but it seems that he too has to carry way too much burden in working with his team to get action done.

Lately, I have been hearing discussions about self-determination for the USVI, According to the proponents of status referendums, there are only three options of permanent political status: independence, free-association and statehood.