Dear Editor,

  Chained dogs are neglected or abused dogs. Most of times since they are puppies, they are permanently chained, for life. Typically this means the dog is rarely provided water; unlikely to have suitable shelter; inadequately fed proper food; infested with fleas or worms; unregistered nor micro-chipped; timid or aggressive around people due to limited human interaction; never exercised, groomed or bathed.

  Dogs need to mate at least once every 6 months, if not they become frustrated and nerved, leading in aggressiveness and frustration. Owners refuse to have them neutered or spayed. They live in the 15^th century where population needed to be naturally extended. Actually there is an “overpopulation” in a contrast of human “poor education”.

  A friend told me that one day there was a children’s party in the neighborhood where no fenced walls were built as yet. The neighbors next door left a small chained dog for the first time; it was desperately crying, barking louder, could be hear 200 meters or more. Even with the children’s joyful noise, the dog kept on crying. Nobody – anybody went to help the desperate dog!

  There was easy access at dog location; owners were off island, a family member left to take care of the small dog but decided to chain it outside, locked doors and windows, no way to contact the caretaker. The small dog’s suffering lasted all night, it was totally ignored from start to end until the party was over! All night, small dog was crying, it was almost impossible to sleep thinking what to do. Next day a volunteer decided to take the little dog for a walk violating the property privacy, and returned it a couple of hours later. The education parents could transfer to their kids “not to ignore animal suffering”!

  This is the very sad situation with chained pit-bulls. People have to be carefully cautious, it could be dangerous to confront dog’s owner on this circumstance. Families that adopted these dogs and have kids, it’s generally a dangerous combination. Their frustration could be bigger for the dogs, simply because kids must have preference. Parents don’t find the time to teach their kids to be compassionate and create a good environment between dogs and family.

  In order to raise awareness of these “forgotten” dogs, public awareness and persistent “education” on this issue is extremely “urgent” and important. There should be a time declared as “Unchain a Dog” Month. It is urgently needed to help all lonely, neglected dogs in your neighborhood.

  To call an authority if a dog’s life is in immediate danger is an ordeal, still we can try. Authorities are busy with many other issues. If chaining could be declared illegal there could be hope for the suffering of all dogs within torturing circumstances in all Caribbean islands. It is important to analyze if European ordinances related to the protection of animal life could be applied. We need to look up if those laws exist and could be applied locally.

  Educate your family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers about the suffering that chained dogs endure. Pit-bull dogs are given in adoption to non-compassionate or low level sensitivity people who do not care for animal suffering, not remorse not signs of caring of their loneliness and tormentors chains.

  Given in adoption to low level or uneducated people that do not care about hot tiny uncomfortable improvised house without shade, not if the dog is almost burning into this small house being a terrible torment that seems to be interminable.

  Many neglected dogs’ lives could have been forever changed if someone cared enough to offer to take them for a walk or give them toys and treats and some much-needed love! You could be that someone and make a world of difference.

  The best way to help chained dogs is to work with country legislators to ban chaining. How to get the resources to help someone.

  Dog fights, although illegal, still organized on clandestine places. Unfortunately, before these fights, dogs have to be trained within a bloody environment. And the other victims were small dogs or other species. Dog-fight trainers and trainees can live without any remorse or compassion.

  Encourage our family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers to call, write, and meet with their local associations or foundations dedicated to defend animals. Request the creation of a dog-chaining ordinance.

  Need for chaining laws: For example, a ban on chaining is preferable to a time limit on chaining and the surrounded conditions.

  People can’t imagine how healthy is to walk their dogs. Families with kids should share this activity, especially if dogs are in a close small cage or space where they can barely move or feel lonely. Teach kids to improve our environment.

Name withheld at author's request.

“Only when the tide goes out do you discover who’s been swimming naked,” Warren Buffet, an American business tycoon who is considered one of the most successful investors in the world, was quoted to have said. The less affluent ordinarier would say that “you miss the water when the well goes dry.” Either way, that’s pretty much where we are right now. So, what to do and what alternatives are available for a region that is heavily depending on tourism. Hybrid conferences!

  A conference delegate generates an average economic impact of US $2,229 according to the Convention Center Annual Report of Orlando’s Orange County in Florida. Assuming that such relates to 3-day conferences whereby delegates spend on average five nights on location, it would mean at least US $446 per person per day. The Caribbean may not be Orlando, nevertheless, it may give a hint to suggest what number might be proper for the region here.

  It is fairly realistic to say that conferences that gather more than 500 people will be out of the question for the next six to twelve months. That is what conference organizers are confronted with when doing their planning. What lies beyond that, is foggy. Persons in charge of conference and event participation at companies are dealing with the same dilemma. On top of that, budgets may be shrinking because of the impact of a global recession. Although, some may argue that sponsors are shifting funds from 2020 to next year.

  Usually those major conferences are held in metropolitan locations abroad with the appropriate large conference facilities and hotel capacity. Not typical for the Caribbean region. Organizers of those major conferences on their defense will argue, that social contact, seeing face-to-face and a handshake are crucial for doing business. However, at this time and for the foreseeable future, the trend is social distancing, looking mask-to-mask, and elbow-to-elbow instead of a handshake.

  Is there a new-normal in sight here, or are the changes just temporary until who knows when? For one, planning meetings of less than 500 participants should be targeted at this time. Maybe 250 is even less risky. Companies will be looking for alternative methods of product and service marketing. They will explore new metrics for success. They are willing to invest in participating in an event model that offers a near-guarantee to reach their target audiences.

  A true opportunity for the Caribbean! There is a dire need to develop new event models. Hybrid conferences, combining a humble in-person conference experience on location and a robust virtual component for remote audiences. The latter means that event organizers may need new additional expertise. They are confronted with the fact that they are managing two different types of events wrapped into one which results in some unique challenges. Stakeholders with different backgrounds should put their heads together.

  A new rhythm of conferencing that puts the tingle in the fingers and a tingle in the feet of participants will be in demand. The number of virtual online event platforms as an alternative have fast grown recently, but virtual conferences are just not the same as the “real McCoy”. Plus, patience and interest are wearing out after a period of Webinars, and Zoom meetings with a series of boxes on a screen where it is hard to replicate the value and experience for attendees, speakers and marketers/sponsors.

  In the Caribbean, the new conference model could be branded “Retreat” or “Summit”. Either one sounds appealing. A Retreat is like a sanctuary which gives a safe feeling. Presently Spot-on. A Summit is high-level meeting. Always Spot-on. These are appropriate brand names that suggest safety and excellence and just fit in nicely with the relaxing atmosphere and environment of the region. Hybrid not good? Hybrid means a crossbreed, thus not a thoroughbred.

  Get in the groove and let some good professional discussions roll at a Retreat or Summit in the tropical zone which will be the “live hub” of the event. The goodies will also be made available via the Internet to broaden the audiences. Trying to blend in-person and virtual may be challenge. Yet, modern technology allows for various types of interactions to better replicate in-person events online. For the Caribbean region that is in need for economy diversification, there may be an opportunity for existing local entrepreneurs in the field of media production and for savvy young talent with creativity ambitions to provide the needed assistance.

  Will the big trade show business fully recover at some time? At some time, yes. However, the number may not be anywhere near pre-pandemic levels. In the meantime, a newly-developed hybrid model will have shown its advantages and will remain to stay. It may turn out that such hybrid model is more targeted and cost-effective and has an enduring value for participants in distant locations. Lots of marketing money is wasted to show off and trying to be more impressing than the competitor at major events. The hybrid model offers more of a focus on exclusiveness, opening for a more moderate marketing budget.

  Looking at it from various angles, this is a chance for a Caribbean region that is looking for new forms of sustainability; creating an annual hybrid conference model that will last. Conferences are not just organized by industry organizations. Many are private initiatives for a particular purpose. Such initiatives may be developed here locally in the region.

Commander Bud Slabbaert

Dear Editor,

  I believe that lack of transparency could be among others the cause for assumption and speculation. It is a while now that we have not heard much about the kingdom relations between St. Maarten and Holland and about the financial regulations. The term is “when you put two and two together” so because I, as a citizen of the Dutch kingdom, am curious to know why the silence? I did not write “hush hush”. I wrote “silence”. So yes, why the silence?

  I put two and two together and then I did like we all do, I asked questions and one person suggested that it could be possible because they closed down the phone in each other’s ear. That was news to me, but it made sense even though it is petty and childish, if that is so.

  I am writing this because I am inclined to believe that it is something personal. Why would Curaçao get all that and more to come, whereas the rest of the equal partners are not talking about each other? Could this be a way of paying back and showing each other who is who because of that phone-in-ear-closing, while making use of the CFT?

  Again I’m thinking is this really that deep? Was the urgency to “get back at you” so strong? There is no way anyone could convince me that all of this was not already prepared, and that hardball was not played? Even though I know that such an act is clearly the lack of professionalism, I believe that that phone-in-ear-closing unleashed the tiger and the urgency to pay back was too strong.

  At least now we have an idea of what we can get. But I would be cautious, because there are many roads which lead to Rome. Good boxers do not close the phone in each other’s ear, they continue fighting while keeping their guards up.

  By the way I read something about A.O.W. [old age pension – Ed.] and one of the reactions in the social media was that the Dutch are going to stall its execution until all eligible pensioners are dead and then they will not have to pay anyone, anymore.

Russell A. Simmons

Dear editor,

  Today, November 3, 2020, the world will find out later today, or tonight or tomorrow, or in the next coming days if Globalism or Nationalism rules the day.

  The United States election will shape the world for the future to come.

  Can President Donald Trump overcome all odds again against the biased left-wing media and corrupt Democratic party who try to overthrow him along with some wicked people in the Republican party and all the majority billionaires who are against him? It is the (deep state) the establishment against the everyday hard-working Americans.

  That verdict is in the people of the United States’ hands.

  This election is about American patriotism against the people who want to change the USA into a globalist country. This election is about hope versus freedom.

  This is election is the first time the unthinkable is happening where the Democratic socialist is competing against real American values (Republican) American capitalism and democracy. America as we know it can be changed forever.

  The evangelicals are scared that the country may shift to the radical left. The radical left is scared that America will remain with the status quo.

  The clash of ideologies is real. This election is really about capitalism and freedom right-wing versus socialism and government power grab which is left-wing.

  This election is about law and order over tyranny. It is about American culture against the New World order.

  Today November 3, 2020, the world will find out later today, or tonight or tomorrow, or in the next coming days if globalism or nationalism rules the day. Will it change for the better or for worst?

  In God we trust. America, please choose wisely.

The Patriot Miguel Arrindell