Beating head against a brick wall

Jane,

What exactly do you want done here in the VI? If you ruled the world - what would you do?

I frankly don't understand the point of this thread. Are you trying to tell prospective residents not to come? Or maybe you are trying to say something about those of us who live here and enjoy it?

Or are you saying that we are all liars, that we make things sound better than they are in an attempt to lure poor hapless unsuspecting fools to join us here where they are sure to be murdered in their beds.

I just don't get it. You came, you didn't like it and you left. What else is there to say?

may i respectfully point out that in your last post you speak with great confidence about -most places on the planet - oh, and I notice that you are back to your "drug" monologues.
I, sir, am not alone in my concern for the VI, its people and its future. You sir, I believe are more intent on showing off your intellect and your ability to use quotation marks to rebut.
I may be mistaken, but the thread that is becoming apparent in your posts is...I'm all right Jack!

Your post mentions some war-torn and deeply troubled areas on our planet - genocide and massacres abounding - I agree that the VI is nowhere near as bad as those places...however, does that really qualify it to be touted as America's Paradise and a perfect retirement place - I think not. Ask the inhabitants of the squatter's village at La Vallee if they think that their living conditions are at all akin to paradise.

Linda, you are perfectly free to take what you want from this debate, as I am sure you will.
I came, I didn't like it then I left....hmmm. You know you are absolutely right.
How very clever of you to sum up over 5 years of involved Island life, compassion for those who were not as fortunate as me, volunteerism and work to effect change, in such a short sentence.
I do wish you would help out writing instruction manuals etc...make them a lot shorter, eh? Might miss out a few crucial steps, but what the heh?

Please take a moment and consider how offensive you sound. Do you really believe that you have some franchise on compassion, volunteerism or involvement?

Just because the rest of us have a different point of view does that make us uncaring and hedonistic?

But yes, I think you are beating a dead horse here. No one disagrees that there are challenges here, as there are elsewhere. You don't seem to have any answers, and we all understand how much you care about the problems.

Thanks to all of you who sent me messages of support - now that the tag team has arrived, I shall give this one a rest. At least we had some good debate - I think we ended up at least pointing out that the Emperor was missing a sock or two!

Again, offensive and demeaning. You didn't know me and I certainly don't think I knew you. Why in the world do you feel it necessary to attack me and those of us who have a different point of view? I honestly don't understand. What are you trying to accomplish here? If it's honest ayou want an honest discussion, why such personal attacks?

And what debate? That there is crime in the VI? I concede the point. That we should care about our fellow Virgin Islanders? Conceded. That we should try to give an honest portrayal of life here? Again conceded. So what are we debating -- who cares most?

I just don't get your point.

I talk to a lot of "locals" - those that are struggling to feed their families, get to work, etc. I ask them how they do it - how they feel about living like that - most work 2 jobs to make ends meet the way they need. I think the following quote sums up how most of them that I talked with feel -

"Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to."
Cicero on Duty from Gladiator

Not everyone here (even some of us transplants) live the life of Riley. Sh** happens, you do what you have to - no matter where you are - here we just have better scenery than most.

If you lived and interacted with all kinds of people in a small town in the states, you'd find the same problems as here. It's just compacted and more visible here.

But the great thing about life is that we can always make a different decision and change the course of our future.

It's like some people - you can love them dearly but they are (whatever). You either accept them as they are and be around them, or you don't go around them. It's a choice.

This board has always been pretty honest - good and bad. I don't feel I was mis-led in coming here at all. And stuff does happen - cars break- people get sick - people get robbed. No different than anywhere else I've lived.

Dear Jane,

You came, you saw and you went in rather short shrift, as do LOADS of people!

That's completely understandable and is a "given" here with the transient society. Living here just isn't the be-all and end-all for actually a multitude. Newbies come and newbies go.

Newbies hang out with newbies and don't take the time to involve themselves with the community. Same thing here as moving to any new community stateside.

Moving to any new community ANYWHERE behooves a kick-back attitude, a slow assimilation into the community, getting to know one's neighbors, reading the local newspapers, etc.

Island living just wasn't for you and it's perfectly OK for you to express your opinion about crime and related negativism.

But given your short time here, would you please just cease and desist? Just askimg!

Is five years really a short time? To short for an opinion on local politics, island life, the good things and the bad things? I can keep my mouth shut for a year or so while assmilating and understanding and involving myself in all the aspects of life on the island that interests me. But, heaven help me if I have to wait over 5 years.

dear STT
You presume too much. I did not hang out with Newbies at all - I was involved in the "community" from day 1 at a grass roots level. In fact, I was there for the Wetlands Development initial meetings, I was there at the birth of the Farmers in Action and so on blah blah.
As for 5 years being short shrift...
The cease and desist - rather redundant given my graceful retirement post, doncha think.
However, I was wondering when the 4th member of the team would show up to stick the "we've been here for ages...and... newbies come and go" boot in. And here you are.

This is my first post ever.

I am not a member of any team, and don't know anyone who posts here.

I have been reading this site for several months, and have greatly appreciated much of the information.

For some time, it has seemed to me that the weakest link to the site is when "angry people swat back and forth,at one another".

Just like kittens, they swat back and forth.

It is often hard not to swat back, when one is being swatted.

I must applaud those people who read these posts, gain knowledge and insight, without diminishing others.

All my best.

James

My humble apologies for being offensive to any degree.

Five years is a good timespan indeed of gained knowledge of the community in which one lives.

Jane, I didn't presume that you hung out with newbies and that really wasn't a derogatory comment, simply a generalization.

The fourth member of the team? Ouch to the sarcasm but who constitutes that "team?" I rather guess that you might be referring to East Ender, Island Ed? That's two. The third eludes me. And the fourth is me, according to you. FYI, I have no idea who East Ender is, have no idea who Island Ed is either. Maybe they will introduce themselves to me one of these fine days.

Your primary post concerned crime as the reason for your leaving.

I acknowledge your appearance at the Wetlands Development initial meetings and your being there at the birth of the STX, "Farmers In Action." "Initial" and "birth" - but did you follow up?

And did you attempt to do anything about the crime problem which was affecting you and which prompted your initial post?

I honestly don't want to be combative because that's just not my style.

The old-timers who post on this board may well be guilty in a sense of using all our years here as, I think more often than not infrequently, an excuse for getting a little testy.

The forum would probably be a lesser place without us.

Cheers, Jane, et al!

It all comes down to one thing - EDUCATION! That's right. I didn't notice one thing mentioned about VI EDUCATION in this entire thread. Until we adequately start educating our children in the VI public school system we will continue to have a large unemployment rate. Many of these kids get out of school and we all know where they turn. Granted there are not a lot of high paying jobs here in the VI but at least if they had a good education they can possibly get a good job stateside. They're needs to be complete reform to our public education system in order for the crime rate to come down. When children are properly educated they continue to make educated decisions in their adult lives. e.g., Should I car jack this innocent peson because I need money for this or that or should I think of a different (legal) way to get some money for this or that. I know that there will always be educated people who commit criminal acts but armed robbery isn't usually one of them. Just my opinion but my opinion based on facts.

Thanks,

Erieite