Another One Bites The Dust?

Sam "Jouk Bois" Flood, like him or not, is doing to the "malaway" what George Odlum did for St Lucians - Sam brings Looshans up to speed on the corruption and other runnings in government while George opened our eyes politically. Sam's patois program aired weekly, Monday to Saturday from 4:55am - 7:00am and  Tuesdays and Thurdays from 6:00pm - 8:00pm, is well listened to throughout the island and by extension through the world wide web, worldwide. The program is aired on 96.1 and 105.3 in the frequency modulation frequency and on the internet at http://www.caribbeanhotfm.com
But can you believe that as I write this piece Hot Fm is not streaming the program over the net. Many overseas persons have reported this situation to Sam that it appears his morning program is being boycotted over the net for sometime now. Is this a deliberate act of sabotage to keep Looshans overseas in the dark on Jouk Bois' interpretation of what is happening locally? Will the powers that be try to shut him up as well? That will be the day in St Lucia!
It has recently troubled me that just before Sam ends his program, there is that clip which comes on to indicate that Sam is completely responsible for his content. Hmm! Was management threatened? many have gone after this program and Sam to shut him up, but he rises above them all.
 This piece is not about Jouk Bois. It is about an alleged plagiarism which was  committed by a Minister of government in his venture to add a degree before his name. Dictionary.com defines plagiarism as an act or instance of using or closely imitating the language and thoughts of another author without authorization and the representation of that author's work as one's own, as by not crediting the original author. Sam "Jouk Bois" Flood broke the story this morning in his usual grandeur style. In his usual "Cyrstal" language style he reminded his listeners of the time he broke the story on "Walter Riley" after he went up to Canada to find out the truth behind the "Dr" which he [Walter Riley] displayed behind his name. Two days later Riley sent in his resignation to the PM.
Now,It is alleged that another Minister presented the work of a lady from the Choiseul area to the university to obtain a degree. The thesis  he said speaks to the "development of the Hewannora Airport." Sam went on to inform the nation that this Minister is the only one who "stands up" to the PM - the others are "boys" at the foot of the Kenny. If found culpable, what will be the PM's wrath Sam seems to imply?
 Sam did not have it completely right. My investigation into this allegation revealed that  there may have been plagiarism involved. The title of the original thesis is: THE VIABILITY OF OPERATION TWO AIRPORTS IN ST LUCIA. The Minister may have copied parts of the work of another author and presented it as his own without acknowledging the author or even getting permission to do so. He the Minister may have gotten hold of this paper at a Government Office where he worked at the time. My investigations further revealed that the thesis he wrote was not for a Phd but actually for his Masters.  And he did not sit in the same university with the author.This all happened quite a while back.
If found in the wrong what actions could be taken? Will the PM fire him?  Or will the author sue him? Will he get off the hook Scott-free? Or will he resign?
According to this site http://www.checkforplagiarism.net/plagiarism-law "Colleges, universities and professional entities certainly have the authority to punish plagiarists in various ways, including expulsion from the college or revoking a degree earned in part by plagiarism. But plagiarism is also a legal issue.

Copyright Law

The owner of the copyright (i.e., in most cases, the true author) could sue the plagiarist in federal court for violation of the copyright. Any work created in the USA after 1st. Mar 1989 is automatically protected by copyright, even if there is no copyright notice attached to the work. 17 USC, Sub-Section 102, 401, and 405.

It is important to note that the addition of original material by the plagiarist in no way excuses the act of plagiarism. The focus is on what the plagiarist did wrong, not what the plagiarist did right. Trivial changes in copied text, in an attempt to avoid copyright infringement, are specifically prohibited by law in the USA." The point is was the original paper presented in a US university? Hmmm!

To get a a clearer picture of this matter I tried to contact the alleged author who replied, " No comments. Not interested." 

Just What Will It Take, Mr Rep?

Our Parliamentry Rep

Am I impressed with the Rep's representation so far? His surrogates may call me biased, but it is a resounding NO. More about my disappointments later.
The Hon Lorne Theophilus began his 2014 Christmas Message with this paragraph - "I can hardly believe that another has gone by and that this is the fourth time that I have had the honor of addressing you in my capacity as Parliamentary Representative for Choiseul and Saltibus and the Minister for Tourism Heritage and Creative Industries."
He continued, "The Christmas Season for me means many things. It is a time for introspection and at times solemn reflection on the past year, and with it the various triumphs and attendant challenges."
Weh mesieur! "........time for introspection and solemn reflection..... [on my representation?]"  Words in [ ] my own. You bet; he had to do some self examination of his mental and emotional state to come to grips with reality. And yes, he could also not believe that this is the fourth  time he has addressed his constituents. Oh how time flies for the non-caring! And solemn reflection? His solemness reflection on the past year, to me, speaks loudly to his failure to connect meaningfully and continuously with most of the communities within his constituency.

A Lorne  Project

"I feel comforted that despite the odds I managed with the help of my family, and committed staff at my ministries and loyal constituents to meet most of my objectives this year."  He boasts of. Is that a means of comfort for the Rep? What were these objectives? - the Fiette road, the Balca drainage,the footpath at Esperance, the surrogates giving work only to the "en rouges", a Constituency Council that can barely function on the little stipend they receive quarterly? For real! One of the objectives our Rep did achieve is his non presence in numerous communities - the Forgotten Communities of Roblot, Lamaze, Debreuil and Rivere Doree stand out in this regard. And my God,recently at a convention that was held in Choiseul, to hear Pierre and Dalson cry to the public,to overlook Lorne's poor visitation record in the Constituency.
However bravo Mr Rep, for the little you have achieved so far. The people can do with it.

Roblot Multi-purpose Centre

In the same breath, I must be, and continue be on the Rep's back to remind him of his promise (wasn't that an objective?) to the Roblot and Piaye constituents for a Multi-purpose Center this financial year. I got some reliable information that the construction of the centers are in the pipeline. This was also confirmed to me by the Rep himself, when I met him at the opening ceremony of the Bois D'Orange Bridge. "What are you doing here?" He asked. Just covering the ceremony, I replied. "This guy keeps on giving me endless sticks on the net." He side-talked to a female friend of mine. I simply laughed it off. To be quite frank, there was no malice or ill-feeling, it was all done in a friendly atmosphere. My problem with this promise, is will it be fulfilled.

STEP - garbage

I have issues with the continued preferences exhibited in the STEP and the different roadworks packages managed by the Rep's Constituency Office. There must be more transparency. One may be quick to criticize the former administration, but two wrongs don't make a right. We must learn to move away from such pettiness. The glaring display of one household member repeatedly having more than one job in anyone package is beyond reason. The constant recycling of the same workers is heart wrenching. The polling division I-5 speaks to this in no uncertain terms....it may very well be a directive from the Rep's local office. I stand corrected.
 This may very well be the Lorne's last Christmas message before elections. It is very likely that after a great budget speech by the PM, come April/May, one may hear of a general election. Has Lorne done enough to stand another chance? Has he given his constituents the quality representation that he promised back in 2011? Most of his supporters will answer in the positive and conversely by those on the other side of the divide. But be warned, this election result rests in the hands of the youth and to a certain extent - the women of this nation.

Rep and allegged Challenger

In my opinion, Lorne needs to get into "representation mode". The whole idea of him posting stuff on his Facebook page showcasing his projects is not enough.There are many issues which need his attention. On the other hand the opposition in the Constituency, to me, is a ship with no rudder. They are a lost case. So what is the alternative? Time will tell.
It is however interesting to read what the Rep said as he did some "introspection and solemn reflection," in his Christmas message. "I look forward to the days that I will spend with my constituents, family and friends and hope that I can bring nothing but cheer and good will during these times and our interactions in the future."
"Choiseul on the Move", and many communities look forward to that day.

GOD SPEED.