Forget the politics and politicians. An hour by air from Miami, roving gangs are terrorizing a helpless population, in the pitch dark. Women and children. This is cause for rapid brief intervention, because we can do it.
Imagine a place where the people depend nearly 100% on imports. Imagine a place that depends almost 100% on the perception of stability. Imagine a place with strict gun control. Imagine the same place with locals getting by on government assistance and the odd service job while the ex-pats and ruling class (a few wealthy extended families) have a run of the place. Imagine a place steeped in pirate history and old grudges. Now imagine that place blown up by a hurricane with every man for himself and the one wielding the meanest machete gets the food. The few British trained police are operating in the dark after sundown. The riff raff have been waiting for this day to come.
They got themselves in this predicament by keeping arms length with the US on financial dealings and by enforcing strict gun control. I doubt the US is very much wanted because of the bond of trust that would be broken with their investors.
My suggestion is that the wealthy investors open up and give them assistance. I seriously doubt much of that will happen.
And we wonder why Castro remains firmly in control.
PS: the assistance and open forum website for Cayman relief is down. People were starting to post some really shocking things about what is happening there. I guess the powers to be couldn't have the bad press leaking out. Really nice.
From a Cayman's message board:
"My son Brian and his friends at Outback Steakhouse made it safely through the storm.He saw people dead though,and I wonder why it is not being reported?He was able to evacuate the Island Tuesday afternoon,but had to walk all the way to the airport.On his way to the airport a Jamacian National came out of the woods and robbed him of 1000.00 he had earned while working at Outback.The "nice"person threatened him with a machete to give up his money.My son had no choice but to comply.How could someone do this to another person after living through this terrible storm?He was able to fly to Miami via Grand Cayman Airlines who we wish to thank from the bottom of our hearts.God Bless all of the people on Grand Cayman, including the Jamacian who robbed my son."
Now, Balance that with this comment on a thread regarding the very article of of this thread:
" Re: The Bravest Caymanian of All
Author: Michelle (---.jetstream.xtra.co.nz)
Date: 09-16-04 19:56
Can we please refrain from overloading Gert's server. She is our Gaurdian Angel trying to manage and maintain an overloaded server for the benefit of those who people who have real news and real concerns. I know that this note has just compounded to the problem, but my guess is "Timothy's Spiritual Bro'" is the same "Mr. Adams" whose letter was taken off caymannetnews...it is begining to all make sense, and your tone sounds very familiar - nothing at all like Mr. Adams, himself.
PLEASE KEEP YOUR POLITICAL VIEWS ASIDE UNTIL WE CAN ESTABLISH WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON CAYMAN AND HOW WE CAN HELP! Posts like yours Mr Spiritual, is a waste of time, and I doubt is much help. "
"