I revel in telling the story that as a child and young teenager I used to turn off Radio Belize when I heard Clifton Hall come on at night with “Your Jazz Workshop.” That would have been in the 1960's. (Needless to say, I hope I've learned a thing or two since then.) 

Even as the Kendal Bridge, that symbol of the devastation from the unexpected Tropical Storm Arthur earlier this year, lies in ruin and its temporary replacement is repeatedly washed away, the Great Flood of 2008 has swollen rivers across the country to historically high levels, its tides sweeping away homes, crops and livestock. The five storms to affect Belize in the past ten years – Mitch, Keith, Iris, Chantal and Dean – brought storm surges, wind and some rain but nowhere near this level of sustained rainfall that has inundated the Cayo, Belize and now the Northern Districts. At the most inopportune time, the rains and floods are exacting a hefty toll from our communities and economy.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow has never seen a mirror that he has not rushed to kiss. This week, flanked by several of his Ministers, including the Faber/Martinez combination, who are still licking their humiliating wounds suffered at the Belize City UDP Mayoral convention, Barrow hosted a mirror-kissing spectacle for the press and the public. Unfortunately, the weeks and months as Prime Minister have inflicted cracks in the mirror. Several, being so prominent, are worthy of elaboration.