Stories about Martinique from May, 2006
Caribbean: What blogging is for
“Blogging … challenges the elitism that pervades the Caribbean and is a great experiment in the democratization of data,” says Geoffrey Philp in a thoughtful essay on the potential role of blogging in the region. “Blogging provides the kind of freedom that is anathema to many gatekeepers who want to...
Martinique: Boat Parking in the Way of Beach Enjoyment
Bien Vu complains (Fr) that a Martiniquan municipality is prioritizing the parking of catamarans along a local beach over the comfort and enjoyment of bathers in order to generate revenue.
Martinique: Stabbing over 10 Euros
“Yet another tragedy in Fort-de-France! [Martinique's capital]” says (Fr) Bien Vu. “Two 20-year olds get in a fight over a debt! Of 10 Euros! The borrower did not hesitate to pull a knife and stab the [lender] several times. End result, the young man has been in the coma for...
Martinique: French Black Presidential Candidate Stephane Pocrain
Le Blog de [Moi] on Stephane Pocrain's candidacy for the 2007 French Presidential Election (Fr): “Yet another candidacy from the left. Ex- Green Party spokesperson and founding member of the Representative Council of Black Associations of France (CRAN), Stephane Pocrain enters the dance. His program? First and foremost, equality and...
Caribbean: Hurricane outlook
Over at the West Indies Cricket blog, Ryan Naraine cites the NOAA’s 2006 Atlantic hurricane season outlook, which says there is “an 80% chance of an above-normal hurricane season, a 15% chance of a near-normal season, and only a 5% chance of a below-normal season.”
Martinique: Reaction to mtvU's “Darfur is Dying” Game
Martinique-based Le Blog de [Moi] reacts to “Darfur is Dying,” an mtvU online simulation game featuring a family attempting to flee Darfur. The game is designed to raise consciousness about the hardships in Darfur but the blogger is not pleased (Fr): “Where is the world going? I know we have...
Trinidad and Tobago, Martinique: Trade and Investment Convention
Taran Rampersad visits the annual Trade and Investment Convention in Trinidad and is pleasantly surprised. He meets a representative of a company in Martinique that develops innovative GPS/GIS software, and has a constructive, candid talk with the business development manager of a new ISP.
Caribbean: The meaning of “excellent service”
Jamaican Francis Wade at Chronicles from a Caribbean Cubicle thinks about customer service in the Caribbean. “There is not a single island I have visited in which there is a local company giving excellent service to local people.” He tries to understand why, and congratulates the Sandals resort chain for...
France & Francophonia Commemorate Slavery Amidst Curriculum Controversy
Image courtesy of oliviermr2 A Day of Remembrance France commemorated slavery for the first time on May 10, reports Haiti's Alterpresse: Le président francais qualifie d’infamie, la traite négrière et invite les Français à « regarder tout notre passé en face », « sans concession ». Abdou Diouf, Secrétaire général...
Francophonia: Remembering Bob Marley
“May 11, 1981 – May 11, 2006: It's been 25 years since Bob Marley left us”, says (Fr) Martiniquan blog Bondamanjak. France-based Forum Realisance posts lyrics to Redemption Song and commemorates the Jamaican legend (Fr): “I had the incredible fortune of meeting him in Brussels in a private club; I...
Martinique: Reflections on One Night Stand
Le Blog de [Moi] praises (Fr) another blogger's effort to create One Night Stand, an erotic film made from a non-heterosexual, non-male perspective. Says [Moi]: “I am awaiting its release impatiently …on DVD because it certainly won't be programmed at Madiana (multiplex right next door).”
Martinique: Friend of Yesterday, Lesbian of Today
The about section of Le Blog de [Moi] (FR) reads: “Friend of yesterday … Lesbian of today. To live one's homosexuality in Martinique on the day to day is possible. The proof: [Me].” Recent posts include a critique of French feminist group 143 Rebels and a lukewarm review of a...
Martinique: Immigration Scandal Update
Bien Vu offers (FR) an update on Martinique's immigration fraud scandal: “About three people have been incarcerated. More than a quarter of 11,000 of the suspicious immigration files …reveal grave anomalies. A well organized ring that operated within local government has been dismantled.”
Martinique: Bolo's First Skypecast
Bolo from Martinique Sans Fil loved her first Skypecast ever: “I am very moved. :) Imagine thirty or so people from all over the planet using different platforms (Mac, PC etc.) communicating on the same subject.”
Martinique: Building Houses Without a Permit
Bien Vu posts (FR) a rant about people who build houses without permits and the government inspectors who look the other way.
Martinique: Male-Centered Internet Advertising
InternetRapide.com wishes (FR) more local internet advertising appealed to female values since “all studies on the profile of web surfers in the French Antilles and in France show that they are first and foremost women.”
Martinique: More Pictures
Bien Vu posts more Martinique pictures: a hidden beach and dingy traffic that the blogger finds ill-policed .
Caribbean: Regional Telecom Penetrates French DOMs
“For 155 million dollars, Denis O'Brien's Digicel Group just acquired Bouygues Telecom Caribbean, the second wireless network in the French Caribbean DOMs i.e. about 160,000 subscribers and 80 employees,” says (FR) Internetrapide.com. Digicel is now present in 20 Caribbean countries, explains the blogger.
Image from Martinique: Fort-de-France
View of Fort-de-France, capital of Martinique by VuBlog. “Calm ocean, few clouds, slight breeze, gorgeous day for a first of May” says (FR) VuBlog.
Martinique: Immigration Scandal
Certain government bureaucrats are being investigated for trafficking fake immigration papers, says (FR) Bien Vu. “Once more a group of well-to-do people is under scrutiny. Faced with their dishonesty, we have to ask whether a committee is needed to oversee certain government posts,” concludes the blogger.