It’s all over the media. It’s the topic of  most conversations. The 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti is an event that will not be forgotten.

With reports of horror all over the media, there is little left unsaid concerning  the state of Haiti, however, this article simply serves as a reminder that God is still merciful, because believe it or not, things could have been worst.

While 7.0 is by no means a small quake, it could have been worst. It could have been like the quake recorded in May 22, 1960, in the country Chile. Weighing in at magnitude 9.5, that was the strongest earthquake recorded in history. That quake also resulted  in a tsunami which affected southern Chile, Hawaii, Japan, the Philippines, eastern New Zealand, south east Australia and the Aleutian Islands in Alaska. That Tsunami generated waves as high as 10.7 metres (35 ft) as far away as Japan and the Philippines.

Also, let’s not forget the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake, and magnitude 9.3 quake off west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia. This quake had an aftershock so big  (magnitude 8.7) that it prompted debate as to whether it should be classified as an aftershock or as a resulting earthquake. Despite its magnitude and numerous aftershocks, this earthquake is most remembered for the tsunami which resulted.

We can reiterate the fact that Haiti always seems to be on the receiving end of disaster. We can reiterate how much devastation has resulted. But we choose to reflect on  the fact, that  in the midst of the despair, it could have been worst. Haiti has made it through disasters before and they can make it through this. Perhaps it will serve to bring the Caribbean together in an  effort of  aide, something governments have failed to do for decades. Many believe that Haiti’s tight embrace of voodoo has made them prime targets of wrath. Perhaps it will cause the people of Haiti to re-evaluate their lives, as I’m sure would be the case if a huge disaster were to hit Barbados. Some have blamed poor construction for this disaster. Though a large enough quake would probably destroy any building, perhaps it will result in a revised building code, and stronger building in future. In all things we have to look at the brighter side, however bleak the situation may be. There are many views on this earthquake, some we agree with and some we don’t, but let’s try to  find the “brighter side” of every viewpoint and focus on that.

It’s been a while since we’ve posted an article, but as we’ve crossed the threshold of a new year, it seem only fitting to resume with this article of old Years Unresolutions.

The new year is usually a time for moving forward and learning from past mistakes, having tied up the past behind you. However, in Barbados, from year to year, we seem to move on to new problems without resolving the ones from the previous year, and the year before that.

What ever happened to Reynzill Scantlebury, who claims he woke up in the morgue of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital after being declared dead? Has that fiasco been satisfactorily resolved or has it been swept under the proverbial rug?

Whatever happened to the signed petition from Operation Intercession and others to have music banned on PSV’s? This petition was presented to Minister of Youth and Family, Esther Byer Suckoo, possibly the only reason it even achieved press coverage. There has since been no word on this. Furthermore, Minister of Education, Ronald Jones, has since been heard saying that he’s considering banning the school children from PSV’s, hence, choosing an extreme route of his own design, rather than a simple one, devised by the people of Barbados. The proposal to ban music on PSV’s is not a new one, and would benefit all passengers, but year after year, this too has been swept under the rug.

What about the Archcot Building collapse, and the resulting deaths? Has anything been done to get to the bottom of that? Who is responsible for building apartments on top of a cave, and is it true that they knew about the caves before building?

What was the outcome of the Louis Lynch issue? Was it really an environmental problem? What was the source? Has a solution been identified?

What about the Constitution River redevelopment project? When last have you heard word on it’s progress? How long until the River Terminal, which appears to be finished, is finally reopened?

Will the Al Barrack issue be finally resolved this year, after so many years on the back burner accumulating interest?

These are only a handful of things that should NOT have entered the new year unresolved, but are instead, Old Year Unresolutions.