Maria Sharapova stays on point, despite early struggles, to advance at U.S. Open
Reporting from New York
Maria Sharapova never changed her game plan -- to be aggressive, to aim her groundstrokes deep and toward the lines -- not even when she dropped the first set to undistinguished Jarmila Groth, who is ranked 60th in the world.But the occasion of being at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the largest venue in professional tennis, was unfamiliar to Groth and when the chance came to maybe win the biggest match in her life, she couldn't do it.
On the first day, there was Kim. On the first night, there was Venus. Tuesday we welcome Maria.
f this year’s U.S. Open women’s tournament has no hands-down favorite, Kim Clijsters, Venus Williams and Maria Sharapova at least qualify as frontrunners. Clijsters did her part Monday afternoon with a straight-sets win. Williams, who hadn’t played a match since Wimbledon, defeated Roberta Vinci 6-4, 6-1, though she looked a little shaky in the first set. Sharapova gets her turn Tuesday afternoon at Arthur Ashe Stadium.It’s something of a surprise that Sharapova isn’t in a class all her own by now. When she won Wimbledon at age 17, in 2004, she seemed destined for greatness. Since then, she’s been merely good, at times very good, and twice good enough to win Grand Slam titles. But a consistent killer she isn’t, at least not in the mold of Steffi Graf, Monica Seles or Serena Williams. In the last few years, she has struggled with injuries, most notably to her shoulder, which was surgically repaired in 2008
A doctor involved in an “on-again, off-again” relationship apparently tried to force her way into her boyfriend’s home by sliding down the chimney, police said Tuesday. Her decomposing body was found there three days later.Dr. Jacquelyn Kotarac, 49, first tried to get into the house with a shovel, then climbed a ladder to the roof last Wednesday night, removed the chimney cap and slid feet first down the flue, Bakersfield police Sgt. Mary DeGeare said.
While she was trying to break in, the man she was pursuing escaped unnoticed from another exit “to avoid a confrontation,” authorities said.DeGeare said the two were in an “on-again, off-again” relationship.The man’s identity was not revealed by police, but the man who resides in the home is William Moodie, 58.“She made an unbelievable error in judgment and nobody understands why, and unfortunately she’s passed away,” Moodie told The Associated Press. “She had her issues – she had her demons – but I never lost my respect for her.”
Reached by telephone, Moodie did not dispute the police’s characterization of his relationship with Kotarac. He would not comment on the circumstances that led to her death, saying it was more important to focus on the good she did in life.Moodie, who runs an engineering consulting firm, said Kotarac was a superb internist who often provided service and medication free of charge to her patients.
Kotarac apparently died in the chimney, but her body was not discovered until a house-sitter noticed a stench and fluids coming from the fireplace Saturday, according to a police statement. The house-sitter and her son investigated with a flashlight and found Kotarac dead, wedged about two feet above the top of the interior fireplace opening.
Firefighters spent five hours late Saturday dismantling the chimney and flue from outside the home to extract Kotarac’s body, DeGeare said.Officials said Kotarac’s office staff reported her missing two days prior when she failed to show for work. Her car and belongings remained near the man’s house.
A cause of death has not been determined, and an autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday. Foul play is not suspected, though investigators have been looking into the incident as suspicious.
President Obama Economic strategy::What is it mean for you??
In White House Obama sought to refocus the White House's efforts to shore up the U.S. economy, with a pledge to extend tax cuts for Americans earning less than $200,000 per year.The president remained silent about the fate of Bush-era tax cuts to wealthier Americans, while also issuing a plea to Republicans to reach across the partisan aisle to ease passage of a small-business jobs bill he argues is crucial to the nation's recovery.
"I ask Senate Republicans to drop the blockade," Obama said during a Rose Garden address Monday. "I know we're entering election season. But the people who sent us here expect us to work together to get things done and improve this economy." Obama highlighted the small-business bill as one initiative among several aimed at promoting "growth and hiring in the short term" while increasing "competitiveness in the long term.
Tax for Middle Class:he confirmed Monday that he does support extending tax cuts for the middle class.the White House and Democratic leaders aren't about to wade into during an election cycle in which voters are already sharply divided over how and whether government should aid an economic recovery. Nevertheless, some tax experts note that the $250,000 annual threshold for a middle-class household gives a wide berth to the upper end of the middle class
Bush tax cuts to expire for high earners:The administration has repeatedly stressed that it would back the expiration of tax cuts for those making $200,000 or more (or whose families combined make $250,000 or more). White House officials argue that, once the cuts lapse, higher-earning Americans would help replenish government coffers by paying higher taxes. But opponents argue that this plan would indirectly affect everyone by raising marginal rates. Recently, the National Association for Business Economics found that a majority of their economists opposed allowing these cuts to expire. According to the IRS, 4 percent of Americans earn more than $200,000 a year.
clean energy and Infrastructure:A good chunk of money from the 2009 stimulus package went to clean-energy programs, infrastructure and research and development, with infrastructure investment alone making up more than $105 billion of the $787 billion total. Those expenditures were supposed to stimulate job growth — and haven't shown strong results in the struggling labor economy. These funds will also soon expire, leaving future prospects uncertain in labor-intensive industries such as construction and energy. Now the administration is pressing Congress to commit more money, so that the momentum built by the stimulus spending won't lapse.
The best pranks are the simple ones. Or so we used to think, until we discovered the amazing capabilities of the iPhone. Here are 10 amazing apps to let you trick and fool your friends.Without even requiring a download, this one achieves some pretty amazing effects – assuming you want to break your friends’ hearts by appearing to destroy their iPhone. All you have to do is follow the above web link, then watch as the menu icons fall off, disappear, blur and become cloudy before the screen appears to develop a crack. Ouch! Apple themselves won’t allow apps to replicate this function, as messing with the menu might confuse users (shocker!), meaning that this is the best you’re going to get in this vein – but at no cost, it’s a nifty way of doing things!
Devotion is a amazing song composed British synthpop duo from Manchester.This song is released coming 6 September2010 in UK and 14 September 2010 for US.
The track features Aussie Pop Queen, Kylie Minogue. Hurts composed of singer Theo Hutchcraft and synth player Adam Anderson.
Adrinne Williams and Chris Bosh are married together.Miami star engaged to longtime girlfriend.According to a source, Bosh waited for the perfect romantic moment—sunset outside of their Florida home—and then popped the question. Later, the happy pair went out to celebrate at Liv nightclub, where Adrienne showed off her new diamond ring.
Congratulations to Chris Bosh and Adrienne Williams! Even with the significant height difference between the giant basketball star and his petite bride-to-be, they make a beautiful couple.
A man walked into a Visalia LDS church between services early Sunday afternoon and shot to death the congregation's bishop.
The victim was identified as Clay Sannar, 42, the married father of six boys. Sannar, lay bishop of the Visalia 2nd Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was shot in an office at the LDS church at 825 W. Tulare Ave., Visalia police said.
The shooting was reported at 12:37 p.m.
Less than a half an hour later, Visalia police engaged in a gun battle with a man who called police dispatchers to claim responsibility for the church shooting.The suspect was killed at Burrel Avenue and Divisadero Street, less than two miles from the church.Police late Sunday had not identified the suspect.Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed at the scene, witnesses said.
Chief Colleen Mestas said Sunday that investigators still were trying to determine a motive for the church shooting."We're all stunned," said Ralph Jordan, a church member who acted as a spokesman. "This is an event that has never happened in the history of this local area."
Dale Reher, a member of the LDS church on Lovers Lane, said Sunday that he broke down in tears upon hearing of Sannar's killing.He said his mind raced with possible motives but that he doesn't want to jump to conclusions."It was, oh, wow, I hope it wasn't a targeted thing [against Mormons]," said Reher, 42.News of the killing drew dozens of church members to the church at Tulare and Conyer streets.
They watched police detectives and crime-scene crews walk in and out of the building, which was surrounded with yellow police tape.Several members of the congregation on cell phones told friends and fellow members what happened, sharing their concerns about Sannar's wife and sons.Sannar's youngest child is less than 6 months old.
Robert Schimmel is an comedian men not only the film also real life.Robert and daughter are travel in car driven by her,suddenly both of them met an heavy accident.Daughter age is 19 only.Robert sit in passenger seat.
Sources say the daughter swerved to avoid a collision in her driving lane and the automobile rolled over on to the side of the freeway.According to TMZ, who first reported the accident, Schimmel's daughter was hospitalized and is in stable condition and expected to make a full recovery. His 11-year-old son was also in the car; he was released without injuries the same day.
Schimmel is still in the hospital and in "very serious" condition, with his family at his bedside.
London's Daily Mail reports that DJ Samantha Ronson's bulldog, Cadillac, attacked and killed a two-year-old maltese yesterday in Los Angeles. Fortunately its owner suffered only minor injuries. No word on what started the canine crime.
Around 11am, someone placed a call to 911 when they saw the bulldog going crazy on the poor thing. These past few years have not been kind to maltese rats dogs.
Nokia company launched a new dual sim mobiles.Dule sim mobile means both sim can use at a time.C1,C2 is model of Nokia Dual Sim Mobile.It have Li battery mobile work for long time.
C1 is a basic phone with basic features. It has two main features. One is Call-divert and other is long standby battery life of 6 weeks. C1 has a negative feature that although it supports two SIM cards to be inserted at the same time but still we can’t use both of these SIM cards at the same time. The users need to switch between two SIM cards. But with the call divert feature, you can divert the calls of one SIM card to another. Among other features are Flashlight, FM Radio, Color screen and headphone jack. Nokia C1 is available at a price of around Rs 1999.
Nokia C2 has better features than C1. It comes with VGA camera, Music player, FM radio, Expandable memory upto 32 GB with micro-SD card, Bluetooth, 3.5 mm audio jack, EDGE/GPRS. Nokia C2 is expected to be priced at around Rs 2500.
BHEL Recruitment 2010 - Engineer Trainees & Supervisor Trainees vacancies in Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited. BHEL invites applications for recruitment of following posts, from eligible and desirous candidates, online at official website (www.bhel.com) before the last date
Qualification Engineer Trainees: Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Technology from a recognized Indian University/ Institute in the disciplines of MECHANICAL/ ELECTRICAL/ ELECTRONICS
Supervisor Trainees: Diploma in Engineering from a recognized Indian University/ Institute in the disciplines of MECHANICAL/ ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONICS/ CIVIL Important dates Last Date for receipt of online application : 20/09/2010 Last date of receipt of Ack. Slips at BHEL, BAP Ranipet : 27/09/2010
Burning Man 2010 is running from today, August 30th until September 6th. It will take place in Black Rock City, Nevada just as it does every other year. The annual event is expected to be extremely entertaining this year.
For those of you are are considering attending the event but don’t know exactly what it is, it an art and dance festival that began back in 1986 by Larry Harvey and Jerry James, along with a few friends they had met on Baker Beach, San Francisco. They burned a giant wooden man and a wooden dog . The man measured approximately 2.7 meters.The event moved to Black Rock City, Nevada in 1990 and has been there every year since, with the exception of 1997. It is not an event that can simply be defined by a few words. It’s a huge get-together where people wear what they want (including nothing at all), and do what they want.
Burning Man 2010 is expecting over 50,000 people, and tickets will run you at least $210.00. Some go up as high as $360.00. You can expect to see crazy looking costumes, performance art, dancing, and a 40 foot effigy.The event has been attracting a lot of drug use lately, so city officials will have a vast number of undercover police officers roaming around.
Lynn Turner, who became known as the “Georgia Black Widow” or the “Antifreeze Killer” for killing her husband and a boyfriend in 2007 with antifreeze, has died while serving her sentence in prison according to information provided by officials at the Metro State Prison in Atlanta.
The autopsy has been made and the coroner has been unable to find a cause of death, now investigators will need to wait for toxicology reports to determine more in depth what caused the death of Lynn Turner, a former 911 operator.Turner was found in her cell at 6:55 am, unresponsive. Medical staff from the prison arrived at her cell and she was then pronounced dead at 7:35 am. She was serving a life sentence.
Families of the victims suspect this is a case of suicide, though this can’t be confirmed for now by authorities. We know however that they have concluded there was no foul play involved.
Hurricane Earl path may cross Long Island, Cape Cod before Labor Day
Hurricane Earl may become a bigger threat to the East Coast than previously thought. The latest National Weather Service projection has moved the track of the storm, now a Category 4 hurricane, farther west. If Earl stays on that path, it could threaten the eastern US, especially Long Island and parts of New England, as early as Thursday night or Friday.Weather service officials, however, say, “Nothing is etched in stone.”
Cable news loves nothing better than a good natural disaster to devote all it’s extra coverage hours to: great narrative, great drama, great visuals. And as cable luck would have it Hurricane Earl is making its way up the East Coast just in time push the newscycle through the last days of the August doldrums (insanity).
The 2010 U.S. Open at Flushing Meadows is upon us. Last year, Melanie Oudin made a miracle run to the quarters while Serena Williams took a bizarre exit after a foot fault in the semis sparked a tantrum directed at the line judge. Well, this year Serena's on the sideline for a foot injury and the same line judge is back on the court.
Rafael Nadal, the man who has been trying to conquer the hard courts of the US Open for almost eight years now, is the top seed at the US Open 2010. Having won all the other Grand Slams at least once, his eyes are now on the Flushing Meadows title, and should he add it to his resume, he will also have completed his Career Grand Slam. Though his past record is not that great at the US Open (he has failed to get past the semis), this year might be the year that he changes that. Back to back Grand Slam wins at the French Open and the Wimbledon means that the World Number 1 is sky high on confidence, and indeed this might be his best chance for his first US Open title.
Seeds Playing on Day 1 – Men
Men’s Singles Seed Player Name vs Seed Player Name 9 Andy Roddick vs – Stephane Robert 2 Roger Federer vs – Brian Dabul 6 Nikolay Davydenko vs – Michael Russell 32 Lleyton Hewitt vs – Paul-Henri Mathieu 5 Robin Soderling vs – Andreas Haider-Maurer 22 Juan Carlos Ferrero vs – Martin Klizan 13 Jurgen Melzer vs – Dmitry Tursunov 11 Marin Cilic vs – Illya Marchenko 21 Albert Montanes vs – Michal Przysiezny 17 Gael Monfils vs – Robert Kendrick 26 Thomaz Bellucci vs – Tim Smyczek 27 Fernando Gonzalez vs – Ivan Dodig
Country is geared up to celebrate the Krishna Janmashtami festival celebration September 2, 2010.
Krishna Janmashtami festival is one of the famous festivals of Hindu. People celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna with full enthusiasm and fervour.According to the myth, Lord Krishna took birth on the eighth day (Ashtami) in the month of Sravana (Hindu calendar).
Lord Krishna took berth in dark moon night of Shravan month in Rohini Nakshatra to end the atrocities of his maternal uncle Kansa.The festival Krishna Janmashtami falls after eight days of Raksha Bandhan festival. Actually, the 48 hour long festival starts from midnight as the lord took birth from Mother Devaki in midnight.
On this occasion, people observe a day long fast and offer prayers to Lord Krishna to end all the atrocities.
People also put various kinds of jhanki (exhibition), showing berth of Lord Krishna in their houses.Police Lines in North India are place of major attraction on Krishna Janmashtami as the lord Krishna took berth in jail.The exchange of Krishna Janmashtami SMSes also frequents these days to greet each others on this occasion.
Here are some Krishna Janmashtami SMS for you:
May lord Krishna bring prosperity, happiness and joy to your family. Wish you a holly Janamashtami.
The next movie starring Imraan Hashmi and Neha Sharma Crook: It’s Good To Be Bad is out with its first Official Trailer. The Movie will Release on 8 October 2010. Crook: It’s Good To Be Bad is Directed by Mohit Suri. It is Produced by Mahesh Bhatt. It is a social Movie. The Story is about a man and that will be played by Imraan Hashmi who believes to be with the winning side or where winning is sure.
Imraan Hashmi as usual is looking good with his dialogues in the Trailer of Crook: It’s Good To Be Bad. The Movie is also having Hot scenes. Imraan Hashmi trade mark bed scenes are also there in the movie. The Movie is also having a love story going on between Imraan and Neha Sharma.
After Once Upon A Time In Mumbai, Imraan is back Once Again with the Movie Crook: It’s Good To Be Bad. We are here with the trailer of the Movie Crook: It’s Good To Be Bad. Also You can get all the details regarding the movie here on this site. So, enjoy Watching the Trailers and the Details here.
Details of The Movie Crook: It’s Good To Be Bad: Movie-Crook: It’s Good To Be Bad Release Date-8th October 2010 Director-Mohit Suri Producer-Mahesh Bhatt Star Cast-Imraan Hashmi and Neha Sharma Genre-Social
Sports Desk – 30th August 2010: So its been a trouble for Pakistani Cricketers and Pakistan Cricket Board. A Pakistani Actress Veena Malik has said that she has evidences against Mohd. Asif. Let you all know, she was Girl Friend of Mohammad Asif.
Earlier before this, Scotland Police and Special team is being investigating Pakistani Team for Match Fixing Charges in England Series. However it was also alleged by some past players of Pakistan that some Pakistani Players were involved in Match Fixing during Australia Tour.
Now this time Veena Malik Pakistani Actress has made the situation more complex by commenting on Mohd. Asif that he is a serial match fixer. Now lets watch out how she proves that it is true.
Veena Malik (born Zahida Malik on 26 February 1978) is a Pakistani actress, model and comedian. She has established herself as one of the leading women in the Pakistani television and film industry with her abilities to mimic others and improvise.
Early life
Malik was born on 26 February 1978 in Lahore, to Ali Malik, a Pakistan Army soldier, and his wife, Zeenat Malik. The family settled in Rawalpindi after her birth. Her grandmother named her Zahida, but her family insisted on keeping Veena as her first name. Her father often remained away from home, so she was brought up by her grandmother and mother until she was in her late teens when her grandmother died. Malik grew up expressing an interest in joining the film industry and her grandmother decided to encourage her. Her father however disliked the idea and pondered over his daughter’s fate in an industry that was deemed unsuitable for girls in Pakistan and initially resisted his daughter’s attempts to pursue a career in entertainment. However, she continued to receive support from her grandmother despite the disapproval of many family members.
NTR University MBBS results 2010, NTR University MBBS 1st year results.
NTR University announced the 1st year MBBS results on the main official website of ntruhs University. Please visit given below URL for getting the all information of ntr university mbbs 1st year results ntruhs mbbs results 2010 , mbbs first year results ntr university.
The FCO proposes to weaken many of the fundamental rights of the Montserratian people. We see this first in the section 5 fundamental right to protection from arbitrary arrest or detention. This provision in the draft Constitution is very weak. It does not provide for informing arrested persons promptly of their rights. They need be told of the reason for their arrest only after they have been brought to the station.
A person needs to know immediately he is arrested of the reason for his arrest. This is so not least because he has a right to know whether he is being illegally arrested so that he can exercise his right to resist the arrest.
The version of the right in the draft is weakened by the provision that he is to be brought “promptly” before a judicial officer. This provision is capable of abuse, particularly in view of the penchant of the police for arresting persons on a Friday afternoon, and then not bringing them before the Magistrate until the next sitting of the court. They ought to be obliged to bring an arrested person before a judicial officer within 24 hours of the arrest. They should bring him to the home of the Magistrate if necessary.
This is, not least, so that the Magistrate can observe the arrested person for signs of physical abuse and to be able to give the necessary directions for a medical examination, and to consider bail.
Here for the Jewelry GIVEAWAY? Scroll down to the previous post. Remember - closes Sept 3!
It is crazy hot here today, with a humidex expected to reach over 40C (105F). I know I won't be upstairs long, as the mugginess will drive me to the air-conditioned bliss downstairs.
I just wanted to share a few things with my lovely readers.
First, a preview pic of the first piece I have completed for
In my view it is shameful what the FCO are doing to the Montserratian people: We are going to spend the next couple of posts looking at the new draft Constitution 2010 that the FCO is proposing to implement for Montserrat.
I have come to the conclusion that the draft is bereft of any sign of an interest in good governance on the part of the FCO. It is devoid of any of the principles of integrity, accountability or transparency, as I shall attempt to show. These principles are routinely touted by the same FCO as the three pillars of good governance. The draft Constitution of Montserrat has missed the opportunity to contribute to this movement.
The concentrating of power in the Governor’s hands, as proposed by this draft Constitution, tends towards arbitrary, one-man rule. It may be true that a good governor is better than a bad local Cabinet. We cannot be confident that our Governors will always be good. Experience, especially in the case of Montserrat, teaches otherwise.
A new Constitution should rather be trying to develop local democratic institutions that will involve the people in their own governance. It is preferable that the Constitution should encourage responsible government in the OverseasTerritory, rather than destroying it. Responsible government is a better guarantee of democracy, justice, and fairness in government than one-man rule. The draft Constitution provides for absolute power to be concentrated in one person, subject only to the oversight of the Secretary of State far away in London.
In this respect the draft Constitution increases the deficit of democracy in Montserrat.
Back in 2008, I was the lucky winner of a pair of gold teardrop loop and boro bead earrings from a blog giveaway. The artisan, Andrea, was a fairly new Etsy seller. Her shop NyBlaque was just getting off the ground. I immediately adored the art and the artist. Andrea's personal attention to her customers, her friendly nature, and her wonderful craftsmanship make her a perfect fit for the
Montserrat is being offered a new, ante-deluvian Constitution. Last week I visited Montserrat at the invitation of the Hon Donaldson Romeo MLC to consult with him and members of the public on the new draft Constitution 2010. This has been drafted by a team of Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) lawyers, and agreed to by the government of the island. They propose that the Legislative Council should pass a Resolution approving the draft with or without amendment. The present Constitution dates to the year 1989. My conclusion is that the new draft Constitution does not advance government in Montserrat. Rather, it sets Montserratians back decades, particularly in the area of human rights.
During the three days that I was in Montserrat, I met with one youth group, two service clubs, the Rastafarian organization, one church group, and various individuals, including a number of the island’s barristers and solicitors. I also took part in a television interview, a radio call-in programme, and interviews by various members of the press. I am especially grateful to Jean Kelsick Esq, barrister and solicitor of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, for some of his observations on weaknesses in the draft Constitution, some of which I have been happy to adopt.
Montserrat is one of the few BritishOverseasTerritories still receiving financial support from the British Government. The receipt of grant-in-aid, I was told by several Montserratians, makes it difficult for them to believe that their views on the draft constitution will be welcomed. Many believe that the draft Constitution is being offered to them on a “take it or leave” basis. This unfortunate, and wrong, view of theirs is reinforced by recent actions of the local Government.
Government has made a concerted effort to rush the draft Constitution through the Legislature without any public consultation. Only reluctantly did the government suspend its efforts to have an approving resolution passed. The public has been given three months to ‘consult’. The resulting consultation process has been deeply flawed. It would appear that no effort is being made to gather any input from the people of Montserrat regarding the draft Constitution.
The government has established a Constitution Implementation and Advice Committee whose main function appears to be to sell the draft to the public, rather than to get suggestions for improvement of the draft. This is no way to secure the approval and support of the majority of the people to the proposed new Constitution.
The process chosen for the introduction of a new Constitution shows an attitude of pure contempt on the part of the administration towards the people of Montserrat.
In this post we conclude my preliminary thoughts on Kate Sullivan's Initial Recommendationsfor Changes to the Constitutional and Electoral Arrangements in the Turks and Caicos Islands? If you have not read her paper I urge you to do so by clicking on the link above. I have dealt with the earlier portions of her Recommendations over the past seven posts. I end with these final but preliminary thoughts:
[16] Recommendations 36 and 37 retain the power of the Governor to deal in Crown Lands. We know what that has meant in the past when there have been weak Governors and Attorneys-General. The Governor has allowed ministers of government secretly to misuse Crown Lands for their own and their families' profit.
The proper reform is to have the Constitution require any dealing in CrownLand to be approved by the House of Assembly. Let the government answer to the public for any proposed dealing in Crown Land. This is not a proper province for either the mandarins in Whitehall or for the Governor in Government House.
We need the disinfecting influences of openness, transparency and fresh air. We do not need to maintain a system that has shown itself to be a failure in the past.
[17] There are many other Recommendations in this Report that we can all appreciate and approve of, particularly the provisions for Watchdog Institutions. One complaint would be that they are not complete and others are missing.
For example, the Constitution makes no provision for a Tenders Board, with security of tenure and guarantees for its independence.
Similarly, the Constitution makes no provision for a Public Accounts Committee.
For democratic principles to begin to flourish in what has clearly become a failed kleptomanic state, institutions such as these are essential. No dictatorship by a foreign Governor can be an acceptable substitute for the nurturing and encouragement of local democratic institutions.
[18] There are several other recommendations that one might legitimately have strong views on. There are other obvious and timely recommendations that could and should have been made but that are missing. We in the OverseasTerritories need to act swiftly to discuss them on a variety of forums.
Our concern should be transparent and obvious. It is that if these recommendations are permitted to find their way into the TCI Constitution, it will not be long before there is pressure for them to be introduced into ours, for consistency and administrative convenience. However, this paper is long enough for all but the very patient to be able to read, and I propose to stop writing here.
Giveaway starting Aug 27 on my blog Originally uploaded by digitalmisfit I will be the lucky host of a jewelry giveaway from Swan River Stone starting this Friday. Here is a sneak peek at the goodies you could win. Don't forget to come back and put your name into my virtual hat.
We are proceeding to examine Kate Sullivan's Initial recommendations for Changes to Constitutional and Electoral Arrangements in the Turks and Caicos Islands. We have in previous posts dealt in fourteen numbered paragraphs with some of my concerns at earlier portions of her Recommendations. We now continue:
[15] Recommendation 31 proposes to completely emasculate the Public Service Commission and give it a completely vacuous and useless role. The TCI has at present one of the most advanced and democratic provisions in its Constitution for the governance of the public service. A Commission of locals appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of various stake-holders makes the decisions about appointments and conditions of service of public servants. The Governor is required to implement their recommendations. That is as it should be.
If the system in TCI is not working, of which there is no suggestion, then the members of the Commission need to be trained in their proper functioning, not have the country deprived of the institution.
It is essential that the FCO recognise that its mandate is to develop and to improve the local institutions of self-government so as to help the people of the Overseas Territories to learn the proper rules of government and how to avoid cronyism, conflicts of interest, and nepotism.
Putting appointments in the hands of an FCO functionary, advised behind the scenes by those cronies that he and his superiors select, is not an acceptable alternative.
We continue to look at Kate Sullivan's initial recommendationsfor Changes to the Constitutional and Electoral Arrangements in the Turks and Caicos Islands. We have previously dealt in thirteen numbered paragraphs with some of the first 25 Recommendations.
[14] Recommendation 26 is headed in the wrong direction. It proposes keeping the Governor's old colonial powers unilaterally to make a law for the TCI without that law having been passed by the House of Assembly. It goes further and widens his power unilaterally to legislate for the islands “to ensure compliance with the Governance Principles.” A more objectionable provision it would be difficult to imagine.
There is no question of either the Governor or the FCO needing such a draconian provision in TCI or in any other of the BOTs. In this day of instant communication the FCO is well informed about all proposals to introduce legislation in good time to make interventions to ensure that Britain's contingent liabilities are not put at risk.
In the event that a Government should introduce a new legislative provision that has not passed through Cabinet and had the benefit of the Attorney-General's and the Governor's advice, there are ample powers to pressure the Government to revise the measure. This was proved recently in Montserrat when the Assembly passed a legislator's pensions provision that was wildly in excess of the provision that had been approved by the Cabinet. The government of the day was embarrassed into passing through the House of Assembly an amendment immediately thereafter to go back to the original approved provision.
To remove the power of the legislators to legislate is to destroy democracy itself. A constitutional framework such as the one proposed here has nothing of either democracy or good governance in it.
We continue to look at Kate Sullivan's initial recommendationsfor Changes to Constitutional and Electoral Arrangements in the Turks and Caicos Islands. You can download and read them by clicking on the link above. I continue at paragraph thirteen of the paper I originally sent to the Editors of the TCI Journal:
[13] Recommendation 9 would have the Constitution provide that the Governor may act contrary to the advice of Cabinet in an area of ministerial responsibility if to act in accordance with the Cabinet's advice would be contrary to the Statement of Governance Principles. At first blush this may seem acceptable on the basis that the ministers have negotiated the Principles, and should not be permitted to act in breach of their contract to abide by them.
The objection to the Recommendation is that it is an anti-democratic provision. It does nothing to promote and develop good governance in the Territory. Besides, there is no reason to suppose that a Governor will be seized of a greater sense of good governance than anyone else, as we have seen recently in Anguilla with the appointment by the Governor of the Commissioner of Police for Anguilla to be one of the two Magistrates for Anguilla on the day after the Commissioner surrendered his long-time previous appointment.
It is to be remembered that we are talking about the Governor rejecting the advice of a Cabinet in which the Governor, his Deputy, and the Attorney-General have sat and participated in formulating. If, in the presence of these worthy individuals, the Cabinet comes to a decision that some action is needed in the interests of the country, it is simply not acceptable for the Governor to be empowered unilaterally to act contrary to the advice.
There are other preferable mechanisms that will introduce transparency and good governance into Cabinet decision-making than by making the democratic institution of the Cabinet subservient to the non-democratic one of the office of the Governor.
Opening up uncontroversial Cabinet discussions to the press and public is one such mechanism.
Making it mandatory for there to be a press conference immediately after Cabinet meetings, at which the press was not present, to brief the press on major decisions is another.
Removing secrecy from Cabinet decisions is the best guarantee there is for ventilating and cleaning up those Cabinet processes that do not require secrecy.
Well I have still not heard back from Health Canada, so I do not know if they plan to test to find out what THING is or not. The Ziploc baggie continues to store THING tissue samples in my freezer, and the bottle of fabric softener is still stashed under the sink.
THING
I DID hear back from the corporate office of the retailer/manufacturer. They sent me a $10 gift card to their store. I
We continue to look at Kate Sullivan's initial recommendationsfor Changes to Constitutional and Electoral Arrangements in the Turks and Caicos Islands. You can download and read them by clicking on the link above. I continue at paragraph [12] of the paper I originally sent to the Editors of the TCI Journal:
[12] Recommendation 8 was like a breath of fresh air. It provides for local supervision of the political directorate, and is entirely commendable. She is proposing that a minister can be removed from the ministry if the Integrity Commission finds that he or she has breached the Code of Conduct for persons in public life or that the minister has failed to comply with the registration of interests requirements on two separate occasions.
This is exactly the sort of development that we should be looking for if we are to see local institutions taking control of good governance issues.
I recently won a giveaway over at Batzy RockShop blog for a custom blog makeover. The lovely Victoria, who makes the most wonderful digital illustrations, designed my header and my blog button (see my right sidebar). She worked with me to choose colors, style, and theme. I wanted a curvy gal with long black hair, brown eyes and glasses wearing jeans and a tee, sitting and embroidering. Look
We are looking at my preliminary views on Kate Sullivan's Initial Recommendationsfor Changes to the Constitutional and Electoral Arrangements in the Turks and Caicos Islands. I urge you to read the discussion paper if you have not done so. It can be downloaded by clicking on the link above. We have in the first two posts on the topic dealt with the background papers and with Ms Sullivan’s statement of what constitutional issues are not open for discussion. I have expressed my concern there. I continue:
[8] So, it is with trepidation that one continues to read Ms Sullivan's initial recommendations. Recommendations 1, 2 and 3 have their good points. Recommendation 4 gives should give us a problem. She is proposing that the Constitution provide that the FCO will issue a Statement of Governance Principles and the Constitution will require the Governor, Premier and Ministers to work within these principles. The Governor will then have clear power to reject any advice and to refuse to act on any advice from the Premier, the Assembly or the Cabinet if he or she believed that such action would be in contravention of the governance principles.
The idea of there being in place in any Overseas Territory a Statement of Governance Principles is commendable. We must assume that it will be negotiated, that it will be a contract made by the FCO acting on behalf of and in the name of the people of the Overseas Territory. We are expecting that there will be nothing contained in the Statement that will be offensive to or contrary to the wishes and expectations of the people of the Overseas Territory. We won't know until we see it.
[9] What is objectionable in this recommendation is that it is made with a view of introducing an essentially undemocratic form of government under the guise of improving good governance. There will be no mechanism for ensuring that the FCO determines the wishes and expectations of the people. The risk is that they may from time to time impose their own notions of good governance.
While such a power to impose could be viewed as a healthy counterbalance to the power of the Premier and his Cabinet, there is the risk that it will introduce an undemocratic counterweight to the elected government. The proposal does not provide any hope for local development of good governance mechanisms. It should be repugnant to all right-thinking persons.
[10] Particularly objectionable is the proposal to empower the Governor to reject a measure coming to him from the local legislature for his assent. Colonial legislatures are by their nature inferior legislatures. Only the UK Parliament is supreme under the Constitution. Parliament in the UK can at any time rescind or amend a colonial law. This situation only changes with independence.
To go this much further, to provide that the colonial legislature can be overruled at the whim of a foreign official, is not acceptable in the twenty-first century. The situation may be bad in the Turks and Caicos Islands, but nothing justifies the abrogation of democratic government in an Overseas Territory to the extent that is proposed.
An acceptable alternative would be to have the Constitution introduce mechanisms for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands themselves to exercise increased democratic control over errant ministers. These mechanisms are well understood. They include provisions for recall and for referendum, as well as a whole range of local, democracy-enabling measures which I summarise below.
[11] Much-needed, democracy-enabling mechanisms include, without being exhaustive,
üstrengthening the Integrity Commissioner law to give teeth to ensure that public officers publicly disclose their assets and liabilities at regular intervals;
üentrenching the Tenders Board and reinforcing the procurement procedure to make them fair and transparent;
ügiving the legislature power to oversee dealing in Crown Lands;
üintroducing an Appointments Commission to monitor the suitability of ministerial nominations to government boards and committees;
üenforcing adherence to public service and ministerial Codes of Ethics;
üentrenching a Complaints Commissioner to oversee the public service and police service response to complaints from citizens;
üsupporting and ensuring the effectiveness of the Public Accounts Committee in overseeing the administration's spending of public monies;
üintroducing and administering Freedom of Information Acts;
üobliging the Governor to accept the advice of independent Service Commissions;
üintroducing an independent Boundaries Commission to minimise the chance of gerrymandering;
üand improving the transparency of Cabinet meetings by opening them up to the press and public.
These are all locally-managed mechanisms for improving democracy and good governance. They promote self-government and self-determination. They do not rely on a deus ex machina in the person of the Governor and the FCO to achieve these effects, which is what, I would submit, the proposal attempts to do.
