OAS secretary general condemns murder of governor of Caqueta, Colombia

WASHINGTON, USA -- On Wednesday, the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza, strongly condemned the murders of Luis Francisco Cuéllar, Governor of the Colombian Department of Caquetá, and Javier García Gutiérrez, a police officer, by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). OAS Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza. OAS Photo “This act of atrocity and barbarism deserves the contempt of the international community that supports Colombia in its efforts to achieve peace,” said Insulza, calling on the illicit group to “understand the pain and the implications of these acts, which go against the individual integrity and national peace.” The Secretary General added that “the death of a public official in our region will always be condemnable. I hope those responsible for this murder will soon be captured by the Colombian security forces and that they will be held accountable within the framework of the law.” Finally, Insulza reiterated the commitment of the Organization he heads to continue bringing support to the region’s governments in their efforts to fight drug trafficking and terrorism, as well as to build the social harmony and dialogue that are indispensable to prevent actions such as the one carried out in Colombia.(Caribnet)

Commentary: Dominica lost: The buying of the elections

By Dr Emanuel Finn In 1513 Niccolo Machiavelli wrote one of the most read and influential books on politics: The Prince. Machiavelli’s observations continue to resonate with politicians, students, and scholars today. The Prince deals with the acquisition, perpetuation, and use of political power in the western world. Dr Emanuel Finn Machiavelli justified rule and power by force rather than by law. Accordingly, The Prince justifies a number of actions done merely to perpetuate power. How to get it, expand it and use it for maximum effect. The political events of the last month which culminated on December 18th with a landslide victory by the Dominica Labour Party was a true case of what Machiavelli described in his book. The campaign and elections were the most unfairly contested elections in the history of our country. The elections was bought (not won) by Mr Skerrit and his rich foreign sponsors. When the dust has cleared and the history books written, Roosevelt Skerrit and the 2009 elections will be a shameful mark on our country. The election was an expensive business transaction, which resulted in a roundup and stampede of the opposition. It threw Dominica into an era which is both frightening and dangerous. Where did all that money come from to buy the election? And what does our country owe? ‘Yes it is our damn business’ to know that. Dominica is supposed to be a Democracy but it has become a ‘Demo–Krasy’- (T’). Does Skerrit expect to be respected by fair and independent minded Dominicans who do not need a job or a handout from his red clinic? I sure hope not. The rule of law and the law of rule must prevail in a normal functioning democracy and no man is above the laws of the land. When the person who occupies the highest office makes such juvenile statement as ‘no constitution or law can prevent him from being nominated’ even though there were questions about the possible violation of the law, folks, take heed -- your country is on a slippery slope and is at the edge of a precipice. One of the main ingredients of a functioning democracy is the media. Skerrit shut down the media though his handpicked DBS Board and hijacked the radio station, which is owned by a joker who ridiculed the late leader who is most respected by all Dominicans and who Skerrit says is his idol and role model. Yet still Skerrit has not publicly distanced himself from this clown. Also shame on the DBS Board – you have done your country a huge disservice by not allowing the opposition access to the airways. I suspect in due time you will regret profusely. You owe yourselves and the Dominican people an apology. In any functioning democracy with mature leadership, before an election there is an opportunity for the leaders to engage in public and civil debate. Skerrit and his handlers have no interest in that aspect of democracy. Folks our country is like a ship on the high open seas in choppy waters and a vicious storm with ill winds quickly heading its way. Skerrit has also succeeded in dividing Dominicans to the highest degree. No other place is an example than in my home of La Plaine, my dad’s village of Castle Bruce, the Carib Territory and all points because of the Diaspora airlift. In La Plaine, folks who haven’t been home in more than twenty years were in line voting for Labour. The Diaspora did not look for politicians but politicians looked for them and used them, compliments of Skerrit and Dominica’s UN’s mission in New York City. What a sad story what a sad day. This hurts profoundly and is very painful. What happened to the churches? What happened to the Bishop? What happened to the good and decent family men and women who not only stood idly by but professed that it is ‘just okay’ to get rich while in office? What happened to our most decorated scholars who have supported all that madness? I suppose you all will be heading to church this Christmas and praising God. Maybe you all should ask the almighty Father for forgiveness and understanding. Yes, Skerrit, you did it -- all protocols are observed. Mr Ron Green not only lost, but the La Plaine people are at each other’s throats in a divided small community -- nice job, Skerrit, and congratulations -- Dominica lost and you won convincingly. Will the lady who arranged the airlift to La Plaine at the mission in NYC and who works ‘personally’ for you (not for Dominica) still remain on the job? Or will she get a promotion for an illegal and unethical job well done? Either way, if she has any self respect she would ask you for a transfer. Yes, Roosevelt Skerrit (the Hamid Karzai of the region), will you be still the Minister of Finance, guarding the treasury money draws? Given all the strong corruption allegations against you it might be a classic case of the fox guarding the henhouse. Yes, my people, Dominica lost the elections and, like the corrupt Afghan President Kazai, Skerrit won. Like the fraudulent recent Afghan elections, Dominica’s elections were a stampede, a farce, a mockery, a big joke, a ‘pappy’ show and a comedy. Competitions and elections won due to fraudulent, devious, unfair and unlawful advantages amounts to the greatest of all defeats. Dominica lost and Skerrit purchased the elections with big money. Skerrit do you expect anyone with any sense of self to respect you? Machiavelli warned that politicians will justify a number of actions done merely to perpetuate power -- how to get it, expand it and use it for maximum effect. Dominica’s 2009 elections is a perfect case of that fact. To our people, I know you have heavy hearts, headaches and you are shedding tears as a result of the midday rape and assault of our country. Hang in there and please don’t give up on our beloved home land. ‘Life is like that sometimes.’ Tomorrow is a day away and your abiding love for your country will never die and will see it through. Skerrit and his agents will occupy their rightful place in the trash bin of history. Enjoy the music and think of simpler days gone by in our cherished land before Skerrit and his gang emerged on the scene. God bless our native land. (Caribnet) Dr Emanuel Finn holds a BSc in Chemistry, a Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree from Howard University College of Dentistry and a Masters in Health Policy and Administration from the New School University. Dr Finn is a public health analyst residing in Washington, DC, with his wife and two daughters.

Commentary: 2000-2009 decade of Caribbean decline

By Sir Ronald Sanders The first decade of the 21st century – 2000 to 2009 - has proven to be a decade of decline for the countries of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM). Sir Ronald Sanders is a business executive and former Caribbean diplomat who publishes widely on small states in the global community. Reponses to: www.sirronaldsanders.com When the UN Human Development index was published in 1999, four of the 13 independent CARICOM countries (not including Haiti) were rated among the top 50 nations. Ten years later in 2009, only Barbados and Antigua and Barbuda are among the top 50 having dropped from 29 to 37, and from 38 to 47 respectively. The two others, Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago, fell from 31 to 52 and 46 to 64. With the exception of St Lucia which improved its position from 81 to 69, every other CARICOM country fell in the index indicating that the condition of the region as a whole deteriorated. Real income in the CARICOM area is less today than it was 10 years ago; unemployment is higher in 2009 than it was in 1999; poverty has expanded in many countries; and many CARICOM countries now experience debt levels of over 100% of their GDP. Throughout the decade, tourism demonstrated how fragile an industry it is. The 9/11 atrocity in 2001 in New York severely affected tourism as Americans and people from many other nations curtailed travel. Two years later the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) also delivered a vicious blow to tourism. Then the financial crisis, which started toward the end of 2008, walloped the industry. Tourist arrivals dropped by 10% in Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda and Barbados and by 20% in St Vincent and the Grenadines and St Kitts-Nevis. Prices for the region’s commodities also fell. Jamaica, Guyana and Suriname experienced a 50% drop in prices for aluminium, and the price for a barrel of Trinidad and Tobago’s oil plummeted to US$40 from $147. And, as the decade was drawing to a close the region’s preferential market for bananas in the European Union (EU) was fatally punctured by a deal stitched up between the EU Commission and Latin American producers with the active participation of the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Pascal Lamy, a former EU trade negotiator. Now neither Caribbean bananas nor Caribbean sugar has much prospect for markets in the EU. The region as a whole also faces an uncertain future in global trade negotiations under the WTO. Having conceded the opening of key areas of their economies to the EU under an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed in 2008, the regional countries have no chance of bargaining for more advantageous conditions in the WTO. And, it has to be noted that the EPA negotiations were a travesty, ending with the EU holding a gun at the heads of Caribbean governments to either sign or have higher tariffs placed on their key exports. The picture for international financial services is just as bleak. Having fought off the so-called ‘Harmful tax competition initiative’ (HTCI) of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) – the club of the rich countries – in 2002, Caribbean governments allowed themselves to be threatened by the newly formed G20 countries in 2009 into singing up to 12 Tax Information Exchange Agreements (TIEA’s) with OECD countries. New members of the G20 – Brazil, China, India and South Africa – who Caribbean countries might have expected to fight their corner, simply endorsed the OECD agenda. The cost of compliance with these agreements will place an unreasonable burden of cost on regulatory bodies and financial institutions in the Caribbean. Despite all the protestations to the contrary, the offshore sector of the majority of Caribbean countries is dying, as its contribution to economic growth and employment withers. The significant point is that Caribbean governments agreed to sign up to the TIEA’s with all their attendant costs and did not seek to fight the issue collectively. As the curtain came down on 2009, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected negative growth for all CARICOM countries with the possible exception of Guyana, Suriname and Dominica. Nonetheless, almost all of the CARICOM countries have unemployment levels in excess of 12%, and in the next decade many of them will have to surrender direction of their economic and fiscal policies to the IMF in return for its financial assistance. In crime and security, the decline in Caribbean circumstances has been dramatic. Between 2000 and 2009, murder rates became higher than in any other region of the world, and assault rates rose significantly above the world average. According to the UN report ‘Crime, Violence and Development: Trends, costs and Policy Options in the Caribbean,’ narcotics trafficking is at the core of these high rates embedding violence, undermining social cohesion and contributing to widespread availability of firearms. Each CARICOM country individually and all of them collectively have come to the end of the first decade of the 21st Century considerably worse off domestically and in the international community than when the decade began. They are marginalised in international negotiations and they have no meaningful seat at important global talks, as was evident in the Copenhagen Conference on climate change. They continue to mistake the display of 13 votes at the UN and in the OAS for power when indeed these votes make no difference to the real issues that confront them. The era of tolerance for small states is over, except where issues such as illegal migration and narcotics trafficking impinge on the concerns of larger states. As long as CARICOM countries continue to see their economic and social development through the narrow lens of “national sovereignty”, their conditions will deteriorate still further. They may survive a little longer by making themselves clients for other countries’ ambitions, but that too will have its price. The creation of an economic union by the small countries of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is a good advance for them but it is not nearly enough. The last decade points clearly to the absolute necessity for deeper regional integration now if CARICOM countries are to retain some semblance of control of their economies, their identities and their destiny. (Caribnet)

 Christmas Trees Around The World

What's really interesting at the end is the real meaning of the 12 days of Christmas. Make sure you go all the way to the bottom of the e-mail, the picture and information about Arlington Cemetery in the winter just before Christmas - is beautiful! Emo. The Capitol Christmas tree in Washington, D.C., is decorated with 3,000 ornaments that are the handiwork of U.S. schoolchildren. Encircling evergreens in the 'Pathway of Peace' represent the 50 U.S. states. The world's largest Christmas tree display rises up the slopes of Monte Ingino outside of Gubbio, in Italy's Umbria region. Composed of about 500 lights connected by 40,000 feet of wire, the 'tree' is a modern marvel for an ancient city A Christmas tree befitting Tokyo's nighttime neon display is projected onto the exterior of the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka. Illuminating the Gothic facades of Prague's Old Town Square, and casting its glow over the manger display of the famous Christmas market, is a grand tree cut in the Sumava mountains in the southern Czech Republic. Venice 's Murano Island renowned throughout the world for its quality glasswork is home to the tallest glass tree in the world. Sculpted by master glass blower Simone Cenedese, the artistic Christmas tree is a modern reflection of the holiday season. Moscow celebrates Christmas according to the Russian Orthodox calendar on Jan. 7. For weeks beforehand, the city is alive with festivities in anticipation of Father Frost's arrival on his magical troika with the Snow Maiden. He and his helper deliver gifts under the New Year tree, or yolka, which is traditionally a fir. The largest Christmas tree in Europe (more than 230 feet tall) can be found in the Pra�a do Com�rcio in Lisbon, Portugal. Thousands of lights adorn the tree, adding to the special enchantment of the city during the holiday season. 'Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree': Even in its humblest attire, aglow beside a tiny chapel in Germany's Karwendel mountains, a Christmas tree is a wondrous sight.. Ooh la la Galeries Lafayette! In Paris, even the Christmas trees are chic. With its monumental, baroque dome, plus 10 stories of lights and high fashion, it's no surprise this show-stopping department store draws more visitors than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower In addition to the Vatican's heavenly evergreen, St. Peter's Square in Rome hosts a larger-than-life nativity scene in front of the obelisk. The Christmas tree that greets revelers at the Puerta del Sol is dressed for a party. Madrid's two-week celebration makes millionaires along with merrymakers. On Dec. 22, a lucky citizen will win El Gordo (the fat one), the world's biggest lottery. A token of gratitude for Britain's aid during World War II, the Christmas tree in London's Trafalgar Square has been the annual gift of the people of Norway since 1947. Drink a glass of gluhwein from the holiday market at the Romer Frankfurt's city hall since 1405 and enjoy a taste of Christmas past. Against a backdrop of tall, shadowy firs, a rainbow trio of Christmas trees lights up the night (location unknown). There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? This week, I found out. From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember. -The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ. -Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments. -Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love. -The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John. -The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament. -The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation. -Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy. -The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes. -Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control. -The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments. -The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples. -The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed. So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol...so pass it on if you wish.' Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone

Commentary: Law and Politics: Sailors, the boat is rocking dangerously!

By Lloyd Noel From all the bits and pieces and the underground grapevine news coming my way, I am very concerned that we are a society in crisis, because as a people we are failing to recognise the primacy of the human element in what we are doing, and how we are hoping and planning to get to that earthly promised land. It is my considered opinion that no society can be great, or hope to achieve greatness, where those who rule it and occupy leadership positions see the people as objects of cynical manipulation, and see the country itself as a canvass on which to paint a picture of personal power and ideological pipedreams. Lloyd Noel is a former Attorney General of Grenada, prominent attorney at law and political commentator It must be accepted as an undeniable fact of life, that men and women are obviously not equal in talent, and will often times see and express different points of view on various issues as they consider the importance of the issue, but that must not be allowed to cover up the central purpose of an organised society, which is the promotion and achievement of the welfare of every member of that society. Against those basic principles for ensuring there is equality of purpose and opportunity for all, no group in an organised society has the right to act without regard to the interest of a whole of that society, so that the primacy of the individual will be clear legally, clear morally and clear practically. Having said all the above, I am also well aware that the democracy we are supposed to be practicing in these Isles, carry with it some measure of decision making and independent thinking that must be exercised in accordance with the public declaration of the policy and principles of the group or party which succeeded at the polls. And while in doing so the leaders have to inform the public and dialogue with the people, before making far reaching and in-depth decisions, they cannot be expected to take a public vote every time an important issue crops up. But the people also expect those leaders to act in a responsible manner, in the interest of the people as a whole. In so doing, those leaders as equals from the point of view of having been elected by the people in their respective constituencies, they also have to recognise and accept, that in our brand of political upbringing, the recognised leader of the pack carriers a certain measure of publicly recognised extras, that would have assisted them greatly in their success at the polls. And that is so despite their individual popularity. And although the leader, as the eventual Prime Minister, does not carry the same weight as for example the President in the United States of America system of government, he nevertheless is the first among equals (Primus Inter Pares) having been so appointed by the Governor General of behalf of her Majesty as the Head of State under our constitution. And I am making bold to say up front that if our current Prime Minister, Tillman Thomas, was not leading the other ten members of Parliament who now make up the government of the NDC party in power, they could not have been where they are today. I have gone into all the foregoing details, because I have been apprised of some very disquieting news, touching and concerning the government and party now in the driving seat, and responsible for controlling the ship of state in these undoubtedly troubled times. I must say up front, that I sincerely hope the said very uncomfortable news is not true and just the usual propaganda and ongoing series of political melee we are so used to. But on the other hand, the eventual outcome could be so far reaching and devastating – if at all true – that it is more than highly worthwhile to inform John Public and put the society on notice, even as a very precautionary measure to forewarn such thinkers. The public at large have known for some time now that the Zublin group of investors, who transformed the Esplanade in downtown St George’s with the popular mall that provided the gateway, as cruise ships tourist passengers come off the modern terminals to enter the city and island as a whole, that the said company has proposed and submitted for approval, an adjoining development with a major hotel to include a casino and some 200-300 rooms; by reclaiming the sea space for the building and connecting the lagoon road via a ring road that will bypass the Carenage and go around the hospital to the existing mall and the proposed new hotel development. The proposal and submission have been in the pipeline at a preliminary stage, from the latter days of the NNP Government, but have since been crystalised into a high-tech modern development project, that could be the envy of any regional city. But the “Bug Bear” in the proposed development, is the application for a licence to operate the casino aspect in the hotel. While every sector of the society, or group of persons who are concerned about the economic development of our tri-island state and its people, are all more or less in favour of the hotel development, a fair cross-section of them are opposed to casino gambling. And because the developers consider the casino aspect – as the corner stone and key element of the whole development – their considered and very open and prudent economic position, drive them to the only business oriented conclusion they can possibly adopt, and that is “no casino, then no hotel development”. For a financial outlay of around three hundred eighty million dollars, to bring the whole development on stream, I am honour bound to say I fully agree with them. My information is that the prime minister is absolutely against casino gambling, in fact he has said as much on television and radio for public consumption. While I respect his position, although I firmly disagree with the basis on which he is relying to maintain that position, I must also say up front, that I feel very strongly, that for him to insist on his “no casino” aspect to enable his government to approve the development, that is very shortsighted and amounting almost to future economic suicide. On the moral and society degradation aspects, the prime minister and the other objectors know very well that the reasons being advanced to support their positions are hypocritical, to say the least. More organised gambling taking place in church groups, in highly respectable organizations, in the national stadium, in school groups, in the National Lottery Authority, you name it they doing it, and in most cases age is no barrier, come one, come all. Whereas in the case of casino gambling, in an highly respectable and organised hotel development setting, the rules and regulations that must accompany the granting of a licence, could take care of any irregularity, with heavy financial sanctions, and regular security inspections to deter transgressors. In fact, setting up the security arrangements to protect the society from evils that are feared, would in itself provide additional economic activity, both in the penalties for breaking the rules and for the personnel to ensure compliance. Having said all the above, however, the said disquieting news that raised my concerns are still very disturbing and are far more damaging to our people and the society as a whole, should the proposed plan of action be put into operation and succeed. My understanding is that there is a wide division in the government set up, and the gap has widened even more, because the party stalwarts at ground level have become involved in the melee. Because the majority in Cabinet disagree with the prime minister’s position on the hotel casino and they see the development as key to our fast dying economic strategy in tourism; and nothing on the visible horizon in agriculture, or any other sector that can come to our people’s rescue anytime soon. The two branches on the same side, have given an ultimatum to the current leader to step aside and let someone else assume the leadership position. I further understand that a delegation from the party as such, met with parliamentarians on the matter, although there is some confusion on who will take over. And to cloud the issue, in my view, but to make it all look as though it is more than just the casino matter that is causing concern, the delegation group have thrown in the dormant state of the party itself, as good reasons to make the change over now. The obvious danger inherent in any such proposal at this point in time is that, in my humble opinion, none of those cited as front runners to take over the leadership mantle, will be able to carry the country or the party as a whole to their advantage. The very much vaunted comments and criticisms, that surrounded the political marriage of obvious convenience, when the ex-PRG diehards and the long standing NDC stalwarts got together, to confront the NNP dominance of political power for all those years, those very sentiments will come back around to haunt them, with the theme of “we told you so, it is power they looking for”. And in that setting, the sufferers as usual will be the people of our tri-island state. As I said before, I honestly hope that the news item is mere wishful thinking, but I am sounding the warning bells none the less, so that the thought of such political suicide will remain just that. A lot of issues are out there and seemingly just hanging in midair. No one can doubt with any semblance of seriousness, that urgent actions are needed to try and bring about some solutions, but to embark on that method of operation, is tantamount to burning down a house in trying to get rid of a quiet bird on the inside. History will be very loath to forgive the perpetrators of this crazy scheme and more especially so, as I also understand that the schemers are even mouthing words like “being a true democrat who believes in democratic decisions, he should agree”. It all sounds and smells like “eighty-three” all over again, but this is December, not October. So as I take this opportunity to wish you, my dear readers, a peaceful and Blessed Christmas, let us all pray that His earthly coming will bring some measure of common sense and sanity, to the minds of those misguided patriots, who are temporarily blinded by the craze for power, that is conveniently disguised as more needed and speedier benefits and political solutions for the people. (Caribnet)

Commentary: What kind of a liar are you?

By Rhonda Mitchell A child’s view of the world at any age is one of the most insightful things to me. Where we see the bigger issues and mountains if you will, their simplistic views of the world can utterly level ours. Rhonda Mitchell is a media planner in Norwalk, CT. She has a BS in Corporate Communication. She grew up in Nevis for the first thirteen years of her life before moving to Norwalk. Feedback to: rbayjay@optonline.net One day my son and I were having a discussion on lying. He asked me what makes someone a liar. I paused. I had to think for a minute, and then I said people who lie. He then said, well, have you ever lied in your lifetime? I said yes, everyone has. Then he said that makes the whole world liars, because once you’ve done something you become a part of it. It doesn’t matter if we did it once or ten times. His statement silenced me into deep thinking, sorting through all the other stuff I may have done once. We don’t necessarily live the lifestyle of whatever wrong we may have done once in our lifetime but, I think it gives credence to my son’s point. Think of people who have won awards and accolades once in their lifetime though they may not participate in the competitions, arts, etc anymore, they’re still winners -- looking through the eyes of a child. Where would you fall on the “tree of lies” diagram? For me, I think denial and omission comes to mind quickly. I hate lies. Even more so, the word liar because it sounds so harsh. As a result, it’s where we inject the categorical standings as to soften the blow on how we depict ourselves. Mankind can rationalise anything we want to soothe the situation. But, in the authentic context of what the definition of lie is, I too, must succumb to my shortcomings. Who can completely and absolutely determine that they will never do it again? We have all lied about something or another, and for some of us it’s as natural as breathing. I once heard a preacher talk about the many ways in which we human beings lie to ourselves and others. Though we would like to think that we do not, we do on various levels in our lives. Interestingly enough, this preacher went onto to list the ways in which we lie: “the white lie-er/ small lie-er”, “the big lie-er”, “the exaggerate-er”, “the deception-er”, “the denial-er”, “the fabricate-er”, and “the omission-er”. According to Webster’s online dictionary we can all find ourselves in at least one definition below: A White Lie: An unimportant lie (especially one told to be tactful or polite) A Big Lie: Deliberate gross distortion of the truth used especially as a propaganda tactic Exaggeration: To enlarge beyond bounds or the truth Deception: Something that deceives Denial: Refusal to admit the truth or reality (as of a statement or charge); assertion that an allegation is false; refusal to acknowledge a person or a thing Fabrication: a product of fabrication; especially: lie or falsehood Omission: to leave out or leave unmentioned Should it matter which category we fall into? Or is it more important to admit that we do lie? Depending on how our magnifying glasses work we should probably find ourselves looking more inwardly rather than outwardly to others. I use to think that I didn’t lie about anything, especially, in my emotions and opinions. My mantra was, if you really don’t want an honest answer; don’t ask me anything, because I will give you an honest answer. At times, the answer is I don’t know. I was raised not to lie or else my little behind would taste the pleasure of my grandmother’s belt called “Charlie”. Of course, we all did it as children. My grandmother had a bushel of us to cause enough mischief and misbehaviour, that no one person was ever willing to continually fess up to wrongdoings. Hence, the “liar tree” bore fruit, and the unsuspecting categories of where I would fall one day, awaited my arrival. As I’ve grown over the years, I now understand the consequences of lying. When someone builds a reputation on lies it’s difficult for people to see him or her beyond that definition. Then it becomes even more complex to shift that view of what others have labeled the person. So, it’s in conscientiousness that we choose our categories in how we lie. The only downside to that theory is, there are no categories in God’s view. A lie is a lie. In my experiences I have found women tend to lie in the categories of denial (relationships, keeping up with the Joneses/neighbours) and deception (beauty, relationships) the most. We go along with things, and do niceties, and suppress feelings that we want to express more readily just to keep the peace. On many occasions we live in the state of denial about our issues. Through deception we can and will make things appear differently, than what it really is for the moment. To name a few simple examples: we have hair extensions, hair weaves; make up, push-up bras, girdles, butt- lift underwear and the list goes on some more. This is the lighter side of our deceptive practices. A lot of women will get defensive on the issue about the lengths we go through to enhance our beauty and appearances, and in sticking with the truth, the enhancement process is really deception. In my other experiences I have found men lie in the categories of exaggeration (sports, jobs, money) fabrication (relationships) and omission (relationships) the most. Men will exaggerate in storytelling about sporting events/gym. How much they can bench press, run or throw a ball; how they can beat the guy who’s playing the sport they’re watching on TV, in the arena, or on the field and the rest. They will exaggerate their job functions, and how they can care for their women and somebody else’s. They will also fabricate and omit facts depending on the situation in a relationship. We can sort lying by any category we choose -- gender, race, age, culture, and so forth; the bottom line is we lie to ourselves and or to each other. It’s always easier to look at other people and judge their degrees of lying, then compare theirs to our standards. This reminds me of the old saying –we use rose colored glasses to look at ourselves and magnifying glasses to look at others. Perhaps, even as I write this piece, other categories of lying may emerge and where and how I would fit in, may increase. Can human beings really live their most authentic lives without lying about anything? Can we truly survive in a world without lies of any sort? Ideally, we can all say yes. Realistically-what kind of a liar are you?

Octopus snatches coconut and runs

An octopus and its coconut-carrying antics have surprised scientists.

Underwater footage reveals that the creatures scoop up halved coconut shells before scampering away with them so they can later use them as shelters.

Writing in the journal Current Biology, the team says it is the first example of tool use in octopuses.

One of the researchers, Dr Julian Finn from Australia's Museum Victoria, told BBC News: "I almost drowned laughing when I saw this the first time."

He added: "I could tell it was going to do something, but I didn't expect this - I didn't expect it would pick up the shell and run away with it."

Quick getaway

The veined octopuses (Amphioctopus marginatus) were filmed between 1999 and 2008 off the coasts of Northern Sulawesi and Bali in Indonesia. The bizarre behaviour was spotted on four occasions.

The octopuses use the coconuts as a shelter

The eight-armed beasts used halved coconuts that had been discarded by humans and had eventually settled in the ocean.

Dr Mark Norman, head of science at Museum Victoria, Melbourne, and one of the authors of the paper, said: "It is amazing watching them excavate one of these shells. They probe their arms down to loosen the mud, then they rotate them out."

After turning the shells so the open side faces upwards, the octopuses blow jets of mud out of the bowl before extending their arms around the shell - or if they have two halves, stacking them first, one inside the other - before stiffening their legs and tip-toeing away.

Dr Norman said: "I think it is amazing that those arms of pure muscle get turned into rigid rods so that they can run along a bit like a high-speed spider.

"It comes down to amazing dexterity and co-ordination of eight arms and several hundred suckers."

Home, sweet home

The octopuses were filmed moving up to 20m with the shells.

And their awkward gait, which the scientists describe as "stilt-walking", is surprisingly speedy, possibly because the creatures are left vulnerable to attack from predators while they scuttle away with their prized coconuts.

The veined octopus is a meaty feast for predators

The octopuses eventually use the shells as a protective shelter. If they just have one half, they simply turn it over and hide underneath. But if they are lucky enough to have retrieved two halves, they assemble them back into the original closed coconut form and sneak inside.

The shells provide important protection for the octopuses in a patch of seabed where there are few places to hide.

Dr Norman explained: "This is an incredibly dangerous habitat for these animals - soft sediment and mud couldn't be worse.

"If they are buried loose in mud without a shell, any predator coming along can just scoop them up. And they are pure rump steak, a terrific meat supply for any predator."

The researchers think that the creatures would initially have used large bivalve shells as their haven, but later swapped to coconuts after our insatiable appetite for them meant their discarded shells became a regular feature on the sea bed.

Surprisingly smart

Tool use was once thought to be an exclusively human skill, but this behaviour has now been observed in a growing list of primates, mammals and birds.

They do things which, normally, you'd only expect vertebrates to do Tom Tregenza, University of Exeter

The researchers say their study suggests that these coconut-grabbing octopuses should now be added to these ranks.

Professor Tom Tregenza, an evolutionary ecologist from the University of Exeter, UK, and another author of the paper, said: "A tool is something an animal carries around and then uses on a particular occasion for a particular purpose.

"While the octopus carries the coconut around there is no use to it - no more use than an umbrella is to you when you have it folded up and you are carrying it about. The umbrella only becomes useful when you lift it above your head and open it up.

"And just in the same way, the coconut becomes useful to this octopus when it stops and turns it the other way up and climbs inside it."

He added that octopuses already have a reputation for being an intelligent invertebrate.

He explained: "They've been shown to be able to solve simple puzzles, there is the mimic octopus, which has a range of different species that it can mimic, and now there is this tool use.

"They do things which, normally, you'd only expect vertebrates to do."