Columns :
Opinions - Joye Ritchie Greene
Strike up the orchestra...stomp out the noise -
Nov 6, 2007 - 5:32:58 PM
Very often in our lives we have those moments that seem so unimportant to us, but somehow our words and/or actions touch someone at the core. And, it is in those particular instances that the receiver gets a glimpse of his/her purpose on this earth.
It is a moment of clarity, of understanding. This is similar to when the student finally understands a concept that may have been eluding her for a while. Perhaps we know them best as “a-ha” moments...
Columns :
Opinions - Joye Ritchie Greene
You were inspired to do what! -
Oct 27, 2007 - 12:54:59 PM
Inspiration comes in many different packages and we must know it when we see it and figure out how to best use it. Being inspired by the perceived power you may possess is a recipe for disaster because the result only serves to stroke your ego, if only for a moment, and embarrass or hurt those around you.
While the General Elections provided much fodder for comedy sketches, there is still so much going on in our country that cannot provide comic relief. A death toll of 61 cannot inspire us to laugh, but it should inspire us to question how and why we have allowed this to happen...
Columns :
Opinions - Joye Ritchie Greene
What are You Waiting For? -
Oct 22, 2007 - 10:16:54 AM
So while we are waiting for Fridays, for a number to fall or our name to be called to see the doctor are we actually living in the moment? For many individuals, they are not alert to their present time. Their minds are usually wandering towards another time and space hoping to pass through painlessly in their wait.
Every doctor’s office has a waiting room, and we are programmed to prepare ourselves to wait each time we visit a doctor. Are we programmed to wait for life to happen to us?...
Columns :
Opinions - Joye Ritchie Greene
Uncover it and Discover You -
Oct 14, 2007 - 12:44:55 PM
Most individuals had the day off from work and school this past Friday to commemorate or celebrate Discovery Day. While this particular holiday is still a part of a national debate regarding its legitimacy in our history, we still enjoy having a “free day.” However, since this holiday is still officially marked on the calendar as “Discovery Day,” we should perhaps take some time to examine what it is that we have discovered about ourselves in the last year...
Columns :
Opinions - Joye Ritchie Greene
An Abscess on our Soul -
Oct 6, 2007 - 2:34:08 AM
There is definitely an abscess growing on the soul of this country and it is being caused by lazy, money-hungry, apathetic, ungrateful individuals who want something for nothing. There are far too many able-bodied men and women looking for handouts in this country and they are beginning to infect the rest of the population.
Columns :
Opinions - Joye Ritchie Greene
I Want My Gay TV -
Sep 24, 2007 - 12:51:44 PM
A part of me really wishes that there was gay TV. I wish that there was a channel that was devoted to nothing but promoting happy thoughts. A real gay channel that provided entertainment that uplifted the spirit and broadened one’s mind without tainted or distorted points of view.
"I want my gay TV" could be the new mantra of the day. Such a channel could incite love and peace rather than lust and violence. A gay channel would open up minds and warm up the coldest hearts to see all the beauty of creation.
Columns :
Opinions - Joye Ritchie Greene
Have some pride and clean up a little -
Sep 20, 2007 - 11:45:06 AM
I used to boast to my family and friends about how clean the streets and common areas were on the island of Grand Bahama, and in particular, the city of Freeport. However, in the last few years the garbage strewn about leads me to rethink my first impression.
In fact, I now realize that the citizens of this island are not that much different from the slobs living on New Providence. The difference between us and them is that we have a more timely refuse collection system in place; therefore the garbage does not remain such an eyesore for too long.
Columns :
Opinions - Joye Ritchie Greene
Insured for Life -
Sep 8, 2007 - 12:27:07 PM
Someone commented on my age the other day and I retorted that no matter how old I got, he would always be 31 years older. He sighed deeply, and said I was not to remind him of that, for now that he has passed his promised three score and ten, he waits with abated breath for the inevitable....
But is that the way we ought to live our lives; waiting on death? While we cannot cheat death, as the poet suggests, should we live each day thinking about it, planning for it? But isn’t that what we do? Isn’t that how the insurance brokers suck us into the “what if” scheme?
Columns :
Opinions - Joye Ritchie Greene
Are you a "D" or just average? -
Sep 2, 2007 - 8:20:42 PM
Once again the national average is below a C grade and much has been said about this. I listened to some of the discussions that took place over the airwaves and read remarks offered by educators and ministry officials. While many individuals seem to think that this mark is unacceptable, I wonder if we are not being naïve to think that the majority of our school-aged children can in fact obtain a C or above on their BGCSE’s.
Whether your child is entering kindergarten, grade seven or grade twelve today, the lazy hazy days of summer are now over. Monday marked the first day of school for the majority of school-aged children in The Bahamas...
Columns :
Opinions - Joye Ritchie Greene
A work in progress -
Aug 18, 2007 - 6:00:09 PM
When we rely on ourselves for happiness, we are less likely to feel remorse or self-loathing for wrong choices. When the choir sings it is not necessary for all of us to join in. Let them sing while we sit back and enjoy it. Life is not as complicated as we make it out to be. In fact, I think we bring the chaos into our lives when we look to others or to things to complete us.
Columns :
Opinions - Joye Ritchie Greene
Violence from the womb -
Aug 9, 2007 - 9:07:48 PM
The poem
Violence from the womb
was the best way for me to express my thoughts and feelings about the escalating violence among our young men over these past few months. It is a cycle that we need to stop
"
Mama, I pregnant. Ouch! What you hitting me for? Yes, I want to keep the baby. I ee’n asking you to help me, I will do it on my own. I know I don’t have a job, but Johnny working and he will help. Mama, the baby’s crying, What you mean you don’t care?"...
Columns :
Opinions - Joye Ritchie Greene
Blind man, please help me see -
Jul 29, 2007 - 9:10:06 PM
I have a tendency to critique the reports that air on the national station as much as I listen for the information. And while I thought the report was far too long winded, I accepted that there was a need to fill space. However, what I could not accept is the reporter ending her report by saying “the same kind of health as say normal people.”...
Columns :
Opinions - Joye Ritchie Greene
Did you say thank you? -
Jul 13, 2007 - 10:08:54 AM
It seems that “thank you” has become so foreign to the average person, that it is now a feel good, warm and fuzzy phrase that makes people feel good about themselves and the world around them.
The sad reality is that adults do not use that phrase as they should, hence the children are not using it. I believe that it should be second nature for a human being to thank someone who does something for them, even if you are paying them for the service.
Columns :
Opinions - Joye Ritchie Greene
Are you smart married or just married? -
Jul 5, 2007 - 10:23:28 PM
It seems that the traditional model of marriage, that is, between a man and a woman, has been so badly wounded over the years that many movements and initiatives have been created in an effort to sustain and uplift marriage, while homosexuals are attempting to redefine marriage in the 21st century....
Columns :
Opinions - Joye Ritchie Greene
Act your age -
Jul 5, 2007 - 12:47:42 PM
When someone turns 30, society usually expects him or her to have some clear cut direction in how he or she chooses to live. At 30 years of age, most men and women are expected to be well on their way in solidifying themselves in a chosen career. And, it is usually in their thirties that men and women have settled comfortably into married life and all that comes along with it...
Columns :
Opinions - Joye Ritchie Greene
Is there a father in your house? -
Jun 25, 2007 - 11:35:47 AM
While it is not my intention to bombard you with editorial discourse on the proceedings that occur in the House of Assembly, I must note one very interesting observation. It seems as if when the “fathers” of the House rise to speak, they are rarely heckled and interrupted. Furthermore, spectators of this “sport” would note that there is very little talking from the seated members when the “fathers” stand to speak.
Columns :
Opinions - Joye Ritchie Greene
Girl Power -
Jun 21, 2007 - 10:09:55 PM
There seems to be a bond that women share that surpasses nationality, religious beliefs, ethnicity, social status or ideologies. The Spice Girls of the 1990’s talked about “girl power” and it is this power that allows women to raise themselves out of many life threatening situations over and over again. And while they are lifting themselves up, they would pull another woman up along the way.
Columns :
Opinions - Joye Ritchie Greene
Be like Mike? -
Jun 14, 2007 - 10:51:49 AM
Anyone who knows anything about basketball would know that Michael Jordan was one of the greatest players of the sport. Many of the plays he made on the court were described as superhuman; so to have such a phenomenal athlete in awe of others should give us pause to think about how we view ourselves and what we have accomplished.
Columns :
Opinions - Joye Ritchie Greene
I rise, on a "point of order" -
Jun 13, 2007 - 1:14:13 PM
The jury is still out on whether or not the proceedings of the House of Assembly, being available to the general public in real time, is a positive or a negative thing. Watching and listening to individuals verbally assault each other in this “honourable house” has made almost a new “verbal” contact sport...
Columns :
Opinions - Joye Ritchie Greene
Third World Hiding in the First World -
May 31, 2007 - 1:47:13 PM
It is not unusual to be overwhelmed by someone who is older and perhaps wiser than you. Many times we feel that if someone has been around longer they should be a bit more advanced than us and so we may tend to follow their lead.
The United States of America has for many years, made us believe that while they are older, they are also stronger and wiser than us. They call themselves a first world country and refer to us and so many other countries in this region as third world...