"I never yet feared those men who set a place apart in the middle of their cities where they gather to cheat one another and swear oaths which they break." Herodotus
Our national Coat of Arms features a shield. Above that shield, rises a mahogany tree. Below the shield is the motto scroll. On that scroll is inscribed our national motto. Most reliable sources translate this Latin phrase as "Under the shade I (We) flourish." Some however, give the slogan a more sinister, less desirable meaning: "I (We) flourish in the shadow." Forgo the attractive side-argument as to whether this meant under our colonial masters or under the mahogany tree. Stick with the main thing – What can flourish in shadow?
Mushrooms and UDP Ministers, apparently. Do not be tempted by fun fungus jokes, this is not the time. Focus, rather on the shadows, for therein our democracy is currently lodged.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister of Belize, "with immediate effect, removed Hon. Edmund Castro as a Minister of State.” Sacked him. Cleared him out of the Ministry of Works, and from his Cabinet.
According the Press Release which was issued yesterday by the Office of the Prime Minister, “The decision was taken following a report made to the Prime Minister about an incident involving Hon. Castro. The Prime Minister was satisfied, after due consideration, that the report was substantially accurate; and that Hon. Castro had engaged in behavior inconsistent with the high standards of propriety to which the Prime Minister seeks to hold his ministers."
So of course, like the sacking, with immediate effect, the entire country went into an overdrive of speculation, rumor, gossip, innuendo and yes, good, good, "yeri-so". We all became inquiring minds who demanded to know. Leave that there for the moment.
Every member of the National Assembly, including the Honorable Edmund "Clear The Land" Castro" is subjected to the Oaths Act, Chapter 130 of the laws of Belize. Under section 2, the Oath of Allegiance and Office "shall be in the following form:
"I, , do swear [or solemnly and sincerely affirm and declare] that I will bear true faith and allegiance to Belize, and will uphold the Belize Constitution and the Law, and that I will conscientiously, impartially and to the best of my ability discharge my duties as [ ] and do right to all manner of people without fear or favour, affection or ill-will. [So help me God.]
According to section 3 of the Oaths Act, "The oath of allegiance and office shall be taken and subscribed by every member of the National Assembly previously to his taking his seat as a member thereof, and such oath shall be tendered by the Speaker or presiding member at a meeting of the said Assembly."
According to 7 News,
}]Armenia is a small village off the western highway in the Cayo district. It is politically located in the Cayo South constituency, where many hard working Belizeans live and work. Most residents of Armenia live off the land. On the 24th October 2010, Hurricane Richard hit Belize causing devastation in areas all over the country, including Armenia where many structures had all but collapsed. Homes were left without roofs, exposing families to the elements. Countless trees obstructed the pathways that lead to and from the farms where the people of Armenia live and work. Many families are suffering the effects, 
}]Armenia is a small village off the western highway in the Cayo district. It is politically located in the Cayo South constituency, where many hard working Belizeans live and work. Most residents of Armenia live off the land. On the 24th October 2010, Hurricane Richard hit Belize causing devastation in areas all over the country, including Armenia where many structures had all but collapsed. Homes were left without roofs, exposing families to the elements. Countless trees obstructed the pathways that lead to and from the farms where the people of Armenia live and work. Many families are suffering the effects, 
}]Armenia is a small village off the western highway in the Cayo district. It is politically located in the Cayo South constituency, where many hard working Belizeans live and work. Most residents of Armenia live off the land. On the 24th October 2010, Hurricane Richard hit Belize causing devastation in areas all over the country, including Armenia where many structures had all but collapsed. Homes were left without roofs, exposing families to the elements. Countless trees obstructed the pathways that lead to and from the farms where the people of Armenia live and work. Many families are suffering the effects, 
}]Armenia is a small village off the western highway in the Cayo district. It is politically located in the Cayo South constituency, where many hard working Belizeans live and work. Most residents of Armenia live off the land. On the 24th October 2010, Hurricane Richard hit Belize causing devastation in areas all over the country, including Armenia where many structures had all but collapsed. Homes were left without roofs, exposing families to the elements. Countless trees obstructed the pathways that lead to and from the farms where the people of Armenia live and work. Many families are suffering the effects, 
}]Armenia is a small village off the western highway in the Cayo district. It is politically located in the Cayo South constituency, where many hard working Belizeans live and work. Most residents of Armenia live off the land. On the 24th October 2010, Hurricane Richard hit Belize causing devastation in areas all over the country, including Armenia where many structures had all but collapsed. Homes were left without roofs, exposing families to the elements. Countless trees obstructed the pathways that lead to and from the farms where the people of Armenia live and work. Many families are suffering the effects, 
}]Armenia is a small village off the western highway in the Cayo district. It is politically located in the Cayo South constituency, where many hard working Belizeans live and work. Most residents of Armenia live off the land. On the 24th October 2010, Hurricane Richard hit Belize causing devastation in areas all over the country, including Armenia where many structures had all but collapsed. Homes were left without roofs, exposing families to the elements. Countless trees obstructed the pathways that lead to and from the farms where the people of Armenia live and work. Many families are suffering the effects, 
The Belize Elementary School girls and the Our Lady of the Way RC School boys from Ladyville won the Belize District primary schools volleyball championship held by the National Sports Council at the Belize City Center last Friday.
The Toledo Community College boys won their 4th back to back to back National Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) volleyball championship in the tournament hosted by Escuela Secundaria Tecnica Mexico at Andres Campos Civic Center in Corozal Town over the weekend.