With only two years and a half left to go before the next general election, the People’s United Party’s level of desperation is rapidly increasing. The PUP is an organization that is immunized to shame. They will do anything to gain political mileage and in their doctrine, hypocrisy is considered virtuous. It is very difficult to develop sympathy for such an organization, but their recent public relations Hail Mary efforts are extremely pitiful.

They have the most difficult task of being an Opposition Party in an era of good governance. They are the Opposition in a country led by a man who

Obviously, the contractors of that campaign are worse than those of Mahogany Heist because it has been ineffective. The strong arms of the PUP are lining up and throwing everything against the wall (including the kitchen sink) hoping that something sticks. Their latest schemes have included joining the fight against offshore oil exploration, abandoning Restore Belize and blaming the UDP for Dengue.

The People’s United Party issued a press release on Thursday, July 15, codenamed: Part 1 of a comedy series; PUP Calls for a ban on offshore drilling. The Guardian received a copy of the release and by using experts who specialize in ‘Desperate Public Relations Stunts’ we were able to translate its contents into the truth.

PUP Calls for a ban on offshore drilling:

PUP Release: With the discovery of oil in commercial quantities in Belize and the potential economic benefits that could be derived from a booming petroleum industry, many Belizeans were in support of further exploration for oil, including offshore exploration.

TRUTH: With the discovery that offshore oil exploration is a very controversial issue in Belize and measuring the political benefits that could be derived from a popular organization against it, we are no longer in support of further exploration for oil, especially offshore exploration.

PUP Release: Today, as a result of the environmental disaster in the Gulf of Mexico and the billions of dollars in damage as well as the effects of this spill on the natural environment in the affected area, Belizeans have become increasingly concerned about the effects of offshore drilling on our natural environment, especially the negative impact it will have on our already fragile Barrier Reef.

TRUTH: Today, as a result of the catastrophic disaster our party has become and the millions of dollars we have wasted as well as the fact that we are considered oil spills on the national history of this country, the PUP has become increasingly aware that attacks on offshore drilling could have a positive public relations impact on our fragile party.

PUP Release and TRUTH:  British Petroleum is one of the world’s largest oil companies and its inability to deal with the spill in the Gulf and its effects on the coast of Florida, Louisiana and the Mississippi coastline is a lesson to all of us. The fact that many of the licenses for oil exploration, issued by Belize, have been granted to small drilling companies who lack the ability to deal with the consequences of any serious oil spill is a legitimate concern.

PUP Release: In this connection, the People’s United Party (PUP) welcomes the actions taken by the Environmental Community, Civil Society, and other stakeholders to become actively involved in this issue.  We encourage their participation and believe that they should play an active role in any future plans in the development of the petroleum industry.

TRUTH: The PUP welcomes the late actions taken by the “environmentalists”, civil society and our supporters and we are glad that you decided to become actively involved in the issue ten years late. We encourage your objection and hope that you do all in your power to delay the development of the petroleum industry.

They then called on the government to institute a ban on any further offshore drilling until Belizeans can be assured that all necessary measures have been taken to ensure that there will be no damage to our marine environment as a result of such drilling. One would never think that they are responsible for 14 of 17 oil exploration concessions. Those contracts are to Perenco Belize Ltd., US Capital Energy Belize Ltd., BelGeo Ltd., Blue Creek Exploration Ltd., Miles Tropical Energy Ltd., PetroBelize Company Ltd., Princess Petroleum Ltd., Providence Energy Belize Ltd., SOL Oil Belize Ltd., Spartan Petroleum Corporation, Island Oil Belize Ltd., West Bay Exploration Belize Ltd., Belize Natural Energy Ltd. and RSM Production Corporation. Johnny Briceno, their unwanted leader, was even accused of treason for signing a concession for exploration of the Sapodilla range over to a company with Guatemalan connections. Now they are the party against offshore oil exploration? The PUP against offshore drilling is like Colonel Sanders against fried chicken.

Taking a look at the side show

Now I must admit that I listen to bitter Vibez show every time I get a chance (which is not very often). The brothers are very entertaining comedians. They give ‘news’ that you would hear no place else. Plus, they are very ‘efficient’ in time management. I tuned in for a recent show and was impressed when they discussed five subjects in less than three minutes. The way they blurt out things, it’s as if the cast of the show suffer from Tourette’s syndrome. One exchange that caught my attention went like this:

Host 1: Bwai this police thing is a serious issue…

Host 2: True, wi hav tu talk bout the boat to. Da weh Doug into? Weh yo tink bout dat mi bally?

Host 3: Imagine the possibilities bwai.

Host 2: Da true bwai, an how bout dis dengue thing? Wa research of di lass five years show dat da jus di lass two years since dengue increase. Da neva anda we.  
 
That show is even more extreme and full of crap than Hannity’s America. They recently began focusing on a minor issue with a boat - the boat had in this; the boat had in that and that one was in the boat. I would challenge them to research what was in the plane. Or find out why it took police forever to get to a plane that landed in the middle of the road. Then to blame the increase of dengue on the UDP administration is outright silly. That probably means that this administration is causing it to increase in the entire region as well and the fact that international scientists point to climate change as an explanation is just a spin crafted by the UDP.

It is unbelievable what they will come up with. They blame the UDP for Dengue and accuse the UDP of being the reason why there needs to be a new cemetery. If someone affiliated with the party receives a piece of land or a nice job they make it headline news. Doesn’t everyone have the right to apply for a piece of land? The PUP shouldn’t even have the confidence to speak about land because they and their cronies played pirates with our natural resources.

The PUP lost their last speck of respect from the Belizean people when they backed out of Restore Belize. Many were proud to witness a historic bipartisan effort to solve crime. Instead Johnny didn’t want people to think that he is a follower. So he followed the instructions of his party leaders and backed out. Nothing is wrong with following good leadership Johnny. PUP will never regain the confidence of the people because in a time like this Belize needs real leaders, not men who act like high school girls.