The Independence Day address, it's the grandest platform for any political leader because the speech is thought to transcend mere party politics, and focus on higher thoughts about what it means to be a Belizean on the country's birthday. And this year, the political leaders did not disappoint, staying away from finger pointing and name calling and focusing on the issues facing a young nation coming to an age of where it discerns more and demands more.
We start with opposition leader dean barrow who said that the country is undergoing a revolution:
Hon. Dean Barrow – Leader of the Opposition
“Indeed in surveying the local scene one is reminded of that famous 18th century exchange when king Louis XII of France, upon learning of the fall of the Bastille asked his courtier Lau Rosh Fucoids: ‘is it a revolt?’ back came the immediate reply: ‘No sire it is a revolution.’ Let no one doubt that we are witnessing now the start of our own modern day 21st century revolution. It is bloodless, it’s scale and nature may be peculiar and it will, at least if Channel 7 has its way, be televised. But is a revolution nonetheless.”
“Leon Trotsky once said and I quote: ‘these solid people of capital, the press, the pulpit, where have they ever fought? They are accustomed to find by telegraph and telephone the results of the battles that settle their faith’ end of quotation. Well Trotsky’s declaration has now been completely confounded by the remarkable witness and advocacy, in Belize, of all those the old man port scorned. What better time then, than Independence Day, to pay tribute to the good Belizean people in all their dimensions. And what better time to exhort our leaders not to try to deflect manipulate or cozy the spirit of reform that has been let loose on our land.”
Hon. Said Musa – Prime Minister
“We have found ways to ‘delight in our differences,’ as Archbishop Desmond Tutu put it. And we are a nation firmly rooted in the rule of law and respect for human rights. This is the Belize that together we have built; where the media is free, independent and aggressive; where people demonstrate freely and openly without any instances of violence; and where the citizens’ demands for even greater transparency and accountability do not go unheeded by their leaders.”
“ ‘Building is a task of giants; little people tried and turned away.’ The task of nation building is not achieved by talking. It is achieved through bold vision, hard work and collective action. Talking can produce great and beautiful castles in the air – they are so easy to take refuge in. and easy to build too.”
“We cannot be satisfied with some success and we should never be discouraged by some failure. Let us not loose our focus and commitment to progress in the fog of controversy and mistrust at 23 we are still a very young nation.”
And while the opposition leader and the prime minister received top billing, the chairman of the September Celebrations Committee, mayor David Fonseca had some wry commentary himself. Looking perhaps to the G7 who politically lynched his brother, minister of investment Ralph Fonseca, the mayor said, "division will destroy " the vision" thing:
David Fonseca – Mayor of Belize City
“The struggle from the street transitions to wrestling from the chambers. There were sacrifices that had to be made to bring this nation to this point and time. Today that responsibility continues, that sacrifice continues. These are the times of us versus us. The Vision cannot happen with division our disunity. It does not happen with blame or judgmental attitudes. It happens with collaboration and solidarity. It happens with selflessness.”