Dear Source,
This is in response to Malik Sekou's opinion. Mr. Sekou, although I'm not a professor such as yourself and I agree partly in what you say as to our government, I think you're a little off base. Although our government is far from perfect, there is no such thing as a perfect government; anyone who lives in the Virgin Islands knows this all too well. I do believe our government tries to do what's best for the overall good of the USA.
Mr. Sekou, if you have ever lived abroad, you know how bad it is in some other countries: In some places you would have been jailed, or worse, for the comments you made. But that's what sets America apart from everywhere else.
In most of those Muslim countries, the controlling government has terrorist factions trying to kill them and take over. They're using Islam in a perverted way to influence young and old to do terrible things, just like many of the evangelists and religious leaders here in America.
[Congresswoman Barbara] Lee, in my opinion, is just trying to get attention, and she knew that vote would get her in the news. I doubt that, if someone came up to her and assaulted her on the street, she would try to blame herself. No, Mr. Sekou, she would defend herself. We must defend ourselves from this monstrous group of rebels — because, if we don't, they will strike again, even if it takes 10 years, and it will be much worse. The world together should rid itself of these terrorists. The reason so many other nations are joining the cause is that they know that right now we are the enemy of the terrorist, but in 10-20 years they could be next.
Every time something like this happens, out comes the "Blame America First Group," which is absurd. Mr. Sekou, if your adult child cut someone off in traffic one day, and late that same night the man he cut off in traffic attacked your family and yourself for what your child did, would you defend your home and family? Yes, you would, with all your might, even though your child was wrong for the traffic violation, and the man who attacked your family was wrong in attacking your family. You must defend them. You must defend them, even if your child is wrong; I don't know a parent who wouldn't. We must defend ourselves, and, since they run and hide only to attack again, we must go and find them.
We may not agree with what our leaders do, but in times of crisis, we must support them. If we don't, we become divided, and then America will fall, and then, Mr. Sekou, I can guarantee you won't have the same freedom as you do now.
Jim Richardson
Philadelphia, Pa.

Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.

Dear Source,
This is in response to Malik Sekou's opinion. Mr. Sekou, although I'm not a professor such as yourself and I agree partly in what you say as to our government, I think you're a little off base. Although our government is far from perfect, there is no such thing as a perfect government; anyone who lives in the Virgin Islands knows this all too well. I do believe our government tries to do what's best for the overall good of the USA.
Mr. Sekou, if you have ever lived abroad, you know how bad it is in some other countries: In some places you would have been jailed, or worse, for the comments you made. But that's what sets America apart from everywhere else.
In most of those Muslim countries, the controlling government has terrorist factions trying to kill them and take over. They're using Islam in a perverted way to influence young and old to do terrible things, just like many of the evangelists and religious leaders here in America.
[Congresswoman Barbara] Lee, in my opinion, is just trying to get attention, and she knew that vote would get her in the news. I doubt that, if someone came up to her and assaulted her on the street, she would try to blame herself. No, Mr. Sekou, she would defend herself. We must defend ourselves from this monstrous group of rebels — because, if we don't, they will strike again, even if it takes 10 years, and it will be much worse. The world together should rid itself of these terrorists. The reason so many other nations are joining the cause is that they know that right now we are the enemy of the terrorist, but in 10-20 years they could be next.
Every time something like this happens, out comes the "Blame America First Group," which is absurd. Mr. Sekou, if your adult child cut someone off in traffic one day, and late that same night the man he cut off in traffic attacked your family and yourself for what your child did, would you defend your home and family? Yes, you would, with all your might, even though your child was wrong for the traffic violation, and the man who attacked your family was wrong in attacking your family. You must defend them. You must defend them, even if your child is wrong; I don't know a parent who wouldn't. We must defend ourselves, and, since they run and hide only to attack again, we must go and find them.
We may not agree with what our leaders do, but in times of crisis, we must support them. If we don't, we become divided, and then America will fall, and then, Mr. Sekou, I can guarantee you won't have the same freedom as you do now.
Jim Richardson
Philadelphia, Pa.

Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.

Oct. 1, 2001 – Have you ever yearned to buy local or Caribbean antique furniture, but been frustrated by the paucity of expert help for collectors? Two members of the St. Thomas Historic Trust will remedy that, in a lecture on collecting V.I. and Caribbean antique furniture at 6 p.m. Thursday at the V.I. Cultural Heritage Institute, 5-6 Kongens Gade, St. Thomas.
Philip Sturm, a longtime collector, and Felipe Ayala, who observes island homes and furnishings on the television program "Inside", will make the presentation as part of the Institute's "Pass It On" program. They will provide for novice and experienced collectors a wealth of information on collecting antique furniture locally. They will educate collectors on determining authenticity and quality of a piece of furniture, and will answer questions.
The "Pass It On" project is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and is supported by the V.I. Humanities Council. For information, call the Institute at 774-9537.

Oct. 1, 2001 — Two 21-year-old inmates at the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility on St. Croix have been arrested for the murder of a fellow convict a week ago.
Miguel Lebron, 27, of St. Croix died after being stabbed in his cell on Sept. 22 by an assailant wielding a homemade weapon.
Louis Lopez and Juan Carlos Crispin were arrested for the crime over the weekend, according to V.I. Police Captain Jeremy Swan. He said both were charged with first-degree murder.
Both Lopez and Crispin are maximum-security prisoners, already serving life sentences.
Lebron, who was housed in the minimum-security section of Golden Grove, was nine years into a 13-year sentence for aggravated child abuse. He was awaiting a parole hearing at the time he was murdered.
Last week, V.I. Attorney General Iver Stridiron said that anyone convicted of the murder would be "exiled" to Wallens Ridge State Prison in Virginia. Wallens Ridge is a maximum-security facility where inmates are confined to their cells for up to 23 hours a day.
Golden Grove has a maximum-security wing, but it is a medium-security prison.

Sept. 28, 2001 – There were no clues in Valerie Francis's life to indicate she was at risk for breast cancer. She was only 33, and no one in her family had suffered the disease.
When her nipple began to leak, she went to her doctor. A biopsy indicated cancer.
"I was in shock," she said.
That was 11 years ago, and Francis is proof that you can survive breast cancer. As office manager at the V.I. Housing Finance Authority, wife to Joseph Francis Jr., and mother and stepmother to six children between the ages of 16 and 28 — Neema, Sharice, Shanelle, Tynisa, Deia, and Shara — she has a full and busy life.
As the nation observes October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Francis reminds women that they can live normal lives after breast cancer treatment. "It's not a death sentence," she said.
Francis does what she can to help women recover. She volunteers as coordinator for the American Cancer Society's Reach to Recovery program, which sends volunteers into hospitals and homes to help see people through breast cancer treatment. "No one should have to face breast cancer alone," she said.
She also urges women to get an annual mammogram. While physicians recommend that women start having mammograms at age 40, Francis said she is a living example that breast cancer strikes women much younger.
According to information on the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month website, breast cancer is uncommon in women under 35. About 82 percent of cases are found in women 50 and older. The risk increases with age and is especially high for women 60 and older.
Estimates for the year 2001 are that 192,200 people across the county will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Of that number, 40,200 will die. Breast cancer is the second-most common cancer in women, after from skin cancer. For the entire population, it is right behind lung cancer as the leading cause of death.
While no statistics are available for the territory, information provided by the Roy L. Schneider Hospital's cancer registry through the American Cancer Society show that 30 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000. This accounted for about 20 percent of all cancers treated at the hospital.
More than two million women in the United States have survived the disease, and the American Cancer Society says that having an annual mammogram can reduce the chance of its being fatal by 63 percent.
The society also says mortality for black women is higher than for white women — because blacks are less likely to have regular mammograms.
According to the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month web site, the number of breast cancers detected each year has increased over the last two decades. However, mortality has dropped, thanks to earlier detection. The average five-year survival rate stands at 97 percent when cancer is caught before it spreads beyond the breast. It drops to 21 percent when the disease reaches other organs.
There are other risk factors besides age:
– Women who have had breast cancer before or non-cancerous breast diseases may develop breast cancer.
– If your mother, sister, daughter or two or more close relatives had the disease, your risk is greater.
– If you have a family history of breast cancer, genetic testing may indicate whether you are at risk.
– If you got your first menstrual period before you turned 12, your risk is higher — because the more menstrual cycles you have over your lifetime, the more likely you are to get breast cancer.
– If you have no children or if you gave birth to your first children after age 25 to 30, you are at greater risk than those who gave birth earlier.
Lifestyle also counts when it comes to risk. Decreasing fat, increasing fiber, eating fresh fruits and vegetables, limiting alcohol, staying active and not smoking are all ways to decrease your risk.
However, seven out of 10 cancers occur in women with no risk factors.
Mammograms at half price
To help women on St. Thomas and St. John detect breast cancer before it's too late, St. Thomas Radiology Associates, in conjunction with the local chapter of the American Cancer Society, is offering mammograms for $90 — half the regular price — during October.
"Make your appointment as soon as possible," receptionist Rashaan George urged.
She said as of Sept. 28, appointments were already booked through the middle of October. For an appointment, call 774-0265.
Fern LaBorde, who serves as president of the St. Thomas-St. John chapter of the American Cancer Society, said she knows of no similar program on St. Croix.
It is suggested that women who are not post-menopausal should schedule their mammograms for a week after the date their period should begin. This is the time when the breasts are the least tender, medical personnel note.
Regular breast self-examination and an annual examination by a physician may detect lumps which could be cancerous, but they are not a substitute for a mammogram, which can detect minute lumps that may or may not be cancer, the experts say.
To raise money for the local American Cancer Society chapter, the organization will sponsor its fourth annual "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, Run, Roll" on Oct. 21. For details, see "Breast Cancer Walk, Run, Roll' is Oct. 21"

Sept. 28, 2001 – There were no clues in Valerie Francis's life to indicate she was at risk for breast cancer. She was only 33, and no one in her family had suffered the disease.
When her nipple began to leak, she went to her doctor. A biopsy indicated cancer.
"I was in shock," she said.
That was 11 years ago, and Francis is proof that you can survive breast cancer. As office manager at the V.I. Housing Finance Authority, wife to Joseph Francis Jr., and mother and stepmother to six children between the ages of 16 and 28 — Neema, Sharice, Shanelle, Tynisa, Deia, and Shara — she has a full and busy life.
As the nation observes October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Francis reminds women that they can live normal lives after breast cancer treatment. "It's not a death sentence," she said.
Francis does what she can to help women recover. She volunteers as coordinator for the American Cancer Society's Reach to Recovery program, which sends volunteers into hospitals and homes to help see people through breast cancer treatment. "No one should have to face breast cancer alone," she said.
She also urges women to get an annual mammogram. While physicians recommend that women start having mammograms at age 40, Francis said she is a living example that breast cancer strikes women much younger.
According to information on the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month website, breast cancer is uncommon in women under 35. About 82 percent of cases are found in women 50 and older. The risk increases with age and is especially high for women 60 and older.
Estimates for the year 2001 are that 192,200 people across the county will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Of that number, 40,200 will die. Breast cancer is the second-most common cancer in women, after from skin cancer. For the entire population, it is right behind lung cancer as the leading cause of death.
While no statistics are available for the territory, information provided by the Roy L. Schneider Hospital's cancer registry through the American Cancer Society show that 30 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000. This accounted for about 20 percent of all cancers treated at the hospital.
More than two million women in the United States have survived the disease, and the American Cancer Society says that having an annual mammogram can reduce the chance of its being fatal by 63 percent.
The society also says mortality for black women is higher than for white women — because blacks are less likely to have regular mammograms.
According to the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month web site, the number of breast cancers detected each year has increased over the last two decades. However, mortality has dropped, thanks to earlier detection. The average five-year survival rate stands at 97 percent when cancer is caught before it spreads beyond the breast. It drops to 21 percent when the disease reaches other organs.
There are other risk factors besides age:
– Women who have had breast cancer before or non-cancerous breast diseases may develop breast cancer.
– If your mother, sister, daughter or two or more close relatives had the disease, your risk is greater.
– If you have a family history of breast cancer, genetic testing may indicate whether you are at risk.
– If you got your first menstrual period before you turned 12, your risk is higher — because the more menstrual cycles you have over your lifetime, the more likely you are to get breast cancer.
– If you have no children or if you gave birth to your first children after age 25 to 30, you are at greater risk than those who gave birth earlier.
Lifestyle also counts when it comes to risk. Decreasing fat, increasing fiber, eating fresh fruits and vegetables, limiting alcohol, staying active and not smoking are all ways to decrease your risk.
However, seven out of 10 cancers occur in women with no risk factors.
Mammograms at half price
To help women on St. Thomas and St. John detect breast cancer before it's too late, St. Thomas Radiology Associates, in conjunction with the local chapter of the American Cancer Society, is offering mammograms for $90 — half the regular price — during October.
"Make your appointment as soon as possible," receptionist Rashaan George urged.
She said as of Sept. 28, appointments were already booked through the middle of October. For an appointment, call 774-0265.
Fern LaBorde, who serves as president of the St. Thomas-St. John chapter of the American Cancer Society, said she knows of no similar program on St. Croix.
It is suggested that women who are not post-menopausal should schedule their mammograms for a week after the date their period should begin. This is the time when the breasts are the least tender, medical personnel note.
Regular breast self-examination and an annual examination by a physician may detect lumps which could be cancerous, but they are not a substitute for a mammogram, which can detect minute lumps that may or may not be cancer, the experts say.
To raise money for the local American Cancer Society chapter, the organization will sponsor its fourth annual "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, Run, Roll" on Oct. 21. For details, see "Breast Cancer Walk, Run, Roll' is Oct. 21"

Sept. 30, 2001 – The St. Thomas-St. John chapter of the American Cancer Society will host its 4th annual "Making Strides against Breast Cancer Walk, Run, Roll" event on Sunday, Oct. 21, in Havensight. Registration for adults is $5 in advance and $8 the day of the event. For children and youths under age 18, it's $3.
The 2-mile course will start in the Port of $ale parking lot and make a double loop through the Havensight Mall, "first to the upper level and then down the ramp to the other side," Theresa Hodge said. She is the president of the event organizer, the St. Thomas Association of Road Runners.
The event is scheduled to get under way at 5 p.m. "after the cruise ships have left," Hodge said. Participants can register in advance at Players in Havensight Mall, The Comfort Zone in Port of $ale Mall and Going Seanile on the Charlotte Amalie waterfront, Hodge said. For those who don't do so, signup on Oct. 21 will be from 4 to 5 p.m.in the Port of $ale parking lot.
While "walking" and "running" should be self-evident, Hodge said the definition of "rolling" in this case is that participants may take part in wheelchairs and pushing strollers with infants. "Roller blades aren't allowed," she said.
Awards will be presented in seven age groups, for women and for men. They range from "12 and under" to "60 and older," Hodge said. Also, she noted, "Each finisher will get a commemorative medal." So far, there are no plans for a souvenir T-shirt, because so far there are no corporate sponsors, she said.
All proceeds will benefit the local American Cancer Society. Last year, about 180 people took part in the event, Hodge said.
For more information about participating in or about sponsoring the event, call Hodge at 775-6373.

Sept. 30, 2001 – A friend of mine from Jamaica has a little tattered notebook that sits on the sideboard in her kitchen. It contains a treasure of hand-written recipes passed down to her by her mother, grandmother and aunts. When she let me leaf through the book on a visit the other day, a recipe for Yam and Coconut Bake caught my attention as something the whole family would enjoy.
True yams — rather than sweet potatoes, which they are commonly mistaken for — grow abundantly throughout South and Central America, the Caribbean and parts of Asia and Africa. Depending on the variety, a yam's flesh may be purple, pink, yellow or off-white in color, with its skin ranging from blackish brown to tan. Yams have a higher natural sugar and moisture content than sweet potatoes, and they provide a fair source of vitamins A and C, the mineral potassium and dietary fiber.
At the market or store, select yams that are unblemished with tight unwrinkled skins. Store them in a cool, dark, dry place, but not in the refrigerator. They can stay good for a few weeks.
In the recipe that follows, the banana, orange juice and coconut all complement the sweet flavor of the yam, while the pecans add some crunch to the dish. Delicious served hot or cold, this recipe yields a dish that travels well and is a good one to take for picnics and potluck parties.
Yam and Coconut Bake
1 large yam or 2 small yams
1 ripe banana
1/4 cup orange juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoons chopped pecans
2 tablespoons flaked coconut
Wash the yam(s) well. Cut vertically into 1-inch thick ovals, place into a saucepan and cover with water. Bring water to a boil. Cook until yams are fork tender. Drain water. Let yams cool, and then peel. Spray a 1-quart casserole dish with nonstick coating. Place yams evenly in the bottom of the dish. Slice banana and layer slices over the yam. Stir together orange juice, salt and pepper. Pour this mixture over the yam and banana. Sprinkle brown sugar, pecans and coconut over top. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 to 30 minutes, until coconut is toasty brown. Serves 4.
Nutrition per serving: 170 calories, 3 gms fat (17 percent fat calories), no cholesterol, 215 mg sodium.

Sept. 30, 2001 – On Sunday, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull signed two bills passed by the 24th Legislature last week: one approving projects to be funded with $2.189 million in federal Community Development Block Grant money, and the other ratifying new medical and dental health insurance plans for government workers.
The Senate approved the 37 CDBG projects sought by the administration intact on Tuesay, after having decided on Sept. 10 to reject the proposed allocations and reprogram the distribution themselves.
The lawmakers unanimously approved the new insurance package Friday, 12-0, at a special session called by Turnbull for the purpose. The previous contract expired on Sunday, which is when the new coverage took effect.
Distribution of the CDBG money will benefit 18 projects on St. Thomas, 14 on St. Croix and five on St. John. The amounts of money are equal for both districts — $875,600 for St. Croix and $803,950 for St. Thomas plus $71,650 for St. John. For a list of the agencies and projects which are being funded, see the earlier Source story, "Governor seeks CDBG funds for 37 projects".
In a letter to Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd, Turnbull said he hopes the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department, which provides CDBG funding, "will increase our share of the block grant monies or grant us special consideration for additional funding in the future."
In the new insurance package, medical coverage is through Connecticut General Life Insurance Co. (CIGNA), and medical coverage is with Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.
The measures provide "wider coverage" for government employees, a release from Government House stated. While the government will pay more for the new coverage than it did under the old plan, the release noted, "it will not pass along the cost to the employees." The governor proposed in his Fiscal Year 2002 budget and the Legislature approved the appropriation of $12 million to cover executive branch salary and health insurance premium increases.
The insurance contract is renewable for four years, the release said.

Sept. 30, 2001 – On Sunday, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull signed two bills passed by the 24th Legislature last week: one approving projects to be funded with $2.189 million in federal Community Development Block Grant money, and the other ratifying new medical and dental health insurance plans for government workers.
The Senate approved the 37 CDBG projects sought by the administration intact on Tuesay, after having decided on Sept. 10 to reject the proposed allocations and reprogram the distribution themselves.
The lawmakers unanimously approved the new insurance package Friday, 12-0, at a special session called by Turnbull for the purpose. The previous contract expired on Sunday, which is when the new coverage took effect.
Distribution of the CDBG money will benefit 18 projects on St. Thomas, 14 on St. Croix and five on St. John. The amounts of money are equal for both districts — $875,600 for St. Croix and $803,950 for St. Thomas plus $71,650 for St. John. For a list of the agencies and projects which are being funded, see the earlier Source story, "Governor seeks CDBG funds for 37 projects".
In a letter to Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd, Turnbull said he hopes the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department, which provides CDBG funding, "will increase our share of the block grant monies or grant us special consideration for additional funding in the future."
In the new insurance package, medical coverage is through Connecticut General Life Insurance Co. (CIGNA), and life insurance coverage is with Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.
The measures provide "wider coverage" for government employees, a release from Government House stated. While the government will pay more for the new coverage than it did under the old plan, the release noted, "it will not pass along the cost to the employees." The governor proposed in his Fiscal Year 2002 budget and the Legislature approved the appropriation of $12 million to cover executive branch salary and health insurance premium increases.
The insurance contract is renewable for four years, the release said.