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December 26, 2008 01:10:03
State of the St. Martin Nation address
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Posted: December 17, 2008 - 12:38:48 AM
NATIONTALK...AT ITS BEST, WHEN CHALLLENGED.
Broadcasted for the very first time on Wednesday, March 2, 2005, live on radio 98.1 Pearl F.M., NATIONtalk certainly was ‘one of its kind’.
Now, over three and a half years later, NATIONtalk is expected to cease its broadcast via the radio-station 98.1 Pearl F.M.
Next week, December 24th , 2008, will be the last installment of this program on this station.
During the initial stages that this program was broadcast via the radio-station 98.1 Pearl F.M., most of the people on the Northern-side of the island had never heard of that station before.
Not any more.
Consequently, NATIONtalk has without any doubt, in that sense, contributed significantly in putting this radio-station ‘on the map’.
In every aspect NATIONtalk was ‘one of its kind’, and unique in the history of radio on the island and perhaps beyond as well.
In fact it was not so much a radio-program, but rather a ‘platform’ for promoting the importance and awareness of the St. Martin nation building- and unification process as the absolutely critical foundation for any development, including constitutional developments.
As such, it became the un-disputed trendsetter in nation building- and unification concepts.
No-one, including Governments took NATIONtalk for granted.
Many perhaps did not necessarily like the ‘tone’ of the program, but certainly paid very keen attention to its bold, independent, non-partisan, very pro-St. Martin position….without any apologies.
The program also created a sense of pride, expectation and especially hope for native-indigenous St. Martin People, who had felt betrayed by their leaders over the years.
Typical for NATIONtalk, was also the vision of its founder to incorporate others in molding and airing the program.
Consequently, the cast, consisting of Chris, Jesse, Baige, Etique, Noreen, Jerry represented a very interesting, dynamic and broad, social native St. Martin reflection of opinions
However, on a very regular basis the producer of the program would be reminded by the station-manager, that there were ‘sources’, never identified of course, who felt that the program was ‘inciting violence’.
Not that any proof of such could be presented, even after repeated requests from the producer, Mr. James, proof was never provided.
Consequently, we no longer felt able to adequately express the concerns of native St. Martin people, without adding to the concerns for the station’s management about risking his license as he stated.
And so, the conclusion was drawn to do the ‘honorable thing’.
On Wednesday, December 24, 2008, will be the last installment on this radio-station.
Mr. James will then present the ‘State of the St. Martin Nation address for 2008’
Already, we have been ‘bombarded’ by many of our loyal listeners, who are extremely disappointed to say the least, the only program with which the native people strongly identified with, is treated this way.
NATIONtalk will ‘take a break’, do some extensive research and ‘rise from its ashes’ in a more professional, technological and especially independent manner to promote the St. Martin nation building process as never before.
Your support in this process will be highly appreciated.
To our many listeners, supporters, those who prayed for us as well as our critics, thanks for your input.
God bless you.
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