GibViews

Memorial plaque for USS Tampa

Dear Sir,

Reference to article in Panorama issue of Tuesday the 16th of April 2019, Page 11, titled: Coast Guard looks to award Purple Hearts to USS Tampa crew killed during WorldWar 1.  Read more

Give me the essence of days gone by

In the same way that my parents tried to assimilate and accept the fast evolvement of the world around them which was so different from theirs; I now find myself, not doing the same thing, but certainly being sorely tested by habits and attitudes which are so far removed from those I knew and grew up with; and I am sure I am not alone in this.  Read more

Does Britain really want to be relieved of the stigma of Empire Days?

What will Brexit mean for Britain’s fourteen overseas territories; the home of 250,000 Britons? They are seen as remnants of the British Empire that have not been granted independence or have voted to remain British. One thing that comes across very clearly, which takes first place before any other necessity, is the issue of EU funding and the dependence of most of the Overseas Territories on it.  Read more

The aspirations and struggles of a people

Leafing through one of our excellent local glossy magazines, I noted that the author of an article; written around a young, experienced entrepreneur who has done the rounds in London; had suggested to him that he might like to come to Gibraltar and inspire us with his ideas.  Read more

No Postcode Envy

by KEN WESTMORELAND

There’s a line in the song ‘Royals’ by Lorde, which goes: ‘And I’m not proud of my address, in a torn up town, no postcode envy.’ Despite sounding American, she’s from New Zealand, which has ‘postcodes’, not ‘zip codes’ as in the US. ‘ZIP’ was an acronym for ‘Zone Improvement Plan’, or as Elvis once sang: ‘Return to sender, address unknown, no such number, no such zone’.  Read more

The country we have to deal with

When a Spanish Politician is pushed into a corner, he resorts to accusations and verbal abuse. His arrogance and the lack of plasticity of his beliefs, will not allow him to engage with someone who has different views to his i.e. those of the country he represents. To him this might appear as sacrilegious. Sr Borell in a TV interview not only accused his interviewer of being an ignoramus, but told him that next time, he was to ask him the right questions! The man is not after an interview, but a monologue.  Read more

Belize: A Vote for Russian Roulette?

by KEN WESTMORELAND

Years ago, I remarked to a Gibraltarian, ‘Spain lays claim to Gibraltar, Argentina the Falkland Islands, Guatemala Belize, what is it with Spanish-speaking countries?’ to which he replied, ‘I think you mean: “What is it with fascists?”’ I wouldn’t brand them as ‘fascists’, but rather as ‘Hispano-irredentists’, all hankering after long lost territory, if it were theirs to lose.  Read more

Intrusive treaty, says Feetham

Dear Sirs,

I refer to the debate on the recent Tax Treaty.

It is clear that those who are ordinarily resident in Spain should pay taxes in Spain and whether they are Gibraltarians or not, evading the payment of tax is not justified in any circumstances. No one is seeking to suggest otherwise.  Read more