At this time of deep National mourning over the Joe’s River Tragedy we thank our prolific contributor “Wishing In Vain” for highlighting that the Barbados Labour Party Blog or their official website is in no rush to extend condolences via the online medium. We acknowledge that they would have communicated sympathy in the traditional ways but at a time when technology makes the Internet a more effective tool in a communications plan, it speaks volumes for where we are as a people given our reluctance to use what is without a doubt the most effective and efficient means to communicate a message.
The BLP’s most recent posts; last updated on 27 July 2007
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Perhaps the decision makers over at the Barbados Labour Party need to hire Karel Mc Intosh of the Caribbean Public Relations Blog for some guidance. BU take this opportunity to say thanks on behalf of the Bajan blogs for the “big up” she gave to us on her blog.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Bajan blogs continue to top WordPress’ lists
I’ve always believed in the power of blogs – especially Caribbean blogs – to reach a wide audience. Of course, your ability to do so depends on several variables including, compelling content, the audiences you’re catering to, and optimising your online searchability.
Two blogs, which have been enjoying phenomenal success are the Barbados Free Press blog and Barbados Underground. Congratulations! BFP and BU focus on political, social and economic issues in Barbados, and are quite dedicated to their craft, sometimes posting several times a day.
We just wonder who is in charge of managing the BLP websites. The Prime Minister who of late is taken up with image building should have a word with that person!
You tell what good they are doing to comment on , Paradise, Cohhobopot, flyovers, Prison, west coast sewage treatment plant, QEH and health, unfinshed gov’t owned buildings like in Newton,the Police, CWC, GEMS and that whole mess, slot machine moving to 2,500 from less than a 1000 before, pandering to Pemberton and the rich west coast folks chains and barriers across public roads actually the lady gets rewarded with an consul in Germany after her chaining off the road. Baths that cost 10 times what they should cost to build only because Liz Thompson’s husband is doing the job,Greenland land disaster $60 million and not useable.
If these are the things that they should be praised for doing lord help us as we have real issues.
Wishing in Vain I am glad my question has elicited comment from you, Pearl and Idealist and I hope others will also post their reasons.
Personally I thought the question was worth putting out into the forum to see who responded and what they had to say.
One would think that if the BLP or their followers were seriously monitoring this Blog some of them would come forward. Don’t you think so? Why then don’t they?
Could it be that it is a situation where BLP supporters feel that they are in a position of safety and it is the DLP supporter who has to come after them. So far despite all the talk by DLP loyalists on the blogs we have not seen any concrete evidence put forward to shake the BLP people confidence of not winning at the next poll.
It is hard to be the lone voice in the wilderness of massive corruption and dishonesty and I really do feel that even the diehard BLP supporters are ashamed and annoyed at what Owing and company have conspired to do to rape this country.
They may feel a sense of disgust and annoyance but in true bajan style are not prepared to voice an opinion one way or the other hence the silence.
Quietly they to maybe wishing for a change of gov’t but too afraid to say this.
David and Wishing in Vain both good and valid comments.
But David surely there are rabid BLP supporters that must take exception to some of what is being said about them on these blogs. That is my point. Why would they remain silent instead of getting into the action?
But my next concern is this, could there be only a limited number of people using these blogs including the DLP and BLP Bolg that might account for it?
when you read the DLP AND BLP BLOGS they are really few comments and many are from the same people. In the case of the BU and BFP Blogs the same is true as far as the same people using them I mean but there are more postings.
My concern is that our voices whether we are Pro BLP or DLP are really not reaching any great numbers of people in Barbados who will vote. Because surely if thousands or even hundreds were reading the blogs human nature what it is would make many of them out of anger or political loyalty go on the record to voice an opinion. I find it very interesting and baffling!
Well done to the BU, BFP and the DLP for having the wisdom and forward thinking to sey up a section on their blogs for us to express sympathy to those who loss loved ones in those tragic accidents over the weekend.
It is very timely as the blp is taking a pounding on the call in shows today for their lack of compassion both in their article in the newspaper today or on their website.
Keep the good work up you are doing a wonderful job of allowing people to express their concerns.
Well done to the BU, BFP and the DLP for having the wisdom and forward thinking to set up a section on their blogs for us to express sympathy to those who loss loved ones in those tragic accidents over the weekend.
It is very timely as the blp is taking a pounding on the call in shows today for their lack of compassion both in their article in the newspaper today or on their website.
Keep the good work up you are doing a wonderful job of allowing people to express their concerns.
Tundr~we concede that Barbados is a backward place and Barbadians have little regard for the Internet. Keep wallowing in the past. Times are changing; REMEMBER!
It would help if the thousands that read the blog daily would email our information to Barbadians and others listed in their address book. The numbers would increase significantly. Imagine if a 1000 readers emailed to 3-5 of their friends, and those friends did the same.
Anyone believing Barbados is a backward place and have little regard for the internet is not playing with a full deck nor are they living in the real world.
Computers and the entire world of computers are the way of the future and children in North America and I am sure in Barbados too are using them in schools at very young ages and at home.
The computer is the future and if you are not computer literate God help you in the world of business, or most vocations you may chose to pursue.
As a matter of fact only a couple of days ago I saw my grand daughter who is 8 using some kind of electronic gizmo that I was not even familar with and she could tell me all about it. And I still do not understand what the hell it is.
I go into Future Shop and places like that and realize my generation is obsolete. Half of what is bering sold and displayed I have not got a clue what to hell they are. I had to jump through hoops to get a phono cartridge for my 35 year old stereo receiver as I refuse to get a CD. I listen to my vinyl!
What I find hard to understand as far as blogs are concerned is this. Using them in Barbados where mainly local issues are being discussed/debated and hearing that thousands are hitting these blogs daily two things are apparent to me. Most bringing up the blogs have no interest to participate in the issues posted or the comments made. Because few who hit the blogs submit opinions.
In this regard you have the same old same old people and comments going back and forth. All of the blogs without exception are like this BU, BFP, DLP and BLP. As a matter of fact the few comments that DLP and BLP get they could shut theirs down and not miss it.
My point being it is no good if 1000 people hit a specific blog a day and only 10 particpate in debate. I thought the idea of a blog was to enter into debate and the more the merrier. That does not happen in the blogs I mentioned, but I do not think that suggests or support that only a few Barbadians are using the net. I just think people hit blogs out of curiosity more than anything else.
Many might also fear participating or have reasons of their own for not doing so but in either case by them reading the blog tells us nothing about what they think one way or the other about the blog as far as if they agree or not with what is being published.
I think the main problem is that people are scared that their identities will be revealed through their IP addresses, so while they may read comments they prefer not to become involved. Also, it appears to me that most of the bloggers are male and some of them dislike having a female on board! It’s as much as to ask, “Wait! How a woman get pun dis man talk?” Another thing, the topics are usually politically based. I interact regularly with Talkback on a U.K. magazine and the subjects are enormously wide and varied and you can jump from one subject to the other like playing musical chairs! I have commented many times about Barbados in glowing terms, and one of the participants actually brought her family to Barbados on holiday earlier this year. I can assure you that it is a refreshing and highly enlightening experience, chatting on that magazine Talkback. And the comments are short and straight to the point, so you don’t start to yawn and get bored. I think blogging is a good thing for Bajans because we have become frustrated and angry, and the mainstream media is no help. And by the way, the BLP poppets don’t need to come on these blogs because they own the mainstream media! This is too long – I gone!
Pearl you have said a mouthful all it makes sense.
Why though women should feel as you say they do about participating is beyond me.
As for identity fears. Litigation against bloggers is very complex if even practical. Were someone to get your identity number that in itself is no proof you sent the e-mail.
Plus the Blog itself prints the material and are under no obligation to do so. That puts them in the drivers seat when it comes to libel.
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The DLP blog is growing steadily indeed, once people feel that the wind of change is blowing strong you will see more freedom of expression in general with people feeling free to express their opinion without fear of being fired.
Like Kid Site said A Frighten.
Sadly I see advertised today two funerals for those who lost their lives in that tragic accident, may they rest in peace.
We are most pleased to see the BLP blog wishing the best to the Codrington family of Britton’s Hill. It is never too late to correct a mistake.
Good job!