Political Symbolism

Submitted by George Brathwaite, PhD Candidate (International Politics)/On The Map

There are several questions being raised in the current climate as it relates to the future of CARICOM and the future of Caribbean regional integration. In some quarters it is felt that the momentum for regionalism is being swept aside. This is due to embedded insularities and the repeated failures by governments to implement agreed policies, and for regional agencies and institutions to demonstrate the requisite convergences. Prejudices and ignorance are assuming pivotal positions once held by a bond of resilience to oppression and exploitation

Moreover, it appears as though the legacies of colonialism remain riveted in the psyche of Caribbean people together with several fears and a pronounced lack of confidence in each other. These are the saddest and currently exhibited aspects that frustrate our post-colonial development. How do we as Caribbean peoples weave together the various pieces of the Caribbean fabric that traditionally have been kept separate and fragmented? In this article, I contend that political symbols are sufficient to reengage the imagination of Caribbean people so that the consequence of such an engagement culminates in the re-building of a spirit of CARICOM unity and solidarity.

Political symbols are emblems of group life. The potency of symbols rests not simply in their ability to represent, but in their ability to instigate action (Rebecca E. Klatch 1988). The Caribbean, and in particular CARICOM as an institution, needs symbols because these are collective representations of group life. Symbols can represent the common aspects of our social and political membership as a community of sovereign states. Symbols also evoke strong feelings of identification and belonging. Therefore, symbols may act as forces of integration, creating solidarity by binding individuals together into a unified whole for which we understand to be the upkeep of CARICOM.

CARICOM Under Threat

St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas (left) and Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Hon. Patrick Manning leaving the St. Kitts Marriott Resort and Royal Beach Casino (Photo by Erasmus Williams)

It is ironic that it is the Prime Minister of Jamaica Bruce Golding who has been reported to say ‘there are a number of things that are happening now that are destabilising and threatening the existence of Caricom,” Golding said at Monday evening’s launch of Export Week at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston. The political integration that is being pursued by Trinidad and a number of countries in the Eastern Caribbean may very well be commendable, but I believe that it is at the detriment to the deepening and strengthening of Caricom’ how very ironic indeed.

It is just over 47 years that Jamaica along with Trinidad and Tobago would have been at the centre of the controversy which gave rise to the subtraction, 1 from 10 leave 0. Prime Minister Golding promised Jamaicans that he will be pushing to have a definitive position enunciated by CARICOM at the next Heads of Government meeting to be held in Guyana to paint a more vivid picture of the status of the regional movement.

What has become singularly evident in recent months has been the dearth of leadership on display within the CARICOM union. The antics of several CARICOM members on issues of immigration and trade especially  demonstrates the concern many have for the future of the movement. Thirty five years later the vision for Caribbean integration movement needs to be reinvigorated, some say dismantled!

Opposition Opportunism!!!

Hartley Henry - DLP Political Strategist

For fourteen long years Democratic Labour Party Parliamentarians “stewed” in Opposition, never once flinching in their commitment and determination to advance the interest of Barbadians.Even in its darkest period, when the seat count went to two out of 29, the voice of the DLP remained strong and forceful. David Thompson and Dennis Kellman must be commended for remaining focused and staying the course during very difficult and challenging times.

Even then, it must be remembered, that personal and professional relations between the two were not at their strongest, but yet, they never reneged on the promises and commitments they made, first to their party and constituents and second, to the people of Barbados. Individuals like Freundel Stuart, Dr. Dennis Lowe, Christopher Sinckler, John Boyce, Patrick Todd, Steve Blackett and George Hutson took a hammering at the hands of the electorate and were roundly rejected, in most instances twice, before finally being elected. Yet, they never flinched, because their motivation was to serve and their cause was honourable.

Knowing some of those individuals, had they even lost in their attempt to win a seat or had the DLP not been successful in its fourth attempt to wrestle the government from the Barbados Labour Party in the last elections, those personalities would still be out there today sloughing away, because, for them, politics is about people and it is about service to one’s country. I guess that’s part of the imbedded culture of the DLP, handed down by its late revered leader, the Rt. Excellent Errol Walton Barrow.

Never Take A Moment In Time For Eternity

Submitted by Slyvan Greenidge, Press Secretary to former Prime Minister Owen Arthur

On January 18, 2008 Barbadians elected the Democratic Labour Party to manage the affairs of this great Nation. The DLP’s victory in that election could not be deemed a watershed by the stretch of anyone’s imagination. Indeed when one closely examines the number of extremely close margins of victory for quite a number of the DLP candidates, one can hardly call their victory a vote of confidence.

It is against that background that the DLP would want to pull back from the kind of arrogance and roundhead behaviour for which it has publicly been displaying since coming to office. The number of verbal attacks by Ministers on individuals and groups within the private and public sector has helped little in enhancing their ability to improve on their votes in the next general election, constitutionally due within a short three and a half years.

The fear of public servants to speak out on matters that effect them as they did under the previous BLP administration and the general lack of interest by the private sector to offer constructive criticism on critical matters effecting the country is evident that this Government has been left on its own to manage this country in the very difficult economic times. If the saying that “no man is an island” is true and I believe that it is, then this country stands on the threshold of the greatest socioeconomic and political challenge it will face since the 1930s.

Another Plantation To Bite The Dust

Pickering, St. Lucy

Yet another application has been sent to the Chief Town Planner for a change of use to land previously used to support agriculture. BU family member Nostradamus has been persistent in drawing to the attention of the BU family that land in excess of 24.7 acres require that an environmental impact assessment be done.  This time it is the Northridge Development Company Limited who has submitted an application to convert the alleged cash trap Pickering Plantation. The area is expected to be transformed into a sprawling development over nine years.

Looks like Ambassador Kellman is getting his wish to convert St. Lucy into a hustling second city IF the Town Planner approves the application.

If our understanding is correct the Pickering Plantation represents 233 acres of which 180 is designated agriculture and the remainder industrial. We are writing subject to correction but the geography of the area straddles Broomfield and Spring Hall.

Barbados’ Tourism Strategy And The Power Of Caribbean Branding

Submitted by Corey Weekes MSc, CPIM, CIRM, CSCP - Operations Supply Chain Management Consultant and Director of Tropique Wines

Tourism discussions over several months, rightly indicate concerns about the performance of the industry, and what is needed to ensure long its term growth. I do agree with commentators who indicate that taxing the industry into oblivion, either in the form of transportation related taxes, or excise tax increases etc is not beneficial. Higher costs to the traveler surely reduce our global competitiveness.  Instead of squeezing more tax dollars from less travelers, we need a focused strategy that significantly increases the total number of visitors to the island. A point we all know, and is easier said than done. Revamping our current brand image as we execute a new strategy, may go a long way toward continually increasing our visitor arrivals. As we explore this thought, let us examine two powerful brands, Cuba and Disney.

Recent geo-political events suggest that Cuba is poised to become the key tourism player in the very near future, possibly resulting in tourism decline in eastern Caribbean markets, unless these markets change their marketing model. This is a very real possibility, since the advertising exposure Cuba has received over the last five decades, in the form of various news reports covering ideological differences and its Olympic performances etc, has created a global awareness and a curiosity factor. This global awareness and curiosity factor is difficult to create via advertising spend only. It is no surprise that the pent-up demand from its neighbour to the north, will result in significant airlift increase and hotel plant spend in Cuba, when travel restrictions are eventually lifted. We can conduct a simple survey on Broad Street, and I am confident that more than 50% of persons surveyed will indicate a willingness to travel to Cuba, to see the island’s very popular history for themselves. That is indeed a powerful brand

The Director Of Public Prosecutions, Director Of Finance, Public Accounts Committee ALL Accused Of Not Prosecuting Malfeasance In The Civil Service By Auditor General

Auditor General Leigh Trotman/Nation Newspaper

It is refreshing to read Nation journalist Wade Gibbons exposing the Auditors General Report. Perennially, just like the 11-Plus Examination the public engages in the debate about the reported irregularities inflicted by the the various government departments on the taxpayers of Barbados. What will make this year any different is the 64 thousand dollar question.

Just last week BU blogged about a few of the eye-raising findings delivered by Auditor General (AG) Leigh Trotman.  It is no secret that BU has been very critical of the office of the AG since coming into existence. While we might agree that the governance of Barbados through the years appears to have benefited from a good civil service, one startling observation has been its inability to visibly discipline itself. How many civil servants have been suspended, fired or any action taken as a result of gross incompetence exposed by the AG over the years?

Perhaps what has made the Auditor General’s Report 2008 so interesting is the fact that Nation journalist Wade Gibbons has encouraged AG Leigh Trotman to vent his frustration by making the following statement:

Fair Trading Commission Offers Inadequate Time For Consumer Advocates

Submitted by Hallam Hope – Consumer Advocate and Managing Director Caritel

Hallam Hope

There were two disturbing developments recently where the question may be raised about the consideration the Fair Trading Commission has for consumers. CARITEL, my private consultancy, is taking part in the Reference Interconnect Offer (see earlier posts for background). We were given one week to study various documents in detail, conduct additional research and prepare and send a follow-up submission to the FTC as it relates to new arguments.

We protested as we did in the first submission that this was inadequate and a month was requested. A RIO is a highly granular proceeding, requiring regional and international research as well as correspondence with contacts such as regulators elsewhere. The issues are quite wide and therefore require considerable time to investigate and respond to arguments, in this case made by Cable & Wireless. Cable & Wireless has an entire department and regional staff to deal with such matters.

Well, the FTC said you have another week in an email sent minutes before the close of business Friday, the deadline for the actual follow-up submission. I had written the Commission the Wednesday since time was needed to read the documents from Cable & Wireless (LIME), Digicel, TeleBarbados and Blue Communications and study the implications.

The Chinese Have Legal Title So What’s The Problem?

Submitted by makiala iyoka ashanti

With much pain and desperation to do something about it, I read of the plight of the descendants of slaves who most likely were of the same clan who laboured and slaved without pay to built Maxwell Plantation fortune that has been sold to foreigners namely Chinese, with the results of the slaves descendants being ordered off the land by the court. The article printed in this Friday 5th June Nation News went on to state that a two floored house half half way done would be demolished and all the Bajan lady labour wasted with no mention of compensation or alternative provision.

Also other locals would no longer have backyards and the young carer of the 88 year old land owner cut off from her. WHERE IS THE HUMAN RIGHTS? It is a burning shame that just a few years after Owen Arthur while in England for the Slavery Bicentenary made a bold statement to the British Government to ‘Give back something to the slaves children’ that right in our faces in Barbados a ex slave plantation has sold land passed down from a generation of slaves to the present generation.

I am appealing to political activists like the people of the People Democratic Congress, The People Empowerment Party and Human Rights Lawyers and Pan Africanist as well as the Barbados Justice Committee to support these victims of recolonization by researching and offering them advice to appeal against the court order to buy time for proper legal research and seek out if they can be further representation. I see the defendant is quite young and may be unaware of other legal defences he may be able to depend on, for example, what about prescribed rights to the land where as one can claim these rights after living on land and not being charged rent for a given time, or what about the Government Tenantry Act whereby the government was to subscribe to the reduced cost of plantation land that slaves descendants lived on for generations. New political parties like the two new ones that contested the last general election,( since it seem that both sides of government have taken turns in selling us out to the Chinese and all ) I am calling on you to offer your support to these victims, who, most of the time have to surrender without the right legal advice not aware of their rights and suffocated by excess legal fees.

How Money Can Triumph Over A National Strategic Plan For Agriculture

Posted as a comment by John

Robert Goddard in his article published in 2001 in Agricultural History figures it was an imbalance between factory and field which set the stage for the collapse of the Sugar Industry. He reckons if I understand it right that there were two factors which were the origin of this imbalance:

1. One factor “intrinsic” to the industry was the change in the industry’s leadership from factory-owners/planters to purely planters.”
2. The other factor was a pattern of “questionable” land use decisions taken by government agencies which alienated arable land in unpredictable ways, making it impossible for the industry’s leadership to match factory capacity to field supply.

“In one striking case the two came together when the building contractor, C.O. Williams, became simultaneously the island’s largest landowner and an aggressive advocate of non-sugar agriculture”

“Williams played a paradoxical role during this time. Single headedly he stripped the factory division of 50,000 tonnes (metric tons) of cane supply while charged with guiding the industry as a member of the BSIL board.”

The article goes further: