Barbados Government Continues Relationship With Troubled NABO Organization

Submitted by NABO Insider (continuation from previous NABO blog)

Nothing much has changed with NABO. The same regime will be in charge. The election slate shows the following candidates:

Chairperson – Janice Bispham
Vice Chairperson – Sheena Aimey-Petrolito and Richard Phipps
Secretary -Marcia Smith and Juliet Relph
Treasurer – John Ellis
Public Relations Officer – Julia Hollingsworth-Brown and Sheena Aimey-Petrolito
Regional Director North – Ivor Jones
Regional Director South – Roslyn Sealy and Anthia Benn-Buncome
Regional Director East – No nominee
Regional Director West – Marcelle Janice Greenidge

Bispham is the former PRO who was knee deep into the doodoo that was a part of last year’s issues. Phipps was the guy who was supposed to smooth things over, but did nothing. Petrolito was a previous Executive and Director, and is a close running buddy of the Earl/Mike/Janice bundle. Secretary Marcia Smith is sure to get the thumbs up, because she is with the old gang. And believe it or not, John Ellis is heading back to the Treasurer’s seat. (Can you believe it?)

The Use Of Cranberry Juice In the Treatment And Prevention Of Urinary Tract Infections

Submitted by Doc Georgie Porgie

Cranberry juice, obtained from the berries of the plant Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.,[Ericaceae] has long been advocated by folklorists for the prevention of urinary tract infections [UTI’S].

Originally, it was thought that the juice acted by increasing the acidity of the urine. However, it is currently thought that cranberry possesses “anti-adherence “properties, which prevent bacteria from attaching to the lining of the urinary tract. Two compounds have been isolated from cranberry , which inhibit the adhesion of E. coli to cells of the urinary tract. In addition, an as yet unidentified compound [found only in cranberry and blueberry juice] along with fructose [which is found in all fruit juices ] have been shown to inhibit E.coli fimbrial adhesions.

In a recent randomized, double – blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 153 elderly women who ingested 300 mL of commercially available cranberry or placebo daily for 6 months it was demonstrated that the frequency of bacteriuria with pyuria was significantly decreased [after 4 to 8 weeks] in the cranberry group in comparison with the placebo group. In addition, there was a decrease in the rate of antibiotics prescribed by doctors to treat UTI’S in the cranberry group, suggesting a relevant effect of ingesting cranberry juice. Another small,[n=7] randomized, controlled cross-over trial confirms these findings.

Einsteinian Science: “Epistemology Follows Ontology” – Marrying the Conundrum Between Biblical Theology & Quantum Physics

Submitted by Terence Blackett

Albert Einstein

God is subtle but he is not malicious. – Albert Einstein

Many of our astute and learned intellectuals on BU have been waiting patiently for a discourse on this rather voluminous topic since last year. It would be remiss and foolhardy in denying the pivotal role that science plays in our world today – for ever increasing connectivity has never been so necessary to everyday normal human existence.

Much of modern science starts with Einstein who first proposed his General Theory of Relativity in 1915. It describes how any massive object, such as the Sun, creates gravity by bending space and time around it. Everything in that space is also bent: even rays of light. Consequently, distant light sources, behind the massive object, can appear in a different position or look brighter than they would otherwise. So the total eclipse of 29^th May 1919 gave scientists the chance to test the theory for the first time.

Astronomer Professor Pedro Ferreira from the University of Oxford argued that:- “This first observational proof of General Relativity sent shockwaves through the scientific establishment… it changed the goalposts for physics.”

Governor of the Central Bank To Host First News Conference

Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Delisle Worrell

Governor of the Central Bank of  Barbados, Dr. DeLisle Worrell will host his first news conference on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 in the Executive Dining Room, Central Bank of Barbados.

Subject: Barbados’ Economic Performance in 2009 and Prospects for 2010.
Time: 11:00 a.m. – local time
Time: 10:00 A.M. ET

Note: We recommend that you access the webcast five minutes before its scheduled start time.

Click following link to view Webcast of “The Barbados Economy in 2009 and Prospects for 2010.

Presentation To The Trade Union Recognition & Certification Board By The Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union

Submitted (press release) by GB&GWU

GB&GWU President Charles Sampson

Today the Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union (GB&GWU) is engaging the Trade Union Recognition & Certification Board (TURB), a legally constituted body under the Laws of Guyana with full anticipation that the decisions made by the body are legally binding and will be honoured by all involved. The matter before the TURB is about the Laws of Guyana, and the respect for workers and individual’s rights consistent with these laws. The prism of race and political affiliation which appear to be underpinning events that took place in this industrial dispute are unfortunate, and we hope that such undertones will have no part in influencing the application of laws and rights within the ambit of the TURB. GB&GWU recognises that laws and rights are not social constructs that people beg for rather they are time honoured principles entrenched in modern society evolving  from ancient civilizations  and  peoples struggles, to become essential rudiments of social structures defining human interaction and protecting the powerless from those who would abuse their power or the dominion they have over others. The TURB has the constitutional mandate to adjudicate without fear and favour.

We state below the matter of the Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union (GB&GWU) and the Bauxite Company Guyana Inc. (BCGI) where the Union charges that BCGI and the Minister of Labour are involved in acts inimical to the best interest of Bauxite workers, the communities of which they are a part and the peace and stability of the industrial sector. These are manifest in the following:

Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly To Investigate WHO and “Pandemic” H1N1 Scandal

Dr. Wolfgang Wodarg, chairman of the Health Committee of PACE

When the H1N1 (swine flu) outbreak in Mexico hit the global news last year, the world went into a tizzy. Barbados joined many countries that rely on tourism by expressing concern at the likely impact of the outbreak on national economies. We should remember the H1N1 was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) at the peak of the hysteria to have reached pandemic levels. Through it all a small BU constituency remain strident in voicing scepticism at the reports emanating from the world’s leading health agencies.

It therefore comes as no surprise to have read in the last 24 hours about the fact drug companies stood to make billions of pounds from a worldwide scare caused by the swine flu outbreak. To validate the concerns of some labelled as BU conspiracists, an inquiry will be launched soon by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE)  to investigate the influence of the pharmaceutical companies on the global swine flu campaign, focusing especially on extent of the pharma‘s industry’s influence on WHO. The motion to launch the inquiry was introduced by Dr. Wolfgang Wodarg, chairman of the Health Committee of PACE. To quote Dr. Wodarg who bears the qualification of a medical doctor and epidemiologist, a specialist in lung disease and environmental medicine, considers the current “pandemic” swine flu campaign of the WHO to be one of the greatest medicine scandals of the Century.

The charge appears to be that leaders in governments and the health agencies created hysteria which drove many governments to sign sleeping contracts with pharma to supply millions of H1N1 vaccine shots. To quote Dr. Wodarg, the atmosphere of panic led to governments stockpiling the anti-flu drug Tamiflu and putting in place sleeping contracts for millions of doses of vaccine.

Don’t expect to see this developing story reported in the traditional media.

The Obesity Threat

Click Image to watch video (CBS Video 7min 17secs)

Please watch the video, it could save your life. The scenario is set in the United States but the parallel to Barbados is vividly familiar.

As a society some will grudgingly admit we have progressed economically and socially, at what price others may rebuff. The fast food revolution has swallowed the imagination of a generation and with it generations to come. The prognosis is not good for the health of our nation in the years to come. Successive governments have been overwhelmed by the cost of health care, unfortunately the resources have been sucked up by prevention methods rather than cure.

Barbados finds it self in an advantageous position to look at North America to assess what the fast food industry combined with a sedentary lifestyle can do to the health of a country. It is a new year, time for our leaders to unleash the leadership our country needs to get back on keel.

Here is a link to the website with interesting content on the subject matter.

Using Economics For Political Ends Can Be Destructive

Submitted by Looking Glass

Clyde Mascoll, former BLP Finance minister

These days Bajan politics can be likened to a jungle echoing the calls of vicious jealousies and ruthless combat between politicians: a salon to satisfy the vanity and frustration of the defeated. Morality so thin the wisdom said to be entombed in their ideals becomes encrusted with deception and “fraud.” Self-esteem seems to come from the pursuit of narcissistic self-indulgence and self-aggrandisement. The dialogue that we as a nation need to have about our socio-economic condition is being replaced by tainted politics, becomes inchoate and ultimately detrimental to both Party and country. Critics and the defeated should devote their energy to formulating a definitive plan to rescue the sinking ship.

As noted in the Nation (20/12.09) the economic prospects for 2010 by the Prime Minister and Clyde Mascoll represent the economic and the political ends of the spectrum. Given the hand he was dealt, and compared to some countries, the case can be made that the Prime Minister had not done all that badly. I am not suggesting that his was a stellar performance, or that the administration is without blemish. But unlike other countries he inherited and empty bucket with which to water the garden and no Barley Loaves to be blessed.

Regarding economic sovereignty a heavily indebted country can’t win. “Its economy becomes unevenly controlled from outside through the subordination of all productive investment and debt” (A Fate Worst Than Debt), more so where reliance is on a fickle tourism sector and not much more. All things considered survival demands that the Prime Minister will have to borrow and go deeper in debt in order to keep the ship afloat; which has been the rule rather than the exception. To be able to access capital markets in order to manage our external position comes at a price, but at least he will be able to pay salaries, pensions etc. Optimism doesn’t supply jobs or retire the debt, but delays degradation and passage to the madhouse. Folly apart, it is about the only luxury we have.

Can Polygamous Marriages Play An Important Role In A Modern Western Society?

Submitted by Yardbroom

Jacob Zuma and Tobeka Madiba. Photograph: Mike Hutchings/AP

The recent marriage of South African President Jacob Zuma (67) to his fifth wife Tobeka Madiba (36) has caused the raising of some eyebrows even in South Africa.  President Zuma has three wives at present, when numbers are involved and they have a significant impact on what is written they should be correct.  He had two other wives but divorced Nkosazana Dlamini in 1998 and the other Kate Mantsho committed suicide in 2000 after taking a fatal overdose, she described her marriage to Zuma as “24 years of hell”.  Her remarks are not meant here as an indication of my feelings on polygamous marriage, they have been added as reported comment.

To those who like detail his other wives are Sizakele Khumalo married in 1973 and Nompumelelo Ntuli married in 2008.

I have no wish to lay false trails but it has been reported that his “fiancée” Gloria Bongi Ngema who has a three year old son with the President has already brought (wedding gifts) to the Zuma family often a precursor to marriage…other celebrations might be soon afoot.

For those with a desire to have terms right, I am aware that Polygamy is one man having multiple wives and Polyandry is a practice where a woman is married to more than one man at the same time.  However, I am using Polygamy to mean one man having multiple wives because of general usage.

Old Year’s Unresolutions

Submitted by GoWEB Caribbean

Reynzill Scantlebury

It’s been a while since we’ve posted an article, but as we’ve crossed the threshold of a new year, it seem only fitting to resume with this article of old Year’s Unresolutions.

The new year is usually a time for moving forward and learning from past mistakes, having tied up the past behind you. However, in Barbados, from year to year, we seem to move on to new problems without resolving the ones from the previous year, and the year before that.

What ever happened to Reynzill Scantlebury, who claims he woke up in the morgue of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital after being declared dead? Has that fiasco been satisfactorily resolved or has it been swept under the proverbial rug?

Whatever happened to the signed petition from Operation Intercession and others to have music banned on PSV’s? This petition was presented to Minister of Youth and Family, Esther Byer Suckoo, possibly the only reason it even achieved press coverage. There has since been no word on this. Furthermore, Minister of Education, Ronald Jones, has since been heard saying that he’s considering banning the school children from PSV’s, hence, choosing an extreme route of his own design, rather than a simple one, devised by the people of Barbados. The proposal to ban music on PSV’s is not a new one, and would benefit all passengers, but year after year, this too has been swept under the rug.

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