Submitted by Bajan Truth
The Late Honourable Prime Minister David Thompson, Combermerian
Legacy for sale, created by MEDIA CREATIONS LTD. You do not actually have to do much, intent is as good as the deed. Talk about Families First, no programmes, no initiatives, no legislation, mention in a few speeches and it is legacy. Talk about Barbados is for all of us and not a few, it is a society not just an economy and you have transformed the Barbadian landscape. Pass free busfares and free camps and apparently that is sufficient to have impacted the lives of Barbadians and lift them from out of poverty. Go to the Gaza and Red Sea attend a few dub fetes and the youth have become a champion of youth, an inspiration, a community worker par excellence that has powerfully impacted on the lives of part of a wonderful legacy, legacy for sale. The intent is as good as the deed. A storm an unprecedented event in Barbados it is the spiritual power of David Thompson, such an outstanding leader the earth itself has groaned as it did for our Lord on his death (earthquakes) according to
Matthew Farley.
The creation of this legend so fixated the Dems and the media that they forgot to warn Barbadians about the storm, or did they deliberately withhold that information because they did not want to disturb the worship at the shrine of David Thompson (Combermere) now hailed the greatest leader Barbados has ever known. David you worried about the short time in office, the fear that you did not get to do what you wanted and about the legacy you would leave behind. You did not have to worry, your faithful Dems have ensured that your name is lifted above all names, even above Prime Ministers of yore. Apparently in two years you did so much for this country and the region that my God had you been here longer you would have ushered in Paradise. Apparently no leader before, Grantley Adams, Errol Barrow, Tom Adams, Bernard St.John, Erskine Sandiford and Owen Arthur could ever compare with you. One media Dem worshipper even said that your death was a loss not only to Barbados but to the region and indeed the world.
This is nauseating and simply sick. It does not speak well of our intelligence as a people, the integrity of the Dems, and the media. This reminds me of how Bush with skilfull repeated P.R. made Americans feel that somehow Saddam Hussein had something to do with 9/11 and was able to successfully get permission from congress to take them to war for years, 20, 000 young lives destroyed; more than 4000 dead. It took them seven years to finally call put the lie for what it was.
David Thompson was a man of promise, but he did not accomplish a great deal as Prime Minister. As a young man he was an excellent example of service; good political skills, excellent debater; crisp and sharp wit. As a political leader after two defeats, a hiatus and a nasty battle with Mascoll won gov’t. Fumbled the economy, CLICO, managed to create and pass two bills. Two years later death came calling, in three gone. Prior to his death he was not know as a community worker who worked side by side with people and the youth, that is Hammie La or Keith Simmons; he was not known for vigorous defence of the poor like Andrew Pilgrim, he was a corporate lawyer; he was not a master at managing of the Barbados economy and raising the standard of living, that is Owen Arthur; he did not lead the country to another place, Barrow lead us to Independence. The point is these people have works, continuous works over a period of time that specifically transform to back their words. We will not need to create a legacy for them. Let us get a grip on reality. We need to mourn his loss as our Prime Minister, as a husband and father. Personally I was moved by his passing, he was young. What he did and who he was will not change when he is judged by God, no matter how many Bajans are sucked into this public relations mirage.
Let us stay with the truth.
Bajan Truth
Don’t hold back, tell us what you really think
I guess I can safely assume that you also really despise the “creation” of Barack Obama…the “retransformation” of Mia Mottley…and of course the “exagerrated” economic genius of Owen Arthur during times of economic boom and surplus, not to mention a host of others locally and internationally. I totally understand where you’re coming from, though I totally disagree. It took guts to post this at this time. Well done.
By the way, take some time and actually listen to the comments and tributes. 95% of them speak to the person he was, the examples he set, the service he gave and the relationships he built…not accomplishments or achievements. That was his real legacy.
I guess you just couldn’t wait.
The piece clearly shows how tribal our politics has become. Clearly the platitudes coming from some should be treated as such.
Bajan Truth
You have forced me to disregard waiting until after the funeral to respond to political comments. I have the upmost respect for the late Prime Minister who most people confirm was a very caring and humble person. Not only his peers but everyday persons he came into contact with.
What is hurting you right now is that you are surprise at the outpouring of love for David Thompson. You are shaking in your boots at the sympathy votes that will come with it for the Dems.
You and all the frauds that feel that Barbadians are going to just push Owen Arthur back as Prime Minister got a good time waiting.
Family first is striving concept in St.John. Go ask the footballers, basketballers and other youth groups in St.John.
When he said that the country is just not an economy but a society he scored heavily with ordinary Barbadians who felt left out in the last five years of the BLP rule.
He introduced free bus fares asked the school children whose parents were scrunting under your government sending school four and five children. The poor of the society welcome that.
@David,
I am surprised that you,as owner of this blog would not wait until Barbados has buried David Thompson before publishing this post.
I guess you are promoting freedom of speech above and beyond the typical standards and traditions.
If we really analyse what was said it is true. Actually a lot of it is what I was thinking. If you put personality and political bias aside then yes he was a good/great politican but no in two years we cannot said he was our best (I actually hear some people said he was) maybe he had the ability to be the best we will never know we can only comment on what he actually did.
@Hants
Freedom of expression is what it is.
Not really seeing this legend making phenomenon but the PM was social person. as such he made sure the social programs that would do good. Though the elections night number one issue of cost of living could be said to have been ignored or somewhat dealt with depending on who you ask. will he be loved for being a family man. yes. will he be giving the dems sympathy votes if elections called in 2013. unlikely . If they call election within a year maybe. The population always remember nothing is ever free. the tax payers fund the programs little by little. The undecided population will look to see if they did a good job or if they should be removed from office. do we trust them with 5 more years? you only really hear the true people voice that nite.
I have no problem with the “legacy” of Thompson. A legacy is “something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past”. A legacy doesn’t have to be something tangible. It could be a dream. Anyone can agree that Thompson’s social policy was His dream, and hence His legacy as he conveyed or “transmitted” this dream to us frequently.
My problem is that we have taken this “mourning” to the point of worship. I was a Thompson supporter and I regret the loss, but the fact of the matter is that Thompson, though PM, was just a man. He can’t raise himself from the grave and therefore we must be careful not to let respect turn into worship. We were so caught up “worshiping” this man that no one saw fit to tell us a storm was coming. Trinidadians got word of the storm from early Friday morning and the whole twin island state was shut down for the entire day, allowing people to make preparations. We left home and went to work like normal and continued our daily routines. It’s like a flashback to the 1950′s when Janet crept up on us and flattened us, except that it’s 2010 and we have no excuse not to be notified with the satellite technology available. Someone(s) decided that would be inappropriate to interrupt the country with news as “trivial” as a storm.
BU will deal with these matters after* the interment, suffice it to say several factors could be at play dependent on when elections are called. Yes there is the management of the economy but equally will be how Mottley and Arthur land on the issue of leadership. On the DLP side Mascoll crossed the floor because he couldn’t deal with the fallout by remaining in the DLP. Arthur has stated he will give Mottley time to sort herself out. Let us see how that goes. It is way too early to speak in absolutes and that includes Peter Wickham.
@David. I look forward to how BU deals with this. For myself, I believe that David Thompson’s legend is assured and that if he did nothing else during his premiership, the Anti-Corruption Bill, the most important piece of legislation enacted (when enacted) by Barbados, gives him absolute right to that legend.
And just who in hell do some of these commentators think they are to try to dictate to Bajans what their emotions ought to be over David’s death? It is just as bad as trying to sell the concept that David’s death was “unexpected” or “sudden” (which is what certain organs of the media are now trying to do) just so Owen and the Gang of Five can distance themselves from the fall-out over what has certainly to be perceived as their CLEARLY opportunistic acts. Well, they fool no one and the attempt to reduce David Thompson because they were caught off guard by his popularity, is transparent and nauseating and I agree with Charlie.
Good manners and common decency at this “time” – something which most “true Bajans” hold in high regard – dictate I should acknowledge your comment about the late Prime Minister of Barbados, The Hon David Thompson QC, MP . . . that “I” have done.
Doesn’t anyone use a dictionary anymore?
The word is ‘interment’.
The Prevention of Corruption bill is indeed a very impressive piece of legislature but as we rated 2nd in western hemisphere and 17 in the globe by transparency international are we sudden going to see a further increase in rankings when it is enacted ? http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2010/results .So is it really going to have remember as piece of legislation or just tidying up what we already have ?
@anthony
Try not to push your head in the sand on the issue of corruption as measured by Transparency International. It is a perception index which we are happy to score high but has little to do with the effort and need to proclaim anti-corruption prevention laws.
Yard broom
Precisely.
I have alot on my mind too but it isn’t the time or place to say it.
I would however like to say this to the organisers of the mourning and funeral.
Remember Christian teachings at this time.
@ David
If we score high and still enact legislation all we do is tidy up what is already there. I never said is shouldn’t be enacted. I am just find it rather far from most important piece that will be enacted when it finally get affirmed .
Well Well Well Bajan Truth you are a bold man.
@ Fair & Balance
I agree with you, Bajan Truth is a bold man indeed to speak the truth on BU like this. His post was a piece of pristine prose. It was a beautiful and brilliant piece of accurate fast bowling of the sort I witnessed between 1979 to 1999 from my place behind the wicket in the George Challenor Stand, when our four prong attacks would wreak havoc on batsmen at the Oval.
But if GP had said that, you could be sure that the herd would have been out in force by now. lol
I will say this though. If it is indeed true that Matthew Farley said that “the earth itself has groaned as it did for our Lord on his death (earthquakes).” that is not only idolatry but also blasphemy!
I am forced also to agree with Braveheart who correctly opined………” My problem is that we have taken this “mourning” to the point of worship. I was a Thompson supporter and I regret the loss, but the fact of the matter is that Thompson, though PM, was just a man. He can’t raise himself from the grave and therefore we must be careful not to let respect turn into worship. We were so caught up “worshiping” this man that no one saw fit to tell us a storm was coming…………………………………..
We left home and went to work like normal and continued our daily routines. It’s like a flashback to the 1950′s when Janet crept up on us and flattened us, except that it’s 2010 and we have no excuse not to be notified with the satellite technology available. Someone(s) decided that would be inappropriate to interrupt the country with news as “trivial” as a storm.”
It seems that reason and balance has departed from our shores and replaced only with emotionalism run amock!
It is noteworthy that even the former Bishop of Barbados spoused a bit of conentrated methane on the Nation thus……
Let us not only lament the brevity of the life spent here on earth, but let us thank God for the values he espoused and the quality of life he lived. In an age of selfishness and individualism, he gave and did not count the lost; in an increasingly violent society he was concerned about rooting out crime and violence; in a sexually permissive society he promoted the family as the foundation upon which society is built; in a world where the poor are being marginalized and becoming poorer, he made it his task to close the gap between rich and poor.
Sometime prior to the last general elections, one journalist expressed doubt about. Thompson’s party winning the elections, because as he said the nation was not looking for a Minister of Religion But the nation was the judge and realised , as Thompson so often said , that figures and economic projections represent real people, and will effect their lives one way or another. For him economics was not a value- neutral field; it had to do with the value of life, the restructuring of a just human society, and the proper use of creation’s resources.”
This is the kind of methane and hydrogen sulphide debunked by Bajan Truth. But to speak the truth like this brands one as a political lackey on the other side, or tribal politics. Clearly one must speak on BU, only WHAT some think should be said, and WHEN they think it should be said. Hilarious!
Truth needs no defence, and will triumph over falsehood. David like most people had his good points and bad points. I am not hear to highlight his bad or negative aspects of his record as PM, it is inappropriate, unnecessary and insulting to his memory. It is good and necessary for people to mourn his loss and express their love for him. David was caught in two worlds, while on one hand his accomplishments rank him with Sandiford and St. John in terms of brevity of time and effect on the landscape, he enjoyed the love and popularity of people as their choice as PM as did Arthur, Adams, and Barrow.
As a Barbadian, I object to the manipulations of the natural sorrow of Barbadians, to turn a positive character with limited accomplishments into pronouncements from people who should know better, Matthew Farley, Chris Gollop, David Ellis, Trevor Marshall, Frank Da Silva, and others a host of Dem politicians past and present to make representation that because of his likeable character, speeches and limited accomplishments he is the best and most outstanding leader Barbados has known. It is insulting to our national heroes and past P.M.s who earned their legacy by not just words; not just effort but by real accomplishment to have this mythical creation to seek to diminish real visionaries, and genuinely outstanding leaders. Today Farley’s column reads touched by an angel. Farley has responsibility for teaching our nation’s children to learn, to reason, to analyse to draw conclusions. He needs to take a step back and go back to measuring hems.
It was best said by Harold Hoyte in Sunday’s Nation pg 31 ‘ In politics truth may be proper and appropriate, but it is not always beautiful. If therefore truth is to be appropriate the political life of David Thompson cannot be daubed with flair in all places and at all times; nor painted only in bright colours of bright gloss, but with the brush of pastel objectivity and undisguised realism.’
I have no problem with Mr. Thompson himself or the right to mourn his loss or the love he engendered. He is to be celebrated and honoured as our PM but it must be with truth. Bajans should be able to complete that mourning process without being offended by these cynical manipulations or with this insult to their intelligence by these outrageous claims, to make him larger than life, greater than all, when clearly he was not. We must not be so desperate for political security that we lie to the Barbadian public about the true state of health; pretend he is coming back to work; and now create a mirage for worship.
If David could endorse this manipulation then he is less of the man I thought him to be. If he did not, and I believe he could not, it dishonours his memory. I have never heard him personally claim credit for himself for something he did not do, maybe on behalf of the DLP, but never, never about himself. Now please let the people mourn in peace and in truth.
Again, well said and well written.
Rare it is that such a lovely litterary post is levelled at the BU herd!
Bajan Truth ,Fair and Balance
No one is putting up the late PM as a God, as you want to portray them to be doing. Person is just paying tribute to the late Prime Mister which is a very respectful thing to do. Then you are also implicating put your new leader in that category because he also spoke positively of him.
Tributes from around the world were glowing about the late PM so why not accept that he has impacted on persons he came into contact with during his school and political life.
Do not try to make persons feel guilty about worshipping him. They are not worshipping him they are speaking from their hearts about a young son of the soil who became Prime Minister.
What do you want? ten persons to go and view his body and then you talk foolishness?
The mourning period is long because it is a state funeral and persons have to come from overseas. I have known persons whose funeral took place two weeks after death because family had to come from overseas. That is not rocket science
Stop bitching and go and help repair some roofs in St.Peter.
GP
What brave heart is he? He is anonymous like me.
You are all haters.
Please spare the blog your religious diatribe, most persons have stop reading.
charlie
do you mean
“Do not try to make persons feel guilty about paying tributes to him. They are not worshipping him they are speaking from their hearts about a young son of the soil who became Prime Minister.”
otherwise I am bit lost as to what your trying to say.
What have we here. On one hand is a few christain fundamentalists who claimed that we are engaged in idolatry and on the other is a few political tribalist can’t wait for the PM to be buried so that they can launch their usual warfare. But let them know that we the bajan people( majority) will not apologise -even if they are correct- to elevate the PM to the point of glorification. Every country around the world at some time when they loose an important member of their society does the same thing. I remeber when Kennedy was killed after 3 years in office he was being compare to Lincoln and all other great american President. It took on a cult of personality worship even up to this day. When 911 happen you could have swore they were going to cannonize all the victims and the Mayor of New york at the time. It is just how we humans behaviour in the time of sudden death and disaster..we tend to elevate the people or the individual to mythical status.
Bajan are just doing what comes naturally. If some peole have a problem with that ..well I am sorry you people should go and live on mars.
True. David Thompson did not achieve much in substance, but it seems he was loved by Bajans for what he promised and from reports, it seems that he was a good person. Hence they mourn his loss. There is, of course, some exaggeration but the old maxim holds true. De mortuis nihil sed bonis!
Mathew Farley got a tidbit too much education but not enough common sense. He aint no different to me, A FOOL. Only thing is Fool-burrppp is my first name and that is he second name.
He is so full of himself, that it makes one want to vomit when he passes by.
Zion1971 | November 1, 2010 at 12:00 PM |
Are you saying that what the Americans did was right or not idolatry? Must we follow the Americans? The Americans idolize everything. Their news folk are looking daily for something or some one to glorify.
BAJAN TRUTH
“Truth needs no defence”
Here is a bit of truth for you, the hierarchy of the Barbados Labour Party and BAJAN TRUTH are shaking in their boots right now. The out pouring of love and affection for David Thompson by Barbadians of all walks of life is simply astonishing. As a result the voting public of Barbados will give the DLP the time they need to carry out the programs of David Thompson and make no mistake about, the DLP will come through for the people of Barbados.
That is what is scaring the pants off BAJAN TRUTH.
@ Georgie Porgie. What I am saying is that we should never take ourselves too seriously at times. Why do people always try to over-analyze and engage in nitpicking for the slighest issues. Wether its issues of religion or politics we are always trying to score some points along the way. Why things cant be the way they are without some people becoming sanctimonious or waring political tribes.
Humans being since time immemorial has been worshipping objects-whatever form they may take. Christian fundamenatalists feel that they have a monoploly on the ‘truth’ and the ‘light’ for human salvation and everybody else is wrong. Who to say that worshipping your god is not a form of idolatry also. As a non-believer I worship no one …you see I suffer from a worship phobia.
BAJAN TRUTH
When Henderson Bovell was recently worshipping Mia in a submission which he made on BU, I did not hear a word of protest from you about it.
Remember when he said this?
“Of all the people who have every shown an interest in the ‘Office of Prime Minister of Barbados’ – The Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, Q.C., M.P., is more experienced and prepared for the job – than Grantley Adams, Errol Barrow, Tom Adams, Owen Arthur or David Thompson. None of them ever had as much Ministerial experience as she does.”
Where was your sense of outrage then?
BAJAN TRUTH
With the passage of TOMAS a lot of Bajans lost their palings and roofs, you seem to have lost your senses.
Carson
there will be no sympathy vote for the next election. it will be based on if the the undecided voters think they done a good job or not.
Carson your confusing tribute to worship. that statement is true. whether the experience will make her a good PM is another matter entirely.
ANTHONY
“there will be no sympathy vote for the next election.”
I wonder how you are so sure.
unless they call it within a year your unlikely to get sympathy vote. even then people will look at what was done. they have staunch support either side who will vote their side regardless of what happens. the undecided always have to be convinced if they did a good job or to give the other party the chance to do better. Barbadian are understanding and caring but will wonder what will get better or what will get worst before they decide to vote a party in because their leader has passed away.
There is going to be ample time for the tribal wars to be fought, right now the decent thing to do is take one step at a time, allow the mourning to be completed, then blow the siren or fire the gun and start the war for the by-elections first then the general elections after.
Ok, Scout.
It would be interesting to hear Bonny Pepper’s take on the Hartley Henry’s recent suggestion on The Present Prime Minister.Henry is such a fanny!
Wait Rabbi da’ is you …? Man where you be all dese years man..? You still so fat …? I know you were a party animal … and a master of History and de English language …. Man how you be man …?
@BAFBFP
Don’t have the time to play your games.
Murdah … My attempt at Freedom Of Expression Just Get Violate … Lard Help Mah …. Where I could turn in this land …? My friend of many many years disappear and nabody know where he at … ?
I Can’ Fin’ My Brodder and it seem like he never exist in de first place …. A mistery … a Mistery …. Help mah nah ..?
Charles L W Thompson is the Brother of the late Prime Minister. He was three years older and attended the Messiah Street High School. He was a really regular and very funny guy. Anybody knows what happened to this Thompson that has been hidden from the world?
RABI WHERE YOU AT …?
Anthony
I may confuse you but will not be dishonest in my thoughts about how Barbadians speak about the decease.
I have never in my short life ever heard any eulogist say anything bad about the person laying there in the coffin.
Now Bajan truth want Barbadians to speak about the bad things he has done while saying the good things. That is hypocritical; it is not done in Barbados.
I have watched the funerals of Tom Adams, Errol Barrow and Bernard St.John and all were spoken highly of. They may have done bad things but Barbadians leave that up to God.
My electric power just came back, partially, after being knocked out by Tomas so I am only now able to see some of what has been posted in the last 4 days.
I think Bajan Truth’s article has got it absolutely right although its timing might have been a bit inappropriate. There are a lot of people who are saying that it now seems that the only thing David Thompson could not do was walk on water. Perhaps by wednesday that ability will also be claimed by some commentator or other.
I think some of the tributes were overdone, the period of mourning was too long and the overall effect might turn out to be counterproductive to establishing David Thompson’s true prime ministerial legacy.
@ BAJAN TRUTH
you have said all that i wanted to say concerning this issue.
I thoroughly enjoyed your writings. While i understand the need to grieve and to empathize in times of sorrow, we have almost idolized this man.
What people don’t understand is, we became attached to him, because we walked through this health challenge with him and so to experience the end result, is to feel some measure of defeat, hence the outpourings, i understand that but let us get a grip on reality.
I have heard those who months ago, were vilifying the man, now saying great things about him. I don’t know anything about his private life so i can’t treat to that, but what has he done to change the lives of people in the time that he was PM.
He came for a season, now his season is ended, but let us not make him into something he was not.
Let us speak to the person that he was, or the PM, the Lawyer, the husband or father , or the son, but let us not not manipulate the minds of people into idolatry.
The good in all of this, is that at the end he was able to make peace with his maker, and that is the most important thing
@ Fran
Precisely, you have captured the essence of my comment.
@ Charlie
You blind. My opening comment was just that, I particularly stated that here and now is not the place for the negatives. It would be inappropriate, insulting to him. I have not done so, and would never do so. Now is the time for the positives, they do not have to be lies or exaggerations. It is offensive and distracts from the period of mourning, and they need to stop it.
@ Carson
I really decided some time ago to give you time to make friends with intelligence and common sense. I particularly did not want to engage in this discussion because your political ignorance will give rise to my sarcasm. This a is a time of mourning and I do not wish to engage you. But if you have any further problems finding the address for common sense and intelligence I will try one more time to assist you after the funeral.
Thanks to you all for your comments. The reason I felt it was important to speak is for the purpose of preserving the truth for generations to come. When untruths and rumors are allowed to be repeated over and over again, especially by those who are noted persons such as historians, other learned persons and the media, it creates tragic comedy. When they contribute to this or fail to address it, opinions become facts and facts become history. History is distorted, and this is an injustice to future generations. That has been done to us by how we are portrayed in history; and to other groups Africans, Indians and more. This was done in America to Americans with the likes of Ronald Reagan, and it will be done for George Bush. We have already done it in our own history, lets not repeat it again. I do not expect our educated people to contribute to this injustice to future generations.
The social media will form part of the record, and it must be read that there were Barbadians who were interested in the truth and for the sake of their integrity and benefit of the nation spoke to the issue with clarity and sensitivity. How can I teach my children to stand against bullying; to speak out against injustice or to adhere to the truth, if they see me concerned about so critical an issue but unwilling to risk speaking out? I would want my boys to emulate not only myself but the greats of yore, to find heros in Adams, Barrow. To learn of the truth of the lives of Tom Adams, Owen Arthur, Erskine Sandiford, St. John and emulate the good in them. I would like them to learn of service from Mr. Thompson. How can I then stand by to let them and our nation’s children be fed a lie, when we want them to stand for truth.
BAJAN TRUTH
“I will try one more time to assist you after the funeral.”
It will be difficult for me to find anyone on the BLP side who can assist me, and that includes you. You all are too morally bankrupt.
Go to one of the older secondary schools in Barbados which lost boys to the two world wars and watch how that loss is memorialised.
Friday morning this week, or next week, think it is before the memorial in Bridgetown.
The Cenotaph in Bridgetown will bear the same names and those who did not go to school at the older secondary schools.
It had a deep impact on me each year for the eight or nine years I was there.
It has probably been going on for close to a century, first at those older secondar schools and then at the Cenotaph since 1925.
Over within a short time and morning classes as usual.
Life goes on.
It made me think hard though.
@ Charlie
You seem to missed the whole point I was suggesting. you had
“Do not try to make persons feel guilty about worshipping him. They are not worshipping him they are speaking from their hearts about a young son of the soil who became Prime Minister.”
while i suggested you meant paying him tribute in the first line. otherwise the two statement contradict themselves. I was in now way imply you should speak ill of the dead.
James Russel Lowell said,
‘Truth forever on the scaffold,
Wrong forever on the throne,
Yet the scaffold sways the future,
And behind the dim unknown,
Standeth God within the shadow
Keeping watch above his own.
There is a movement of distortionists who have committed themselves to reshaping of truth and perpetuating images of falsifications. These promoters are utilizing their skills to glorifying the late Prime Minister into a super human and inflate his modest contribution to the development of humanity.
Fanatics and mercenaries are on a mass campaign during this interim before burial, betraying the course of human history.
Future generation will have to extrapolate from the lines of dissertations, the true pockets of our reality.
Academics and other significant entities are forwarding their partisan emotive perspectives positing the myth he was solidly grounded.
Much is attributed to this ‘Family First’ ideal that was vaguely enunciated by the late Prime Minister. In an effort to enlargen Thompson’s legacy, the cultivation of the mythology floated to the top with the effort to establish constituency councils units which are hollow ,ineffective, and undemocratically selected. These fig leaves are glaring reflections of the waste of tax payers money.
There are so many undisputed facts which are available to us that can be added to those above, but it might be culturally apt to reserve the dim side in the interest of smoothing the emotions .But man must not speak with fork tongues . I am sure that workers dismissed from the U D C would concur .
When the dark dusk is settled and we wipe away the facade, we look forward to a genuine analysis and synthesis of the life and work of this friendly Barbadian citizen . David would probably find the lyrics of many very amusing .
I find it quite amazing/amusing dat suddenly some amongst us are so concerned about ‘preserving the truth for generations to come’.
No one is idolizing David. We regret his death, though the writing was on the wall, n we will mourn however long we feel. Who evva got a problem wid dat can join him in death.
Porgie
why you doan stop gine church doe? ya one-sided, bad-lookin, ball-hed hypocrit. you is de devil-self. ya heathen.
Carson C/ Charlie
why wunna-all wasting time wid dese Thompson-haters nah? Nutton in gun change dem opinion ’bout he. Dem ‘idol’ is de lil short man.
Raymond
Wah HH sah bout de present PM? I miss um. by de way, David is still my PM til tamorrrrrrrrr. I in lehhing he go til den.
Nothing I read on this blog surprises me. It is atypically Bajan.
Whether what is said and written is true,false or in between, I do see very clearly that the late PM was loved and respected by a lot of Bajans.
The one thing that hasn’t changed is the nastiness that is exhibited by some Bajans couched in intellectually enhanced verbiage.
May the future be kind to David Thompson’s family, friends and supporters.
Haunts
This outpouring of love for David Thompson from Barbadians and other persons from across the Caribbean killing the nasty minded BLP supporters.
They cannot put aside political partisanship just for a while in respect of his wife and children. Those children may even read this blog.
Some idiot called Pappy P is now alluding to the firing of UDC workers. Where was this idiot when three managers from the Hospital were fired? Where was your condemnation? David Thompson was on a mission to root out corruption and who was in the way had to go.
They feel so bad that for about ten days all they hearing are tribute after tribute from persons of all walks of life. It is killing them. Tomorrow is the final rites and they will feel worst because he would be sent off with all the dignity that Barbadians associate with funerals.
May he rest in peace because that is what Barbadians wish for all our sons and daughters who die.
Charlie
Sock it ta dem Charlie ol boy. dem grudgeful minded, bad minded, envious, spiteful n vindictive. All de accolades n nice-ities dat de PM gettin from hay, day n evrywah, got dem hart burnin wid envy. PM’s dead bout hay befoe n nevva been seen such a outpouring a luv n sympathy.
Eat wunna-alll harts out. Hope a few a wunna drop down ded tamorrrrrrrrrr when wunna-all see de ‘sen-off’ dat gun be fit fa we KING. Bare Lousy Peeple.
David, we love you
David, we miss you.
David, we sorryyyyyyyyy
And we gun misss youuuu.
(sing ta de tune a Haiti by David Rudda)
Does anyone know how long the mourning period was for Errol Barrow and Tom Adams?
Bajan Truth or should I say hog mout M Mary Lynch? yuh nasty minded BLP crab. Yuh **ite-hong. Wunnah so is a new nasty breed uh stinkin, bad minded Bajan that does sicken Pearlie. Pure gutterwater runnin thru wunnah veins. Wunnah was calling fuh HH to resign evuh sense. Now he resign wunnah got a problem wid dat. Wunnah was licking wunnah chops when Thompson was pon de sick bed and keep calling down death pon de man. Now e dead, unnah got a problem wid dat. Wunnah hongry now fuh a election. But when Ossseymour get a second consecutive defeat in e ole hard chest in de coming Sin John by-election wunnah gine got a problem wid dat too. Wunnah too blastedwell confuse! Wunnah want praying fuh and wunnah want de Lord! David Thompson did love Barbadians unconditionally and Barbadians loved him back. Dat suprise wunnah cos wunnah only know bout all de wrong kindsa love!
Learn from Thompson, folluh e example and mek Bubadus a betta place. Nuffin wunnah could do or seh could erase the immortal contribution and inspiration uh my beloved Prime Minister causin that was de handy work uh de LOrd from beginning tuh end! “Unite and love”. It easier dan wunnah think. Pearlie dun wid wunnah!
Liz Thompson has been raising questions about the “legacy” others have left behind, as well. For me, as christian, parent, community worker and tutor, the term “legacy” needs to be redefined for all politicians and those aspiring to be. Strong spiritual values, integrity, honesty, perseverance, a caring attitude, loyalty to family, humilty, etc. by far outweigh all the “achievements” one might list alongside other persons in the political realm. These were projected by our late Prime Minister and are what our country and world need NOW!!!
When your friends commend you, that’s to be expected. When your “enemies” and political opponents do so, then the world must take notice. As a human being, and it has nothing to do with sympathy, the late Prime Minister is seen in a more positive light by young and old than any others who have held the post before him.
I am convinced, as one working among the youth daily, that if the qualities our late Prime Minister held dear are taught to our youth, Barbados’ and Barbadians’ reputation in the regional and international arenas will soar to greater heights.
To those who, through envy or blinded by politics, believe otherwise, my question to you is simple; “What “legacy” and positive values are you leaving behind for future generations?”
@Sentinel
Excellent, and well stated! While I do not necessarily share your view on the meaning/definition of ‘legacy’ I do understand your message and endorse it. There is an individual responsibility that we should all embark upon in the name of progress; that means lifting our standards in every positive endeavour. Again, I support much of what you say Sentinel.
The Book of Psalms
Chapter 51
1 Have mercy upon David Thompson, O Elohim, according to thy lovingkindness: According to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out his transgressions.
2 Wash David thoroughly from his iniquity, And cleanse him from his sin.
3 For he knows his transgressions; And his sin is ever before him.
4 Against thee, thee only, have David sinned, And done that which is evil in thy sight; That thou mayest be justified when thou speakest, And be clear when thou judgest.
5 Behold, David was brought forth in iniquity; And in sin did his mother conceive him.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts; And in the hidden part thou wilt make him to know wisdom.
7 Purify David with hyssop, and he shall be clean: Wash David, and he shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make David to hear joy and gladness, That the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from David’s sins, And blot out all his iniquities.
10 Create in him a clean heart, O Elohim; And renew a right spirit within him.
11 Cast him not away from thy presence; And take not thy holy Spirit from him.
12 Restore unto him the joy of thy salvation; And uphold him with a willing spirit.
13 Then will he teach transgressors thy ways; And sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14 Deliver David from bloodguiltiness, O Elohim, thou Elohim of his salvation; And his tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15 O Yahweh, open thou his lips; And his mouth shall show forth thy praise.
16 For thou delightest not in sacrifice; else would he give it: Thou hast no pleasure in burnt-offering.
17 The sacrifices of Elohim are a broken spirit: A broken and contrite heart, O Elohim, thou wilt not despise.
18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: Build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then will thou delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, In burnt-offering and in whole burnt-offering: Then will they offer bullocks upon thine altar.