The Kamla Persad-Bissessar Matter Nothing More Than A Storm In A Teacup

It seems the recent statement attributed to Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Kamla Persad-Bissessar has created a furore across the region. It is understandable for people to become emotional at this time when St. Lucians and Vincentians are in obvious distress. It may come as a surprise that BU see nothing wrong with the meaning behind Kamla’s position. Perhaps her message was twisted by a media which is always on the hunt to sensationalize news of late.

The Foundation Has Been Laid; Is There A New Beginning For Barbados?

Submitted by Yardbroom

 

Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart

Now that our late Prime Minister Mr David Thompson has been laid to rest, in the parish of St John; a place that meant more to him than just a constituency.  It is now fitting for us to reflect.

Before the last general election, there were concerns freely expressed on the blogs and other places, about the type of Barbadian society being constructed by the then Government.  There were “allegations and I repeat “allegations”, that the meagre finances of our country were not being spent as they should have been.  A few commentators made the point, that they were fearful of expressing their views openly, because of expected victimization.  I will not suggest that the aforementioned were true but there was a perception held by many, there was currency to those perceptions.

During the elections, on the blogs, vile profanities and personal attacks were used to dissuade ordinary bloggers, who supported the then opposition.  I am not suggesting this was done with official Party sanction. . . but the reality is it was done.  Even official candidates, were subjected to personal attacks, not usually associated with Barbados’ elections, and in one instance a female candidate felt the “brunt” of such behaviour.  In the spirit of forgiveness, I will now let that rest.

How Two Utilities Failed Barbados In The Post-TOMAS Period

Submitted by The People’s Democratic Congress (PDC)

 

It has been long remarked by many living souls in  Barbados that, if Barbados were to have been sufficiently struck at any time by a tropical storm/hurricane, how a lot of homes, buildings and other properties would have been seen to be partially or wholly destroyed, primarily because of – as they would have observed it – the excessive numbers of instances, whereby there have been less than appropriate building designing undergone, whereby there have been many unsafe building techniques and practices carried out on those dwellings/buildings, or whereby there have been allowed to develop the wholly unsatisfactory conditions of many homes in the country; and how all these essential utility service companies that are here in Barbados, esp. the BL&P, would have performed so poorly in the aftermath of any such weather systems, primarily because of – as they saw it too, the very checkered history of the general out-in-the-field performances of these companies over the years.

As well, many a mortal in Barbados would long have been sounding off that, if this country were to continue indefinitely on the prevailing backwardist, exploitative, worn out euro-centric westernist development path that it is on right now, how the country could well  or would well be on the way to becoming a second rate so-called Third World developing country in the foreseeable future, primarily as a result of the many inept unprogressive anti-poor social political material financial policies and programs that have been pursued in the public and private sectors of the country over the years – and esp. as it relates to such policies and programs that have led to chronic dependence on the tourism sector for the country’s further development – and which for the fickle industry that it is, sees too many of the country’s people, their services, resources and finances being allocated to it.

And shall we – in the PDC-  add, this,  that as far as these anti-masses middle classes policies and programs are concerned, these themselves that have been and continue to be based on the reinforcement of the existence of  evil systems such as WORK, TAXATION, INTEREST RATES, REPAYABLE  INSTITUTIONAL  PRODUCTIVE LOANS, ETC.

David Thompson – THE FINAL CHAPTER

Eulogy Delivered by Hartley Henry – Personal Friend and Principal Political Advisor

The Late Prime Minister David John Howard Thompson - December 25th, 1961 to October 23rd, 2010

On this solemn morning, we meet to memorialize the short but illustrious life of a man who became our beacon in every storm; a friend when a helping hand was needed; a sure head in the midst of uncertainty.

I am grateful to Mara, widow of our beloved, now lamented Prime Minister, for inviting me to give this funeral oration.  I feel both the hand of history and the humbling honour associated with closing the final chapter of David Thompson’s short but impressive life.

He was cut down before he could accomplish the agenda he had set himself in government.  In that sense, his full promise was unfulfilled.

But oh, how much he had done in so short a space of time; how many lives he had touched for the better; how greatly loved and admired he was; as much by the boys on the block as the captains of industry.

He was known by those of us close to him as “The Chief”, not because he demanded it, but because he inspired it. He would have been just as content to be called simply “David”, as the majority of people of Barbados did; not with disrespect but with affection.

The fondest memories of this eminent son of Barbados have been etched in the hearts of tens of thousands of us, because he was a leader who raised the level of our ambition and gave us confidence that our aspirations, both as individuals and as a nation, could be achieved, in triumph.

Call To Implement The Barbados Building Code

Submitted by The Scout

The experience of Tropical Storm TOMAS which  passed Barbados a few days ago should jolt the government into seriously implementing the building code. It appears that too many shortcuts are being taken to construct buildings in recent years. The situation was getting bad for a while but with the boom in construction a few years ago, many persons became builders ignorant of the fundamentals of construction. Ask many of our builders/contractors of today the width of the footings for a single storey house as against a two storey or multi-storey building, most of them would be out to sea.

You dare not ask them what PSI is used in the concrete for the said buildings. The amount of reinforcement steel to be used is usually a hit or miss situation, also the width of concrete blocks used. Many times 6″ wide blocks are used on two storey houses, also the inadequate amount of reinforcement steel, all in an effort to reduce the building cost.

The mixture of the mortar is usually done in an unprofessional manner, with water constantly being added to soften the mixture if the cement starts to set. Roofs are too often constructed with the wrong size timber and then not connected in a professional way to the beam of the building, hence many roofs are removed when under moderate to strong wind pressure.

Tourism MATTERS – VIII

Adrian Loveridge - Hotel Owner

My deepest sympathy goes out to Mrs. Mara Thompson, her daughters and entire family. I would like to hold onto my special memories of the late Prime Minister and recall one of our few exchanges. Soon after his illness was announced, you could see the strain on his face, and in a simple attempt to bring a smile, I emailed him a YouTube extract of a BBC ‘Yes Prime Minister’ episode. In his inimitable style, a few minutes later, a message came back, ‘Adrian, Thank you, it’s my favourite programme’.

Every time I visit the Hilton, I leave thinking the same thought. Didn’t ‘we’ miss an incredible opportunity?

Whether it was a decision taken due to financial restrictions or simply lack of vision, perhaps we will never know. The location must be one of the most spectacular on Barbados. It has all the ingredients anyone could wish for. A protected beach, the long crescent shaped Carlisle Bay and both the Garrison Savannah and capital within comfortable walking distance.

Architecturally and structurally, I would have thought that it could easily have been incorporated, in the basement or on the roof. A single meeting space on one level of at least 10,000 square feet that has the functionality of sub-division.

To The Late Prime Minister David Thompson, Fond Farewell You Good And Faithful Servant

The Late Honourable Prime Minister David Thompson

The Late Prime Minister David Thompson will be buried tomorrow (3 November 2010). A public service will be held at Kensington Oval to be followed by the interment at St. John’s Parish Church (invitation only).

Here was a man who devoted most of his short life to public service. His death has touched Barbadians and others in a way many would not have imagined. Let us hope that his death and the other events which have bashed the emotional psyche of Barbadians in recent days will help to make us stronger as a people to face the challenges that lie ahead.

On behalf of Barbados Underground we bid you farewell you good and faithful servant, you will always be remembered in the BU household -  Your life may be the only Bible some people read – unknown.

BU will be next updated after the funeral.

 

Alcohol More Dangerous Than Illegal Drugs Like Heroin States Recent UK Study

A recent study out of the United kingdom concludes ‘Alcohol is more dangerous than illegal drugs like heroin, ecstasy and crack cocaine, according to a new study.’ From limited reports the study rated alcohol the most dangerous substance ‘based on the overall dangers to the individual and society as a whole’.  The study was led by Professor David Nutt, the former government drugs adviser who was sacked for criticising the then Labour government’s decision to upgrade cannabis from class C to class B.

What is evident to BU, the matter of how drugs are classified and managed is based on economic structures embedded  in so-called developed societies. Those who would dare to buck the system will have to negotiate the weight of the establishment.