Are Public Workers Being Sold Out?

Submitted by GoWEB Caribbean – Writer Caswell Franklyn

 

Caswell Franklyn - Head of Unity Workers Union

In an ideal world there would be no place for trade unions. Employers would observe the golden rule, and treat their workers as they would like to be treated if they were in the employee’s place. Also, there would be no need for labour legislation.

But this is not an ideal world and even with trade unions and labour laws, workers in this country continue to suffer under the domination of tyrannical bosses. Very often, even though the worker has right on his side, he is denied proper representation by the unions and the Labour Department. The following might help to explain how things work in this country.

Last year, the General Secretary of the National Union of Public Workers, Dennis Clarke, while on vacation, went into the office and unknown to the acting General Secretary, Roslyn Smith, wrote a letter to Government offering to forgo a salary increase for public servants if Government gave the union a building at Newton, Christ Church to be used for a buyers’ club. When I saw a copy of the letter, I immediately brought it to the attention of Mrs. Smith who retrieved it from Government and notified the President, Walter Maloney.

Gaffe Was A Gaff After All

Picture on the left shows correct protocol with the US flag being flown on the diagonal pole, note the other the other flogs above it, picture on the right shows the single Barbados flag being displayed on a similar mast structure

We all make mistakes, the fallibility of man and all that jazz. It is those with the mindset who use mistakes as an opportunity to improve and ideally prevent recurrence  who seem to achieve more.

Last week the Nation Newspaper reported that the Barbados Yacht Club (BYC) was disrespecting the Barbados flag by having its flag displayed above the National Flag. The BYC to its credit reacted quickly to the criticism and withdrew all other flags flying with the exception of the Barbados flag, see picture above. It was reported the BYC checked with Lieutenant Colonel Sean Reece of Barbados Coast Guard who confirmed that the Club had been correctly flying the flags.

Here is how the Lieutenant explained it:

No other flag should be flown above ours if you have several single flags flowing from different flagpoles, but if you have a flag pole that is in the form of what was originally the mast of an old sailing ship, one where the diagonal pole sticks out from the vertical pole, then the position of honour on that flag pole (called the gaff) is where the Barbados Flag should be and where it was placed. So in essence they do have it in the correct position – Nation Newspaper 25 February 2011

The obvious question is why the Nation editor would not have afforded the BYC the opportunity to comment before going to press? In fact the correct protocol could have been easily researched on the Internet. The irony to some is that the national flag is often flown incorrectly on the Nation Newspaper complex at Fontebelle.

A case when a gaffe revealed that the gaff was indeed not a gaffe.

Corruption And Corrupt People Now Rule The BLP

Submitted by Anne Onime

 

Haniyfa White - Photo Credit: Nation Newspaper

The Barbados Labour Party is becoming a war zone with the ‘gang of five’ now trying desperate measures to destroy “the decent four.”  They cannot get Mia Mottley or William Duguid because they have pedigree so the soft targets in that mix are Rawle Eastman [sic] and Cynthia Forde.  We have already told you that Clyde Mascoll will be the BLP’s candidate in St. Thomas, while Douglas Skeete (George Payne’s cousin) will replace Rawle Eastman [sic] in St. James North., hence a scheme had to be hatched and carefully executed, to discredit Forde and Eastman [sic].

Of the two, Rawle’s illness (serious diabetic) makes him the softer target.  Everyone knows that Rawle Eastman [sic] was seriously ill for a long time and was even given long leave from Parliament, ever since his appearance on the call-in-programme sounding incoherent.  Our reports are that he often has to rely on strangers when he fails to eat properly and on time and that makes him vulnerable to be exploited.  George Payne knows that and enters Haniyfa Reza White, stage right.

Who is paying the legal fees for murder accused Haniyfa Reza White (the woman now stalking Rawle Eastman [sic]) in her counter suit against St. James North M.P., Rawle Eastman? [sic] Is it George Payne?  Is it true that Haniyfa Reza White was one of the persons down to vote in the elections George Payne rigged?   Is this then part of the master plan to discredit Eastman [sic] for pointing out to the country last year that George Payne was engaged in electoral fraud, election rigging, which is corruption and organized crime?  Why would Owen Arthur and George Payne feel they would get away with this when the BLP benefits from taxpayers money, which give the electorate the right to demand accountability and answers?

Eugenics As A Tool Of Depopulation: How The Edict Of Pharaoh In The Days Of Moses & The Decree Of Herod In The Days Of Jesus Rationalises Murder To Stem Human Growth

In January 1977, Jesse Jackson writing in “Right to Life News” asked us to consider -”What happens to the mind of a person, and the moral fabric of a nation, that accepts the aborting of the life of a baby without a pang of conscience? What kind of a person, and what kind of a society will we have 20 years hence if life can be taken so casually?”

“It is that question, the question of our attitude, our value system, and our mind-set with regard to the nature and worth of life itself that is the central question confronting mankind. Failure to answer that question affirmatively may leave us with a hell right here on earth.”

Dr. Clenard H. Childress, Jr. cites that “after years of futility, much like Egypt’s frustration with Israel in the book of Genesis – the more they afflicted them the more they increased… Abortion has become the “silver bullet” for the imbedded eugenic influence in our nation and the world. Nationally 1,786 African-Americans are killed each day by Abortion, and in New York City, for every 1,000 precious African-Americans born, sadly 1,525 are mutilated to death within the womb… For in the 2006 Census report tells us African-American birth rates are beneath the replacement rate at 1.97. You need 2.1 to replace the existing population” – an ominous case of systemic genocide.

Britain is about to embark on a “census” of its population. Every [10] years this circle seeks to measure population trends, “RACIAL” demography and income distribution. In 2010, America took the lead in calling for a national census where as the video shows many have major concerns about privacy and unwanted intrusion by the state. Australia will follow suit in August this year as well as other major 1^st world countries that will likely follow in a similar vein. To the inquiring, conspiratorial mind – the question often asked, is why? To what ends is all this probity really necessary? And into whose hands will this “mother-load” of information fall given that US giant Lockheed Martin will be data gathering for the British government?

What If Cannabis Cured Cancer?

Submitted by Len Richmond

CANNABIS CULTURE – What if Cannabis Cured Cancer? CC presents an interview with Len Richmond, director of a new documentary film about how science is showing that compounds in cannabis attack cancer while protecting healthier cells.

 

It is one thing to kill a cancer cell, but the real question wracking science’s collective brain is: can you survive the treatment?

This is the central concern regarding how we approach cancer, the plague of modern times. Len Richmond’s documentary What if Cannabis Cured Cancer, narrated by Emmy award-winning actor Peter Coyote, is a well-researched account of the chemical benefits of the cannabis plant. Featuring interviews with a multitude of doctors and researchers across the world, the film explains how certain compounds in cannabis, including THC, attack only cancer cells while actually protecting healthier ones. And here is the real kicker: with incredible results! However, its healing effects are not limited to just cancer. Cannabis contains compounds that work holistically with the entire human body on such conditions as epilepsy, bipolar disorder, glaucoma, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, neuropathic pain, depression, leukemia, and more.

The documentary also outlines the misinformation campaign by both government and media as to the ill effects of cannabis on users. For instance, it is an eyebrow-raising revelation that not a single recorded death has ever been attributed to cannabis, while it remains a Schedule I drug – along with heroin and meth – under the Controlled Substances Act.

But it’s not just the plant that’s having a tough time in the world. Len Richmond has tried earnestly to get the medical community to be involved in the amazing amount of research he’s uncovered in his film:

Open Letter To Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart, From Concerned Police Officers Of The Lower Rank

Pages 1,2

Tracking Legal Matters In The United States: Internet Kill Switch – Chemical Carol Anne Bond Case

It was inevitable that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange would have been defeated in his extradition battle with Sweden. To have embarrassed the United States in the way he did will never be forgiven or forgotten. There is the view, debatable though it is, that his cables served as the catalyst for the unrest currently on the go in the Middle East.

The important role the Internet plays in the lifes of individuals, business’ and governments has become an everyday reality. The intimidation of the Internet was manifested in Egypt when the government sought to muzzle freedom of expression by going ‘dark’. Internet penetration, some would say intrusion, in our daily lifes makes it difficult to imagine a day without Internet connectivity.

It is therefore no surprise to read about information circulating on the World Wide Web that the US government is already pursuing measures to be able to shutdown the Internet as a response if civil unrest were to occur. “Experts say it’s unlikely that what’s happened in Egypt could happen in the United States because the U.S. has numerous Internet providers and ways of connecting to the Internet. Coordinating a simultaneous shutdown would be a massive undertaking.” According to this website a bill was proposed last summer by “the controversial submitted by Sen. Joe Lieberman – S.3480 “Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act of 2010”. If the cybersecurity bill were to be passed it would give wide-ranging power to the President of the USA to shut down parts of the Internet for up to 120 days….

USA occupies the position as a world leader and there is a reasonable expectation that others would follow.

CARIBBEAN STOCK REPORT 21 – 25 February 2011

Compiled by the Department of Management Studies, UWI, Cave Hill - Click image to read report

Manipulating The Law To Accommodate Marston Gibson

Submitted by Thomas A. Harper

 

Chief Justice Designate Marston Gibson

There is much speculation as to whether the criteria that determines the eligibility of a person to serve as Chief Justice of Barbados will be manipulated to accommodate the appointment of the candidate favoured to fill that post.

To suggest that such a blatant act of self-serving connivance could even be contemplated by a government of Barbados regardless of party, would give rise to the frightening prospect that the end of democracy as was enjoyed under past regimes is now under serious threat.

Is it inconceivable that the integrity of our country could be irreparable tarnished simply to lend credence to a decision reached without the benefit of due diligence?

A Look At The Proposed Special Education Survey

Submitted by Looking Glass

 

Hon Ronald Jones, Minister of Education

Why is it that we tend to need or require outsiders, especially those who know little or nothing about the country, to tell us what to do? Is it because it is easier to accept the views of external others, or because it saves us from the painful business of thought and investigation?

According to the Advocate (2/8/2011) the UNICF and the Education Ministry will collaborate on an education project involving 1) a survey of special educational institutions and 2) assessment of teaching and learning at the primary level. We are told that “special problems will be identified and addressed to ensure equity—among other things—across the system.” I do not recall having heard or read much if anything about our “special educational institutions” by the Ministry or officials and wonder who generated the idea. To survey what does not exist suggests the hand of external forces. If so it is likely the survey will be based on theoretical and or philosophical assumptions.

The project as reported suggests the existence of special institutions and the existence of a large number of ‘disadvantaged’ kids. How many special education institutions if any do we have? Does special education relate to mentally and or physically disadvantaged kids? If so how many such kids exist? Historically the incidence of such ‘disadvantaged’ kids has been at best very miniscule. If we now have a large number of such kids in the last 20 or so years it says a lot about the health of the population. The implications are hardly encouraging.