Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart
There is no act of treachery or meanness of which a political party is not capable; for in politics there is no honour – Benjamin Disraeli
Recent election results in St. Lucia and Jamaica suggest the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) has been naughty. The ‘gift’ to the DLP this Yuletide Season has been ‘The Letter‘.
Chatter on the underground suggest Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart will issue a statement perhaps as early as this weekend. The expectation by many political pundits is that one or more in the camp will have to pay for the widely discussed treachery exposed by the NATION newspaper. The flipside is the parallel chatter that key players have been placed on election watch in the event Prime Minister Stuart calls a ‘snap’ election. If the St. Lucia result forced a few government MPs to seek audience with the Prime Minister – Sinckler admitted to the treachery in the NATION’s Big Interview – how will the Jamaica result have exacerbated the concerns for those on the government bench.
Some believe Prime Minister Stuart has taken too long to act but it should be obvious he is not the type to react in the midst of the Christmas season. Stuart is known to be a devout Christian and would not have contemplated interrupting a significant Christian festival by responding to what some believe to be political chicanery in his camp.
The disquiet in the DLP camp caused by concern at Prime Minister Stuart’s leadership style has effectively ruled out an early call to arms or has it? This matter was brought to a head by a poll allegedly undertaken by pollster Peter Wickham which was not complimentary of Stuart’s leadership of the government. Here is that name again Peter Wickham!
The wind of change which blew in 2008 and swept the Thompson led DLP to power has changed direction – made more blustery by interacting with protracted harsh global economic conditions. Logical thought makes it absolutely certain that Stuart’s options have become limited about when he can call elections. He will need all the time which is constitutionally due to band-aid the ills of his party, unless he does a Sandie.
Prime Minister Stuart, entrusted to perform a caretaker role during the period the late PM Thompson was sick would be acutely aware of what he has in common with former Prime Ministers of St. Lucia and Jamaica. He should also be sensitive to a view that his unflappable and laidback style does not mesh with a majority of public perception who have bought into the rambunctious political style practiced by Errol Barrow, Tom Adams, Owen Arthur. The speed with which the late Bree St. John and Erskine Sandiford – who had comparable easy going styles – were transported into the realm of political oblivion should also be top of Stuart’s mind. Despite his repertoire of philosophical knowledge, the colloquial adage rings true, Prime Stuart finds himself between ‘a rock and a hard place’.
It is obvious PM Stuart has to respond to the suffocating perception that there is disorder in his camp, he must respond. The only reason he wouldn’t is if he intends to execute a ‘Sandie’ and force all hands to negotiate a burning deck by letting the public decide. BU believes this is not the stuff that PM Stuart is made off. As a keen student of history, win lose or draw come the next general election, he would want history to record that he made decisions to stand the test of stern scrutiny.
The irony is that Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart may have brought this brouhaha upon himself by not discerning the grey clouds which have been gathering under his watch for some time now. Perhaps it best explains why some in the camp travelled the route of the letter.
@David
Prime Minister Stuart needs to connect with the Barbadian public. This laid back approach is not augering well for him, this is what I am hearing all over the place, He needs to speak to the barbadian public and a language they could identify with. He appears to be very aloof and he needs to be decisive in his actions. Barbadians like a Prime Minister who shows a little ruthlessness and is willing to act, If the Prime Ministers continues with that laid back approach, he will continue to deepen the wedge between himself, the party supporters, as well as the floating voters. He has one year to rebrand himself and the party,
Healthy New Year to the BU family and the populaton of Barbados.
@UNEDUCATED
Same to you and yours.
Your last feedback is what we have been hearing on the ground as well.
From the time that a person is sworn in as Prime Minister of Barbados. our Constitution makes him an all powerful king. A prime minister of Barbados has more power than the President of the United States when you look at the respective constitutions. Everyone else around him becomes a pawn for him to do as he pleases, even those who made him prime minister. With all the power at his disposal, a prime minister can dispense considerable patronage, and because of that he even controls those around him that have their hands out looking for something, and trust me there are many of those. That is why educated people, like you know who, would pervert their education and stifle their conscience in the hope of getting a crumb off the PM’s table.
IS THE PRIME MINISTER GETTING THE JOB DONE?DOES HE NEED TO SHOUT TO BE NOTICED.OTHER MINISTERS SHOUTED AND NOTHING CHANGED.GIVE HIM A CHANCE.A NEW LEADER WILL NOT CHANGE THE ECONMIC CLIMATE IN BARBADOS.WE ARE ALL FEELING THE PINCH AND NEED TO WORK FOR THE BETTER OF OUR COUNTRY
The DLP got the political leader they deserved. After David Thompson passed away, the elected members waste no time and elected Mr. Stuart. However, if the party took the time to analysis the political history associated with Mr. Stuart they would have made a different choice. Here is a man mature in the sense he was around DLP politics long but yet to establish himself on the political landscape of Barbados. He was elected in St. Philip South in 1994; five years later lost the seat to Anthony Woods. He moves to St Michael South in 2003 in which lost to Barney Lynch and ended up in the Senate. Lucky for him there was a national swing in 2008 and he won. However in doing an analysis of all former PM, Stuart is the only one who has not been able to cement a hold on any constituency for two consecutive terms. This record alone is a clear indicator that PM Stuart is no political heavyweight as he have failed miserable to establish a connection with the masses for obvious reasons, he simply lack the persona for elected politics far less a political leader. I will be fast to admit that I always admired the man for his philosophical grounding and his oratory skills but beyond that he lack he political acumen and therefore it would be in his best interest to understand his obvious weaknesses and not to appease the Belle, Joseph et al and makes a bad situation worse but more see the big picture and work on improving his image in the eyes of the masses and party supporters…just my observations.
It is beginning to look pathetic the dumb way P.M Stuart is behaving, as I said in another blog, he did the same thing in St.Philip South and was voted out, this time he seems to be ready to take the whole government with him. When DT was sick we forgave him because he was only holding on for the P.M and as such was taking the directive from him. He is now the P.M but is behaving the same way as when he was acting. Would someone PLEASE tell Mr Stuart the late Prime Minister is dead and he has taken up the job, TIME YOU STAMP YOUR AUTHORITY. Time is running out. I though that letter was a slap in his face and he would have come alive, he seem to be in a deep coma.
It is not just PM Stuart, the entire government is uninspiring and clueless. For example, in responding to “Ham Gate” Minister Benn said the Inspectors were correct in their interpretation of the law; but he intervened to avoid any ‘inconvenience for customers.’ Huh? For further proof of the government’s ineptitude go read barbadostoday’s story on the Pierhead Project.
Sir Leroy in his comments on this matter alluded to those influencing from the outside of the parliamentary group with perhaps opposing agendas.
Who are those referenced by Sir Roy?
Some say they the pollster and the kingmaker.
I do not like Monday morning quarter backing. Anyone can do that. . I understand that we are likely to hear from the PM as he gives his New Year message. If he wants to incorporate a message about the 11 in his address he would have to ensure that he does not do more damage than has already been done. The election iIn Jamacia has reinforced the notion that there will be one term for those who do not understand the suffering of the people. Stuart does not understand the suffering of the people and what I do not like is the way some people would like to elevate sloth inertia to virtues which we should admire. For sure many in the 11 do not admire his laziness and his lack of presence. Dont you think that the results make it an imperative for Stuart to see the letter as absolutely necessary and his lack of response to the letter’s concerns will show him up sooner or later. If Stuart acts with any spite he will be out in the cold. Many people believe Stuart is wrong headed in his approach and his manner do no credit to him or anyone. He must see the fault as his and do something about it. He can be stubborn and cause more damage. I expect that . He is too ingrained in his ways . He will suffer the conswquences of his action or inaction Think on these things
This DLP government under the leadership of P.M Stuart is the worse government this country ever had, followed by the one under Bree St.John and then the one under Sandiford. Prime Minister the late David Thompson was not there long enough to be rated. The best Prime Minister we ever had was The Right Ecel The Hon Errol Walton Barrow, no-one has come close to matching him. Of the others Owen Arthur will come in a poor second to Barrow.
@true to form
Are you still fuming that BU elected rake the NATION over the coals for being less than honourable?
We are all intelligent to deal with all aspects to the story and not limit ourselves to the political only.
The DLP and Stuart are between a rock and a very hard place. Stuart is in the non-enviable position that whatever decision he makes could be reasonably analysed to be the worse or the best one in the circumstances.
e.g. To call an election within the next two months might be seen as being somewhat foolhardy but think on this, as one of our main posters here might say.
1) The external and internal economic situation strongly suggests that harsh economic measures will have to be taken sooner rather than later, Such measures are sure to move a significant number of voters from the DLP side to the BLP side or to non participation in the vote.
2) Taking such measures before an election would appear to exhibit a total lack of strategic thought. In addition, if the DLP lost the election, it would save the BLP from having to implement such measures early in its term.
3) It has been rumoured that one of the grouses of the “Eager 11″ was serious paucity of campaign finances and it was also rumoured that the Private sector is very much against Stuart and his supposed tardiness to adopt measures that would assist them, and very tangentially, the country in recovery efforts. This situation is not likely to get better over the next year or so. CLICO and Parris can’t support them in the manner in which they have become accustomed and the other big moneybag players are rumoured to be against Stuart and presumably would like to see the Government differently led.
4) Any harsh economic action that the Government is likely to take is going to impact negatively on the DLP’s ‘economy vs.society” shibboleth.
5) Every DLP parliamentarian is likely to suffer the backlash from having to implement very harsh policies. The swing, in a delayed election, could be of such a magnitude that DLP survivors could be counted on one hand.
6 Government can’t even sweeten any harsh policies through giving out the usual election goodies before an election, as doing such may cause them to have to go straight into the hands of the IMF as well as suffer further downgrades from the rating agencies and everyone knows what that means. A snap election would obviate that problem.
7) Calling an election now could also exploit any residual personal differences in the BLP camp. Postponing the bell will probably allow the BLP to recoup and continue gathering increasing ammunition with which to attack the Government whenever elections are called.
Holding an early election, before any harsh measures are taken therefore looks fairly palatable given the above. It would not be sure that the DLP would win but they might not lose as badly as if they waited for another year. Calling it very soon might also result in a one-term BLP Government, if they won.
Holding the election a year or so from now looks reasonable from the point of view of putting some time between the St Lucia and Jamaica election dominoes and hoping for improvements in the economy. But it is really being very optimistic to hope for improvements in this current chaotic world situation within a year that would save the DLP Government. Thus the Government will most likely be forced to enact some very rough policies if it waits around for a year or so before calling elections.
I suspect that the most reasonable prediction is for things to deteriorate and as such, to my mind the best course is to have elections soon, work towards winning those elections for the DLP to have another 5 years when, they could enact the necessary harsh measures early in the term and then hopefully, things would get back to normal during that term. If perchance the BLP wins, they, rather than the DLP will have to do the non-societal dirty work that might well cause them to lose the 2017 election.
Unfortunately for the DLP, the action that was reportedly planned by the “Eager 11″ could have been their salvation. As it is now, FS seems to be firmly in charge and no one should bet on an early election or for any significant changes in Cabinet soon, unless the “Eager 11″ have been able to get their points across to the PM in the yuletide season.
The only way out for Stuart is for him to humble himself and admit he was acting aloof, he can still salvage the party due to the disarray the BLP is in. All roads lead to the P.M and Stuart must understand that, Owen accepted the blame but the party had already lost, the DLP is still the government, so Stuart can make things right before elections, the longer he takes the less convincing he becomes. The next general elections is there for the DLP to lose, if Stuart don’t humble himself but remain the P.M
I knew the voting public would have voted out the BLP, (1) not even Errol Barrow got four terms in office. (2) the BLP had gotten burnt out and made a lot of mistakes, plus they became greedy. The mistake the DLP made is with David Thompson in his eagerness to become P.M offered a platter of goodies at a time when a global crisis was hitting the world. This is now coming back to haunt the party because most of the things offered were unrealistic but the public swallowed it like food . Now stuart is left to clean up the mess and he is remaining silent, no-one can win an election by not communicating.
@ David
The PNP’s (despite being led by a 65 year old veteran) thumping of the JLP with its 39 year old leader has put holes in the pollster’s theory.
Checkit-Out you have just hit the nail on the head. i was about to post the short version of your comments.
persons are talking about PM Stuart needs to change his image and they have a year. from what i’ve been hearing the economy is going to get worst so can the DLP afford to wait a year with a worst economy to call elections?
talk about a very hard rock and a very hard place.
enuff
Also check St.Lucia, they returned Anthony because he has a track record. Who in the DLP have a track record to compare with Owen Arthur’s right now, the present P.M is a two time loser in two different constituentcies, all the others except Kellman are green horns. The voting public at this point in time will go for the tried leadership of Oewn Arthur but like Mr Holness said the party that wins unless they play their cards well may have a one term too.
@ The Scout
What disarray you speak of? But wait if the BLP in disarray, what state is the DLP in?
The one country that stands to benefit from not changing the party in government is Guyana. Now that there is a very strong opposition and indeed a minority government the PPP/C has to play their cards well or they will lose an early elections once the majority opposition vote against them.
@ The Scout
Only if you promise people the galaxy.
The BLP insiders on BU should post Owen’s speech in Oistins last election. He cautioned against buying into the bag of goodies that were on offer by the DLP remarking that the extravagant promises were uncannily reminiscent of ’86. And where are we now?
enuff
The BLP obviously is not as stable as the party usually is, there is the Mia Mottley issue unresolved. Then there is the Rawle Eastmond issue which can cause the party a sure seat in case the BLP runs someone else in polace of eastmond. My understanding is that Eastmond would run as an independent and he stands a good chance of winning the seat. Had the DLP run Austin Husbands instead of the other Husbands they would have stood a good chance of winning
Some people on this blog behaving like Owen is the savior of Barbados. As much as we don’t want Stuart we don’t want Owen. To finish sell off the rest of Barbados to the Trini and to let all the illegal Guyanese back in and to cuss people right left and center on the floor of Parliament. I check the main library at uwee back to front to find something Owen Arthur wrote on economic not a things. The man is no authority on economic. We need new politics in Barbados, this duopoly is not working…time for an alternative party in Barbados
@Tryanny and in the meantime what should we do as a country?
DAVID
What a confusing article.
I am still very unclear what it is you are trying to say.
@ David
This whole discussion board will about imagery … smoke and mirrors. None of the individuals who are the targets of your commenters have the wherewithal to implement and execute anything. You know that, and I believe that they know that as well. The people who get involved in elective politics are really not the brightest and best from among us, but are certainly the ones with the biggest egoes (barring those that operate in the media houses).
Today the US and EU are trying to force Iran’s hand. Here we go again. Here we go again but unlike Iraq and Lybia and others, these guys have teeth, very much like Japan who were in exactly the same position over half a centenary ago. The True International Terrorists are at it again and this is very serious stuff … not this hog wash that these guys here are spouting ..
Well it’s obvious we need to decide between the lesser of the two evils as dictate by our political system but in the meantime there will be high level of cynicism resulting in voter’s apathy as in my case given the modus operandi of both political institutions,
@Checkit-Out
Some good reasoning but if true makes a mockery of the decision by Stuart one year ago not to come to the electorate which he saw as political opportunism.
In essence based on your reasoning he has to resort to political opportunism now.
FS doesn’t appear to take any action unless it is forced on him by time running out. His colleagues will have to convince him to demit office to give them a chance to steer the ship Barbados, as proactively as possible, through the rocks all around us. If that is one man’s political opportunism it may be another’s strategic political action that might lead on to fortune.
The time for persuading Stuart about anything passed when some agreed to draft/write a letter.
Stuart is the Kingman now and if Sir Roy is correct the PM may see as role as bigger than trying to win an election.
His objective maybe to root out those who are aligned with Kingmakers.
but even if they convince him to leave office, they still have an up hill battle. so they should be looking to plan for the next election after this one.
let me state, i’m not making a case for the BLP because they still have to come and tell the public how they would run the country but the BLP has a track record of progress with some mistakes. the DLP looks to be in a wait and see mode when it comes to running the country and i for one don’t like what i’m seeing or not seeing them doing.
i am on record as saying that mr stuart was dealt a bad hand of which was difficult to dispose because of the peculiar political stranglehold in which he found himself. the personalisation of the clico fiasco by mr thompson for example was not of his own making. No one on the blog seems to care or find it strange that Mr Stuart in an interview after his elevation to the post of PM could admit that he had never entered the PM’s office before. i would reserve my comment on Mr stuart’s pergormance until after his New year’s speech.
@ enuff
So the BTI signed a Memorandum of Understanding awarding the Pierhead marina redesign and construction to company that did not tender and a company with no experience in designing and building marinas. This is after the BTI rescinded a contract for the project from Legan which resulted in a law suit against the Barbados government for $60 million?
Low and behold the company cannot raise the funding for the project, either the short term or long term funding and actually had the audacity to ask borrow $5 million form the BTI. What a crock of shite and non-sense.
I hope the new Minister of Finance, Dr. David Estwick deals with this matter immediately upon assuming the new portfolio of finance.
Thanks enuff but BU has dealt with matter many weeks ago.
Balance; in your 4.45 am post you wrote:
“No one on the blog seems to care or find it strange that Mr Stuart in an interview after his elevation to the post of PM could admit that he had never entered the PM’s office before.”
I hadn’t seen that one before. If it is true it is absolutely amazing and speaks volumes of the real relationship between DT and FS; of how DT treated with his senior colleagues; and how, in turn FS the PM might have treated with his colleagues, probably even resulting in the “Eager 11″ debacle after failed attempts to discuss things of import to the Party.
OSA’s apparent predeliction for cursing people, to their faces, pales in comparison to this revelation of the inner workings of the DLP.
Checkit-Out
How wunna is get the letters to appear in Bold or italics?
Who would Stuart put to hold office if he were to reshuffle the “eager eleven”? He is not equipped with a very deep bench to choose from.
@ BAF
left out the spaces
@ BAF
For bold: open with less than sign common b more than sign and close with less than sign forward slash common b more than sign
Quoting David? the blogmaster “the widely discussed treachery”
There was no treachery.
Stupse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why is asking the Prime Minister for a meeting treachery? Barbados is a democracy.Anybody can the PM for a meeting, even me. ANd the PM has the democratic right to say yes or no.
@Random Thoughts
You should read or reread Sinckler’s Big Interview with Kaymar Jordan. This time utilize your best comprehension skills.
Quoting Caswell “he even controls those around him that have their hands out looking for something”
Thank God I listened when my late Ma said “never point out your hand to any man looking for anything because the day you do that he will disrespect you.
I am not loved by any men. But I am respected by all.
Is it true that the PM would not turn up to meetings arranged verbally? Heard that through the grapevine.
The MPs then turned to the next method of writing a letter. What’s wrong with that approach?
Where is the treachery? Treachery is defined as deceit, treason, deceitfulness, betrayal, disloyalty, duplicity or sedition.
I have not seen that in the letter
@Clone
If there was no treachery why have we had denials from many?
David I’ve always got “A’s” in comprehension, and I’ve re-read Sinkler’s Big Interview, but I am no wiser. But then again I find that most politicians speak neither Bajan nor English.
@Rabdom Thoughts
Using your best comprehension skills please analyze the following extracted from the Big Interview:
David; As I’ve always maintained since the story of the letter broke, a simple reading of the contents of the letter does not indicate any treacherous intent. The 11 can truthfully claim that the letter was merely an invitation for the PM to meet with them to discuss matters of grave import to them and the DLP and the people of Barbados by extension.
Where a tinge of “treachery” might be imputed is by the rumoured antecedents to the letter such as some MP’s going to the GG to effect the removal of the PM from Office and by the reaction of the 5 or 4 to legally distance themselves from what was really an innocuous letter.
There was no treachery attached to the letter itself. Its rumoured antecedents and immediate effects and serious spinning by the Stuart faction converted a simple letter to “treachery”.
There was no treachery. Just political business as usual.
@ balance | December 31, 2011 at 4:54 AM |
“i am on record as saying that mr stuart was dealt a bad hand of which was difficult to dispose because of the peculiar political stranglehold in which he found himself. the personalisation of the clico fiasco by mr thompson for example was not of his own making.”
Come on balance, don’t try to make it look as if FS is some innocent guy regarding the clico affair. One can agree it was not of his own making but to extend a hand of friendship and continuing protection in this sordid affair go beyond the boundary of naivety. This “circling the wagon” approach to the clico affair suggests that there is much more in the mortar than the a dead pestle. Remember the reference to LP being a respectable and successful businessman who should not be treated as a leper but should be seen as a friend?
Like you, I too am awaiting his New Year’s message before further comment on this country’s future.
@ David
Bushie agrees with Clone and Random Thoughts that this whole thing is a storm in a teacup. Unfortunately it only takes a squall to blow away a lightweight….
Instead of letting the jokey woman at the Nation set the agenda, FS should have called the meeting of all parliamentarians and announced new strong policies immediately afterwards.
The bushman can only SMH at the attitudes being displayed by our political hacks on BU. Do these people realize that this is a time when ALL OF US must observe some kind of truce and devise a plan of national survival?
….the boat sinking and instead of bailing water, sailors fighting each other based on the color of their shirts…
David I am with Kaymar on this when she asked “But why not just call up the Prime Minister and ask for a meeting? Your office in the Ministry of Finance is around the corner from the Prime Minister’s Office”
And I am not with Sinkler’s response at all “No, that’s not how you do it.
Kaymar should have asked a followup question here. “Why not” In other words why the foolishness a a letter drafted by a committe to simply ask for a meeting. And remember a camel is a horse made by a committee.
I am not with this business of treating a Prme Minister as a King.
The Prime MInister is just a man. Merely the first among equals. If that was me I wouldda just pop my head through his office door and said to hm “Freundel some o’ we would like to meet with you this week. If Thursday at 2 is not good for you, let me know which day and hour would work for you.
In Barbados we waste waaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too much time of stupid formailites.
And then even when the letter was drafted it was so bad that even though a lawyer might like it I am sure that the fellas English teachers hung their heads in shame.
This formailty reminds me a a man in my village whose wife had not only to put his food on the table in a covered dish with the required cutlery etc, but once he was seated she had to run form whereever she was to uncover his dish, or he would angrily refuse to eat. 4 weeks wid me and the bastard wouldda die of starvation.
One thing in life David, we must not over indulge people. It gives them too much power and then they become too demanding. We must cut off people at the knees sooner rather than later. Even Prime MInisters.
@Bush Tea
You are a man with ear close to the ground and you know there is some chicanery at play here,
Let us see how Stuart deals with it.
It is clear if you put the Big Interview under the scope that there is a lot that was inferred..
Reading Dr. Neville Duncan’s take on Barbados politics in Nation today was as refeshing as the crisp December breezes its a shame BLP lapdogs George Belle ,CIA informer Peter Wickham, Saint lucian Joseph dont follow his example. Duncan with no axe to grind gives a well thought out interpration on political developments at home and abroad. I read his comments all the way thru a real change from the predictable junk served up by Sanka Price, Brand ford and George belle. Nation editor how about rehiring Duncan as a columnist in 2012 fire Sanka and Joseph give their money to Duncan.
Homeopathic | December 31, 2011 at 5:30 AM |
“Low and behold the company cannot raise the funding for the project, either the short term or long term funding and actually had the audacity to ask borrow $5 million form the BTI. What a crock of shite and non-sense.
I hope the new Minister of Finance, Dr. David Estwick deals with this matter immediately upon assuming the new portfolio of finance”
Are you surprised? This was a clear case of trying to swindle taxpayers of over $40 million without a commensurate return of infrastructural value to the country. DB saw an opportunity to get rich quick while the going was good given his “quisling” nature. FS should have jettisoned the dubious character long time but if it takes the pit bull to bite the leg of a crook forcing him to jump ship as in the case of the executive chairman of the Wa(l)ter(‘s) board then by all means let him loose to attack with gun and all.
@Random
Very good, now you should apply that same approach to the whole interview and add the variables – why a meeting by a specific date and the possible journey by some to the GG.
Also why did Sinckler feel he had to give an interview in the first place?
@Random
Very good, now you should apply that same approach to the whole interview and add the variables – why a meeting by a specific date and the possible journey by some to the GG.
Also why did Sinckler feel he had to give an interview in the first place?
I note that the PM has never married and I ask myself why? Is it because that he could never decide and so has remained a bachelor by default? And marriage is the most ordinary, ordinary rite of passage. Most adults manage to do it sometime between the age of 20 and 40. And yes our PM a man of perfectly ordinary middling education/means/class etc. Has not managed to achieve this most ordinary of ordinary rites?
Why?
Of whom they speak?
Stand-in serves up surprise
BUSINESSPEOPLE WHO ATTENDED a recent meeting are singing the praises of a politico who stood in for their leader and did a commendable job.
It seems the leader was not able to make the gathering and asked this individual to substitute. The person agreed, and gave a presentation that knocked the socks off of those who heard it.
Some, we were told, were astounded not so much at the quality of the presentation, as they know the person has a good intellect. What had them amazed was the fact that the individual repeatedly praised their leader and showed solidarity with the team.
Knowing that this individual and the leader have been involved in some sparring, they never expected this.
It was to the group a clear indication that a great combination was lining up to come again.
Sorry Fireworks, you got it all wrong! Duncan is sitting on the fence. He is ready to retire and wants to go out without offending anyone. His commentary is very disappointing. He is operating like a doctor that would recommend aspirin for every ailment. As for Peter his response on the Jamaican election is not as fulsome as usual. Wonder why?
The plan was to remove PM Stuart from being leader of the party. The meeting was only the beginning, and persons who come on BU and pretend that it was just about having a dialogue with the PM are being disingenuous or simply stupid.
You are trying to convince me that back benchers such as Hamilton Lashley, Mara Thompson and James Paul were concerned BUT other sitting MPs who are also members of the Cabinet–Dr.Suckoo, Sealy, Lowe, and Kellman–were absent from the discussions. What about the Senators that are Cabinet members, why only MPs?
@enuff
What is the significance of the number 11?
@Random Thoughts
Now you have admitted acing comprehension, give this next extract from the Big Interview a go:
Exactly David!! But as one columnist recently wrote they clearly did not realise that a majority of Parliament and not the Parliamentary Group was required to remove the PM.
@Bush Tea
Do these people realize that this is a time when ALL OF US must observe some kind of truce and devise a plan of national survival?
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
re: “The letter”
While the letter on its own doesn’t speak of treachery, the vociferous rebuttals by some, shaky responses by others, absolute silence by three in particular and a disingenuous almost deceitful interview by the MoF with the same salacious unapologetic editor speaks extreme volumes.
No leader in the world has many options right now. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Where action and results are impossible or difficult to materialise..clear communication, apparent empathy, compromise, understanding, integrity and visible progress in the national interest (even if small) will reassure and possibly save the day. Sadly we are not seeing this enough and definitely not collectively in any one or two persons or even parties.
@enuff – 10:26
I too am curious. The plot thickens perhaps? Or should that be has thawed out?
The Prime Minister has indicated that his demeanour is his own and thus what former Prime Ministers were he certainly is not. What the Prime Minister does not understand is that he is not serving himself and certainly did not elect himself. He should therefore take stock that what the people desire is a leader who is visible and in touched with the realities of the people. The PM therefore should seek to take himself and his personality out of the picture and seek to ensure that those realities and what the people like about a Prime Minister are appeased as much as possible.
In most places were people discuss the current state of politics, the discussion seems to centre mostly on political corruption, the PM’s reticence and the hardships currently endured as a result of the economic conditions They attribute blame to what they consider to be – a not so prudent DLP administration. Regardless of the mentionoed global economic downturns, Barbadians are merciless in their discourses to purport that their suffering is being compounded by a ruthless merchant class in cohoots with key government officials who are doing nothing to stave the wave of high prices hurting everyone. With that in mind, the DLP should be very much in tune, now more than ever, to the say of the people; for its the people’s say that will determine if they will retain the government for another term or be kicked out only after one term.
It would be in the best interest of the Prime Minister to show himself as a leader for the people since his leadership style is in disrepute. However if he seeks to change his sully image now, the impression given would be one where on the eve of a pending election PM Stuart’s change in political behaviour is meant solely to solicit votes and that votes is the only reason for a change from his assumed laid back nature. It will be interesting in the next months to witness what the Stuart led administration will do to change public perception and scepticism
I am behoove therefore to say to you my Prime Minister that you would do well to listen to the pulse of the people. For what ever principles or moral stand guiding you to believe that you are not doing anything wrong as a Prime Minister, public opnion seems to suggest that you are. Self examination is the order of the day. Engage for the sake of yourself and your party.
@ Observing
Was it Mia or Sinckler? lol
Bush tea wrote “Do these people realize that this is a time when ALL OF US must observe some kind of truce and devise a plan of national survival?
….the boat sinking and instead of bailing water, sailors fighting each other based on the color of their shirts…”
The sailors are fighting because party politics is a profit centre for some of them.
They refuse to accept that Barbados is in trouble primarily because the rest of the Capitalist world is in trouble.
Bushie I am sure your survival plan is in place because a bush man can survive by growing his own food and bartering with my fisherman friends.
I don’t get this concept that the role of PM is all powerful. Power is intrinsically linked with action – the right action. The longer Fumble continues to say and / or do nothing, the worse things will get for him.
As the most likely successor, it’s interesting to look at what might happen to Chris Sinckler, accepting that the “letter” approach seems to have failed.
1. He can stick with his current support for FS and he stays in post. Most likely result – DLP lose the election and FS is kicked out as leader. CS steps in.
2. He gets sacked as Finance Minister. Result – he takes to the back benches; takes up a critical but helpful position. Again FS loses the election and CS steps in.
In other words, if the DLP is likely to lose the election, it seems to be in Chris Sinckler’s best interests not to help Fumble.
@St. George’s Dragon
At last some semblance of understanding of the Kingmaker’s strategy.
NOw how the Hell is Stinkliar goin’ to be Prime Minister of Barbados at any time … what a load of rubbish!
I ain’ know how come dey still got Bushmen when all ah de women dese days shavin’ …
@BAFBFP
When Thompson waived that ‘IMF letter’ in Queens Park so many years ago did it stop him from going to Bay Street?
David
I do NOT respect the views of the simple (pun most definitely intended) majority …!
People in Barbados like people in Jamaica have a penchant fah Red people leading them. Look who Bruce Golding chose to replace he … I glad he get he ass cut, but my God, look who beat he, Mother twit herself …! My GOd, help Jamaica hear …!
Let me take this opportunity to wish all of the i’grant people pun dis blog (only the i’grant wuns, I don’ speak to the res’) all the very best fah the New Year and remember, if you are homo, bi- or heter- its okay, its fine, go for it … violence destroys, but clean sex cures!
Of interest…
“….the boat sinking and instead of bailing water, sailors fighting each other based on the color of their shirts…”
Let us hope that it is only because of the colour of their shirts they are fighting. Reminds me of crabs in a barrel syndrome.
“The sailors are fighting because party politics is a profit centre for some of them.”
Hants it is people like you who swear to support one party and one party only till yuh dead whether that party is doing wrong. If people like you cannot change or criticize their own party you have a real BIG problem on your hands. It is this mindset that hinders progress on this piece of rock.
WANTED SOME GOOD MEN AND WOMEN WITH BALLS AND GUMPTION TO LEAD!
BAFBPF;
You asked “How wunna is get the letters to appear in Bold or italics?”
If you wanted to get the following paragraph to appear as bold or as Italics
“PM Stuart will not make a decision. The decision will be made for him”
You type the following with no spaces except in the text within the italics, use B for bold:
The less than character B the greater than character”PM Stuart will not make a decision. The decision will be made for him”the less than character the forward slash character B the greater than character.
Use I for italics
again no spaces except in the text within the italics;
The less than character I the greater than character”PM Stuart will not make a decision. The decision will be made for him”the less than character the forward slash character I the greater than character.
The less than, greater than and forward slash characters are html non printing characters. If I type them out in this post they will not show but could corrupt the post.
It should come out like the text below unless i made a mistake.
“PM Stuart will not make a decision. The decision will be made for him”
“PM Stuart will not make a decision. The decision will be made for him”
BAFBPF;
The less than character is under and slightly to the right of the K on a querty keyboard. The greater than character is under and slightly to the right of the L. The forward slash character shares a key with the ? question mark character.
I’m trying this to see if it shows. Sometimes it does not with some implementations of html code. If it does it will be easier to understand.
(“text here”) Where you could replace L with B or I or b or i
Sorry BAFBPF. The code did’nt show. But use the longhand explantions above and they should work.
islandgal246 go and indulge in self stimulated gratification.
People like me will criticize my party privately. It is politically destructive to join the likes of you to criticize for entertainment.
My position has been consistent. The worldwide recession is still a problem for Barbados and there are no easy solutions.
I will support the DLP until I die or they cease to exist. That does not mean I support everything they do but that is between me an DEM.
Apologies to David if I have breached BU protocol.
“Checkit You is a f*cking genius”
Thnx Bro
Tell me Hants, if you is a “Bushman” you can’ deal wid islandchick hear …! The girl is a modern day expressive
As Newt Gingrich said on the campaign trail today, the US economy is one fourth of the world’s economy. Does anything believe global economies will experience significant growth as long as the US economy remains in the tank? This question has significant implications for small import led economies like Barbados.
@BAFBFP
I am a “bushman’ but having lived in Canada all these years I have had to adapt to “landing strips” and “clearings” when flying into the Canadian wilderness.
so David, base on that, does this mean we are to do nothing as a country and a government to move Barbados forward?
David the american economy is still flatlining with no robust recovery in sight.
In the meanwhile Brazil and other South American countries are developing robust economic growth.
We need our BU economics gurus to enlighten us as to the implications for the future of the rest of the world including Utopia (uh mean Barbados).
@David (not BU)
Has the government been doing nothing?
Say you don’t agree with their strategy but nobody predicted the global economy would tank to the extent it has. Brazil and many S American countries are export flavoured economies, even Guyana which some like to use has benefited from is export led economy.
The irony is that in the Arthur boom years we failed to retool our economy yet we expect this government with little wriggle room to work miracles in less than 5 years. Senator Sandiford-Garner asked Barbadians recently what are we prepared to personally sacrifice i.e what we can do for our country in these harsh economic times. Pass by a LIME or Digicel shop what do you see? Drive through any village or Terrace and what do you see parked at the front? Go to the GAIA at 7AM and what do you see.
We need to get real and to borrow John Williams’s line this is business unusual.
Hants
Ha ha ha … Wha’ Canadian wilderness you talking ’bout… Dey ain’ got beavers out dey too, along with all manner ah wild cats … and rabbits?
BU why is the AG so quiet?
@ millertheanunnaki
You telling me that are people in the Country, who are Barbadians and claim to love Barbados and yet would attempt to swindle $40 million dollars of taxpayers money without giving the country anything more than some drawings? I wonder if them going to get the $5 million dollars they ask to borrow, you think they will?
The chairman, deputy chairman and the rest of the board of the BTI and the senior management of the BTI should resign or should be FIRED. I don’t think big people can be this silly.
Homeopathic
“The chairman, deputy chairman and the rest of the board of the BTI and the senior management of the BTI should resign or should be FIRED.”
I have never, never witnessed a more incompetent batch of nincompoops … Exhibit A: the BTI carpark ..!
Hants | December 31, 2011 at 4:31 PM |
The answer for Ba’bados is simple … PRODUCE ..! This upsets all of the advice givers ’bout hey because they cling to the service based idea till death. THERE ARE KILLIN” WE …! Sandra Husbands I ain’ votin’ fah yah …!
I am still waiting to hear if it was Mia or Sinckler referred to in today’s Flyin’ Fish.
” It has been rumoured that one of the grouses of the “Eager 11″ was serious paucity of campaign finances”
The campaign money is tied up in “Families First”. If the will has not been probated, hence the DLP’s dilemma.
The AG is quiet because he does not know what FS will do. He could go, he was the worst AG in living memory. Scout said that the worst governments were FS’, Bree and then Sandi. I beg to differ, FS and Sandi are rivals for the worst title.
@ Prodigal Son | December 31, 2011 at 6:23 PM |
“The campaign money is tied up in “Families First”. If the will has not been probated, hence the DLP’s dilemma.”
Now here is an excellent opportunity for the dlp to show how they care about the suffering growing old people. Return the money tied up in the ‘families first’ account to its original source: the various Pensions Funds taken out with CLICO in “good faith”.
BAFBFP “The answer for Ba’bados is simple … PRODUCE”
Great idea but lets hear some ideas about what we can produce that is marketable and sustainable.
We need to train people to CONCEPTUALIZE and DESIGN.
How about scholarships to study Industrial design ?
I read what Professor Neville Duncan said today and can only conclude that he is losing it. Did he not say after the St Lucia elections not to read anything into it also? There are striking similarities amongst the two losers which are that they both lack personal appeal ( I hate the word charisma), they both assumed the PM position and that things are bad in their countries.
Seeing all of the above is true in Barbados’ case, why cant people come to the same conclusion? the DEMS can talk all they want about OSA, under his leadership, there was an air of confidence and as a DEM friend of mine said to me, “admittedly, we have to change my party, under the Bees, I had money in my pocket, now I cant keep a cent in my pocket and things are bad for everybody.”
If the St Lucia election results had the Dems shaking in their boots so much they resorted to plotting against their PM, I wonder what they are doing now???
The fact remains that there is no confidence being manifested by the government to give people any hope that they are in control and that they know what they are doing. They all look incompetent. They all look as if they are still learning on the job. In the meanwhile, their supporters are fighting publicly as the feed at the trough is getting scare and being parceled out to those more favoured.
And they tell us; give the Dems another chance, to do what” burn down” Barbados????
@Hants
It all comes back to the discussion we have all the time i.e recalibrating our education system. less lawyers, management grads, sociologists etc and more from engineering and technical vocations. Only this week we read of another study targeting the education system.
If people could only see the future, then again, people don’t want to see the future. Tryanny in about the third comment above showed us the future. A future in which our Prime Minister Mr. Stuart will be history, and another one-term government ends in the Caribbean. it doesn’t matter what people, especially Barbadians, who are mostly afraid to speak the truth tell you, they feel safe and secure when they speak with that X.
It is time DLP supporters and yardfowls stop blaming the global economy for the situation here in Barbados. Yes, we know that things would get tight and I am one who laughed at the many promises the DLP made while campaigning. However, I’m disappointed that, to date no-one has been bro9ught to answer any of the charges made by the DLP about the BLP. I remember, the late David Thompson saying, if he become P.M he would not allow BS&T to be sold to T&T, the purchase was made immediately he came to government. The Integrety Legislation, didn’t need as much money to implement as the David Thompson Football tournament costed, but yet to date nothing has been done. It is the things that would have costed government, little or nothing, that has not been done that disappoints me. My feeling is that, like Jamaica, many DLP diehards would stay away from the polls and the voter percentage could be the lowest ever.
From January 1st to December 31st it has been all about Bajans suffering and yet …. something seems to be missing. Judging from those who post on BU the supporting evidence isn’t there. All the BU :sufferers” still able to afford the high electric rates and the cost of Internet service to blog daily, you can still afford the car and the high cost of gasoline that you complain about. The high cost of imports haven’t stopped many from travelling (the cruises available to locals are sold out within hours) the increased VAT haven’t stopped you from spending freely, why did so many people shell out “scarce” dollars to see Rihanna perform? Why were there lineups outside Cave Shepherd during the recent Duty Free Holiday?
There is a whole laundry list of things that I could write about but what am I missing?
“There is a whole laundry list of things that I could write about but what am I missing?”
Sarge you are just missing the toilet paper. Really Sarge people still have to live and if they stop spending businesses will close and many would be out of work! So what the rasta George you want them to do? Cock up and dead?
fireworks, the comments of a learned political scientist like mr duncan could only please you if you were a DLP supporter; but on the surface they ring hollow because the BLp as the opposition are not in a position to move barbados forward or backward. he should have given readers the benefit of his opinion about the performance of the government to date and whether their performance merit them another term. A BLESSED, HEALTHY AND SATISFYING NEW YEAR TO ALL BU COMMENTATORS.
Sarge
It is believed thst in hard times people tend to party more, a blaring example is Guyana, where things are so hard, yet many people party immediately after work, then go home get a few hours sleep and back out partying again, and this is every day during the week; they say it is stress reliever.
IG246
WANTED SOME GOOD MEN AND WOMEN WITH BALLS AND GUMPTION TO LEAD!
IG246 “So what the rasta George you want them to do? Cock up and dead?,”
******
No, but they can always wait for a woman with balls.
We have an economy which operates with efficiency when construction is booming. The only issue is that it has a voracious appetite for forex. If we operate with the model we have the government must grow revenue in the prevailing climate and or slash expenditure. It is not rocket science.
The Scout can refer to those who have a different view as yardfolws but the BLP in Opposition has not put any thing new on that table. We are in a sorry state.
Sargeant;
I’ll tell you some of the things you are missing re. some of the BU bloggers.
1) I suspect that the majority of the non-partisan people blogging on BU are retired, like myself, or have a lot of time on their hands otherwise or are fairly well-to-do or are members of the genteel poor. The hard times would have affected all of us but not yet to the extent that we would have to give up our internet service that provides a vibrant link with going-ons in Barbados and the world and still make us feel relevant. We however fear that the current policies would put even that in jeopardy.
2) All of us would have been negatively affected by one or more of the policies of the DLP Government which would have reduced our disposable incomes, reduced our capacity to save, made us dip regularly into our savings, etc.
3) All of us would have been doing something to reduce our constantly escalaating electricity bills. From cutting down on the use of Washers and Dryers, to using Energy efficient light fixtures, to investing in small photovoltaic systems or windmills, to turning lights off when not being used, to cutting out the Christmas tree lights altogether (Anyone told you yet that this year has probably been the year with the fewest Christmas tree and lights displays throughout Barbados in our history?)
4) Have’nt you heard the Car dealers complaining about seriously declining sales of new and Old Cars this year? Well I am almost certain that many BU bloggers can’t afford to change cars now and have to put up with older cars than they have been accustomed to.
5) The Cruises, are I suspect, sold to people who have not yet been seriously impacted by the economic problems. I have never been on a Cruise but if that was one of the ways in which I got enjoyment, perhaps I would cut down other expenses to the bone and still go on a short cruise. It may just be a matter of choices. Your choice of preferred expenditures or expenditure cuts in a time of declining disposable incomes may not be mine.
6) How do you know that the increased VAT – the distaff side of which is reduced disposable incomes – has not affected many of the bloggers? It has surely affected me.
7) As to why so many people shelled out scarce dollars to see Rihanna, I don’t know. I certainly didn’t. I haven’t even shelled out my scarce dollars to take in the live Jazz I used to over the past 2 or so years. I can’t afford it now. But I can use YouTube to watch and hear some excellent Jazz of all genres whenever I want to on the internet.
8) As to the lineups outside Cave Shepherd to save a substantial amount on duty free items. This is the Christmas season. People are coming to the end of a year of strict belt tightening and here is an opportunity to get some item which they want for a much cheaper price. I wasn’t there. But I say to them go for it. if it is your choice in this poor rakey guava season.
Take it from me, however. Your examples above don’t relate to the majority of the population who are really feeling the pinch of the Chris Sinckler economic policies. Would you rather see the internet shut down, Cave Shepherd shut down, no top quality shows? We may be coming to that but I hope that the eager 11 plus will find some way to get the FS government back on track.
The Scout wrote “It is time DLP supporters and yardfowls stop blaming the global economy for the situation here in Barbados.”
Barbados depends primarily on FDI and Tourism. The rest of the economy is driven by an army of civil servants and other workers consuming imported goods.
There are few Irish and American “nouveau riche” investors to bankroll construction and build mega projects in Barbados.
Just remember “The Scout” that most Bajans have access to computers and satellite TV just like you so they know what is happening in the rest of the world.
Oops. The FS and DT Governments were never on track. So they would have to start now, in their last year, to finally get on track.
2012 should be interesting with CTUSAB having signaled it will be asking for a wage hike for civil servants. This should be an interesting year indeed.
It is almost the end of the year.
I sincerely hope that next year will be better for all of us. DLP, BLP, and all other Bajans including my political blogging enemies.
A happy and prosperous New year to you all.
Hants;
I second your post above.
I sincerely hope that next year will be better for all of us. DLP, BLP, and all other Bajans. A happy and prosperous New year to you all.
Before I go off to church to ask for GOD’S blessings for the New Year, I want to wish all Barbadians a very healthy and productive 2012.
I also want to vote Scout the dumbest blogger in 2011.
Boy, all ya baje real smart – like ya prefer to sink using dem imported products than to fly using local products. Carry on smartly baje. http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=business&NewsID=21864
@Checkit-Out
All of us would have been negatively affected by one or more of the policies of the DLP Government which would have reduced our disposable incomes, reduced our capacity to save, made us dip regularly into our savings, etc.
*********************
The above could be written by any citizen in every country in the Western hemisphere, but Bajans think that the rock is God’s little acre and the country is immune from any recession which affects the Western nations with whom we do much of our commerce. When the USA or Britain has a cold we are likely to develop pneumonia, this after all is a country with no natural resources save sunshine and sand and finds itself in competition with many other places with a similar product who can offer it at a lower price.
It is natural to blame incumbent Gov’ts for any economic woes that the country experiences, but what answer would “non partisan people” ( to use your words) give if one were to ask “given the big picture would the country have fared better under another Gov’t?
To David and all the bloggers, Happy New Year
Sargeant; After writing a post replete with non-sequiturs and ill-considered statements, you now seek to walk away from those and nudge the discussion into another area.
Which Government presided over the current situation in Barbados? Does one have to be partisan to say that it is the DLP? Could a citizen of Brazil have truthfully written the statement you extracted and highlighted from my post, about their present Government? Could a citizen of Guyana? Are these countries in the Western Hemisphere?
I think that Barbados, given the big picture, would have fared better under the BLP, if only from the fact that the last and some previous BLP governments have shown a certain competence in handling the country’s economic affairs that the current Government seems to lack. But then the DLP famously considers barbados to be a society NOT an economy and perhaps that should have been expected. Of course I grant you that this current recession is worse than previous ones but the BLP has a good track record in handling recessions. The current DLP, administration (OTOH) are neophytes in every sense of the word and, all things being equal, could not have handled the economy as well as the tried and experienced BLP government, even with all their warts.
There are a lot of things that could have been done differently that would have lessened the load on several of us even if they would not have totally solved the problem. The current DLP administration did very few of them and indeed tried to outdo the previous BLP administration in a number of grey areas.
Checkit-Out
Clearly you did not read the part where I wrote “this after all is a country with no natural resources” then you write about Brazil and Guyana two countries with an abundance of natural resources ( BTW do you know how many Guyanese are clamoring to leave Guyana?)
The BLP certainly showed competence in handling the Economy when they sold BNB (where did the proceeds of that sale go?), they certainly handled the economy when they oversaw the sale of most of the Beach front land along the West Coast to foreign interests (the windows to the sea are all shuttered). One of the things the BLP did differently (your words) was to subsidize the cost of imported oil by bribing the taxpayers with their own money ( sorry that should be with their children and grandchildren’s money).They handled the taxpayers money so well that when they brought in an Alaskan firm to build the prison the former Head of Gov’t disavowed any knowledge of the proceedings.
Barbados had massive debt under the BLP, there were able to ward off some of the issues which arise with massive debt because the funds from tourism and its by products were flowing in and also by selling assets (see BNB above) now that the flow has slowed to a trickle there is difficulty servicing that debt.
However perception is reality and if you perceive that the BLP handled the economy well, that is your perception but some of the MPs also handled their pocket books just as well. Who promised to donate $150,000 of their own money to the WI Legends? The thing about perception is that Bernie M was also considered a good money Manager until……
Errata
Barbados had massive debt under the BLP, there were able
should read : Barbados had massive debt under the BLP, they were able
HI Sargeant;
I was responding directly to your paragraph which says
“The above could be written by any citizen in every country in the Western hemisphere, but Bajans think that the rock is God’s little acre and the country is immune from any recession which affects the Western nations with whom we do much of our commerce.”
Don’t try to weasel out of that. You never qualified that statement.
Nice tired DLP Talking Points. Most of the things you mentioned here are the “grey areas” that I suggested you are now following and even surpassing the BLP in. Read Today’s paper about the marina project, Check up on the various infelicities that have taken place since 2008. And we have not even looked at CLICO and the Family first account that Scout and others speak to. You have no proud record to stand on.
Anyhow, I wish you and your Party a good holiday season and no more ineffectual disguised coup attempts (not the letter itself) in 2012
Wishing all of my fellow bloggers a productive and discussion fill 2012
@Checkit-Out
You are being harsh with Sarge because when the hypothesizing is done there must be recognition given to the fact that the current economic challenges is unprecedented.
I have been busy earning a living. The tourists I have been working have an interesting perspective.
While the media, the blogs and teh opposition have contrived to lead us to beleive that we are in with are in an economic crisis, the stories I am hearing from people from the USA and western europe have me thinking that we are doing okay.
Let us count our blessings at this time. if we think this lot deserves to be voted out let us vote them out by all means, but let us not delude ourselves, things rough out there and Bim is not doign the worst.
Happy new year, let is keep engaging in robust debate.
These are not tired DLP talking points at all. Lets change for the new year and focus on some facts and thonk country first rather than cheerleading for parties or personalities.
A cold hard look at the facts would lead yu to concede thsat at least some part of the growth and foreign exchange under owen was based on a debt build up. The debt to gdp increased from around 55% to around 90% under owen, despite a decade of growth. Given the growth in gdp, there must also have been major debt build up.
The dlp is paying a price for transparency, by bringing all the debt and expenditure on budget all the debt explosion seems due to the them.
I agree with proper pork, things right now would be tough under any government. Given what I am hearing from the tourists this might be a good election to lose. (hear me mia and sinckler, let the old folks fight this one out.).
At last, a sane comment from Businessman to start the new year.
The problem with us Bajans is that, unlike many others – even in our Caribbean neighborhood, we have NO IDEA of what economic hardship REALLY is….LOL Islandgirl says that one “still have to live”
….actually WE DON’T – we can DIE, and suffer, and starve, and “suck salt”….. It happens EVERYDAY in vast areas of our world populated with people just like us- in fact, some with better resources than we have and who work HARDER than we do….
The common characteristic among many of the poor and suffering masses is that they tend to have a propensity to forming themselves into cliques and fighting against one another, rather than seeing themselves as brothers and sisters with a common aim and objective.
Based on the numbers and persistence of the “spinners” as BAFBFP called them, we are well placed to join the poor and suffering masses in 2012.
@BAFBFP
Don’t forget….you promised to be nicer in the new year. No more f#king bad language….
Sparrow suggested education, education …
Bush Tea is suggesting common sense, common sense…
I give GOD thanks for whatever blessings I received during 2011 and accepting them even more in 2012.
The DOOM AND GLOOMERS have another year to make predictions but please at the end of it give GOD thanks that we still live in a country where this morning 99.9% of the people can still eat some sort of meal provided by themselves or others. There are countries in this world where people really suffer and we have no comprehension of that type of suffering.
BLP or DLP this country will survive this economic hardship because we have reached very far with our material gains and any loses can only be a wakeup call to get back to the basics of living within our means.
We need more truthful and realistic debates on this blog about how the worldwide economic situation is affecting Barbados and what can we do as a people to assist the country from falling further into hardships.
@Clone
The sharing of ides/perspectives will be the determining factor.
For example Bush Tea and you shared a perceptive which supports Businessman’s view.
We have others who will disagree but it is the interaction that will force a higher thinks perhaps influencing others to distil the issues differently.
It all begins with sharing ideas, opinions, perspectives…
@ Hants
“How about scholarships to study Industrial design ?
Done under the BLP, but more than trained Indusrial Designers is required.
@ Businessman
Central Bank Review of 2006
“…the ratio of total guaranteed debt to GDP rose from 14.6% to 16.3%, reflecting an increase in the number of public-private partnerships, such as build-operate-lease and transfer contracts, in the construction of major public-sector projects.”
And what transparency what: Rihanna concert, NIS funding the purchase of CMFCC through BPWCCU, $10m to CMFCC, ABC highway costs.
@ Clone
The worldwide economic situation was affecting food prices too, yet many opponents of the then government including the DLP made it seem as though it was a local issue. Now four years later cost of living is even higher despite its reduction being job number 1, 2 and 3.
Time accept that the DLP government has been a failure. No one is ignoring the impact of the global economy, it is the manner in which this government has and continues to manage.
@enuff
To your second point – How did this reflect in off-balance sheet escalation?
@Checkit- Out
Well trust you to try to split hairs, if I had written in “almost’ every country would it make a differencet?
Don’t try to place me in any Party, I have not questioned your “non partisan” although judging from your submission the meaning of that phrase has undergone a sea change.
About those talking points:
Sale of BNB fact
Sale of Prime Land: fact
Subsidization of Imported Oil: Fact
Construction of Prison by Alaskan Company : fact
Massive Debt under BLP: fact
Donation Promise of $150,000 to Legends of WI Cricket: fact
I promise not to try to confuse you with facts in the future (Consider it a New Years Resolution)
enuff wrote “more than trained Indusrial Designers is required.”
True. You need entrepreneurs with Investment Capital.
The Scout | December 30, 2011 at 9:37 PM |
enuff
Also check St.Lucia, they returned Anthony because he has a track record. Who in the DLP have a track record to compare with Owen Arthur’s right now, the present P.M is a two time loser in two different constituentcies, all the others except Kellman are green horns. The voting public at this point in time will go for the tried leadership of Oewn Arthur but like Mr Holness said the party that wins unless they play their cards well may have a one term too.
______________________________________________
You are right !
No one in the DLP has a track RECORD like Owen Arthur…HERE IS WHY :
* Who in the DLP put $ 750,000.00 cheque for party campaign funds into his personal bank account and tried to deny it ?
* Who in the DLP denied being in CABINET when the Pierhead Marina project was decided upon ?
* Who changed ZONE 1 lands for $ 10 million dollars so that he and his friends can benefit ?
Should I ask about the VECO deal and Dodds Prison
Yea you are right……only Owen Arthur has that track RECORD….no one in the DLP !
@ enuff | January 1, 2012 at 11:01 AM |
I wish to support you on this thread.
It’s time the DLP and its purblind supporters stop the” pin it on the BLP” blame game. The likes of “Businessman” and “uneducated” must accept that the BLP has a much better track record where the management of the economy is concerned. Criticize them, if you wish, for not using the so-called years of plenty to build greater productive capacity in agriculture, alternative energy and light industries and manufacturing. But the focus on financial services was the model of that time and more suited to the outputs from our educational system.
They must stop the lies being perpetuated about poor economic management. The evidence does not stand up to support the propaganda. What the DLP misinformation peddlers ought to do is examine the role played by the architects of the first two budgets and the exceedingly generous increases in pay in order to ingratiate the party with the public sector workers.
Despite all the misleading criticisms of the previous administration’s financing arrangements (e.g. BOLT & NIS funds) and heavy reliance on FDI for foreign reserves support, the present administration has not moved away from this much maligned model of “economic development”.
The CLICO affair had it genesis under the previous administration but was exacerbated by the incestuous relationship and publicly proclaimed friendship ties to the extent where the perpetrators of this sordid financial tragedy feel so confident about their immunity from the law as to flaunt in public their materialistic crassness arrogant attitude and uncouth mannerisms.
As far as the Pierhead/marina project is concerned the present administration has only itself to blame. By allowing a known “schemer” to be the final arbiter in who gets what the taxpayers are now saddled with costs to which there are no recognisable benefits. The only way out is to ditch the pirate and make it up with Lagan. We taxpayers don’t want another Barrack-like millstone around our necks.
@Miller etc.
With friends like you Enuff doesn’t need any enemies; your response is a perfect example of damning the BLP with faint praise. Here are some examples
1) “Criticize them, if you wish, for not using the so-called years of plenty to build greater productive capacity in agriculture, alternative energy and light industries and manufacturing.”
2) “Despite all the misleading criticisms of the previous administration’s financing arrangements (e.g. BOLT & NIS funds) and heavy reliance on FDI for foreign reserves support” ;
3) The CLICO affair had it genesis under the previous administration and
4) We taxpayers don’t want another Barrack-like millstone around our necks
Are you sure you aren’t some public relations guru for the DLP?
@ Fractured BLP Party | January 1, 2012 at 12:42 PM |
Look Broken DLP, if what you say is true (factual)- let’s call it $75,000.00 and not $750,000.00- you need to advise your “squeaky clean” team to advise the RBPF to immediately conduct investigations into these fraudulent affairs. It’s against the law for politicians to receive campaign contributions without the relevant disclosure. It is also against the law for public officials to take bribes.
So let’s see how you would go about righting these wrongs. No more Hardwood Housing tactics. Bring criminal charges and Bajans might just take you serious otherwise fix your broken LP or ditch it the same way we the voters intend to treat your useless party if you don’t straighten up and fly right.
@ Sargeant | January 1, 2012 at 1:05 PM |
What about the other side of my coin?
Did not Bajans vote for change as promised in the DLP manifesto?
Yes, we were duped. But I am also a fair-minded person and the DLP is turning out to be a blasted lying party (blp). And this has nothing to do with the international recession bogey man. Simple promises that can be internally handled have gone through the window.
Stop the same thieving and corruption and your party might just get some respect, and alas, PR (Positive Reporting) from the likes of me.
You might have sold your soul (by admission) to the dlp, mine is still up for the taking!
millertheanunnaki | January 1, 2012 at 1:14 PM |
@ Fractured BLP Party | January 1, 2012 at 12:42 PM |
Look Broken DLP, if what you say is true (factual)- let’s call it $75,000.00 and not $750,000.00- you need to advise your “squeaky clean” team to advise the RBPF to immediately conduct investigations into these fraudulent affairs. It’s against the law for politicians to receive campaign contributions without the relevant disclosure. It is also against the law for public officials to take bribes.
So let’s see how you would go about righting these wrongs. No more Hardwood Housing tactics. Bring criminal charges and Bajans might just take you serious otherwise fix your broken LP or ditch it the same way we the voters intend to treat your useless party if you don’t straighten up and fly right.
_____________________________________
Hi BLP dreamer,
It is Owen,s signature on the check and his admission of committing the act that confirms the TRUTH !
No doubt that TRUTH have you rattled YOU !
Can Barbados put Owen back there to do the SAME or more ?
Kenny & Portia were never faced with those concerns.
THINK ON THESE THINGS .
Wow just got up …
Dinner at Paulo’s, under a tent on Hilton beach, listen to music and watch fireworks, FREE, breakfast in Bathsheba … wow
I see you ain’ went nowhere David … Wah happen, recession?
Who promised to donate $150,000 of their own money to the WI Legends?
this a statement which years later still has me wondering. Whose money was this Owen’s or the Treasury? was it paid? Could Owen Arthur or Legends boss Wes Hall explain where this money came from and where it went?
@ Fractured BLP Party | January 1, 2012 at 1:31 PM |
If you really believe what you are saying is the “Truth” why not let the child of the Truth, Justice, be your next step.
Charge the man or are you scared that some of your friends might be in the identification parade?
The truth sets me free, my friend! I have said this before but for you benefit: “If you tell the Truth, you do not have to remember what you said!”
Hi Mr.millertheannuki
No one wants to lock up Owen Arthur for putting the cheque in personal account . I do not think a crime was committed. What I do know that he was discredited as a Prime Minister when he placed the cheque in his personal account.
It puts the mind to wander like WHAT ELSE.
Trying to see who has the most dirt to dig up is a waste of time. the DLP had a chance to put that to rest and ensure another 2 terms with FOI, Integrity Legislation and a few folders for action placed on the DPP’s desk. Alas they’ve done none of the above. Complaining about the BLP’s thieving and crime is now a mute point. Record(s) of accomplishment, the economy and general competence more than anything else will determine the next election. Let’s discuss those.
@Fractured BLP and Clone
That cheque got traction because of the buildup and delivery by a resurging and energised (now deceased) political leader who milked it for all it was worth. Remember the marketing that was “Haggat Hall?” The conditions that allowed the cheque to crest the wave that flattened the BLP no longer exist. Neither real, imagined nor created by political spin. In addition, the past 4 years (and weeks) have shown that ALL politicians can be opportunisitc, thieving, and “shady” at times. Let’s face it, time is running out for the ruling party to make an impression giving the factors (alot of which are not their fault) going against them. Some voters actually want to leave home and vote DLP rather than forfeit their constitutional right. They just need some assurance.
@Miller etc.
Haven’t sold my soul (or rented it for that matter) to any Party but I am unable to reconcile myself to the idea of giving the vindictive Leader of the Opposition and his brigands another chance to play Santa Claus with the taxpayers money.
I haven’t seen any evidence of thieving and corruption under the DLP and since you don’t believe in the Bible surely you don’t expect me to follow the Biblical admonition “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” as it relates to your innuendo.
@clone
If a man gives you a cheque would you be discredited if you put that account in your personal account? By the way can you put a personal cheque in someelse’s account? What crass nonsense. When Thomposn said he had 2 million where did he put it? Who would have had access to that money. Go and pontificate on that. If a comapny gives a candidate money to run his campaign I amsure he will use it to the best of his ability. You should go to the person making the donation and ask why would some one giving you a donation now want to expose it?. That persom is without class or substance and I am sure you wold be ashamed of that person. I think that reference to the money and Arthur is simpli
stic foolishness, Think on these things
@ Clone | January 1, 2012 at 2:02 PM |
Who was the drawer of the cheque? Was it the same as can be found on many deposits in the “Families First Account” even if the drawee might be different in name only?
Stop endorsing corruption from any angle or this country is going to become like a real third world place.
@true to form,
Do you remember what Arthur himself said with regards to the $75,000 cheque ?
Do you remember his explanation?
@Sargeant
Agreed and understood, let’s talk elections. If all BLP supporters come out and vote (which is almost always the case). All persons who dislike Arthur stay home. All persons who are dissatisfied or unsure about the DLP stay home, what then would be our expected results? Talk all we want, the only result that matters is who won the majority of seats on the night of elections. Why, how or who is liked, disliked or distrusted doesn’t matter at that point.
Sargeant | January 1, 2012 at 2:24 PM |
“I haven’t seen any evidence of thieving and corruption under the DLP and since you don’t believe in the Bible surely you don’t expect me to follow the Biblical admonition “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” as it relates to your innuendo.”
But I know and have seen. This is not an an empty statement.
How would you describe the marina redesign contract award? Affirmative action?
If I were you I would omit references to the “bible’ unless you truly believe.
“The Truth shall set you free”!
scout, your 8.15 am comment. a similar situation exists in cuba as well.after working mucho duro for nothing, all is left to do is salsa, salsa, salsa.
Some analysis of Jamaica elections said that the public was very upset with the perceived corruption carried out by the JLP. Danville Walker was involved in some scrap metal underhand business he loss. Mike Henry was involved in some Big money losses at a state institution but he won because it is a garrison constituency somewhat like St.Peter.
I am just saying that the public does not like corrupt officials but they survive in politics in constituencies that vote by strong allegiance.
If any evidence is produced to show that the DLP did corrupt things they will also be voted out unless it is one of those constituencies.
@hants
Owen;s explanation is not necessary here . If a cheque is put in your name or oarganation only you can draw on the cheque The cheque is yours once yoo take it. You may quarrel with him for taking the cheque if he thinks it is suspect but some one else cannot put it in his account. I think you know this. In an election candidates are given cheques and other forms of donation to help them with their candidacy. I only think that the DLP can make their own rules and then break them. The DLP is swiping and I think as I have said already that the Dems will be judged on their record, It is piss poor. The other things like infighting, the marina, the FoI, the state of the economy, the sloth of PM Stuart,the arrogance of the DLP and the other things too numerous to mention wil just be gravy. This is the worst government seen in a modern Barbados Think on these things
That ‘$750,000/$75,000′ cheque and other propaganda seems to be the default answer for supporters of this government–2008 election campaign redux. I asked some months ago and I shall ask again: List the accomplishments of the DLP since coming to power in January 2008.
@ David
According to Sinckler in the last Budget “between 2008…..and 2010 [were] called upon to bring close to a billion dollars in off-budget spending and debt by the last Government.” My interpretation could be wrong, but the Central Bank Review shows the BOLT/PPP ‘on the books’ as follows:
Justice Improvement Centre 2006
Coast Guard 2005
Dodds Prison2006
ABC Highway 2007
“List the accomplishments of the DLP since coming to power in January 2008.”
Highest utilities ever on this island
Highest Taxes paid ever on this island
Highest Food bill ever on this island
Highest amount of Ignorance ever on this island
Highest number of FOOLS trying to govern this island
Highest number of IDIOTS in St. John electing another Thompson
Biggest BUNCH of Rastassholes ever!
true to form
Do not just say that government is the worst government ever, bring the evidence.
For example say how many teachers, nurses, policemen and warders were laid off.
How many polyclinics close?
Did the hospital stop having toilet paper like in 2006-7 and you had to bring yours.
Did the overseas mission closed as they should have closed some
Which government call in a loan and the government could not pay
Which interest did not get paid?
I could understand your frustration because you fed from the trough for 14 years but did not save for the rainy days and things are tight with you now and you want back the trough fast or you are going under. Talking about rainy days what about that 150 million saved for rainy days that the DLP said they did not see.
Why don’t you admit that the genius borrowed a lot of money to build up our foreign exchange account? When you borrow you have to pay back and that is what a good government like the DLP is doing.
@Miller etc.
I am surprised that you would put your 2 cents in on the matter of the cheque, in many other countries if the proceeds of such a cheque ended up where it did then the politician would have been toast, if the politician was the Leader of the Party doubly so. I can’t even imagine this in T & T or Jamaica and Bajans think that they are more enlightened than those folks.
However Bajans may be a forgiving people (or stupid) who would brush off this as a minor incident or as Enuff puts it as “ a default answer”, forgiveness of moral transgressions is one thing but this?
@ Islandgal246 wrote “Highest number of IDIOTS in St. John electing another Thompson.”
You just insulted thousands of Bajans. People who vote are not idiots no matter who they vote for.
@clone
Unemplyment is now at 12.1 % ake or leave it. That means that more than 5000 or so persons have lost their job since the DLP has come to power. I dont and I would not them for that state but I thought I would menntion this fact so you can catalogue that information where you want to The policies have been hurting evrybody. The health policies. Clico The inertia in the government, the balme game and not getting on with the country. The arrogance of the members. The overrsubscribed Four Seasons project when it was started by the BLP,the failure of government of give back poor people their taxes and give both Clico and BTC 10 and 19 million Am I making the point?. Oh I fail to memtion this and I am sorry but the BLP left over 2.5 Billion on the books and this is partly what is been used to pay, This DLP government has not earned a single cent for Barbados. Not their fault . They are incompetent. The last government did not have to borrow to pay salaries and other items on the current account. Do I have to expend myself on this matter anymnore I am sure by now you will now be convinced Think on these things,
@ sargeant
Until you can prove OSA was/is the only politician that receives cheques written in his/her name; used the money for personal expenses or broke the law then your argument is based on mere inference. Have you not heard of the Trafigura scandal? And where is Portia Simpson-Miller now?
With regards to the cheque, it was payable to Arthur is fact.
He therefore had two options if it was a party donation:
1. Endorse the cheque to the BLP Fund Ac and pass it over to the Treasurer. 2. Having deposited the cheque to his account transfer said funds in a reasonable period of time to the BLP Fund Account.
The answer to the above should put this matter to rest.
@ David
Wait it can’t be for your own constituency? lol
David are you sure you can endorse managers cheques ? far as I remember they are only allowed to be deposited or cash by the payee on the cheque and can’t be endorsed to someone else. What is also know fact is the government has run a deficient of 2.1 billion for last 3 year that has nothing to do with off budget financing from the previous administration.
i find it so funny at a time when the country is crying out for leadership on the country’s business, some would try to bring back up the 2008 election talking points.
to the DLP supporters, do you people really believe the country will care about that stuff?
in the words of James Carville “it’s the economy stupid.” i would really hope for all of us sake that the DLP deals with the issues facing the country. not when elections call but now.
stop the BS. the DLP won the 2008 election some of you don’t know this? this is amazing.
@David
What has become of Bonny?
I don’t believe this, almost four years after the last general election, the RULING party is still canvassing.How do you expect the voting public to buy your foolishness again? The DLP won the last elections on scandal and promises, we were ALL waiting to see somebody charged, as promised, even if they were not locked up. To date no-one has even been charged yet the party is coming back with the same scandal and promises. To make matters worse, very little of the simple things that could have been done, has been left undone, and the DLP really expect the voting public to buy this crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1???????????????????
What this government and its yardfowls need to deal with is the expect wave of layoffs just after the christmas period or the end of many companies financial year in march. they have to deal with the lowering of the VAT back to 15% as promised, in addition they have to find the money to pay Barrack, but the biggest joke of all is the same company this government rejected in favor of another company to do the Pierhead project, they are now trying to negotiate with them to do the said project. This means is the deal is make, SMI can now sue for breach of contract. They are digging themselces in a serious hole and us taxpayers will suffer. Tighten your belts bajans, we’re in for a bumpy ride. It seems we will return to the last days of Sandie, where people were losing jobs, and property too. What will happen to those thousands of houses Lashley is building? Already it is rumored some keys have been returned
Sargeant; I’ve taken BU David’s advice to stop beating up on you since you seem incapable of responding to the points I raised early in the discussion and tried a feint to distract me.
I’ll just refer you to the very substantive contributions today from a few of the posters here like; Anthony; The Scout; David (not BU); MillertheAnnunaki; Enuff and True to Form who have essentially demolished your talking points.
Read their contributions and weep.
I cannot believe that after the 2008 elections we still have people arguing about the $75,000.00 given to an individual during the run up to elections. Can someone please tell me if the givers were closer to the recipient or maybe the true friend/s would have received far more than the $75,000.00 amount being brandished on the blogs.. Let’s hear from both sides. Anyway, greetings and salutations to the many BU commenters who keep the political adrenalin flowing. Happy New Year to everyone with David steering the ship. He definitely has balls!!!!!!
Lets go over the facts for the cheque. http://bajan.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/owen_arthur_cheque2.png. it was $75,000 It was dated may 07 2003 from CCB. a clico subsidiary at the time. It was deposited in st peter on may 20 2003. it was returned to ccb on may 21 2003 the date of elections. When the cheque actual handed over was sometime between the 7 of may to the 20 may 2003. we aren’t sure when that happened.
Anthony, the movementation of the cheque is not the issue. I would like to know since Clico was the giver and friend of this party, how much election funding was given to them. Should political parties accept fundings from businesses with political agendas? Since businesses give political fundings to parties and state it is a “GIFT”. Should a dollar ceiling be placed on such “GIFTS”? Any monies over the stipulated amount should be transparent and enter in the company’s financial statement.
All those relying in the OSA $75k issue as a way to defeat OSA in the coming election better look for something else. That scandal done had the juice ring out of it by the late DT.
The good news though is that OSA was in office for 14 years and as such the DLP administration should be able to pull a couple of rabbits from the hat duing the next election season, the issue will be which rabbits. The small rabbitts or the big ones?
News News
The Dems do not take campaign funds. The Dems have a problem with any one who takes campaign funds ,. Oh I just forgot one of the reasons why they have a problem with Freundel is because he has not get gone about getting campaign funds. They now want to crucify him for not as yet getting the funds and they doubt his ability to get them. Oh what a tangled web we weave. The Dems are hypocrites and they labour under some false delusion that people in this country do not know that parties must get special funds jto run their campaigns . If they would want to deceive themselves what would they do to me. Think on these things
Scout,
You are a pathetic joker.
Four years later you still blaming the DLP for doing its best in the throes of the worst global recession ?
If Owen Arthur wants to return then his past deeds has to be taken into account.
If you are subtlely saying that his past is of concern to you then that is your GOOTMA !
After 14 years at the helm what new is he bringing to the table ?
If his last excursion in St. John in 2011 is anything to go by….then his goose is cook !
Blasted DRUNKARD.
Agree that the economy will take centre stage next election but don’t doubt for one minute Arthur’s leadership will not come under the microscope. He will have to defend it.
@Tell me Why
Thanks and same to you and good to see you around.
Fractured BLP Party i really feel for your kind. party 1st, money 2nd and country could come anywhere after that.
what you and person like you fall to understand or see is that with all the questionable things the BLP did, the country was moving forward. granted he did not have a recession like this, one thing we knew about Arthur was he was not one for inaction. agree with him or not they was some kind of action.
the only thing the DLP can say was a success in the last 4 years was the housing program outside of that, name one other thing that was a success?
1) free bus fares for children? i don’t have a child to access that program but my tax dollars paying for it.
2) free day care? i don’t have a child to access that program but my tax dollars paying for it.
3) constituency consuls? i live in an area and i can’t tell you if there is one far less who is on it.
4) constituency football? what a total waste of taxpayers money.
nothing that one can say, here is something the DLP government did to get the country moving in 4 years. However, look at all the mayor events and see who manage them?
it is Barbados and without Barbados they would be no BLP or DLP and you jokers who think like this Fractured person need to wake up to that reality, if it’s not to late.
@Enuff
Until you can prove OSA was/is the only politician that receives cheques written in his/her name; used the money for personal expenses or broke the law then your argument is based on mere inference. Have you not heard of the Trafigura scandal? And where is Portia Simpson-Miller now?
***************
That is as amoral as any argument that I’ve ever heard, are other politicians under the microscope about this issue? That is like being caught breaking the law and telling the judge “Your Honour I was only doing it because other people were doing it”
About Portia, all it proves that a Party can survive a scandal, It doesn’t mean that the principals were right in doing what they did. If people hold their noses and vote for the BLP despite the scandal we have to accept the result.
@ SAREGEANT & BUSINESSMAN – 10. 52 PM DECEMBER 31
Folly and ignorance repeated often can become fact if left unchecked. Your partisan puerile mouthings that have little bearing in fact, and selective comments to justify an unholy and retarded support of the DLP does justice to your intelligence but not the majority of Bajans. The BLP is a better manager of the economy and every adult Bajan knows it including you.
FACTOID CHECK- DLP wrecked the B’dos economy in 1991-1994 – we were the laughing stock of the C’bbean, our currency not accepted, 24% unemployment; 2 weeks foreign exchange, public goods in urgent need of renewal, and business sector in collapse.
FACTOID CHECK: Gov’t revenues in 1994 – apprx. 1b. improved to 2.8b by 2007; debt over 14 years rose by 3b to provide the following – renewal of public goods – harbour, airport, tourism projects, schools, prison, justice centre, coastguard Speightstown, Bridgetown, Oistins refurbished and renewed; roads, schools, Edutech; growth and energising of economic sectors – tourism, offshore, construction boom,enormous small business development thrust; new industries – energy, culture, sea island cotton, databased industries. We can touch, feel, use what our money was spent on. The envy of Caribbean bringing more value and better life for its people than even oil rich Trinidad. Barbados under Arthur was the country that set the pace, the role model and Arthur was the Prime Minister of the Prime Ministers. That is not a fluke it is the efficient management of an economy that was in crisis, it took time to drag out from the quicksand, and it took skill to put it on top. A performance unequalled by any other Caribbean country in a ‘time of plenty’. Done despite dips in world economy a recession in 2000 – 2002 exacerbated by 9/11 in 2001. Bajans sailed through unscathed. All this with an economy with no resources. BLP and Arthur will have to do this AGAIN.
Whether you like Arthur or not, the fact is the man and his team can perform in good or bad times.
FACTOID CHECK : DLP IN 4 YEARS added 3 BILLION IN DEBT – you can hardly touch or taste it. No not accurate, 6 roundabouts at Warrens, 2 buildings, camps, councils and busfares. Then tax the hell out of Bajans with a pathway to poverty. Feel free to add any I missed. The money you should be asking about is what happened to the 3 billion; what happened to CLICO MONEY; how much David Thompson received of policyholders money over the years; did thompson have policies with CLICO and did he cash them in while telling Bajans to keep paying premiums? The country is in a mess, my business is suffering and people all across the country have paid our dues for our folly in voting in what tis arguably the worst government of our history. We will correct that and soon.
After being off the scene for months and reading the amount of diatribe from certain commenters leaves me no alternative but to comment:
The HELP housing program would have been successful only if efforts were first place towards the disadvantage (eg) Low Income housing. But alas! We built middle to upper homes. Do tell me, which finance company will give a mortgage to a potential homeowner without collateral or a stable job? This administration give way over two thousand houses from the disadvantage sector and now having housing problems. BTW, if you are borrowing over $250.000.00 do not approach any lending agency if you are working for less than $4,000.00 and don’t have over $15,000.00 in savings.
The constituency councils are totally political. Just a PR setup for any Government. These should be scrapped. The sponsorship of football and a host of other funding with our tax payers monies must be audited without fail.
It is alright to have social programmes going, but you must also work with the private sector and spread the goodwill from the small and the large businesses. Why give one over $40 million in contracts when you could have spread that amount between 10 to 15 contractors that would have employed hundreds of workers instead of one large contractor. It is the taxes that keep a Government financially strong (NIS, VAT, Income Tax, Corporation tax etc).
This year let us have better governance.
@ BAJAN TRUTH | January 2, 2012 at 8:37 AM |
Well argued!
The problem with the DLP apologists is that they cannot deal with facts and evidence. They try to justify mediocrity by constant harping back to the alleged infelicities of the previous administration. If these “wrongs” were committed then reveal the evidence. They are in power now and have access to the records. The Inland Revenue would be a good place to start. If the people were in receipt of income and assets they should have been declared in the tax returns.
You can bet that the mediocre (“poor-rakey”) fellows will attack you personally and not what you have presented above as FACT.
Do you see how they “duck” any reference to the much promised FoI and Integrity legislation? They can’t blame the international recession for this one; but then again, there is always OSA the whipping boy around.
@ fractured BLP party
Who was it that fell off a truck while in the spiriits of the occasion? No guesses?
The present non-deeds of the DLP are more obvious and clear and they must defend their record . Arthur record is one of sterling accomplishments for 14 years You cannot travel 3miles anywhere in Barbados without seeing the handiwork of Owen Arthur.
After 14 years Arthur is bringing experience , success . knowledge of how to bring Barbados out in Bad times,care and consideration for the people of Barbados hope and expectation that he has better answers for the present crisis ,a desire to make Barbados sparkle again, policies which can be adequate for the present predicament ,a lack of incompetnce which the Dems are now masters at, a team which can make a differnce. This DLP team is like tweeedle dee and tweedle dems no good,. Funny you should ask what Owen is bringing What have the Dems brought?
This is the worst government ever in the living memory of Barbados . None, no -one or nothing can compare. Think on these things
@ sargeant
You need to stick to your line or argument and stop the vacillation!! You stated in an earlier post, “I can’t even imagine this in T & T or Jamaica and Bajans think that they are more enlightened than those folks.”
My introduction of Portia and the Trafigura affair therefore was not an attempt to pass judgement on OSA’s action, but simply to negate your argument that such behaviour in Jamaica and Trinidad would be ‘toast’. I didn’t even bother to point you to the Jack Warner-FIFA matter or other similar scandals in Trinidad.
On the issue of the sale of BNB and prime land, such action does not differentiate the DLP from the BLP. Didn’t the DLP sell off the remaining shares in BNB? Isn’t the land Four Seasons to be built on ‘prime’, yet the government so far has guaranteed a $60m loan and the Minister of Finance is adamant that the NIS provide further funding for its restart? What about that project at Foul Bay and the $1m donation to QEH? The Four Seasons project should also provide some incite into that ‘localism’ policy for the eastern part of the island.
@Enuff
Mea Culpa, the Trinis and Jamaicans are no better than us or is it the reverse? The Dudus affair which embarrassed all Jamaicans at home and abroad surely overrode any hope for the JLP and the jury is still out regarding Warner.
As to the selling off the remaining shares of BNB surely you realise that as a minority shareholder in that entity the Gov’t’s power was substantially reduced. What power did Gov’t appointed Directors have at any Board meeting dominated by the T & T decision makers?.
The Gov’t couldn’t afford to buy back BNB so it decided to walk away rather than accept the “yes sir, no sir, three bag full sir” position that the BLP left them.
Should Freundel accept any campaign funds given to him in the next elections? Should Owen Arthur accept any funds given to him in the next elections? If the answer is no How then do you expect that the millions of dollars spent on the campaign trail would come from? From thithes and offering of party members? There is a blatant hypocrisy which the Dems know is crass nonsense . Funds will come from sources to run individual and party campaigns and there is an unwritten rule and understanding that money will be spent, Should candidates who spend more than the allotted money be barrred from Parliament? Tell me then who would enter therein? There is no sacred right in this. I wpuld say that both sides compalin about campaign spending . The one who complain most did not get enough and that’s why they complain . If they could get their hand on more you would not hear a word from them. This is the prractical position. A dead horse can not be survived . Get on with running the thecountry. Think on these things
True to Form
You asked, “Should candidates who spend more than the allotted money be barrred from Parliament?”
According to the law, the answer to your question is YES. Further, a candidate is only allowed to spend $10 per elector in his constituency. Put another way, if there are 6000 people on the voters’ list in a particular constituency, the candidate can legally spend only $60,000. If he spends more, he would have committed a crime. The law also requires that all campaign contributions must be declared.
It would appear that both BLP and DLP have been in continuous breach of the law.
I read these blogs from time to time just to get a feel of what’s happening in Bim but the same question keeps coming back to me – Is there any ethics in politics or should there be, care to answer anyone? It doesn’t matter which party you support just give an honest answer -
@true to form
Your last response brings the adage to mind’ the higher the monkey climbs the more he shows his tail’. Meaning both parties are the same salt bread and we are in urgent need of reform.
The Dems are hypocrites to even raise the issue of campaign funds.
You know to this day, they have never said how much money belonging to the policyholders of CLICO they ever got. The dead king gone along with that to his grave but one of their supporters told the US Embassy that it was somewhere in the region of $34 million dollars. That money was put into FAMILIES FIRST account and every cheque was signed by the dead king. No wonder the Dems are now complaining that the PM has made no effort at raising campaign finance and that they had campaign finance in 2006 for the 2008 general election.
So Dems come again, your hands are not clean. A 2003 campaign cheque cannot be an issue in 2012. When you Dems tell Bajans how much campaign funds you got from CLICO, I believe people will listen to you.
I heard Johnny Tudor said one night that he arranged for a campaign donation for the DLP when he was a member, he told the General Secretary about it and the day he went to pick up the cheque the donor said that David Thompson showed up earlier and told him Johnny sent him to receive the cheque. Johnny said that neither he nor the General Secretary ever saw the cheque.
You Dems think that by throwing that red herring across the trail that it will fly in 2012. HELL NO! You have no record to defend so we would expect anything from you. Your sorry record is what is going to sink you, the people made a big mistake in believing your lies and your propaganda and they will not be fooled again.
Bajan Truth, another thing to add to the list is the $3.5 million paid to Rhianna and the cost of the production of the show $10 million. Also $10 million given to CLICO without parliamentary approval by the dead king as pay back for the money Leroy Parris lavished on him and the DEMS. The DEMS had so much CLICO money to splurge last time, they gave it away in Deacons and they even went on a spending spree after the elections.Also the free fetes organised by the Stephen Lashley ministry to launch all kinds of programs. Have we heard anything of these programs since the free fetes?
Wheel and come again, away with your lies, you Dems.
Tell Me Why,
That is why the people at Coverley now have to resort to having their own finance company because the houses are not selling and people cannot qualify for the loans at the commercial banks. I spoke to a loans officer and he said that his organisation is not giving loans for Coverley because they do not think that the houses are worth the money!
“The Gov’t couldn’t afford to buy back BNB so it decided to walk away rather than accept the “yes sir, no sir, three bag full sir” position that the BLP left them.”
Did not the dead king proclaimed to thunderous applause by the poor rakey MPs that he was buying back the BNB shares? To which the then CEO said that the shares were not up for sale!
So why announce that he (DT) was buying the shares if he knew that BNB was not willing to sell and secondly as you Sargeant, put it, the government could not afford to buy back.
People do you see how lying and cunning the Dems are???
@ Fractured, keep calling OSA a “blasted drunkard” if this gives you pleasure. But what I can say to you is he must know how to drink as he has never fallen off the back of a truck nor did the rum kill him like the ABSOLUT VODKA kill your dead king!!!
All is not lost with the death of David Thompson.
Was he the sole signatory on the Families First Account? Does Mara Thompson know about the account?
It is an interesting point to discuss the funds reputed to have been received from CLICO given its ‘ asset deficit’ position which caused it to run short reserve. We should not forget we are told CLICO contributed to the BLP side as well obviously one would expect not in the same volume.
“The law also requires that all campaign contributions must be declared.”
Which law is this …?
Hants | January 1, 2012 at 4:09 PM |
@ Islandgal246 wrote “Highest number of IDIOTS in St. John electing another Thompson.”
You just insulted thousands of Bajans. People who vote are not idiots no matter who they vote for.
Hants I can call myself an IDIOT too for voting them in too…so what else is new?
@David
What reform? Who will police the reform ? Police, Priests or Deacons? Who in Barbados is a political neutral? Who will not tell out the people’s business? If a person is to submit that he or his company makes a dfonation to a political party and neggah hegha and the Pine hog boy can know will that person give? If what you give a to political party will become a topic on a platform will you give your money to be ridiiculed? NO! So let us be realistic Companies do not want their names tarnished and now you read the nonsense which some peoole are writing about of a cheque given to Owen, you would have a field day. A stain on the body politic would be indelible ,I repeat the political parties only cry foul when they do not get enough . Let fontune favour the brave and the reckless. /We must save some people from themselves . By the way the
Contractor-Generall Office in Jamaica has been brought in to disrepute with an accusation of an impropriety and some persons put up this office as a safeguard. .Think on these things
@ David-I heard Johnny Tudor said one night that he arranged for a campaign donation for the DLP when he was a member, he told the General Secretary about it and the day he went to pick up the cheque the donor said that David Thompson showed up earlier and told him Johnny sent him to receive the cheque. Johnny said that neither he nor the General Secretary ever saw the cheque.
**
You can bet your bottom dollar if Johnny Tudor had collected the cheque no one else would have seen it again . The huff move by Sweet cakes was the correct one.
BAFBFP | January 2, 2012 at 1:59 PM |
“The law also requires that all campaign contributions must be declared.”
Which law is this …?
Section 52 of the Representation of the People Act, Chapter 12 of the Laws of Barbados, particularly, subsection 3.
“You can bet your bottom dollar if Johnny Tudor had collected the cheque no one else would have seen it again . The huff move by Sweet cakes was the correct one.”
@Shut in ….are you saying dat thief steal from thief mek God Laff? ….And dat De Dems is a den of thieves?
@Prodigal Son
You know to this day, they have never said how much money belonging to the policyholders of CLICO they ever got
*********************
Could you produce any evidence? Is there a cheque similar to the one which we saw on these pages? Why was a “campaign donation” to a political party made out in a personal name? Are there more cheques which we haven’t seen and you know where there is smoke there is fire.
As to reacquiring BNB that was the plan which never materialized and no matter what the CEO says, Gov’t can pass a law to compulsory reacquire the Bank if it was predisposed to act in that manner.
islandgal246,
You made me laugh! You see what I am saying, these Dems are something else. Let this be known of OSA and they would be on this blog lambasting Owen.
The fact of the matter is that the present Dems cannot access this money in FAMILIES FIRST account. That’s their big problem!
Come on Sargeant. If a cheque was given to Owen. Do’t you think a cheque was also given to David. Stop the blaming game and let’s deal deal with the state of the economy. 2003 done and gone let’s deal with 2012.
Sargeant,
The same person who dug up the old cheque and gave it to the dead king should show the public the ones made out to Families First. Would that not have been fair? But fairness and the DLP are not compatible. As DT was the owner/creator of Families First, is it not the same difference that CLICO cheques to him were in that account name? Stop splitting your political hairs.
Yes, I know that if government so desired and had the money, it could have compulsorily acquired BNB, but do you think he would have risk the political fall out with T&T?
@Prodigal Son
You have so much information why not state who are the signatories on Families First Account? It is difficult to imagine David Thompson being the sole signatory.
The trump card in all this is Mariano Browne the past CEO of CCB. Maybe, he might come out of the woodwork and state the amount DT received.
or the current balance of the account
@Bajan Truth/Prodigal Son
Nowhere in that list of accomplishments that the BLP left do I see any mention of a bloated Public Service which in words of EW Barrow is like asbestos (fireproof). In these hard times the country is still stuck with paying this bill for these extra hires. The Service Commision spent many a day altering the requirements for positions so the favoured son could qualify for some of these posts which came with gratuity and all the perks. I suspect that some of the noise emanating on these pages are the “consultants” who want to bubble in the trough once again.
No wonder the unemployment rate was low, it wasn’t private industry creating jobs it was the Gov’t with their make work projects (dig a hole there and fill it the next day). An Industrial climate that at every hang nail the workers threw down their tools and the mighty OSA steps in to save the day. I shall chip in with more as the need arises.
This too is part of their legacy.
From my experience and knowledge of the local political scene, I can assure you that campaign contributions ar not made by cheque. Contributions are paid in cash in big brown envelopes. Any time someone makes a campaign contribution by cheque, his motive would be to have evidence to use against the payee. Only inexperience, greed or arrogance or any combination of those three would cause someone to take a cheque for a campaign contribution.
@Prodigal Son
But fairness and the DLP are not compatible
****************
To paraphrase Allen Iverson, You talking about “Fairness”? We talking about “Fairness”? “Fairness”? Ask the man who was denied permission to develop his land only to see it sold at a fire sale price and then resold by the purchaser at premium price with all the approval from the TCP in place.
Yeah ask him about “Fairness”
II worked with a company previously who paid an equal amount to both political parties using a cheque. So Caswell, the only time a company will pay by cash is to hide transparency. That’s why I am saying the cheque to Owen was a deliberate set-up by CLICO/DT/DEMS to discredit him. But again, the DEMS could still have won the elections without such devious tactics since Bajans don’t give a Government four terms.
Prodigal…I in need of some cheques I betta run fuh office nuh? I ent too pleased wid Owen eider, BUT When he get in I gine keep my foot pon de gas and brakes when he get outta hand too. Dese Politicos are a bunch of highwaymen putting it mildly.
“That is why the people at Coverley now have to resort to having their own finance company because the houses are not selling and people cannot qualify for the loans at the commercial banks. I spoke to a loans officer and he said that his organisation is not giving loans for Coverley because they do not think that the houses are worth the money!”
Prodigal…I think that project is better suited to a senior citizen village. No new home owner wants to live like a pack of sardines in a can and costing that amount of money. Dem really feel black people foolish.
Tell Me Why
That’s why I am saying the cheque to Owen was a deliberate set-up by CLICO/DT/DEMS to discredit him.
**********************
What set up? The cheque was issued in 2003, so the Dems knew that they were going to lose the May 2003 Election and put the wheels in motion to discredit Arthur five years later. Don’t mek muh laugh.
Your score for logic: Nought
“What set up? The cheque was issued in 2003, so the Dems knew that they were going to lose the May 2003 Election and put the wheels in motion to discredit Arthur five years later. Don’t mek muh laugh.”
_____________________________________________________________
you should laugh because as i have been told by some in the know, that was the plan. DT could not lead the party into that election and lost. if he did, he would of been done as leader of the party. So, came the set up. ask yourself this, did DT do anything in that election to help Mascoll?
***************************************************************************************
“I think that project is better suited to a senior citizen village.”
_____________________________________________________________
would it surprise you to know that his was the plan for this project all along? what if i told you Coverley will soon be, if it has not started, marketed to North American? nobody here ain’t buying them, and they are so many… i wonder what the tourist who travel the highway on those coaches are told about “this lovely place to the right…”
@ Sargeant
“Don’t try to place me in any Party”
I see no need to try.
islandgal246 | January 2, 2012 at 3:03 PM |
“Prodigal…I in need of some cheques I betta run fuh office nuh … ” All women dese days got to do is go out in the street an’ raise their skirts hear …? Dah shouldn’t be too difficult
With the exception of Caswell (Chairman designate of the coming National Supervisory Committee), others on the blog seem to be resigned to the situation where politicians are routinely bribed by those with money and hence, rather than be committed to truth and justice, have to be beholden to their masters and benefactors.
Well Well Well!!!
Indeed one blogger ask the question “what do we expect them to do…..?”
…How about OBEY THE LAWS!!!!
Amazingly, we also have no problem with politicians taking such monies and using it for their own personal purposes – and doing so without any transparency or accountability….. since everyone does it!! (not blaming Miller for this..LOL)
Lord have mercy!!!!
Then we lament the fact that these SAME politicians fail to enforce the law – for example with CLICO.
BUT HOW COULD THEY?
The CLICO bosses did the SAME exact thing as our political bosses do – they took money meant for the organization and put it into their own accounts…creatively of course…..so no wonder none of the politicians want to deal with the Parris issue…
How can our justice system dispense justice when it is FORCED to overlook laws like the one Caswell quotes with respect to campaign funds?
The whole situation speaks more about US as a people than it does about our politicians…even Islandgal now looking to ‘run fuh office’ so that she can collect some bribes …. sorry -cheques.
We have lost our way…..
…and we will pay!!
@ Sargeant | January 2, 2012 at 2:45 PM |
“Nowhere in that list of accomplishments that the BLP left do I see any mention of a bloated Public Service which in words of EW Barrow is like asbestos (fireproof). In these hard times the country is still stuck with paying this bill for these extra hires.”
If you want to discredit Bajan Truth & Prodigal Son then tell us what was the numerical size of the public sector workforce at the end of the previous administration’s term in office at what it is now. Then Sarge, we will listen to you and obey your instructions.
“No wonder the unemployment rate was low, it wasn’t private industry creating jobs it was the Gov’t with their make work projects (dig a hole there and fill it the next day).”
Hi Sarge, but more men and women on the payroll now and the roads are collapsing and the rubbish, “weed” and bush breeding mosquitoes and rats like ‘flies’. People just turn up to sign on to get a paycheque since there are no materials to work with or proper supervision to ensure efficient execution. When the Dems can get the beneficiaries of the works projects to remove the debris after weeding within a 48 hour period we would salute them!
Lets talk about 2012 and not 2007, Sarge!
Sargeant
Usual crap again from you. Is it that you have an aversion to facts or you just cannot accept the evidence of your eyes that the DLP are a sorry excuse for a govt and a party. Bloated civil service, you want to see bloated check the hundreds employed at NHC, NCC, hospital, school meals, mtw, BWA. The workers even Dems workers complaining that the new hires doing nothing, have no work to do because there is no money for materials, and got attitude. Ms McClean went on air claiming that no new staff hired on civl service but never check the thousands in the temporary register, tried to charge BLP as the one who bloated the civil service! Well if that 3b did not spend on salaries what the $$#%# the money went into transfers for because it certainly was not for projects.If you want to chip in more to inform the public with facts – list the Ministries and numbers of people hired for BLP and DLP period Perhaps you might get some respect then. Then tell us what 3b was spent on that was transferred to statutory corporations, explain why gov’t budget is always 500m over revenue and not for capital projects. By the way patients still buying toiletries for hospital, and AE still ain no better, NHC has no doors, windows or blocks to do work with.
@ millertheanunnaki
Pay Sargeant no mind.
The DLP ‘restructured’ UDC and the permanent staff numbers have increased to 50, so much so that the Director recently announced that the offices are moving due to lack of space.
@ Bush Tea
” …We have lost our way ..”
What “way” Bro … We start out as a Slave based economy .. The independence phenomenon get hand tah we on a platter … West Minister and Service are still the mantra of the opinion makers and Lawyers, Doctors and Undertakers are still the best paid operators …
What way you talkin’ ’bout Bro
@ Miller etc
Lets talk about 2012 and not 2007, Sarge!
********************
I was just about to announce that intense discussions of Bajan politics was not my forte and I was going to take a sabbatical (just when I thought I was out they pulled me in again Michael Corleone The Godfather)
With reference to the phrase lifted from your submission, isn’t that what you are doing hoping for a pre 2007 OSA as the saviour? You should know that you can’t drive forward with you’re your eyes firmly fixed on the rear view mirror or a ditch or wall will welcome you. It just hit me why you and some others are so fixated with OSA you think it is short for Osagyefo (let Wikipedia be your friend).
Here is another quote from the Godfather: “It is dangerous to be an honest man”, I should send that to Freundel
” All women dese days got to do is go out in the street an’ raise their skirts hear …? Dah shouldn’t be too difficult”
What way you talkin’ ’bout Bro????…….Recession hitting Bush Hill so I ent gine get nuh where. LOLLL
BLP and DLP supporters arguing about a bloated civil service.
Lord help us.
It is January and Fruendel still aint saying “nuttin”. I thought Fruendel said that very soon a new Governor General would be announced. My understanding is that he chose a retired DLP judge and something came up to make him (FS) change his mind and now they are looking at a retired academic. Now even choosing a GG they cannot get right. Oh my lord!
Re the hospital, things are so bad there that a few days they ran out of guaze, patients’ families were asked to bring their own. What is the taxpayer paying the “bandit chaser”, a director and a minister for? Pray tell me!
Fruendel, dont change your mind now about the choice of GG since the name is out there in the public, cause you know once somebody gets wind of what you are doing, you change your mind.
David,
It is very true that this government took on thousands of their supporters and there is no work for them to do in some areas. It is true as someone said earlier that there is no material with which to work. The appointed officers will tell you that.
Maxine McClean was spinning when she “bold facedly” told David Ellis one day that they have not increased the public worker force since coming to office. Blame the BLP, I guess!
on the subject of “Fruendel still aint saying “nuttin”, did the PM give a Christmas or New Years speech? i don’t reall hearing or seeing anything.
Sargeant. Can you state how if the DEMS campaign funds were paid by cash or cheques? Let’s reach a sensible conclusion and get on with job of governing.
@Prodigal Son
It is true both parties pad the civil service and this DLP government is no different.
BU remains disappointed that PM Stuart has not discern that the country is looking, pleading even for leadership from his office.
@Enuff
Pay Sargeant no mind
*****************
Wouldn’t you like that! Ignoring me doesn’t diminish the truth of what I wrote, what of the agricultural land that was rezoned? Is that “an inconvenient truth”?
@TMW Can you state how if the DEMS campaign funds were paid by cash or cheques?
*******************
A good lawyer never ask a question to which he doesn’t have the answer, if you know the answer please enlighten me and the others who are interested.
Despite what Enuff thinks I am not a member of any Party and I think I can say with absolute certainty that I will not be joining any political party
“The whole situation speaks more about US as a people than it does about our politicians…even Islandgal now looking to ‘run fuh office’ so that she can collect some bribes …. sorry -cheques.”
Bushy tea…..Wellll…..eff yuh cahn beat em join em I say….Stupse We are the ones to blame because we keep electing the same thiefing people again and again. When will we get some real honest men and women to put country first?
@ Sargeant
What is your opinion on Coverley, Rihanna concert, Eager 11 gate, SMI, Lagan, Four Seasons, CLICO, $10m bonus contract prepared, signed and witnessed by a PM who pretended that it did not exists?
When will we get some real honest men and women to put country first?
………………………………………………………………………..
Islandgal246. Howdy and happy New year. Well yuh see. David change evah ting to “Familiies First” and he start wid he family Lo! Nuh body ain’t care bout nuh country comin first, we building nuf houses and gettni we draw backs, givin’ way nuf houses, lettin’ yuh travel free all bout de place. So wha mo wannah lookin’ for. I hope it ain’t de campaign funds that we gettin. BUT WHO IS WE…. we is de people dat wunna give we ah “X”. Next time give we an “O”
David
is looking for leadership from people who have never ever led an institution of any type (other than that which people are “obligated” to patronize) to being a success. Please let me remind you that a politician is merely an opportunist, one with a very very BIG ego, and no real track record.
In terms of the public service we know that sandi brought it down to 21,000 or so in 1991 and it was around 28,000 when owen left office.
Mascoll has been the one claiming a bloated publci service without provining any evidence, or being asked to do so.
Maybe Miller can bring some stats as he seems to have astrong opinion.
Waaaait …wha happen tah de Myrie Case? A little bird told me dat she came an ID de officer dat fingered her and de officer pon leave. Not a word from de Ministry of Foreign affairs nuh! Ah hear she suing too.
COVERLEY – CORRUPTION OR WHAT? Went for a drive with my son, to the airport. Swung into Coverley to take a look. The saddest mess -is it a sub prime mortgage problem about to unfold. Question – the project is two years or more the avenues pitch black, light in only 30 houses, what happens if these properties are not sold. How long before the bank forecloses? With the company being forced to offer mortgages, yet sales still moving slowly the original loan would be at risk for which taxpayer’s land is the security, when will the bank foreclose? Was this supposed to alleviate housing shortages for lower income people but ended up being midddle income who want more for their dollar? Does anybody know if it is true the gov’t guaranteed the interest payment too, given the length of time the project has been underperforming, it must be pretty high? The bank that lent that money must be sweating because that project is in the toilet by now, not easy to dispose of that property.
What would prompt a govenrment to enter such an iniquitous arrangement, and risk the taxpayer’s money with little in return for the taxpayer neither economic, monetary nor social benefits? This is one of the darkest blots on DLP performance.
BAJAN TRUTH | January 2, 2012 at 8:33 PM |
” …What would prompt a govenrment to enter such an iniquitous arrangement …”
That should read What would prompt “members of an unregistered political party” to enter such an iniquitous arrangement … I believe the answer should now be a little more clear …!
@Enuff
I don’t know enough to answer your questions but if you can present some facts not speculation I’ll gladly venture my opinion.
Now may I ask you some questions? Why did the last PM not release the FBI report that was promised? Did that report meet a shredder somewhere? Why did the Gov’t build Barracks’s Folly on thin air? Who profited from that decision? Who is still likely to profit in the event of the expected big pay day?
Quoting True to Form “Funds will come from sources to run individual and party campaigns and there is an unwritten rule and understanding that money will be spent, Should candidates who spend more than the allotted money be barrred from Parliament? ”
Yes.
However the amount per constituent needs to be raised from the unrealistic $10, to maybe to $20 or $25. I bet the amount has not been raised in years, as somehow our politicians are too busy or too lazy to review the Act.
And yes all campaign donors should be publicly identified. All voters are publicly identified by name.address/gender/National Identification Number, so why are we permittiing the donors to hide?
I plan to donate to both parties this year (and maybe to the PDC as well) Since the parties can spend $10 courting my vote I plan to send each party a $10 cheque.
@ BAJAN TRUTH
I suspect that the Coverley problem is a massive black hole which when completely revealed will scare the living crap out of the tax paying public.
Prior to 2008 (January 15th) the senior manager at Preconco and Caribbean Homes, the beneficial developers of the Villages at Coverley, Mark Maloney owned a property on Durants golf course. By all accounts it was quite a modest property and was under renovation which was the subject of litigation regarding alleged breach of restrictive covenent(s).
Then sometime in 2010 or 2011, in the middle of the worst recession in 50 years and one driven by crashes in the financial, construction and real estate markets, Mr. Maloney seems to have bought Easy Hall plantation, the former home of Mr. Sandy Lewis in St. Joseph.
Easy Hall was at one point in time being advertised for sale for close to or upwards of US$10 million dollars. I don’t know if or what it sold for but it is a fine problem and must have cost millions to whoever bought it.
Listen : The best thing for Freundel Stuart to do is -RESIGN
St. Lucia =one term government
Jamaica =one term government
Barbados=
The word on the ground -in the street and wherever else has been, for quite some time now, that ” we aint voting for this DLP Government again”
People have decided a while ago that this Government is the worst Government in the history of Barbados.
That they made a mistake in voting for this DLP government.
Listen :These are realities and all the foolish talk being put down on this blog aint changing the people’s mind.
The people who will make the difference dont care nothing about what is said here on this blog: They dont even read anything written here. People want results and the conclusion is clear that the DLP has not delivered.
Freundel may or may not be the man to lead the party but whatever the case, the DLP is doomed.
Hear, hear, Porter!!! You are spot on. The people have made up their minds maybe even before the death of the “king”.
Interesting article in the context of those wanting to have a dispassionate debate.
Random Thoughts
Why are you going to put money behind an institution that is not a registered institution of any type. Wha dese people ain gotta disclose nuttin’ irrespective of “Section 52 of the Representation of the People Act, Chapter 12 of the Laws of Barbados”, they do not legally exist for all intents and purposes. You CANNOT sue them as an entity. Keep your money and your vote until better arrives (like an independent)
Prodigal Son and Porter
Wunna could afford to finance a poll. Why not publish the official results. Who was your polster? Pussies, maybe David should consider a standard of acceptance before he publishes nincompoop comments
BAFBFP
You could at least say thank you for the for the reference to section 52. Would it hurt you to say thanks to me? In any event you are welcome.
Thanks man …
For the record was there to be a New Year’s message or was that a figment of our imagination? It would be a stretch to call it a New Years message if one came now. We have been told all that we know . A message that all is well and men are pulling their weight and there was no plot only concerns and these concerns will be met more aggressively in the near future. carry on smartly .No need to panic all is forgiven Think on these things
Listen : Dog Face-(BAFBFPup)
Haul yuh st***** a********
Who advised Sinckler to go to Miami before Christmas on the notion that the PM cannot fire or reshuffle a mininster once he is out of the island?
Since Sinckler has been overseas (many say without Cabinet approval) who has the acting Minister of Finance?
David
Maybe I missed Prime Minister Stuart’s new year message, please give us the main items of interest that was made.
@The Scout
It seems that BU missed it as well or there was none.
There was a message. It appeared as an advertisement in the daily and was short, cogent and to the point. It said “Happy New Year”
Can one check and tell me if the Prime Minister is well. His silence is worrying, more worrying than usual
Has anyone seen or heard him in the past few days?