CBC Multichoice Limited In Choice

Submitted by Charles Knighton

 

Of late, I find it impossible to follow any CBC Multichoice television programmes due to the constant interruptions attributed to “technical difficulties” or “cable signal problems”.  Though never acknowledged, the bane of Barbados, the inability to properly maintain the system is probably the culprit. Proper maintenance in Barbados (think Government buildings such as the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium, roads, QEH equipment, the large number of buses and Sanitation Services trucks off road) is chimeric.  I don’t know if this is due to poor technical training or the fact that only about 30% of workers, according to a recent study, have sufficient motivation to properly execute their duties. I do know that all the long talk of Barbados being considered among the ranks of Developed Nations will never come to fruition when basic functions present such a challenge.

In closing I would suggest CBC closely examine the remarkably consistent operation of its Billing Department, which never suffers “technical difficulties”  when demanding payment for its “service”.

Can Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart Rally His Men?

Let me have men about me that are fat,

Sleek-headed men and such as sleep a-nights.

Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look,

He thinks too much; such men are dangerous

Julius Caesar Act 1, scene 2, 190–195

 

credit: Nation newspaper 13/12/2011

Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart was the man trusted by the late Prime Minister David Thompson to manage the affairs of state during his sickness. It was a difficult time for the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) we can all agree, the protracted global economic slowdown would not have made the situation better.  Stuart, his failings as a human noted, was a calming influence during that time. Some like Peter Wickham argue that he appears to be slow in decision-making. Besides the fact Wickham has overstepped his professional boundary as a pollster, one wonders how would he have known what considerations Stuart had to deliberate over to make those decisions he felt were slow in coming. Could it be that Wickham is simply sharing his opinions which like ours have no empirical support?

The reality of the matter is that our parliamentary system requires the leader of the political party to have the support of the parliamentary group in order to perform the job. When the leader is Prime Minister the procedure to remove him may differ compared to what occurred in the case of Arthur (the Gang of Five) and Mottley.  In both cases there is a common factor, the leader needs the support of the parliamentary group.

Notes From a Native Son – DLP

By Hal Austin

This government has got its priorities back to front – from the attempted putsch against its silent leader, to the disgraceful apparent decision (not yet made officially public) to pump $50m of taxpayers’ money in the black hole that is Four Seasons, to the unforgivable reluctance to settle the Al Barrack affair – it all points to a government that has lost its moorings.

First, the disgraceful way in which Mr Barrack is treated shows the contempt for which this government has for the individual citizen. What compounds sit is that the same government, on bogus financial and macro-economic grounds, issues guarantees and offers to spend taxpayers’ money as if it is going out of fashion. Government could have settled the Barrack Scandal ages ago by offering the businessman a drawdown facility from the central bank, for example, of Bds$1m a month, part cash and part in settlement of debt, thereby allowing him to pay his debtors, while at the same time steadily reducing the debt. That it has declined to do so is reflective of its institutional arrogance, knowing full well that our courts have limited powers over the Executive and there is very little that Mr Barrack could do about it. Voters should take note.

Human Rights Protection Guaranteed By Inclusion Rather Than Exclusion

By Lincoln Lewis, General Secretary Guyana Trades Union Congress

The self-serving anti-progressive agenda of government must stop and fundamental human rights must be respected through urgent constitutional change geared towards guaranteeing inclusion rather than exclusion. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10th 1948 is perhaps the single most important universal standard for the safety and security of humankind regardless of race, colour, class, creed, religious, political, or other fundamental differences. The continuous violation of these freedoms, as witnessed in Guyana has produced a state of hopelessness and willful systemic deprivation of those who are perceived not to be supportive of the status quo and not belonging to the same group.

The nation of Guyana was founded on the motto “One People, One Nation, One Destiny” by earlier, progressive thinkers and leaders who recognized that together we can build a united Guyana where all are treated equally, for all are one and there truly is no division that surmounts that which binds us as a people dependent on each other for individual and group survival. As we move further away from the ideal of One People, One Nation, One Destiny, and grow apart, as we fail to embrace these simple tenets and give them meaning and life, we are witnessing exponential increasing evidence of human rights violation, of good governance and nation building.

Prime Minister Stuart, It Is time To Ring The Bell

Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart

The eagerly awaited Peter Wickham Cadres poll has been leaked to the media. Based on the report Prime Minister Fruendel Stuart appears to be viewed as less likely to lead the DLP to victory. It is bad enough the DLP government has had to combat managing the economy in an austere environment, to float a damaging poll  at this time is perhaps the final nail in the coffin. One did not need a poll to assess that Prime Minister Stuart does not have the national profile or support at this time. Who can forget Minister David Estwick wearing a red short on the morning of the tragic event.

It is sad that a BLP government which was voted out of office less than five years ago will probably be returned without having to revamp or promise any radical policies to Barbadians. At this stage BU is somewhat nonplus about what the political landscape is likely to be. What is sure is that it will be more of the same. Prime Minister Stuart the best advice BU can give you is to ring the bell. The country cannot afford yet another political cat fight.

A people will get the government it deserves.

Non Invasive Surgery: Using Focused Ultrasound And Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Presenter Dr Yoav Medan

CARIBBEAN STOCK REPORT 5 December to 9 December 2011

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

Timing Is Everything: When To Call The Next Barbados General Election

Submitted by Yardbroom

Owen Arthur, Leader of the opposition (l) Fruendel Stuart, Prime Minister (r)

After the death of Prime Minister David Thompson, no sooner had the funeral ceremony been respectably completed with much deserved ceremony befitting a Prime Minister in Office, when the call was made to the DLP, call a general election.

I said then an election should not be called.  Many here (BU) disagreed and still do judging by recent comments.  I will explain later the reasons underpinning my position.  There was a lot of public sympathy for Mr. Thompson, the circumstances of his death, coupled with his relatively young age were significant factors.  That this public sympathy could be translated into votes was evidenced by the successful campaign launched by his wife – Mara Thompson – now elected to Parliament….I am aware of her previous work in the constituency that not withstanding.  It was felt by a vocal segment that on a larger scale public sympathy could be exploited, thus handing victory to the DLP in a general election.

It is true an election could have been called by Prime Minister Stuart, but allow me to rewind and remind you of the circumstances then.  The DLP had only been in office for a short time and prior to the election it was said by the BLP that the DLP did not have the experience to govern Barbados.  That obviously had not been put to the test over time, it was therefore incumbent on Prime Minister Freundel Stuart to put any doubt to bed.  It was also believed there was dissent in the DLP with a myriad of members jockeying for leadership of the Party.

NO WAY Barbadians Should Vote For Economists In The Next General Election

Submitted by The People’s Progressive Congress

The PDC made a promise in the last PDC article, on here, that it will be fulfilling in this particular edition of the PDC column.

We had – after completing this present article a couple weeks ago, and were on the verge of submitting it to BU for publication as the week before last’s article – declined to submit it for reasons that the eventual article ( the week before last’s ) that we had submitted was far more important and timely at any time than the deferred one, given the subject matter of the eventual one – the galloping rate at which Barbados is wholly moving towards becoming a second rate Third World developing country.

Well, this eventual article also looked at the fact that for long time running these monstrous BLP/DLP Governments have grossly failed to make sure that the country significantly benefits materially, financially, politically, etc.,  from the extant shifting in the balance of power from west to east, in so far as international relations and global politics are concerned.

It also touched on the fact that these same ossie moore governments have over the years substantially failed to capitalize on a great number of political financial material opportunities that have come with a very significant part of Western Imperialism – this being TAXATION – collapsing.

Time To Get Real

Submitted by St George’s Dragon

David Cameron, UK Prime Minister (l) Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State

The recent debate about gay rights started with the UK Prime Minister saying that in future some UK aid would be linked to adherence to “proper human rights”. His statement was related to one of the recommendations of a Commonwealth report which recommended ending bans on homosexuality.

The UK’s stance has not been well received in Barbados but it is important to note that despite the uproar, this is only peripherally aimed at us.

This for two reasons:

- Most importantly, we do not receive any aid which will be subject to these criteria. Please note this well. We receive no money from the UK which is at risk because the UK Government has decided to bring in these rules. It is therefore a complete non-issue for Barbados.