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Down By The Boardwalk

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Link submitted by Living in Barbados Blog

The recently constructed Boardwalk on the South coast which stretches from Accra Beach for about half mile towards Bridgetown has been well received by locals and tourists alike. This week it was reported in the news that the Segway Scooters donated to the Royal Barbados Police Force have been withdrawn from patrolling the Boardwalk. If we can read between the lines from the press report, a policeman was injured while negotiating the Boardwalk but may not have been covered adequately by insurance.

The biggest negative feedback to date about the Boardwalk has been the lack of lighting which makes strolling the Boardwalk in the late evening somewhat of a risk. We thought it was the biggest negative feedback until we viewed the video above. The Internet can be our friend but it can be our enemy.

The relevant government agency needs to get in gear and remember that if we don’t care for our own, we are a tourist country for Godsakes!

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593 responses to “Down By The Boardwalk”

  1. Jack Bowman Avatar
    Jack Bowman

    @ Yardbroom

    Quoting Yardbroom, who was @ me:

    “We will never let you tell us what or “how” we should communicate with each other. Uncomfortable with your “inner angst”.

    My angst is fine, Yardie. How’s your’s? Still having trouble with basic English prose?

    In your assertion, who is “we” and who is “you”?

    A thing I’ve noticed: if I have to insure my car, I’ll talk to a woman or man who is not subliterate. If I have to fill the gas tank in my car, the prospects are bright I’ll talk to a charming woman or man who isn’t too bright.

    Brightness. Literacy. Paying attention at school. Just like gravity, they’re an absolute BITCH, aren’t they?

    In the modern age, it must SUCK to be a subliterate racist moron in a developing country. With those qualifications, you’re screwed forever and so is your family. The inter-generational transmission of poverty is a measurable thing. Racists always lose.

    Sorry about that.

    All best wishes to you and yours,

    Jackie

  2. BOARDWALK SWEEPER Avatar
    BOARDWALK SWEEPER

    It is sad when stupid racial bigotry clouds the judgement and perception of certain individuals who are obviously unable to accept the fact that ordinary citizens of this country can provide a public service and goodwill on a facility like the boardwalk which is enjoyed by many persons irrespective of race, colour or creed

  3. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    Ian are you working on reducing your weight? How long do you think you can carry all that fat around without suffering from it’s affects? I was 259 lbs and boy I had to do something about. lol!

  4. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    BOARDWALK SWEEPER // July 13, 2009 at 8:32 pm

    It is sad when stupid racial bigotry clouds the judgement and perception of certain individuals who are obviously unable to accept the fact that ordinary citizens of this country can provide a public service and goodwill on a facility like the boardwalk which is enjoyed by many persons irrespective of race, colour or creed
    ————————————————–
    It is yet to be a best practice for “ordinary citizens” to perform their volunteer work with a videographer present, and to then agree to it being publish in such a manner and in place as to intend maximum embarressment to the very place you claim to love. Not ordinary at all.

  5. David Avatar
    David

    One learning from the exchanges above leads us to conclude that there is a latent tension which underpins race relations in Barbados. Then again we know from a UN Report filed in 2005 crypto-racism was suggested. Here is a snippet from the report:

    While welcoming the recommendation of the Constitutional Review Commission that gender be included in the Constitution as a ground for non-discrimination and the establishment of a Constitution Committee which has begun redrafting the Constitution, the Committee was concerned about the lack of a legal definition of racial discrimination in its domestic legislation, and over the lack of social movements that promote integrationist multiracial values in the State party. The Committee expressed concern at the “invisible crypto-racism” mentioned in the report which arises as a result of the separation of black and white communities and which is rooted in social relations at the interpersonal level.  The Committee was concerned at the absence of any complaints of racial discrimination before the High Court since 1994 and at the fact that no complaint was ever submitted before the Police Complaints Authority.

    BU has been accused of being homophobic, xenophobic, government mouthpiece, bigoted, racist and the list gets longer. The epithetical display on this blog should be instructive.

    A video was posted and several interpretations have been formed, who is right or who is wrong?

  6. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    Anonymous // July 13, 2009 at 7:00 pm

    Which side you on Hinds? Our side or whitey’s side? Forget that cop out about your white sister-in-law or how you living in the US. Don’t let Bowman/Bourne (???) frighten you.
    ————————————————-

    I am my side ha ha ha but seriously though Anon. I don’t know Jack Bowman and Ian Bourne is more likely to evoke laughter than to scare anyone. lol!

  7. Hopi Avatar
    Hopi

    Racists always lose? Really? So pray tell how did the racists, their ancestors and descendAnts get to be so filthy stinking rich? How did they get to dominate this planet today with all their filth? By hard got damn slavery or by lying, thievery and wholescale slaughter?

    Who the hell are you to determine whether or not a gas attendant is not bright? Because they are not in your league? These are just the kind of people that you would love to see on this blog and occupying the lower sphere in Barbados. Doesn’t that make you happy to know that you are ‘BRIGHTER’ than them? That you can look down on them? The inter-generational transmission of other peoples wealth is ALSO a measurable thing. Ain’t it? Ya laughing ya arse all the way to the bank, aren’t ya? Now ain’t that a BYTCH?

    ‘Ordinary citizens of this country can provide a service and goodwill.’ Now ain’t that a load of shite! If they want to provide service and goodwill BARBADOS is not the place. All over this planet they have polluted, whether directly or indirectly, they benefitted. Let them go and clean up the blood, bodies, nuclear waste, diseases and all other shite that they dish out on this planet so that they can retire in the SUN and still have their coffers overflowing with blood investments.
    Where is ‘global warming’ when you need it?

  8. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    David you do notice who is very quick to label that which they do not like as racist. I think they have worn out the label and can now viewed as the boys who cried wolf way to many time.

    I would said this in 2006 when Owen Arthur was accuse of being Racist for using the workd negrocrat.

    We cannot address the issue of crypto racism that is alleged to be plaguing Barbados if we find racist intent in the use of a descriptive word that points to the very attitudes that leads to this crypto racism.

  9. Pat Avatar
    Pat

    @Boardwalk Sweeper

    If this was such a good deed and public service and goodwill, why the video on U-tube? Where is the public service and goodwill in that? Is that not self agrandisement? Why bring along a camcorder? The best deeds are those that are done without publicity.

    Maybe these do gooders had ulterior motives? You are educated and literate, please tell us subliterates, we dont understand anything.

  10. Pat Avatar
    Pat

    @ Jack Bowman

    You can say whatever you want. We dont care. The views expressed on this blog are a reflection of the larger society. Even you, yourself, have proven with your perfect grammar, to be no smarter than the rear end of a donkey – an ass’s ass.

    You are on permanent ignore!

  11. Mongoose Avatar
    Mongoose

    Oh Dear! Oh Horrors! Pat has you on ignore! Jack, life simply won’t be worth living anymore.

  12. Avatar
    Anonymous

    meanwhile…..the boardwalk full up wid sand again

  13. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    Anonymous // July 13, 2009 at 10:54 pm

    meanwhile…..the boardwalk full up wid sand again
    ———————————-
    Does this mean yet another youtube video?

  14. John Da Silva Avatar
    John Da Silva

    The next sand cleaning effort on the Boardwalk is on Sunday, July 19, at 5:30pm on the headland by the Caribee headland. I suggest that everyone who thinks that there is some sinister racist overtones to what is going on to turn up and judge for themselves (and remember to bring a broom and shovel).

    There is a group on Facebook. Just search for Barbados Boardwalk.

  15. John Avatar
    John

    One thing is sure, Youtube is going to keep businesses and authorities on tenterhooks and will probably promote better service.

    Last week I came across this protest against luggage handling by United Airlines in the US.

    United is using it as a training video for its employees.

    It is a standard which will be hard to surpass by videographers.

  16. 199 Avatar
    199

    BOARDWALK SWEEPER // July 13, 2009 at 8:32 pm

    It is sad when stupid racial bigotry clouds the judgement and perception of certain individuals who are obviously unable to accept the fact that ordinary citizens of this country can provide a public service and goodwill on a facility like the boardwalk which is enjoyed by many persons irrespective of race, colour or creed.

    **********

    Oh, and who are the progenitors of racial bigotry! It certainly was n’t us who were the slave-masters and still regard each and every one of us in your own country as a mugger, rapist or murderer!! My attitude is a reaction to YOUR, racism!

  17. 199 Avatar
    199

    Sadly, if we did something like that, in the UK, they’d inevitably think, “we must be up to something”!! And who are bigger crooks in the UK, than white men, themselves!!

    Anyhow, I don’t entirely blame them! As you know (or should do) we have cancer in our midst, who have turned our (West Indians’) reputation to *hit, in the UK! But, that’s another matter which, I’m sure, you’d rather pretend did n’t exist!!

  18. 199 Avatar
    199

    Furthermore, they’d want to claim we could n’t do it properly, because we’re “not intelligent enough”!! And, then, ‘Boardwalk Sweeper’, has the audacity to accuse US, of racism!! I’d like to cut his nuts off!!

  19. 199 Avatar
    199

    I hope I’ve given you a glimpse of life in the modern-day, ‘Motherland’!

    LOL!!

  20. Avatar
    Anonymous

    @199
    You just seem to be making a load of sweeping generalizations, mate, and no one should take them seriously. You mean everybody in England thinks that Sir Trevor MacDonald is a rapist and mugger, etc.? Or, is he an exception? Give us something real, not this fish and chips all in a bag.

    Who wants to claim “we could n’t do it properly, because we’re “not intelligent enough”!! “? What do you do for a living that would prove to THEM otherwise?

    These comments are insulting our intelligence, mate.

  21. livinginbarbados Avatar
    livinginbarbados

    @Pat
    “If this was such a good deed and public service and goodwill, why the video on U-tube? Where is the public service and goodwill in that?” [It’s called ‘new technology’ and is all the rage, apparently. It has replaced the steam radio. It may also help others to see what was wrong and how to fix it? I saw a video of a policeman beating up a motorist the other day. I wish I hadn’t so that the policeman could get away.]

    “Is that not self agrandisement?” [No more than making comments on a blog, I imagine.]

    “Why bring along a camcorder?” [Written notes are not as easy to share? Still pictures are there, too, if you care to look on the Facebook page, with dates and times. Quite a little diary, really.]

    “The best deeds are those that are done without publicity.”[Ok. So when we have any publicity we need to think this is a less than best deed? That will save me watching all those news reports about war and carnage or starvation r natural disasters. Better still, when I see a politician or police officer in front of an incident scene I should know that this is no best deed. Glad to know that, as I had suspicions about the camera crew at Long Beach, with Mr. Sealy. But now I have to figure out what David Thompson was doing calling a press conference in Georgetown. I’m getting confused again.]

    “Maybe these do gooders had ulterior motives?” [Maybe they cared? The ulterior motive could be to not have sand where sand should not be? I think you need to pay a visit to some of the drainage gulleys, not just by the beach, but around the island. Some are veritable garbage dumps, but I dare not share the pictures, I guess. Not that anyone need worry about heavy rains and hurricanes hitting Bimshire.]

  22. Yardbroom Avatar
    Yardbroom

    Jack Bowman July 13, 2009 at 8:07pm
    @ Yardbroom
    Quoting Yardbroom, who was @me

    “We will never let you tell us what or “how” we should communicate with each other. Uncomfortable with your “inner angst”.

    “My angst is fine, Yardie. How’s your’s?
    Still having trouble with basic English prose?

    In your assertion, who is we” and who is “you”?”

    You asked so I will inform you.
    “We” in context is subliminal I never expected you to understand. However, just for you:

    The plural pronoun the writer (me) and another person or other people.

    “You” a pronoun the person being addressed Jack Bowman, very simple.
    Now that nonsense is out of the way, let’s discuss what matters on the blog.

    I remember the last time you contributed and left in a huff trailing insults in your wake; vowing never to be back, now you are back to give us homilies such as:

    Jack Bowman July 13, 2009 at 6:11pm
    @ Negroman
    “What is “white trash”? you use the term four times while you’re abusing me AND My Family.
    What is “white thrash”? Did you mean[ ] four times, to use the basic English word “trash”?

    You might be, demonstrably, a subliterate prick, and you can abuse me in your subliterate manner as much as you want.

    But if you call my family “thrash” you subliterate fool, then we have a very serious problem, and so does the publisher of this blog”.

    Your angst is not fine, you are making a fool of yourself and thus subjecting you and yours – of which I am sure you care – to ridicule.

    It is so sad to see someone disintergrate mentally before one’s eyes, what inner demons possess you?…do not bother with a reply it does not matter that much.

    There is more to proper Education than “words”; one should always know how to behave.

    “T is education forms the common mind,
    Just as the twig is bent, the tree’s inclined”.
    Pope

  23. livinginbarbados Avatar
    livinginbarbados

    @Pat
    On the whole matter of filming or photographing good deeds, I would like your help in interpreting the picture seen in The Advocate recently of children planting trees in association with the 4H Foundation, see http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=local&NewsID=4700.

    I know there is an ulterior motive but just can’t put my finger on it.

  24. livinginbarbados Avatar
    livinginbarbados

    I see that in today’s Advocate (page 14) Nicholas Cox’s tune on the boardwalk has changed since seeing the clean-up video, and he has the temerity to mention that the matter of inadequate maintenance is a concern for a range of government buildings. I hope that some of the other commentators here will get onto the paper quickly and set them straight about what is going on. They all seem to be in on the plot!

  25. David Avatar
    David

    @LIB

    Did not get a chance to visit the Facebook, did the group indicate if they wrote to the relevant government ministry before filming?

  26. livinginbarbados Avatar
    livinginbarbados

    @David
    Have not seen mention of that, but would not have expected it either. The group’s categorized as fitness and exercise. The administrators are listed and am sure would love to give you more info. Gazzillions of photos taken over the past 7 months to look at. I did not see them all.

    They flag the next clean up event, to which a commentator above issued an invitation: Sunday July 19th. at 5:30 p.m., Caribee headland.

    Be there or …

  27. David Avatar
    David

    @LIB

    From your response would we be correct in thinking our question has no relevance?

  28. Mongoose Avatar
    Mongoose

    Yardbroom, carry your sanctimonious ass.
    Jack making a fool of himself what? Jack subjecting himself and family to ridicule what? Jack has cleanly and concisely with wit and intelligence made every last one of you racist bigots look like fools and ridiculed YOU and YOURS to the core.
    The best you can do, Yardbroom, when confronted with someone of superior knowledge and intellect, is to suggest some form of mental failing? This is the best you can do? This is the tactic of someone faced unable to deal with the truth. Yardbroom, look in the mirror and see a self-righteous, pompous little man who thinks far too highly of himself.
    By the way, you do not speak for me and I daresay a few others, when you tell Jack not to bother to reply because his reply would be of no consequence. Begging your pardon, Sir, but you would be dead wrong.

  29. Random name generator Avatar
    Random name generator

    Ad hominem attacks are usually the most flawed and weakest way to attack an idea, yet they remain ever popular in popular discourse.

    Personally I would like to see the BU introduce an anti – ad hominem comment policy but I suspect that would create far to much work for our host.

  30. Sir Bentwood Dick Avatar
    Sir Bentwood Dick

    Bajans go to ‘Simsonsia’?

    When they already have another place that they desire?

    Y’all and I both know, that if the US Go’ment had a couple of people at the top a Broad Street, wid paper for a list and the offer of immediate immigrant visas, bajans would flock in de line.

    How many wud be leff in Bridgetown.

    Ten?

    LOL

  31. Yardbroom Avatar
    Yardbroom

    Mongoose or is it Jack Bowman this time? I have read your words of wisdom no personal attacks from me; I never play in the “gutter”.

    Yardbroom

  32. livinginbarbados Avatar
    livinginbarbados

    @David
    The relevance of your question is for you to determine. If you have/had an expectation that is/had unfulfilled then you need to take there where you wish. If reports of NCC getting a clean up crew to the spot ASAP after the video are true then the message might have been well transmitted, rather than it sitting unopened on some bureaucrat’s table.

    More generally, one can work with certain presumptions and clearly people do in Bim judging by the way that a lot of issues to do with government are not placed at its/their door directly but laid out, say, on call-in radio. I’ve commented elsewhere about a possible failing in local representative politics, where people’s voices seem to go unheard too much here by those in power.

  33. David Avatar
    David

    Expected your response LIB.

    @Sir Benwood

    Is it not true several teachers who took up the offer to teach in Kentucky and New York returned home citing unsatisfied expectations?

    @all

    It is our intention to leave the comments above exposed for ALL to read, perhaps after time the reason will be grasped by some.

  34. Mongoose Avatar
    Mongoose

    Yardbroom, is it so difficult for you to believe that there are many people who share Jack’s views, that you must resort to not even giving others the opportunity to air their views, even those in support of Jack? I am not Jack Bowman, nor am I Ian Bourne.
    Too late to extract yourself from the gutter. You have already gone there.

  35. livinginbarbados Avatar
    livinginbarbados

    @David
    Would not wish to disappoint. Remember I suggested that you contactd NCC to get some feedback? Do I take it they are due to get back to you or you are still due to get to them? There are usually good reasons why people lose faith in institutions: sometimes it’s the people you have to deal with, sometimes how it works, sometimes both.

  36. Avatar
    Anonymous

    David

    I hope you have noted that in either this thread or another one the profanities (f***k) that was used by jack bowman.

    He has absolutely no shame.

    Obviously he is trying to stir up strife on this site so he can run back to BFP and say:’see I told you so!’

    BFP is like a ghost town,very few hits and only a few commenters like the regulars,pied piper,hants,jack bowman and the like.

    Yet BFP is boasting about 6 million visitors.

    It really is sad to see a site that could have been used to do so much good,just focusing on destroying the government.

    Well the people have spoken and they have left that site in droves.

  37. livinginbarbados Avatar
    livinginbarbados

    @Anonymous,
    To add to my list of international profanities, would you fill in for me the *** (3 asterisks)? This may be a new one. Thanks much.

  38. David Avatar
    David

    @LIB

    Our question stands.

    Was any attempt made by the Facebook group to contact NCC?

  39. Random name generator Avatar
    Random name generator

    @David its seems that LIB has indicated that he does not know.

    I imagine that someone in the group may have contacted the NCC and complained first.

    But how is it relevant that they have contacted the NCC before filming the video? Is that they way to get people to do a job they should be doing anyway? phone and threaten to make videos?

    Not to mention the possibility that such a warning could allow an organisation to go to a court to get an injunction.

    I think more people in Barbados should make similar videos about all aspects of Barbadian life they find unsatisfactory.

    We might get something done and make Barbados a better place, rather than crouching denial and inertia.

  40. Negroman Avatar
    Negroman

    Jack Bowman,Ian Bourne or who ever you are carry your ass.

    Please don’t worry about my English ability.If my spelling is not as good as yours or my grammar is not the best at the least I am able to make my points and get an”educated jackass” like you to read it and to make a response.

    Yes I refer to you & your stinking family as white trash.Tell me what can you do about it.I challenge you put me in court or come with any other challenge or challenges.

    Jack Bowman or Ian Bourne carry your ass and go & f–k yourself you smelly,overweight scum bag.

  41. Sargeant Avatar
    Sargeant

    I said my piece about this subject earlier and resisted reentering the fray now that it has gone from the sublime to the ridiculous; however the suggestion that a phone call by the average citizen to NCC or any other Gov’t department would elicit a surge of activity to correct the problem is laughable.

    These Depts. only respond to negative newspaper stories or calls to phone in shows which are so outrageous that they cannot be ignored.

  42. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    I have made the point that many people including the US and British military perform cleanup jobs in Barbados and however it is done and advertise, one does not get the sense of anger, willingness to embarrass, or to indict the entire island or it’s government for the mess they had to clean up. All these things were present in that video. I don’t know of many people who will remain appreciative of a good deed received grudgingly, or with public embarrassment.

    BTW tell de fella wid de blue and white arm hole shirt who was picking up rocks to keep his negative comments to himself. lol!

  43. David Avatar
    David

    Maybe we can direct our tired question to John Dasilva who seems to be one of the people doing a civic duty ie boardwalk clean up.

    Was the NCC told about the issue in any way, formal or informal?

  44. Livinginbarbados Avatar
    Livinginbarbados

    @Sargeant
    “These Depts. only respond to negative newspaper stories or calls to phone in shows which are so outrageous that they cannot be ignored.” [So a call seems likely to be a waste of time as far as action is concerned, but an ’embarrassing’ piece of publicity should work? Hail the friends of Barbados Broadwalk?]

  45. Livinginbarbados Avatar
    Livinginbarbados

    @AH
    “many people including the US and British military perform cleanup jobs in Barbados and however it is done and advertise, one does not get the sense of anger, willingness to embarrass, or to indict the entire island or it’s government for the mess they had to clean up” [But, it would be very out of place for such agencies to do such negative-sounding things. Even the British troops, though under the Queen’s command, need to show deferrence to the local administration. The US has its channels for voicing its criticism at a higher level than through its ‘clean up crews’. As PM Thompson would no doubt say, anyway, why are these foreign people interfering in domestic issues? No cake and eating too, please.]

    Beacon Hill beckons…

  46. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Bent Dickie dear,

    I agree that the US is the destination of choice for most Bajans (just ask Adrian Hinds) but for white Bajans a new world awaits, Simpsonia!! In fact should they take up the pioneer spirit and join with their Afrikaner brethren it is possible that they could build a super country in the south of Guyana. They could get it right this time and have a country without Black or Indian people to confuse them and blame them for all their (Black) misfortunes. The only problem as I see it would be the need for high tech border control to keep out all the Black and Indian migrants from the failed states around them.

    On reflection this could be the solution to all our problems: Simpsonsia for all the whites in the West Indies, Essequibo for the Indians, Demerara, Trinidad, Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean islands for the Blacks. We could then live in peace … apart.

  47. Livinginbarbados Avatar
    Livinginbarbados

    @David,
    If John Da Silva does not reply, just go to Facebook and send the group a message. For the good of many you may want to become a ‘friend’ so that all the updates could be streamed/fed to BU.

    That’s it. I’m suggestion-ed out for the morning.

  48. Duppy Lizard Avatar
    Duppy Lizard

    Such racist crap! Haven’t visited this site in weeks and I see things haven’t changed.

    @199 if you are so unhappy in the UK, go to Africa, see if your “brothers and sisters” there treat you any differently.

    To all the other racist yahoos (hopi, negroman etc) get a life.

  49. David Avatar
    David

    @LIB

    We don’t have the time to navigate Facebook. Additionally given the prominence of the local blogs which in the main target local audience it might be a worthy approach if the blogs are solicited to offer support to causes such as this one. Doesnt Facebook require membership and there is limited to a captive audience? BU depends on the family to support the effort, the BU household has so many hands to go around.

  50. John Avatar
    John

    livinginbarbados // July 14, 2009 at 6:02 am

    @Pat
    On the whole matter of filming or photographing good deeds, I would like your help in interpreting the picture seen in The Advocate recently of children planting trees in association with the 4H Foundation, see http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=local&NewsID=4700.

    I know there is an ulterior motive but just can’t put my finger on it.
    ++++++++++++++++++++

    Good one.

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