Every single member of the past Owen Arthur administration assets needs to be examined.

During the last administration we saw sudden millionaires,and owners of large and numerous properties,as well as sudden new businesses and mercedes benzs all on a middle class professional salary which was at the least vulgar and sickening.

Those BLP politicians should be shivering in their shoes wondering not IF but WHEN the Thompson administration will bring the hammer down on them.

We expect nothing less – fair but rigourous investigations to be conducted,and where appropriate charges to be brought.

We know Owen put in a number of his people on the benches as judges so we will have to wait and see how independent this judiciary really is.

Politicians greed for money has always been a worry of mine. I’m not sure P.M. Thompson will be able to do something about the matter though because the greed might be present in both camps. I remember in the 1980’s election Mr Barrow promising to do something about the same matter plus the involvement of persons in the drug trade. When he became P.M he had to step back and put it on the back burner since I believe that he found out that persons in his camp was involved too. All P.M Thompson can do is have a serious talk with his crew and he himself be very watchful. We have ex-patriots in this island who can easily write a cheque and clear the national debt of Barbados. Remember the “fairy godfather” who assisted then P.M. Sandiford? He then started to call shots, somehow he was quieted. Those tempting apples are always dangling before our leaders. I also remember a certain international star is alleged to have offered then P.M Barrow an aircraft if he would allow gambling casinos in Barbados; Mr Barrow said “get thee behind me satan”, he is allegedto have said “over my dead body”. We need leaders with backbone, so far we have had them, I just hope it continues.

Does this have an oh-so-familiar ring to it? Let me think…….ah yes……Graeme Hall, Nelson Barbados, Keltruth and, loudest of all at the moment, Barbados Free Press – all the creations of one North American man with deep pockets and a miniscule to non-existent penis. AND, Bimbro, he is white. No prizes for guessing who it is.

@ The first anonymous poster..no Thompson will not investigate past BLP politicos..he already knows they were tiefing,he does not need to waste time on that part because the old boys club has come to an agreement..” oh i will let Bajans know you is a tief but nuttin’ ain’t going to happen to yah”just as long as i get my chance..can’t you see what goes on in this island?

Senator Orlando Marville the head of the task force charged with investigating recommendation for the FOI and Integrity Legislation was reported in the news last week as saying, a key component of implementing an efficient FOI is to have properly training officers. These officers will be key players in interpreting the laws to match the requests received from public.

Scout wrote “I remember in the 1980’s election Mr Barrow promising to do something about the same matter plus the involvement of persons in the drug trade. When he became P.M he had to step back and put it on the back burner since I believe that he found out that persons in his camp was involved too.”

True, true.

If only our national hero had had balls enough to discipline his party members and his financial supporters.

My bet is that not a fella will be man enough to do the necessary.

BAFBFP wrote on // August 31, 2009 at 11:29 PM…”Sorry David but is he not still SIR Allen Stanford..?”

The man is an accused BIG TIME thief. He will almost certainly be convicted. No we do not have to call him Sir. We do not have to call anybody Sir or Lady or Mr. Or Ms. We can call him Allen and if he does not feel like answering what do we care.

What is this hang-up that we have that we so like to insist on titles, even for crooks?

Anon wrote at 3:25 a.m. “one North American man with deep pockets and a miniscule to non-existent penis.”

Cuh dear man. You don’t think that you are being a bit hard (pun intended)

@David, Yes some might do contracts with government and the information will have to be released, but this would not apply to Sanford, or interlocking directorships or Ponzi schemes or avoidance of customs duties or tax evasion or…should I go on?

@Themis
You suggesting that there is no wriggle room? … and who would want to avoid customs duties and evade taxes most?

There is a serious relationship between business and Government or more accurately, politicians. Business perceive that they can get what they want once they have the money and the politician perceive great financial gain from the businessman.

One of the reasons for the black box of budget fame was that government decisions on budgetary matters should be announced fairly, giving every person the same chance and preventing upperhand moves from those with inside information.

Usually it is the private sector and politicians who benefit from close alliances.

This matter of corruption is one which I have been trying to highlight. The general public needs to know how to spot corruption.

The bottom line is that there is no will to end corruption and where there is will, the pressure is great and at the expense of a collapse in ruling party.

It is embarrassing that we are still looking for handouts rather than help ourselves. We have become as prostitutes; lying in wait; hard to rape.

I suppose so Scout. But I am sure that you remember, that our parents and grand parents knew to drink the politicians rum and eat their corn beef and still had enough integrity to vote according to their conscience.

We expect no less of our “leaders.”

And it their integrity is so weak then they should refuse the cocktail party invitations, ’cause all that alcohol and greasy food only gives them strokes and heart attacks long before they are three score and ten.

But my point still stands. We Bajans are as capable of working hard and working smart as anybody else in the world.

Ok BAFBFP. Te’k it light.

How come it don’t have an immigration deadline for these freeloaders too?

Though I support such legislation, FOI guarantees neither good governance nor government.

Would FOI eliminate the victimisation presently en vogue at UDC and other statutory departments?

FOI is a mere response to our belief that ALL politicians, especially of the past administration, are thieves of the highest order.

We often comment about Ministers’ rapid accumulation of wealth (or perceived) but say nothing about the same within the private sector. CLICO, which is now relying on government for assistance, a prime example.

I fear this call for FOI is driven by malice, jealousy, nosiness and this need to appear progressive (though as a society we are retrogressive on many other issues) rather than to engender transparency in government.

The implementation of FOI could very well come back to haunt this and future administrations and their supporters; since winning and election would now be based on performance and vision as articulated in a manifesto, rather than on innuendo, gossip and lies.

RoyalRumble

You could really shut your ass mouth up. Who the heck you trying to fool with painting the halo ring above the heads of BLP members to make them look like saints. You think bajans are less informed and foolish as in days past. None of the administrations are squeaky clean. All of them are in cohoots in dirty dealings; but the last administration made it obvious were alot of their priorities lie (in big contracts and getting money). They got millions of free money and you friggin know it. How else can you explain the affording of yachts, plantation houses, building girlfriends huge bungalows, real estate investments and other property investments abroad and in house on politician salaries. You think informed persons just making up stories. You really want to fool bajans that none in the BLP camp never received draw backs, gifts and free cash flows. You want people to believe that alot of instant established contractor base companies in politician family names and friends names is a figment of our imagination. You musse really think we fuh jack asses.

@ Johnny Postle @ // September 2, 2009 at 6:34 PM

Could you show us here at BU any of the proven evidence to all the claims you have made in this post?

Furthermore, you seem to be knowledgeable of all the alledged corruption by the former regime! In that case it is your responsibility to turn whatever evidence of such alledged corruption over to the police and/or the DPP! Failing this you could be held as an accomplice before/after the fact!
Better go and see who that is knocking at the door. Just might the anti-corruption agents looking to ask you about the evidence!! LOL.

Robin Hood

Is your words suppose to make me afraid. You ask for evidence on the basis that you know such matters are well covered and hidden unless there is a pig who decides to squeal (and believe me the pigs are squealing). There are many charges against the former administration (just as there will be against the present) by persons who are aware of their dabblings. I certainly do not scare from your words, maybe you should be the one who is scared if you have benefit from the deals. Do not think that you can hide every secret Robin Hood, your days of stealing from the poor and feeding rich will one day come to an end.

You idiot.

You don’t know me.

I don’t drink.

Guilty about what?

You need to learn to write a simple sentence.

But that may be too hard for you.