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It’s Your Move!

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Roxanne Gibbs - Executive Editor Nation Newspaper
Roxanne Gibbs – Executive Editor Nation Newspaper

Two weeks have passed since the Nation newspaper printed the front page story which declared that the government’s political strategist Hartley Henry had threatened Nation newspaper Sunday Sun Editor Carol Martindale. The management of the Fontebelle newspaper reacted swiftly to that telephone call made on the Saturday afternoon by going to  print hours later to meet the next day edition. To demonstrate the seriousness of how the action by Henry was received, the Royal Barbados Police Force was summons, a letter dispatched to Prime Minister David Thompson and other correspondence sent to international media watchdog agencies.

The dust has settled somewhat and some Barbadians who have remained above the partisan prattle are starting to ask the tough questions. BU has a few of our own as well.

  1. Did Carol Martindale have a conversation with leader of the Opposition Mia Mottley concerning the DLP sponsored CADRES poll before it was published?
  2. Is it true the telephone call between Henry and Martindale was NOT recorded?
  3. Is it true the witness to part of the telephone call between Martindale and Henry at the Nation end was not party to sufficient of the conversation to validate the charge which has been made by Martindale?
  4. Is it true the Nation newspaper maybe facing a law suit given the flimsy evidence used to support their actions?

Unfortunately because of the politics flavouring this matter the public discourse has gone in the wrong direction. What BU finds scary is the haste the Nation management went to print given the flimsy evidence our sources indicate they hold. BU is also concerned the fledgling Barbados Association of Journalists (BAJ) would have blindly picked-up the Martindale Henry issue. We note with interest the young and bright Nation reporter Amanda Lynch-Foster signed of the press release in her capacity as President of the BAJ. The business of the Fourth Estate is serious business!

BU will watch with interest the next move in the Fontebelle Opera. We anticipate resignations to appear or heads will roll in the coming days and weeks.  Note: we did not mention the alleged three witnesses to the conversation on the other side (Henry) of the telephone call. To do so would be to fully expose the folly of the Nation newspaper decision-making  in what is much ado about nothing.

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86 responses to “It’s Your Move!”

  1. J Avatar
    J

    David/BU wrote “Barbadians who have remained above the partisan prattle are starting to ask the tough questions. BU has a few of our own as well.”

    Dear David/BU: I hope that you are NOT implying that you are “above the partisan prattle” because you are NOT.

    It is evident that you are firmly on Hartley Henry’s side.

    Shouldn’t any media media including new media such as bogs seek to be on the side of the TRUTH?

  2. Avatar
    Anonymous

    David

    I commend you for this dispassionate article.

    As usual the BLP apologist and sympathiser ‘J’ who has nothing good to say about prime minister thompson,the DLP,Hartley Henry or anything named Douglas Leopold Phillips,while being always supportive of the BLP,this creature has the unmitigated gall to tellyou BU that you are partisan?

    And he/she (J)is not?

    The truth is this was a non story that was given legs because of the open partisanship of those who have editorial control at the nation;the idea was I suppose :to make David and the DLP look bad.

    The end result more people in this country now know about the immoral,andsickening lesbian practices going on,and who had who and who taking instructions from whom.

    I hope the whole truth,and nothing but the truth with all its sores will be put in the public’s domain and let the chips fall where they may;whether D,B or N.

    I suspect the Nation has more to lose than Hartley Henry.

  3. J Avatar
    J

    Anonymous wrote “As usual the BLP apologist and sympathiser ‘J’ ”

    I’ve NEVER met David Thompson (nor Hartley Henry either)

    I’ve NEVER met Mia Mottley (nor Owen Arthur either)

    I have NO desire to meet any of the smart, wonderful ladies and gentlemen mentioned above.

    I have NEVER been a member of ANY political party.

    I will NEVER join ANY political party.

    I’ve voted MANY times for the DLP.

    I’ve voted MANY times for the DLP.

    I hope to vote MANY MORE times for BOTH parties.

    But each party has to EARN my vote EVERY TIME that an election is called.

    J has ALWAYS been, and will ALWAYS remain non-partisan.

    At each election I vote according to my CONSCIENCE.

  4. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    As I said before I do not believe a word of the Nation story.

    Barbadians can not forget the St. George Secodary School story by the same Nation newspaper.

    It ended up costing them big.

    I hope the same thing happens here.

  5. J Avatar
    J

    J wrote”I’ve voted MANY times for the DLP. I’ve voted MANY times for the DLP.”

    CORRECTION:

    I’ve voted many times for the DLP.

    I’ve voted many times for the BLP.

  6. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Correct all you want J,only you and you alone believe that patent lie you just give.

    What non-partisan what!

    You are everything including Sam,pooch and the Duppy,yet you so non partisan that on BFP and BU you are always hitting out against the Dlp,and can always defend the BLP.

    You and Royal rumbles and you party people are all the same.

  7. Cat Woman Avatar
    Cat Woman

    This, in my opinion, is an on-going feud between the parties involved for whatever reason/s. As such I think our time is better served commenting on issues that are more pressing and relevant to Barbados and its people.

    He say/she say will end up where it should to be settled and that’s in Court, if it gets to that level.

  8. J Avatar
    J

    Adrian HInds wrote “No recording and a partial witness weakens Carol Martindale against Hartley and his witnesses who on learning that there is no tape will sing the same tune.”

    Did you really write this?

    Will they sing the same tune?

    Or will they tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help them God (and the electorate)

  9. J Avatar
    J

    Dear Adrian:

    The people are NOT stupid.

    The people have a way of PUNISHING PARTIES (political parties and individuals) which fail to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help them GOD (and the electorate)

  10. Huh? Avatar
    Huh?

    David: You YOURSELF published an expanded version of Hartley Henry’s article that followed through on the “alleged” threats.

    Why isn’t that mentioned in this article?

    Good god man, Barbados Underground became the instrument used by Henry in an attempt to destroy the character of the very person who complained that Henry threatened to do just that.

    Can’t you see how deceitful you are being David?

  11. J Avatar
    J

    Oh and I’ve never met Royal Rumble either and I don’t want to meet him/her.

    Of course I have NO IDEA who Royal Rumble is

  12. J Avatar
    J

    Any way I gotta go…and bake a piece ‘a pork, ’cause I want ‘a piece ‘a pork, I want ‘a piece of pork fah me dinner.

  13. David Avatar
    David

    @Huh
    Explain how the Editor Martindale could have been threatened to publish an article which would have and was published anyway? Also address the issue of whether Martindale spoke to other parties involved in the political arena (BLP) before going to print.

  14. **Adviser to the President** Avatar
    **Adviser to the President**

    item (1) FOOLISHNESS ?

    whats the point DAVID ?
    —————————————-
    item (2)

    Presidential adviser Van Jones has resigned after coming under fire for signing a controversial petition in 2004. The petition called for an investigation of whether government officials deliberately allowed the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to occur.

    ———————————–
    For all those concerned persons, please be ‘advised’ that the person referred to in the extract is not me. I am not that particular Adviser

  15. Green Monkey Avatar
    Green Monkey

    Presidential adviser Van Jones has resigned after coming under fire for signing a controversial petition in 2004. The petition called for an investigation of whether government officials deliberately allowed the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to occur.

    You you can read the petition here for yourself. It’s listed in full after some introductory comments posted here:
    http://911truth.org/article.php?story=20090904181706887

    Note that the 9/11 Commission itself had some problems with the way their own Commission had been set up and run and agreed that they had been misled by some witnesses and that they had not been able to ascertain the full story behind 9/11. See: http://911summary.com/911c.php

  16. Bonny Peppa Avatar
    Bonny Peppa

    Like I said before, mere storm in a teacup. And this too shall pass.

    Catwoman,
    As usual, a passing grade. You like you smarta dan me ya. I gettin fritten.

    Anon,
    Well said, as usual.

    J
    A want a piece a dah bake pork. U use jerk seasnin i hope. U hear how jerk seasnin get it name? I luvv um. Da sah is be sa hot, is mek ya ‘jerk’. Look, today is Sundee, behave.

  17. J Avatar
    J

    Home made seasoning Bonny. Herbs (not herb) grown with my own hands and prepared in my own kitchen.

    Nothing but the Sunday best for me and my family.

    Pass by anytime. It should be finished about 5:00 p.m.

  18. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    This post makes little to no sense, and I have difficulty understanding why David/BU thought it necessary to revisit this topic.

    What is the significance of whether or not the leader of the opposition spoke to Martindale or not? Did the PM’s Senior Political Advisor not spoke to Ms. Martindale, and if a political advisor can why not the opposition leader?

    Mr. Henry’s call clearly was intended to influence the Nation’s Sunday Sun.

    Is there a need for a recording or evidence given Mr. Henry’s lucid piece carried here on BU? After all here is what he admitted to saying:

    “the whole of Barbados will come to understand how it is that, a particular individual can have unfettered access to a known publication.”

    The question is whether or not that constitutes a threat or attempted blackmail, not who spoke to who, who was there or if a recording was made.

    Meanwhile BTA workers are being sent home, NCF employees are being scrutinized and government stumbling all over their own feet with the UDC affair, which has seen the number of UNQUALIFIED members of staff to be dismissed falling rapidly from 21 to 4, while an unqualified board member is appointed Deputy Director.

  19. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Enuff

    You got me here filled with disbelief.

    When this incident happened didn’t you think then that it was of super importance and that Journalism in Barbados was under threat?

    Now you are telling us you can’t see why David wanted to revisit the issue.

    Ha.Ha.

  20. Bonny Peppa Avatar
    Bonny Peppa

    J
    5:pm? Dah is time fa suppa not dinna.
    Nice way ta uninvite me. Is aaighttttttt.

  21. Carol Avatar
    Carol

    David,

    I agree with you and not Kim “J” Young who writes as she un-thinks! I have met and worked with Hartley Henry, Kim J Young and Carol Martindale.

    Kim has the worst reputation of all. It is bad, bad, bad. Ask Kerrie Symmonds for one. But there are many others: Forbes Smith. Remember him? I stop there for breath.

    Carol is a child in a woman’s body – silly, petulant and empty. Currently she is looking for sympathy but I wonder if the lady whose marraige she recently broke up with five children deserves sympathy too? She needs the Lord.

    Hartley is doing his job. A little agressively I think, but he is doing the job that all political operatives do.

    Go down the recent list of Prime Minister’s press operatives: Denzil Agard, Desmond Bourne, Mackie Holder, Vic Hinkson. Rapists, child-molesters, homosexuals, theifs.

    Boy, do we have a great reputation in Barbados.

  22. J Avatar
    J

    Bonny Peppa wrote “5:pm? Dah is time fa suppa not dinna…Nice way ta uninvite me. Is aaighttttttt.”

    Whatever you call it the baked pork went down nice, nice with breadfruit coo-coo make with mellow yellow meat breadfruit and some freshly picked okras on the side.

  23. Bonny Peppa Avatar
    Bonny Peppa

    Carol,
    ‘she writes as she un-thinks’. Ya bad. Trust BU ta bring out de best in we. I luv um bad. Long live BU.

    J,
    Yellow, mellow meat breadfruit coocoo pun a SUNDEE? No man, not fa me. I like de traditional rice n’ peas boe. Guess it went down good anyway.

  24. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Carol

    David does not beleieve J is kim young.Lol.

    A kim young sent a post saying she is not J.

    But boy do they have some similarities in their political views.LOL

  25. Pat Avatar
    Pat

    @ Bonnie Peppa

    I like J!. I had spare ribs, steamed okras grown in my garden, two slices sweet potato with eggplant,carrots, bok choy, mushroom and water chestnuts – stir fried with ginger, garlic and peanuts. For dessert a julie mango.

    I got breadfruit coo-coo in the fridge from during last week. No rice for me today.

  26. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @Anonymous
    ..you too wicked!!!

    …..but did you note that Kim Young sent her denial immediately after it was pointed out to ‘J’ that her protest about not being Kim did not make sense…and that it should have been the other way around…. ROTFL

  27. J Avatar
    J

    Dear Bush Tea:

    Do you really thing that that English girl Kim J. Young can cook breadfruit coo-coo?

    I cooked breadfruit coo-co today.

    I am NOT Kim J. Young.

  28. sad Avatar
    sad

    When will the pettiness end?

  29. Bonny Peppa Avatar
    Bonny Peppa

    Pat,J
    Just doan invite me at wunna fa Sundee lunch, ok? I like my rice n’ peas, veggies, baked chicken n stuffin. Anotha ting, I don’t use gravy. Neither do I eat n’ drink. Before I eat, I take a glass of water not too cold and after lunch another glass of water. Not into de fancy drinks.
    Wunna cud invite me a day in de week soul.

  30. Pat Avatar
    Pat

    @ Bonny Peppa

    Sundee just like any other day to me. Went to the store to get a fish head, but had to return she, it was off. So de spare ribs.

    In the week, you may get yuh rice with mustard greens or callaloo and turkey breast, with salad and veggies. I dont use gravy either, unless I cook stew or curry chicken.

    Depending pun the day, the carb may be cassava. Good for you, complex carb, high firbre.

    I dont eat and drink either. Before I eat, I have a cup of tea, usually herbal or earl grey with a few drops of milk. I dont like my water cold either. Always room temperature. That way, the body does not have to warm it up before it gets into my system.

  31. Bonny Peppa Avatar
    Bonny Peppa

    Pat
    Your life sure sounds exciting man. Grow your own produce and just go to the ‘shore’ for ya fishes. That’s the life man.

  32. Bonny Peppa Avatar
    Bonny Peppa

    Pat,
    Sorry, thought you said ‘shore’ but now I realise you said ‘store’. Thought you were referring to the wharf for fresh fish but when you said it was ‘off’ I had to bouble check.
    Gettin sleepy.

  33. Avatar
    Anonymous

    Bush Tea

    Yes Indeed.

    I am still laughing.

    Too sweet.

    The story of the great impostor will be written one day on this great blog.

  34. J Avatar
    J

    I like my water a room temperature too, and no gravy for me either.

    I like to grow, cook and eat my own food. The okras, sweet peppers and pumpkin that I ate today were grown by my own hands. The herbs used for seasoning too.

    Nothing petty about working hard in the fresh air and sunshine.

    Nothing petty about healthy cooking and healthy eating.

    Nothing petty about keeping my blood pressure, blood sugar and blood cholesterol numbers low.

    Nothing petty about not smoking.

    Nothing petty about never getting drunk (ok, ok I was drunk once 31 years ago)

    Nothing petty about walking several miles every day.

    By doing these things I might be saving the government up to $52,000 per year.

    If I remember correctly, the Minister of Health said recently that it costs that much for each dialysis patient each year.

    I think that I’ll stick to my pettiness.

    And NO. I am NOT Kim Young.

    And NO I am not a BLP (or DLP) member or supporter either.

  35. Avatar
    Anonymous

    David,
    Hartley admitted to the threat and carried it out with your help! The conversation has been confirmed by Henry’s words and actions.

    Whether there was a recording or a witness is now immaterial as Henry has confirmed the threat.

    Hence it would be difficult to say that the Nation could be sued as Henry has confirmed the threat.

    As to whether she had a conversation with Mia or not is of no bearing that I can see. (who knows perhaps it was recorded ; or witnessed?)

    I’m not sure what you are trying to achieve with this article, but you facts you seem to be trying to tie together have all been superseeded by the article published here by Henry.

    The threat was confirmed by Henry and effectively carried out, I’m a bit at a loss to see how you can say it was misunderstood or “much ado about nothing” the smoking gun is here for all to see.

  36. David Avatar
    David

    @Anonymous Submitted on 2009/09/06 at 9:17pm
    Are you saying that the Nation will use the blog under Henry’s name as evidence in a court case?

  37. Wishing In Vain Avatar
    Wishing In Vain

    TheNation is a rag paper, think about it who is Chairman of this group of compaines the former head of the Senate Sir Fred Gollop a die hard BLP operative, you expect better from them at ONE CARIBBEAN MEDIA ?

    I would say that you would have to joking to think as much, with he being in constant contact with the 1000 LBS OF BLUBBER MOTTLEY everyday would you expect honest reporting??

    They have the distinct knack of wrongly reporting or in some cases not reporting at all, on some stories that do not serve their mission, this is where they fall down badly.

  38. Wishing In Vain Avatar
    Wishing In Vain

    All Hartley asked of the Nation is to report to the people of Barbados truthfully and honestly but not even that could they do with honesty.

    Let them keep taking the time from Gittens, Mottley and Gollop and lets see how many readers they will have a year from now.

  39. Wishing In Vain Avatar
    Wishing In Vain

    David,

    How do you know that the article submitted to you was a true representation of Hartley’s story it may have been edited and sent to you, so how then can Hartley be said to be the author of the article anyway??

  40. **Adviser to the President** Avatar
    **Adviser to the President**

    why are people trying to destroy Barbados ? -who people ? -check and see-but you all will not succeed -you will destroy yourself instead. Where is the Love ???

  41. Checkit-out Avatar
    Checkit-out

    BU;

    This article has a photo of Roxanne Gibbs an Editor of the Nation Newspaper. Is she the author of of the article? If not, why is her picture given such prominence? Is this a hint of the identity of the alleged third member of the HH outed triangle or just mischief?

    Is Hartley Henry’s defence going to be that he did’nt write the BU version of the article outing the Nation Staffers? If He did’nt write it, who did? BU?

    Is there a closer CONNECTION than meets the eye between HH and BU?

  42. J Avatar
    J

    Yes.

  43. J Avatar
    J

    Wishing In Vain wrote on September 6, 2009 at 10:27 PM…TheNation is a rag paper, think about it who is Chairman of this group of compaines the former head of the Senate Sir Fred Gollop a die hard BLP operative”

    I just get the feeling that you Wishing In Vain wants to be Chairman, but in this case boy ya really Wishing in Vain.

  44. Avatar
    Anonymous

    David,

    the blog would stand as evidence in the case as indeed it is a public statement. Henry has not repudiated the blog as being inaccurate and a court could reasonably say in the absence of such a repudiation that Henry made the comments.

    As far as WIV’s comments are concerned….”All Hartley asked of the Nation is to report to the people of Barbados truthfully and honestly” why was it necessary to threaten the editor?

    Either way court of law or no, I don’t think we’ve seen the end of this saga by any means.

  45. Anon Avatar
    Anon

    Excellent article, David. Pity your questions don’t seem to be getting addressed at all. Seems like a lot of red herrings being drawn in here to cover some political backsides.

    I don’t care what Miss Martindale and Mia may or may not do together on a personal level in private. I know Mia and I like her a lot as a person, even if I do not like her politics. Her private life, as long as she keeps it private, is her own business.

    What I do object to is exactly what you said, David. On the basis of what evidence has the Nation acted as it has.

    We know that the Nation deliberately refuses to publish matters of national interest, claiming, falsely, that they are either sub judice or some such garbage.

    It would be poetic justice if, in rushing to print in this manner to protect Miss Martindale, they have actually breached the very same laws that they usually try to hide behind when they fail to print stories for which they could NOT be sued and which are of FAR greater importance that who is alleged to be wickin who.

    So, folks, instead of all the political partisan garbage that you are writing, why not ask the same questions as David – questions that, if we fail to ask, will have us living in a dictatorship instead of a democracy.

    Again, David, well done. VERY well done!!!

  46. Wishing In Vain Avatar
    Wishing In Vain

    David, well done. VERY well done!!!

    And I fully agree Well Done!!!

  47. spider Avatar
    spider

    Individuals in Barbados needs to stop pulling down one another the fact of the matter is that he threatened Ms Martindale and he himself confirms it whether she broke up a marrige or sleeps with who ever does not make what the political Advisor did correct and the Prime Minister should distants himself from it. Otherwise his integrity will be in question.

  48. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    Who isOwen really addressing his comments to? Was Mia in the attendence?

    …………..I want to say this, that I was elected by the people of St. Peter to serve and I shall serve and if it is in my judgement that the circumstances facing my country and my party requires that I continue to serve, I shall run again! It is not a judgement that I would form lightly…” he declared.

    http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=local&NewsID=5980

    I thin he has caused more questions to be ask. Maybe this is his intent.

  49. sylvan Avatar
    sylvan

    the talk out there is that carol call mia in st kitts . why she call mia? she was worry about the poll that say arthur more popular? people in the nation talking. they ass exposed.

  50. DLP Supporter Avatar
    DLP Supporter

    What Ms Martindale has accused HH of is what he does in the other Caribbean countries that goes into and get involved in their politics. That is why he lost his last three elections and will lose the fourth one he is working on in St Kitts. HH feels he is above the law because he is an adviser for PM Thompson. Can someone please tell him to get off his high horse before its too late?

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