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Fly-stick Trap Set For A Ground-dove: Mia Mottley Replies To Chris Sinckler In The Estimates Debate

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Submitted by Yardbroom
Mia Mottley MP

A word of explanation to this title is necessary for the benefit of non-Barbadians.  A fly-stick is a “trap” set by young boys in Barbados to ensnare wild birds, it is not a good practice, should not be condoned and can never be justified but in this scenario it serves the purpose.  The Ground-dove (Columbina-passerina) is a small bird with a gentle nature whose velvet-smooth feathers, beautiful colouring and sharp reflexes makes it a joy to behold in its natural habitat.  To wish harm to a Ground-dove is akin to one who sets out to kill a mocking bird.

Owen Arthur – The Master Tactician – with a velvet glove smoothness and a deft touch of which only he is capable, has given Mia Mottley the opportunity – we are told – to reply to Chris Sinckler in the Estimates Debate.  When the surprise of this manoeuvre left the faces of political commentators and the head scratching subsided.  The question asked was why?  To have been so daringly bold and to think beyond the expected, with the agility of mind to play a stroke of genius is why I gave Owen Arthur the title The Master Tactician some years ago.  Perhaps now at last those followers of politics in Barbados will get a deeper understanding of what I meant.

You have to make an offer in your own interest, yet so attractive that the person to whom it is made thinks it is a wonderful opportunity….pure genius.

How should Mia Mottley play this one.  She is clever that is beyond doubt and has a feel for the common touch.  She should play it from the “heart” and connect with the electorate, be statesman-like and hold her ground.  The Nation expects and Mia can deliver.

Rarely has so much rested on the words of a Barbados politician.  Many will be watching as victory will surely come to the one who plays the best hand.  As for Owen Arthur he is in the ring but there is no need for him to lace up his gloves.

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  1. Trained Economist Avatar
    Trained Economist

    There is also a limit on the extent to which prices can be passed on.

    david, do you a copy of the 2007 and 2008 estimates that you can post a link to on the site?

  2. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ Trained Economist | March 13, 2012 at 4:34 PM |
    “There is also a limit on the extent to which prices can be passed on.”

    So who bears these additional costs that according to you can’t be passed on? Subsidies by government? Under-reporting of revenues or profits for tax purposes? Who bears the increases in input prices?

  3. David Avatar
    David

    @Trained Economist

    Here are the Estimates for 2010-2011.

  4. ac Avatar
    ac

    Masterful response by trained economist. Onions and miller please read and learn., It is all about STABILTY STUPID! BTW what happened to the other calling birds like Prodigal and enuff I just can;t understand how intelligent electorate who are indeed paying for the Debt incurred by the BLP would want more of the same. Unbelievable that is why i use the term for the past 14 years as “Vodoo economics ” money borrowed , Pay back is truly in this case a S>>n of a B##ch

  5. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ David | March 13, 2012 at 4:32 PM |
    “Perhaps your way is another policy option and would have worked better in ‘time’ of plenty when ‘time’ was on our side.”

    Correctional and efficiency adjustments do not find takers in times of plenty. Remember the statement: “Money is no problem”!
    The BLP did not carry out the required ‘structural adjustments’ despite the warnings available from the1991-93 period. This present administration is following in the same footsteps or making the same moves on the economic “potta” board game. Where did the additional borrowings that were incurred since 2008 go towards” building capacity for economic restructuring and diversification or towards financing consumption-some of it glaringly conspicuous (expensive high powered petrol driven vehicles to be acquired)?

    An examination of the current estimates is indicative of the road these fellas intend to travel. Imagine keeping people and party hacks on the public payroll with nothing for them to do or materials to work with! That’s a sure sign of a government’s commitment to restructuring and repositioning and recovery of a hospitalized economy.

  6. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ ac | March 13, 2012 at 5:43 PM |
    “Masterful response by trained economist. Onions and miller please read and learn”

    When the trained economist addresses my queries about the tenders and the passing on of prices I would allow him to sit next to me in class. OK with you, ac? I will not tease him too much.
    One notices that you are all quiet on the DLP front regarding the dumping the 2008 manifesto. This is a necessary evil on your part if we are to accept the ‘trained economist’s” analysis of the new economic order. After all, it is not a contract!

  7. ac Avatar
    ac

    Miller after the DLP found the high debt left by the BLP they had little or no alternative but to ditch some of thebprograms . But the fact is the DLP with little have managed to keep this country from falling over the cliff upon which the BLP had it perched. READ LISTEN and learn from the TRAINED ECONOMIST ! even George Brathwaite has receded!

  8. ! Avatar
    !

    George Payne as usual made a total idiot of himself in his estimates presentation if we can call it that. Items that were decreased in funding, he said were increased,constantly- poor george, the sight of Mia Mottley delivering the estimates reply must have made him delusional.
    The people in Barbados realising everday that we do not need these BLP jokers.The most unimpressive BLP group ever presented to our country.

  9. G.C. Brathwaite Avatar
    G.C. Brathwaite

    @ac

    George Brathwaite does not run. GCB does not get engaged unless he beleives he must. I pick my battles and after reading so many of your comments, it makes no sense to shake you from your state of delusion. Do you not realise that foot and mouth disease is spreading fast the more the DLP persons speak? Can you imagine Hammie Lala begging that the UDC mirror the work done by Urban? Did you read The UDC Director (Derek Alleyne) interview with Tony Best? An indictment on a party that says it cares and came in to government on a mandate to reduce poverty and a mantra to create a society? What a shame. The DLP will win in Parliament for the time being on numbers, but they lose in the public’s eye on quality and substance; if you doubt me ask Kenny best and Patrick Todd. Shameful!

  10. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    We have been here before–the 2008 Estimates and Budget. These same people albeit with different ‘names’ were on this blog pontificating about the brilliance of the presentations now 5 episodes later the economic indicators are worse. Why should we believe them after FOUR previous failings? Why waste time trying to rebut the DLP apologists? This government is inept and all the spin and rehashing of the Bees’ 14 years is not changing that fact.

  11. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    @ GCB

    Thank you!
    I made the comment previously that Derek Alleyne’s comments were an admission of failure. But what do you expect from a square peg in a round hole. Stupse

  12. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    @ Trained Economist

    “with the debt overhang from the debt buildup due to the massive off budget public investment program (highway, judicial center, cost guard base, kensington and cricket world cup, prison) now brought on budget”

    Yuh hear lie…that is lie.

  13. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    Enuf..dun know he is a POSER..

  14. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    @ac..ya see you..you gine suffer cuz ya hard ears…..trained economist wah ask he to differentiate this

    14 x to the power of 3dy to the power of y sq..watch the imposter reel

    time to show ya metal economist…….

  15. Regina Avatar
    Regina

    So Marshall get FIRED after the NIS disburst the millions of dollars, how much did the crazy professor manage to stuff in his pockets before bidding farewell to the project?

    And to think people actually believed DT was really concerned about the project.

  16. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    Regina ….baby DEM got nuff plans fa dat money….ya aint hear the end of it…..it would be as expected …..going with grain of things under this administration…if Marshall was a real man he would blow the whistle pun DEM.
    This most scandalous scope of things will be but another NAIL in the coffin…BUT ya know what is the best JOKE..they say they want another TERM…..lol

  17. Prodigal Son Avatar
    Prodigal Son

    Miller, old onions,

    But look how the Dems destroy their own. Look how unceremoniously they dumped Phony Marshall. A man who for years defended them to the hilt on Brasstacks and carried the party flag on VOB for years especially during 2007 and 2008.

    That’s the Dems for you. He cannot go back to VOB now either, cause a few people like Verney Hinds, Ms P etc fill up Phony’s head with crap that he is the best moderator making him think that he was special. He stupidly demanded a bigger pay from VOB than the other moderators, so they cut him too.

    But aint Chris Sinckler a BIG fat liar? I quite remember him saying that the investment committee rejected the Four Seasons request to invest in that project and he had therefore requested the board to re-consider their decision. Low and behold, the big fat liar said he never pressured the board to invest in Four Seasons. How these people can tell so many bold faced lies?

    David, could you re post that thread where you had a photo with Phony and the board on the balcony of Government Headquarters waiting to go into meeting with the MOF so that the readers can been refreshed. Next day, the board announced the decision to invest.

    I hope the voters deal with Esther Byer Suckoo. Waste of space.

  18. Prodigal Son Avatar
    Prodigal Son

    @ac
    “BTW what happened to the other calling birds like Prodigal and enuff………………………………………….

    By the way ac, I have a life. Unlike you I cannot live on the computer like you do defending the indefensible!

  19. ac Avatar
    ac

    and how about how the blp destroyed Eastmond!

  20. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    @ ac

    Stop telling lies and being insensitive to Mr. Eastmond’s health. I never knew the BLP had the power to make someone diabetic.

  21. Prodigal Son Avatar
    Prodigal Son

    Each person is responsible for their own health. The BLP cannot be held responsible if Rawle did not take his medication, eat right and exercise. Come on ac, I know that you aint so stupid to believe that even though you wrote that crap above!

  22. Prodigal Son Avatar
    Prodigal Son

    Did anyone else heard the Minister of Finance say that the IMF has expressed concerns about the state of the NIS funds and the “Ultra Brilliant” one said he does not have to take their advice. Shades of Sandi, wont you say.

  23. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    @ ac…..destroyed ?… what foolishness you talking bout girl ? I think you need to read up on the goodly gentleman’s medical history….from early (before nominations) onions did tell you all how strange the man was behaving lately…but no you ac wanted to create another nothing….now you got D gall to come in here and say what ?…shameful

  24. David Avatar
    David

    Here is the link Prodigal Son:

    https://bajan.wordpress.com/2011/11/20/do-not-touch-our-blasted-nis-money/

  25. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    Marshall arise like a phoenix …..and hit DEM wid the toilet paper they left you walking out wid……trailing from your back pocket dawg…cover drive DEM fa six like D BIG Boss man miss P and the rest of the Brass Tacks family know you to be……Dem mekkin you look like a mock man ! After all the years in banking….you gine walk way so ?

  26. ! Avatar
    !

    The DLP government has done an excellent job in a very tough global economy. People of Barbados will not be fooled by the “milks and honey promises” of this BLP opposition.A BLP opposition that is clearly putting party before country.
    The Barbados economy has stabilised and our exchange rate peg has been defended.

  27. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ ac | March 13, 2012 at 6:16 PM |
    “Miller after the DLP found the high debt left by the BLP they had little or no alternative but to ditch some of the programs”

    You are implying here that the DLP was NOT knowledgeable of the country’s indebtedness when your “damn L party” compiled their manifesto of pie -in-the-sky promises. Same type of promises you are now accusing the BLP of foisting on the people to win back the reins of power.
    The position you have taken, “ac”, is tantamount to confirming that the architects of the DLP mania festering document of “cow jump over the Moon” idyllic promises leading to a pathway of economic destruction did not know anything about the fiscal and monetary health of the country. Were they not reviewing the estimates all during the 14 years of BLP misrule, reading the central bank reports, and relying on their own research people and analysts?
    Or you are genuinely implying that the BLP Minister of Finance in collusion with the civil servants and the Governor of the Central Bank were allegedly “cooking the books” and indulging in ‘creative accounting” pratices in order to make the administration of the day look good and smelling of roses? Now remember these same civil servants are advising the current DLP administration. Or are these members of the lot that the Minister of Labour accused of leaking information to-in your obsessive compulsive mind- the blasted lying party of 14 years vintage?

  28. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    Ester Suckoo got involved with politics for all of the right reasons. Being a community doctor in the rural districts she would have felt a need to do better for the unfortunates that she would be intimately aware of. There is no doubt that that shine has long been dulled by the paramountcy of the party agenda. If Dr Suckoo could fall to this, then surely there is absolutely NO hope of an improvement for the system that facilitates these political parities that lack so much as a legal identity …

    VOTE INDEPENDENT !

  29. David Avatar
    David

    @BAFBFP

    You are correct about Suckoo, she is now happily chirping the party song. We expected better from someone who is not a lawyer or part of the status quo.

  30. ! Avatar
    !

    The BLP has not offered one single proposal for the sustainable growth of the Barbados Economy- Not One!
    Do not look for any either because there is no new infusion of talent or ideas in this BLP piss poor group of candidates.
    Will you place your hope in Wuk Fa Wuk to lead us out of recession, for Owen Arthur and Muscle Lynch to champion integrity legislation, for Dale Marshall to reform our legal process.
    People please!
    This is the worst group of BLP candidates ever presented to the people of Barbados.
    They beleive that all they have to do is shout CLICO ! Parris! and people will run and put them back in office.
    Bajans are not that stupid. Anybody who seriously believes that this current BLP group will usher in some new reformist agenda surely needs an urgent visit to Black Rock.
    You can put your hope in many things but to beleive that the BLP has some miracle solutions out there that Obama, Cameron and noone else in Caricom can see is the height of delusion.

  31. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @old onion bags | March 13, 2012 at 10:05 PM |
    “Dem mekkin you look like a mock man ! After all the years in banking….you gine walk way so ?”

    Looking like a mock man? He is a ‘mock’ man! All those simple, naive listeners to Brasstacks who looked up to Schoolmaster marshal(l) as a man of principles and high ethics must be plugging their ears in anger at this revelation of the true character of the man. Cast in a miniature mould of D T design this hypocrite would fly away like the bird representative of his former master/employer and similar to the legendary phoenix has to wait for 5,000 years ever to rise again on the high platform of compunction, decency and integrity in public life.
    You can bet he would go into hiding like a loopy dog with his embarrassingly stinky tail between his legs still begging for morsels from the rotting once-fatted calf.

  32. David Avatar
    David

    @!

    Don’t be politically naïve, Arthur will likely deliver his strategy on the campaign. Why would he force it now when the popularity of the BLP is ascending?

  33. BAFBFP Avatar
    BAFBFP

    @ David

    Tony Marshall deserves some special mention on your blog … Did he chose to fall on his sword…? Is he really that committed to the Party or just plain old dumb …?! Bring an article man …

  34. ! Avatar
    !

    @David
    The popularity of the BLP is ascending based on what scientifc evidence?

  35. Trained Economist Avatar
    Trained Economist

    If we are talking about restructuring the economy the use of the St. Joseph hospital for medical progress certainly qualifies as progress. But that would be giving the DLP some credit.

  36. ! Avatar
    !

    @David
    If the “annointed” spokesman for the BLP on the economy is given a free space weekly in the most popular paper in Barbados and he has not put forward one propsal for sustainable growth for the last 4 years but just criticises everything the government does, why should the BLP be taken seriously?
    Are you suggesting that the BLP either has no ideas or they have decided to put party interest before national interests?

  37. David Avatar
    David

    @!

    It is anecdotal of course but BU suspects a scientific poll will confirm our position when one is done. Bear in mind a few polls done by CADRES at a constituency level last year confirmed similarly.

    As far as putting forward ideas when in opposition all manner of promises can be made e.g integrity legislation and FOI in 100 days etc. It is all about stratigizing to win in a Westmister System of government which breeds adversarial politics.

  38. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ Trained Economist:
    “with the debt overhang from the debt buildup due to the massive off budget public investment program (highway, judicial center, cost guard base, kensington and cricket world cup, prison) now brought on budget”

    Before you carry on with your politically biased analysis of fiscal and financial management of the public sector resources you need to appreciate that there are some readers on this blog who are just as savvy and technically knowledgeable as you or even better through experience and training.
    So don’t let the massaging of your intellectual ego by “ac” and “!” go to your head and reveal your true level of academic training and understanding.
    So please tell us what do you mean by the phrase “now brought on budget” as quoted in the statement above?
    Actual expenditure is NOT brought on Budget but “Brought to Book”. In other words, recorded in the accounts and reported in the financial statements as Capital Expenditures or Long-term Assets financed by borrowings, accumulated surplus or cash holdings.
    So please explain exactly what you mean by ‘bringing these capital investment (CAPEX) programmes on BUDGET’.

    If you are a genuinely trained economist, then do not do an “ac” and become a “dc” by ducking the question. At least do a ‘justin robinson’ and shed a bit of light on this “On Budget” public finance & accounting technique.
    We will be most impressed if you were to respond with the same alacrity as you normally do with your counters to protect the projected image of a scintillating performance an excellent record set by the current Minister of Finance.

  39. Prodigal Son Avatar
    Prodigal Son

    @! | March 14, 2012 at 8:51 AM |

    “The BLP has not offered one single proposal for the sustainable growth of the Barbados Economy- Not One!
    Do not look for any either because there is no new infusion of talent or ideas in this BLP piss poor group of candidates”………………..

    Let’s compare the BLP crop with with “talent” of the DLP in the likes of …………..Freundel Stuart, Kenny Best, George Hutson, Haynesley Benn, Chris Sinckler, Maxine MCClean, Harry Husbands, Irene Sandiford, Stephen Lashley, Patrick Todd, Steve Blackett, Esther Byer Suckoo, Michael Lashley, John Boyce, Dennis Lowe, Jepter Ince, David Estwick, Ronald Jones………………….want me to go on and on!!

  40. Trained Economist Avatar
    Trained Economist

    I must admit I like your posts Miller and i would love to fire one with yu in teh pub along with a vigorous exchange of views

    By brought on budget I mean that once the projects are brought to book, the debt service and amortization for these projects is now reflected as part of the estimates and not hidden “below the line” as the public finance people like to say.

    As former President of the Barbados Economic Society Winston Moore has pointed out part of the reason for the larger deficit is the fact that we can now observe it on the books of the government.

    But Miller as a fair minded and clearly very knowledgeable person ( cannot assume a fella) I find yu are sidestepping the issue of the fact that without much fanfare we seem to be developing the makings of a medical tourism industry. maybe its happening despite the DLP, but its happening under their watch.

  41. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    @ Miller
    I say again ..like D flystick HOLD Marshall…looka mah crosses….who next ?

  42. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @Trained Economist | March 14, 2012 at 11:17 AM |
    “I find yu are sidestepping the issue of the fact that without much fanfare we seem to be developing the makings of a medical tourism industry.”

    Reporting expenditure below the line as on-going special projects or work in progress and their subsequent re-classification to above-the-line fixed assets is just a matter of accounting reclassification of expenditure. The point is that the expenditures in whichever accounting presentation were reported in the books of the executing agencies.
    The financial controllers responsible for the preparation and reporting of the various departments, boards and agencies accounts according to generally accepted accounting principles established for the Public Sector should be the ones to come under the spotlight; not the politicians. Unless you are implying that the political directorate “forced” by threats the technocrats to engage in public accounting gymnastics. Please don’t get tarnish with the ac brush!

    Since you seem a have a basic understanding of the workings of government you would appreciate that ‘government’ is a ‘continuity’ under our Westminster form of governance.
    Liabilities incurred and contracts entered into in good faith under previous party administration must be honoured. A similar commitment applies to those projects started or in the pipeline. As long as these projects and proposals are in the public and taxpayers interests they should be undertaken in principle even if major adjustments or tweaking might be required. Medical tourism as part of the International Business portfolio has its genesis under the tenure of the previous administration. The St. Joseph hospital was always earmarked for this kind of development. Same thing will happen when this present administration demits office. Any viable project conceived by the technocrats during the last 5 years would not be foolishly cast aside. Any BLP incoming administration would hopefully have learnt from their previous mistakes as in the case of the St. John’s polyclinic. One would not make references to any viable projects conceptualized and started under the previous BLP administration but discarded by the present DLP administration out of sheer political expediency or in the interest of slaughtering and divvying up the fatted calf to only those carrying the party colours. That would be perpetuating the same “hiddy biddy shut your lap tight, tight” merry-go-round political game this country can least afford at this crucial and highly dangerous crossroad on its journey of economic development.

  43. ac Avatar
    ac

    The only naievete would be those that believe that the BLP has some secret potion to fix the economy which they are going to revealed when campaigning what abunch of bull as it is now the only ammunition they are using is CLICo and before the election that would be a clsoe window because the govt wouldhave taken care of that. now again they have gone back to thje AX issue.all in an attempt to poison the minds of the electorate who are seeking solUtions and not a song and a dance.

  44. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    @ ac
    Why you don’t just do like Ester Buyer Suckoo..and start attacking the voters ? All ya like DOGS..biting at one nudda tails….This happens when you have nothing else to say …

    Ac ______like he forget STAGE II…the teachers still pun DISPATCH ?

  45. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    @ !
    They beleive that all they have to do is shout CLICO ! Parris! and people will run and put them back in office.
    *******************************
    My man ..I go ask you ONE question…..where the $3.3 million money trail lead ?…I will not CHEAT , LIE OR STEAL….ok

    HUSH !

  46. Observing (not to be confused with Observer) Avatar
    Observing (not to be confused with Observer)

    @ac
    “the only ammunition they are using is CLICo and before the election that would be a clsoe window because the govt wouldhave taken care of that. now again they have gone back to thje AX issue.all in an attempt to poison the minds of the electorate who are seeking solUtions and not a song and a dance.”

    You promising a CLICO solution? wow.
    The only one that needs to go back to the AX issue is the PM.

    Bear in mind in both these and other cases, these are opposition fodder avoidably created by the government.

  47. ac Avatar
    ac

    @ Observing(NOT Observer)

    Really how convient ! Is that so! only a BLP would refuse to connect the BLP incompetence and the pass that was given to CLICO under OSA!

  48. ! Avatar
    !

    SincKler stated in the house today that the BLP was actively soliciting the big boys at CLICO weeks before the last election for cheques and funding.
    If you listen to the BLP yardfowls on this blog, you would think that the BLP never took money from CLICO and certainly not recently.
    Owen Arthur is a national disgrace. He should apologise to the CLICO policyholders for his continued lies and deception. He will be exposed.Only a fool would beleive anything lying Owen Arthur says.
    I know Mia Mottley does not beleive him. She knows him better than most and she would never publicly endorse his character with a staright face.

  49. Observing (I am not observer) Avatar
    Observing (I am not observer)

    @!

    on one hand, soliciting 300,000 and losing government..on the other hand, accepting a few million and winning and then going on to…… well…history is still being written.

    I don’t think you want to use this as an argument. Was disappointed that Chris did too. It’s weak, and coming a this stage in the debate exposes the lack of abundant “ammunition” to fight the CLICO storm..notice, no promise of “when” a resolution will “soon” emerge in these estimates. The DLP will have to shape the story over the next months and do a much better job of parrying the expected blows. Even then they’re still now fighting an uphill battle.

    @ac
    the current government could have shut their mouths and do due diligence when the CLICO headaches first started, thus incurring no culpability and being in a position to absolve themselves when all went to hell. Yes, the previous government have some blame to hold to, but they never promised “sound management”, “insularity from Trinidad,” at least the “principle on your investment,” a continued relationship with their “pal” and of course the “no need for judicial management at this time.”: It’s the words and illusion of impropriety that are burying the DLP and causing offense to policyholders on this on more so than the actions (or inactions). Remember, DT crucified OSA with a $75,000 check. Right now we are at 3.3M and counting. Wish ya luck defending this one.

  50. ac Avatar
    ac

    @ Observing

    Hold your horses only one horse is galloping the field with a one foot jockey!

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