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Political Spin Masters: Barbados Advocate and Nation Unite

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Austin

By way of an example yesterday I listened to the U.S anticipated Republican nominee Mitt Romney speak to Virginia voters on CNN, in the speech he stated that President Obama has weakened the U.S Navy and cited that the US Navy today has the same “number” of ships as it did in 1917 as why.  Now how in the “HELL” can a logical person compare the U.S Navy’s capabilities in 1917 to that of the U.S Navy in 2012.  One US Aircraft Carrier today carries  5,000 men onboard and enough weaponry to destroy entire nations, just one.  One nuclear submarine has enough weaponry to destroy large chucks of the earth, just one.

This kind of statement I call “Political Spin” and if politics was like Kung-fu folks like Romney would be considered “Shaolin Spin Masters”.  “Spin Masters” bank on the public not fact checking claims as the spin masters distort many realities and truths in favour of political agendas.

Likewise; In Barbados our “Politic Spin Masters” come in different forms unfortunately is has found fertile ground with both our national news papers the Nation and Barbados Advocate.   The media is supposed to offer the bajan public a wide range of viewpoints based on the truth, facts, and numbers, and cover stories from all required angles, however both the Barbados Advocate and Nation are increasingly participating in “Spin Mastery” at an unprecedented level today.  If you just used our national news papers to determine the state of our nation affairs you would be totally “fooled”.

We are seeing unprecedented partisanship coming from our national newspapers, so tell me BU what do you think the Barbados Advocate and Nation have to gain by not exposing or effectively covering the lack of leadership coming from the current DLP administration under PM Stuart?

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  1. David Avatar
    David

    @Austin

    Some would call this political spin too…lol.

  2. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    To prove what Austin? Neither you or most on this blog can do any better and this is still the only home we have…

    Mash it up for what?

  3. JUST ASKING Avatar
    JUST ASKING

    WHY will Romney fall flat on his face ??
    Because Romney is a @###%^^ (*&^%$@#

  4. Adrian Hinds Avatar
    Adrian Hinds

    Rommey is a Bussinessman, maybe he understood his audiance would rather have five dollar billS than one twenty dollar bill. One seem more than the other. LOL!

    But I ain’t understand wuh Austin was getting at.

  5. David Avatar
    David

    To all BU political bloggers check the ‘General Election’ page above suggested by Checkit-out:

    http://bajan.wordpress.com/general-election-watch/

    It is a work in progress let us have your feedback and post your comments.

    BU comments are mostly placeholders.

  6. Reginald Avatar
    Reginald

    Anybody can see and highlight problems. In fact, we Bajans are experts at that. I am still awaiting the day when we offer constructive criticism and/or solutions to the problems. For example, so many of us are complaining about the economy and lack of jobs when there is a whole big world of online business out here. Why can’t we include that in the mix? Don’t we see and understand the people all over the world are making a ‘tidy income’ from online business? Is there anything to prevent us? The Government, PM Stuart, PM Arthur or whoever else can’t and shouldn’t do everything for us.

  7. Brief Avatar
    Brief

    Austin:

    It is clear that your sin of spin mastery is effective – you made the blog and add to the Nation and Advocate.

    If not, kindly highlight the comparison to what Romney said and Obama did to Barbados’ treatment to recover debt and current results, plus short term and long term benefits based on recent reports and on the ground survey (true survey not 2 people at your home visiting).

    Other than that when I see your name I will see before reading pro-BLP anti-DLP.

  8. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    Austin

    Even though you try very hard to fool people, we all know that you are spinning for the Barbados Labour Party.

  9. NationBLPnewspaper Avatar
    NationBLPnewspaper

    “The media is supposed to offer the bajan public a wide range of viewpoints ” HA HA
    The Nation newspaper DOES NOT AGREE. The Nation has refused to allow any writer who is affiliated to the DLP ANY column in the Nation newspaper- NOT ONE!
    Apart from the usual party columns on Fridays given to both parties for the last “umpteen” years no other writer unless he is extremely critical of the DLP will get a chance to write in the Nation.
    The result is that every day the public is treated to a one sided BLP perspective with no alternative viewpoint.
    Pat Hoyos, Clyde Mascoll, Sanka Price, Ezra Alleyne, Peter Simmons,Albert Branford,Harry Russell every single week launch a barrage of one sided criticism and no alternative is presented to give readers a chance to consider the opposing view.
    Now, the BLP readers will rush to the “CBC does it too” defence but because CBC favours whichever governmnet is in power, does that give the Nation a pass to lower its standards to have their columnists push one party’s agenda exclusively? As the self acclaimed biggest paper in Barbados should they not present both sides of an issue?
    Thank heavens for the blogs like BU where different viewpoints are shared. The Nation newspaper has clearly shown that it is no longer all the paper for all the people.
    If you doubt me, tommorrow’s Sunday Nation newspaper will reinforce my point .It is now soooo predictable.

  10. David Avatar
    David

    @ NationBLPnewspaper

    Did you conveniently forget the Barbados Advocate?

  11. NationBLPnewspaper Avatar
    NationBLPnewspaper

    The Barbados Advocate was the biggest supporter of the BLP during their years in power without a doubt and as far as columnists areconcerned, there is still the column of former BLP cabinet minister and insider Philip Goddard and BLP former candidate and CEO David “Joey” Harper every week in The Advocate.

    My point is the Nation has refused to allow any columnist affiliated with the DLP to put an opposing view to Mascoll, Brandford, Sanka Price , Hoyos , etc whose weekly columns “coincidentally” have the same talking points as the current opposition leader. Clearly the Nation editors must recognise the one sided comments of their columnists which robs the public of the opportunity to evaluate different positions and perspectives.

  12. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    As long as Billie is a major shareholder of the Nation the DLP will never be represented at the Nation.

  13. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    I should have mentioned, she is one of the Founders/shareholders of the Nation.

  14. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    Nation founders:

    D. Simmons
    B. Miller
    F. Gollop
    J. Cheltenham
    P. Cheltemham

  15. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    And ladies and gentleman that was a PAID political announcement. Go collect your monthly $125 stipend Councillor.

  16. The People's Democratic Congress Avatar
    The People’s Democratic Congress

    News for many of you DLP/BLP BU commenters.

    More and more of the average Barbadian people are finding many of the actions of both the DLP and BLP to be very objectionable and unsavoury and to be disgraceful to the country.

    Too, more and more of the average Barbadian people are finding these DLP/BLP psychological mind games to be absolutely frivolous and puerile and are calling for the removal of the DLP and BLP from the political landscape of this country.

    PDC

  17. austin Avatar
    austin

    @David
    quote: Some would call this political spin too…lol.

    Sure but it’s NOT …. on the cover of a recent barbados advocate newspaper the lead article was clear spin “all is getting better in barbados” then on the last page of the same newspaper an article about “labeling your home appliances from thieves” ….

    crime rises when people are suffering – NO SPIN THERE.

  18. austin Avatar
    austin

    @Bush Tea

    Mash what up?

    My pride as a Bajan and love for Barbados is what keeps me blogging, if our national papers where more truthful with the public you would NOT here one word from me …..

    So I am going to continue to speak “truth to power” for the poor people in Barbados you always referencing….

    Mash what up ? ….. the DLP current has that job not me..

  19. austin Avatar
    austin

    quote:WHY will Romney fall flat on his face ??

    I’m not sure he will fall flat on his face (but hope he does) …. as there is a lot of real ignorant people in the US “at the moment” who just keep listen to the “spin” daily ….

    Im trying to make sure that same thing does not happen in Barbados but giving PM Stuart another term at leading this nation … He is not a leader when we need one bad …..

  20. austin Avatar
    austin

    @CCC
    quote: “Even though you try very hard to fool people, we all know that you are spinning for the Barbados Labour Party.”

    I am supporting the party that is “BEST FOR BARBADOS “AT THIS TIME” NOW THAT THE DLP HAS FAILED AND OUR PM REMAINDS MISSING IN ACTION ON KEY NATIONAL ISSUES & CHALLENGES”

    “Fact-NOT-Fiction”

    …… I have submitted a number of blog articles using facts and figures many provided by the DLP … not “ONCE” as CCC or any DLP supporters challenged the facts or the reality of our current economic challenges.

    As I have said before: “I SUPPORT WHOEVER IS BEST FOR POOR PEOPLE IN BARBADOS” and according to recent reports on poverty and the number of poor people in BIM … poverty is on the rise.

  21. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    Austin

    A political party whose claim to fame is the fact that they wasted three quarters of a billion dollars of taxpayers money during their administration of this country.

    ……and you think that they are the best for the country?

  22. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    @ Carson Cadogan
    And this current administration is wasting money on Constituency Councils particularly by paying councillors such as yourself.

  23. ac Avatar
    ac

    @ austin

    Quote: “I SUPPORT WHOEVER IS BEST FOR THE POOR PEOPLE” very generic statement. however what has “WHOEVER” as stated by you say are there plans for alleviating poor. as a matter of fact i do recall one of the members of the “WHOEVER” party clyde mascoll hinting on cutting social services which has been a thorn in that party’s arss from 2008 not to mention the disdain which the “WHOEVER party have for free bus fare for school children and the daycare programs to help cut cost for working mothers. so when you speak of the poor who do you classify as poor

  24. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    @ ac
    You are funny…….lol. Who do you think suffers more from increased bus fares, water and electricity bills, food, drugs, gas, unemployment etc?

  25. ac Avatar
    ac

    @ enuff

    good questions it stands to reason that those who could least afford them especially if there are unemployed and have to find the bus fare for their children to be sent to school.

  26. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    Austin

    An administration under whose watch the cost of land skyrocketed to the point where Black people could not afford to purchase a spot of land to erect a board and shingle house on.

    …..and you think that they are the best for the country?

  27. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    Austin

    I think that the taxpayers money spent “educating” you was wasted!

  28. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    Austin

    Can I have my money back?

  29. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    Carson
    Why you don’t park D cardboard box…..you know how to count doa ?

  30. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    old onion bags

    Wait, I thought you told DAVID frigg you and you gone for good?
    I think he is still waiting for your apology!

  31. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    I don’t suck eggs like you dawg….so I would expect you to look fa holes like that…wha happen ya frighten ?….ya runnin fa aid…Come in hay as I gone an attackin left n right..look me hay tell me wha you wanna tell mouse.

  32. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    Austin

    “SPECIAL AUDIT
    Urban Development Commission”(in Part my emphasis)

    Background Information
    During the eight years ending March 2005, the
    UDC expended over $30 million on its house
    repair and replacement program.

    Audit Findings
    (i) Over the past eight years the UDC
    spent over $30 million on its house
    repair and replacement program.
    Approximately five hundred (500)
    houses were built and eight hundred
    (800) repaired over the review period.

    (ii) The Commission did not follow a clearly
    defined process for selecting contractors
    to carry out its house repair or house
    construction programs.

    (iii) The basis on which payments were
    made to contractors was difficult to
    assess, as the scope of works was at
    times not properly defined.

    (iv) In December 2002 the Commission
    received funding of $1.5 million to
    continue activities under the National
    Assistance Board (NAB) Housing
    Program. The moneys were however
    used to fund other activities by the
    Commission

    (vii) Several houses were constructed
    without first obtaining permission from
    the Town and Country Development
    Planning Office.

    (viii) In a number of instances funds were
    disbursed without proper authorization
    and supporting documentation.

    Award of Contracts

    1.8 It was observed that a number of contracts were
    awarded without the Commission requesting competitive bids. In
    addition, while evidence was seen of one contractor being paid,
    there was no information available to show that any service was
    rendered. This related to a payment of $10,500.00 which was made
    in May 2003.

    1.9 It was also observed that a number of payments
    made to contractors were not properly authorized by the technical
    staff or certified by the accounts staff prior to payment. Relevant
    examples were provided to the Commission.

    Just bits and pieces AUSTIN.

    …..and you think that they are the best for the country?

  33. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    @ Carson
    LOL…wait what ya duz call dat….annuda… In-ran Khan….lol
    Man you like ya learning from the Bayland. ..run up and delivery annuda nuttin .lol

  34. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    This is information which the Nation never published.
    As far as the Nation was concerned this was information which the people did not need to know, right AUSTIN?

    There is lots more where that came from.

  35. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    @ ac
    Have you done any research to gather EVIDENCE to prove how many poor families are actually benefiting?

  36. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    @ Carson C. Cadogan

    Audit Findings
    (i) Over the past eight years the UDC spent over $30 million on its house
    repair and replacement program. Approximately five hundred (500)
    houses were built and eight hundred (800) repaired over the review period.

    That works out to over 3 new houses and/or repairs a week!! What is the record of the UDC over the last 4 years? You should also tell us who got the contract and how from the same UDC to refurbish the ‘Deacons Facility’.

  37. ac Avatar
    ac

    @ Enuff

    What is the point! What if there is only one does that justify discontinuing the safety net put in place and then again what if there are a million what should be the response be .all evedience gather so far as austin stated is that there is an upward trend in poverty and in as much as the BLP would have people believe the measures put place should be removed one should ask “what would happen to families who are in dire need of these services if the policies implemented to help were removed . it might not matter to those who do not need of such services but to those who do it can be a another road block put in there way;

    @ onions

    God morning bf . i see you have come out of your self imposed asylum with big rock in hand. island gal and myself had laid a table with interesting goodies for you but you have to go on that thread to pick them up, “House work by men lead to good sex”

  38. balance Avatar
    balance

    “News for many of you DLP/BLP BU commenters.
    More and more of the average Barbadian people are finding many of the actions of both the DLP and BLP to be very objectionable and unsavoury and to be disgraceful to the country.
    Too, more and more of the average Barbadian people are finding these DLP/BLP psychological mind games to be absolutely frivolous and puerile and are calling for the removal of the DLP and BLP from the political landscape of this country.”
    if you truly and passionately believe what you have posted, then join me in articulating the position that political parties and by extension politicians have outlived their usfulness and we need to usher in a new system of vernance in barbados before it is too late for redemtion. obviously, there will be those who will have opposing views to the discussion for good or ill and there will be those who will want to hold fast to their means of survival and will not entertain change but the snippets of disgust posted on the blog more frequently now tend to suggest the the winds of change for something new tahing root. it only needs people like you with a voice to come on board.to rescue barbados and indeed the entire caribbean from this lecherous system.

  39. ac Avatar
    ac

    @ balance

    O.k. John the baptist ! before one comes on board . one should know more of what thou speakest .

  40. balance Avatar
    balance

    “and you think that they are the best for the country?”
    CCC so are you saying that because millions of dollars were wasted under previous DLP administration on such laudable ventures as the coast guard station in enterprise beach, carsicott, caricargo, seafoods ltd, crematorium in warrens to name a few and the mismanagement of the economy between 87-92 that no other DLP administration should have been given an opportunity to govern the country? partisan followers need to think before they comment.

  41. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    “SPECIAL AUDIT
    Urban Development Commission”

    1.11 It was observed that approximately six hundred (600)
    firms were registered with the UDC under the House Repair and
    Replacement Program. The Commission had indicated that
    contractors are drawn from this register in alphabetical order and
    that contracts are awarded in compliance with the Financial Rules.

    1.12 An analysis of the process of allocating contracts
    between April 2002 and March 2004 was carried out. There was
    however no evidence that these contractors were selected in any
    alphabetical order. During the review period it was observed that
    more than $13.0 million had been spent on the program and that
    nine (9) contractors were awarded a significant portion of the
    allocated jobs. Details relating to the nine (9) contractors are as
    follows: –

    Out of 600 contractors, nine got the bulk of the work. I wonder why?

  42. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    AUSTIN

    “SPECIAL AUDIT
    Urban Development Commission”

    Operations Outside the Urban Area
    1.19 The Commission, in accordance with the UDC Act,
    has been given specific geographical boundaries within which to
    operate.

    1.20 A number of houses repaired were located outside
    the specified area for which the UDC has responsibility. The
    responsibility for these repairs lies with the Rural Development
    Commission.
    1.21

    Houses Built Without Planning Permission
    1.22 A number of files were examined to determine if
    permission from the Town and Country Development Planning
    Office had been obtained. The Commission could however provide
    no evidence that planning permission had been obtained. These
    cases were as follows:-
    (i) A house was constructed for an
    applicant. Planning permission to
    construct this house was denied in
    May 2002, nevertheless the
    Commission proceeded to construct the
    house.
    (ii) An application was made for renovation
    of a house. Work was carried out at the
    site that was not in compliance with the
    planning permission granted. The Chief
    Town Planner then advised that a new
    application be submitted, but there was
    no evidence available to show that this
    was done.
    (iii) A house was constructed without
    planning permission. This house was
    eventually removed by the Commission
    in 2005.
    (iv) There was no evidence to show that an
    application was submitted for the
    construction of a three-bedroom house.
    This house was nevertheless
    constructed by the Commission.

    OPERATING WITHOUT ANY RESPECT FOR THE LAWS OF BARBADOS.

    ………and you think that they are the best for the country?

  43. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    I recall not too long ago that one of the BLP jokers on this blog told DAVID that the present UDC was operating outside its geographical boundaries. Which was a lie and a whole new thread was started by him, of course after the facts were revealed it died a natural death.

    However the evidence is there that the UDC was operating outside its geographical boundaries but during the administration of the Barbados Labour Party.

    The Nation newspaper never published any of this.

  44. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    Morning Ac….lemme deal with this Cardboard they send to do a Hardwood job first..

    Carson…you fa real ?….you want to bring up dead issues I got some more recent n still stinkin for you….we heading Sin John….ya got ya pick n shovel.Tell we first bout the $10 million the ‘gone beyond’ … take up as soon as he got to Office ..and gave to CLICO…saying the Govt has so much confidence in the Company…look here, take this token of good faith …all you people that had any scares..”the company SOUND”…..All the poor souls pensioners…middle class from Clairemont, Clear View Park, West Terrace… that bought and held on to their EPR pension plans…while the unscrupulous vultures were taking out their monies thru the back door… talk bout dat Carson…WE AINT FORGET….Cadogan….you may….while you not talking ….ask D Mona Lisa (who quiet like a church mouse)….what about the $3.3 million dat pass thru DT Associates, (when the termites were moving) .if the company in St.Lucia still standing under the christian names..?..or if dem too close ?…Cardboard…ya still listening…we ent talking bout a couple million here we talking US Millions..I know you ain’t want to hear dis this morning…..”but the truth must be told” Marshall..

    Since ya talking about which contractor got all the work and none for others..what about JAXA group. ?..The Thor dat want to buy all the Almonds and the resta St Peter for laughing sport…..doa talk bout small change Carson..nah small millions in a Hardwood audit report……open the Deloitte Judicial Report…that certain people seems to loss their glasses….BIG MONEY WINE……nah 10c..wine..!..Bring up the CLICO Judicial Report fa dat !…..Man Carson dey send you (again) to get mek shame…you got to learn to say ..”NO”…how much longer you gine take such doa ?Tell DEM don’t no lil boi to do a BIG MAN job….

  45. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    “SPECIAL AUDIT
    Urban Development Commission”

    Other Issues
    1.24 It was noted that house repairs costing approximately
    $85,000 were incurred on a particular property. It should however
    be noted that the repairs far exceeded the $54,000 normally paid to
    construct a three-bedroom chattel house. In spite of repeated
    requests for information on the approval process and the criteria
    for which the client was awarded assistance, this matter has not
    been adequately explained by the Commission.
    1.25 The Commission spent approximately $91,000 to
    carry out repairs to another house. No detailed information
    was provided to indicate why the repairs required such substantial
    expenditure.
    1.26 On a number of occasions, funds from the house
    repair and replacement program were used to finance business
    ventures. Examples are as follows: –
    (i) A contractor was employed to construct
    a bar and restaurant in May 2003.
    $21,000 was spent on this project which
    was halted because there was no
    planning permission granted.
    (ii) A stall for vendors was built at a cost of
    $8,000 in May 2003
    (iii) A snackette was constructed at a cost of
    $19,473.34.
    1.27 Commercial ventures such as those listed above,
    should have been considered for financing out of the Enterprise
    Fund or referred to other lending agencies. It should be noted that
    there was no information indicating that any of the recipients were
    poverty cases. In two of the cases outlined above there were no
    files made available for audit inspection in spite of repeated
    requests.

    …..and this is the same Barbados Labour Party which is trying to fool Bajans that they should allow them to get their dirty paws back on our Treasury so that we will see more of the same again.

  46. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    Where was the Nation newspaper when Bajans needed it?

  47. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    @ Cupboards
    1.25 The Commission spent approximately $91,000 to
    carry out repairs to another house. No detailed information
    was provided to indicate why the repairs required such substantial
    expenditure.
    *******************************
    Man you is a bare joke…substantial expenditure….stupessss…dey right to mek sport at you…lol

  48. islandgal246 Avatar
    islandgal246

    AC can’t you see that de women got to have DLP or BLP pon it before de menz tek a sniff? You ent see Ole onions (welcome back from exile)does get hottt when he hear DLP and BLP? I am talking to a manufacturer to start producing a line of DLP and BLP underwear for the wives and girl friends of the menz in dis forum. It seem that will be like viagra.

  49. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    @ IslaG
    Business is business…..sex is secondary….besides Onions now cum back from a short break ..to find bare upstarts jerkin.

  50. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    Onions disrespected the blog owner, said he was going into exile.
    I brought him back out.

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