Submitted by Hamilton Hill
The Hon Steve Blackett, Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development.

One of Country & Western’s most prolific song writers the late Bill Andersen once wrote a song called “Where Have All The Heroes Gone”. While listening to that song not long ago,the sense of frustration that I had subconsciously buried for quite some time, fought its way back to the top of my thought process, bringing to the fore this question.

Where have all the stalwarts of the DLP gone?

With such history, such a glowing legacy of performance in the name of nation building, why now do we seem so hell bent on gifting away the reign of leadership, as was done in 1994? Old sea dogs the likes of Greaves, the both of them and others like Branford Taitt, F.G.Smith, Keith and Erskine Simmonds must make sure that the gaffe of 94 remains a haunting memory never to be repeated.

If such must obtain then they must assume leadership of a vessel that for the most part gives the appearance of a rudder-less craft aimlessly sailing the choppy waters of this economic storm. For the most part the First Officer Mr. Finance Minister still has our confidence. Of grave concern however is the epidemic of verbal diarrhoea that seemingly is now the crew’s affliction. Dennis Kellman….almost every day. Minister Blackett who needs to be told that he spoke out of turn {dat shit you talk, shouldda come from Fruendel} and then the AG who chose to call David Ellis, who is chomping at the bit (de same one Fruendel spit) to hold feet to the fire. How do they not see that their actions seem to suggest abandon ship? Is it that or is it every man brek fa e self?

History tells that practitioners of media matters are usually unkind to the uncooperative so PM Stuart by now must have realized that print or electronic, he is no media darling. Truth be told the daily that reaches the greatest audience in this country could not care less about the cries of slanted journalism, for theirs is an agenda that has been hidden as carefully as Santa’s Christmas list.

Its subsidiary sibling Starcom Network has of late taken a stance that paints a bull’s eye on the back of this administration.That however has come with the unsolicited assistance of some whose actions do nothing more than befuddle their very own support base. One Minister making a total and complete ass of himself, speaking not only out of turn but to an issue clearly outside of his portfolio. Another making idle threats. “If I don’t get this, that and the other I will resign as Minister. “Yet another making an agreement to sit with David Ellis to talk about remarks made about the Four Seasons. WARNING…..Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter. Any other is not in this Government’s best interest. Not at this time. Not with this man, for he is still chomping at the bit waiting to or perhaps hoping to make prey of the Silent Knight.

Then there was the press conference given to which they were not invited. Does this government know which station rules the roost with almost every demographic in Barbados? The Voice Of Barbados. Not only was this action wrong, the excuse given insulted simple intelligence. Even if the OCM sponsored the last CADRES poll, even if Ellis and Co. know just how their bread is buttered, even if they were promised a television station via an Owen Arthur’s quid pro quo, this ship needs to change course, or captain or both, or another Bill Andersen song shall be sung by all. “You Made It Easy”.


  1. Seems like Gypsy was spot on……”Captain this ship is sinking”…..FAST….lol
    Hammie’s own morse code…__.DIT DIT DIT DA DA DIT DIT DIT._ interpreted..SOS (Save Our Souls).


  2. Mr Hill you would find it very difficult to identify any significant policy or programme introduced by any DLP administration since losing power in 1976 which was to the benefit of the country at a national level. The DLp has since 1976 thrived on the massive goodwill garnered from those passport bearing followers indoctrinated in the the forum of the DLP academy of politics and loyal well meaning apologists like yourself. Take for instance this present crop who are only masquerading as standard bearers of a once proud flagship; your comments suggest that you are ashamed of them. what then are you asking of others?


  3. “For the most part the First Officer Mr. Finance Minister still has our confidence.”

    How could this be when he admittedly was part of the mutiny as the leader of the Eager 11?


  4. @ balance..I am not as ashamed as I am afraid of the alternative.I think that any group that has the combination of Owen Arthur,Noel Lynch and Clyde Mascoll is one that raises concern for a great many bajans. As to what I ask of others,let love of this land supersede political affiliation,be willing to call out for their short comings those you support,and remain mindful of the fact that in Barbados whether you are B or D,unless you have political connections you are just another bajan.Work to change that.


  5. @Enuff…And how you know that the eger eleven does not have our sanction?Ya mean it dat bad ya caan even ask for a meeting?


  6. “For the most part the First Officer Mr. Finance Minister still has our confidence.”

    Depends on who you ask.

    “let love of this land supersede political affiliation,be willing to call out for their short comings those you support,and remain mindful of the fact that in Barbados whether you are B or D,unless you have political connections you are just another bajan.Work to change that.”

    Well said, I concur. Let’s hope others can rally to the cause.


  7. and when you think of the alternative there is really no hope. “god help us all”


  8. @ac
    If you believe that (as you should) that’s why the current government should be fighting tooth and nail, doing what’s right, good and best to ensure that the alternative isn’t foisted on the electorate instead of the constant display of gaffes, foul-ups, bleeps and blunders.


  9. @ac
    .Last elections DLP fool the people wid “Better Days are Coming”…..since then Blackette went on Brass Tacks and apologize for scam. Now the ship leaning starboard…..what Jimmy Cliff tune you all planning to play?…”Hard Road to Travel” or ” I Can see Clearly Now “?….what Hammie sounding more and more like this morning is… “Every Tub”…lol


  10. @Hamilton

    What are your thoughts on the outbursts from Blackett, Estwick, Brathwaite et al when one considers that under Thompson it would likely not have occurred. One remembers Estwick coming out a couple years ago speaking to the need for a public sector wage freeze and Thompson jumping in by using euphemistic language; in essence slapping him down (not to say that many didn’t agree with Estwick). What does it say about Stuart’s hold on the Cabinet?


  11. It says, murder we up shite street! Somebody help!


  12. @ David..Go back to the article. De same bit dat Freundel spit.Can anyone see it any other way?Just to think that even before the passing of David Thompson there was once a movement fo Mr.Stuart to lead.Now he is at front,but is he leading?When the obvious consensus in the country is that He needs to speak to the people more regularly,and he chooses to ignore such what do you expect the people to do?


  13. @Caswell

    Congrats on getting your own column in the Nation newspaper. we know from others that this means you have to give them right of first passage. Have to say though BU is a little disappointed that you have decided to enter the political fray. It appears you want to follow in the footsteps of the late Frank Walcott, Sir Leroy, Denis Clarke, Bobby Morris et al.

    http://www.nationnews.com/articles/view/frankly-speaking-barbados-deserves-better/


  14. At every turn the DEMS getting help from the media. It seems so clear that David Ellis is trying everything to improve the image and public relations of the DLP. I just wondering why VOB is allowing VOB Brass Tacks to be used for DLP promos cause after all they have CBC Radio and TV.

    My feeling is if it is commission paid jobs or paid advertisements say so.
    VOB wunnah encouraging them too much on the air.

    Government ministers need to let actions speak louder than words, notice this fool hey ain’t say let inaction speaker louder wid words.
    Work,work,WORK to be done.

  15. Observing (and polling) Avatar
    Observing (and polling)

    @david
    How many barbadians truly believe that Stuart has a hold on cabinet?


  16. If Owen arthur had such a hold on his cabinet why did he have to get blind drunk to call Ministers at 4am to bewze them. Why not bewze them sober at Cabinet. Why Owen hide behind assasins G Pain Gale Marshall Glyne Clarke to oust Mia. Why he didnt confront her. Why Owen dont attend Parliament the whole of Barbados say its because he does shit he pants in gear when he see Chris Sincker and Estwick. The answers my friend a re blowing in the wind.


  17. @observin (you really need to use a name which you know does not conflict with others)

    The point here is that Arthur’s cabinet rarely showed public dissent.

  18. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ David | August 12, 2012 at 10:19 AM |

    A fair and balanced assessment by Caswell of the state of modern politics in Bim.
    I like his style of writing; full of imagery and innuendo.

    Congrats, Caswell! Well done!
    Now complete the circle of criticism and analysis by proffering some proposals that can form the basis of solutions to our sorry state of political and economic affairs.


  19. @ Observing
    Now you showing your true colors……You could talk all the shite ya like but come elections morn …ya belly gine hurt ya…that’s fa sure….Gorilla piss and water don’t change reality….even if you is ona DEM sojourn boys.


  20. It is very disturbing to hear how the Commissioner of Police is being frustrated by the Police Commission.


  21. @David

    how is the cop being frustrated by the PSC, would u care to elaborate?


  22. @To the point

    If you attended the BLP political meeting last night it was revealed by Dale Marshall that the COP has requested meetings with the PAC and has not been given an audience while junior members in rank and Bertie Hinds have not suffered the same.


  23. The DLP needs to find itself a definition beyond being “the party of Errol Barrow”. It has never recovered from his loss. Had DAvid Thompson lived it is possible that it may have found such a definition but that was nt the case.

    For the second time in its history, the DLP is being led in Government by an individual whose main criteria for selection was that he was so lacking in leadership qualities that he was unlikely to challenge the PM for the top spot. For the second time in its history Barbados is paying the price for weak leadership


  24. How long does it take for green mangoes to ripen….5 years?

    Excuses about green horns don’t cut it…never did…you don’t take your vehicle to experimental mechanics do you ?


  25. @onions
    you should know the difference between observin and Observing. 🙂

    @David
    The DLP have handed their opponents fodder. Dale and the police. Mia and CLICO. Owen and the economy. Symmonds and the dump. It’s as if they’re picking themselves off one by one.

    the DLP are now using the “we need more time,” “don’t give them back,” “we’ve done as good as we can” arguments along with the “they will send home workers.” A writer made an excellent point that the party associated with layoffs and salary cuts is the DLP. They would do well to steer clear of bringing that storyline back up and find something to truly run on. Can you imagine John Boyce attempting to boast about road works??? Seriously??
    Barbadians want intelligent politics but we’re still very much a perception politics people and the perception is fully against the party in power.

    Peter Wickham’s analysis will be interesting.

    Just ObservinG


  26. The DLP victory in 2008 went to their heads and they thought that all Barbados was behind them. the late king had all of Barbados fooled that he was so good. His plan worked, look at the near deity status he attained when he died!

    Then the DLP had no after DT plan, they allowed a dying man to still rule the DLP. Every time DT returned to Barbados from his treatments, you would hear ……. the PM is back and FS has handed back to him. Yet DT said he gave Fumble full control.

    It seemed as though they were all so afraid of DT that no one did a thing although they alone knew he was dying, because they refused for a long time to tell the whole of Barbados what was wrong. So I have no sympathy for the DLP cry babies now………like Steve Blackett and now Richard Sealy. If they had taken responsibility from the time DT was back and fro New York, their tails would not be in so much trouble now!


  27. If they had taken responsibility from the time DT was back and fro New York, their tails would not be in so much trouble now!
    *******************************
    I think it is more a case of not knowing what to do….which has extended even up until the present. They still waiting.


  28. “Then the DLP had no after DT plan, they allowed a dying man to still rule the DLP. Every time DT returned to Barbados from his treatments, you would hear ……. the PM is back and FS has handed back to him. Yet DT said he gave Fumble full control”
    What is most instructive in scheme of things was Mr Stuart’s encylical that the first time he entered the Prime Minister”s office was when on the day he was selected to be Prime Minister on the death of Mr Thompson. Then, of course Mr Stuart was no traitor.

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