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A Call for Leadership

Submission by Barnabas Collins In our country’s present economic situation we need decisive leadership. We need leadership from some or any quarter. We are not getting any leadership from government, the central bank, the trade unions, the opposition or the private sector. Our government continues to tax and spend at our expense and just when…

Submission by Barnabas Collins
leadership

“In our country’s present economic situation we need decisive leadership”

In our country’s present economic situation we need decisive leadership. We need leadership from some or any quarter. We are not getting any leadership from government, the central bank, the trade unions, the opposition or the private sector. Our government continues to tax and spend at our expense and just when one thinks that they can’t possibly tax you anymore, gasoline and Financial Institutions are taxed. We all know how this movie will end because we KNOW that these taxes will pass on to the consumer. Therefore, the people are again being taxed. When will it end.

But we are silent because we don’t want to be victimized. I am beginning to appreciate how people like Bussa may have felt back in the days of slavery. The house slaves were not interested in causing any unrest because they were getting meals, housing and all the cushy jobs from those in charge. While the field slaves are being whipped, violated and are thinking about revolting but will not because unity of persons in Barbados only goes as far as whisperings or private mutterings. Now before someone runs off and say that I am advocating a march in the streets or something similar to the 1937 riots, I am not. I am saying we need some leadership, someone who is genuinely looking after the welfare of our citizens because at present it is about wealth and power in our parliament.

It will pretend to become about the people in 4 years time or whenever is the next election. Until then, are we going to have discussions in our houses and at water coolers about our current situation? Can someone emerge who can lead us in an economic revolt? Where are the independent economists? Where are the independent business men or is being impartial only figments of our collective imaginations and that all people come down on one side or the other? Where are the substantial public debates on our future economic health? It is frustrating to see that we cannot muster an intelligible discussion without it descending into a mudslinging act. How long are we going to be saying “I know this is not right but” this is my party.

Maybe I am asking for too much from my Barbadian brothers and sisters because in 1937, it was Clement Payne who galvanized the imaginations of the people but he was Trinidadian by birth if memories serves me correctly. Where is our next real leader? I contend he/she does not lie in our parliament. It took Rosa Parks an ordinary citizen not to sit in the back of the bus. And that sparked a somewhat peaceful revolution of change. I don’t want anyone to lose their lives or livelihood but we need a voice that is heard and be acted upon and not vilified because we have the intestinal fortitude to stand up for what we believe. Based on our current system of governance, I don’t know how forcing our leaders to hear our people will work but I want the conversation to commence. A solution to be sought. We cannot continue like how we are because even a calmest volcano possesses one violent eruption. And we can’t afford until an eruption to react because by then it will be too late.

136 responses to “A Call for Leadership”

  1. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    @ David
    That was not directed at you.

  2. robert ross Avatar
    robert ross

    Lemuel

    Yes, (with Island) it’s nice to hear you and your first post (I think) about not lifting a finger makes a lot of sense. If you know anything of Onions, do please say. I have asked on here three times now but nobody says anything.

  3. robert ross Avatar
    robert ross

    Bishop Wood’s Nation letter of Monday suggests there’s no leadership in the Church either. We’re big on “The Most Rev & Dr The Hon John W D” but small on Jesus.

  4. Gabriel Avatar
    Gabriel

    Not so ac.Bussa and Payne?Why,I recall Barrow calling Reagan a cowboy and notr a peek out of anybody.I recall Barrow flying to Cuba to meet with Castro in the early 70’s.Not a peek our of anybody.I recall the OSA administratation in this century with a very capable AG Simmonds ,wrestled the US State Department to the ground when other Caribbean like Jamaica were compliant in Shiprider.I recall an OSA administration in this century,wrestle the OECD to the ground and beat them off assisted by the very capable AG Simmonds and Senator Minister Lynette Eastmond.Its known that EWB had balls and so did OSA and his colleagues.I regret we cannot say the same for these BBH’s that call themselves a cabinet.

  5. Exclaimer Avatar
    Exclaimer

    The days of the BLP and the DLP as beacons of leadership are numbered. Barbadians remained mute, for too long, whilst those two parties pillaged, raped, looted and sold our treasures for their personal gains. One day they will have to give an account for their actions in an international court of law for their crimes against humanity.

    Now with our glasses on, we can now see that what we thought was once a robust house is now just a derelict shell. This was how it was meant to be.

    The time for recriminations should be put on hold – for now. It is time to rebuild the house. Each man and woman must rally to protect their sovereign nation. By strength of numbers you can undermine those two parties who are supposed to serve this country. Organise, engage, communicate and work together on your streets, in your community, in your village or in your town for a better Barbados. For example, do not wait for government to clean up your streets, to patch up your pavements, to clear strips of land and verges, to restore law and order, etc.

    The political consensus that we are familiar with will become obsolete if we the people unite and speak with one voice. The shady practises and corruption will come to an end. Government (BLP and DLP) are the problem. We know that when a politician opens his/her mouth that they are lying! We also know that politicians are motivated to become politicians for three main reasons: power, financial gain and to network for personal self-aggrandisement.

    Why would anybody put their faith in such charlatans?

    http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/11599231-open-letter-to-hm-queen-elizabeth-ll-of-england

  6. Gabriel Avatar
    Gabriel

    Ross
    As you know,the Archbishop is firstly,a product of St John and therefore feel duty bound to tow the political line,Secondly,you know that the man is afraid to take a stand on anything.Thirdly,you know that its church politics that put him where he is.Fourthly,you know he was never a parish priest and therefore does not know how to relate to a cure.Fifthly,the laity should have no say in who is to be appointed bishop.We witnessed naked politics and naked interference in the appointment of Rufus Theophilus such that a possible candidate was moved to comment on how CBC TV portrayed him with earmuffs on at a radio discussion as compared to Rufus Theophilus bedecked in robes like Zadok.No wonder no one respect the anglican church her any longer.You want a no nonsense priest.We have some but they are not in a position to speak or perhaps they too are so fed up with the present leadership they are driven to silence.And I do not speak of nincompoops like hewitt and those dlp blind followers looking for stripes.
    Is it customary for priests to sermon in full robe nowadays or what I saw recently was for show on the DLP TV.

  7. Barnabas Collins Avatar
    Barnabas Collins

    Surely, we cannot be happy with the current going-ons. I am no political historian but based on my limited knowledge, this group of politicians are probably the most incompetent group in our nation’s history. Irrespective of our posits about what is leadership and who can be a leader, irrespective of which political party one supports, it has to be frustrating to see our parliament which 375 years old reduced to rumshop banter. And I apologize to all rumshops. There really isn’t anything substantial coming from Parliament these days and day by day Rome burns.

  8. robert ross Avatar
    robert ross

    Gabriel

    SWMBO is calling me to dinner. But I have read you quickly and I think your analysis is spot on. More later doubtless.

  9. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    Dinner at 9.30 p.m.?
    SWMBO needs a serious talk…..

  10. Sargeant Avatar
    Sargeant

    @Balance
    Sarge – you must have been living around the time of the lying BIble and edited it too to emphatically state the above
    +++++++++
    I didn’t make the comments you referenced.

  11. robert ross Avatar
    robert ross

    Gabriel

    Until you spoke of the politics of Marshall I had never thought about the politics of the clergy. Though, for me, the distinction between the sacred and secular is a distinction without a difference, it came as a shock, now on notice (from you), that political games might be played from the pulpit as was nakedly done in the Rogers case and which is why I wrote my letter which so exorcised poor BT and David though doubtless for different reasons. I am wholly unrepentant about that of course. Nor had I considered the politics of this Bishop so-called until now with your reference to St John. Of course I was, and am, naïve.

    But the real question, I suppose, is whether Wood is right once we have worked out what precisely he is saying. He may be drawing attention to the poverty of the clergy. A priest who labels the prodigal’s father as a fool – and seemingly not In the sense of ‘a fool for Christ’s sake’ or, say, how he might be perceived in a loveless world – has no business wearing a collar. I gather the priest referred to is Massiah whom I know nothing about other than in his Friday column. Had it been Morris I would have understood. Again, a Diocese of priests who exhibit, as so many seem to do, ambition, sycophancy, discrimination, nepotism, Pharisaism, laziness, inter-personal nastiness and just plain, old fashioned madness and greed is short-changing our people who, as Wood points out, really cannot be expected to take them seriously. From what I have experienced, these were not the qualities which defined the older generation of priests, sadly mostly retired, who did their job and most nobly.

    Equally, he may be calling for that ‘little child’ who will lead us, who will, capture our imagination in a world which is so different from so much we have been conditioned to accept. Yes, he is right. Pope Francis has done that just as 40 years ago beloved JP1 for a glorious moment signaled everything which was good and true and beautiful. Some hopes. A man who has to read everything he writes to be authentically himself is constitutionally incapable of it,

    Or again, he may be saying that we need to spell out the gospel afresh in a world which has lost its way, as Pusey did in the Assize sermon; a world in which priests might be expected to get their finger nails dirty with the poor, the rejected, the outcasts; a world in which a priest might be expected to put on his cassock and simply be there for all who need him in an increasingly hostile environment. I seem to remember years ago a priest doing that from the Cathedral, going out into the fleshpots and signaling the presence of Jesus. Unthinkable for most now, sadly. Yes, maybe the gospel is, as Wood insinuates, a gospel of socialism and we need to recapture that ground.

    Now whether we want a gospel rooted in guilt, forgiveness, confession, penitence and all that, as Wood seems to suggest, is another matter. For what it’s worth, that would not work for me; nor I suspect for most young people today. No – I would want to stress the inclusivity of Jesus, a Jesus who reaches out to all in the name of love, and a gospel which lifts you up not pulls you down, a gospel which stresses worth rather than rubbishes you. BUT whichever way we go – that we need to spell out, with Pusey, a ‘Vision Glorious’ is, I think, indisputable in face of apostasy however precisely we articulate it. There must be something out of nothing and, most sadly, all we have under this dispensation is a very big and enduring nothing, with the consequence that we have a meaningless Church which mirrors what it has made – an increasingly meaningless gospel.

  12. robert ross Avatar
    robert ross

    Bush Tea

    I did and she says I’m wonderful….errr

  13. robert ross Avatar
    robert ross

    Gabriel

    Sorry – I should have said. One priest said to me of Wood’s letter that it was “ill advised”. Which makes me say – thank God it was written.

  14. balance Avatar
    balance

    Sargeant | March 26, 2014 at 11:15 PM |

    @Balance
    Sarge – you must have been living around the time of the lying BIble and edited it too to emphatically state the above
    +++++++++
    I didn’t make the comments you referenced”

    Sorry Sarge, I was referring to Pacha

  15. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ R.Ross
    I did and she says I’m wonderful….errr
    +++++++++++++
    touché !!!
    LOL Ha Ha ….good one there RR.

    However on her defense, everyone is allowed an error in judgement from time to time…
    BTW….Bushie hope that you can see that this ‘late eating’ is why your donkey can’t sleep at night……all 2.00 a.m. you up – writing bout stupid priests….. 🙂
    Skippa, when you hear Baffy and Miller talking bout ‘eating’ that sorta time o’ night they ain’t talking bout’ fried chicken….
    ….dem mean salt fish…..helps with a good night sleep….LOL

  16. Well Well Avatar
    Well Well

    Exclaimer………whoever sent that letter to buckingham palace sent it directly to the pit of corruption……Diana, whom i believe was either a 3rd or 4th cousin said they are nothing more than a pit of vipers, there is absolutely no reason to believe she lied.

  17. David Avatar
    David

    The new board of the Central Bank of Barbados:

    Bjorn Bjerkhamn Justin Robinson Delisle Worrell – Chairman Cecil McCarthy Onika Stewart Ashley Toppin Martin Cox

  18. Well Well Avatar
    Well Well

    So…….what does the politicians of the DLP OWE Bjerkhamn that they had to make him a director of the Central Bank? AND, should Bajans start being wary and prepare for an international investigation of the entity sometime in the future?

  19. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    David | March 27, 2014 at 10:02 AM |
    The new board of the Central Bank of Barbados:

    @David, No April fools jokes until April 1st please and thank you.lol

  20. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    Bushie

    From what I am reading Ross appears to be more bushman than you. It appears that Ross’s wife works and when she gets home she still has to prepare his supper, hence the reason for eating at 9:00 p.m. A real bushman if you ask me: her job is to prepare his meals and if she is distracted by a job outside the house, she still has to do her primary duty. Nothing like the pretend bushman like you who would eat a sardine and go to bed.

    >

  21. Well Well Avatar
    Well Well

    Cas….lol, and Ross really believes he can handle a female of my caliber who he would have to present with breakfast, lunch and dinner in bed??…lol

  22. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    Has Bjerkhamn hunior been in court yet for the death of his son? Or has the Guyana-bnorn dorector of public pr osecutions dropped the case? And what about the woman who dumoped rubbish in the Speightstown boutique?

  23. David Avatar
    David

    @Hal

    It should be obvious the DPP beliebes there is no weighty basis to pursue the manslaughter matter, he obviously feels like many the father has suffered enough.

    Last we heard from Lisa she was feeling the pressure whoch the aristocracy are able to exert on ordinary Black Bajans.

  24. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    @ David

    That is for a judge and jury to decide. And in the case of the Speightstown boutique there must be the rule of law for rich and poor.

  25. David Avatar
    David

    @Hal

    The system allows it, the citizenry is not worried by it, the shadows prefsr it.

  26. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    David

    Don’t get me going on this Bjerkhamn thing again. The story that the court and the police accepted has more holes than Swiss cheese.

    It is impossible for the shooting to occur the way Bjerkhamn said unless he had a minimum of three hands. I am not saying that a man who lost his son in a shooting would not have suffered. I am saying that the truth should be told. Everyone involved is covering up. I am certain without beyond any doubt that the shooting did not occur the way we are being led to believe.

    >

  27. Well Well Avatar
    Well Well

    Hal…….i believe the son was given some type of small fine and counseling, if i remember correctly.

    The father who honestly forgot his son in the closed car was jailed, don’t know if he got bail, once again, the authorities in Barbados continue to show the world what asses they are happy to project themselves as, just to feel included in the circle of the minorities.

  28. David Avatar
    David

    @Caswell

    Maybe Senior can be persuaded to address the matter by the governance committee of the Central Bank.

  29. are-we-there-yet? Avatar
    are-we-there-yet?

    David; Re. your 10.02 am post on the new membership of the Board of the CBB;
    Heaven help us!!

  30. Gabriel Avatar
    Gabriel

    The psychological damage done by slavery is evident in this appointment.
    Was this name associated with the construction of the harbour?

  31. robert ross Avatar
    robert ross

    Oh I see H Austin is here profiling the DPP AGAIN. Perhaps he will ponefully report his findings in Notting Hill.

  32. robert ross Avatar
    robert ross

    Bush Tea

    I am like Proust – an insomniac but as for batons I can conduct an orchestra and have.

    Well Well

    You’d better believe it.

  33. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    David wrote “Last we heard from Lisa she was feeling the pressure which the aristocracy are able to exert on ordinary Black Bajans.”

    So David what are we going to do about it? Continue to suffer in silence and do nothing to help “ordinary Black Bajans”?

    Next topic to discuss is the changing of Water Zones. That is really scary but I am sure the “Experts” will buy the equipment to safeguard the water supply.

    The Water zones in Barbados over the years have been moving. First Neils then Lascells/seaview.

    Oh well.Seems like the Zone 1s get in the way of progress.

  34. David Avatar
    David

    @Hants

    Those affected have to speakout.

  35. Exclaimer Avatar
    Exclaimer

    “In our country’s present economic situation we need decisive leadership”…..whilst we question the quality of leadership in Barbados and pray for somebody, anybody to take over the leadership of this country, a country in Africa powers ahead with vision, clarity and a sense of purpose. If you are looking for leadership I would ask you to look no further than Ethiopia.

    http://www.tigraionline.com/articles/ethiopian-lightrail-2014.html

  36. Yagga Rowe Avatar
    Yagga Rowe

    The people in Barbados are bewirched . Nobody will speak out.
    Tey brought people to pray for the country’s people who have been de-balled–castrated—

  37. ac Avatar
    ac

    speaking of leadership…..seems like somebody ruffled alex Mcdonald feathers …he was speaking about ” perception””” not fact his word was perception.. which has stiffled the private sector in avoidance to speaking out on “relevant ” issue out fear of punishment or whatever……..

  38. David Avatar
    David

    Why must government and the private sector always be so combative at this time? Six years later our leaders have not learned that holding polarized positions will help nobody.

  39. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Seems to me the private sector should be praising the government ( BLP and DLP ) for assisting in creating a consumer driven society.

    Civil servants probably account for 50% of the purchasing of consumer goods.
    Have Guvment job get car loan, credit cards, credit to buy “stuff” from Courts an Cave Sheppard.

    I haven’t even mentioned “concessions” and “subsidies” all paid for by the taxpaying sheeple.

  40. ac Avatar
    ac

    seems to me that the govt have also bear a lot of the burden in holding both hands that of public servants and private sectors, i don;t understand what perceptions mcdonald is speaking of… it is obvious he is talking about the many criticisms that have been level at private sector ….however it goes without saying the the same or equal amount has also been leveled at govt, for keeping many household afloat during these hard economic times.. whatever he or anyone in the private sector wants to say they should say,. no one stops bizzy or cow from speaking out they use the airwaves like a bully pulpit most of the time..

  41. Exclaimer Avatar
    Exclaimer

    A model for Barbados? Ethiopia is one of the top four emerging economies in the world

    http://www.tigraionline.com/articles/ethiopia-strong-economy.html

  42. robert ross Avatar
    robert ross

    H Austin has surfaced

    Since you clearly have no intention of checking out the Notting Hill address in the Cahill affair despite the cause being just and, indeed, central to the philosophy of BU, and though it would be such a simple thing to do, I conclude that you are a mere wimp incapable of demonstrating any leadership qualities and should not be taken seriously in any cause to which you appear to attach your name – a mere poseur – sans guts sans spine sans relevance..

  43. David Avatar
    David

    One germ Hartley Henry and here is the other…

    Gov’t pays 96 grand to public relations consultant
    Dominica News Online – Thursday, March 27th, 2014 at 2:03 PM

    Jong has a $96,000 contract with the government of Dominica. Photo: stkittsobserver.com

    Jong has a $96,000 one-year contract with the government of Dominica. Photo: stkittsobserver.com

    The government of Dominica is paying some $96,000 for a one-year contract to a consultant who will be rendering ‘Public Relations and Information Management Services’, a document obtained by Dominica News Online has revealed.

    The agreement between Charles Jong and the government of Dominica is in effect from November 1, 2013 to October 31, 2014.

    According to the document Jong is “to coordinate the activities leading to the implementation of an Information Management System of which the Consultant has represented that he has the requisite professional skills and competencies and the technical resources to render efficiently the services required on the terms set out in this Agreement.”

    “The Government agrees to pay the Consultant the total contract price of Eastern Caribbean dollars $96,000.00 payable in twelve (12) monthly payments in arrears at the rate of $8,000,” the document reads.

    The contract was signed by Steve Ferrol, secretary of the cabinet, on behalf of the government and Jong.

    The document put to rest the question of who actually pays Jong and who he was working for.

    Recently Jong was the center of drama in parliament between MP for Marigot, Edison James and speaker of the house, Alix Boyd-Knights, after he was described as a “stranger in the house.”

    James demanded to know who he was and eventually Boyd-Knights stated he worked with GIS and ruled that the matter be put to rest.

    When James asked for more information, the speaker said her ruling was final.

    When contacted Jong said he was not prepared to comment on parliamentary proceedings since he is not a member of the house.

    A public profile on website, Linkedin.com, describes him as a Communications Consultant for Government of Dominica, a Marketing and Communications Consultant for the Barbados Labour Party, a Committee Member at St. Kitts Music Festival Marketing Committee and a Communications Consultant at Office of the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis.

    The site also said he “has worked and continues to work in a significant number of election campaigns in the English speaking Caribbean (St. Kitts, Nevis, Dominica, Grenada, St. Vincent, Barbados, Cayman Islands).”

    http://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/general/govt-pays-96-grand-public-relations-consultant/

  44. enuff Avatar
    enuff

    David you are trying to say Sinckler was referring to Hartley when he spoke about political germs? If that is true, Sinckler must have been sanitised..dwl! Wonder if it were via a topical cream, injection or pills? Buhbaduss is a real circus.

  45. David Avatar
    David

    @enuff

    Is it true HH is the Boss of the other germ?

  46. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    @ David

    Is justice for sale to the highest bidder in Barbados, or is this how things have always worked?

  47. David Avatar
    David

    @Hal

    It is how it has always work until social media came along.

  48. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    @ David

    Thank heavens for social media – and legal officials unsure of their steps. By the way, do we still have an attorney general fit for purpose?

  49. David Avatar
    David

    The AG got the position by default when Thompson died and Stuart was determimed to be the compromised candidate. Brathwaite is woefully out of his debt.

  50. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    @ David,

    At least I am not the only person who thinks that. What I will like to see is a detailed analysis of every minister and his/her knowledge of the porfolio s/he holds and his/her effective management.
    In other words, are we getting the quality of service we deserve.

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