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Building a Strong Caribbean in 2017

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Submitted by the Mahogany Coconut Group

Caribbean“What then is the future of the Caribbean?

Given its past history, the future of the Caribbean can only be meaningfully discussed in terms of the possibilities for the emergence of an identity of the Caribbean peoples. The whole history of the Caribbean so far can be viewed as a conspiracy to block the emergence of a Caribbean identity-in politics, in its institutions, in economics, in its culture and values. Viewed in its historical perspective, the future way forward for the peoples of the Caribbean must be one which would impel them to start making their own history, to be the subjects rather than the objects of history, to stop being the playthings of other people. In this respect, the Caribbean has so far been the “outsider” of the New World.” Eric Williams from Columbus to Castro page 504

“Once there is true integration among all units of the Caribbean (excluding Puerto Rico for reasons mentioned above), and once all vestiges of political, economic, cultural and psychological dependence and racism have been removed from the Caribbean, then and only then can the Caribbean takes its true place in Latin America and the New World and put an end to the international wars and inter-regional squabbles which, from Columbus to Castro, have marked the disposition of Adam’s will.” Eric Williams from Columbus to Castro page 515.

We at Mahogany Coconut are not overly pessimistic of the year in review. Suffice it to say that we expected the declining fortunes of the Caribbean region to continue. Our optimism springs from our deep belief, that the Caribbean people can and will eventually emerge from this period, triumphant and better equipped to face the new world economy. If we lose this optimism, we see no way forward.

2016 ends with all the economies in the region, fighting for survival and making efforts to hold their heads above water as the world economy, moves toward automation and increased technological efficiencies. We are at present incapable of widely influencing global trends and while we accept this major disadvantage, it should not lead us to despair and hopelessness. Having survived slavery and still n trying to remove and overcome the remnants of a colonial past, we should be aware that is due to our resilience that we have not been knocked out.

We must therefore utilize our profound ability to survive and look inward for solutions. While we respect those who spout isms and meticulously dissect our problems, we fear that sometimes, we lose sight of our historical mission which is to complete the liberation of the region from the past that continues to cause us psychological weakness. Unless we educate our youth about our historical journey and the importance of realizing that the struggle is not yet won, we would continue to look for solutions that are unworkable and problems that should really be molehills would continue to turn into mountains.

We therefore believe that the quotes at the beginning of this comment are instructive. Eric Williams and others have long identified our strengths and weaknesses. It is for us to recognize both and continue to build on the historical mission of One Caribbean Nation.

We wish all a very all the best for 2017 and thank you for your support. We especially wish our Barbados Underground family and all contributors to BU all the best going forward.

William Skinner Mahogany Coconut Group 12/31/16

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109 responses to “Building a Strong Caribbean in 2017”

  1. enuff Avatar
    enuff

    And happy new year to you Bushie and all of BU.

  2. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ enuff
    Same to you boss man…. and don’t be so scarce, you need to share the BLP vision for Barbados (not the Lynch / Clarke version) the BU version.

    @ The Gazer
    Did you not figure out that Chad is an albino-admirer, who has been fully converted?
    If he was a ‘christian’, he would be another Zoe. having swallowed the doctrine lock, stock and barrel.
    He is however correct about the fundamental laziness of Bajans and his prognosis about agriculture. Poor fella, he lives in an environment where success is defined by people like Trump and Stewart, while we, bajan brass bowls, actually follow his line of thinking and seek to impose on ourselves, the failed albino-centric philosophies that he so eloquently espouses.

    The correct solutions to our success of course, lay in COMMUNITY CENTRED philosophies such as co-operatives, village councils, elder councils, and the sou-sou.

  3. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    There is a very ludicrous belief by some that a people can progress by simply dismissing the realities of their history and culture. Leap frogging over reality has never been wise. For a considerable time, our education system was about our journey, as taugt by those who ruled us and therefore many of us have a Eurocentric view of the world.
    The whole purpose of progressive thought is to expose and understand the reality of our past and to demonstrate that from that past has emerged what we call the Caribbean civilization. From Eric Williams, CLR James George Lamming and others to Llyod Best and to some degree Michael Manley, the need to bring the Caribbean civilization to the forefront of our education system in order to enrich the social, economic, cultural and political outlook of the Caribbean people. This has been and remains the goal of progressive thinkers. This is nothing difficult to understand by those who think clearly.
    The reason that we have to constantly return to this team is a result of poor models of development, which have been the focus of the political managerial class. Hence we cannot seriously expect to ignore the psychological obstacles that are a part of our psyche and its constant breeding of negativity and pettiness that many seem to have found a comfortable addiction.

  4. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    should read : “return to this theme…” My apologies.

  5. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    I recently read that the distinguished Caribbean novelist, thinker and defender of the oppressed, Mr. George Lamming state that: ““The time is overdue for the Caribbean to be at the centre of the curriculum at all levels of the region’s education system, from primary to tertiary and not simply as a subject of geography but as an organic path in understanding who we are as one people.” (Trinidad Express Weds. Oct. 9Th.)
    Lamming is one the most progressive minds in the Caribbean.

  6. Vincent Haynes Avatar
    Vincent Haynes

    …….. in understanding who we are as one people.”

    The above lies at the root of our failure to unit as a cohesive entity.

    We range from pan-africanist to euro-centric to usa-centric to my own Pelau leanings.

    Then we have the various belief systems that have to be catered too as well as the atheists and agnostics.

    Our thinking on reparations is another bug bear to be sorted out.

    Whatever road we take to understanding each other will be fraught with stumbling blocks besides those mentioned above.

  7. Sargeant Avatar
    Sargeant

    @David

    Here is the episode

    http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/passports-for-sale/

  8. chad99999 Avatar
    chad99999

    Democracy is a terrible thing.

    The leadership of the Caribbean is dominated by people of lower class backgrounds who did well at school and were able to make a name for themselves as community organizers.

    Unfortunately, none of these people was properly brought up, and all have descended into the pit of corruption. Leaders in Jamaica, Antigua, St. Kitts, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana and Trinidad are the worst of the lot, but they all lack basic integrity and decency. Hence the endless scandals with fake banks, suitcases of cash, kickbacks from real estate transactions and passports for sale.

  9. charles skeete Avatar
    charles skeete

    “We would have 11m people with one house of legislature,speaking with one voice,controlling the caribbean sea and parts of the atlantic with access to fossil fuels,minerals………we could easily become the new hub of the world in all areas driven by solar,wind and wave power,be totally self sufficient in everything”

    Not an easy task Vincent but surely a noble one if our two b7y three islands are to ever compete globally. Until then the marginalised in the Caribbean would continue to be hewers of wood and drawers of water. For one the exorbitant expenditure allocated by these poor countries to maintain useless Embassies in foreign countries could be best utilised elsewhere. Yes Caribbean unity given power hungry leaders in charge would be a herculean task but we must continue to strive for it.

  10. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    Chad is right about democracy.

    If we understand that the FUNDAMENTAL problem which we face is the general human propensity to brass bowlery, then the idea of choosing leadership by popular acclaim surely is shiite.
    It would be far better for example, to identify a set of characteristics of good leadership and SELECT leaders based on their history of adherence to such values….from the small pool that drifts above the lotta shiite.

    It may even make sense to go with a monarchy, where leaders at least have a family tradition and family legacy to guide their actions and behaviours.

    In the current circumstances, democracy is equivalent to choosing the management of Dodds by having elections among the inmates.

  11. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ charles skeete
    ” Yes Caribbean unity given power hungry leaders in charge would be a herculean task but we must continue to strive for it.”
    The statement above captures everything that those who continue to fight for genuine Caribbean unity have been trying to say. The pseudo -intellectuals , who parade their knowledge of all global affairs but whose productivity or sincerity to any cause outside of their own immediate interest will never get it.
    As much as we criticise: Barrow, Williams, Burnham, Manley, Grantley Admas and others the simple truth is that they put their hands to the fire. If we are honest, we would also conclude that they were quite capable of having quite comfortable lifestyles without politics.
    In the decades to come Barbados Underground will find its place when the true history of these islands are written. The reason being that objective analysis will show that it provided an organ for many of us to express our views. A similar place in history will also be reserved for the Nation newspaper. We dont have to agree with everything they do but before the nation the press in Barbados was to a graeat degree controlled by a man called Lord Thompson.
    And so it is with building an identity-its is “herculean” as charles skeete has said. However it was never achieved or helped by those who have mastered the art of spouting high sounding pseudo- intellectual mumbo jumbo.

  12. Vincent Haynes Avatar
    Vincent Haynes

    charles skeete January 3, 2017 at 5:17 AM #

    Yes Caribbean unity given power hungry leaders in charge would be a herculean task but we must continue to strive for it.
    ………………………………………………………………………..

    chad99999 January 3, 2017 at 1:02 AM #

    The leadership of the Caribbean is dominated by people of lower class backgrounds who did well at school and were able to make a name for themselves as community organizers.
    Unfortunately, none of these people was properly brought up, and all have descended into the pit of corruption.
    ………………………………………………………………………..

    Two very powerfull statements,that at first glance appear to compliment each other.

    If this is what is holding us back,then we have to wait for two more generations before we can unite,providing we start corrective surgery now.

  13. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    Instead of criticising our politicians, who are generally mediocre, why don’t we start planning for a new political movement now.
    This is the difference between us and political movements in Europe and North America. Organise, organise, organise.
    If we do not, then the only alternative facing the electorate will be Dees of Bees.

  14. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    The central bank has used the Xmas holiday to bury some bad news – the $100m bond. There is no secondary market for government bonds and there is a very high risk that government will renege on its obligations to retail investors. A 6.5 per cent yield looks a bit low to me, given the rate of imported inflation. Why should govt be giving 6.5 per cent yields, when the retail banks are offering zero per cent on current accounts.
    Why are out economists, analysts and journalists not debating these issues?

  15. Alvin Cummins Avatar
    Alvin Cummins

    David,
    A strong Caribbean cannot be built without the inclusion, and participation of Cuba. They are an integral part of us and should not be excluded. It is time they were brought in out of the cold and warmly welcomed.
    With your permission I would like to submit the following article from “Repeating Islands”
    a blog that supplies very good information on things Caribbean.

    The Black Scholar remembers Fidel Castro
    by ivetteromero
    tbs

    [Many thanks to Peter Jordens for bringing this item to our attention.] The Black Scholar: Journal of Black Studies and Research remembers and honors the late Fidel Castro by providing a selection of articles from their archive collection. These articles are free to access until the end of March 2017 (see link below).

    Introduction by Editors of The Black Scholar: Minutes after the official announcement was made in Cuba, the US media kicked into full swing, referring to Fidel Castro as a dictator, a tyrant, and despot who oppressed the people of Cuba. Even the President Elect couldn’t help gloating on his favorite medium for historical fabrication, Twitter. Fixing Castro in the public eye as no more than a brutal megalomaniac, they regurgitated rancid Cold War delusions about the decade “freedom” was vanquished on the island; and all but salivated over the possibility of prosperity in the coming days, when free-market enterprise and US hegemony (synonyms, clearly) will once again be restored. However, those of us at The Black Scholar (Journal of Black Studies and Research), remember Malcolm X’s cautionary words that the media “will have you hating the people being oppressed, and loving the people doing the oppressing.” We remember also a long intimate history between the journal, the revolution and the Cuban people. With this in mind, we’ve compiled all of Castro’s writing from our archives, and bundled them for free public access. It’s our modest effort to tell a different story about Fidel Castro and what he meant to the founders of The Black Scholar, to people of African descent, people of the global South and people struggling for a just, post-capitalist world.

    Though not perfect, Fidel was an icon of transformative struggle, a beacon for radical resistance and a stalwart of anti-racist politics. He was the persistent thorn in the side of U.S. political stooges procured by the pockets of corporate multinationals, and a supporter of all those nations—particularly in Africa—that strove to find their own paths in the wake of formal colonization. For more than fifty years, Castro’s Cuba remained the major obstacle to unbridled American imperialism in the Western Hemisphere. Now that he is gone, those of us who remember a different leader than the one disparaged by the US media would be remiss if we did not take the opportunity to revisit his words, his speeches, and his clear reminder that, “no one will fight for us, that is, for the overwhelming majority, only we will do it… Our most sacred duty is to fight, and fight we will.”

    These articles are free to access at http://explore.tandfonline.com/page/bes/rtbs-archive-collection/rtbs-archive-collection-fidel-castro until the end of March 2017:

    Fidel Castro Denounces Aggressions Against Cuba (1976)
    An Interview with Fidel Castro (1978)
    Report on the Sixth Summit Conference of Non-Aligned Countries (1980)
    Peace and Economic Development (1987)
    Renewal or Death (1989)
    Speech by Fidel Castro on the 40th Anniversary of the Cuban Revolution (1999)
    The War on the Dark Corners of the World: Resisting the Doctrine of Pre-emptive Strike (2003)

    Cuba has shown its strength, resilience, inventiveness, and indeed its heart and caring for the people the Caribbean, through its provision of doctors, engineers, and so on, via scholarships and sponsorships. We need to show them our reciprocal affection to them, through other than mere monuments. We need to learn about them and try to understand where they have come from and where we can all go together. And above all , learn to communicate with them in their own language through compulsory education in Spanish language from primary level to University.

  16. Alvin Cummins Avatar
    Alvin Cummins

    Hal,
    You said: “Instead of criticising our politicians, who are generally mediocre,…”
    Which is exactly what you are doing right now. What is your precise definition of “mediocre” as applied to the political context?

  17. Alvin Cummins Avatar
    Alvin Cummins

    Chad:
    What do you mean by:”…Unfortunately, none of these people was properly brought up,…”.
    Explain “brought up”. Is it like “one exhibiting bad manners at the dinner table, eat got no “brought ups?” or one who has no formal training in a subject? You cannot use these words because the sound clever, to you.
    Vincent Haynes, regardless of what it does, the people of the Caribbean as a unit, or an entity, can never “control” anything in this world. Our resources are too finite, and our dependency on outside forces too all pervasive.

  18. Vincent Haynes Avatar
    Vincent Haynes

    Alvin Cummins January 4, 2017 at 9:31 AM #

    What are you afraid of ……..all things are possible,once one has a vision and have the support of the masses or the wealthy as did little England when it ruled approx 70% of the world.

  19. chad99999 Avatar
    chad99999

    Alvin Cummins

    As a child of six could have figured out from the context of my remarks, being properly brought up means being socialized to the value and importance of personal integrity, honesty, probity, decency, duty, unselfishness and social responsibility.

    These values can be inculcated in a child by parents (and other caregivers), by the Church, and sometimes by teachers (or even by exposure to good books). But more than a few of us resist moral instruction and must be continually reminded of the personal suffering and social costs of immoral and illegal conduct.

    The solidly middle class colonial elites of the Caribbean were raised in homes that almost always paid enormous attention to religious and moral education. Most middle class fathers were sober, restrained, frugal, dignified authority figures, who didn’t swear, drink to excess, engage in casual sex, or try to make money in shady deals. Their British supervisors and overlords insisted on very high standards of personal conduct.

    These were the people who built and maintained small but honest public bureaucracies during the first half of the 20th century. No-one had to pay bribes at Customs or at the passport office. But with the introduction of universal suffrage after World War II, a new leadership class was created. Eric Williams, Eric Gairy/Keith Mitchell, Vere Bird and others were raised in poverty and hardship, and clearly never learned the importance of moral refinement. The Caribbean changed drastically once they took control. Now the ruling values are greed and ostentation, made worse by greater exposure to American popular culture, which emphasizes flashiness, vulgarity, and above all, individualism (selfishness).

  20. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    Alvin,
    By mediocre I mean ordinary, not exceptional, no particularly bright. Our politicians are not excetional. Just name one who is of the calibre of Barrow, Grantley Adams, Cameron Tudor, ED Mottley, Henry Forde.
    Look at the calibre of Donville Inniss, Kellman, the Speaker, the list is endless. Out of the 30, no more than ten will qualify as outstanding.

  21. chad99999 Avatar
    chad99999

    I want to emphasize that while we need political leaders who are smart and articulate, we also want them to be of high moral character. Intelligence is not enough.

    Grantley Adams. Not Tom Adams. Norman Manley. Not Eric Williams. Herbert Blaize. Not Keith Mitchell.

  22. charles skeete Avatar
    charles skeete

    “Why are out economists, analysts and journalists not debating these issues”
    issues and present their arguments in an enlightening way as well but no one pays them any attention I suppose in the case of Mr Mascoll because of the mistrust as a result of his newly found persuasion and Mr Russell because his views runs counter to those of apologists and sycophants .

  23. charles skeete Avatar
    charles skeete

    “Alvin Cummins January 4, 2017 at 9:14 AM #

    David,
    A strong Caribbean cannot be built without the inclusion, and participation of Cuba. They are an integral part of us and should not be excluded. It is time they were brought in out of the cold and warmly welcomed.
    With your permission I would like to submit the following article from “Repeating Islands”
    a blog that supplies very good information on things Caribbean.”

    Why can’t a strong Caribbean be built without the inclusion of Cuba. The Caribbean community has done more to bring Cuba out of the cold than they have done for one another. Once again I re-iterate without fear that Cuba had no interest in the Caribbean until it could no longer rely on Russian hand-outs and subsidies after the collapse of the soviet Union. Cuba was busy fomenting revolution in South America and grandstanding on the world stage leading the Non-aligned movement and fighting wars in other countries.

  24. vincent haynes Avatar
    vincent haynes

    What Chad5ofnine is saying,the progeny of house slaves with the acquired broughtupsy of their masters have relinquished control to the progeny of the field slaves lacking in couth.

  25. chad99999 Avatar
    chad99999

    Vincent Haynes

    That’s about right. The trash in power have messed up our societies.

  26. Alvin Cummins Avatar
    Alvin Cummins

    Charles Skeete,
    “…fighting wars in other countries.”.
    The wars they fought “in other countries” were anti-imperialist wars; against the Portuguese and their puppets in Angolsa, the South Africans in Namibia, The Imperialists and crooks in the Congo. Battles on behalf of Black people in Africa. They fought these battles with the assistance of Barbados, which provided refuelling facilities for the planes transporting Cuban troops, who shed their blood for the same black people. It was not to show off the might of the Cuban soldiers, or the airmen who showed their superiority over the South African Air Force by blasting them from the skies. It was to assist in the saving of Angola, and driving the South African Army from Namibia, and the freeing of Nelson Mandela. If these were not worthwhile and noble, endeavours tell me what were. Which Caribbean country other than Barbados provided assistance in those struggles? I repeat Cuba must be included in any strong Caribbean. Cuba has strength, not the other way around. No other Caribbean country can matchCuba in the area of Health Care and medical and scientific research or implementation, and so many other areas.

  27. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    It is blatantly untrue to say that Cuba was not interested in the Caribbean. Many of the leaders of the Caribbean were afraid to identify with the Revolution in Cuba. Fidel Castro was always very popular among Caribbean progressive thinkers. Castro always left the door opened for us but we were too busy trying to please the USA and to some degree the United Kingdom.
    As soon as we relieved ourselves of those fears , we became more appreciative of Cuba and that led to Cuba inviting us to send medical students and offered eye care and so on free of cost.
    Cuba assisted with development in Grenada by building the airport. Cuba has never refused to be our friends.
    Due to those who still fight for Caribbean unity, it is safe to say, that Cuba now enjoys very good relations with most of those countries that were once afraid to forge such relations.

  28. Sargeant Avatar
    Sargeant

    @Chad
    I want to emphasize that while we need political leaders who are smart and articulate, we also want them to be of high moral character
    ++++++++
    That a high bar you’ve set for the local pols, your man Trump falls well short of those attributes……

  29. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    Just heard on the news that all the special nurses that Jamaica is educating are ending up in the USA or Canada. They are recruited even before they graduate. In other words there is a shortage of nurses in Jamaica .
    Cuba will be sending some nurses to help out Jamaica. Some will also come from India.

  30. chad99999 Avatar
    chad99999

    The more precise reporting is that

    “[University Hospital of the West Indies Chairman James Moss-Solomon] lamented the specialist nurse brain drain that, he said, continues to plague the island and noted its crippling effect on the UHWI’s operations. According to Moss-Solomon, half the batch of 24 specialist nurses trained each year [in Jamaica] are usually recruited by overseas companies before graduation.

    “We have doubled nursing training for specialist nurses in 2016 and before the course is completed 50 per cent of them are already employed. It does not matter how many millions of dollars we care to put up on a bonding system, the USA, Canada and the UK are quite happy to pay it off,” Moss-Solomon said.

    “So you may have loved ones there today whose [surgeries] have been cancelled, not through the fault of the hospital being unable to have an operating theatre and the necessary doctors, but because of a critical shortage of specialist nurses who are being poached by these countries every graduating class,” he told the meeting.

    But the UHWI chairman said he cannot blame the nurses, as they are seeking a better life for themselves and their families.”

    Obviously, it is NOT TRUE that “It does not matter how many millions of dollars we care to put up on a bonding system, the USA, Canada and the UK are quite happy to pay it off,”

    THAT IS TOTAL BS. UWI is trying to find plausible reasons for its own poor management of hospital operations.

    If you put bonds for nursing students high enough, Canada and the US will not be interested. They can get all the nurses they want from the Philippines.

  31. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ Chad99999
    …not only that, but if there is a market for trained nurses, …and good expectation that a reasonable bond will be paid by developed countries, …and a pool of young people willing to emigrate …..
    How the hell can that be a ‘problem’ for a university? That seems to spell ‘opportunity’.

    What the hell….!!!
    If Jamaica needs 20 nurses, and the loss rate is 50%, then train 40….. and use the bond money to provide incentives for top performers to stay at home….

  32. Alvin Cummins Avatar
    Alvin Cummins

    Bushy,
    An incentive is only that; an incentive. You cannot compel a person to stay in the country the offer and opportunities somewhere else are greater. They will go, and mu advice to all young people is Go. Experience life in other places and societies and widen your perspective.

  33. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ Bush Tea
    That is the reason we have to develop a Caribbean consciousness. Why we educate people and they must be taught to understand that their primary focus is to develop the region. That is why George Lamming and other progressive voices continue to push the Caribbean identity. We just cant be producing people who will rush off as soon as the highest bidder appears.
    Some may say that “ideologues’ are pushing the One Caribbean Agenda. Some of the pseudo intellectuals may want to impress with their regurgitation of little bits and pieces they have been fortunate to pick up over the years but reality is always despised by those who cannot understand simple facts.
    You will note that 60 years ago we were sending our citizens to the “mother country” to be trained as nurses. Today we are educating nurses who are being snapped up by big developed countries.
    I know for a fact that more than 30 years ago,students came from Namibia to be trained as nurse in Barbados. Right now we are short on medical staff and turning to China for personnel.
    It is futile to talk about reforming the public service or the economy while refusing to reform the education system that is supposed to develop the same people who will eventually manage the economy and the public service. Once more, we have opted to put the cart before the horse.
    They taught us cricket and we became better than them. Wake up people, Dump the pseudo intellectuals and pay more attention to the writings of Lloyd Best and George Lamming.

  34. Carl Moore Avatar
    Carl Moore

    @ William
    That is the reason we have to develop a Caribbean consciousness. Why we educate people and they must be taught to understand that their primary focus is to develop the region…
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    What scene are you on…? Develop a Caribbean consciousness? …as in community-centric vision? …..Are you serious?

    Boss, our whole society is built around selfishly looking after ‘numero uno’. Like Alvin-the-idiot predictably interjected, ‘the young people should go where they can get the most money’. THAT is the primary focus taught by our ‘education’ system so it should be no surprise then that we have the problems that we have….

    Given the albino-centric nature that we have all inculcated, Bushie is saying that our best approach is to make the most of opportunities presented under the flawed foundation.

    In any case, it may not be a bad idea for some elements to emigrate….. One of the best things to happen to Barbados was Alvin going to Canada… and another was Chad99999 choosing to work for white people in North America …. instead of in Barbados. It is not hard to predict the kind of employee he would have been working for Baloney.

  35. chad99999 Avatar
    chad99999

    Just to let you know,

    I met George Lamming in Austin, Texas. He was chasing a white girl I used to go out with, so she invited me to have dinner with them at a local restaurant.

    That little factoid is for William Skinner.

  36. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ Carl Moore,
    As you know many people had predicted that the Nation Newspaper would have failed because they said “black people” could not get anything work. You guys proved them wrong. Let us hope that some change will come. First step: identify ourselves!

    @chad99999,
    What on earth does that have to do with anything? You and Lamming having the same taste in women is a little bit TMI (Too Much Information ) fuh me boysie or is it boosie? I hope this is not fake news. LOL

  37. David Avatar
    David

    @William

    Are you sure that was Carl?

  38. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ David,
    Why are you asking me that ?

  39. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ William
    Seems a simple question, one that should be asked of all public contributions – even when the person is standing in front of you- and their mouth is moving, you cannot know for sure who may be pulling their strings.
    The point is that each contribution is best taken on its logical and contextual merit …and any name attached below (or above) is best ignored.

    A pseudonym is therefore no different to any other handle.

    Even when the CB Governor speaks to the public, it is PATENTLY obvious that he is not being honest and forthright, …otherwise he would admit what we all have known now for years….

    ALL NEWS IS FALSE NEWS by default. The point is to analyse, dissect, evaluate and deduce for yourself. Unfortunately, this requires wisdom.

    If Carl is as smart as Ossie was, he probably understands….

  40. charles skeete Avatar
    charles skeete

    “No other Caribbean country can match Cuba in the area of Health Care and medical and scientific research or implementation, and so many other areas.”

    Maybe in scientific research but this has nothing to do with the revolution -Cuba was a leader in scientific research long before Batista or the Castro brothers came to power. The work since 1870 of Dr Carlos Finlay Cuban epidemiologist who was recognized as a pioneer in the research of yellow fever, determining that it was transmitted through mosquitoes is a case in point. Our health care system is just as good or better than Cuba’s Alvin take it from me.

  41. charles skeete Avatar
    charles skeete

    “William Skinner January 5, 2017 at 12:26 AM #

    It is blatantly untrue to say that Cuba was not interested in the Caribbean. Many of the leaders of the Caribbean were afraid to identify with the Revolution in Cuba. Fidel Castro was always very popular among Caribbean progressive thinkers. Castro always left the door opened for us but we were too busy trying to please the USA and to some degree the United Kingdom.
    As soon as we relieved ourselves of those fears , we became more appreciative of Cuba and that led to Cuba inviting us to send medical students and offered eye care and so on free of cost.
    Cuba assisted with development in Grenada by building the airport. Cuba has never refused to be our friends.
    Due to those who still fight for Caribbean unity, it is safe to say, that Cuba now enjoys very good relations with most of those countries that were once afraid to forge such relations.”

    Let us start out with the premise that your speculative views indeed happen to be factual.

    Who were these leaders that were afraid to identify with the Cuban revolution and what would be their purpose in identifying or not identifying with an unknown equation at that point in time. Apart from having heard that a lot of Barbadians sought employment in the sugar cane fields of Cuba eons ago, this volatile spanish speaking country in the Caribbean sea like Haiti and the Dominican Republic was of no interest to us or us to them either socially, economically or culturally. Moreover, except for Trinidad, Barbados, Jamaica and Guyana who were experimenting with internal self government all the other Caribbean countries were still under British rule and as such could not influence decisions externally since Britain was still responsible for foreign policy decisions. then around the time of the Castro led Cuban revolution, the Caribbean was battling with their own revolution fuelled with insularity which saw the demise of the experiment of Federal Government.
    Like you I could speculate and determine that the sending of medical students to Cuba and the offering of eye care was a means to an end but can factually say that theses gestures by Cuba only came when Cuba was abandoned by the Soviet Union and were in need of friends elsewhere.

  42. charles skeete Avatar
    charles skeete

    “Wake up people, Dump the pseudo intellectuals and pay more attention to the writings of Lloyd Best and George Lamming”

    I am trying very hard Skins to ignore your repeated attempts to glorify Mr Lammimg as this great icon who has made a significant contribution to Barbados and the Caribbean. Unfortunately, I can see no such evidence of such contribution identity or otherwise from this literary giant except for flowery speeches and walking about in Sandals with a stick wearing a bush jacket or those afro jacs Elombe used to sell for a lot of money in the Yoruba yard at Fontabelle. Is his literary work required reading in the schools of Barbados or the Caribbean? Has he ever been invited to sit on any University boards? Has he been allowed to serve on any boards dealing with education in Barbados and if not, why not?

  43. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ charles skeete
    You argument about Cuba and scientific research does not hold water. The fact that early pioneers did excellent work does NOT diminish the current outstanding situation.
    Barbados did world class scientific research in sugar cane breeding in the early days too…. and where has that led us?
    The most outstanding and impressive aspect of Cuba’s health program is it’s association with social initiatives such as community sport, diet, and culture that are specifically targeted at prevention of chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
    It is the overall, systematic, pro-active national policies that are impressive…. and unmatched in most other places – certainly in Barbados where we encourage everyone to do KNOWN shiite ….and then expect the QEH to solve their health problems for free.

    Have to agree with you that we should focus more on those who are DOERS rather than TALKERS…like Lamming. It is relatively easy to walk around talking exotic shiite – especially in a brass bowl place where most of the people are clueless anyway. The real challenge is to effect positive CHANGE in one’s personal life, one’s community, and in the overall quality of life for everyone.
    In many ways, a fellow who starts a small community group that improves the lives of neighbourhood children and guides some of them to a productive careers, has made much more of a contribution than some big-talking ‘larmer’-who talks a lotta shiite and sits on the NIS and central bank boards doing shiite.

  44. David Avatar
    David

    @Bushie

    We have been as harsh as the others in our criticism of the ideologues; the thinkers. You will admit that we need thinkers to provoke action -doers?

  45. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ Alvin Cummins January 4, 2017 at 11:43 PM
    “Which Caribbean country other than Barbados provided assistance in those struggles? I repeat Cuba must be included in any strong Caribbean. Cuba has strength, not the other way around. No other Caribbean country can matchCuba in the area of Health Care and medical and scientific research or implementation, and so many other areas.”

    Alvin, given your accredited status as the BU ‘know-it-all’ (after GP) in all things medical this question should be right up your “professional” street.

    Is it true to say that Cuban-trained doctors cannot practise ‘medicine’ in Barbados without jumping through a million and one hoops and deliberately designed obstacles placed in their way by the local medical mafia?

    If true, then it puts paid to your ‘dreamy’ claim that “no other Caribbean country can match Cuba in the area of Health Care and medical and scientific research or implementation..”.

    Why isn’t the political directorate (whose pretense of love for the Cuban people and respect for the long-established political and socio-economic relationships which go right back to the turn of the last Century) doing anything about it but finds it rather convenient to engage the services of Chinese personnel without similar vetting of their qualifications and competence to practise “Western-styled” medicine?

  46. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ David
    There are few attributes more valuable than that of thinking…..
    But there is a big gulf between ‘thinkers’ and ‘talkers’….

    Thinkers are able to rationalise even the simple questions of life…. (the ones that confound the big-headed)…. They are able to guide us to safety with their wisdom, ability to communicate, even with the uninitiated, and to visualise a successful future.

    Talkers (think Dompey) read a lotta shiite books and seek to impress with grand references, big name concordances and fancy sounding words.

    You can’t beat a do-er.
    Everything speaks for itself…..
    …and they need not be inspired by any lofty speeches, merely by the community-centric desire to ‘love their neighbour as they love themselves’.

  47. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    But Miller…Chinese quack doctors are practising in Barbados. Is thAt the yuan speaking …?

  48. Vincent Haynes Avatar
    Vincent Haynes

    millertheanunnaki January 7, 2017 at 10:35 AM #

    Chuckle…….what you wasting time asking Alvin all these hard questions for,he will respond to easy ones but never to hard ones…….I have loads awaiting answers……

  49. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ charles skeete,
    I guess, in your way of thinking, if you are not given a seat on a “board” , you are not to be taken seriously. I guess that all those who spend their time on BU, who do not sit on boards, wear afro jacks and shirt jacks, and walk about with sticks are a useless bunch. All those on BU , who have not published books, that are being used in schools, should also be quickly dismissed.
    @ David,
    You seem to believe that your attempts to dismiss pro-One Caribbean persons as “ideologues’ strengthen your arguments. Good luck. It will take more than a word to undermine the simple fact that without a strong united Caribbean, our gains will continue to be small and very painful.
    @Bush Tea
    “In many ways, a fellow who starts a small community group that improves the lives of neighbourhood children and guides some of them to a productive careers, has made much more of a contribution than some big-talking ‘larmer’-who talks a lotta shiite and sits on the NIS and central bank boards doing shiite.” I agree one hundred percent.

    Please add to those “big talking lamers”, the pseudo-intellectuals , skilled in mumbo jumbo, who parade a lot of” stale news” and pretend that they are the fountain of knowledge and that anybody who opposes them is ignorant. They too are a threat to Caribbean unity.

  50. David Avatar
    David

    @William

    We all have our different views on the subject. We are for functional cooperation; a more pragmatic and realistic approach. This One Caribbean unity is pie in the sky stuff.

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