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For the VISIONARY Claim of Good GOVERNANCE…an alternative solution

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Submitted by nineofnine

governance“The construct and purpose of any legitimate government is to facilitate the needs of society, promote opportunities and generally provide and protect a well structured society with benefits for all. The National Debt is defined as “mortgages on the wealth and income of the people of a country.” (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1959)

Our wealth, …. our income…..then WHY is it that a GROUP of persons referred to as “GOVERNMENT” proceed to INCUR DEBT against a nation without the consultation of the people of that nation?

GOOD GOVERNANCE: CONSTRUCT Communities (11) and a Central Government (1)

COMMUNITIES
Constituents of Communities/Parishes respectively establishes executive bodies and select their representatives for Central Government by way of fair elections using the RANK CHOICE VOTING SYSTEM and paper ballot only. Collectively, they, the Constituents define the needs of their Communities/Parishes as well as collectively create an oversight body of Central Government.

COMMUNITIES also…

ESTABLISHES the terms and conditions of employment FOR their COMMUNITIES’ REPRESENTION.

  • Determine their collective representatives have impeccable records of service to others and free of any criminal records.
  • Retains the power of recall of their representative to Central Government.
  • Can demand any audit/report at anytime for community consideration or and have the same made public.
  • Call for an investigation into any matter that is deem a community or public concern.
  • By collective agreement of communities, pursue any legal actions for any corruption discovered within Central Government.
  • Conduct FREE and FAIR ELECTIONS using the Rank choice voting system and paper ballot only.

CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

Central Governments’ core members are those elected representatives of the communities/parishes, which in turn also elects a Head of State. They are further supported by the advice and direction of professional technical Associations across the board for what ever determination is required. Central Government facilitates the petitions of the communities, provides the infrastructure to facilitate the electoral process at the community level and is responsible for the management structure for governance inclusive of Audits and Reports to the Communities. Decisions on International affairs are first put to the collective communities, and findings advanced by their representatives and debated for further debate by Central government and related Association bodies in an established timeline.

CENTRAL GOVERMENT also…

  • ESTABLISHES the terms and conditions of employment FOR membership of the CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.
  • CREATE/REFORM systems of transparency for/of accounting, accountability and auditing.
  • TRANSIT/limit/share control other than vital responsibilities with the private sector. NO complete privatization or monopolies.
  • STREAMLINE SYSTEMS for ease of business, engaging less bureaucracy.
  • Compulsory audit and their reports are made public.
  • PROMOTE and FACILITATE collective community base organizations to manage their needs and requirements for sustainability of the basics, et al.
  • REFORM the political structure to manage the collective community base organizations.
  • MANDATE elections by RANK CHOICE VOTING and by paper ballot only.(no electronic base counting).
  • DISALLOW CORPORATE FINANCING of election candidates, only limited Public financing allowed.
  • ALL VITAL AREAS of government receives EQUAL funding and attention including audits and reports.
  • For and by the CONSTITUTION, all ACTS and LAWS be reviewed, repealing the OUTDATED, biases, omissions and loopholes and amending to concur with current societal experiences.
  • REVIEW and UPDATE the mandate of the POLICE FORCE.
  • Make the MILITARY more of servitude to the community and State.
  • UPHOLD ALL CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS of all citizens.
  • By REFERENDUM/consensus/opinion consult the citizenry and by press conferences give reports of all meetings of an International nature. NO COMMITMENT to TREATIES et al without first obtaining approval from citizenry.
  • NO GOVERNMENT BUSINESS is deem secret, sensitive GOVERNMENT BUSINESS is release by application and record of such. REPEAL THE SECRECY ACT.
  • TAXATION must reflect fairness. Eliminate personal income tax, eliminate subsidies, tax haven facilities and breaks. Eliminate/limit concessions to offshore business apply rules and monitor. RETAIN vat on consumables (local foods excluded). Eliminate YEARLY LAND TAX, a one off tax added to any purchase of land. Your purchase IS YOUR PROPERTY.
  • ESTABLISH OUR VERY OWN CENTRAL BANK (not foreign own or controlled). PHASE OUT FOREIGN BANKS and facilitate CREDIT UNIONS, regulate all banking FOR DEVLOPMENT OF THE STATE and in our interest of the family unit.
  • ESTABLISH A COURT OF CONTRACT and DEEDS for disputes, contracts written in verb adverb and not in the correct parse syntax grammar contains much fiction and deceit, hence curbing this fraud and perjury, eliminating the interest fraud and extortion.
  • All foreign consultancies declared as advice only and decisions made only by open debate. – All AIR SPACE is declared non experimental. Permission required.
  • STIMULATE the ECONOMY via the CIRCULATION OF MONEY… stagnant money is non-beneficial.
  • Create a FOOD BANK, Restrict CHEMICAL BASE and Modified foods. Promote healthy lifestyles.
  • RETURN FREE EDUCATION, promote and facilitate innovation and business acumen and development.
  • Utilize idle Crown and Corporate lands for lower income housing and food production.
  • Pensioners and minimum wage of General workers $500. per week.
  • Cease the forfeiture of personal information as in fingerprinting and mug-shots for the benefit of employers and international data bases.
  • HAVE THE POWER TO APPOINT (Ombudsman, Ambassadors etc.)
  • Establish a new economic policy compatible to and projected for sustainable development, by gauging and enhancing current economic performance.
  • Institute measures to curb capital flight.
  • Any decisions made by the Chamber of Commerce or the Employers Federation that relates to regulations or standardization of employees must first be ratified by Central Government and Central Government must have a sitting representation on their administrative bodies.
  • Determine ALL LEGAL MATTERS OF THE JUDICARY by level and related time space TO ADJUDGE.
  • Halt needless borrowing. Any borrowing will be for Community Development purposes only.
  • RESTRAIN from imposing taxation on deposits of customers of Credit Unions and allowing the said Credit Unions room to develop their products and expansion.

The above is miniscule in concept and vision and is purpose to crate a liveable environment with benefits for all. Any of these may be incorporated into any political aspirations, need not use as intent to personal enrichment as karmic responsibility is applied.

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109 responses to “For the VISIONARY Claim of Good GOVERNANCE…an alternative solution”

  1. David Avatar
    David

    Here is what today’s BarbadosAdvocate has to say about –TOWARDS A DIGITAL DEMOCRACY

    Not to be excluded from consideration in this context is the popular Barbados Underground blog that is rarely bereft of partisan political comment on most issues, although the factor of pseudoonymity makes it difficult for the reader to discern whether the views expressed there are those of a majority of the bloggers or merely a plurality.

    The question that begs asking is whether local political communication will now take place in cyberspace or rather in the conventional locations of Independence Square or Carlisle House car park. Given the local penchant for tradition, it is unlikely that the former will become a reality in the next General Election campaign. However, this does not preclude any party or candidate from availing themselves of this most effective method of communication.

    http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/columns/editorial-towards-digital-democracy

  2. Vincent Haynes Avatar
    Vincent Haynes

    Chadof5nines

    A very thought provoking article,reminiscent of the ideas of Dr Ramesses Caddle with updates off course making it more relevant to todays times.

    The only problem with ideas like these is the rejection factor which was faced by the Doc when he presented these to his fellow politicos.

    What needs our attention is not ideas as they abound but how to get the political class to accept progressive ideas as they are the only ones who can change the laws to allow them entry and by so doing the basis of modern politics….pork barrelism/fatted calf….would be forever destroyed,which would mean that they would realy have to perform/work.

    So tell us why members of the political class would shoot themselves in the foot?

  3. Vincent Haynes Avatar
    Vincent Haynes

    David

    Congrats for an honorable mention in the Advocate,it shows that you are being taken seriously despite the backhanded compliment about the pseudonyms.

  4. David Avatar
    David

    @Vincent

    The traditional media players like Carl Moore et al forget that 15 callers are heard on the talk show yet they boast of tens of thousands of listeners. It is no different in the blogesphere.

  5. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    BU needs no validation from the traditional media.

    Blogging represents the future of mass communications, and the traditional media will go the way of the dodo bird.
    BarbadosToday remains relevant only to the extent that it allows readers (anonymous) comments and provides easy access for advertisers to subscribe… and their five or so commenters are no different to the BU trend they highlight…..

    Even advertisers will jump ship once BU David sets up his PayPal account
    ….all hell will break loose 🙂

  6. nineofnine Avatar
    nineofnine

    @ Chadof5nines

    …”A very thought provoking article, reminiscent of the ideas of Dr Ramesses Caddle with updates off course making it more relevant to todays times.”…..

    thank you

  7. Vincent Haynes Avatar
    Vincent Haynes

    nineofnine January 21, 2017 at 2:36 PM #

    Kindly respond to my last sentence.

  8. Vincent Haynes Avatar
    Vincent Haynes

    Bushie

    How come no input on Chads’ ideas or even my question on how to force change?

  9. Bernard Codrington. Avatar
    Bernard Codrington.

    Debt personal or public in almost all cases are incurred to bridge a temporary gap between revenue and expenditure. In the case of government it is the result of tax revenue falling short of expenditures on public goods and services agreed on in the estimates and budgetary proposals.
    Where there are large projects which require funds not generated by a surplus of current revenue over current expenditure, borrowing has to take place.
    Large projects generally benefit succeeding generations and the cost of establishing them should be paid for by future tax payers.

    @ Vincent at 1:08 PM

    One sure way of getting”progressive ideas” into the Political Class is to become a member of the Political Class. If they get pass the Political Class ,they will be acceptable to the electorate.

  10. Bernard Codrington. Avatar
    Bernard Codrington.

    As a matter of fact BU is a political organization. It needs to come out of the Political Closet.

  11. Bernard Codrington. Avatar
    Bernard Codrington.

    It has the potential to be a Political Think Tank exposing its ideas to a wider Public.

  12. Carl Moore Avatar
    Carl Moore

    You too love to call my name, David. You know why? Because I have a name and I’m not afraid to attach it to the views I express … even as you naughtily did recently by allowing someone else to sign in as Carl Moore. Or perhaps you did it yourself.

    This is the mischief that anonymity encourages. This is the free-for-all digital ghosts like Bush Tea are hoping for. He salivates for what he calls the future of mass communications.
    To say whatever he pleases about named people then don his suit and tie and his Sunday-go-to-meetings and step out into the fresh air as “respected” citizen.

    Jekylls who Hyde are eventually exposed.

    Nothing pleases Barbados Underground more than to be mentioned—in any context—by the “traditional media”. It makes you feel that you’ve arrived; doesn’t it?

    Sign your real names and let’s discuss the issues in 2017.

    Come out from your holes like men and women—and not anonymice—and say what you have to say.

    I agree with Mr. Codrington.

  13. Vincent Haynes Avatar
    Vincent Haynes

    Bernard Codrington. January 21, 2017 at 4:22 PM #

    Hmmm…….a good suggestion on the surface but I have seen a number of individuals who have joined the political class with laudable intentions only to change course along the line including leaders.

  14. Bernard Codrington. Avatar
    Bernard Codrington.

    @ Vincent at 5 :22 PM.

    Why do you think they changed course along the line? Do you think you will change your course? More importantly there is no shame in changing course if you discover that things are not as simple as they appear from the sidelines. Politics is an art. There is no template.
    The theoretical physicists discovers that he cannot reduce the Universe to a mathematical equation on the back of an envelope.
    The academic economist discovers that what he learns at university is a learning tool. But implementation involves asking himself: “Are these assumptions reflected in reality? Does this law only apply to a single case in economic history and is not translatable? Ideas are just that …ideas. And they come at a dime a dozen.

  15. David Avatar
    David

    @Carl Moore

    Actually the reason is as simple as knowing you are with us lapping up BU’s pages.

  16. pieceuhderockyeahright Avatar
    pieceuhderockyeahright

    I am not sure if the term “digital democracy” and the term “e-democracy” are synonymous even though the Wikipedia definition would seek to suggests that they are with this narrative

    “E-democracy (a combination of the words electronic and democracy), also known as digital democracy or Internet democracy, incorporates 21st-century information and communications technology to promote democracy.

    It is a form of government in which all adult citizens are presumed to be eligible to participate equally in the proposal, development, and creation of laws.

    E-democracy encompasses social, economic and cultural conditions that enable the free and equal practice of political self-determination.”

    De ole man tend to err to the belief that digital democracy speaks more so to ” ICT supporting an Internet environment that promotes open, diverse, and democratic processes with a focus on disseminating the existing elements of practiced democracy using digital media in online and offline political communication.”

    Therefore digital democracy for me focuses the process of broadcasting democracy while e-democracy is moreso public sentiment and opinion versus existing rules and regulation and the second e-democracy can and does have the potential to affect the first.

    But who be de ole man to even comment on these big up topics.

    What I do know is that what is being discussed here in this digital medium is significantly affecting the opinions of the general public and the government is very wary in its resultant decision making.

    Every one of them comes here to read and, if you note the recent behaviors of Legion read AC one notes a type of bridling of the usual belligerence that is characteristic of one of them euphemism for “dem frighten to offend cause elections are soon”

    Let de ole man end this contribution? with a question to the infected party that it is being addressed to.

    as an anonymice who numbers among the “jekylls who would hyde” heheheheheh I would wish to enquire if Gonorrhea can still be treated with antibiotics such as ceftriaxone, azithromycin, and doxycycline?

  17. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    What’s all this about the ‘mainstream’ media? I thought the new publishing model says we are all digital now.
    This is part of the myth of so-called mass communication. If we are all ‘digital’ now, why don’t they get rid of print titles?
    The reality is that digital is just another form of communication, it is a new tool and will not displace print. To say that is to suggest, as had been said, that TV, video and DVDs will replace cinema. We know that is not true. Has e-books replaced the printed version; who owns the Washington Post?
    In fact, BU is a much better discussion forum than either the Nation or the Advocate, and far better tan Barbados Today.
    The major problem with BU, as has been pointed out, is the use of pseudonyms for the purpose of being abusive, foul-mouthed and personal, rather than to advance new ideas.
    People who have strong views should be able to defend them in public, not hide behind a mask.
    Whistleblowers are a different kettle of fish and they should be protected; but then again al they are doing is putting information in the public domain.
    Carl Moore is right.

  18. vincent haynes Avatar
    vincent haynes

    BC at 5.46 pm

    I recall one person who passed a law knowing it would affect him monetarily.
    I agree with you that changing things are not easy but e.g. laws…why not use UWI students to do it for credits.
    My point is that changes can happen if we take the road less travelled.

  19. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    It has the potential to be a Political Think Tank exposing its ideas to a wider Public.
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    This is a true statement ….except that it is ten years late….

    BU (as are other blogs of its vintage) IS ALREADY a political /social / technical / moral think tank that does a better job of exposing ideas to the wider public than does any other means of mass communications …mainly because it facilitates real-time two-way intercourse and anonymity to users – so that focus MUST be on ideas presented …rather than son if the person once got themselves infected with gonorrhoea…
    People follow BU because of the quality of the CONTENT .. not because the ‘name-brand-brass-bowls’ whose ‘names’ are appended….

    Those small minds that continue to insist on knowing specifically WHO it is that make contributions are of the lackie ilk … whose forte it is to maintain the status quo…. as if there is only one dog named ‘Bob’ …..or ‘Carl Moore’ – for that matter….

    If and when BU decides to become an ACTIVE political FORCE, David(BU) needs only work with someone who is prepared to champion the BU mantra of “integrity, transparency, accountability and meritocracy”, ….. create a PayPal account in the new party’s name and facilitate his entire BU family becoming financial, political and active members of the political movement….

    …but Caswell hard ears as shiite…. 🙂

  20. Gabriel Avatar
    Gabriel

    Hal Austin
    What is your intrepretation of ‘abusive’,’foul mouth’,personal?Is not that an outdated opinion?Are we not all expressing opinions in a language culturally understood.What did the sign on the homes of medieval England read?Fornication Under Consent of the King!What did it become?Did you like your English tormentors taught you,assign it to be a “bad” word?Are those folk who believe nakedness is an acceptable form of dress stupid?Who told Ye that thou wast naked!For truth …the happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts….MA….

  21. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ Hal
    Boss, you and Carl Moore are the same shiite …

    Worn-out ‘has-beens’ who are looking to make ‘names’ for wunna selves at the end of largely useless careers.

    What ‘use what anonymity to abuse other’ what?
    If wunna were not out there pushing wunna damn shiite names for personal acclaim…no one would be able to abuse wunna donkeys.

    Wunna CANNOT abuse TheGazer or Dribbler – cause wunna DO NOT KNOW THEM. Wunna can ONLY abuse their ideas….and THAT is what BU’s frank discourse is about.
    Gazer nor Dribbler would NOT take offence anyhow…… Bushie tried 🙂

    We are TIRED with this stupid-ass shiite argument that is based on idiocy….

    Your problem is that Pacha, knowing your history of talking shiite and accomplishing little, can immediately judge many of your contributions based on your history….
    You have also used YOUR REAL NAMEon occasion, to cuss Pacha’s ass back…. again junking the logic of your argument against pseudonyms.

    LOOKA!! …If wunna have nothing of substance to contribute, why not just DISS BU… by ff’ing off FOR GOOD…..?

    shiite man!!!! wunna becoming overbearing now…..

  22. vincent haynes Avatar
    vincent haynes

    To each their own…respect due to all.

  23. nineofnine Avatar
    nineofnine

    Vincent Haynes January 21, 2017 at 1:08 PM #

    ….”So tell us why members of the political class would shoot themselves in the foot?”…..

    Firstly Vincent, we need the ideas.
    Ideas come out of need, they advance society.

    ….”how to get the political class to accept progressive ideas as they are the only ones who can change the laws to allow them entry”….

    Rid your belief that the political class are the ONLY ones who can change the laws, though true to a large extent, it is by TRUTH, CONVICTION OF REASON and BENEFIT DERIVE that can propel action, it is the fuel to the engine.

    Case point: During the Clinton and Monica Lewinski saga, when he had to go before Congress, what moved Congress to look the other direction? It was the fact that in quantum language which states, ANYTHING WITHIN A BOX CANNOT BE CONSIDERED, Clinton then laid on the table the fact that all of the US currency notes were designed and printed within a box…. see the ramifications of that? it meant that the currency had NO VALUE , Congress stood down on and moved forthwith to recall and reprint the currency, that action rebounded
    across the world INCLUDING BARBADOS…. go look at any note (does not have defined borders). It also showed Clinton the value of an advisor.

    Now to answer your LAST QUESTION…

    FOR A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT YOU MEAN BY POLITICAL CLASS.
    If you mean parliamentarians, then in this case , to move them into action can take any variable. For instance, what comes to mind is any gross violation of the law by lawmakers. Law is applied to a Nation, it does not exempt, therefore any violations of the law must be applied to that which has been knowingly premeditative in nature, unlawfully perpetrated/committed and concealed by way of “lawful enactments”. In essence it is a fraud and perjury of gigantic proportions.
    Any Forensic evidence, LEGAL DOCUMENTS, pronouncements, facts, and witnesses (as laden vessels in dry dock) presented in a MARITIME COURT OF LAW will override the law of the land finding justice.

    As in the law of the land , there is always a PLEA DEAL.

    If one the other hand, by POLITICAL CLASS mean those who ascribe their thoughts, critiques, concerns and suggestions of the political landscape by debate and discussion, to me there ought not to be that cry of ridiculed. Yes, identify shortcomings and inadequacies, even failures but also show a way forward relentlessly, admonish and enlighten.

  24. Bernard Codrington. Avatar
    Bernard Codrington.

    @ Bush Tea @ 6: 45 PM

    What do you mean by “meritocracy”? I see this term in BU’s mantra. Every ruling class in Barbados since 1627 considered that it merited its hegemony. What are the criteria for BU’s “meritocracy? Just asking.

  25. peterlawrencethompson Avatar
    peterlawrencethompson

    Some choose to use their names on this forum and some choose not to. There are valid reasons for each, but If we degenerate into arguing about which is more valid we will have squandered the opportunity to discuss substantive issues.

  26. vincent haynes Avatar
    vincent haynes

    Chuckle….and some choose to put their pictures as well,diversity at its best.

  27. Bernard Codrington. Avatar
    Bernard Codrington.

    O.K Vincent

    Let us keep it diverse. Some will discuss issues and some will discuss persons.

  28. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ Bernard
    “Meritocracy’ is not a ‘bush-word’ like ‘whacker’, ‘brass-bowl’, or ‘BBE’…… google can be your friend….

    …a system in which the talented are chosen and moved ahead on the basis of their achievement….

  29. vincent haynes Avatar
    vincent haynes

    BC

    Agreed,so how do we ensure ideas of worth come to fruition?

  30. Anonymouse - t\TheGazer Avatar
    Anonymouse – t\TheGazer

    @Carl Moore
    “even as you naughtily did recently by allowing someone else to sign in as Carl Moore. Or perhaps you did it yourself.”

  31. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    Some will discuss issues and some will discuss persons…..
    …and in order to discuss persons, …you need their damn names….
    …and probably their ID numbers too, because who knows which ‘Carl’ um is writing shiite…?

  32. Anonymouse - t\TheGazer Avatar
    Anonymouse – t\TheGazer

    @Carl Moore
    “even as you naughtily did recently by allowing someone else to sign in as Carl Moore. Or perhaps you did it yourself”

    Are you saying that there is one Car Moore in this universe of ours? Or are you asking that the the blogmaster reserves this moniker just for you? Could it be possible that there is another Carl Moore and he was using his real name? Would you prefer that this other Carl Moore use a pseudonym.

    Your arrogance amazes/amuses me.

  33. Bernard Codrington. Avatar
    Bernard Codrington.

    Thank you. Bush Tea. You must understand at this stage of my life meaning is contextual. I use neither dictionary nor Google. I am more interested in what the author means.

  34. Anonymouse - t\TheGazer Avatar
    Anonymouse – t\TheGazer

    Please excuse any typographical/rum and coke errors.

  35. fortyacresandamule Avatar
    fortyacresandamule

    To avoid getting into too much debt you need a robust fiscal resposibilty framework along with a rigorous buget preparation exercise. Overestimation of revenues has been our story for every budget cycle.

  36. nineofnine Avatar
    nineofnine

    @ All
    Are any of the ideas in this article makes sense? are they feasible?

  37. Anonymouse - t\TheGazer Avatar
    Anonymouse – t\TheGazer

    @Hal,
    I think this is the second or third time I heard you speak of abuse?

    I do not see the abuse that you constantly reference.

    The only person guilty of abuse is Artax. He gives ac a well deserved cut-ass seven days a week.

  38. Bernard Codrington. Avatar
    Bernard Codrington.

    @ nine of nine@8;28 PM

    Since you are the ninth of your mother’s children you should not depend on an encyclopedia that is older than you for your definition of what a government should provide for its citizens in the second decade of the 21st century.
    Trust your intuition a little more and ask yourself what it is you think a modern government should provide.
    Secondly do not try to reinvent the wheel . Improve the design of the existing wheel or discard wheels altogether.
    Do some research. My cursory reading of your suggestions/ideas indicates to me that in some forms these ideas are already in place or have been tried and discarded.

    My intention is not to discourage you. I have enjoyed many of your interventions on BU.

    More importantly. Never seek validation for your ideas.Ask for a critique. If at the end of the discussion you still believe in your ideas . Do not change them.
    .

  39. nineofnine Avatar
    nineofnine

    @ Bernard Codrington. January 21, 2017 at 9:40 PM #

    lol, …”you should not depend on an encyclopedia that is older than you “…. is that to say we should not depend on “history”. or even the bible or the history of the deeds you hold to your land on which your house sits, the ancient laws and principles?… I ask that question when I saw that the thread of the submission looking like littles boys misbehaving in class… no pun intended.
    the submissions are always intuitive, trust me, and of the governments” MO, NONE OF THESE ARE IMPLIMENTED (subject to your correction), I try not to judge by speculation, I love truth and facts.
    Thank you for enjoying my submissions, it would pleasing to see you ratify them and even go as far as to promote them, the ideas are not my own, they simply are subliminally and intuitively impressed upon me and I share…. maybe that’s my purpose and a calling.

    oh, by the way… the Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1959 came along after.

  40. nineofnine Avatar
    nineofnine

    @ Bernard Codrington. January 21, 2017 at 9:40 PM #

    For the record, I am not the ninth of my mothers children… the soul of Barack Obama is the ninth member of the ARCTURIAN COUNCIL OF NINE…

  41. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    Bushie

    Man, doan mind Carl Moore.

    Carl Moore is not a real journalist like Michael Moore.

    Has Carl ever written an article or complied a documentary at the level of Michael’s Fahrenheit 9/11 in 2004? Has he ever won a Pulitzer Prize?

    I guess not, because Wikipedia’s information on him, which is just as short as his letters to the Nation, has one sentence re: “Carl Moore is a Barbadian jazz critic, journalist, radio broadcaster and former head of the Barbados Broadcasting Association.”

    I have never read an article, written by Carl, in which he exposed, for example, the names of drug lords and the politicians whose political campaigns are financed by them. Or is he afraid to attach his name to these types of issues?

    Ask Carl if he ever wrote any of his “one sentenced” letters to the editor, criticizing those “unidentified anonymice journalists,” who remain in their holes like men and women to create “gossip columns” such as “Cou Cou & Flying Fish,” “Pudding & Souse” and “Under the Tamarind Tree,” where under the cloak of anonymity, they use innuendo and rumour to cast aspirations on the characters of certain individuals?

    “This is the mischief that anonymity encourages.”

    I want him to be consistent with his request and ask the “digital ghosts journalists” at the Nation who use the editorials to write on issues, to likewise “Come out from their holes like men and women—and not anonymice—and say what they have to say.”

  42. de pedantic Dribbler Avatar
    de pedantic Dribbler

    @Hal Austin January 21, 2017 at 6:21 PM

    It is odd for a former journalist to get caught up in a straw debate related to digital and print media. There are few questions anymore of the lifespan of hard-copy news. It will continue to be around likely forever but at a fraction of its past life.

    How can anyone look pass the fact that an individual reads 50 books over 12 months and 45 were e-books. Or that a subscription to the Nation, NY Times or the Post does not include any newsprint versions, even on Sundays.

    Of course digital is just another form but it is pervasive and has taking over.

    There are some serious consumers of news that have never bought a paper … or watched any of their 100’s of movies in a cinema: in the US $14 a ticket for ‘Hidden Figures’ the wonderful new movie. Popcorn, coke and hot dogs additional. Surround sound, super large screen and plush seats desired.

    A modern home media center with plush seats and very large screen with one credit card purchaser and that $14 movie is enjoyed by an entire family or group of friends.

    This digital debate is as passe as newsprint and cinema.

    The pseudonyms debate is even more passe.

    As Bushie noted YOU have a caustic tongue and use it often (like against that Nation journo). So do you come here “for the purpose of being abusive, foul-mouthed and personal, rather than to advance new ideas.”

    Who engages with foul-mouthed bloggers if they are simply attacking at a personal level…no one!

    I believe many were aghast when one blogger threw that gonorrhea dart at Moore. But not because of the blogger’s anonymity rather because he was a known person and a doctor.

    Moore could have take the matter to Whitepark if he wanted to and truly tested this mater of ‘anonymous’ internet trolling…he DID NOT (as far as I am aware).

    So you and he should throw out this red herring as it really shows your hypocrisy and intellectual dishonesty.

  43. ac Avatar
    ac

  44. Vincent Haynes Avatar
    Vincent Haynes

    nineofnine January 21, 2017 at 7:17 PM #

    A critique of this post as requested:….

    We have ideas in abundance in Bim….as I have previously noted many of yours were very much along the vein of the late Dr Ramasses Caddle.

    Our sticking point is that the political class will only allow ideas that do them no political harm to see the light of day.

    I refer to the political class as recently defined by our PM in parliament which suggested that he was referring to the members of the two traditional parties as one family which was interpreted to mean that they will look after each other come what may.

    Your answer using the american system is a non-starter…..are you aware that under our system the Prime Minister has more power than your american president.

    You seem to have sojourned out of Bim for too long a moon,as you no longer seem to understand the Caribbean.

  45. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ Vincent
    It is not REALLY that the Prime Minister has more ‘power’ than the US president, …it is that the people are more brass bowls than the American People…or any other people…

    Do you think that ANY leader, ANYWHERE …but in Brassbados, could have remained in ‘power’ after CLICO and then CAHILL….?
    Boss, …even in Pissvale, Shiiteland, citizens would have been UNABLE to tolerate the STENCH …and would have made his ass miserable with boycotts, strikes, refusal to pay taxes, blocking of the streets, and booing his ass anytime he appears in public…

    Where else in this WHOLE world …would an opposition party subject themselves to the rulings of a Speaker of the House who is a court-named thief and criminal?

    It takes a people of ZERO moral compass to ’empower’ such scamps in the first place…. and THAT …is why our PMs have more ‘power’ than anyone else in the whole damned world….

    The problem with those who live overseas is that they are unable to rationalise how such brass-bowlery could be so endemic in a whole damn country… it is unbelievable!!!

  46. Vincent Haynes Avatar
    Vincent Haynes

    Bush Tea January 22, 2017 at 10:18 AM #

    Yup…..all correct.

  47. nineofnine Avatar
    nineofnine

    @ Vincent Haynes January 22, 2017 at 11:08 AM #

    …..”You seem to have sojourned out of Bim for too long a moon, as you no longer seem to understand the Caribbean”….. that is mere speculation on your part,…

    LOL…In creativity, one has to create FROM A BLANK CANVASS, therefore, current systems et al are non-existent for new beginnings in the current timeline.

    …” the American system is a non-starter”….

    Free education has been instituted in some European countries…. maybe they saw Barbados style of education as a model and worthy system….discouragement would have robbed many of that opportunity.

    thank you Vincent for the critique.

  48. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    de pedantic

    I understand your confusion. I have just retired from spending a number of years having internal discussions about this subject at the Financial Times Group almost everyday. Digital is not as successful as the propaganda says. The FT is now officially a digital company, but they still have about 15 print publications, one of which I edited for about 15 years.
    I remember giving a talk to a group of Chinese students who had visited London to talk about the same subject.
    I remember the look on the professor’s face when I said it was not digital, but content that was important. If you put rubbish in digitally, you still get rubbish out. It is content, dear boy, content.
    Digital is a flawed business model. People do not pay for news content anywhere in the world. That’s why Mailonline, the most popular news online, is still having problems monetising its product. Would you pay for the news content of Barbados Today, when they cannot tell the difference between a parliamentary secretary and a permanent secretary?
    People pay for two kinds of online information: information that will advance their professions, and information connected to their hobbies.
    Where publishing houses have print and digital offerings, they often offer double advertising rates – for X amount of money, you will get a show in print and online.
    In this forum I have already referred to the business model of the Nation, the most successful publishing house in Barbados, with a Sunday sale of about 40000; not even a third of the homes in Barbados. So, if you have a publication virtually without competition, which cannot reach a third of homes, then it is a sad day, no matter what they say.
    In Britain we have free newspaper, local and national, and people still ignore them. Is it to do with the reading public?
    About 10 per cent of UK homes do not have a single book, not even a comic. Or we can read this positively as 90 per cent of UK homes have books.
    Whichever way we look at it there is a problem, given that nearly 50 per cent of UK school leavers go on to university.
    There is a lot of voodoo around digital. What we can say is that we are in the midst of a digital revolution; how it will pan out no one knows.
    Shouting off in a forum like BU may be interesting, but facts, dear boy, facts.

  49. David Avatar
    David

    Content will always be important/required whether it is delivered via digital media or the traditional model. What cannot be disputed is that with the ubiquitous use/rise of technology aka smart devices business models will morph to recognize the convergence of the technology on traditional media.

  50. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    David,

    We are in the middle of a revolution. Unless you can see the future you do not know the outcome, neither do we. It is all speculative.
    I have a pile of vinyl records from the 1960s and 70s; the sale of vinyl has returned shocking the music industry. Don’t be too quick to put down print.
    Look at the lifespan of the new technologies, how quickly they are overtaken by new technologies. Print dominated communication for over 300 years. Can digital last for 50?
    I know it pains Barbadians sometimes to admit that serious debates are going on outside Barbados, but they are and these are the issues they are debating.
    If it was that simple do you think that the many august print publication all over the Western world would still be going. The Economist is one of the fastest growing publications – print or digital – in the world. It is content, dear chap, content.
    Semi-literacy and bombast remain semi-literacy and bombast no matter the form it is delivered in.

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