Submitted by Mrs. Debra Ifill, Independent Voter
The idea of a third, fourth, and fifth party in principle is one that should be welcomed. It augurs well for any democratic state, that the freedom exists where ordinary people can put themselves forward to contest political elections.
But political leadership is not child’s play it is a serious decision that comes with national responsibility. It is no surprise that we are seeing a rising number of parties coming forward to contest the upcoming election. The DLP has demonstrated that it possibly takes little to gain leadership of our nation. Unfortunately for the past eight years we have been subjected to, “the worst government since adult suffrage”, as stated by Dr. George Belle. The problematic is that the people must not allow mediocrity to become the standard of our democracy. What should also be clear in the minds of those who would contest the election, is that it also takes very little to destroy a nation; a point also well demonstrated by the DLP.
As the legitimate Opposition party of Barbados, we want the BLP to outline blatantly the way forward. Yes, their manifesto-esque document, The Covenant of Hope attempts to do so. The issue with this document is in its cumbersome nature, especially for the ordinary person. Appropriate conversations with the people remain necessary, and I see that today, Saturday, 11 February 2016, this was started with the mass canvass in the City, showing an attempt at unity of message. It is my hope that these will continue. The strategy cannot be, that after the election is called, the deeper conversations with the people will begin. The leadership of the BLP must outline for us, their plans; their economic plan, their leadership plan, and their plan for our social elevation. We have been after all suffering for the past eight years, and although we know the way up will not be easy, we need to know that there are actual plans in the works.
For many there appears to be a void in the political system. This idea was created by the combination of an inept and failed DLP government; and their morality campaign preying on the reactionary nature of some of our citizens. This campaign, hypocritical as it might be, since immorality in many forms has played out on the national stage for the past eight years, would have been more damaging, had the DLP actually been a government of some success. But it did create a void in some peoples’ minds. Of course those persons are unable to see behind the curtain of confusion that was created.
Nonetheless, opportunistic individuals are attempting to exploit this void, some seeking to look after their own interest groups as is seemingly the case with Solutions Barbados, and those seemingly with personal grouses and axes to grind, as is the case with the UPP. Of course they believe that they can do no worse than the current administration, and they may be correct in that assumption. What we as a people need however, is a government that knows that it is better than what currently exists, and that is equipped with the knowledge, and the tools to turn this country around.
Eastmond’s failing to earn a nomination from the people is not the reason that I would resist her as a possible leader of the state. What would cause me pause instead is the bitterness in the expressions about the leader of the opposition that she and her cohorts espouse on social media almost daily. I find it distasteful, and irresponsible. It is as if her cohorts and her, believe that their political failures are the fault of the Opposition leader. I have yet to hear of any studies done by Ms. Eastmond and friends, seeking the answer as to why she has been unable to gain a simple nomination. In other words she has yet to take responsibility for her failures. It is the same with Dr Maria Agard, who played a risky political game and lost. Lost, and not only victories, must be seen to have been taken with dignity.
As the Opposition Leader stated today, parties come and parties go. What I am more concerned with at this juncture, is what the incoming leaders of this country, Ms Mottley and her team, plan to do to take the country forward.
Interesting and I like the key thrusts; however, when should a political party apart from providing a general map of its philosophy, vision, and approaches to governance, get into the actual specifics? In any event, political communication is ongoing and often viewed in terms of both things said and not said, things written and not written. In other words, if one looks at the track record of the BLP under Mia Mottley’s leadership for example, it becomes traceable the approaches to governance and all that is left is the finer details of policy actions. Which political party around the world, sitting in the opposition, will provide exactness with general elections constitutionally due more than a year away? The key here seems to be about preparation and credibility; and giving the people sufficient to stimulate interest and to get involved. Participation is the hallmark of democracy. Otherwise, an interesting article.
Much needed education for the political parties.
https://www.barbadostoday.bb/2017/02/11/upp-accused-of-plagiarism/
How stupid and petty, how does one plagarize a piece of cloth.
A piece of cloth or cloth colors does not fall under the definition of plagarism, do all of these politicians, ministers and wannabe leaders have the IQs and intellect of the ACs….a bunch of goddamn badly educated dummies.
For the politicians and ministers…this is the definition of plagarismm a piece of cloth or cloth colors are not intellectual work or ideas….idiots.
“WHAT IS PLAGIARISM?
Many people think of plagiarism as copying another’s work or borrowing someone else’s original ideas. But terms like “copying” and “borrowing” can disguise the seriousness of the offense:
ACCORDING TO THE MERRIAM-WEBSTER ONLINE DICTIONARY, TO “PLAGIARIZE” MEANS
to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one’s own
to use (another’s production) without crediting the source
to commit literary theft
to present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source
In other words, plagiarism is an act of fraud. It involves both stealing someone else’s work and lying about it afterward.
BUT CAN WORDS AND IDEAS REALLY BE STOLEN?
According to U.S. law, the answer is yes. The expression of original ideas is considered intellectual property and is protected by copyright laws, just like original inventions. Almost all forms of expression fall under copyright protection as long as they are recorded in some way (such as a book or a computer file).
ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ARE CONSIDERED PLAGIARISM:
turning in someone else’s work as your own
copying words or ideas from someone else without giving credit
failing to put a quotation in quotation marks
giving incorrect information about the source of a quotation
changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit
copying so many words or ideas from a source that it makes up the majority of your work, whether you give credit or not (see our section on “fair use” rules)
Most cases of plagiarism can be avoided, however, by citing sources. Simply acknowledging that certain material has been borrowed and providing your audience with the information necessary to find that source is usually enough to prevent plagiarism. See our section on citation for more information on how to cite sources properly.”
“changing words but copying the sentence structure of a source without giving credit….”
The plagarists ACs are known for copying my words on BU, I had to haul them up about it more than once, that is plagarism, what UPP allegedly did is not plagarism, there is no law against political parties using the same clothing and what’s this backward obsession with party colors anyway, it will just continue to create more stupid yardfowls, more bribery, more corruption………
I guess the leaders of this BIM party ain’t that bright either…politics attracts the dumbest people.
NO George Brathwaite stop talking bull so early in the morning ,,Yes there are several political parties who have made mention of the promises of their intentions
With the intervention of social media and the burning desire of people wanting to know the finer details, no political party or politician can longer sit on their backside and use criticism as a way forward to win an election.
Taking a look at the USA election recently elected [resident for all the criticisms and rightfully so that is being leveled against him he had a winning message that those who voted for him could identify
Therefore any political party who sets a stage for battle must have a message that is solid and attractive in merit which the people can identify and not act on an impulsive chord and a backward idea principle of presenting pigs in a bag to the people and hoping they will buy
Not going to happen
THE BLP Plan have to be the same as always, to cover up the Massive Land fraud and PONZI that bring Barbados to this point,This plan of Massive Land Fraud started before 1980, by that time the owner of most of Barbados was 88 years old,Beatrice Jemmott-Henry, The plotters of the law firm Carrington and Sealy lawyers, changing the records at the land registry by G.Dennis Clarke QC, et Ali,1986
After Her death Dec13th 1985 age 93 Probate to Will went to Violet Agard-Beckles June 1986,
these Plantation deeds well over 200 to 300 were given the Sir Richard L Cheltenham to Assent into her name,
When Violet Agard- Beckles went to check on progress the crook lawyer said he can not find the Plantation deeds,, The deeds now seem to show up under the name of Sir C.O Williams, now moving the land to please, Each lawyer Mrs. Beckles went to see now to walk off with part of the Estate and none would help her collect her rents, The rents come in the law firms and even St Mary’s Church,By 2007 the number of lawyers reach over 60,
All of the AGs from that time including Sir David Simmons Ex CJ of Barbados met with Mrs. Beckles in 1995 at his old office in the new Post office,
In 1997 the plan by the BLP Master minds came up with the UDC. The Mission of the UDC was a ploy to launder the land, 1st VAT at 15 % they agreed on. The VAT was to move the people from land rent to land ownership. The people on the land would just pay 2.50$ per Sq ft, and if the selling price was 15.00$ the VAT would pay 12.50$.Now People Welcome to the TAX tax role no more land rent, A full Clear Title deed.
The greed of the BLP Mia/Owen/COW/HAM/T&CP/lawyers of Barbados, so large that CLICO got into the MIX.Clico now adding large amounts of land to their books and going door to door bragging about their Worth,
The Public bought into the Massive Ponzi /Land fraud ploy, Ask Leroy Parris. He is not alone and not the mastermind.
When the lawyers were pushed they became QC and Judges When the judges were pushed they move to other CC island looking for a Bench,
Now with the heat coming on, outside people and even students seem to have a class on looking into the rumors, It was said to me what Teacher gave it as an assignment.The findings were removed from the public view.
The Free Library was closed and moved and number of Books and information removed,
The books at the Barbados Land Registry was Books rewritten , the printout changed to reduce Beatrice Henrys Estate to house and spot lot, No Plantations listed,
The Barbados Archive hide and remove from public sight the Plantation History that was noted in Books and the 432 pages binder listed history,
The Archives also removed the Web site http://www.plantation.bb , taken down 2012 after the owner of the site died in 2010. At that time the site was out of TEXAS USA,
By 2002 Caswell did a report to MIA AG of the 17 properties he found, thinking that was enough to get an investigation going on Mrs.Beckles Plea for help among these crooks, liars and scumbag lawyers of Barbados, Now know Mia was the Head, Crook and Bottle washer,
While PM Owen stands with Mark Cummings of Town and Country converting good farm land for COW buildings to import food.
PM Owen, Sir COW and his now lawyer partner Sir Cheltenham. As AG MIA sign over as much land as she needed to CROWN LAND without payment from the Owners, This land was then taken up by the NHC for big white Projects and the other land went to the UDC for Lawyer Keith Mayers of the UDC to sit in Meeting with the same Mark Cummins, Blocking the head Project Manager from doing her Work Marget Telma .
Now , Maps and NEW books were now written to reflect the NEW and IMPROVE HISTORY of BARBADOS in 1986,
BLACK NIGGERS , EX SO CALLED SLAVES NEVER OWN NOTHING , MADE NOTHING OF THEIR FREEDOM FROM THE 1840S,still full niggers new masters the whiteman with help of the new black- Masters the BDLP and now the DBLP government,PIMP title holders calling them a “political class” above all others, A tag team match of crook keeping the People down,
Prime Minister David, Had on the way 10th Aug 2009 Station Sgt Mark White of the Barbados Fraud Squad , After 3 weeks and 40 pages signed By Mrs.Beckles 18 pages and 22 pages signed based on My FINDINGS , LISTED ,COPY PLANTATION DEEDS, BOOK, RECORDS HELD BY THE FIRST OWNER FROM 1926-1984/1985
The next Owner of Barbados died 23rd Aug 2010 and the PM David Thompson was dragged to his Grave 23rd Oct 2010 , 23rd The Lord is My Shepard,
TO THIS DATE SUNDAY 12TH FEB 2017 THE HEIRS STILL WAIT ON PROBATE,
The only Person in the DBLP government telling the truth is the Auditor General of Barbados.
This is why the DLP nor BLP will tell the truth on either side the fight for the government is over the keeping the people from the truth and to get at the money,
The DLP and BLP have aTreaty to Lie to the Bajans and to keep the PONZI land fraud going,,
The Bankers and the smart white men of England had to run from COW and Bizzy Williams and Black Rock FOUR SEASON LAND SCAM,
WE HOLD THE DEED FOR BLACK ROCK PLANTATION NOT EVEN LISTED IN BARBADOS RECORDS ” REMOVED,” BRITTIONS HILL PLANTATION ” REMOVED’
95 PLANTATION REMOVED ONLY 396 LISTED OUT OF 491 TOTAL AT THIS TIME,
NO PAST OR PRESENT MEMBERS OF THE DLP NOR BLP MUST NEVER AGAIN BE ELECTED TO OFFICE,
MOST NEED TO BE CHARGED AND JAILED,
This is a crime against every single Bajan, Black , White , Indian ,Human born in Barbados, Every Tourist and anyone that spend a dime, nickel or cent, every taxpayer, ever VAT payer, every bog/cat/ bird that eat less,
We do not need any backup parties from Owen /Mia, or Fumble and MOF .The US Embassy knows of the crimes in Bim and watching how things play out, This is why the IDB took back $60 Million for the City , $160 Million from FOUR SEASONS, $40Million for water DAM Canada,
for even more information alexmitchellcup246@gmail.com , All Question have answers like it or not, in crime, see something say something,
Dogma reporting, NEWS BLOCK Barbados one fraud Media ,, C U P must be getting stuck on their keyboard
UPP
The Barbados Integrity Movement (BIM) and Solutions Barbados are the two other parties which will compete against the incumbent Democratic Labour Party (DLP) and the opposition (Barbados Labour Party (BLP) in the next poll.
HEY YOU ALL CANT WRITE CUP , CUP WIL BE THE NEXT COUP
@ George C. Brathwaite
I have to agree with the AC consortium of DLP yard-fowls re: “……no political party or politician can longer sit on their backside and use criticism as a way forward to win an election.”
During the 2008 general election campaign the DLP’s mantra was “time for a change,” because they implied, through innuendo, the then BLP administration was corrupt and engaged in activities to “raid the Treasury” and deposit their ill gotten gains in “foreign bank accounts,” which they promised Barbadians to recover those amounts.
Prior the campaign, the DEMS did NOT offer Barbadians any viable, definitive policies, but were highly critical of the BEES. It was only until they released their 2008 election manifesto on the “eve” of voting day, in which they disclosed their proposed policies.
So far, after 9 years at the helm of government, this inept DLP administration has not been able fulfill any of their manifesto promises (even those that did not require financing) or implement any successful developmental social or economic policies for this island. This fact is evidenced by the break down in the delivery of social services, failed economic policies, numerous consecutive credit rating downgrades and a disgruntled police force under an inept Attorney General.
This is the result of “a political party that set a stage (without) a message that (was) solid and attractive in merit which the people can identify and (they acted) on an impulsive chord and a backward idea principle of presenting pigs in a bag to the people and hoping they will buy.
Surely Barbadians are fully aware of these “campaign shenanigans” and the BLP should trod cautiously if they are planning to attempt similar strategies to woo voters.
@Artax
The curiosity your comment raises is -what happened in 2013?
Therefore any political party who sets a stage for battle must have a message that is solid and attractive in merit
Chuckle……..make Bim great again………..its going to happen
QED
If the BLP had balls intead of the same regurgitation methods of unending porridge of crticisms the blp would present methods that are appetizing and worth while persuing and persuasive in angst before the people.
What good is the themal rhetoric of pretense of weighing on issues which the blp had ignore under watch e.g the water problems and wanting to seize an opportunity of advantage in reactionary tones .
Especially in light of the facts left behind by their governance which displays actions to the contrary and which stands as glaringly reminders of their ineptness and attitudes
”
Since 2014 students of the University of the West Indies Cave Hill have been required to pay their own tuition fees, a decision that Opposition Leader Mia Mottley said she still opposed.
“We will not be charging fees at the University of the West Indies for Barbadians. Life is about choices. This is a $35 million problem out of an almost $4 billion budget,” she said yesterday.
http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/93468/mia-students-won-foot#sthash.4IntIWKy.dpuf
What good is the themal rhetoric of pretense of weighing on issues which the blp had ignore under watch e.g the water problems and wanting to seize an opportunity of advantage in reactionary tones .
………………………………………………………………
Chuckle…..pot calling the kettle……….
I tried to articulate that if one the opposition party is able to hang around for 10 to 15 years, and make no glaring mistakes, the people of Barbados will elect them (out of disgust with the other do-nothing party).
People need to properly vet these new political parties as a few them may just be straw horse whose purpose is to affect the election in a few constituencies.
==========================================================
I am still trying to grasp the message of this article but am tempted to believe that he/she is truly an independent voter….
The DLP is a failed party, but the BLP of today has characteristics that are similar to the DLP of eight years ago. He/she then dismisses Solutions Barbados and UPP with a short sentence and does not mention the other parties.
Licks fuh everyboddeeee.
Mia statement indicating that university fees would not be implented in her watch is a bolf faced lie which glirs in the face on reality
Positioning promises or ideas in an age where small economies are depenable on golbal economies influence which can hurt or harm smaller nations with lesser influence is a glaringly example of Mia trying to sell an unrealist idea to an unsuspecting and gullible electorate
Hopefully the electorate would not be sway and reject her emotive unwise plaver as selling a pig in a bag
Correction glirs…..flies in the face
Usually fear is generated from a position of knowledge. To the author of this piece I say that fear of the unknown is more relevant in this instance. Unknown is whether or not the spiteful old man is really through with elective politics. Whether or not he and a few as yet unnamed candidates can cherry pick at least three seats in an election where so called ”safe seats” are practically nonexistent. Common knowledge shows that about six snakes are listed as a part of Mia’s team. What stops them from winning their seats and then joining forces with an opportunistic bunch that might well include a disgruntle Dem or two? After all its the person with the bigger number that gets the nod at Government House. Far fetched you say? So too was a Donald Trump presidency. The difference here is the fact that in Barbadian politics voter reprisal is as likely as the owner installing a muzzle on ”De Moon Town Jackass”. Our politicians have nothing to fear, that’s why they do what they do. WE LIKE IT SO.
Voter reprisal in this case is totally justified…voters can punish both DBLP political parties significantly by ignoring the lies from politicians, not taking the petty little bribes for votes and splitting those votes evenly between all the parties……karma.
….except for this BIM party that seems clueless to the definition of the word plagarism and obviously dont do any research before they make stupid statements and stupid-er…accusations…..how can they govern when they make such elementary mistakes…..due to lack of knowledge. ..and displaying that stupidity in an online newspaper. .
https://www.barbadostoday.bb/2017/02/11/owens-puppets/
http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/93466/arthur-upp
The article is really a very piercing indictment of the Barbados Labour Party. It is actually saying that the BLP has not been able to put forward any concrete plan for taking the country forward. It describes the recent Covenant of Hope with the people as”manifesto-esque”. I find it very strange that Mia is talking about the BLP being 79 years old and here we have an opinion that a 79 year old party cannot clearly present an alternative policy. Very confusing.
It is sadly obvious that those who are looking for hope in either the DLP or BLP have already concluded that there is no hope in either. I hope ALL third parties challenge the BLPDLP. They are both empty of ideas and neither has any plans for the country. Articles such as this one usually unwittingly make this so very clear. Pot calling kettle black…six and half dozen.
@William
The issue is NOT about political parties offering alternatives, we have had many policy measures offered through the years. Our problem as a people is two fold; holding politicians and public officials accountable AND attracting candidates who embrace public service as the mantra. If you want to challenge BU’s position have a read of the Auditor General ‘s reports from 2006.
Artax where you lose the argument of comparison is that the BLP enjoyed plenty years of economic success driven by positive global performance whereas the same duplicity was absence to present govt
Therefore your comment although might seem plausible directed through a political lens have conveniently devoid many of the global factors externally and internally which could have played a significant role in hampering govt decision to deliver some of the promises made
There is no win or lose if both parties have been found guilty of the same bullshit through the years.
@ David
There were similar occurrences in 2013.
Recall Stuart and Sinckler reassuring Barbadians that: Government would continue to finance tertiary level education; there would not be any retrenchment of public sector employees and privatization of public sector organizations was not a consideration.
AND WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE 2013 ELECTIONS?
If you read page 4 of the DLP’s 2013 election manifesto under the caption: “DLP Performance 2008-2012,” the list of their achievements included “Keeping all public servants employed.” Recall, prior to the 2013 election campaign, Stuart reassuring Barbadians that no public sector employee would be retrenched, then a few months after the elections, government announced its retrenchment program.
Also, on page 5 on that manifesto:
During the next five years a new Democratic Labour Party Administration will implement policies and programmes to:
• Reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and embrace the Green and Blue economies;
• Transform agriculture to produce high value added products;
• Rebuild the physical infrastructure;
• Inject new life into manufacturing;
• Deepen the diversification of our tourism markets, and expand the heritage and Diaspora thrust;
• Enhance the attractiveness of Barbados as a place to do business;
• Provide sustainable solutions in the areas of solid waste management and water scarcity;
• Establish institutional arrangements to train Barbadians to benefit from the opportunities for access to good paying jobs, including an I.T software industry;
• Develop the human potential to higher levels;
• Support the thrust towards entrepreneurship;
• Support an environmentally attractive Barbados where any kind of pollution, including noise pollution, is reduced considerably.
The economic and social goals contained in our Manifesto prepare the path to a better livelihood for all. Fellow Barbadians, we invite you to adopt and vote for the policies and programmes promoted in this Manifesto and presented to you as FOUR PILLARS OF OUR FUTURE SUCCESS:
SOCIALLY BALANCED POLICIES;
ECONOMICALLY VIABLE DEVELOPMENT;
ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND PRACTICES;
GOOD HONEST GOVERNANCE.
Perhaps any BU contributor may be will to honestly present any information, as substantiating evidence, that any of the promises/policies/strategies, as outline in the DLP’s 2013 election manifesto that were successfully implemented.
• Have Barbadians seen any significant attempts to embrace the Green & Blue economies?
• There have not been any developmental policies for agriculture and the minister only speaks on issues when “prompted” to do so by the opposition.
• Government has found it necessary to “rebuild the physical infrastructure” as a “belated policy” to spur economic activity and appease complaints from Barbadians (e.g. patching potholes, suggesting the building of concrete roads, etc).
• I may be mistaken, but I have not heard government present plans for the manufacturing sector. Unless telling Barbadians to import less is their actual plan. Unfortunately, manufacturing seems NOT to be an “IMPORTANT PRIORITY” for SUCCESSIVE BLP and DLP administrations.
• We are yet to hear the successes of the Tourism Development Plan.
• Government has DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to ENHANCE the attractiveness of Barbados as a place to do business. Even the Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce and Small Business, Donville Inniss PUBLICLY ADMITTED this FACT.
• This administration has also belatedly provided UNSUSTAINABLE, “KNEE JERK” solutions in the areas of solid waste management and water scarcity. The environment minister REMAINS silent on environmental issues, and more so, after the CAHIL scam was exposed. And as it relates to water scarcity, against the background of daily protests from residents in areas who were recently experiencing water outages, Estwick found it necessary to address this issue only when he was “nudged” by the Opposition to do so.
We all know that, as it relates to “SOCIALLY BALANCED POLICIES; ECONOMICALLY VIABLE DEVELOPMENT; ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND PRACTICES and (especially) GOOD HONEST GOVERNANCE” this inept DLP administration has been an ABYSMAL FAILURE.
@ George C. BrathwaiteFebruary 12, 2017 at 2:22 AM
“Interesting and I like the key thrusts; however, when should a political party apart from providing a general map of its philosophy, vision, and approaches to governance, get into the actual specifics? In any event, political communication is ongoing and often viewed in terms of both things said and not said, things written and not written. In other words, if one looks at the track record of the BLP under Mia Mottley’s leadership for example, it becomes traceable the approaches to governance and all that is left is the finer details of policy actions. Which political party around the world, sitting in the opposition, will provide exactness with general elections constitutionally due more than a year away? The key here seems to be about preparation and credibility; and giving the people sufficient to stimulate interest and to get involved. Participation is the hallmark of democracy. Otherwise, an interesting article.”
At least the writer is bold enough to stick her neck out to call a spade a spade instead of engaging in a never-ending round of academic self-adulation and intellectually-sterile masturbatory exercises.
Could you want something more candid and forthright as the following:
“Eastmond’s failing to earn a nomination from the people is not the reason that I would resist her as a possible leader of the state. What would cause me pause instead is the bitterness in the expressions about the leader of the opposition that she and her cohorts espouse on social media almost daily. I find it distasteful, and irresponsible. It is as if her cohorts and her, believe that their political failures are the fault of the Opposition leader. I have yet to hear of any studies done by Ms. Eastmond and friends, seeking the answer as to why she has been unable to gain a simple nomination. In other words she has yet to take responsibility for her failures. It is the same with Dr Maria Agard, who played a risky political game and lost. Lost, and not only victories, must be seen to have been taken with dignity.”
The miller is going to side with a man of greater wisdom with the BU pseudonym of Piece Uh De Rock Yeah Right – INRI and bet in an intellectual game of blind man’s bluff that you dare not attempt such pinnacle of intellectual incisiveness in defence of your party’s leader.
You of all people- purportedly trained to the highest academic degree in the game of political science and having read as your chosen specialty the Prince of Machiavellian creation- should be exceptionally cognizant of the machinations of the real puppeteer of a kingmaker pulling the strings dangling from the body of the pretend Princess Lyn.
Alt least the former Queenie Liz T is bold enough to see through the veil of shenanigans of the new princess on the political parties ‘bloc’ calling her one-named member the United Parody of Puppets.
OSA knows full well he cannot beat the Fumbling Giant (punch drunk or not) in any return bout in the coming months, if not weeks, after the mauling and complete political denuding he received from the biggest fool in “Christen Bim” in 2013.
What kind of ‘black’ knight are you if you fail in your duty to protect the real Queen of the Bees?
Why aren’t you using your academic sword to incisively expose the politically hurt dragon looking for a comeback to destroy the chances of MAM ever becoming the first female ‘primate’ inter pares?
You know enough to foresee the nature of the campaign which will be waged against the ‘next-in-line’ to the political throne. Why aren’t you being proactive in order to stem the tide of hypocritical morality which will soon be coming her way?
The accused demon dressed either in white or red will soon be under major attack from her political enemies using pawns like discarded minions of the self-destroying Ave Maria and the compulsive loser Lyn.
Take watch of the intensifying subtle campaign of moral besmirching to sully the character and image of your Queen.
You should be quite aware of the hypocritical stance the Church in all its past glory of “do-as- We- preach-and- not- as- We-practise” innuendo will be doing its utmost to ‘holy’ blackwash the minds of their tithe-paying Lumpenproletariat into staying with the closeted male queen of pure lies and downright incompetence than taking a chance in the open with the queen with a political bee in her bonnet and a sting in her tail for economic recovery.
You never know, upon her ascendancy to the throne, you might even be appointed ‘Her’ Bishop Dr. G.C. Braffit, Senator and Parliamentary Secretary responsible for Information & Propaganda.
@ Mr. Skinner
I agree with you completely.
NO PARTY I DONT CARE WHO DEM IS SHOULD, at this critical juncture of our government, be wanting to run on a campaign of “Rubbing Clitorises” sorry “Rubbing Shoulders” while being given a free George Brathwaite pass of “…Which political party around the world, sitting in the opposition, will provide exactness with general elections constitutionally due more than a year away? ..”
George C Brathwaite (pooch sucker of the BLP) continues with his licking by saying of Mottley’s so called “leadership”, it becomes “TRACEABLE” the approaches to governance and all that is left is the finer details of policy actions.
In that he is certainly correct though not in the complimentary manner he would want to propose
No sireee it is raceable that for 23 consecutive years from the early 2000’s with Owen’s administration all during this DLP’s tenure that Mugabe Mottley DOES NOT HAVE AN EFFING IDEA ABOUT GOVERNANCE.
One would ask the mendicant Brathwaite to give ONE EFFING EXAMPLE OF MUGABE’s “finer details of policy actions that have done anything for Barbados?
Just one!!
Then to the writer Mrs. Debra Ifill, who claims to be an “Independent” Voter
You said and I quote “….As the legitimate Opposition party of Barbados…”
What does that mean?
Can there be an illegitimate Opposition party?
Even your very words of freudian endorsement give away your agenda with this article
Then to reinforce that slip you write “…What I am more concerned with at this juncture, is what the incoming leaders of this country, Ms Mottley and her team, plan to do to take the country forward…?”
What are you saying?
Is it a foregone conclusion at 2017 that Mottley is leader? not leaders by the way there can be only one leader
As Mr. Skinner said “…They are both empty of ideas and neither has any plans for the country…”
Mia is “boilt over soup” espousing the same old stuff from 23 years ago and, if we BAjand want to continue to be stupid, we are going suck it down like we have been sucking it down for her *** as we have been doing from Fumbles’ and Stickliar’s willies
@millertheanunnaki
The people will ultimately decide if and what difference new political parties can contribute to Barbados, particularly if the leadership of the respective parties comes across as being any of the following: naivete, bland, politically expended, roguish, corporatist or too elitist to seriously capture the national imagination.
All over the world there is a new political debate going on. Sometimes incorrectly interpreted as populism, it is in fact the dying moments of western liberal democracy.
We now live in a world in which eleven super rich men have more wealth than four billion people – 50 per cent of the world.
We live in a world in which 50 per cent of the people in the richest nation in the world, the US, cannot afford health care, and which still elected a president that promised as one of his key election promises to destroy Obamacare; we live in a world in which a few wealthy people own entire islands, including Richard Branson, while tens of millions are refugees.
We live in a world in which, since the Vietnam war, the US has spent US$14trn on fighting wars while millions of its people cannot afford to feed or house themselves. The military/industrial complex lives on.
The election of Trump is not a vote for the New Right, but a vote against the old liberals; the same is going on in France, Germany, Holland, Australia, and other major nations.
The point is that conventional party politicians have lost the confidence of ordinary people, they have failed to satisfy even the basic needs of the people.
So, it is not just an issue of a new political party, but the urgent need for new ideas, a new vision, of new social values.
In the absence of good leadership, the people may express this frustration and fear in a form of new patriotism, but the people do not care very much for the values of liberalism: they will swap the instability, unequal wealth distribution and uncertainties of liberalism for the stability and certainty of authoritarianism.
Tolerance is not a natural human virtue, it is taught behaviour, nor is the idea of freedom and democracy.
Italians preferred Mussolini running the trains on time, rather than a Berlusconi and his vile behaviour.
Even on the radical left in Barbados the syntax of political debate is the same as the reactionary right.
We have to change the narrative, listen to the people who suffer most, defend them, articulate their concerns, be in the vanguard of that battle for change.
Until then, we are whistling in the wind..
Hmmmmmm, Mr Austin hmmmmmmmmm sometimes your posts are spot on
“…We have to change the narrative, listen to the people who suffer most, defend them, articulate their concerns, be in the vanguard of that battle for change.
Until then, we are whistling in the wind..”
@ ac
Spear us your usual generalized political statements, please!!!!
For someone who ALWAYS takes a pro DLP PERSPECTIVE and a DEFENSIVE POSITION on issues pertaining to this administration, and whose contributions are ALWAYS COMPOSED of rhetorical DLP political diatribe, to refer to the comments of others as being “directed through a political lens,” is not only HIGHLY HYPOCRITICAL, but also an ACT of POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY.
“And where YOU LOSE the argument of comparison is that the” promises made to the electorate by the DLP, relative to “Good Governance” did not REQUIRE any SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT of FINANCING, if ANY at ALL.
Such policies would have CONTROLLED or SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED the level of corruption and mismanagement of government’s financial resources. However, by allowing the status quo to be “ceteris paribus,” you and the DLP have not only opened yourselves to SIMILAR CRITICISMS of CORRUPTION and MISMANAGEMENT you leveled at the BLP, but demonstrated the process of government is definitely a continuum.
The Auditor General’s reports and special audit reports SERVES as VERIFICATION that the STATUS QUO REMAINS THE SAME. The BLP & DLP are BOTH guilty of EXPLOITING the “political system” for the financial benefit of their members.
So, to introduce the argument “many of the global factors externally and internally which could have played a significant role in hampering govt decision to deliver some of the promises made,” is a very poor excuse, which “might seem plausible directed through a political lens.”
However, despite “many of the global factors externally and internally,” this inept DLP administration FOUND FUNDS to FINANCE the ESTABLISHMENT and MAINTENANCE of the “politically motivated” Constituency Councils.
No matter how you try to promote the DLP, while criticizing the BLP, you must accept the fact that BOTH political parties have gone past their “sell by dates” or “shelf lives.” They have lost their relevancy to the Barbadian society.
Hence, the calls for NEW POLITICAL PARTIES bearing gifts of new socio economic philosophies.
@Artax
The question posed earlier is about why the people voted for the DLP in 2013 with all the failing you exposed in your earlier critique.
@Hal
You comment is on the money. We continue our backwardness by engaging in this B and D debate. We do not seem to have learnt one damn thing. Jeremy Stephen just stated on the afternoon talk show we need a revolution in Barbados i,e. leadership imposed on us. He must be a fan of the BU intelligentsia.
This country is saturated with ideas as to what to do to resuscitate our economic development,no more are required,no party need offer any manifesto/promisses/guarantees/contracts on the way forward as we know what has to be done.
What is known is that any deviation from the remedy by any party over the next 15 months will be traumatic for Bim,what is required is the implementation of the plan of action.
Why am I sensing a Hillary-esque attitude towards Mia? The more I hear people complain, the more I realise they are not engaged and are therefore not genuinely interested. They are simply taking the easy way out, which is to complain. Like fellow contributor Artax alluded to recently, complaining and demonising is much easier (and envogue) than seeking information.
@enuff
The large number of Barbadians are frustrated and disengaging from the process is a consequence.
I does cant understand some Bajans. For years we’ve been calling for another party, another choice. Now we have other choices, and all we doing now is pulling them down. Bajans dont know what they want, other than to tear down and be negative. Tell me which political leader loves their opponents? Go back to Lynette Eastmond speaking at Rices, St. Philip this past election, she has no love for Stuart nor the DLP either. The BLP is running scared. They are doing the same thing they did prior to the 2013 election. They focused on the so-called eager-11 whilst ignoring the Judases within their own party. ALL of them that dethroned queen Mia prior to 2013 are still within the rank and file of the BLP. And it could happen again.
David,
The Barbados intellectual environment, especially economic policy, is such that even those who normally oppose each other join to keep outsiders at a distance.
It is amazing and disappointing (but not surprising) that whoever it is in Barbados doing the speaking, there is a sameness about the views expressed.
There is a fear of being out of step with the consensus. After the 2008/9 financial crisis, students at Manchester university rebelled against the sameness they were being taught. There was nothing on the post-crisis economics curriculum about the crisis.
Part of the problem in Barbados is the lack of trained journalists to interrogate the people in power.
I accept that in Britain it is different, but Gordon Brown, Ed Balls, Yvette Cooper, Nigel Lawson, and numerous others worked as journalists, and even more in think-tanks. So, they were aware of ideas and their implementation as policy.
Plus, every evening and most lunchtimes, universities and think-tanks have seminars and lectures on important issues. It is life-long learning.
Recently, in his central bank lecture, Richard Drayton called for public bodies to lodge their files – all of them – with the archives department. That is normal in most countries.
If I want to know what slave owners fed their slaves in Barbados, I can go to the public records office; if I want to read the minutes of the independence discussions, I can also go to the public record office; no such luck in Barbados.
It is noteworthy that in Barbados we tax education (knowledge), it Is called VAT. No developed countries do this.
@Hal
Do you have a view on the role a local newspaper should play as far as community journalism s concerned? Is local media filling that role?
We have no difficulty in welcoming many, many political parties.
However, it is less than fair to have them contending with the duopoly.
As a condition precedent, other parties need a fair playing field.
We therefore demand that the BLP/DLP be deemed an illegal organization and be barred from reconstitution under other formations.
@ David
Except for the “die hard supporters” who would have voted DLP by all costs, I believe Barbadians voted for the DLP for SOME of the following reasons:
• Keeping with the history of political parties in Barbados not being “one term governments;”
• Sympathy votes as a result of Thompson’s death;
• A willingness to give them more time to implement their policies of change;
• Electorate was not prepared to return to the BLP under circumstances of unwillingness to accept the same individuals who were rejected in the 2008 elections; apparent rifts between party members and uncertainty of who was actually its leader; and the DLP’s skillful manipulation of the corruption charges;
• Having the most successful “voter mobilization strategies” of the political parties; i.e. rallying people to vote despite a general loss of confidence in the party, vote buying, etc.
David
I maintain that many are hypocritical and even more are waiting on Godot. We are a nation led down the rabbit hole by the now deceased Thompson and his cohorts–the current DLP government. A group that painted their opposition as tiefs and crooks and promised plenty. To date they have delivered next to nothing. Now we’re seeing a similar trend with the new parties, with a set of policies that we all now are fantasy but pretend otherwise because “anti-establishment” is de in ting. What did Owen’s platform promised but failed to deliver?
In may be that you are right Enuff.
It may b that as others have said that it is also the “in ting” to vote for change just for the sake of change
and it may be that as others have said that these political parties offer more of the same
but you know what my man?
What this portends is that the People of Barbados will have an opportunity to craft their own fate for one seminal moment in time and Break the yoke that is the DLP and BLP and which entraps us at 2017
http://imgur.com/a/cPjJz
Sir whether you choose to belive or not any new party setting up shop as being an alternative have been afflicated with a B or D which means that ideas and philosophies are already been written long ago by those parties to which they have been associated which in reality adds up to old wine skins in a perception of new bottles
So if I was to tek your ingrunt reasoning as gospel, when Errol Barrow do he breakaway from Grantley Adams in 1954 what you are saying is that the DLP is really the BLP in wolves clothing??
Ok I gets you loud and clear….
“A group that painted their opposition as tiefs and crooks and promised plenty.”
Yes they have…they are also thieves and crooks, they just promised plenty and never delivered.
Pacha…in reality, that is what should be happening.
“It is noteworthy that in Barbados we tax education (knowledge), it Is called VAT. No developed countries do this.”
No developed country taxes food either, I know ya pay vat on food in Barbados, dont know about other islands, never checked.
http://imgur.com/a/a94a6
you use ONE example of dissension to make a point exclusive of the many who have stayed the course of affiliation connected to old their party ideas and philosophies jas
But, and one needs to emphasize these two things
(i).this is the founder of the the DLP that we are speaking of and such should be anathema for your founding father to be so tarred and
(ii).yours was the posit of “new wine in old skins”, these were your words as you sought to make your point, not mine
Having thusly shot yourself in your foot as only you can do in every single circumstance, it would be best for you to withdraw and go back to your Facebook page TO RANT
Again i reiterate that you pick one apple out of a bushel to make a point.
The main thurst of my argument is placed on ideolgies and philosophies that are the standard bearer that attracts or invites an individual to a party
Such is the case with these new upstarts which is also evident in the fact attributed to there londstanding period and commitment and associations to a party
Your example is an ovreach by way of trying to diminish and dilute the foundations upon which these new parties would frame their idealogies which in part would be that of reaching out to an electorate who have for the most part been associated to political parties to which these candidates belong
Now you can go back to your stupid cartoons and try to figure out which party fits your philosophy be it B. D BLDP
It is about a year away from Elections.
The DLP has ( apparently ) been doing shiite for 7 or 8 years.
Why is there no “NEW ” political party with 30 candidates ready to run against the DLP and BLP ?
@Hants
Instead we have two of the new parties -BIM and UPP- duking it out about stealing colours :-).
Barbados population is about 285000. 25-54 years: (male 64,430/female 64,842)
There must be 30 people who can save Barbados from the DBLP cartel.
In 2008 this country was handed a negative financial port folio upon which to stay the course many have forgotten or pretends to forget the issues which have connected this country health to growth , the countries main basket by which this country has been able to sustain a decent way of life namely tourism was decimated
now here we are in 2016 only to be getting a reprieve about two and a half years ago in a way to start the countries main engine having high expectations that defies logic
@ Piece Uh De Rock Yeah Right – INRI
It is ludicrous for the consortium of DLP yard-fowls to suggest the DEMS assumed office during a period of economic conditions so adverse that it prevented the administration from developing policies to “ride the storm.”
SIMILARLY in 1994, “this country was handed a negative financial port folio upon which to stay the course many have forgotten or pretends to forget the issues which have connected this country health to growth, the (country’s) main basket by which this country has been able to sustain a decent way of life namely tourism was decimated…”
There was also an economic recession in 2001.
Signs of the 2008 economic recession began to surface long before 2008 and any serious, prudent opposition party would have availed itself of the situation and developed policies to counteract the pending conditions.
The DLP occupied the opposition benches for 14 years, during which time they had three (3) “shadow ministers of finance.” Additionally, they were at the helm of government for the past 9 years, giving a total of TWENTY-THREE (23) YEARS for them to have implemented adequate economic policies.
Constantly repeating “the worst economic recession in a 100 years” and it’s the BLP’s and everyone else’s fault,” were the DLP’s main excuses to “mask” their inefficient and ineffective policies.
Then Barbados experienced a bureaucratic inertia of government, during the sickness and after the death of Thompson. Sinckler continues to prove there is some truth to the saying “insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
Barbados’ current economic situation proves the DLP was all about WINNING the general elections.
http://www.caribbean360.com/news/coup-attempt-dominica-pm-says-yes-opposition-says-no?utm_source=Caribbean360%20Newsletters&utm_campaign=5933f042b3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_02_10&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_350247989a-5933f042b3-39367557
Barbados is next.
The worst is yet to come.
I have a very pessimistic outlook on the trajectory of the entire Caribbean. The behavior of our leaders is an indication of their developing awareness that they are a law unto themselves.
The plethora of political parties does not assure me in any way as this could be an indication that others realize there is power/authority to be harnessed and subjected to their will.
We have the capacity and ability to do better, but good men and women must be prepared to pay the high price that will be demanded of them. The good of the nation must trump self preservation. We have to find a way to infuse their backbones with rods of steel.
https://www.barbadostoday.bb/2017/02/13/pressure-mounting-on-central-bank-governor/
People are fed up with incompetent public officials.
https://www.barbadostoday.bb/2017/02/12/dominica-opposition-legislator-released/
And doubly fed up with corrupt leaders of government….this is the true definition of an opposition, you call out the corruption in government publicly and oppose it publicly come what may..
….Barbados does not have a functional opposition party.
Dominica is 289 square miles wuth a population of just 72,000 peoole, very small population, but showing Caribbean people that they should never tolerate corruption from their leaders.
http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/93461/thorne-scolded-judge-misick
Just remembered that Ralph Thorne is now part of the opposition, if he is being exposed by a judge across the Caribbean as not being dependable, how does he ever expect the public to elect him to their parliament…..particularly since their are people in Barbados who have suffered at the hands of his untrustworthiness and can further expose him.
A judge exposing a lawyer publicly across the Caribbean says a lot.
David,
Yes. I will come back to this. Off to lunch in a rush.
David,
There is a clear role for local newspapers, to inform local readers, and articulate their concerns and to publish stories that bind the community together.
This may range from reports of the local school fete to how the member of parliament is doing, to fires, crimes and crises at the local hospital. The local paper is the eyes, ears and mouth of the community. In bigger societies, they are not, and cannot pretend to be, national newspapers.
If by your question you imply local newspapers in Barbados, I say no. Even though I hate criticising hard-working journalists, I dismiss the Advocate as a poor imitation of what it was years ago; the Nation I believe can be vastly improved, plus it has a political agenda, or at least reads like it (what we call news bias); and it does not fully understand the craft of producing news.
One online publication, which is meant to be a newspaper, leaves the same story on the home page for weeks. They seem not to understand the trade they are in – that they are in NEWS reporting. There is nothing new about a stale old story.
Then of course you sometimes get three or four stories on the same subject illustrated with the same picture. That shows lack of creative thinking. Then again, they all fall in to a consensual interpretation of events, because they all share the same or similar backgrounds. Just look at how often they report nonsense from Donville Inniss or Owen Arthur. In Britain, for example, the Daily Mail is a different beast to the Guardian.
Then local newspaper editors must learn to pay their contributors; you get what you pay for. If you want citizen journalists, you cannot complain if you get citizen journalism.
Finally, in local terms, there is a lack of training and it shows, from ‘balance’ when writing stories to digging out stories that fit the old doctrine: if a dog bites a man, it is not a story; but if a man bites a dog, it is a story.
You cannot argue that you want to clean up politics in Barbados and in the same breath support Mia Mottley
@Bajanfuhlife
Looks like the electorate will have alternatives to select come next election. Even if only to play spoiler.
https://www.barbadostoday.bb/2017/02/14/husbands-blp-in-hyatt-scheme/
They are all involved in running another scam on taxpayers, they can all take credit.
https://www.barbadostoday.bb/2017/02/14/delisle-stays/
This is what happens when wrongdoing by ministers, politicians and public officials are not exposed right away across the island, Caribbean and the world, kept secret and covered up…..everyone will get their comeuppance.
Stop keeping secrets for these nasty people. ..they are a paid a salary by you the taxpayers. …there is no reason to keep their crimes a secret, they owe you, you do not owe them….expose them all.
Government pimps and yardfowls…your turn is coming, karmic payback.