Submitted by George C. Brathwaite (PhD)
“Thou wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell! I took thee for thy better; take thy fortune.”- (Hamlet – Act 3 Scene 4; William Shakespeare)
The turbulence surrounding the Finance Minister Christopher Sinckler and the Governor of the Central Bank Dr Delisle Worrell should come as no surprise to those Barbadians, long concerned about the sadomasochistic relationship existing between the two. Sadomasochism, is broadly, “the deliberate pursuit of manifestly aggressive, destructive and self-destructive behaviour.” Between Sinckler and Worrell, it often appeared that mutual respect was at best superficial although there was a seething exchange of pleasure and consent to drown out the actual fear and discomfort when countering local economists, the Leader of the Opposition, a former Prime Minister, and anyone else bold enough to rubbish the multiple bad strategies for curbing fiscal imprudence or affecting economic stabilisation and recovery in Barbados.
Clearly, the field of Psychology (i.e. Social and Political) offers Barbadians this unique opportunity to delve into the thought patterns of this inglorious pair of Christopher Sinckler and Delisle Worrell; they spent more than five years moonlighting together without bringing about substantial gains for Barbados. In these the dying days of this Sinckler-Worrell knot, Barbadians are existentially reflecting on the “combination of something pleasurable with something unpleasant” as was evident in the frolicking of government’s lead macroeconomic policymaker and its chief financial and economic advisor. Barbados’ survival depends on the polity being conscious of the lowly place to which Sinckler and Worrell have brought the country, even as devaluation threatens.
Sinckler and Worrell’s pursuits of good economic returns were mostly conjured in fantasy; their unrealistic approaches to structural adjustment and economic growth never really brought the excitement or satisfaction that the public desired. Instead, there was almost a constant trail of pain, humiliation, austerity, unemployment, and increased poverty. The linguistic masking of statistical details almost always led to contentious debate, with the Governor removing himself from the naked glare of an inquiring media.
Hence, the relationship between Sinckler and Worrell, may best be characterised in terms of portraying many of the traits, symptoms, and behaviours referred to as sadism and masochism. This wide spectrum of phenomena includes political self-injury, stubborn fantasies that Barbados is emerging from economic disaster, and unconsciously presenting as fact that things such as credit rating downgrades are apparently contrived by agencies wanting to see Barbados’ demise. Oh, what a string of ‘bad luck’, especially when oppositional forces were said to be bad-mouthing Barbados!
Evaluations of the Barbados economy by Finance Minister Sinckler and Governor Worrell have often been perceived as being comical and far-fetched. If as Sigmund Freud suggested that ‘humour is a release for anxiety,’ surely, Barbados has been witnessing for more than five years the tendency for both Sinckler and Worrell to laugh at their own self-determined tragedy. Sinckler has become the proverbial sacrificial lamb for the embattled Democratic Labour Party (DLP), and Worrell is now the definite scapegoat for the troubled Freundel Stuart-led Cabinet.
Poor economic returns and nonsensical financial decisions directly made by Barbados’ Minister of Finance, were ably supported by the Governor of the Central Bank. This is concerning and equally disconcerting for Barbadians and those observing the demise of a national economy. Dr Brian Francis notes several of the key issues hurting Barbados: namely, the “growing incidence of poverty, shrinking middle classes, lack of any real and sustained rates of economic growth, huge public debt and massive fiscal deficits even on the current account.” As many as 17 downgrades by credit rating agencies have occurred against Barbados without abatement. These, as Prime Minister Stuart persists with dogged reluctance to dismiss or reshuffle Minister Sinckler. What is hilariously ridiculous is Worrell’s recognition that “steps to bring inflation under control and to maintain currency values often compete with other social and political pressures.” It is precisely around this type of reality that urgency grows.
Instructively, both Hegel and Marx contended that the dialectical processes of society were insatiable and relentless in calling forth the negation and transcendence of existing social relations. The view holds that relationships such as the Sinckler-Worrell phenomenon may be ‘ostensibly, iron-fisted subjugation’. Hegel argued: “Just as lordship showed that its essential nature is the reverse of what it wants to be, so too servitude in its consummation will really turn into the opposite of what it immediately is; as a consciousness forced back into itself, it will withdraw into itself and be transformed into a truly independent consciousness.” Arguably, this description may account for Worrell’s conversion on the road to Damascus.
This past January, Dr Worrell insisted that Barbados had repeatedly failed to achieve the balance between its foreign exchange outflows and inflows which is necessary for a stable economy. The Central Bank Governor recommended further restriction on spending to protect the country’s foreign exchange reserves. Worrell emphasised that “the reserves are what protect us against the devaluation of our currency,” and although the future is ‘exceptionally promising’, maintaining the peg of the Barbados currency to the USA Dollar “will not happen unless we make it happen.” Thus, he contended that “realising the vision will not be painless.”
Worrell’s caution appears oppositional to the DLP’s narrow-minded quest for greening the electorate’s pastures. Barbados is within 15 months of a general election. Worrell’s warning does not appear to have had the blessing of the Finance Minister or the shoddy Cabinet. Therefore, subsequent written correspondence dated January 31, 2017 to the Minister of Finance was necessary. It is reported that the letter contained a self-condemnatory but not surprising statement saying that “action is needed on project implementation and expenditure reduction to achieve announced fiscal targets, if the Government’s credibility is to be restored.”
There can be no doubt that the Freundel Stuart-led administration is imperilled with credibility issues. Additionally, PM Stuart is known to exist in a fantasy world; this claim is bolstered after Stuart predicted that despite the economic trauma affecting Barbados, he is confident of a third term in Government. In the realm of Psychology, “fantasy formation is an important and complex function that both contributes to and is dependent on ego integration,” which at least partially accounts for the self-pitying jargon of a ‘sleeping giant’.
Furthermore, the inept Cabinet, faces crisis after crisis. The DLP administration noticeably continues to be hard-pressed to maintain decent social services. High government spending and incurring higher debt have not meshed with the situation of insufficient earned revenues from tourism, international business, or even taxes. On that premise, facilitation by the Central Bank to help government’s monthly salaries and wages bill goes against the stern warning highlighted by Dr Worrell.
Allegedly, given a choice by Minister Sinckler to resign or be fired, Governor Worrell sought and found temporary refuge in the Supreme Court. Arguably, the attempt to force the exit of Dr Worrell was fuelled by a Minister of Finance also egotistically desperate to hold on to his job, and backed by a fanatically distressed Cabinet very eager to repair a damaged political image. This ruse by the Ministerial architecture indicates that Dr Delisle Worrell is ready to be slaughtered by a calculating Finance Minister and butchered by an incompetent DLP Cabinet. Yes, under the full knowledge of a dilly-dallying Prime Minister.
On the evidence of the developing psychosomatic structure, political guile coupled with abrasive authoritarianism (i.e. this latter trait is similarly exhibited by the current culture within the Freundel Stuart-led Cabinet) becomes Sinckler’s strongest card. Contrastingly, Worrell’s intellect but less than inspiring capacity to maintain ‘independence’ or functional order at the Central Bank, and his blatant refusal to communicate fairly with the public through the media, are all leading to his pending downfall. The abuse is visibly grave as the public peers into the Sinckler-Worrell fiasco.
Both Sinckler and Worrell should heed the English author, Samuel Johnson positing that “integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful.” Barbadians have come to the realisation that Minister Sinckler is struggling to retain his authority amidst glaring shortcomings. For Worrell, there is a strong sense that ‘learning is not common sense’ and he savoured the pain notwithstanding, criticisms from others akin to his professional field. The burden of the DLP’s bad economic choices, coupled with the Minister of Finance’s braggadocio, has rendered Dr Worrell dispensable in the constructed sadomasochistic relationship.
Minister Sinckler’s tendency to use distraction and the weapon of ultimatum, is possibly to make up for his lack of depth on macroeconomic management. In that context, the Minister may well believe that elected officials are hierarchical and can arbitrarily wave the sword of Damocles over the heads of other public servants such as Dr Worrell. Maybe, the Governor was expected to respond affirmatively to the Minister’s demands, even when such requests are obviously painful and averse to the broader national interests. The combination of Minister Sinckler and Dr Worrell has embarrassingly failed Barbados for more than five years.
The Minister of Finance, and by extension the Prime Minister of Barbados, are direct contributors to the macroeconomic mayhem impacting negatively on Barbados’ development. No doubt, it is alarming for Barbadians that the main bone of contention stems from the printing of money to facilitate government’s fiscal and monetary disorder. By sidestepping the real economic issues that throw the Barbados economy into prolonged uncertainty and dangerous turmoil, further entertains possibilities of devaluation. But why should Barbadians be concerned and demand urgency in resolving the fiasco?
In September 2016, President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Dr Warren Smith warned Barbados that “front end adjustments” were urgently needed to correct the economic slide. Returning in February 2017, his repeated warning has grown more acute stating that: “the challenge we [Barbadians] are now faced with, has been made more difficult” because of the “accumulation of the problem,” and “it is also important to appreciate that we need action now. … There is no painless way out of this problem.” In addition, former Prime Minister Owen Arthur describes the Sinckler-Worrell fiasco as ‘a matter of the utmost seriousness’ compounded by the Barbados economy being on the edge of disaster.
Shouldn’t Finance Minister Sinckler take responsibility for the economic and social dislocation in Barbados? Why should the Finance Minister consider routing Dr Worrell from his post, when he was nothing but praises for the Governor’s advice all along, and as late as last motnh? If Sinckler had his way, maybe he would also try to silence Arthur, Smith, and every economist making statements on the Barbados economy.
The Finance Minister’s ultimatum to Dr Worrell is bogus given that the Governor consistently gave Sinckler the kiss of cooperation and obliged the inept Government. It is often said that ‘people are initially helpful and cooperative, even at some personal expense, but they are hypersensitive to the possibility that someone might take advantage of their generosity’. Who recalls when biting austerity was hidden in words suggesting the Barbados economy was making a turn for the better? The fact is, both Sinckler and Worrell deserve no sympathy because they ought to have had their exits since 2013/2014.
Prime Minister Stuart is not an innocent bystander in the created madness. The Prime Minister must now self-cleanse and agree with a growing majority of Barbadians that the death knell of the DLP is at hand. Sinckler’s political suicide is imminent and Worrell’s demise is a foregone conclusion. The Sinckler-Worrell fiasco clearly demonstrates that Barbadians were duped into accepting ambivalence and incoherence as norms, while being closed to the idea that the wrong medicine was being prescribed and taken. PM Stuart must do the honourable thing, and immediately replace both Sinckler and Worrell – legally; and stand ready to calm the economy and the electorate with an election date.
Don’t hold your breath George.These guys,described variously as wild boys or poor rakey and shameless will not get the message.Actually it will be business as usual.
Interesting to read the view of Economist Stacia Howard on page 3 of today’s Nation newspaper given her association. The troops are rallying.
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Incisive if only through its source. The names of the focal players mentioned can be substituted for those of Mia Mottley and anyone of at least six political piranhas who are covertly poised to strip bare her bones, as if to match the Treasury the next administration inherits. Hi
Interesting to read the view of Economist Stacia Howard on page 3 of today’s Nation newspaper given her association. The troops are rallying.
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There won´t be early election or firing of a cabinet minister.
They will hold on their silver Mercedes and other privileges up to the last moment. Then they board their planes to Canada, London and Zurich.
Remember, they have still the backing of the pastors, bureaucrats, judiciary and other people with titles, badges and medals.
@ Steupseeeee
Again, not content to let the articles
(a).No Tears for the Central Bank Governor
(b).Barbados Needs a New Government Not a New Central Bank Governor not even
(c).The Jeff Cumberbatch Column – Enjoining a Dismissal
one Dr George C. Brathwaite is a political consultant. Email: brathwaitegc@gmail.com decideth that each one of these three articles secured “currency” for their authors and now he says as he normally does
“I must sing for my supper again”
“and, given that these authors wrote so comprhensively, I will now append my horseshit and talk bout things that I WOULD HAVE TO BE THE BBE to comment on”
Freud, and Jing, and Damocles, and Thor and Aussie Moore get add in to this dogpup to mek it sound good.
IN fact whereas the Honourable Blogmaster does limit more superlative writers to 500 words before them does get a continuation page, dis crap almost tek up 75 blogger post
AND DE TING IS DAT DIS BLP MAN ENT SAYING SHY*E
I hope that you dun know that Mugabe Mottley see through all this pup you writing George cause, even though she may be a despot, she ent a sadistic one who going hire a dufus like you to ef up tings IF SHE WAS TO HIRED YOUR OBSEQUIOUS SELF if she get dat seat.
Steupseeee leh de ole man go here and see effing de granson lef anyting dat I kin touch up and submit like ef I unnerstand whu he does do…
George C Brathwaite.
A comprehensive piece. At least we know where you stand. I do not necessarily agree with all your assessments of the situation but I will defend your right to express them.
@ George Bra(i)thwaite, PhD:
Well presented, young man; and deserving of the ‘entitlement’ to use the title ‘PhD’ behind your name.
At least you didn’t display a measure of boastfully arrogant stupidity with a clear lack of etiquette and put Doctor (Dr.) in front of your name like some academic misfits (eccentrics par excellence) in Barbados who have brought your country to its knees in sycophant acts of shameful stubbornness.
However, enough of your ego stroking!
I wish to disagree with you when you use the adjectival phrase “pending downfall” to describe what has “befallen’ the goodly Dr. D W, (PhD).
The quack’s downfall was pending for a long time since the politically contrived convenient unexplained disappearance of $300 million in foreign reserves which like a thief in the night took flight to unknown overseas accounts.
What is taking place is nothing but the retributive return of those millions in the form of Karma.
So there is nothing pending about the situation. His demise has actually occurred and just awaiting the certificate of both professional and academic death.
A scathing, well deserved commentary…lol
Now to remove Fruendel, Worrell, Sinckler and the whole cabinet from the political and financial landscapes of Barbados….forever.
They have done more than enough damage to the people and island and should not let the door hit them in the backsides on their way out.
Tron…when they are boarding those planes to run with their cprruption money, hopefully INTERPOL, CIA and FBI got their eyes peeled..lol
Ah know others are being sized up…lol
http://imgur.com/a/RBrPl
The case Worrell vs Sinckler is set down for Thursday this week, will a verdict be handed down same day? If not will the injunction be kept in place?
David
The justice system has an opportunity to improve their image should they get this judgement right. What that means is that in the interest facts relevant to the matter, the truth must be tabled for all Barbadians to know the reasons behind Minister Sinckler and the other cohorts who are in cahoots about ridding themselves of the ”goodly” economic doctor. The Prime Minister, the one whom we all know is subdued by his ministers, have threaded on the side of caution by his simple input of let justice prevail. One thing is certain, the outcome, rather good or bad, is not going to change the involvement of the Central Bank Governor to a series of economic no nos he knows he should have never gone along with or even commit himself too. He is the perfect victim, and Sinckler and Kellman and who ever else wants to ride on that blame wave is ensuring that they paint the town red with him. To sum it all up, the Central Bank Governor is kubba.
“Prime Minister Stuart is not an innocent bystander in the created madness.”
Substitute the word ‘innocent’ with ‘ignorant’ and ‘created’ with ‘consequential’ and I’d agree with the analysis completely.
I typed here years ago to describe Fumble’s ‘leadership’: ‘Nature abhors a vacuum’. The leadership vacuum was long-since filled with Stinkliar while the rest of the cabinet ‘brek fuh demselves’.
Thompson sabotaged this country when he left that idiot in charge.
Did Thompson leave Stuart in charge or is it the parliamentary group have expose a yellow underbelly read Eager 11. We have become too consumed by the politics. It is devouring us alive.
The courts cannot afford to play willy nilly when the country best interest is at stake. It is either yea or Nay for resolving this stale mate of tugger war.
The court duty is not to be a play thing for or on the behalf of the politicios but render a judgement with the sole intent of resolution and rescuing the countries image from external or internal damage
A week past is more than enough by which the court should have decided that the country interest supersedes all else for the betterment of country
A continuation of the same as last week by the court would seem reckless and indecisive
Jeff’s comment posted to his column below rubbishes this comment.
”Thanks for you most interesting inquiry. The courts are not there to administer “justice” as popularly understood, except according to law (legal principle) and “reasonableness” is exclusively in the domain of the trier of fact, the judge. Neither of these is an absolute or exact concept. A “just” result for one of two adversaries in a court battle would scarcely be considered just by the other. We are human only after all.
In a case such as this, the court is seeking to resolve the issue of whether any employment contractual rights of there Governor were infringed by the MOF’s ultimatum to him.The fact that it might be in a context that affects the economic viability of the nation is only peripheral to this issue.
Legal interpretation is not an absolute either, hence it is possible for two judges to come to different conclusion as to the merits of a case or even the meaning of a statutory provision. Take the unpunctuated provision, “Hang him not let him go”. Does this mean that the culprit should a swing or that he should go free? Which interpretation is right?
As I wrote some weeks ago, the only “right” interpretation is that of the highest or apical court, not because the judges there are superior in knowledge to all others but simply because their decision may not be appealed fromm”
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@ Frustrated Businessman aka ‘Nation of Laws’ my ass. February 21, 2017 at 1:35 PM
“Thompson sabotaged this country when he left that idiot in charge.”
LOL!!
Maybe that was DT’s hubristic way of cursing the Bajan god for giving him only a short stint at the wheel of ruin of the ship of state.
The man selected to complete the job is the political epitome of that bungling cartoon character called Mr. Magoo when it comes to the management of the affairs of state.
The man is just one lucky political salt dog blessed by the curse of the god Koalemus.
But we mustn’t despair, Mr. Magoo always found himself on the side of lady Luck.
You might just find a gold mine on your coral island to employ 14,000 and save its sorry economic ass from a very deep IMF bite.
@ David
There is something familar about the announcement made by Minister Sealy yesterday. I recall at some time just prior to the last general election, when the DLP seemed under stress regarding the economy, both Sealy and Sinckler took to VOB. They gave a rather optimistic outlook for the role that tourism would play in the economy, and announced new projects and approaches to solving the issues of high unemployment, promoting economic growth, diversification of the tourism product. Barbadians lumbered to the polls and returned the DLP to government, and here we are a few years later with more saving graces and magnanimous promises. Clever!
@George
Can recall, was it that time Sealy articulated the socalled 10 point plan?
Yes sir.
@ David
Actually, the 10 Point Plan came in July 2013. This was the follow through from the VOB interlude which was prior to the general elections.
@ George C. Brathwaite February 21, 2017 at 2:10 PM
You have to admit, dear Doctor George, that pound for pound, the DLP has more effective heavyweight political strategists and tacticians (aka liars and manipulators of the masses minds) than the BLP.
These guys were well trained at the Academy on George Street in the cesspool of Machiavellian thought, theory and practice. Their Achilles heel is their inability to manage effectively the economy.
That is what will be the watery substance to undermine their feet of economic management clay.
Never try to fight them on the battlefield of political propaganda as you experienced to your electoral detriment in the 2013 war.
Let them implode and self-destruct under their own weight of economic mismanagement.
@ the intelligent AC and not the Cunt AC
The courts have been operating in willy nilly for donkey years. The situation is one where the facts have to come to the table. And if there are no facts Sinckler is going to look like the ass we all know him to be. Then the goodly doctor should seek to come clean and be truthful. However, the courts rule in favour of Sinckler then the dog dead.
ACs…clowns..ya just like that group Anonymouse…the damage has already been done to the country AND the criminal minded business people…,,….there is no turning back, yall are delusional and spend too much time living in yah own stupid heads…….
……ya cannot unring that bell or undo, roll back, walk back or do anything about the damage and destruction that government created for 9 years…
….they gotta be some kinda significance to that number…lol
Ya should ask Anonymouse what is going on with them.
As long as everyone understands this case is a breach of contract case….a work related issue…..a contract between government and Worrell, where he see himself as an aggrieved employee.
…despite whatever motives may drive him….the only way the judge or judges can apply the law is to the validity or not of Worrells dismissal, that’s the only context in which this case could or should be viewed.., everything else is crap…and not applicable.
Dummy ACs….useless drama queens.
“But we mustn’t despair, Mr. Magoo always found himself on the side of lady Luck.”
Not after he planted or buried that damn pitchfork….the curse is real and following each and everyone of them everywhere…including the yardfowls.
Look ACs…someone just sent me this…is that a relative of yours…..Worrell v. Sinckler..lol
Haha…sounds like Worrell v. Sinckler…lol
“COCO TIFFANY CARTIER VS APPLON ITHAMAR ISHMAEL PARRIS — BARBADOS
FEBRUARY 21, 2017 LEAVE A COMMENT
BARBADOS (Naked Departure) — Coco Tiffany Cartier vs APPLON ITHAMAR ISHMAEL PARRIS —
UPDATE: Coco Tiffany Cartier has given Naked Departure the full scoop of the SHOCKING events leading up to her being stabbed and almost murdered!
Since she has lung problems and cannot talk for long, she is telling her story in intervals. Watch out for the full story coming on Naked Departure soon!!!!!”
This is the end result of the a government which became more arrogant, ignorant and greedy as they grew more obnoxious and cantanerous………. prime example…………. like Maxine McClean today on Brasstacks.
This is the result of the arrogant bragging………….”we aint want to hear nothing from wunnah, any ideas wunnah got, keep to wunnah self, wunnah had 14 years, now is we time, we gine do things we way”…………..Donville Innis on the floor of the House.
Brace for the fall out on Thursday……………in the meamwhile with the country in turmoil, the PM is in New York for a cocktail party and the ineffective deceitful minister of tourism telling Bajans lies again…..just dropping brand name hotels which were coming since 2010.
By the way, I passed by Sam Lords today and all I saw a few Chinese people.
Passed by Carrington old factory yard today. All of the trucks and equipment used in the bulk transfer of chopped cane to Portvale Factory are all at a stand still,indicating that like the QEH operating theatres, the Transport Board, the SSA et al , Port Vale Sugar Factory is still having ”some challenges.”
Perhaps the Minister of Agriculture needs to get hold of the Judge on Duty this coming Sunday evening and get him/her to overturn the shutdown of work on Andrews Super Factory, brought about by a resident of Trinidad, who has a vacation home next door.
How can a Trinidadian with a holiday home next door stop progress on a sugar cane factory? This is a bizarre world.
Looks like Naked Departure is ‘off air’ again. For now……
http://www.loopnewsbarbados.com/content/destroy-naked-departure-promise-hackers
Some may argue that being suicidal is a form of being maniacal.
We don’t see either as sacrificial, unless there is a determination to embark on such for the sake of one’s nation.
In those circumstances, we would want to suggest a national ethos where all Bees & Dees commit mass suicide to allow our nation to live on.
For this seems the only way left to rid ourselves of these mad people who believe that Barbados must die for them to continue to dictator our lives.
As maniacal dictator, collectively
We therefore invite both tribes to the sacrificial alter of mass suicide. For the blood shed will verily wash away your greatest crimes against our country.
“Let the courts decide and dont get unnecessarily agitated over the issue involving Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler and Central Bank Governor Dr De Lisle Worrell”…………….PM Freundel Stuart.
Can you imagine that this man’s key economic officials are at loggerheads, the economy is in crisis, the IMF and devaluation are at the door and instead of this idiot heading home to calm the fears of the public sector who are worried if they will be paid this month…………he go to New York for a cocktail sip with the DLP yardfowls up there?
He is a self centred dont carish PM.
http://ow.ly/T4LD309e6dA
Lol…let’s hope the Anonymouse group is seeing this, I am sure their name has popped up on radar already…lol…all anyone has to do, is report such cyber attacking groups to international authorities….and BAM…ya dog died…lol…Anonymouse will be famous.
“Homeland Security Staff “Locked Out” Of Computer Networks
Tyler Durden’s picture
by Tyler Durden
Feb 21, 2017 3:15 PM
Questions are being raised about the possibility of a cyber-attack after Reuters reports several sources confirm U.S. Department of Homeland Security employees in the Washington area were unable to access some agency computer networks this morning.
It was not immediately clear how widespread the issue was or how significantly it affected daily functions at DHS, a large government agency whose responsibilities include immigration services, border security and cyber defense.
Employees began experiencing problems logging into networks at 5 a.m. ET on Tuesday due to a problem related to the personal identify verification (PIV) cards used by federal workers and contractors to access certain information systems, one source said.
At least four DHS buildings were affected, the source said, including locations used by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Another source said the cards did not appear to be responsible. DHS did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
As a reminder, President Donald Trump vowed to make cyber security a priority during his administration, stating at a White House event last month that, he would
“…hold my Cabinet secretaries and agency heads accountable, totally accountable, for the cyber security of their organizations.”
Furthermore, Trump had planned to sign a cyber security executive order last month but it was put on hold to allow more time for review.”
@ David
Have you heard anything about the 15th Actuarial Review (as at 31 Dec 2014)? Based on the timelines of the 14th review, the most recent one should be available. We should be able to get a better idea of the state of the NIS.
Hopefully Walter can shed light.
the issue might be a political issue for the likes of prodigal . However the court should not be derelict in its duty in protecting and preservation of the country interest with a hastened decision on thursday
What’s the big hurry ACs….Adriel Nitwit is never in a hurry to revamp the procedures that would speed up personal injury cases or anything else negatively impacting taxpayers in the supreme court…so what’s the hurry.
Yall are handcuffed..so what….who cares…yall dont do anthing positive for the majority people anyway…
@George Brathwaite
Knowing your stated confession as to your lack of ability to offered a word of advise towards simpler matters affecting the poor and disadvantage in Barbados, I must ask, are you plagiarizing and posting on BU, or you don’t care how the disadvantage is treated ?
With a serious matter like the open warfare between the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank, we have a jackass out of George Street trying to belittle the concerns of us here on BU………. When this this ever happen in this country before? OSA fired a governor and there was no such court action.
I was in a grouping over the weekend and there actually were some dems there who spoke honestly about the situation here………they said that they had to admit that their party has screwed up the country and that this open war between the Governor and Stinkliar does not look good.
Someone added that every time the people of Barbados give the government to the DLP……it ends up with a bad economy, high unemployment, high crime and the threat of devaluation of the Barbados dollar.
This is so true! Deny this ac.
@ Alden Blackman
I would let you decide on your question to me, I will live with your answer. Perhaps, it may be better that you reflect on the political rhetoric of persons such as the MoF who has in his capacity to alter the fate of those disadvanated. Many have become so gullible to the political rhetoric coming from certain offices, that we overlook the impact of their statements and actions. Maybe your question is accidentally misdirected to me.
Please note: Christopher Sinckler (MP), Barbados Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs – May 2015: “I would like to report that ‘Barbados Home Grown’ 19 Month Adjustment Programme which commenced in August 2013 has borne great success. The adjustment programme which formed the first tranche of the four-tiered, eight-year Medium-Term Growth and Development Strategy realised significant achievements in the implementation of policy actions related to enhancing revenue, reducing government expenditure and stimulating growth in the economy.” What are your thoughts almost 2 years later?
Guyana corrupt but also least under new Government has started corruption hearings in Ministries using the PAC
http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2017/02/21/reo-ejected-from-parliament-chambers-for-lying-to-pac-on-overpayment-issue/
Do not look for any acturial reviews to come out of the NIS any time soon.
Firstly the Chairman is one of the directors fighting the governor of the Central Bank and secondly the latest information we heard was that the NIS is now holding 74% of its monies in government paper.
One wonders why the government took up NIS monies to build two buildings up Warrens and is still renting office space in private buildings…………..the Minister of Culture’s office is still in Trimart. NIS monies have also been used to build the police station at Hastings. Who is paying for the SSA building at Vaucluse?
After one of the 17 downgrades, the Moon Town king said on Brasstacks that the NIS has a surplus of 10 million a month, so the government has no worries……………….that ignorant thinking is another reason why Barbados is where it is today.
@George C. Brathwaite February 21, 2017 at 2:10 PM “Barbadians lumbered to the polls and returned the DLP to government, and here we are a few years later with more saving graces and magnanimous promises. Clever!”
Not clever at all George.
In the 21 February 2013 Elections 78,566 people voted for the DLP, and 74,027 voted for the BLP, so it is that just that 4,540 Bajans are stupid enough not to understand that “a promise is comfort to a fool.”
The Tourism Minister can talk ‘e talk. But I don’t believe a word of it.
Sealy is brazenly and boldfacedly lying…just like he lied about the shitbomb in Worthing Beach.
Good points Prodigal. I suspect that the balance sheet of the NIS is in tatters: over inflated assets and underfunded and growing liabilities. Much of the debt is unrecoverable and as you pointed out many of the so called ‘assets’ are not assets at all. With high unemployment, high inflation, an ageing population, poor contribution history, a disgraceful investment strategy, etc. the true state of the NIS will be the the next big scandal.
Crooks,Liars and Scumbag, land is the key and the road map to find who did what. The Land is what paid off all the crooks and Ministes,lawyers to keep their mouth shut. Being bulled and taped is how they are also blackmailed. Laundering of the funds and Panama accounts is where most of the FUNDS are offshore accounts, Hidden stolen funds were protected by the CB Governer, Land tax bills show ownership by fraud and all of CLICO holdings in Barbados,
American Embassy is watching the crooks and all who show up on ND has been said to be denied VISA to the USofA , A fraud Police letter of Character can not fool the Americans. The Americans google and watch all news and post,
For those who feel they invest in a new Embassy and staff just to give them a VISA have to a fool, The Marines will be on full duty from now until elections in case any Ministers run there for safety.
We voting CUP they hold the Deeds for Clear title to get things going in Barbados and the People can get a clear title deed,recorded, Not tied up in a lawyer’s office waiting till you die to be rob by the same lawyer re-selling the same house back to your Heirs, We also have the power to get the UDC/ NHC to do what it was intended, Dealing with the Owners, All tradesmen will work, The People of Barbados building BOOM is NEXT, To Hell With COW et Ali, The People need to hold and own a part of the rock, for their Heirs. All prices per month can be based on GDC /$5.00 per hours rate on a 40 hour work week.
We can make any deal, no lawyer like Richard Byer needed,
@ George C. Brathwaite
Ok, I am sorry, if the word plagiarizing offended you Sir, but, by your action, the answer present, Mr. Political Scientist. What happens, with your lacking of ability now, as to help affect change is you don’t have the remit to, IF OR WHEN, as you hope the BLP win the next election and due to your postings on BU and other places , Mia rewards you with a Ministry, will/can you grow that ability to be an effective Minister? or only the ability to be at the receiving end of a kind of remit. Just asking sir. and yes George, I am absolutely frustrated by the action of Black on Black in Barbados
@ Alden B
I have not discussed, solicited, or begged for any position in any government. Yes, I am a member (ordinary) of the BLP (and do not serve on any committees). I am not directed what to write or comment on by anyone inside or outside of the party. I read, research, and observe much of what is going on in Barbados. I make it my business so to do because first and foremost I am very concerned at the state of affairs in Barbados. The DLP has been very disappointing, and like most Barbadians, I would have hoped they did much better for the sake of my country, my relatives, my friends, and all those disadvantaged by their poor performances. Call me what you want, but I have long been able to discern for myself. No government is perfect, but based on all that I do know, this DLP that we have had for the last two terms, comprise the worst performing ever in post-Independent Barbados. Yes, they may mean well, but they have collectively been very dismal.
Worrell should have collected his pink slip, collect his outstanding sum due…smiling all the way to the bank. This drama is unecessary. Forget about central bankers independency in small island state like Barbados , that is an illusion. He or she serves at the pleasure of the PM or line minister. Bruce Golding, former PM of Jamaica, fired the governor of the BOJ over compensation matters and Rowley in Trinidad fired the governor of TTCB over unprofessionalism.
@fortyacresandamule
What if there is a moral variable in the equation the Guv feels patriotically bound to express?
@David. Really? moral variable my foot. We have became a litigious society … a copycat behavior of the USA.
@ George C Brathwaite
Don’t be too concern about my soft punches George, I appreciated the advise you offered, it set me on a different course of action, I am 65 plus and have lived to see,hear and know, so get back to your job at hand for your party, and do what you have to do, remember Maxine and Sir-coo were not members of the DLP,
http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/93844/-pressure-court
Was it not just yesterday I mentioned Adriel Nitwit attorney general and his lack of any intelligent action to introduce procedures to speed up the tedious, useless backlog in the supreme court, created by him and previous attorneys generals, the vile attorneys so predisposed, the insurance companies….. and others. .
It’s glaringly obvious that Adriel Nitwit does not possess the requisite legal intelligence to be an effective and successful attorney general and the couple previous attorneys general in recent times, 25 years, who did possess that intelligence….were too corrupt to make the requisite changes.
“THE END OF the painstakingly slow preliminary inquiry while speeding up some of the serious criminal cases could lead to a crippling of sections of the justice system.
At least two lawyers believe the abolition of the pre-trial process from February 1 will transfer the backlog from the lower court to a high court presided over by just two judges.
In July 2016 the Magistrates’ Court (Amendment) Bill 2016 was introduced in Parliament, where it was debated with Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite insisting the move would reduce unnecessary delays in concluding matters.
Queen’s Counsel Andrew Pilgrim, a well known defence attorney, anticipated “severe delays in the Supreme Court”. He said more often than not the Magistrates’ Court acted as a buffer between being charged and actual trial.”
@George
What went wrong at Barbados Today last night?
Can you spot what is wrong?
Also there was a repeat of pages in the ePaper version.
We should congratulate Genville Pillips for his Tuesday column in the Barbados Today online newspaper.
@ David
Not aware of the BT issues. On the Phillips article I do agree it is an interesting read although I recognise some incorrect assumptions. For example, while he does correctly state that the US has historically operated in international and bilateral talks from a zerosum position, it is incorrect to assert that Barbados would have seen this as win-win. Indeed, Barbados is inferior in every sense of negotiation with the USA and it is precisely through the international multilateral agencies that we have seen some aspects of the win-win emerge. Anyway, not to deflect from the article, it is interesting even if some parts are devoid of accuracy.
On CHINA?
The book being presented states clearly…
On Wednesday, 22 February 2017, Barbados Underground wrote:
>
Lol….. JAPAN!
Things kinda hot for owner of barbadostoday, he made a stupid mistake that carries massive blowback…lol…so his businesses are unsettled.
@ mitchlans February 22, 2017 at 9:19 AM
We should be feeling sorry for the journalistic fools who make the likes of Inspector Carl Moore (keener than Elliot Ness to expose the Bu Anonymice) hang their editorial heads in abject Bajan shame.
As far as the intellectually incestuous and geopolitically myopic Bajans are concerned a Chinese and a Japanese are the same slant-eye coolie-man.
Bajans are rather insular people with the notion the world revolves around them like the earth around the Sun.
But give them a break. They are no more in tune with geographical realities than those bloody Americans who believe that Barbados is a town in Jamaica.
They are blissfully unaware of the geopolitical divide and ancestral animosity that exist between these two Far Eastern giants engaged in a continuous raging underlying simmering war of entente cordiale ready to erupt like Mount Fuji at anytime in a fatal final act of cultural revenge that never healed from WW11.
The Japanese thrive on etiquette and what is proper. An apology is necessary especially since China and Japan are NOT friends. That is insulting to the Japanese Ambassador as well as all Japanese people. Stupid Bajans. Lets hear what Ossie Moore’s nephew has to say about his brothers in the print media.
“As far as the intellectually incestuous and geopolitically myopic Bajans are concerned a Chinese and a Japanese are the same slant-eye coolie-man.”
Lol….best educated in the Caribbean. ..lol
There must be many ACs worling at barbadostoday.
Heard Mia having her usual political song and dancr about about the economy via a make shift news conference absent of alternative solutions but full of the usual flury of political sound bites and criticisms and a revived tactic if midday marches
ACs…Mia need not worry about yall…the whole cabinet will be thrown out on its ass…yall tell too many lies to the people.. she only has to be aware that the electorate are also fed up of her party, so the competition really only lies in the new parties.
Ya friend,
The dirty bird
David
What is happening with this deep political-economy crisis in Barbados?
Are there any negotiations going on behind the scenes to settle this matter, urgently?
Has the idiot for a PM said anything germane?
@Pacha
Isn’t the PM overseas?
We have never had a bunch like this lot occupying government house in Barbados.
Did you read today a minister breaking the convention of ministerial responsibility AGAIN?
All eyes have now turned to the Courts tomorrow.
I have mentioned previously that the quality of the Barbados Today journalism needs an urgent overhaul.
I think the editor should spend more time managing the operation than writing. Editors edit, writers write. She just get it right.
David
There could be nothing more important than dealing with this matter.
How could any PM find himself anywhere else, but dealing with this crisis at home?
No final decision will be forthcoming from the courts tomorrow. Then there will be appeals.
No, not as yet. What happened today?
@ AC
in your post of 1.42 you are, and i say this begrudgingly correct.
Mugabe is full of the song and dance that has punctuated her performances in the House of Assembly, full of hot air and signifying nothing….
All these hot sun marches for the theatrics only yet, as a Leader of the Opposition she and HER ENTIRE PARTY SAT THEIR DONKEYS DOWN while you and your party quietly brought a bill to sell the Barbados National Terminal Company.
It was only when people on the outside of Parliament saw the $ellout OF WHICH SHE WAS AND IS A SILENT ACCOMPLICE, and brought it into the forefront, she hops on the bandwagon and gets 2 minutes mentin on CBC Reporting Lies, the Nation Spews, The Reprobate and her own Newspaper in her Back Pocket Peter Harris’ Barbados Delay.
THe fact is that as the LoO she is not to be giving your party of Reprobates solutions even if she could BUT DE OLE MAN SERIOUS DOUBTS THAT cause she has not brought any in the 30 + years she has been in the HoA.
I need two aftermarket springs for two Glock 17’s you know anyone who can supply them?
I would ask Mugabe but she and I welll,…..we ent pun speaking terms…..
Stand home and do what?
And miss de per diems that he useless trips overseas does provide?
How wunna could do that to Richard Sealy and WeJonesing calculations of dem pensions a computed on the highest income including time served acting as Prime Minister?
The two uh wunna is hard men doah, tekking way Richard Moby Dick Sealy (of see me jump in heah at Accra Ch. Ch. and create a wave in Folkestone) and Ronald WeJonesing (the chilrun are is reading well) tekking way a lil berry from a feller…
Just catch up on the Nation
FJS says he’s not getting involved.
Well, what is the use of a PM if he will not get involved in such a grave matter.
This is why you should have a PM, to make the hard decisions, no?
Mia problem is that she is sooo predictable only a couple of weeks ago ac/s predicted that the usual regurgitation of noise and marches by Mia would be top of the “to do”list of the blp.
A failed formulate which has outlived its usefulness as the rallying voices asked and are looking for solutions
A few years a major blunder like this happened in Grenada to the embarrassment of PM Mithchell. At a ceremonial function with China the band mistakenly played the Taiwan national anthem.
I remember that one…lol
But this is worse, the book plainly says JAPAN…on the front…lol we are talking about an online newspaper, they are supposed to have top of the line editors who cannot miss these things.
Piece…I dont know what they want Fruendel to stay in Barbados to do, did you not see Fruendel hugged up tight, tight, tight…look like somewhere in NYC…with 2 beautiful young ladies on a post last Sunday…..Fruendel aint local.
During the late 1970s Errol Barrow called FJS a coward
Forty years later his cowardice is still coming to the fore
That we could have a crisis between the two most senior financial officials and this man could say that he is not interfering is a quintessential lack of that element needed to endure dangerous or unpleasant things for one’s country.
Indeed, it is the equivalent of surrendering one’s country to an invading army which is raping women and murdering children.
In those circumstances, a court martial is required to re-establish courage as the right ethos within the ranks.
@Pacha
This is how the warts of our socalled governance system are laid bare. We are now at the mercy of the DLP parliamentary group because Barbadians have ceded people power to the political class.
>
@ Pachamama
Court marshal, summary conviction and the guillotine at dawn?
Why Pachamama what you are speaking of bespeaks a Banana Republic and not of a cuntry punching above its weight…
Pacha. ..from the US and beyond, the weakest links in the black race have the slave mentality lying just beneath the surface of their psyches. …and are thisclose to being triggered, it already happened in the US to many highly educated blacks…by an illiterate trump…the trigger is there, it’s just a matter of time.
Just watch how Fruendel and the weakest leaders in the Caribbean will be handled.
@ ac February 22, 2017 at 3:35 PM
“Mia problem is that she is sooo predictable only a couple of weeks ago ac/s predicted that the usual regurgitation of noise and marches by Mia would be top of the “to do”list of the blp.
A failed formulate which has outlived its usefulness as the rallying voices asked and are looking for solutions..”
It seems the effects of climate change on the vernal equinox might be causing an early arrival of the Ides of March.
Ac, would the people be “privy” to any plans to make Soothsayer Jones a ministerial prophet with dishonourable acclaim in his upcoming banana republic?
The time to crack heads and shoot fleeing’ people in the back is just around the corner to take place on day devoted to Saturnalia just before the ides of March.
Would your party be so brave as to carry out the threats thereby providing thepo0litcally perfect storm of an opportunity to declare a state of emergency and introduce Mugabe type governance in the land of your dear loving party?
Just remember though, Little England (where everybody knows or is related to one another from both political tribes) is not multi-tribal multi-lingual Zimbabwe of over 150,000 sq. miles with 13 million black jackasses over lorded by a 93 old geriatric dictator, the real Mugabe and his young ambitious pussycat.
what an embarrassment for the leadership of the blp at a moment at a time when there was a golden opportunity for Mia to drive a nail right into the heart of present govt propelled by growing concerns for the barbados economy that she would let such an opportunity go to waste by pursuing foolish policies of midday marches rather than unfolding policies of remedy which would have mostly likely to be appreciated by an electorate wanting change
@ac
lol…it seems you are slowly coming around to the realization both leaders are useless. One pushing marches, the other on a fundraising trip to NY….neither offering alternatives or addressing issues related to management, only political showboating.
but Mia pursue the dumbest solution of them all MARCHES , akin to putting old wine in new bottles and believing that no one would detect the taste is the same as the old wine
Today was an organic moment when Mia could have rolled out at least one policy to encourage to build confidence and receive confidence from the electorate but what she does is that similar to giving a drunken sailor a truck loud of cash and he waste it all on prostitution
@ ac February 22, 2017 at 7:55 PM
What that jackass for your boss has done especially in relation to the MoF vs Guvenor of the CB fiasco is concerned is to make himself look like a yard-boy fit only to clean up fowl crap and MIA the de facto PM in waiting to become the de jure.
Imagine the Magoo man has the gumption to say he does not know what is going on in his own front house and who is s(h)itting on his political table.
Bajans are really a bunch of educated fools to allow such disrespect to their sense of morals and self-acclaimed intelligence.
What is playing out is even worse than an analogous situation where the Director of Finance at a board meeting to discuss the finances of the corporation tells the chairman of the Board of Directors he has no idea how much money the business or corporation has at the bank neither does he know where to go to find out.
The stupid man of a misfit can do you all a favour and just leave the scene before he is unceremoniously fired unless he is planning to behave like a true-blooded African dictator and declare his ambitious intent to rule for a billion years.
This is the exact reaction one would expect the ac’s to take. You morons want the Bees to keep quiet while you all wait and see (as the dead king said) as this economy goes off the cliff.
I backing MAM, stir it up….the dems on slippery ground, you dont know what the governor is going to do if he loses tomorrow. Who know if he would be so pissed that he appears at the rally and do a Harold Blackman.
You dems always implode when the people of Barbados give the government to “wunnah”. Monkeys handling gun!
Tek it easy Prodigal the PM has a message for wunna just mek sure yuh knickers are in place when the message is delivered
@ ac February 22, 2017 at 8:58 PM
There is only one of two messages the Bajan public should be expecting from that man.
Either a reshuffle of his discredited cabinet to save his sorry ass or an announcement of the date of elections which he has been carrying around (like his schoolboy pen) in his shirt pocket since 2016.
All we can say that the garrulous schoolboy Eastweak would really be a nuksie of a neutered pit-bull to allow himself to be turned into a political jackass to be ridden by a dumb gorilla.
ACs……….All Fruendel has to offer Bajans are more of his delusional lies…as Estwick said…yall failed. ..those 2 words resound very clearly.
http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/93888/paved-worrell-fired
ACs..look, a yardfowl will be fired.
precursor
http://imgur.com/a/AhR2z