The duration of the lecture is over two hours but worth the listen. Many of the views shared my Dr. Ronnie Yearwood last night have been mooted repeatedly on BU. It is important a greater number of Barbadians from the academic class step out of the comfort zone to challenge the establishment. It is evident- even to the ignorant -that our system needs remodelling. We need our brightest to lead the way.
The Ronnie Yearwood Lecture
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123 responses to “The Ronnie Yearwood Lecture”
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David
And Dr. Yearwood also sought to do so by running for Parliament–a position I have always and will continue to promote here on BU. I hope he is made a Senator if the BLP wins.
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@enuff
Yearwood obviously subscribes to your view- and Walter Blackman -that change must be promoted from the inside?
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A splendid lecture, which goes right to the heart of what is wrong with Barbados. The trouble is that a country such as Barbados cannot afford to have brilliant young people such as Ronnie Yearwood operating out of the country.
We must accommodate these dynamic young people in some way. -
@Hal
What do you make out of the fact Sandra Husbands was referred?
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We may want to start considering that it is an election, where the candidates and a government are being elected by the majority population to represent THEIR BEST INTERESTS as opposed to a competition won by one political party and used as a license to do shit repeatedly to the people for 5, 10,15 years.
That very important fact gets lost immediately a government is elected by the people……..with the ministers and their dumb yardfowls crowing “we win, we win”….for the duration of the term(s).
It is a job that a government and ministers is elected and paid to do by the majority population, the taxpayers….it is not a game.
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David,
I must admit I missed the reference to Sandra, Ronnie’s rival. However, I think they are both better candidates than Donville Inniss.
Further, we must find a place for Ronnie in he wants it. -
@ David
You mind enuff?
What run for what parliament what??!!It is juvenile to think that ‘just getting a few good (wo)/men’ elected will somehow solve our problems. The problem is MUCH LARGER than this simplistic assessment.
People like Dr Yearwood and Walter Blackman are clearly well-intentioned, intelligent and knowledgable, but they are completely UNEQUIPPED for the task at hand. The very fact that they seem to think that step 1 is ‘getting elected’ confirms their unpreparedness for the task.
Perhaps 15 years ago this would have been an option, but the degree of wickedness to which we have now sunk is beyond mortal redemption.
5 years ago, a BUP option with strong ethical leadership had a chance….
Now, only sackcloth and ashes will do it…..They will probably need to be actually elected in order to understand the level of EVIL pressure that can be brought to bear on a ‘well-intentioned’ individual.
LOL
We have already seen the change in Walter…and he ain’t even nominated yet….The road to Hell is paved with limitless good intentions.
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Bushie you need to get woke!! #bye lol
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@Hal
The irony is that Ronnie was rejected by the BLP selection process yet there is consensus within the BU community he possesses needed qualities missing from todays politician.
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Is either Party willing to take the RISK of bringing in to their midst someone who is very clever and professional??????????
The “leadership” would certainly be very threatened.
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Is Ronnie running in truth? I’d vote him for President of a new Incorporated Barbados, along with a TEAM of qualified professionals (VP’s) to manage the various economic sectors, duly selected in conjunction with an engaged citizenry (including the church and civic organizations) that are encouraged to continuously participate in decision making on a digital participatory democracy platform.
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Money Brain April 14, 2017 at 3:37 PM #
Chuckle…..look how you upset the applecart just so by stating the truth.
The political class is comfortable with the status quo…….so why bring in a maverick to change it?
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@Bush Tea
Nothing that I heard from Ronnie Yearwood led me to think that he thinks “that step 1 is ‘getting elected’.” Rather, he emphasized that we need profound cultural change in Barbados. He stated point blank that switching the Ds to the Bs will not bring real change… he went further to point out that even after we get integrity legislation passed it will mean little unless Bajan citizens went through a paradigm shift; he quoted Barrow to the effect that (from memory) “the government can only treat us with contempt because we hold ourselves in contempt.” Sounds to me that he is simply pointing out (in a polysyllabic manner) that we need to stop being “brass bowls.”He began by pointing out that for the past 50 years we have had only 3 items in our kit to tackle any crisis:
1. Austerity,
2. Privatization,
3. Foreign Direct Investment.
He was clear that this kit cannot save us in our current predicament.He listed 5 points near the end of his talk which seemed the closest that he came to a prescription (from memory):
1. Configure government as a social enterprise,
2. Stem the brain drain,
3. Pursue deep cultural change to emphasize hard work,
4. Promote innovation and prudent investment,
5. Establish direction and leadership.His underlying theme was that no matter what tack we take on strategy, without cultural change we are dead in the water because “culture eats strategy for breakfast.”
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The SJS branch of the BLP made a terrible mistake in not selecting this young man. He should run in SPS in the election due before 2023. I’d vote for him. Hopefully, the BLP or DLP makes some use of this young man. If not, I hope he realises that you dont have to be a politician to effect change.
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@ peterlawrencethompson,
was that you “the social enterprise expert”?
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Time is long overdue for pressure groups to be re-established in Bim…..in other countries they are called lobby groups…..we used to have a notable one in the PPM led by Eric “Fly” Sealy.
I recall many decades ago that the presidents or CEOs of the BYC,Jaycees,4-H…..were listened too.They had a voice in the papers and commented on the activities of the day.
These were young people organisatons…..why have the youth opted out?
They need to stop going to join political parties,establish pressure movements and let the parties come to you.
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@Kevin
Is that you?
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Thompson
No one said getting elected is number 1!!
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@ David, yes its me, Why you asking.
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David,
The St James South BLP rejected him. As part of her speech, Sandra said Ronnie was not a lawyer.
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@enuff, I was quoting from Bush Tea’s post.
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@ Hants Yes.
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@Kevin
You have noted how he used the Auditor Generals reports to trash the performance of successive governments? He calls for a dismantling of the current governance model -this should make Pachamama wet his trousers with joy.
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@Hal
You noted Yearwood calls for referenda to bind government to key priorities as determined by the people?
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So far his words are good and on point , more truth than BU can deal with, this tape keep cutting off, Now for him to add the cause of all things the land and the lies to cover up the massive land fraud and the banking he will see other pains based on Fraud and PONZI, Maybe SB need to talk to him to help open his head to real truth, Then we all can sit down and plan to remove these crooks, liars and scumbags, Accounting General , Dr.Ronnir Yearwood and CUP and any others that wake up in Time can fix Barbados , We knew that had to be others who want to deal wit Truth in Barbados,
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Bim must have STRICT INTEGRITY Legislation.
Massively Increase MP by 3-5 X but transgression will be seriously penalised.
Second effect of more pay is to attract the best people to Government.
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MP PAY
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Ronnie made the point that we must have integrity legislation BUT given the level of apathy that currently pervades the tiny island it will mean nothing. How do we turnaround the apathy? Those of us who are enlightened must organize and be the leaders of the change.
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MB
Disagree……the greatest advances were made
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the days of low wages
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Who is Dr. Ronnie Yearwood? Has he ever made a payroll for workers every Friday? In my old age I have no time for persons parading around a doctor title (and not working in a hospital) and wearing a suit and tie. Barbados needs “doers”, not more talkers.
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The lawyers of parliament are so filled with their own stench,..they are unable to see that it’s decades pf incompetent lawyers making up the cabinet and being in parliament that has brought the island to its knees.
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peterlawrencethompson April 14, 2017 at 4:14 PM
re government
We just got 16 new government secretaries, salaray S1 plus all allowances and other privileges. The fate of Bim will be determined by the first actions of the next government. If they go on with 51 parlamentarians, many ministries, even more government secretaries and 60 state agencies, nothing will and nothing can improve.
The current level of bureaucracy is unsustainable. A bureaucratic copy of Great Britian around 1960, but the GDP of a mouse. Given the excessive duties in Barbados on imports, it is hardly impossible to launch any business or to compete with such business on the global export market.
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@ PLT
Nothing that I heard from Ronnie Yearwood led me to think that he thinks “that step 1 is ‘getting elected’.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Nobody said that he SAID so….
Why do you think he contested the nomination against Sandra Husbands? …To join a church?
Why do you think Walter gone quiet and kowtowing to Froon behind the scenes? ..think he frighten for Bushie…??!!@ Andrew Simpson
So you would vote for him as president based on one shiite speech that basically repeats everything we have all been saying on BU now for 10 years (all except AC and Alvin)??Dog-bite-muh!! … things gotta be REAL hard.
Don’t you want to know what he has accomplished before – besides some shiite doctorate like our boy Brathwaite?
What business operation or professional agency has he successfully managed to demonstrate the needed skills?
How successful is his family life? (if you cannot get along with your OWN damn family, good luck getting along with 300,000 brass bowl Bajans…
How solid is his bank account? Wunna sure that he is not interested in the damn salary (and perks)? (Whose mom would not want a $5 deposit?)
Boss, these are the kind of things you need to investigate when looking for leaders.Those who are found to be faithful in small areas, we can THEN make them rulers over bigger things … or even little brass bowl countries…
@ enuff
…thought you were leaving home..?@ Money B
Boss, you seem to think that money is the solution to every shiite…. and in your world it probably is…But Vincent is right (for once 🙂 ) that sometimes, FAR better results are achieved with lower salaries – and even by volunteers ….in the right environment.
No matter how much money you pay Stinkliar he still out to sea…. and no matter how little you pay Bushie the whacker will whack….@ David
Boss, the easiest job in the WHOLE world is talking sweet.
You listened to the Pit Bull back in the last election campaign right? Sweet as shiite!!!
…then what??!!
We ended up with a shiite hound pot starver……Bushie wants background on practical achievements….and that does NOT include writing shiite theses for any PhD….. like Lowe’s
Bushie wants…
…something like Caswell baptism of fire with the BLP
…his YEARS of free volunteer work in the Credit Unions
…his ongoing commitment to workers rights (and to bullying employers 🙂 )
…and even his occasional attempts to cuss Bushie…No lotta long talk.
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@Bushie
Yearwood has some pedigree, he was in the youth parliamen.
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Steupsss
It is not good to incite the bushman on a Good Friday night Boss….
Are you familiar with the concept crucifixion by whacker….? -
Gents I focused on Integrity Legislation, why are the Pols teeeefing if it is NOT about $$$$$$$$??????????????
The money part is to attract better talent BUT also to “compensate” for NOT teeefing.
Bushie, it is ALL about $$$$$$$$$$$$$ and U should know that.
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Sandra Husbands came at my doorstep last month. She was canvassing for the BLP candidate for the constituency in which I live. She was slapping tar i.e. doing work. Give me Husbands over the theoreticians.
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@Money Brain
Being rich does nothing to stop thieves. In fact the most corrupt people in most societies are among the richest because they can afford the bribes. -
@Ping Pong
Let us be clear about what you mean – Sandra Husbands is doing work because she was slapping tar?
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Money B
It SHOULD not be all about money
…and you know that Bushie knows that – even if it continues to elude you….You ALSO know that the biggest THIEVES in this world are people who already have much more money that they can possibly spend. They get away with it because they can afford things like bribes, influence, protection and (especially) lawyers.
Intergity legislation is really just a gimmick. Powerful politicians and other crooks willl ALWAYS find ways to avoid prosecution under such laws if they are dealing with bowls.
Were laws not broken with CLICO?
What happened…?
Not one shiite.What is really needed is TRANSPARENCY, along with real, self-respecting people (not brass bowls) who will NOT STAND FOR ANY SHIITE.
BU has brought a level of transparency that causes the politicians to wet themselves…. but the brass bowls are still awaiting conversion …
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The part of Ronnie’s message that doesn’t sit well with BU is his willingness to surrender to the collective desire of the people determined by referenda or some other ‘tool’. Isn’t there reason we educate our people to produce leaders who are expected to lead? How does one define leadership if it must be in step with what the people desire all the time.
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That is not leadership.
It is polling ….and then following from the front.
It is popular because it requires no vision, no balls, no guts and little work.Since we know that 99% of the people are totally brass, (USA & Trump comes to mind) that approach is like watching the sheep and then sending them in the direction that most of the idiots are headed anyway.
“Leadership” is the concept of a wise SHEPHERD leading the brass bowl sheep to their safety and security – even despite their most stupid and illogical opposition.
LOL …and whether Pacha likes it or not…. -
How come wunna not focusing on the Integrity Legislation, but only money and rich?
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Ronnie R. F. Yearwood, BSc., LL.M, PhD has worked for the Prime Minister’s Office (Barbados) with a special focus on the Caribbean Single Market and Economy.
He has lectured in Caribbean politics and sociology in Barbados, and in law at Durham University, Newcastle University, University College London (UCL) and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London.
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@MB
read what BT wrote.
Integrity cannot be legislated. We may attempt to legislate transparency and accountability, but none of this can replace common decency, and a strong moral fabric.
This why the Leadership is so important, because they set the tone and standards.
You should know, Ont had IL since the 90’s and did that stop the last male premier from all the shite he did? He didn’t even get charged. And like the one you love, his office ERASED thousands of e-mails, for which two operatives face charges, the case delayed for years.This was the opening point….folks don’t know who or what to believe, because we have invented words and explanations for blatant falsehood and mistruths. They are intended to confuse and mislead.
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“BARBADIANS WHO BENEFIT from free education and go to work overseas should not escape the tax net of the Barbados Revenue Authority.”
http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/95711/tax-option#sthash.4j9ivhR4.dpuf
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Eye opening world perspective, actions made worse by small island governments who do not understand it, are too weak and greedy to fight it and lack the intelligence to not fall into those traps..
#wealthinequality #debate – Wealth inequality has resulted in different problems for different nations, like in India the problem is corporate land grab, Greece is now ruled by banks, in Kenya rising food prices, in USA student debt, in Ghana the breakup of public utilities, in China slave wages and toxic skylines, in Iraq decades of conflict fuelled by extractive industries, in Libya toppling of Gadhafi and a never ending civil war, in UK austerity without an end in sight, in Mexico losing your rights to land and everywhere money hijacks political processes.
So as we connect these dots, we are all begin to ask ourselves what is it that was actually growing when we grow the economy, and why is it we let the logic of global finance to define how we the seven billion citizens of earth ought to live, and do we really have to consume mother earth and each other to live better? Regarding the cause, there are lots of things that contribute to global wealth inequality, and inequality within countries and societies. Is it the economic policies and practices that favor wealthy individuals and help them in growing their wealth? The wealth of the super rich individuals and multinational corporations allow them to have influence on politics. The world’s tax heavens also play a great role in skewed wealth generation and distribution. They hold about $7.6 trillion of wealth, which is never invested back into the country where it comes from. Global wealth inequality is also growing because of neoliberal economic policies imposed on developing countries. Read more: http://bit.ly/2nmaNEs
Join us: fb.com/unitedhumanists
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Nonsense really……you cannot force anyone to pay taxes in 2 countries, particularly in one in which they are not domiciled AND working…unless the countries have double taxation treaties where you can choose to pay taxes in one or the other but not both…
…..a Ph.D.is just an accepted thesis, we have had no end of misery on here wuth Ph.D. Alvin.
“Leadership” is the concept of a wise SHEPHERD leading the brass bowl sheep to their safety and security – even despite their most stupid and illogical opposition.
LOL …and whether Pacha likes it or not….”That’s why I stopped calling the hungry for money, mercedes and status ministers on the island leaders, they are not true leaders, not in the truest sense of the word.
Sandra Husbands always slaps tar, that is not necessarily working, she gives out information she would not normally give in desperation to get votes, they all do, but only around election…I would ignore them all, they have run their course.
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