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Freundel Writes His Name on History’s Page

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I did not dissolve it – deliberately – and of course the experts have been giving expressions to their surprise. ‘This is the first time in Barbados’ history, that a parliament was allowed to stand dissolved by effluxion of time’. That is how history is made. History is not made by things happening the same way all the time. History is made by doing things differently – Prime Minister Freundel Stuart

The quote is credited to the Prime Minister of Barbados in response to wide public disquiet his decision to encroach on the 90 day period the framers of the Constitution provide to have a general election after the dissolution of parliament. For sure the statement can be generously described as puerile and strips bare the reputation earned by Barbados post Independence as a model Black democratic nation punching above its weight class.

Barbados has been reduced  to the butt of jokes brought to a head by a story in the Russian media space with the title Swapping Erections for Elections: Prostitutes Dip Toes in Caribbean .…. We have the ridiculous state of affairs a former prostitute entering the race and a political party by the name of PPP – you guessed it – indicating an interest in contesting the next general election. Say what you will, one cannot imagine this state of affairs occurring if Errol Barrow, Tom Adams  or Owen Arthur were leading the country. Is it accurate to conclude it has to do with leadership?

Prime Minister Stuart has revealed his value-set to Barbadians on numerous occasion, the best example is when he failed to censure the former Speaker of the House MICHAEL CARRINGTON for withholding payment to a client. Monies based on standard procedure should have been deposited in his Clients Account awaiting final disbursement. Because BU is rated a PG blog the blogmaster will be generous in language to describe CARRINGTON. You will recall the prime minister’s advice was to publicly advise CARRINGTON to get a lawyer.  Given the fact there was no crescendo of noise emanating from civil society led by NGOs, Bar Association and others, it brings into question the extent to which political morality is honoured in Barbados.

Notwithstanding, the blogmaster is unable to fathom what political capital Stuart and team is benefitting from subjecting Bajans to the humiliation currently being being experienced. As if the psyche of the Bajan has not suffered a deep puncture and the swagger transformed to a limp as a result of the protracted economic performance downturn.  Today we heard it all when perennial local political scientist Dr. George Belle described our government as a de facto dictatorship.  From a model Black country punching above its weight class to being described by a local academic as a de facto dictatorship!

It seems like yesterday in 2007 the same political arguments were being had. What has changed? TwiddleD has replaced TwiddleB. How will the cycle be disrupted? Besides Natlee championing the cause of the invisible people, what new political narrative have we been hearing?

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197 responses to “Freundel Writes His Name on History’s Page”

  1. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    Madam, your response is pure partisan yard-fowl rhetoric……(“ac” incognito?????).

    Similarly, the economies of other Caribbean islands, also dependent on “the tourism industry,” were “severely devastated due to external mitigating uncontrollable economic circumstances that deprived (their) social and economic environment of necessary financial support to (their) ailing economies” as well.

    Yet, St. Lucia, Grenada and Antigua, for example, have recorded economic growth, while Barbados suffered 23 credit rating downgrades, against a background of excessive taxation and economic policies that failed to achieve the desired objectives and inspire investor confidence.

    If you’re honest you’ll admit this inept DLP administration has not done anything “to keep the country social environment alive,” especially when one considers the Transport Board. After Lashley defended the decision of hiring a Trinidadian consultant and paying him over $20,000 per month, the Board’s fleet of buses has deteriorated to 65 units in operation per day……..resulting in bus drivers and other employees being “laid off” and the unavailability of buses affects national productivity.

    Under the circumstances, Lashley has demonstrated he is full of “lot of shiite talk,” but is incapable of being innovative and has been unable to develop an adequate “transportation plan” in partnership with the owners of the private PSVs. His excuse……”the last time TB purchased buses was in 2006”…..but he still found money to purchase coaches (BM336, BM337, BM338……) to compete with the private sector in transporting tourist from the port.

    As at today, Sunday, April 8, 2018 people have not received their invalidity and survivor’s benefits for March 20148. Over the past 5 to 6 years the UDC and RDC have not repaired or renovated houses for the “poor and indigent.”

    Similarly, Freundel Stuart’s “failure to respond to calls that he also needs to provide the electorate what changes he has in mind and his strategy to remain tight lipped is political suicide. He must also remember that his record in the DLP govt has plenty landmines which can be used against him.”

  2. Theophilius Gazerts 443 Avatar
    Theophilius Gazerts 443

    @SSS
    We share almost identical points of view.
    I am still struggling with the lesser of three as a choice.

  3. Theophilius Gazerts 443 Avatar
    Theophilius Gazerts 443

    *Least of three – before a grammarian pounces on me.
    We are like that, place burning down, but dotting i’s.

  4. Theophilius Gazerts 443 Avatar
    Theophilius Gazerts 443

    For some reason, let me add.
    I am pro Barbados only.
    No real interest in the alphabet soup BLP, DLP, UPP, UPonMe, etc.

  5. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    This inept DLP administration also created history when they awarded the ass Stephen Lashley the “Gold Crown of Merit” for “organizing CARIFESTA”…………a job that, as minister of culture, he is DUTY-BOUND to perform.

    This same “short-me-crutch” idiot signed an agreement with the Trinidadians to “eff-up” our Crop Over Festival……..when all the other Caribbean carnivals remain “indigenous,”……….including Trinidad’s.

  6. Theophilius Gazerts 443 Avatar
    Theophilius Gazerts 443

    “WUNNA GOING TEIF DEM AND WRITE THEM INTO YOUR OWN”
    But
    If you delay too long it seems as if you have no ideas
    If you delay too long and the time for campaigning is short, then the best ideas may be destroyed by phrases like ‘gimmickry’, ‘say anything for a vote’, ‘just want to win that’s all’, ‘only got ideas when election called’ etc .
    If you delay too long then others can accuse you of stealing their ideas
    They are in a tough spot, but they have to take to the field. I think they are playing the game others want them to play

    I think the Bajan electorate can figure out who stealing ideas….

  7. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Business people only has confidence in the bottom line. When the business people arrived at the cross roads of the global economic meltdown they were unprepared and much of their resources started to melt away. One would have thought that after many years of govt holding their hands financially . these business peopl would have been an economic comodity in helping barbados weather the economic storm but NO there only interest was in their self.
    Looking forward to Mia is a false sense of security and an assumption that Mia would be a miracle worker Instead what the Business people ought to doing is advancing a growth method that is dual with a purpose in mind for economic sustainability for their business and and the barbados economy
    By now the business people should have taken lessons from the negative fall out of a global economy and pursue a path which prepares them for better global in the further without having to lean heavily on govt resources which by the way is owned by the people and not Stuart or Mottley

  8. Ping Pong Avatar
    Ping Pong

    Robert Kennedy was assassinated 50 years ago. In 1966 he made a speech to young South Africans from which the following is taken:

    “The future does not belong to those who are content with today, apathetic toward common problems and their fellow man alike, timid and fearful in the face of new ideas and bold projects. Rather it will belong to those who can blend vision, reason and courage in a personal commitment to the ideals and great enterprises of American Society.”

    Substitute “Barbadian” for “American” and I humbly commend these words to all those who seek to enter public life in Barbados on the eve of the next general election.

  9. de pedantic Dribbler Avatar
    de pedantic Dribbler

    @Are-We, we can claim bragging rights on the simple aspects of life like our local elections…so come June we can crow obout whose scorecard was more accurate and enjoy a robust debrief of the campaign tactics.

    Unfortunately however there can be NO, repeat, not one IOTA of a Mueller report which affirms that Donald Trump is a confirmed Russian plant. That sir is untenable, unimaginable and in very simple words Ain’t Going To Happen.

    Practically, ANY such supposedly “irrefutable” evidence would be totally suppressed.

    Of course there would be noise in the press but that would be propagated as false news, planted evidence and other ways to disapprove any veracity…Trump would be removed “QUIETLY” under some feasibly practical reason like criminality of obstruction of justice and life would proceed.

    You know as well as I do that this world would spin backwards if your premiss was ever publicly affirmed… the orbit aint changing, so not happening.

    @Pieces: interesting position you hold re Trump as a Clinton plant. It’s actually quite the spy thriller content and yet really quite feasible too!

    Wouldn’t it be awesome if Phillips could be the same locally: the candidate planted by the elites that beats them at the polls! He would not be as unhinged as Trump…I hope!

  10. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    Mariposa
    If change was needed and justified in 2008, what justification is there for staying with the DLP in 2018?🤔

  11. Theophilius Gazerts 443 (second cousin of TheGazer- now TheoGazer) Avatar
    Theophilius Gazerts 443 (second cousin of TheGazer- now TheoGazer)

    “Unfortunately however there can be NO, repeat, not one IOTA of a Mueller report which affirms that Donald Trump is a confirmed Russian plant. That sir is untenable, unimaginable and in very simple words Ain’t Going To Happen.”

    I do not pretend to know what will happen but your prediction reminds me of one made here which disparaged American youth and minimize the effect of their efforts. Not only did they proved him wrong, but their continuing efforts after the shootings in Florida are admirable.

    Sometimes looking at the USA through Barbadian ‘infected’ lenses produces wrong answers.

  12. David Avatar
    David

    Minister Stephen Lashley posted the following to his Facebook page. He, unlike some of his colleagues, has been active in social media. The flavour of his postings has changed of late as he gears up for the season.

    Stephen Lashley

    6 April at 23:46 ·

    Have something for the nation to ponder on and it speaks to the Barbados Labour Party’s apparent hidden perspective on governance. It’s more like you have to study the words and antics of the BLP leadership to understand what their true intent is or could be.

    I refer to the recent tirade by Mia Mottley calling publicly on the Governor of the Central Bank to speak up and what could possibly be her fear of a pending positive report on our country’s foreign reserves.

    1. Were she ever to be entrusted with the responsibility of Minister of Finance, is it that she would instruct the Governor of the Central Bank what to say and when?

    2. What would make her so mortally afraid to anticipate that the next update on the economy will show improvement in the Foreign Reserves and what could possibly be the apparent motive to seek to dampen any public excitement about that by saying that later in the year, the foreign reserves will fall when certain debt payments fall due?

    3. Is it that with elections around the corner, she doesn’t want anything to be said or done that appears to put the Barbados economy in any good light since this would be perceived as a plus for the Government?

    4. Is there then a BLP strategy to see if they can influence as much as possible the dissemination of anything that is negative? In other words, is it the case that at ALL COST, the BLP will seek to suppress positive developments for the country while holding back their hidden prescriptions for confronting the country’s known challenges.

    Worth pondering. Hmmmm

    https://www.facebook.com/stephen.lashley.980

  13. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    Correct me if I’m wrong (which is the norm)………but…….

    Recall in January 2017, former Central Bank governor Dr. Delisle Worrell published an “economic letter” in which he suggested government should cease the practice of the CB “printing money” to finance expenditure, after he previously endorsed providing the “unsupported currency.”

    Dr. Delisle Worrell also constantly reminded the minister of finance that government’s economic policies were consistently failing to achieve the desired objectives……….while MoF was trying to convince Barbadians that those policies were actually working.

    Dr. Worrell’s services were subsequently terminated.

    Could this situation not be viewed similarly as one where the minister of finance wanted to “instruct the Governor of the Central Bank what to say and when?”

  14. David Avatar
    David

    @Artax

    The difference is that the Governor of the Central Bank is a creature of the MoF, he reports to that ministry in law doesn’t he?

  15. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    In the same news conference Mia spoke about the need for an independent Governor and national institute of statistics. Stephen Lashley is desperate.

  16. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    IMF Executive Board Concludes 2017 Article IV Consultation with Barbados

    January 31, 2018

    On January 26, 2018, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation [1] with Barbados.

    Following the economic recovery in 2016, GDP growth is slowing reflecting increased pace of fiscal consolidation. Real growth reached 1.6 percent in 2016, as a result of continued robust long-stay tourism arrival and spending. It is projected to slow to 0.9 percent in 2017 and 0.5 percent in 2018 due to the ongoing fiscal adjustment and policy uncertainty related to the forthcoming elections. Inflation is projected to rise by year end to 5.5 percent as a result of recent tax increases but return to its historical norm in the medium term.

    The current account balance continues to narrow but international reserves are falling. The current account deficit declined to 4.4 percent of GDP in 2016, about of half that in 2014, due to lower energy prices and a recovery in export earnings. Notwithstanding, NIR continued to decline with lower official and private capital inflows, to about US$275 million at end-September (1.6 months of imports). The current account deficit is projected to continue to narrow to 3.7 percent in 2017, and to 2.9 percent of GDP in 2018 as a result of lower imports, but continued weakness in the financial account and delayed privatization will contribute to weak reserves.

    There has been progress with fiscal consolidation but the deficit and debt remain high. The fiscal deficit is estimated to have declined to 5.5 percent of GDP in FY2016/17 reflecting stronger revenue performance, including the introduction of the National Social Responsibility Levy (NSRL) and one-off factors. The government also reduced total expenditure, despite a large increase in debt service, reflecting efforts to contain spending across the board. Staff project further progress in reducing the fiscal deficit, to 4.1 percent of GDP in FY2017/18 without divestment proceeds. However, this is less than planned as a result of shortfalls in NSRL revenues and higher transfers to SOEs. Central government debt at end-FY2016/17 was 137 percent of GDP or 101 percent of GDP excluding securities held by the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

    The larger than expected fiscal deficit is increasing funding challenges. While the central bank significantly reduced its funding of the government in the first half of FY2017/18, the commercial banks’ reserve requirements for holding government securities have been increased, increasing banks’ exposure to sovereign risk. The financial sector remains stable with banks well capitalized. Financial soundness indicators show further progress in reducing NPLs by commercial banks and credit unions. However, private sector credit growth continued to be subdued and banks’ profitability remains weak.

    Executive Board Assessment [2]

    Executive Directors noted that after an improved economic performance in 2016, the Barbados economy is slowing down. Large fiscal deficits, high debt, and low reserves are posing challenges. Directors emphasized that a stronger macroeconomic framework and bolder structural reforms are needed to achieve fiscal and debt sustainability, address the large financing needs, build adequate international reserves, and boost growth.

    Directors welcomed the authorities’ consolidation efforts over the past two fiscal years. They stressed that additional efforts will be necessary to balance the budget over the medium term, given the urgency in tackling the high debt, meeting the funding requirements, and addressing the balance of payment needs. They recommended that adjustment measures should focus on expenditure, primarily supported by reform of the State Owned Enterprises (SOEs). Efforts to contain the wage bill and reform of government pensions, while improving revenue administration and broadening the tax base, including by reducing exemptions, would also be important. Progress with these reforms could allow for a partial reversal of the increase in the National Social Responsibility Levy.
    Directors emphasized that a comprehensive restructuring of SOE operations is critical to address the structural imbalance in the public sector, in particular by reducing government transfers. Priority should be given to defining clear objectives for SOE reform and implementing the Public Financial Management and Audit Act, as well as other measures. Directors also underscored the importance of making changes to the size and delivery of social programs to contain their cost and ensure their long term viability.

    Directors encouraged the authorities to continue efforts to phase out direct financing of the government by the central bank and to reorient monetary policy towards supporting the fixed exchange rate regime. They also called for steps to ease the recent increase in statutory requirements for banks to hold government securities. Directors noted that banks remain well capitalized and that NPLs have been declining. They encouraged the authorities to enhance regulatory and supervisory frameworks, especially for non bank financial institutions, to strengthen the AML/CFT regime, and to proceed with legislative amendments to increase Central Bank independence. Directors also called for sustained action to bolster reserves.

    Directors emphasized that stronger and deeper structural reforms are critical to unlock the economy’s growth potential and maintain macroeconomic stability. They underscored that reforms should focus on strengthening the business environment, facilitating economic diversification, and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of public service delivery. Directors supported the authorities’ efforts in improving the timeliness and quality of economic data.

  17. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    The Leader of the Opposition is usually listed among the officials that are present during the IMF consultation. So, it would surprise me if any individual in that post does not know the contents of the report.

  18. David Avatar
    David

    Governor Worrell (former) is on the Sunday Brasstacks.

    Shane Loe, president of the BES is on the Sunday Brasstacks.

  19. Well, Well Avatar
    Well, Well

    As some of us have clearly seen, the conflicted politicians have to reconcile to the fact that when they are elected BY THE MAJORITY POPULATION, they are PAID by the majority population, they do not work for neither are they paid by the UK or buckingham palace’s beasts or a few minorities who bribe them for personal gain…they not understanding this results in blurred lines and ignorance of boundaries and priorities.

    I think the lines get so badly blurred after the people elect these clowns or after they are given yardfowl positions at taxpayer’s expense read DPP and GG etc, that they fail to remember or recognize how they got there to begin with, if they did, they would not create such problems and difficulties for their own people and ultimately for themselves by their lack of loyalty and treachery to the majority population.

    it is fair to say that politicians are no longer mindful of reality once elected.

  20. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    One has to feel a bit sorry for Freundel on reflection…
    Starting with his mothers selection of a first name, and continuing throughout his whole career, it seems that the poor chap has either been handed the short end of the stick , or have somehow managed to self -self-deprecatingly shave any sticks that he has been handed to become the shortest possible.

    It is almost as if the man – somewhat like Trump – was destined to captain the ‘Titanic’…. having inculcated all the needed deficiencies in character to do so ‘successfully’ against all possible odds.

    It CANNOT be easy to sleep at night with such huge personal responsibilities on one’s conscience….

  21. de pedantic Dribbler Avatar
    de pedantic Dribbler

    Good Mr TheoGazerts, I am not a seer otherwise my earthly wealth would be beyond compare. However I believe I can still see an approaching train !

    If you compare my comment to be a seer type prediction rather than the simple awareness of oncoming calamity of said train that’s ok…

    … incidentally, the views on how public protest could or could not develop into strong political activity can not be equated to a comment that the US hierarcy would never confirmat that in fact Russia succeeded in planting one of their controlled confederates as US President.

    And again if you realistically think that would be tenable in the US of A and would not be a precursor to a totally ruptured nation and definitive rumblings of war then OK, too!

  22. TheoGazer Avatar
    TheoGazer

    I see that you have bought into yet another Bajan’s view of the US when you ‘imagine’ a war with Russia.

    A war between the US and Russia will not/never happen. Even a fool like me realizes that is a bridge that cannot be crossed.

    But not only did you cross that bridge but you did so by an amazing leap … linking the exposure of The Dunald to a resulting war with Russia.

    Indeed the blogmaster must post a warning at the doors of BU. “Enter at your own risk’ or “Don’t swallow everything you read here”

  23. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    “such huge personal responsibilities on one’s conscience”….skippa, you need a conscience to begin with. This gentleman lives a delusional existence. What maybe fantasy to you, is very real for him. His arrogance is without limit.
    For how many years has he been, on the few occasions that he speaks publicly, referencing the poor state of the economy. Everywhere else has recovered, even the IMF states “Following the economic recovery in 2016”, but he remains firm on the negative economy, and then wonders, and his ministers too, why ‘people are so negative’.

  24. de pedantic Dribbler Avatar
    de pedantic Dribbler

    @TheoGazerts, good sir on would offer that the Blogmaster sign-post more aptly say : Pay Attention As you Read, Misdirection Often Attempted🤣.

    I rather noted “definitive rumblings of war”!

    Would you not say that Mr Trump’s early bombast towards DPRK and their then continued missile launches, Japan near-fly overs, threats to Guam at al were not “definitive rumblings of war”….Has there been A WAR? Does any sane person really expect one to be started?

    Read please and understand!

    I also clearly stated there would be a ruptured nation…and I should have added, well beyond its current rancorous divide.

    I am not here to convince bloggers of anything but to lend a cent or two to robust thinking, debate and thus planning for action.

    So I repeat if you in your wisdom can accept a report from the independent counsel which affirms the a sitting US President in a confederate of the Russian empire then you sir are sitting in a completely different reality to the one in which I sit…and that is absolutely OK by me.

    And of course, please don’t ever swallow before reading labels carefully…bad for the health bro!

  25. Sunshine Sunny Shine Avatar
    Sunshine Sunny Shine

    David

    I would like to know what significant achievements happen under the BLP government after Grantley Adams that we all can give praise too. Is it new buildings? Is it good roads? Is it finding housing for bajans and improving housing infrastructure throughout Barbados? Is it extending the infrastructure of UWI cave hill campus? Is it having eloquence? Is it leaving over a Billion dollars in reserves? Is it the ability to attract foreign investment. Is it giving Barbadians a new transport terminal. Is it reconstruction of the Seawell Airport to Grantley Adams International. I would like to know what stands out under their leadership that advance the causes in Barbados. I want to know diversification under their rule that provided a solid foundation for economic growth. Not going to waste my time talking about the cunt that does not want to call elections and his misfit brigade. Mottley must be put on the platter to prove she got balls to lead..

  26. David Avatar
    David

    @SSS

    Yours is an interesting comment. Barrow gets credit for the transition from colonial to Independence- using the vehicle of free education as a key strategy for human and economic development. Tom Adams will be remembered for diversifying the economy i.e. from agrarian to services. Owen Arthur managed the economy in a boom cycle and in the view of the blogmaster padded the position of Adams without creating any legacy of note. If one is to ascribe a legacy- if it cn be so described- it would be all of what you mentioned and a political craftiness to leverage the ‘politics of inclusion’ to weaken his opposition. Mia, if she wins the next government, will have to show she has her own plan. It will be challenging in an austere climate and leaking forex.

  27. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    April 8, 2018 2:30 PM

    In 1961, when the first DLP government came to power, Barbados already had internal self-government. Only our foreign affairs and defence were the responsibility of the British.
    As to Barrow’s so-called free education; one unintended result of this policy was that private secondary schools which flourished in the 1950s, such as the Modern High, Federal Barbados Academy, Green Lynch, etc were slowly killed off. The undoubted excellence of the first grade schools lost its shine, good preparatory schools were killed off, and those schools teaching a broad curriculum (I am told) no longer do so. Latin and Greek, I am reliably told, are no longer taught. I am not sure if this is still true.
    About great achievements, comparing the DLP of the Barrow government with the achievements of the first Adams/Cummins administration is like comparing chalk with cheese.
    Admittedly, the 1961 government, to use a worn out phrase, hit the ground running: filing in the Careenage, creating the white elephant of the Marketing Board, promises (such as to create a glass factory, making chipboard from bagasse, etc) tax breaks for foreign businesses to create new jobs, which were abused (Texas Instruments), new industries that we allowed to fail (ie the 15 shrimp trawlers), we had a thriving seafaring industry (Blue Star line, Harrison, etc), expansion of the university, etc.
    But many of these projects have either grounded to a halt or have died a natural death.
    But Adams gave us the Deep Water Harbour, the QEH, a well-structured Transport Board, the civil service offices on Bay Street, and a spectacular expansion in secondary education: Parkinson, Princess Margaret and St Joseph Secondary.
    It was also under Adams that we had an incredible number of social organisations, such as the Civic, Symmonds bank, the strengthening of the trade union movement and a society hungry for knowledge (in the mid-1950s, Barbados had seven newspapers).
    Part of the problem is that our politicians have failed to write their memoires, our academics have failed to write up the economic and policy histories of the period, our journalists have filed to write the ‘first draft’ of our post-war history.
    Then finally, there is the voodoo of popular beliefs, such as the circumstances of our independence, none more so than the nonsense of Barrow as the father of independence.
    I suggest to those who believe that Barrow is God that they read Benn Steill The Battle of Bretton Woods, which suggests that Harry Dexter White, the US officials who led the Bretton Woods talks was the one who forced Britain to get rid of its colonies after the disastrous Second World War.
    This was when Britain offered the US Guyana (then British Guiana), Jamaica and Trinidad as collateral for a loan and Dexter White turned them down. Instead of offering the colonies as collateral, he made their liberation part of the negotiations. Further, the independence negotiations papers are lodged in the Public Records Office in the Kew. Why don’t our historians go and read them, rather than engage in fantasy?
    As to the colonial masters, Britain gave the Federation three ships to encourage inter-island trade, whatever happened to those?

  28. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    SSS
    You serious? lmao!

  29. Are-we-there-yet Avatar
    Are-we-there-yet

    dpD, re your post at 10:06 am;

    You have a huge point that the USA, writ large, CANNOT ever admit that Trump and many of his inner circle during the campaign and perhaps even since then, might have been Putin puppets. That is clear from a number of happenings that you might recall, e.g.

    When the Intelligence agencies briefed Obama that the Russians were interfering in the US electoral system, big time, Obama’s reaction was to try to enlist Mitch McConnell and Paul O Ryan to join him in pushing back, only to be repulsed by these former patriots. Obama chose to suggest that it was not serious as the voting system itself did not appear to be compromised and in any case Hillary was leading in the polls. Never mind that there were credible reports in the media, even then, that the Russians had been found to have been probing and even breaching a few state electronic voting systems. Now it has been found that the breaches have been far more widespread than suggested in those early reports.

    As an outsider, the varied response to the Steele dossier by the Congressmen seemed to be very passing strange. Using the same facts from the same investigations, the Democrats professed that the majority of the claims in the dossier (only excluding the salacious Golden showers part) had been substantiated while, contrariwise, the Republicans went so far as to attempt to bring criminal charges against Christopher Steele and rejected everything in the dossier. Indeed, if most of the claims in the dossier were true Trump would have been a proven Russian asset so, according to your premise, the Republicans could not allow the claims to be seen as being credible or substantiated.

    The responses by the Congress to calls for sanctions have been interesting. On the one hand they have passed serious sanctions against significant Putin oligarchs identified in the Mueller Russian probe and linked with a number of Trump operatives, while at the same time pooh pooing or even scuttling calls from the Democrats for serious investigations of indicative possible Trump connections.

    The Republicans have done everything they could to support Trump’s several departures from the norm even while they must be aware that the Mueller probe might possibly or even likely find significant malfeances vis-a-vis connections between many Trump operatives and Putin surrogates.

    Many stories were reported last year on the Mainstream media about the various Russian investigations that suggested tangible links between Trump’s staff and a surprisingly large contingent of Russians and Americans with significant links to Russian big money. Many of these links have now been identified in plausible filings by the Mueller probe as reported in WAPO, NYT and MSNBC.

    So there is a lot of smoke out there that suggests that Trump was or is a significant player in the successful Russian attack on the US electoral system in 2006 and its possible current links within the Government at this time. The problem to your thesis is that much of this information is in the current information domain. It’s not hidden in secret files only. It has been reported last week that Mueller is writing his report in sections dealing with separate parts of the investigation. This has been taken as a ploy to mitigate the effects of his being prematurely fired by President Trump and ensuring some continuity in the investigation if he is indeed fired.

    DpD, your premise has a lot of merit and is actually the most likely denouement that can be expected but the overall story cannot be easily hidden now. If say Muellers reports are maintained as Top Secret and denied to public view the eager beavers at WAPO MSNBC, CNN and NYT press, and even the other pro-Trump press, will not let the matter go. At sometime the unvarnished truth will become known and those who would seek to hide it under a bushel would lost that battle.

    Either way, there might be hell to pay.

  30. Sunshine Sunny Shine Avatar
    Sunshine Sunny Shine

    Enuff

    Serious as a fart from a pooch hole. Because I know you all got a viewpoint or a definition of achievement base on which party did what or simply put- political expediencies. Me, however, measure success base on a different yard stick and base on what the eyes see.

  31. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    If for nothing more Tom Adams should be remembered for the Tenantries Freehold Purchase Act. Prior to that act, persons whose families lived on plantation tenantries for generations could only construct chattel houses and to use pit toilets. By legislation, Tom Adams forced the owners to sell the land at 10 cents per square foot. This was probably the best piece of social legislation since the abolition of slavery. How quickly you forget.

  32. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    Okay, I agree that “what the Business people ought to doing is advancing a growth method that is dual with a purpose in mind for economic sustainability for their business and the Barbados economy.”

    However, this objective can only be achieved if government creates an attractive, competitive business environment for investment………that fosters transparency and free of what is known as “discrimination among investors.” Government should also exhibit transparency in the process of awarding concessions, licenses or contracts.

    There has been a blatant lack of transparency in the process of this inept DLP administration’s awarding contracts and concessions to Mark Maloney, Bjerkham and Gordon Stewart.

    Many in the tourism sector, for example, have been unable solicit concessions similar to those that were given to Sandals. There are instances where certain investors have been able to circumvent fulfilling their statutory obligations, such paying taxes and employer NI expense, or ignoring T&CP standards.

    This would obviously create an environment that discriminates against those investors that comply with the “rule of law,”…………and also creates a climate conducive for investors bribing officials to “get piece of the cake” or “level the playing field.” Surely, this does not inspire the confidence of legitimate investors.

    When these “unscrupulous” investors “don’t get their way” how do they usually respond? A perfect example is Butch Stewart’s actions in Antigua relative to Sandals with-holding $EC101M in taxes from the Antigua government and manipulating his obligation to pay social security contributions in respect of Sandals’ employees. When the Social Security Department launched an audit of Sandals books, Stewart, threatened to close down the hotel. Although the Antiguan government “wrote off” the taxes and rescinded the directive to audit Sandals, Stewart still closed the hotel for “renovations.”

    Antigua’s PM responded by introducing the Investment Authority Amendment Bill by Parliament, which was designed to prevent any similar arbitrary and unilateral action by hotel operators in the future.

    Can you imagine Freundel Stuart making such a decision?

  33. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ Caswell Franklyn April 8, 2018 4:46 PM
    “If for nothing more Tom Adams should be remembered for the Tenantries Freehold Purchase Act. Prior to that act, persons whose families lived on plantation tenantries for generations could only construct chattel houses and to use pit toilets. By legislation, Tom Adams forced the owners to sell the land at 10 cents per square foot. This was probably the best piece of social legislation since the abolition of slavery. How quickly you forget.”

    Excellent contribution Caswell!

    You beat me to it while I was lying on the beach trying to respond to your man Bush Tea on another thread you initiated.

    If there is one tangibly successfully implemented measure introduced in the last 50 years to right the wrongs of chattel slavery in Barbados was that same piece of socially transformative miraculous legislation.

    It certainly represents a large slice of the Reparations cake which black Bajans are definitely entitled.

    It was dished out not in any politically condescendingly way as to convey the message that ‘we are doing you poor black people a big favour, so don’t forget who you owe at the ballot box’; much unlike the message about free tertiary education now worked to a ‘costly’ death by the current DLP administration with little benefits to show in return.

    It would be most interesting to find out who was the brainchild behind this Wynter Crawford-type socialist transformation policy proposal.

  34. Gabriel Avatar
    Gabriel

    The other highly successful piece of social engineering attributed to the genius of Tom Adams was the legislation permitting contributions to credit unions to be tax deductible.Credit Unions never looked back since and have become a tour de force in the financial market in Barbados to this day.

  35. TheoGazer Avatar
    TheoGazer

    @DpD, @AWTY… will get back to you at some stage.

    @Others,
    The historical review is quite interesting.
    I will hop in my time machine and go back to the past.
    Wait! My time machine is in the shop, so I have to ask
    “What is Barbados getting in 2018?
    We don’t want FS nor do we want a history lesson.

  36. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Sir i am speaking of all the many financial resources that were thrown into the laps of many business some start ups some already developed none of which had any thing economical viable to stave off the negative effects of the failing economy . Then to make matters worse if enough was not enough of what was handed out to them during the booming years some of these business still had the nerve to stand on line with cup in hand while knowing that govt was struggling financially to make ends meet.
    Sandals has become the whipping boy of the opposition supporters but least we forget Sandals was not around during the booming years but came at a time when barbados economic wheels were running dry . The concessions which has become a never ending cry and to those who have pick up the concession baton to run with it seemingly forgets that Sandals has delivered in the few short years in many ways in helping to create a growth margin applicable to production and employment.

  37. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    SSS

    And to add to Caswell’s contribution, the Act was extended to include non-plantation tenantries under Owen. The fact that you depend on what the eyes see to judge achievement/contribution, is enough for me to exit stage left. Keep looking!!

  38. Lorenzo Avatar
    Lorenzo

    Caswell,i was about to point out the Tom Adams led freehold act to the nuisance SSS,who wants to forget,such great acheivements by the BLP,along with Mr adams vision for the ABC highway ot open up development in that area.Mr Adams wanted a four lane highway right through but retract as he was criticized by Mr Barrow and the Dems as wasting money.Mr Arthur took up a struggling economy andwith astute leadership opened up theoff shore sector,bringing Barbados significant foreign exchange.These were men of vision,surely needed today,instead of silent procrastinators.SSS were you in Barbados at the time or you now come town.These are historical facts that you ,nor any other Dem can refute,so reel and come again,talking shite.In my opinion Ms Mottley is the only way forward for now..You are always willing to give the Dems a free pass,i wonder why?As far as Mariposa and theophilus Gazerts is concerned you both sound like disillusioned Dems and as such I understand the rubbish you both wrote above,nothing but Dem rhetoric,of little substance,why would Ms motley bring ideas before an Election date is announced,based on Mr Arthur experience in 2013,with the old lady on the bus.What is the ideas coming from the Government going forward Theophilus?Enough said all will be revealed at the correct time.

  39. David Avatar
    David

    @enuff

    So it is correct to suggest Owen padded?

  40. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    Explain padded?

  41. David Avatar
    David

    @enuff

    ‘Padded’ it wasn’t a ‘net-new’ initiative.

    Don’t you get the impression SSS is searching for a body of achievements to explain the contributions of the BLP in a period?

  42. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    Good policy often evolves. It was new as it formed part of government’s urban renewal agenda of which housing, not just quantitatively but more importantly qualitatively, formed an integral component. Acknowledging that security of tenure/land ownership was key to improving the quality of the housing stock, and recognising that there were many Barbadians, especially in urban areas, in tenancy agreements similar to those associated with plantation lands the Act was amended. The amendment allowed non-plantation tenants to buy land with government’s financial assistance. The old act did not include a government subsidy. Maybe you and SSS should hunt down info on the number of households who have and could benefit from this. I understand in some cases it could be over 75% of a constituency.

    What engendered what we now see in Oistins?

  43. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Lorenzo u need to get a grip and face reality. Mia has no feasible or viable plans that would be accepted by the electorate. Why is she hiding any plans . Isnt it the story that this govt never listen to the opposition ideas so why would they listen now.
    The truth of the matter lays hidden in mia past comments all in which she has come close to embracing the IMF solutions.
    The truth of the matter just like privatization Mia knows that any such revealation coming from her mouth to the public would recently hand her a election death nail.
    Furthermore how about Mia presenting her past record of those achievements(not) which she has acquried during her 14yeqr tenure as a govt minister . One would think that she would . but then again what does her record have to show that can be of a saving grace as one who has accomplished much during her political years
    Say what you may of this govt .history would stake claim to the fact that under tremendous financial strain a small country called barbados was able to hold its own because of policies that kept its social enviroment in tact.

  44. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    madam……rather than spewing the usual “broad statements” and political rhetoric……..

    ……….. please inform this forum what were “the many financial resources that were thrown into the laps of many business(es)” and what are the NAMES of these businesses?

    Please present the EVIDENCE and/or STATISTICS to SUBSTANTIATE your claims that:

    (1) Sandals been able to “deliver in the few short years in many ways in helping to create a growth margin applicable to production and employment.”

    (2) Barbados derived significant benefits from the tax concessions and what are these benefits.

    (3) In your former “ac” persona, you always mentioned that Sandals has been responsible for an increase in tourist arrivals. Please present the STATISTICS and other RELEVANT information, preferably from the Ministries of Finance and Tourism, to substantiate this claim.

    Under these circumstances, do you believe your DLP administration was justified in granting 40 years concessions to Sandals at a time, according to you, “when Barbados’ economic wheels were running dry” and “knowing that govt was struggling financially to make ends meet?”

    Failure to satisfy these requirements will be a clear indication that you’re spewing political rhetoric.

  45. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    Madam

    I’ll give you a simple task………

    Please present to this forum, a list of the “policies that kept Barbados’ social environment intact?”

  46. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    This Mariposa character could really go off the blog. The DLP government raised taxes, borrowed money, printed money and owes sam coochie and the duppy. Nothing in that strategy is innovative or ingenuous and certainly not sustainable. Hence the reason people are still awaiting their 2016 income tax returns.

  47. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    Lorenzo

    Interestingly, the DEMS felt comfortable and agreed with David Thompson saying prior to the 2008 general elections that he “will not help the BLP by issuing his plans and propose policies.”

  48. Gabriel Avatar
    Gabriel

    I kńow of a retired lady whose 2008 return is still outstanding.

  49. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ Mariposa April 8, 2018 8:07 PM
    “Lorenzo u need to get a grip and face reality. Mia has no feasible or viable plans that would be accepted by the electorate. Why is she hiding any plans . Isnt it the story that this govt never listen to the opposition ideas so why would they listen now.
    The truth of the matter lays hidden in mia past comments all in which she has come close to embracing the IMF solutions.”

    Well, on that score both Mia and Owen Arthur are in the same choir singing from the same IMF hymn sheet.
    And they, coincidentally, are not alone singing the same song.

    What do you have to say about the turncoat doctor Deliar Worrisome who was once your DLP choir boy but is now treated like a leper since a new puppet has replaced him?

    Why not ask your own MoF the Stinkliar -whose Pinocchio nose seems to have been broken off since the foreign reserves tank is about to run on empty- why he has been mandated to seek IMF assistance before the end of June?

    No more Credit Suisse type loans to keep the leaking forex tank reading ¼ F can only result in one final act; that is, a visit to the lender of last resort for major financial surgery by Dr. IMF.

    Do you think the elections have been deferred only because of Fumble’s arrogance and downright vacillating incompetence? The DLP just can’t afford to go into general elections with any bailout ‘negotiations’ in an official or formal state of progress hanging over their political heads like the sword of Damocles.

    Whichever party forms the next administration would be faced with a plan of action stamped “Fait Accompli” only awaiting the seal of a sovereign approval from a 2018 to 2023 sitting Parliament.

    Just a matter of time before all parties to the elections gambling game have to declare their hands full of all foreign loan plans even before the IMF card sails down the river.

    My dear Mariposa, it is you who need “to get a grip on reality”. You are clearly mistaking Lorenzo for a Venus flytrap.
    Lorenzo is a ‘pure’ man of wisdom, a real Lawrence of Bullbadus; not a political pansy like you.

  50. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Enuff . Yes the govt borrowed money.To pay bills
    Yes .printed money .To pay bills.
    Raised taxes. To pay bills and keep the economy from collasping.
    Also bear in mind none of the above would have been necessary if the past govt of the day did not pursue a path of rogus spending and borowing all of which must be paid by which ever govt is in charge .
    So this chant about govt policies and mention of formulas govt has embarked cannot be simplified as that of a govt inability to find corrective measures unless one can state unequivocally that there are alternative measures which can be applied to the economy which would remove the burden of debt and not be financially burdensome to the people.
    But then again we will have to hear Mia word on such measures

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