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2018 General Election BUzz

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The eagerly awaited 2018 General Election is finally here. Unlike previous elections we have not had a CADRES Poll to ‘control’ the debate. The blogmaster’s view on polling in the days and weeks before an election can be found on BU’s pages- it compromises the process.

The blogmaster has grown cynical of late after observing how the majority of the citizens are satisfied with a process best described as ‘political musical chairs’ we love to play every election cycle. Today is the one day in the governance process Barbadians exert the power to dictate to the political directorate who they want to lead the country. The down side is that after exercising our civic duty the system is ‘hijacked’ by those elected to SERVE.

One of the most used words in the political lexicon is CHANGE. The use of the word reached a ‘crescendo’ in 2008 with the rise of Barack Obama. Are we the citizenry satisfied the change which has been promised every election cycle bar none was satisfactorily delivered?   At this juncture in our history what has to change? What can we the PEOPLE do to determine how members of the political class – who are elected to serve the us by the way – to force change to our governance setup?

Polling stations will open from 6AM to 6PM.

#voteforchange

#bethechange

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128 responses to “2018 General Election BUzz”

  1. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    Good luck, Barbados. Whatever yo do we must get rid of this incompetent, arrogant, wasteful government. In the City, please vote for Natalee – and think twice before voting for lawyers, no matter which party. Lawyer/politicians as a group have brought us to our knees.

  2. Simple Simon Avatar
    Simple Simon

    I attended both ralies on Wednesday night. Interesting.

  3. 45govt Avatar
    45govt

    “The use of the word (change) reached a ‘crescendo’ in 2008 with the rise of Barack Obama..”

    And look how that worked out – a huge pile of change for him and his man/wife, nothing but small change left for his people, and a diminished America.
    REAL: change came with Donald Trump – a change from lawyer politicians robbing the public blind, and selling their country and its people out for personal gain and/or self-aggrandisement.

    Now THAT is the sort of change that Barbadians, and freedom-loving people all over the world are crying out for, as evidenced by the squeals of rage from the bottom feeding lawyer-politician pigs being dragged away from the great Eurotrough by Brexit.

  4. Well Well & Cut N' Paste At Your Service Avatar
    Well Well & Cut N’ Paste At Your Service

    Bajans would indeed be much better off not voting for lawyers today, if they can help it, there is no reason for their own that they can’t…….vote individuals…not party….

    vote for lawyers and ya will be voting for the same toxic environment that has been robbing black bajans since the 1960s and will be just a continuation of the same disenfranchisement all over again for you and your children and future generations..

    Thieving lawyers will not change overnight.

    Still waiting for Enuff to give the voters a pep talk..

    #Enuffdisappearedyesterday.

  5. lawson Avatar
    lawson

    For everyone that waded through sewage water in the last few years and were given excuse after excuse make a statement for the tourists.

  6. Well Well & Cut N' Paste At Your Service Avatar
    Well Well & Cut N’ Paste At Your Service

    Lawson…you did that voluntarily…however, a statement must be sent to the lawless uncaring exgovernment in punishment…you do not neglect your sewage system fir 10 years and kill your local citizens and foreign guests with disease ridden raw sewage..

  7. Well Well & Cut N' Paste At Your Service Avatar
    Well Well & Cut N’ Paste At Your Service

    I shudder to think what they owe foreign universities for their scholars, if they could not pay Hugh Wooding.

    :Barbadian students have just three months to find $29 000 if they want to complete their Legal Education Certificates (LECs) at the Hugh Wooding Law School, come September.

    This is as a result of the Government of Barbados owing the Council of Legal Education more than 12 months of arrears in its contribution to the regional body”

  8. Well Well & Cut N' Paste At Your Service Avatar
    Well Well & Cut N’ Paste At Your Service

    What a crying shame..

    https://barbadostoday.bb/2018/05/23/in-a-jam/

  9. de pedantic Dribbler Avatar
    de pedantic Dribbler

    “Are we the citizenry satisfied the change which has been promised every election cycle bar none was satisfactorily delivered? At this juncture in our history what has to change? What can we the PEOPLE do to determine how members of the political class – who are elected to serve the us by the way – to force change to our governance setup?”———

    Mr Blogmaster, we the people elect selected citizens from among us to design,effect and implement societal change on our behalf. Thus we effectively determine our own fate with those decisions every cycle. WE….. not any so called political class or elites but each one of us who vote repeatedly for the same actors .

    These debates become philosophical pieces of self folly after a while and today of course that likely will be validated again.

    If your rhetorical question about ‘what, we the people” can do to force governance change had real active participation today then MIa Mottley would be leading a goverment group comprised of a minority/majority of BLP MPs along with UPP or SB as their partner because she received no direct mandate with an outright majority in the 30 seat HofA. And the DLP would be decimiated as they were before.

    That sir would be purposeful and decisive change…a clear mandate from ‘we the people’ that the current governance template is not to their satisfaction. That would be a first step of serious change.

    But likely it will be the same ole ‘change’ seen times before… and thus we will be talking about the same PAC, Auditor General and related unsatisfactory processes in govt contracts, education and the like but simply under a red banner.

    At this juncture of our history we the people CLEARLY have announced by the advent of these two ‘third parties’ that we WANT change; that we are dissatisfied. But it seems quite unlikely we the people will now DEMAND that with our voting prowess today…..

    Who then is to blame for our minimalist change…but we the people!

    Let the voting begin.

  10. David Avatar
    David

    @Dee Word

    The third parties have not been able to achieve the level of support from the people to say their formation represent a popular support. It is a process isn’t it? Depositing an X every five years is only part of the process, in between is as important. The work must continue after today.

  11. lawson Avatar
    lawson

    I am not saying either party has anything to brag about, but the one in power had the responsibility to maintain and check on these things. If they claim they didnt know it needed fixing they are too stupid to be in charge. If they say it was the last govt;s fault they think the people are too stupid and they can stay in charge.There has to be a change over this sewage problem the peoples trust has been lost the tourists trust and money will be lost and without tourism barbados is lost.

  12. de pedantic Dribbler Avatar
    de pedantic Dribbler

    Mr Blogmaster, I have no dispute with your position that continued work of change is needed beyond election day….but therein lays the puzzle.

    The tremendous energy needed to effect such broad representation (prospective MPs) by two additional parties is a significant indication of how much work was being done behind the scenes since the last X day ….this itself is awesome change.

    The bold individual attempt from Nathlee also speaks to change … but that we had before with individuals expressing themselves politically.

    This broader party creation of multiple representatives signals an inherent anger among Bajans…a strong desire to change things.

    One can just blissfully hope that that anger can fully be manifested in the HofA after today’s vote….regardless all the work to change yet has to continue after today.

    Until this night’s results.

  13. David Avatar
    David

    @Dee Word

    We will see.

    The Natlee event is a work in progress. Any reasonable position is that it is too early to form a position.

  14. Well Well & Cut N' Paste At Your Service Avatar
    Well Well & Cut N’ Paste At Your Service

    Too sweet..lol…though more sober heads are hoping for a coalition cabinetbinstead.

    “HARRY TURNOVER
    Aha…note..DONVILLE INNISS …Fruendel Stuart….Chris Sinckler and the others…doomsday for DEM…NO MORE MINISTER or PRIME MINISTER in front wunnar names.

    WUNNA ARE NOBODIES NOW…stay tune..I will be back…the SHELF is starting to shake…the LANDSLIDE is approaching.

    As I speak I am listening to 94.7 on the action at PARKINSON SCHOOL across the street from CBC…LONG LINES…that YARD FOWL nearby is NERVOUS REAL REAL NERVOUS…wonder if that YARD FOWL that is hanging around expects to report on the FIRST FEMALE PRIME MINISTER.

    YOU need to VACATE the premises NOW before YOU are asked to leave tonight and by now you should have RUSHED to complete your georgie bundles and placed them outside the sliding door.”

  15. islandgal Avatar
    islandgal

    https://www.facebook.com/sheri.veronica/videos/1584728598291206/?t=0

  16. pieceuhderockyeahright Avatar
    pieceuhderockyeahright

    @ The Honourable Blogmaster

    You said and the old man quoteth

    “The third parties have not been able to achieve the level of support from the people to say their formation represent a popular support…”

    And why is that?

    Let us pause for a while to detail the formation catharsis that attended each of them

    Is it

    1.The fact that every one of them had to hide their members’ identity UNTIL THEIR VICTIMIZATION WOULD NOT BE AN OVERLY LONG ORDEAL?

    2.Was it the fact that a disgruntled leader of one party held dual membership of her party and another simultaneously?

    3.Was it the fact that a leader of another, albeit a man if noted integrity, floated some of the most puerile programmes for rebuilding the country and even in the last lap collectively was unable to voice one workable idea to show how they were planning to do what they said they could do?

    Lest de ole man be prolix (Thank you oh Luminary) I shall sum it up by saying, was it because of the fact that though a public was seized with a desire for change, it became glaringly evident those of the choices presented DID NOT PROVIDE ANY FEASIBLE INITIATIVES other than vote for me cause I am a christian

    That simply is not enough.

    I have a fifth reason which I shall elaborate on AFTER THE POLLS CLOSE and such relates to “the tweed of the cloth” But I shall reserve this until later…

  17. pieceuhderockyeahright Avatar
    pieceuhderockyeahright

    @The Honourable Blogmaster your help with an item please

  18. David Avatar
    David

    @PUDRYR

    Very perceptive (insightful?). Can you flesh this out for a separate submission on the weekend?

    Included will be your fifth reason eh?

  19. Observing Avatar
    Observing

    Happy Voting bloggers.

    At the end of the day Barbados first.

    Let’s hold he feet of whoever walks up Parliament’s steps to the fire and demand as we have been.

    @David
    Third parties never stood a chance. as Piece said, it was really all their fault.

    Just observing

  20. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    @ David “eh?”

    You is a Canadian ?

  21. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ Observing
    Third parties never stood a chance.
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    A serious misconception that….
    Actually, BARBADOS never stood a chance …not after Caswell declined to BUP.

    The third parties are essentially the same B/DLP shiite party …BECAUSE the base from which they ALL come is flawed.
    Create twenty parties, and we will have the SAME weakness.

    The PROBLEM is not in the ;parties’, but in us….
    It is a problem of unrighteousness, albino-centric selfishness and greed. …. “Brass -bowlery”.
    It has now grown to the stage where the very LEADERS and INSTITUTIONS have adopted the approach
    – with OPEN stealing without consequences at the HIGHEST level.
    – murderers on parole …and murder is now an everyday thing…
    – bribery is the ACCEPTED way of doing business
    – and uncleanliness (which is KNOWN to be opposite to Godliness) have been accepted as normal.

    Only Caswell had the character and balls to ‘implement …and go by the RULES’
    As Bushie said long ago…. Caswell is the sorta fella who would prosecute himself… if he came to find out that he had broken some rule …and if he was the person responsible for such prosecutions….
    A gift to the country -despite his various shortcomings…

    ALL the others are shiitetalkers, who say that they respect the rules, but who secretly sit up at night plotting ways to circumvent those SAME rules….

    UNLESS we change our adopted NATIONAL psyche of brass bowlery…. We DO NOT stand a chance in Hell….
    Much sack cloth and ashes would be needed for such a change….

  22. Tell me Why Avatar
    Tell me Why

    @ Pieceofderock……..
    In my humble opnion, 3rd Parties never had a chance in Barbados politics. However, this lot felt it was better to focus energies on the opposition instead of the incumbent party. That was a fundamental mistake since the electorate started labeling them as pro-DLP based on HISTORICAL UNTRUTH.

  23. BEAUTIFUL BEIGE Avatar
    BEAUTIFUL BEIGE

    No change from the DLP/BLP mess will ever come until Barbados turns from SIN to righteousness. Righteousness exalteth a Nation — SIN is a reproach. That is what the Creator of Heaven and Earth has to say. Try to “backraise” Him.

  24. Observing Avatar
    Observing

    @bushie

    Over the past nuffty years in this space we have agreed on much.

    Again we do

    Keep whacking!!!!

    Observing

  25. Prof NEC Avatar
    Prof NEC

    To the loud mouth who wrote “BARBADOS never stood a chance …not after Caswell declined to BUP,” may I ask “Why did you not BUP yourself, whatever that is?

    If you know so much, why dont you just do a little?

    You talk a lot about “whacking” but how does that help anyone, except you, as it seems to be another method for you to rid yourself of air.

  26. de pedantic Dribbler Avatar
    de pedantic Dribbler

    BushTea your 9:36 is the type of dialectical dilemma that makes no sense as it makes complete sense.

    Yes we are the problem causing the angst we endure but we are also the same we that from within our ranks dynamic men and women who demand change are forged.

    Put another Nathlee way, we are in a circle palm and finger session giving gratification to our neighbor as we achieve ours from another handy Confederate….that circle can be broken when just one person says NO MORE and starts major change of new relationships.

  27. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    You are correct Dribbler.

    It is a catch 22 situation.
    Like all gardens everywhere, there is an ongoing balance between the weeds – and the proper plants.
    When the weeds get to dominate, it is no longer a garden (lotta thorns and shiite) – and a whacker is needed to level the playing field.
    Then…UNLESS the good vines take root and come to dominate the space, the whole garden goes to ruin….
    …to the point where the owner may even withdraw the whacker – and book a D6 Caterpillar for a complete refurbishment (of the order that is constantly being proposed by Pacha….)

    But one CANNOT continue to entertain the weeds and shiite thorns – and expect the beauty and benefits of a garden.

  28. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    If you know so much, why dont you just do a little?
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
    Don’t make yourself look like an even bigger joker than your Trinity co-member ‘GP’.
    How would you know what Bushie does…?

    Did you check on LinkedIn for ‘the Bushman’?
    Did you research via Google?

    Are you not tired of being laughed at on BU?

    Besides, the Bible says that those who are faithful in SMALL areas ….are the ones who can be assigned MASSIVE responsibilities in the new dispensation….
    The POINT to note is not related to doing ‘impressive stuff’ in BrassbowlLand, but in BEING FAITHFUL and UPRIGHT in the little things that you get to do in your community ….. (and beyond in some cases like Bushie’s) LOL – ha ha ha

  29. Gabriel Avatar
    Gabriel

    I again complain that my vote is not “in secret”….this morning there were 2 people sitting at a right angle to the voting booth who were there to see where I placed my X on the ballot paper..A sibling voted at another location and told me that was their experience also.Two persons sitting on the right were looking to see where that X was placed.

  30. Firuz Avatar
    Firuz

    I had the same experience, was easy to see where on the ballot I voted. Only two candidates in my constituency. So either the x is top or bottom. But I really don’t give a brassbowl. Up to that point everybody was marking the top of the ballot anyway, so I done know how that box going.

  31. Pachamama Avatar
    Pachamama

    Firuz

    So you, yourself, have violated perceived rules.

  32. David Avatar
    David

    From memory there is only one constituency with two candidates. That said, if one marks the x and use the hand and body to shield there is no way for anyone to see your vote. Then the voter fold the ballot paper twice to leave the serial number exposed the person working to verify.

  33. Well, Well Avatar
    Well, Well

    Some people are unhappy, the electoral workers are incompetent..

    https://www.facebook.com/dominique.tudor.7/videos/10160623246955045/?t=88

  34. Well, Well Avatar
    Well, Well

    And imagine Fruendolittle gave himself a whole 50 days into emergency powers and they still managed to screw up the electoral process…

    Why did they not make provisions for the elderly, disabled and frail…we know the government is inconsiderate…but the elderly and disabled are not only there to be robbed of their land, money and properties,,they should be accommodated and should not have to stand for 2 hours or more to cast a vote…all of that is being exposed on facebook.

    Yall are too savage and don’t look after your senior citizens..ya are elder abusers..

  35. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    I listening to VOB and it appears there are “problems” at some stations and some voters are leaving without voting.

    It is still early. 4 more hours to go.

  36. pieceuhderockyeahright Avatar
    pieceuhderockyeahright

    De ole man IS NOT DERE at the polling stations to be able to comment on the many instsnces of who is watch where each person has voted

    Nor am I there to say how such individual vote persuasion is being instantaneously sent to the DLP voter fraud centre where Miami Vice Johnson has the voter counterfoils being compiled

    But what I can and did say was that the voting procedures were going to be DIFFERENT

    WHAT I WILL SAY IS THST THERE ARE GOING TO BE AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF SPOILT VOTES

    I SHALL ALSO PREDICT THST THERE ARE GOING A FEW INSTANCES OF BALLOT BOX IRREGULARITIES BETWEEN THE POLLING STSTION AND THE COUNTING CENTER

  37. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    @ pieceuhderockyeahright,

    Doesn’t each party have an observer at the polling station ?

  38. Gabriel Avatar
    Gabriel

    David
    You should be backing all the people in the booth area.Not the 3 electoral people only.The booth should have had 3 enclosed sides,not one.The two exposed sides on one’s left and one’s right and the strategic seating of these two individuals are there to see where you put your X and its smacks of an illegality.i believe one is a D and the other a B so when they are relieved of duty they can communicate the standing of the two main protagonists to each party communications center at that point to determine what should be included in the mix.

  39. Prodigal Son Avatar
    Prodigal Son

    Gabriel

    I voted around 8 am and experienced no problems. In fact I was the only one in my name group at the time. The police at the door directed me and I was promptly called in. The box to mark my vote had three sides as was mentioned earlier……….so no problems my end…..the other side seem to be a little slow.

    My daughter called me this morning to say that someone in her office had neighbours , twins who live in the same house, voted the same place last election….one was on the list and the other was not……..she went home to get her election circular from the EBC. Funny things are happening.

    But have patience, my fellow Barbadians, deliverance is at hand!

  40. pieceuhderockyeahright Avatar
    pieceuhderockyeahright

    AS Gabriel has said Brother Hants no one is supposed to see your vote

    You should not have to cup your hands either

    And there should not be any discrepancies as to the final votion list since de old man has indicated that that list should be realtime and online to every candidate and party registered to participate in the election

    AND NOT ONLY AVAILABLE TO THE DEMOCRATIC LABOUR PARTY

  41. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    Elections won´t change anything. Debts still there, work ethic still zero, workforce totally demotivated, Barbados still overpopulated.

    The 40,000 civil laggards are still the black master race of Barbados, choking the taxpayer.

    We need a new Bussa to commit a grand purge amonst the many civil servants.

  42. Well, Well Avatar
    Well, Well

    Expose them, don’t let them get away with it, call their names after 6pm, let us know who are the dishonest people from the political parties.

    https://www.facebook.com/kemars/videos/10216151101271188/?t=238

  43. Well, Well Avatar
    Well, Well

    No surprise at all this nastiness going on today in the voting process, especially with Leslie Haynes at the helm of EBC…they are all dirty, from exministers back down…..call their names later.

  44. Pachamama Avatar
    Pachamama

    We’re hearing about a high turnout

    Who does that benefit?

    Are the polling stations opened after 18:00 hrs, for those still in line.

  45. Firuz Avatar
    Firuz

    The instruction was to fold once and show the blue stamp. Also some ballots were unfolded by EBC staff checking for their stamp on the wrongside. No it is not easy to hide the vote as the ballot is thin and the black lead dark. Folding twice makes no difference on a ballot with two options. Nothing I can do at this stage but I can say that box at that point was overwhelmingly in favour of the challenger.

  46. David Avatar
    David

    Yes Pacha, once in line before 6PM you are allowed to vote. Many young faces as well.

  47. Pachamama Avatar
    Pachamama

    The many young faces benefit the BLP.

  48. Prodigal Son Avatar
    Prodigal Son

    Well Well

    I think that you are accusing Leslie Haynes wrongfully at this time……..he was nominated to fill the position but up to this week his appointment was still with the GG…….one wonders if she was advised to deliberately slow walk the appointment.

    I do not understand why Dame Billie waited until so late to resign from that position and left John Haynes, a real DLP yardfowl of the highest or should I say lowest order in charge of the EBC to wreck the havoc voters are experiencing today……..along with the sidekick of Adriel Brathwaite……
    Ian Browne, the mastermind behind the shady dealings in St Philip South in 2013.

    Just saying!

  49. Tell me Why Avatar
    Tell me Why

    David.
    I said it earlier that voters turn out will be extremely high in this elections. I expect that it will be around 70%.. However, the incumbent party is of the opinion that a higher turnout will give them back the government. I am saying it now, that is not going be the case, as a matter of fact I can only see 8 candidates returning to Parliament. We will wait and see.

  50. pieceuhderockyeahright Avatar
    pieceuhderockyeahright

    @Tell Me Why

    As long as Fumbles and the Hollywood star Miami Vice Johnson DO NOT HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO EMPLOY (1) the ID fraud (2) the Ballot spoilage (3) the Ballot box switch and (4) the last line of Defence namely the Emergency Powers for 50 days invocation DEM IS ONLY GOING GET 3 SEATS

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