The following statement was issued by Toni Moore, General Secretary of the Barbados Workers Union (BWU). The blogmaster confesses the statement raised many questions regarding the retrenchment exercise government is committed to executing as part of BERT.
- Why in 2018 the LIFO is the method used to identify workers to sever from the public service? Toni Moore hinted in her statement that the PRDS (a performance system) does not command the confidence of the BWU. We have to ask why?
- How does government expect to change the culture of the civil service using LIFO as the basis to send home workers?
- Prime Minister Mia Mottley has repeatedly stated that the government has held several meetings with the social partnership to ensure all are on the same page. Did we hear Toni Moore suggest that there is some confusion with the execution of the retrenchment.
- What is the objective of government’s retrenchment exercise? Is it a cost cutting measure or is the government sincere in the suggestion that obsolete functions have been retired
A longer serving public servant is more likely to be a union member.
You posed this as one of your questions when you said
“…Why in 2018 the LIFO is the method used to identify workers to sever from the public service? Toni Moore hinted in her statement that the PRDS (a performance system) does not command the confidence of the BWU. We have to ask why?”
Have you ever had the displeasure of seeing the PRDS?
Have you anyone who knows about it?
Have they told you what it does and what it is supposed to do?
Have they told you how many people use it?
Do you know what its outputs are?
Once you get those questions answered then you will understand who Toni Moorre and others have no confidence in it
ASK Senator Caswell Franklyn he will tell you bout PRDS, but the ole man will say that , UNLIKE MyMoney, it physically exists heheheheheheh
The the class idiots will ask why have we not heard from the unions and other vested parties addressing the issue of the failed performance management system in the public service? On what basis can anybody speak with authority about worker performance in that sector?
If there is agreement that we need to change the work culture in Barbados, how is it even possible without an effective performance management system in 2018?
@ the Honourable Blogmaster
I going ask the Honourable Blogmaster to Ban you!
For those three questions alone you are displaying seditious and treasonous views that require your banning.
This is what Mr Vincent Codrington was speaking to when he said, and I quote
“…Too besides, the LIFO system is useless in the context of restructuring the workforce to ensure greater productivity…” purely because there is and has never been baseline data.
Toni Moore and Akanni Mcdowell – 2 other politiclly compromised individuals.
Caswell was able to deal with them well.
Why didn’t the government ask for volunteers – and offer those who volunteer an attractive package?
Mr Blogmaster which is it? Is it an ineffective “performance management system” or none at all?
The Gen Sec’s lack of confidence suggests there is a system which they just don’t like.
Taking @Pieces remarks above on board it doubly seems that whatever system is there has various issues but then that begs the questions, what are they!
Performance management is as simple obviously as regular (twice per year or annual) review between manager and subordinate properly documented with appropriate avenues for appeal against a bad appraisal. All this on a searchable, editable, secure network across agencies where employees may transfer.
Very basic at one level …so what is causing the big problems and lack of confidence?…Or is this a canard?
Losing a job is tough as the Dean noted on Sunday…the govt needs to complete the retrenchment carefully, with compassion and transparency and these noises re performance appraisals should have been addressed long ago.
It is NOT POSSIBLE for incompetent brass bowls who find themselves in position of authority via a flawed system of elevation, to conceptualise, implement, OR TO RUN …. even the most advanced, sophisticated, and effective systems that are known to mankind.
NO kind of PRDS or other personnel evaluation system can be instituted by idiots who would THEMSELVES fail any kind of serious evaluation.
Only DRASTIC, revolutionary change – implemented by OUTLIERS (who have demonstrated success against the odds ) can possible bring positive change to Barbados.
NOTHING ELSE.
How has Sir Kyffin Simpson manages such phenomenal success …even when our economic geniuses were digging our greaves? …How has Bushie….?
How have we sought to tap into these methodologies?
Steupsss..
In the abundance of water, the fool is thirsty….
It is a general practice for governments in Barbados to employ party supporters starting after they win an electionand employ more the year before the next election.
Last In First Out will send home DLP supporters to make room for BLP supporters when government starts hiring again.
@Hants
The padding of the public service by successive political parties strikes to the heart of the problem. We need to get serious.
@ Bush Tea who wrote ” How has Sir Kyffin Simpson manages such phenomenal success …even when our economic geniuses were digging our graves? …How has Bushie….?”
I don’t know who Bushie and have no idea what he has done to be successful.
Barbados is a captive market of consumers in a capitalist economy.
Simpson sells to consumers.
@ Brother in Arms Bush Tea
I actually was going go ask you the define Sir Kyffin ‘s contributions as a private sector player as it related to “exports”
Brother Hants said it well when he said and I quote
“…Simpson sells to consumers…”
Barbados does not need the middle man merchant who, WHILE THEY HAVE BEEN IMMENSELY SUCCESSFUL IN THE VEHICLE-SALES-CONSUMER-CREATION-ARENA, haS not ever manufactured nor produced one bolt for the wheel of said vehicles locally, for export.
What is needed is creativity, invention and innovation, we have to mek AND EXPORT SOMETHING in the quantities that generate foreign exchange, so Foreign Direct Investment while great, which does not generate revenues, preferably Forex, is a leech on our lifeblood.
But you know this particularly with your rapid growth BREADFRUIT trees do you not?
You only telling Mia in cryptic language to come and ask you why to do.
Bush Tea let me tell you something!
She ent going come to you now cause, even thought she fun know who you are, she small minded, and does not want help from “non yes men”
You ent going suck her pooch.
BUT when January 31st come she going run to menses like you, Mark de ole man’s words
@ the Honourable Blogmaster your assistance please with an item here thank you
@ Bush Tea at 9 :07 AM
In an abundance of salt and contaminated water ,a thirsty fool is a wise man. The worse form of dishonesty is intellectual dishonesty. The BWU General Secretary is on a sound intellectual base….in my opinion. One cannot transfer the laws of Particle Physics to Astronomy.
“Last In First Out will send home DLP supporters to make room for BLP supporters when government starts hiring again.”
You’re on to something.
We had a similar situation in 2013 when the former DLP administration announced their retrenchment program.
Only difference is the DEMS refused to adhere to their agreed terms of using, “First Out, Last Out,” which would have sent home DLP supporters………
……… and opted to use the “First In, First Out” method instead, which obviously sent home BLP supporters to make room for DLP supporters when government starts hiring again.”
And we all know when the “dust settled” after those retrenchments were completed in 2014, DLP supporters were hired at Transport Board, NCC and a few other SOEs.
“Six is half dozen.”
As David BU correctly concluded: “The padding of the public service by successive political parties strikes to the heart of the problem. We need to get serious.”
But when I “point out these things,” I’m accused of being a “kool aid drinking, BLP stool pigeon.”
******** Only difference is the DEMS refused to adhere to their agreed terms of using, “First In, Last Out,” which would have sent home DLP supporters………
@ David BU at 11:59 AM
What is the real issue ? Political padding and unpadding?
Or
Transformation of the Public Service to fit the new economic/social environment of the third decade of the 21st century?
If the latter ,clearly LIFO is the incorrect methodology. Among the Last In are there none with blockchain technology and other digitizing skills?
Wuh Loss!
Whunna really think that bajans are all brass bowls.
@Vincent
The crux of the matter is that the there has to be a system in the year of our lord 2018 to measure/evaluate the performance of workers using a more scientific approach. Believe it or not it is not rocket science!
It seems that we believe that the major solution is laying off public servants. The truth is that after laying off public servants and reducing expenditure, we will still be confronted by our inability to earn foreign exchange.
Whatever gains are made will then be frittered away because we have to still support our lifestyles. We can’t have it both ways.
We note that if the lazy visionless private sector does not abandon its mendicant attitude, we would be back here even before we achieve the goals that are supposed to be attained by 2033.
All we have done so far,according to the Central Bank governor is take from Peter to pay Paul.
In other words if we had not defaulted on our debts, we will still have weak foreign reserves. The foreign reserves have improved because we borrowed money from the IMF. The savings on expenditure are almost what we got from NSRL. The economy will not show any growth . So workers going home; increased taxation ; rising prices and we going no where fast.
@PUDRYR
“BUT when January 31st come … Mark de ole man’s words”
+++++++++++
What is gonna happen on Jan 31?? [a sincere question from a dullard]
Mr. Skinner
You and other contributors have expressed the opinion that BRERT will fail and “it will be tears before bed-time.”
When are any of you going to present any viable alternative economic policies for debate or discussion…….
………. other than the repeated suggestion that the Cabinet is too large and should be reduced (something I whole heartedly agree with and alluded to in previous contributions).
I recall those who were critical of the previous inept DLP administration were told, “rather than criticize, bring solutions,” by members and supporters of the DLP. That slogan became their mantra.
Ironically, now the “shoe is on the other foot,” critics of this current BLP administration are engaging in similar activities ………. being critical without presenting any solutions.
This clearly indicates that we’re not serious, because supporting and scoring political points for either the BLP or DLP is of paramount importance to supporters than what is best for Barbados.
Additional proof that we’re not serious is the fact that discussions in this forum about the economy, for example, begins well, but after 15 contributions, the “conversation” usually strays from the topic (as with EVERY article), and goes to irrelevant issues such as bashing each other, the Quakers, racist white minorities, scum bag lawyers, and of course, the favourite…..Donald Trump.
Then the discussion “peters out” after 1 day……. and 50 relevant contributions and 125 irrelevant ones.
But an article about Trump could attract at least 300 or more contributions over a 5 days period.
Rather than wait on the traditional media, David BU could contact the economists that are “anti” and “pro” BERT, ask them to submit articles or, use BU’s facebook page for them to share their views in an on-line discussion.
When “I point out these things,” I’m accused of being a “kool aid drinking BLP stool pigeon.”
@ Vincent
In an abundance of salt and contaminated water, a wise man gets a filter …or better yet, he distills…..
A wise man is NEVER thirsty…. (it is almost a means of telling…. 🙂 )
@ Hants
Simpson sells to the world.
Consumers (customers) are the ingredients that fuel ALL success in this albino-centric world.
Our ‘tourists’ are our consumers. There is no difference – except that while we are going broke, Sol was just sold for BILLIONS…
Our problem is that we have no appreciation for TALENT and successful EXPERIENCE. Brass bowls are like that….
We think that ‘success’ is some right that is due to us….. no matter what stupidity we pursue…. or which idiots we follow…
@ Piece
… we have to mek AND EXPORT SOMETHING in the quantities that generate foreign exchange
++++++++++++++++++++++
No we do not.
We simply have to be world leaders in whatever we choose to pursue ..and we will reap the appropriate success. It could be in music like Rihanna, or just making tourists feel valued and special – like we claim to be interested in pursuing as a country…
Brass bowls DO NOT HAVE the wherewithal to be world class CREATIVES. …THAT is ten bridges too far….
BTW…
Bushie is NOT seeking any role…. from Mia or from ANYONE else…
Bushie is ALREADY engaged…
It is just difficult to see brass bowls so in need of a bit of polish …and not throw around some Brasso from time to time….
LOL
@ Artax
When are any of you going to present any viable alternative economic policies for debate or discussion…….
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The OBVIOUS alternative to BERT was debated here on BU recently and your position there does not immediately ring a bell as having explained the weaknesses of THAT alternative….
If you managed a business where the annual income was 30% BELOW the annual expenditures would not your first instinct be to cut expenditures by AT LEAST 30%?
If the cuts HAD to apply to your family and friends who you employed in that business, would you NEXT instinct not be to EQUALLY and compassionately share the pain of the needed cuts ACROSS the whole organisation?
OR….
Would you do a bert and give yourself a 5% rise…… hire all your close friends (even those over and away) …and then fire the regular day -to-day workers who actually make the business run (even if badly)?
BERT is shiite.
The OBVIOUS answer is much like the one that Sir Lloyd implemented successfully – before being punished for his wisdom by the most dedicated set of brass bowls ANYWHERE.
Sandi did not seem to know that where ignorance is bliss it was folly to be wise….
LOL
ha haha
@ Artax
From the outside I have opposed any government anywhere in the Caribbean going to the IMF. I have always expressed the hope that our government will be successful. I have blamed the BLPDLP for taking us to the fund three times. Everybody on this blog knows that I refer to the IMF as international loan sharks.
I have given my ideas on the way forward almost eight months ago. At that time I called for a four day week for public servants; a massive billion dollar road program over ten years; fifty million to advance the fishing and related industries along with ideas to lift small business persons.
I have maintained that our economic problems are cultural and result from our failure to reform the education system etc.
I have written in BU time and time again that we cannot produce a 2018 model on a 1918 production line. I am sorry you have not read these views that I have published on BU.
On the private sector I have castigated them for not rising to the national task; have almost been alone in defending the public servants because I believe we have the best public service in the Caribbean or any place else. I could go on and on.
I severely criticized Barbados Shipping and Trading for exploiting and then selling out Barbados. I have publicly in BU and the Nation newspaper gone after COW Williams.
I don’t give two beans about George or Roebuck Streets. In my way of thinking the only difference between the Dems and Bees is how their members spell their names. Those on BU are no exception. There is nothing that Mariposa is doingnow that Enuff and Gabriel did not do. I have never joined in any discussion about that scumbag Trump!
So please don’t attempt to put me in any box. Thanks.
& Artax
Should read from the outse I have. ……Not outside.
@William,
For someone to appreciate an alternative economic policy they must first know about different economic approaches and recognise an alternative when one is proposed.
The reality is that the only differences between the DLP and BLP governments are personalities and while one was simply inept, the other behaves like a Mafia.
William
Correction.The only difference between the Dems and the Bees is the Ends and you got beaten severely for throwing your lot in with the Ends in ’91.Afterawl 149 votes of a possible 6000 is similar to the 30 love the bees pelt in the Dems rear ends.That William is your Achilles heel,like it or lump it a la Bongo.
Mr. Skinner
My comments were not meant for you or Bush Tea.
I never attempted to put you in any box….. and I’m sure that you’ll agree that I have often mentioned that you’re one contributor that always offer alternative solutions.
It is true that, “For someone to appreciate an alternative economic policy they must first know about different economic approaches and recognise an alternative when one is proposed.”
However, one must recognize the need wary of accepting economic proposals from individuals with specific agendas, who by their own admission, are not economists, whose claim to fame is reading several financial statements and insist one of the reasons BERT will fail is because there wasn’t any mention of a redevelopment of the Harmony Hall area.
That’s right a big ole nasty blp stool pigeon lollll.
Nice shots from Bush Tea @ 2:22 p.m.
William skinner @ 2:47 p.m.
and Hal Austin @ 2:51 p.m.
I am reading and liking all of the above.
Hahahaha…
Nice to see you have recovered after your lies and ignorance were exposed.
This government as well as the last one – all made a big song and dance about encouraging entrepreneurship – but where is the enabling environment – can anybody point me to it ?
They fail to recognize that 90 % of their population and almost 98.5 % voters ( in both parties) are black.
Yet where are the creative policies from governments – past and present – to enable a future Bizzy or COW Williams,or a kyffin Simpson or Bjerkham through one of our black sons and daughters out of the community in the Orleans,or Husband Heights or Black Bess ?
How could Mark Maloney emerge from being an ordinary employee in 15 years to a multi millionaire and a mover and shaker in this place – yet rawle baranker and his sons still struggle with all the impediments placed in their way?
Are we only good to cut coconuts or sell ackees,or be a salesman for one of the distributing companies ?
Unfortunately black governments see their role not as giving a helping hand to pull those from within their community out of the deep financial hole – but to be there to facilitate through contracts a David Seale,or a S.Y. Adams or an Abdul Pandor,or Tony Abed.Steupes.
The decks are fully stacked against the ordinary,average black man or woman – whether its through the lack of financing from the banks,the dishonesty in those at the fund access agencies,or the very elected persons who say they want to give back to their country.
@T.Inniss
You should ask yourself from where does campaign financing flow, the minority groups perhaps?
Many Unions are well beyond their ‘best Before date’. Any discussions in the ‘Social Partnership’ about public sector staffing is a straight bi-lateral deal, the private sector carry no weight. In the past years when there were no raises, just “talks”, what did they do about implementing measures to improve productivity, to help buffer membership in the event of a downturn. The same membership whose dues form the revenue the Union spends.
What they do, is what unions have done elsewhere, sit back, continue to live well at the senior level, and keep a little noise once something negative affects them. They are proactive on little. This is because they are scared, any changes will upset at least sectors of the membership, particularly senior members, and potentially cost union leaders a job, they cannot find anywhere else.
It isn’t easy, because these days one needs continual education.
If you look at pro sports, gone are the days when the incoming recent draft picks, are seconded to the minor leagues for “seasoning, to get them ready”. They put them on the playing field pronto. Why? because they are cheaper than the old pros. And may develop into something or more, not less, value.
For the record, I do not know where Harmony Hall is. If the silly author is referring to one of my contributions (by innuendo, thus in a way that is typical of the slow of mind) I have proposed, and have done for years, the infrastructural development of the City slums, and have cited the development of Grazettes, the Pine and other areas by the Grantley Adams government as positive examples.
In case his book keeping is not up to speed, this is the fundamental proposal for an alternative macroeconomics, which he does not recognise. We have had @PLT in previous discussions asking where the funds will come from and I answered that reservation. He, nor any of the opposition, have ever said if they opposed the substantive idea.
Once more there is the nonsense of a specific agenda, but no explanation. If he is referring to me, what is the agenda? I am a retired man, with no further plans to work, who spends most of his time reading, visiting and entertaining family and friends, listening to radio, occasionally watching television, and attending seminars, conferences and courses of interest.
There is no Barbados agenda, if that is what is implied. Nor, indeed, any further agenda or grand plan. I am not seeing any appointments in Barbados and only recently refused to allow my name to go forward for a Barbados award. There is no British agenda, apart from the consideration of cremation or burial.
I am not an economist (nor a chartered accountant, property owner apart from my home, politician, doctor, consultant, nothing), nor have I even been to school beyond the age of ten. As to a claim to fame, another example of silly reasoning to get a cheap laugh. Reading annual reports was part of my job, but not the most important or even a big and significant part of it.
For my sins, I worked as a financial journalist in a highly competitive environment and people, in their judgement, made a number of awards to me for my work, which I accepted in all humility and rarely referred to during my working life and certainly do not now..
I do not refer to qualifications – and never have on BU – since it is the retreat of the bogus: do you know who I am, I have a PhD in law or economics from Trump University. Nor, I am a property magnate and, thus, am successful. That argument is meant to close down debate. I don’t buy it.
I like ideas and am prepared to debate ideas at any time and any place with our leading economic thinkers. I stand or fall by what I say, not by my qualifications.
Northern Observer
Sadly your first sentence seems to be true and very evident all across the world – in both developed and developing countries.
Unions seem to be on their back feet.They have been knocked back by some of the selfish policies of multi-national corporations,the severing of the close relationships once held by (true) labour parties – and most of all the lack of agility in being able to adjust to a changing work environment and changing work force.
Sad though – because I believe Unions are needed to balance the equation in society.
Union leaders like Moore and McDowall have not helped to enhance the image of the unions here in Barbados – especially at a time when workers are questioning the relevance of the union to their situation.
The lambs lay down with the lions – and the lions gobbled them up.
Mr. Skinner
It did not take long for T. Inniss to expose himself as one of the individuals I was referring to.
Other excess criticisms of the BLP (or cussing me), can you or anyone REFER to ANYTHING in his contributions that could be IDENTIFIED as an alternative economic policy?
@TI
the castration of the unions happened long before they chose partners in the March. It seems that March has a long term stinging effect in the minds of many? Maybe they should have Marched more often?
Hal
Well played @ 3:59 p.m.
Don’t worry the truth will out sometime.
I respect the contribution you make as well as all the other bajans in the diaspora.
There are some here who just like showing up their ignorance by attacking bloggers contributions with their jobby and once caught out in their crap and their lies – without shame seek to spin the story.
How can we go forward as a blog site with that sort of mindset.
Carry on Hal – At least you make your contributions with an honest intention.
Clearly you have some very serious issues for a man your age……. medication may work…… but therapy/counselling may be needed quell your need for attention and for you to behave and relate like an adult and not a child.
@ T. Inniss
How could Mark Maloney emerge from being an ordinary employee in 15 years to a multi millionaire and a mover and shaker in this place – yet rawle baranker and his sons still struggle with all the impediments placed in their way?
Are we only good to cut coconuts or sell ackees,or be a salesman for one of the distributing companies ?
Unfortunately black governments see their role not as giving a helping hand to pull those from within their community out of the deep financial hole – but to be there to facilitate through contracts a David Seale,or a S.Y. Adams or an Abdul Pandor,or Tony Abed.Steupes.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Unless one already have many $$$thousands to pay to play upfront then one is not allowed in the game which disqualifies most black locals and the honest ones.
NO
Respect your view – although its not shared by me.
Sorry – But I am checking to see where in my contribution – I mentioned Harmony Hall.
Oh well – never mind – another lie from the BLP stool pigeon.Steupes.
Ask Kyffin Simpson who created him in his persona as businessman extraordinaire.None other than Errol Walton Barrow.Kyffin got his leg up from Barrow.Read the press if there is doubt.
IMF
COW himself said he started with nothing – no big collateral – and as a young man – the banks were willing to lend him money.
SY Adams started out repairing cars in mason hall street – then through one of the siblings close relationship with Billie miller – then ended up with multiple bus licenses – which along with ‘ the importation of other things’ – helped them to aquire a lot of property in Bridgetown and speighstown.
David Seale had his supermarket in black rock and then Wildey (plus I think the small fledgling e.s.a.f rum brand) – however it is well known that he owed the Development banks millions – and as a blp supporter – his loans were written off.
What about the school meals syrup fiasco
And last of all – how that land at foursquare was acquired?
IMF they did not always start out with money to pay the political players – but doors were open for them to enable them to make wealth and then – down the road – give monetary favours to the politicians.
I can point to five black bajan millionaire entrepreneurs all of whom prefer to stay out of the public limelight and I posit that is one of the secrets of their success.Another possible component of their success is they pay attention to their businesses and not to the delilahs around and about.
Gabriel
Alright then.That is what all these politicians ( of all stripes) are noted for.
David/BU
Yup – But have you noticed David these politicians never create the space for up and coming black businesses to emerge and grow – so that in time they too can become party financiers ?
It seems they are only comfortable with enriching those from the paler shade.
The political class will always feel obligated to find favour for the hands that feed them. This is the chink in our ‘democratic’ system.
Have you never came to this forum suggesting a redevelopment of the area from the Globe cinema, (which is located at the corner of HARMONY HALL and Roebuck Street) and going as far as the Transport Board depot?
And you know I have the ability to find that contribution.
I asked for a serious discussion about BERT and I’m being vilified………
……..something you previously asked for on September 1, 2018 3:21 PM: “When are we going to have a serious ECONOMIC debate, about BERT?”
The negative comments some of you write would give a Martian the impression that Mia and the BLP have been in Bay St since 2008.For Pete’s sake,give the party some space to stop the rot,inspect it,throw out the garbage,bring in the replacements and manage the future prospects of country Barbados.The GoCB thinks the country is now more manageable.Watch she!!
Oh lord call Jenkins quick,quick lollll
So David – they can find new hands to feed them;No ?
@T.Inniss
Like the Chinese for instance?
@T. Innniss
“Unfortunately black governments see their role not as giving a helping hand to pull those from within their community out of the deep financial hole – but to be there to facilitate through contracts a David Seale,or a S.Y. Adams or an Abdul Pandor,or Tony Abed”
+++++++++
Bravo!
This, my friend is why the future of B’dos is grim and the deeply embedded inequalities are set to widen.
To those who can: emigrate now!
Inniss
David Seale grew and made a success out of his dad’s provision merchant’s business on Roebuck St.
Gabriel
Are you saying you don’t know of these other hand ups he was given as a party financier?
@Idiot,
No I have never. I do not even know where Harmony Hall is. You have done this before, you have form. You insisted on telling me where I had been involved in buying timeshare, although I said I did not know the place you mentioned and it was wrong, you insisted. I remember it was GP who incorrectly named the place, near St Lawrence Gap.
I mentioned that Acme made buses for the Transport Board in the 1960s from its Roebuck Street workshop, which I saw with my eyes and read in the Advocate.
It was only when someone came on and said he left Barbados in 1967 and before that worked at the Transport Board and Acme did make buses for a the TB you sort of accepted. No apology. You then drifted in to waffle about bus specification. All totally irrelevant to the substantive argument- whether or not Acme made buses for TB. You wanted written evidence. The mind of a fool.
Now you are fabricating that I mentioned Harmony Hall in some proposal. Find it and prove me a liar. You fabricate just as much as the cut and paste agent.
Let me repeat: government should launch a major infrastructural programme by bulldozing the City slums and rebuilding. I won’t go in to details again because sensible readers will understand, even if they do not agree. This is the stimulus the local economy needs.
If Harmony Hall is part of the City slums, then that is included. But I have never mentioned Harmony Hall by name because I do not know where it is. In the meantime, I am still waiting to hear about this ‘agenda’.
Inniss
It is clear to me you are phishing.You don’t know David Seale.So sya.
Gabriel
He is not my friend but I stand by what I referred to above – because there are some people still bitter about what took place back then who are even more intimately aware of what I spoke about.
It was an open secret Gabriel.
The question was asked ..
“…When are any of you going to present any viable alternative economic policies for debate or discussion…….”
Barring the multimillionaires Bush Tea and Frustrated Business man there are few here who are so blessed in income that they can honestly AS ANONYMICE, come and give way their ideas for free.
Barring de ole man dat is, but I stupid.
Here is the thing about debates and discussions.
For them to be effective they should be discussed with equals and for them to be equitable, people should be paid for those ideas.
So qui vadis? Where can and did yo go from here?
We can rehash the foolishness done with the oversized cabinet till they Kingdom Come, and it is not going to change, but similarly so, what will our contributions mean to idiots bent on self destruction?
Human nature IS NOT DESIGNED TO GIVE FREELY for the benefit of the collective.
We are mainly selfish people. FULLSTOP, who wants for ourselves and our family and friends.
But what is wrong with being paid? Especially with all these increased taxes?
Secondly, Artaxerxes, the current design of this blog DOES NOT LEND ITSELF TO THE DYNAMICS OF DEBATE
THE THEME IN PLACE uses single threads and noncontigupus submissions.
And that is excellent for this non contiguous discourse.
That will deflate what is required under a nested topic where each thread would have sub comments
Serious debate requires contiguity not non continuity.
I hope I explained that properly
BU is best served in this format and to change it to the other format, would be a serious disservice
So you have (1) format (2) content ownership (3) compensation to the suppliers and of course, something that must not be forgotten (4) accreditating the author for their works
Before you actually get to content Artaxerxes, just share your ideas on the other elements I outlined please
@ A Dullard
I am not at liberty to say right now about the 31st.
🙂 Have anyone considered LIAO… Last in, all out 🙂
————Not able to contribute that much——————–
We can discuss various strategies for determining who get the boot, but the guy on the receiving end of the boot will believe you picked the wrong strategy.
I have seen many talk of performance evaluation followed by the comment that we don’t have a system or the metrics to do a good evaluation.
My heart goes out to the family who is looking forward to harsh Christmas
@ the Honourable Blogmaster your assistance please with an item for Artaxerxes thank you
Predictably the unions have started to whimper.
David/BU @ 6:33.
Pray God no – not them please.
$25,000 from one person, or $1 from 25,000=exactly the same amount.
I think that ALL of our political parties are lazy and unimaginative.
Otherwise they would long since have figured out how to get that $1, or $2 or $5 or $10 from ordinary Bajans. Then they won’t be beholden to “party financiers”.
Stupseee!!!
For many decades I’ve given 1% of my gross income to my church. I would give the same to any political party, but none have ever asked.
if you don’t ask.
You don’t get.
I really can’t deal with idiotic people.
245,672 people on the electoral roll, and parties scrunting for money.
Lolll!!!
245,672 x $100 (that is by $2 per week) =$24,567,200 (twenty four million, five hundred and sixty seven thousand, and two hundred dollars) every year. In five years $122,836,000
More than enough to fund any election campaign, and to release political parties from the bondage of “campaign financiers”
And our political “leaders” can find a way to persuade people to give them $2 per week?
Lolll!!!
Looka, I gone hear.
T.Inniss October 31, 2018 4:01 PM
“Unions seem to be on their back feet.They have been knocked back by ……….the severing of the close relationships once held by (true) labour parties….”
T. Inniss,
This is an extremely fascinating point which I would like to see developed.
For starters, I would like to get to know who the “true labour parties” are, and who the false ones are.
Secondly, I would like to know what gave this “severing of the close relationships” the ability to knock back the unions.
I relish this opportunity to sit at your feet and be educated.
” From as early as 8 a.m., workers from four of the BADMC branches were sent home, with the headquarters in Fairy Valley, Christ Church, being hardest hit – 54 were dismissed from there.”
http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/209751/ceo-dark
#WEGOTTHIS
wunna remember Malik song ” world cup cricket” ?
Jackass
I’m going to put an end to this back and forth.
I DESPISE PEOPLE LIKE YOU.
Why????
You mentioned growing up poor in the Ivy and went to the UK in the 1960s……. probably at the expense of your parents. You bragged about attending expensive schools and universities in the UK, awards you won, courses you helped developed, which is also “the retreat of the bogus,” while trying to trivialize or describe as bogus the achievements of others you don’t know.
So now you’re a “big boy,” you have “arrived” …….. you now look down upon Barbados and Barbadians. You must have had to “kiss nuff white ass,” after all it was the 1960s, and even if you had ability, it did not matter then. Perhaps that’s why you come over as being so angry.
And you’re coming to this forum to insult Bajans, using silly terms such as “Bajan stupidity.” Don’t you realize these characterizations include your RELATIVES living here as well? And this is how you repay them, believing yourself to be more important than they are? Don’t you realize “Barbados is a failed state” for them as well?
Then again snobs look down upon others they believe are beneath them, so I won’t be surprised if you “renounced” your relatives here. And this is the reason why you can only communicate using insults, because you believe certain people are beneath you.
You’re a POMPOUS, ARROGANT, SANCTIMONIOUS, PANTOMATH SNOB that comes to this forum with the sole purpose of RIDICULING and INSULTING other contributors, especially those who do not share your views……
…….. and to impress upon others that you KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT EVERYTHING, believing Barbadians living here are backward. You use disparaging remarks to criticise every single professional, systems… everything……..there isn’t anything in Barbados that is of any worth to you.
Recently, you have taken a special delight in dissecting David BU’s contributions…… describing them as “waffle” and referring to him in prerogative terms……suggesting he is ignorant. When your actions are reciprocated, similarly to a spoilt little girl…… you “cry foul” and “drop a lot of silly remarks.”
You mentioned how “stupid as ass” you and your silly wife bought a $1,000 time share and was scammed and when reminded….. you denied it. ASK BUSH TEA, HE ALSO MAKES MENTION OF YOUR FOLLY. A financial advisor indeed. NOW THAT’S THE MIND OF A FOOL.
More folly came when you mentioned the BDF conducts regular patrols of the West Coast.
Once again, Hal Austin you’re a pompous jackass and I DESPISE PEOPLE LIKE YOU.
Draytons two “yuh got to pay”
” Come December 1, parking at GAIA will now cost $2 for 30 minutes and $3 for one hour. While those saw a modest increase of $1 each, parking for 24 hours is now $24, double the previous amount.”
Two years of re learning the joys of home cooking.
“Central Bank Governor Cleviston Haynes accepts Government’s “strong” austerity measures will be “tough” for Barbadians over the next two years.”
Imagine if the DLP had done this.
Read front page of BarbadosToday.
Hants
My man yuh know what they say – who the dog likes he licks and who he don’t like he does kick.
Yuh bring back good memories there of Malik’s song ‘World Cup Cricket’ – and the list of people who were ‘FUH CUP’.
I have to go back and take a listen.
You lie again. Have I ever bragged about having had an ‘expensive’ education? The only schools that I have ever mentioned attending on BU are Belmont, St Giles and Combermere. And I have never mentioned any university – you have made such claims.
Your response says everything I have suspected: envy, anger, a perception of being ‘looked down upon’, that I am a snob. You refer to my wife as ‘silly’, and now try to speculate that I dislike my family. You lie again by claiming I denied I attempted to buy a timeshare.
What I have denied, is your claim that the place was somewhere in St Lawrence Gap (it was GP who wrongly identified such a place). It was not. You still insist that was the place.
You still insist that I have claimed to be a financial adviser, I have never said any such thing. Even though I have pointed out to you that it is a criminal offence for anyone in the UK to claim to be an independent financial adviser, you persist. Because in you are a hate-filled verbal thug who fabricates myths which you then seek to destroy.
You claim I have bragged about courses I have helped develop. Another lie. I have mentioned, in context, that City University’s MA in Financial Journalism was my idea and I was instrumental in structuring it in its early days. That’s on the record. It was Financial Times Group that first approached City University about launching the course. That too is on the record.
Here is a challenge: get rid of your mask, write under your real name so neighbours, friends and colleagues know what you are really like. Or are you simply a coward too?
This lay off process shows once again Mia’s propensity to jump headlong into matters before fulling considering all the consequences or implications.
Whether it is the decision to default on the debt 2 days after winning the General election – something never even considered by past prime ministers,
or the position taken on the pensioners investment in government paper,
or these lay-offs which from all reports are creating chaos – whether its the sending home of clerks in the Police service,the Court process dept,the Customs department,the Land registry,NIS – wuhloss man – she is too hasty – which is not a good trait as a leader of a country
Then we also have decisions such as the selection of weather presenter Selma husbands as deputy permanent secretary
or the decision not to even have a discussion with the foreign creditors before she made the announcement to default
We are now hearing about key departments with no clerk/typists and the work just piling up.
There seems to be no proper planning in this whole process.
See today’s Nation newspaper where the CEO of the BADMC was not even aware of the lay-off which were taking place from as early as 8:00 a.m. where 62 workers from the 200 at fairy valley were sent home,then another 4 in another department – then to also hear that some areas were closing down.
The BLP carries this thing about political victimization too far.So because the CEO is the brother of DLP candidate Kim Tudor – it means he should not even be given the respect normally accorded to a CEO by letting him know that about 30% of your workers were being sent home that very day.
Every department you are hearing the same stories.Statutory corporations which should be following the notice provision in the Employment Rights Act – are now just sending home these workers without their severance pay in their hand as Mia and the Dr Wordroffe kept saying they were complying with for the most part.
As Hal Austin keeps telling us – this will all end in tears in the long run.
@ Simple Simon
Just a small clarification on your recent comment
Toy said and I quote
“…245,672 people on the electoral roll, and parties scrunting for money…”
As far as I recall, and de ole man could be wrong, there are not 245k people on the electoral roll since the roll only carries people eligible to vote.
UNLESS YOU ALSO ADDED IN THE 40,000 ILLEGAL GUYANESE
The number that you may have used seems to be the population of the country and if so your mathematical calculations may be off as well.
But de ole man will be guided by the official data when provided
@ Hal Austin
Why do you bother with a dishonest intellectually challenged nitwit like Artax?
He has a small minded mentality and an obvious chip on his shoulder.
Ignore the fool and continue with your submissions.
I like the fact you add a wider perspective and much food for thought.
@ Artaxerxes
@ Hal Austin
You two gentlemen are quite capable of discussing issues without letting your egos distort your contributions that are very often insightful.
Some body has to take the high road , why not you?
Murdaah in the market murdaaa. Hal did write about redeveloping the Transport Board site for housing. He has never mentioned anything about expensive schooling though, far less what university he attended.
But back to the topic, has any of the talkers experienced a restructuring with a PR system in place? What is the process for firing/keeping staff?
Enuff,
I said that the Roebuck Street was one of the most expensive real estate spots in the country. I proposed tat the Transport Board could be moved to St John, the poorest parish in the country, and that site be redeveloped with apartments, shops, offices, restaurants, and leisure facilities. It is still a very good proposal, which could form part of any infrastructural development.
Whether I agree with Hal or not, he seems like a decent, well-meaning chap. Whether I agree with Artax or not, he seems like a decent well-meaning chap. Both bring suggestions. Whether I agree with them or not I think that is a good thing. You guys are on the same side.
Hal Austin
What the government ought to do is to outsource the island’s transportation to privately own companies, but still maintain a minimum level of oversight as a way to save money and improve efficiency.
This perpetual dependency of government as the sole solution or alternative to the island economic vicissitudes … is self -defeating!
Lexicon,
The BLP/DLP have a distorted idea of privatisation – that assets must be sold to a bidder or preferred buyer with ready cash. It is perverse.
There are other forms of privatisation, from cooperatives, to worker-owners to conventional corporations; more fundamentally is a need fore a new Companies Act, and not the current one based on the joint stock companies of the mid-19th century. But as it applies to the Transport Board, the real problem is competent management, not ownership. Travellers could not care two hoops who owns the buses, as long as their are safe and arrive on time.
Finally, there is supposed to be a business school at Cave Hill. Don’t they run courses for SOE managements?
Hal Austin
It is time black people move beyond from the idea of work for others, and start thinking about ownership … as it is ingrained in the East Indian and the Chinese from birth … you seldom hear East Indians and Chinese talking about working for others…you hear these people speaking in terms of ownership … so therefore, is it time the race of black adopt this same way of looking at the world…
Lexicon,
It seems to be part of Caribbean culture. We prefer to be employed and get a monthly salary than to take the risk of failing with our own businesses. It is the same in the UK.
I will give an example: Asians who qualify as pharmacists often opt to start their own businesses, while Africans/Caribbeans prefer to be employed by one of the big firms. It is a matter of confidence.
Same in Barbados. Black people are the bulk of the consumer market, yet if a black person opens a retail store buyers will prefer to go to an emporium in Broad Street than to buy from the 5&10, for example.
We have been conditioned that way. But it is changing. We are making slow progress. We need to speed up. This is why I speak about deprogramming. We must be prepared to take risks. We must see failure as an opportunity to try again. We must stop laughing at people who fail at their first attempt at entrepreneurship and recognize that most people take some time to get it right. One thing about we black people that causes those who do try entrepreneurship to fail is that they do not understand that you cannot expect to live lavishly off the business in the first years.
Austin
If you were well read you would not pose these idiotic statements.Get a life.Its never too late to learn to cultivate the very good habit of reading and reading and reading good informative books which develop the mind and cultivate the personality.History should inform you and expose you to some truths you need to know.
Gabriel
Is there such a thing as being well-read when all that we are taugh, or what we read becomes irrelevant and antiquated with time?
A lot of the ideas of the ancient and medieval philosophers have been proven irrelevant by the contemporary philosopher, and such should be the case of the contemporary philosophers as their ideas gives away to time.
@Gabriel,
Many thanks for the suggestion. Plse recommend two or three good books I should read to bring me up to speed.
@Lexicon,
The ancient philosophers work is still relevant. I suggest you read Plato’s Republic. On of his theories is quite relevant to Barbados. Put simply, if a group of people sat in a cave looking in t the stage, in time they believe life is all about what happens on that state; however, if another group is outside the cave, while recognising what is taking place in the cave is real, they also know there is a wider world outside. It is still the best description of learning by rote – 2000 years later.
Look this rash decision to default by ‘Give muh de vote and watch muh’ Mottley and this hasty lay off process is causing such turmoil in this country – that it is ripe for social unrest.
People are all over the country cussing Mia for the crap she is doing – for the suffering of poor families facing a hungry xmas – Yet de big guts Cabinet still in place and Mia up and down flying up and down every where.
THESE ARE THE VERY THINGS SHE CUSSED THE LAST GOVENMENT FOR.SHAME,SHAME AND ETERNAL SHAME ON ‘WATCH MUH’ MOTTLEY.
SHE HAS NO EMPATHY FOR THE SAME POOR PEOPLE SHE HAD RUNNUNG UP AND DOWN BEHIND HER – AND WHO SHE TOLD THAT ‘SHE CARES’ ABOUT THEM.
TInniss
You gine be posting until yuh fingers sore. Mia and the Cabinet looking to build a legacy, and if it means making tough decisions to bring a better life for all in the long run they seem determined to do so. Roll out the Trust Loans from next Monday–another promise kept.
@ T. Inniss
Let de ole man ask you a question
When you were going school, you ever had your parents ask you how you doing, in your worst subject, AND YOU TELL DEM GOOD and when de end of term come, you fadder roast you behind?
How did he do that Inniss? was daddy a voodoo priest or didn’t he simply look at your report card?
If the report on these $5k mini loans are made public, it will be seen that 70 to 80% of them are going to be on consumer goods, stocking up a business with imported items to sell.
Which, given our current state of affairs, defeats the point, does it not?
But you can be assured that the report card on the use and efficacy of this $10M xmas present WILL NOT BE SHARED WITH THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BE PAYJNG FOR THE IMF LOAN TILL 2033!
Suffer yah RH suffer…
Vincent Codrington
Donna
I believe I have the right to set the record straight.
A “lie” may be defined as “a false statement or an intentional untruth made with deliberate intent to deceive or to convey a false impression.”
Supposed “George” said something about “Michael,” who subsequently says it is untrue, but does not present any evidence to substantiate his claim, how do we determine which individual is lying, in circumstances where scenario becomes “George’s word against Michael’s word?”
Obviously, the members of Michael’s “fan club” and those who are not particularly fond of George, would obviously believe Michael….. and vice versa.
I know I’m not one of the popular contributors to BU, especially among the DLP supporters. I made certain statements about Hal Austin, who accused me of being “a hate-filled verbal thug who fabricates myths,” and based on his word ONLY and in the ABSENCE of PROOF, his “fan club” members were quick to “jump upon his band wagon.”
And my point is reinforced by Hal Austin’s April 24, 2018 9:09 AM response to Mariposa re: “Historic allegations are always suspicious. Without forensic evidence, they are based on HE SAY, SHE SAY.
I, and others, have mentioned in this forum on more than one occasion that Austin bragged about he and his wife buying a £300 ($1,000) time share from Divi Southwinds and subsequently losing on the investment. He is adamant he bought the time share…… but DENIED buying it form Divi Southwinds and KNOWING where the hotel is LOCATED…..
I must admit Austin and I REFUTED each other’s claims relative to from where the time share was bought…. and in the ABSENCE of any SUBSTANTIATING EVIDENCE, it would UNREASONABLE under these circumstances for anyone to make an HONEST, UNBIASED DETERMINATION as to whether who is lying or not.
But I will reserve making any further comments on this issue…… until I find where I saved the original contributions.
In a previous contribution I mentioned many of you smart, intelligent guys have a TENDENCY to FORGET what you contribute to BU. I on the other hand, have an excellent memory and knowing the “modus operandi” of sum uh wunnuh………… I like to save certain contributions for “further reference.”
As it relates to Austin’s November 1, 2018 3:42 AM comment re: “You lie again. Have I ever bragged about having had an ‘expensive’ education?,”………… on May 16, 2018 7:38 AM, I responded to one of Austin’s comment with the following: “I recall a journalist writing that reading several financial statements qualifies him to comment on accounting issues.”
Knowing my comments were a reference to him, Austin responded “accordingly”: “Hal Austin May 16, 2018 7:16 AM: Artax May 16, 2018 7:38 AM: What a terrible journalist. Some journalists also learn to read financial reports at some of the best business schools in the world who run top of the class financial courses. That is why we have financial analysts. Al drivers do not have to be taxi drivers; the same way all those who know about accounts do not have to be accountants.”
I know members of the Hal Austin fan club will “spin” this issue……. but I rest my case.
This brings me to two individuals, enuff and T. Inniss.
Enuff, perhaps you can’t remember your contribution re: July 24, 2018 3:54 PM: “Hear Hal: “According to today’s Nation, Avinash Persaud is a financial analyst. Is he? But are you? Didn’t Avinash attend London School of Economics, one of the Russell Group universities YOU LIKE TO BRAG ’BOUT HERE ON BU? Lmbao….”
Because if you had remembered you would not have made the following comment: “November 1, 2018: “Murdaah in the market murdaaa. Hal did write about redeveloping the Transport Board site for housing. He has never mentioned anything about expensive schooling though, far less what university he attended.”
As such, enuff……… perhaps you should admit to lying as well.
Okay, that’s enough of enuff……… so, I’ll move on to T. Inniss.
++++++++++++++++++
In his October 29, 2018 1:16 PM contribution, T. Inniss used some very pejorative statements to describe me, as follows:
“You see what I tell you that Artax is a real BLP KOOL AID DRINKER STOOL PIGEON.” “This man is so PUFFED in his IGNORANCE and IMAGINARY BRILLIANCE” – that he likes to jump into bloggers post and boldly try to correct them while unwittingly showing up himself to be a PURE BRED JACKASS.” “But this SHITE HOUND Artax is of a particular brand of STUPID.” “I expect no better from this brilliant BLP FOOL.”
There isn’t anything wrong with that, after all he has freedom of expression.
But…. it may come as a shock to BU that, the same T. Inniss who wrote the above “colourful remarks,” is the same T. Inniss that wrote the following comments, in an attempt to defend his colleague:
“T. Inniss June 3, 2018 5:38 PM: I don’t agree with your position @ 8:52 a.m. on Mariposa – an obvious DLP supporter. I thought you were a bigger man or woman than that. I can understand you being DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED to Mariposa’s VIEW but surely that is what DEMOCRACY and FREE SPEECH promote.
“Sure she may get you VEX AT TIMES but if THE BLOG IS FOR EVERYONE why KEEP SINGLING out Mariposa, Fractured blp or pointing out that it’s is ‘Waiting in vain’ posting in another name?”
“I see no such anger directed at those BLP posters who can be downright OFFENSIVE, VULGAR and REPETITIVE..”
“I AM REALLY HOPING THAT ON THIS BLOG WE WILL ALL ENDEAVOR TO GET ALONG AND LIVE AND LET LIVE.”
++++++++++++++++++++
Apparently, when the name “Artax” surfaces on BU,” Inniss immediately sees “red.” He purposely forgets “the blog is for everyone” and being “diametrically opposed to my view,” gives him an excuse to forget “what democracy and free speech promotes.”
As a result of I “getting him vex (all the time),” he “directs his anger” at me………. “keeps singling me” to be “downright offensive, vulgar and repetitive,”………….
………… and all “hopes of we all endeavouring to get along and live and let live,” automatically goes through the window.
Are such insults reserved for contributors Inniss perceive as his “enemy,” or as a BLP supporter?
Does being “diametrically opposed to my view” give him the right to be abusive?
Was Inniss being a “bigger man or woman?”
Or is this not the height of hypocrisy?
Knowing my comments were a reference to him, Austin responded “accordingly”: “Hal Austin May 16, 2018 7:16 AM: Artax May 16, 2018 7:38 AM: What a terrible journalist. Some journalists also learn to read financial reports at some of the best business schools in the world who run top of the class financial courses. That is why we have financial analysts. Al drivers do not have to be taxi drivers; the same way all those who know about accounts do not have to be accountants.”(Quote)
Grasping at straws. I had planned to ignore your juvenile and boring behaviour. But here you go again trying to justify a fabrication. Even with your limited ability it is clear that there is no reference there to the personal pronoun ‘I’.
Enuff, perhaps you can’t remember your contribution re: July 24, 2018 3:54 PM: “Hear Hal: “According to today’s Nation, Avinash Persaud is a financial analyst. Is he? But are you? Didn’t Avinash attend London School of Economics, one of the Russell Group universities YOU LIKE TO BRAG ’BOUT HERE ON BU? Lmbao….”(Quote)
Again, which Russell Group university have I ‘bragged’ about? I| asked a simple question.
Your obsession is showing a sad side of your personality. What would a psychologist say about someone saving contributions so that s/he could come back months later to score cheap points?
Just to make it clear, I will no longer be responding to your contributions no matter what you say.
Hal Austin October 31, 2018 5:19 PM: I mentioned that Acme made buses for the Transport Board in the 1960s from its Roebuck Street workshop, which I saw with my eyes and read in the Advocate.It was only when someone came on and said he left Barbados in 1967 and before that worked at the Transport Board and Acme did make buses for the TB you sort of accepted. No apology. YOU THEN DRIFTED IN TO WAFFLE ABOUT BUS SPECIFICATION. ALL TOTALLY IRRELEVANT TO THE SUBSTANTIVE ARGUMENT- whether or not Acme made buses for TB.
PLEASE NOTE CAREFULLY, “drifting into waffle…. “ALL TOTALLY IRRELEVANT TO THE SUBSTANTIVE ARGUMENT.”
Austin asked the following question:
“Hal Austin October 28, 2017 at 12:00 PM ” Is a state pension of Bds $179 a week an adequate income?”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Simple Simon responded:
“Simple Simon October 28, 2017 11:47 PM: @Hal Austin October 28, 2017 at 12:00 PM ” Is a state pension of Bds $179 a week an adequate income?”
“Not really. A state pension of $179 per week is minimally sufficient. However most people “contributory pensioners” do get more than $179.00 per week.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Austin responded by drifting into waffle about the “history of mathematics”…..” ALL TOTALLY IRRELEVANT TO THE SUBSTANTIVE ARGUMENT.”
“Hal Austin October 29, 2017 10:54 AM: @Hal Austin October 28, 2017 at 12:00 PM ” Is a state pension of Bds $179 a week an adequate income?” Not really.”
“@Simple Simon, Apologies for being late coming back to you, but I shall deal with both your concerns here. First, I have no doubt about the ability of black men and women to be outstanding mathematicians. Historically this has been the case. To suggest otherwise would be to go down the road of biological determinism.”
“Second, and most important, I have an intellectual curiosity about ethno-mathematics, the reasons why I have raised in the blog on a number of occasions that economics is not a branch of mathematics (nor of biology or psychology) and that we must challenge the consensual orthodoxies of every discipline, including mathematics and the wider sciences. This is even more so given the rise of the digital revolution, with artificial intelligence making key decisions for us. My argument has always been if you put rubbish in to computers, you get rubbish out.”
“I am not a mathematician, but the basic history and sociology of mathematics is that it is just another filtering mechanism for colonial educational domination. But it is important that to oppose it you must fully understand the discipline.”
“Previously I raised the issue of Euclidian geometry. In the orthodox history we are told that the Babylonians first developed modern mathematics, then the Greeks. We know that is not true. We know that the Egyptians had advance mathematics which they used to trade with the Babylonians; it is also my case that the Babylonians were not the only trading partners with the early Egyptians.”
“Before the Arabs moved in to Egypt the Nubians occupied most of that part of Africa, even after the Arabs moved in they continued to trade with the Nubians, as far as Sudan and Ethiopia. It is part of my argument that traders came from farther and wider, so they must have had a form of mathematics in order to trade. This is the historical and philosophical basic of ethno-mathematics. As Bill Barton has asked: how did any one cultural form of mathematics came to dominate the discipline (to extend this argument, for mathematics, read medicine). Anyone with an interest in mathematics will tell you that in UK mathematics we use the X as a symbol of times (multiplication) in algebra, while the Americans use a dot, similar to what in the UK we use in decimals (in continental Europe, they use a comma).”
WTF!!!!!
I stand by my comment re: “You’re a POMPOUS, ARROGANT, SANCTIMONIOUS, PANTOMATH SNOB that comes to this forum with the sole purpose of RIDICULING and INSULTING other contributors, especially those who do not share his views……” ….. but I for forgot to include HYPOCRITICAL as well.
“Hal Austin January 16, 2018 10:38 PM: I TRY MY BEST TO BE HONEST AND POLITE. In case you do most realise it, DEBATING IS THE SHARING OF IDEAS.”
“Hal Austin March 10, 2018 9:15 AM: Let us start now by being serious about the issues and RESPECTING EACH OTHER.”
Hal Austin October 29, 2018 6:55 PM: A LACK OF GOOD MANNERS IS A COMMON CHARACTERISTIC. They are always ‘vex’, and do not debate to exchange ideas, but to score points, TO SHOW HOW CLEVER THEY ARE, since they perceive they are not appreciated, that is why they focus on the micro-issues, the examples, and not the substantive issues.
“They are the sort of people who talk about spelling mistakes in a work on moral philosophy. Such people lash out and translate that anger in to vindictiveness for all kinds of reasons. There are some common features in Barbadian culture. Remember those school boy fights and the reasons behind them? But I digress..”
The above comments shows ONE SIDE of Hal Austin………but…… because he usually contributes to BU infrequently, his bad ATTITUDE, as reflected in his contributions, are often overlooked. But when those contributions are compiled…… the REAL Hal Austin comes to the fore.
The following Hal Austin comments are examples of him at his best.
Hal Austin October 21, 2016 10:39 AM: Pachamama, I am pleased to apologise for calling you a plagiarist. However, your ignorance may be explained by your APPALLING economic SEMI-LITERACY and EMBARRASSING ARROGANCE.
Hal Austin November 11, 2017 12:38 PM: Plse read below for a classic example of SEMI-LITERACY parading as informed comment.
A responses to Bush Tea:
Hal Austin November 12, 2017 11:43 AM: Your spectacular and APPALLING IGNORANCE is amazing. You are trivial and, as someone has described you, risible. I could not care how much you ‘cussed’ Owen or the man from Mars, put a sensible argument or shut up…
Hal Austin August 29, 2017 9:26 AM: James Greene, I am not sure how long you have been reading BU, but Bush Tea so-called is an idiot who thinks getting cheap laughs equates to serious discussion. Just read his posts and form an opinion of him.
Responses to one of the HUMBLEST …… RESPECTFUL contributors to BU, Peter Lawrence Thompson, whom he also referred to as a “keyboard warrior:”
@PLT, You SEEM to be an EMPTY VESSEL. Can’t you define modern capitalism without Googling it? Plse, can you give a clear and precise definition of modern capitalism? [August 1, 2018 9:54 AM]
@PLT, You talked of slavery being the foundation of modern capitalism. I asked you to define modern capitalism and you drift off in to your USUAL NONSENSE. We are now in the 21st century, slavery was at its heights in the 17th-18th centuries. Are you suggesting that the capitalism of the East India company and of slave owners and the plantocracy, or Ford or Standard Oil, are the same as that of Apple, Google (your friend) and Facebook?
Let us expand the discussion: slavery co-existed with the Age of Reason, so, according to your reasoning, slavery was the foundation of reason. Sometimes I get so angry at what PASSES as KNOWLEDGE among the KEYBOARD WARRIORS on BU. But it is not surprising. [August 1, 2018 11:14 AM]
Responses to David BU:
It is your way of hitting back for your USUAL IGNORANCE of discussions you always intervene with no proper understanding. A Bajan tantrum. You do it almost every day. One of the weakest, if not the weakest, contributors on BU. [July 21, 2018 8:09 AM]
Here goes David with his mindboggling simple thinking. Remind me, David, WERE DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL? [August 4, 2018 11:17 AM]
Unique or special? David, please let me assure you, I can read and understand better than you ever will be able to, that is the probem. You just do not understand the real world. You live in your little box. [August 3, 2018 1:35 PM]
David’s problem is not ARROGANCE, but IGNORANCE. He has nothing to be arrogant about and he is too deferential. [August 3, 2018 3:17 PM]
I can understand any sane and reasonable individual would express some level of anger at Hal Austin based on his behaviour, but to be “envious” of and having a “perception of being looked down upon” by him, is ludicrous and further confirms the man is also a narcissist.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Hal Austin October 29, 2018 6:55 PM: They are the sort of people who TALK ABOUT SPELLING MISTAKES in a work on moral philosophy.”
Ironically, Austin posted the following contribution to BU a year prior:
Hal Austin October 29, 2017: I am not being boring, but the Scots SPELL their product as whisky, not whiskey. No other country can spell their whisky similarly. It is what we should do with Barbadian (Bajan) rum.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
I rest my case.
And this man accuses people of appallaing ignorance.
“Again, which Russell Group university have I ‘bragged’ about? I| asked a simple question.”
You have to ask Enuff that question.
Artax,
Of course you have the right to defend yourself. I do it all the time. Don’t worry about being unpopular! I sure as hell don’t! You provide us with the facts and figures we need and great analysis of same. Hope to see more of you.
P.S. I have been inspired by PLT’s impressive coolness to take hold of my temper and I suggest that you do the same. It is actually more fun to watch them over heat from my position in the cool cool shade.
Piece
Good point Piece,Good Point.
@Donna,
Don’t be conned. Selecting snippets of full arguments is disingenuous. Their is nothing yo defend, only damaged pride. To get the full context publish the full stream.
As to spelling mistakes, it is absolutely silly. By law (the Scottish Whisky Act) only Scottish whisky can be spelt as WHISKY. That is why the Japanese, Indians and American call their drink whiskey. The Scots defend their brand vigorously within the WTO and EU.
Hal
You – Artax got me here feeling real sorry for he man.
Imagine someone saving up bloggers’ contribution to later bring it back and pick it apart .Nothing he has said refutes the earlier argument.Anyway I dun wid that.
Artax
Look I realise that yuh got yuh own issues – so I will ignore you for the time being.
As enuff would say : #restmuh (loll)
you carry on buddy.Wow !
Strange I ain’t see him bringing back all the posts where he curse Mariposa – black is white,and disparage dishonest bajan – and tried the same thing with me.
The man can give but he can’t take.
Let step-daddy come and help yuh now.Steupes.
You have a good evening.
Donna
Clearly these people are hypocrites and their reactions to facts I presented for everyone’s perusal, by insinuating I have “issues” and “problems” do not bother me. They accused me of lying, but when in an effort to defend myself, I present evidence (their contributions) to substantiate my claims or accusations…… they further accuse me of “having issues” or “being disingenuous.”
They come to this forum with a lot of shiite arguments and when challenged, they “shift the goal post,” misrepresent the facts and then resort to the gutter to attack people. When you retaliate, they “cry foul.”
As it relates to Mariposa…… everyone knows that we have our usual tussles and “friendly banter,” but no one can point to any occasion when “I cussed her black is white,” or she did the similar to me. We trade insults, accept them gracefully…… and move on.
Additionally, WARU and I may also have our differences of opinion, we insult each other and move on. However, when I make what in her opinion is a good contribution, she acknowledges it and I reciprocate. Mariposa and WARU possess enough self-confidence to continue expressing their views in this forum, irrespective of the insults or whoever disagrees with them.
I’m sure you also realize almost all contributors have had confrontations with each other from time to time. Georgie Porgie and de pedantic Dribbler; Bush Tea and Georgie Porgie; de pedantic Dribbler and Artax; Donna and Lawson……. and the list goes on. At the end of the day, we all respect each other’s opinions and move on.
And then there are other contributors who seem to believe they are above criticism and being challenged, not realizing that their condescending, snobbish reactions to their critics is also a sign of COWARDICE.
But there are also the “lap dogs.” The ones looking for anyone who is singing in their choir…..they identify a “common enemy” and tag team to attack. They often come after to PARROT the “mouthing” of their masters.
Donna, you can easily guess who I’m referring to.
Donna
His lordship clearly misses the issue……. but that’s the norm for him….. he usually “shifts the goal post” to hide his appalling ignorance.
I’ll break it down. On October 29, 2017, his lordship wrote the following:
(1). October 29, 2017: I am not being boring, but the Scots SPELL their product as whisky, not whiskey. No other country can spell their whisky similarly. It is what we should do with Barbadian (Bajan) rum.
Ironically, on October 29, 2018, in a snide reference to me, his lordship wrote the following:
(2). “October 29, 2018 6:55 PM: They are the sort of people who TALK ABOUT SPELLING MISTAKES in a work on moral philosophy.”
If you examine the two statements, you will realise in #1 he alluded to the spelling of “whiskey/whisky,” because you dun know how he like to impress upon BU he knows everything……the resident pantomath.
However, in #2 he is clearly being critical of people (me) “talking about spelling mistakes” (re bollards and boulders).
Anyone can clearly identify that the COMPARISON of the TWO STATEMENTS does not have anything to do with the “waffle” about “Japanese, Indians and American call their drink whiskey” or “The Scots defend their brand vigorously within the WTO and EU,”……….
………. which are “ALL TOTALLY IRRELEVANT TO THE SUBSTANTIVE ARGUMENT.”
Perhaps it’s his lordship’s PRIDE that’s DAMAGED….. to have his short-comings effortlessly highlighted by an appallingly ignorant bookkeeper.