In the last thirty six hours the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) had reason to retract a declaration of some candidates to contest the next general election. With the election constitutionally due by 2023 political pundits have suggested the DLP should have completed the task by now. We understand President Verla De Peiza’s explanation that the selection of candidates is involved and requires time to ensure a task is well done. That said, a learning entity will transform as required to ensure adaptability in the space in which it has to successfully operate. The sloth and deliberate way the DLP continues to operate mirrors former prime minister Fruendel Stuart as leader and continues to haunt the DLP.
The importance of a strident dissenting voice in the type of democracy practiced by Barbados has been robustly discussed on BU’s pages. Whether some like it or not the DLP despite the shellacking in the 2018 general election is still perceived as the legitimate political opposition. Although Senator Caswell Franklyn has done his darnest to fill the role, the political party he represents does not have the legitimacy to be perceived as a legit political contender. in fact savvy political pundits accept that the creation of the People’s Development Party was contrived to avoid a constitutional crisis. History is expectant with revelations.
The challenge for the DLP will be making an impact during a pandemic where candidates making themselves known through traditional methods have to be curtailed. Accept that the effect of COVID 19 will be with us best case for the balance of the year. More importantly is the opportunity for new candidates to get comfortable in the role. It is not good enough Barbadians continue to elect governments by ‘default’. We need our governments in waiting to be forced to advocate alternative and relevant programs designed to catapult the country’s economic and social development.
The list of candidates hurriedly withdrawn by the DLP revealed an unhealthy sighting of old candidates. Some of the old names triggered a flood of bad memories in the mind of the blogmaster who understands it is more about winning for political parties, not trying to satisfy political utopianists.
It boggles the mind that a government after being given an overwhelming mandate in 2018 whose first task was to administer a ‘’haircut’ to domestic and foreign bond holders – followed by a few missteps managing the pandemic has not created the opportunity for opposition politics to thrive. Instead we have witnessed one of the most lackluster performances by the political opposition as far as the blogmaster is concerned since 2018. The BLP and specifically Prime Minister Mottley continues to suck the energy from the Barbados political landscape. So much so that if a general election were to be called tomorrow a solid prediction would be another BLP victory albeit with a reduced majority.
It is important Barbadians elevate our level of awareness about civics matters to appreciate the importance of pressuring political parties to transform. Delivering public service must be accepted as serious business, a sacred honour. So far the DLP as the only game in town has done nothing post 2018 to justify the label of government in waiting.
The following is an extract from what is being circulated:
The nominated are as follows:
St. Lucy Verla De Peiza
St. Andrew Oldwin Skeete
St. Joseph Randall Rouse
St. John Andre Worrell
St. Thomas Khadija Collymore
SJN Charles Worrell
SPN Michael Lashley
SPW Dr David Estwick
SPS Neil Marshall
CCE Dr Denis Lowe
SMNW Ryan Walters
SMWC Curtis Cave
SMN B. Ricardo Harrison
quarantining in the usa is a joke when it come to overseas arrivals
Mari
it good that you and ur buddy calling for a monthly report now that most of the govenrment entities seems to to be self sufficient.
But not a peep out of you when the money was being steal out through the QEH, TB, BWA, and SSA
@ angela cox February 22, 2021 11:41 AM
How come you are not keen on finding out what has been done to date by the current administration regarding the recommendations contained in the same Auditor General’s report for 2018 into the suspected fraudulent financial affairs of BWA under your much beloved and dearest DLP administration?
When are you going to get it through your thick cocky skull- bedecked and bedazzled with a plumage of yellow and blue feathers- that there is no difference except the degree of financial expropriation aka corruption between your leghorn breed of Tweedle Dems and that of the good layers of yard-fowls like Enuff and Lorenzo Tweedle Bees?
Hal Austin February 22, 2021 12:08 PM #: “You are right about the Auditor General’s annual reports. Over the years we have discussed on BU the disregard with which they are treated by parliament.”
Angela Cox specifically ASKED:
“angela cox February 22, 2021 11:41 AM #: “Ammm when was the last time one heard a peep out of that office?”
To which you responded with:
Hal Austin February 22, 2021 12:08 PM #: “You are right about the Auditor General’s annual reports.”
You’re always in this forum ‘saying’ BU contributors DO NOT know the DIFFERENCE between a QUESTION and a STATEMENT.
YET, you RESPONDED to Angela Cox’s QUESTION as though it was a STATEMENT.
Therefore, I’m forced to ask, what is the CORRELATION between her QUESTION and your response that makes her “RIGHT about the Auditor General’s annual reports,”………………
…………..especially when she DID NOT MAKE any DEFINITIVE REFERENCES to them?
BHUTAN’s SUCCESSFULLY FIGHTING COVID
“ Bhutan then went further. At the end of March, health officials extended the mandatory quarantine from 14 to 21 days—a full week longer than what the WHO was (and still is) recommending. The rationale: A 14-day quarantine leaves about an 11 percent chance that, after being released, a person could still be incubating the infection and eventually become contagious”
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2021/02/coronavirus-pandemic-bhutan/617976/
John
Instead of being a blp yard dog barking into thin air
Dont u think that implementing a due diligence process monthly would be a faster and better way to track how tax payers monies are spent along with tackling financial deficiencies in govt some caused by theft
@John2
Quarantining is a joke if it is not enforced.
Currently, the protocols for mandatory quarantine for arrivals in the USA is 14 days, in the UK 10 days, and in Canada 14 days. Barbados still chooses the utterly inadequate 5 day protocol. Our protocol until the second week of January was 5 days after the pre flight PCR test, which was up to 3 days before travel. So tourists left quarantine in as little as 2 days after arrival. So now you understand why the surge in COVID-19 in Barbados. No public health expert in the world recommended such fatal irresponsibility.
mari
i said it is good that you are calling for it.
Where did you get the impression that i am against it?
It an honor to be a blp yard dog any day the being a DLP jackass.
@Bajeabroad February 22, 2021 1:54 PM
“… A 14-day quarantine leaves about an 11 percent chance that, after being released, a person could still be incubating the infection and eventually become contagious”
++++++++++++++
So you see that the 2 day quarantine imposed up until early January by our government gave about a 90% chance that, after being released, a person could still be incubating the infection and eventually become contagious. Since tourists then expected to spend only 2 or 3 days out of their 2 week vacation in quarantine, we all of a sudden had tens of thousands of them descend upon us from places where the pandemic was raging out of control.
A blind man in a dark room with a blindfold on could have seen what was inevitably going to happen.
angela cox February 22, 2021 12:08 PM #: “Also brings back to memory when OSA put her on blast when she asked him to be part of the “eminent group”.”
I cannot remember Mottley ASKING Arthur “to be part of (any) eminent group.”
What I recall was, in January 2015, then Opposition Leader Mottley SUGGESTED to former PM Stuart that he should “set aside partisanship and revisit the recommendation of an Eminent Persons Group (EPG) to “rescue” Barbados and restore hope.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
angela cox February 22, 2021 1:37 PM #:
RE: “At the end of every month each ministry should have a financial report tabled and handed to the PM detailing money spent and available balance.”
Yes, I agree. Monthly financial statements are prepared by government departments and sent to the parent ministries. Unfortunately, it’s task not undertaken by all departments, especially SOEs.
RE: “These details monthly via Press conference should be told to the people.”
I believe you’ve now gone into the ‘realm of absurdity.”
PTL
I repeat quarantining for arrivals in the usa is a bare joke.
That may be a recommendation but implementation?
Where are the quarantine centers for these millions of people coming in each week?
They suggest you home quarantine for the 14 day and thats it.
john2February 22, 2021 1:45 PM
Mari
it good that you and ur buddy calling for a monthly report now that most of the govenrment entities seems to to be self
sufficient.
But not a peep out of you when the money was being steal out through the QEH, TB, BWA, and SSA
Is that comment ” supposed ” to be “agreeing with me
Well i “ll be damm
Don’t be so harsh on John2.
As I mentioned previously, ALL government departments prepare monthly financial statements, which are sent to the parent ministries.
@john2 February 22, 2021 2:16 PM
“I repeat quarantining for arrivals in the usa is a bare joke.”
+++++++++++++++++
and the pandemic has killed half a million people there, which is not funny at all.
The fact remains that the Barbados government’s quarantine protocols in October, November, and December are directly responsible for the economic damage that this lockdown is causing, as well as for all but 7 of the deaths from COVID in Barbados.
********** Correction to my February 22, 2021 2:23 PM contribution.
ALL government departments are supposed to prepare monthly financial statements and send them on to the parent ministries, by a particular date in the following month. Unfortunately, it is a task not undertaken by all departments, especially SOEs.
ArtaxFebruary 22, 2021 2:28 PM
********** Correction to my February 22, 2021 2:23 PM contribution.
ALL government departments are supposed to prepare monthly financial statements and send them on to the parent ministries, by a particular date in the following month. Unfortunately, it is a task not undertaken by all departments, especially SOEs
That being the case(however) should nt these failures be a cause where the PM diligence should be of a high priority in finding out Why which then underscore her recent utterances comment of “bjg works going through her”
Re Work Permit
KPMG announced a new Managing Partner and Head of Tax for Barbados and the EC some weeks back. He is a Canadian, and I was ‘told’ the former position holder at KPMG, had departed for PWC. Unsure if the PWC application is related.
The tax break for incoming workers was intended to attract those with skills that would build the country.
Many of these jobs advertised are far frim unique or need skills that many here do not have.
The government should either pull the 35% tax break, or ensure that the concession is properly vetted.
Otherwise, the taxpayers are basically funding these companies to employ people.
These employees use the same resources that we all do.
Tax breaks should only apply to specialist work, such as software development, that bring development to the island, that others here cannot do.
That said, that is the industry that has the most solid career prospects, for youngsters who are interested in that work.
Mari
I neither agreed or disagreed with you
I said it was good u call for it now
Then I point out ur hypocrisy for not calling for it when the party u bray on the behalf of was in power
Should read, many of these jobs advertised are far from unique nor do they require specialist skills, other than what people here already do.
Ptl
I was under the impression that the 5 days quarantine was for 5 days after u enter the island with a negative test
RE peterlawrencethompsonFebruary 22, 2021 2:23 PM
@john2 February 22, 2021 2:16 PM
“I repeat quarantining for arrivals in the usa is a bare joke.”
+++++++++++++++++
and the pandemic has killed half a million people there, which is not funny at all.
The fact remains that the Barbados government’s quarantine protocols in October, November, and December are directly responsible for the economic damage that this lockdown is causing, as well as for all but 7 of the deaths from COVID in Barbados.
PLT WHAT YOU HAVE SAID ABOVE IS TRUE AND CANNOT BE REFUTED BECAUSE THE EVIDENCE IS CLEAR TO SEE
WHILE THEY WERE WAITING FOR A VACCINE WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE CURE ALL, THEY OUGHT TO HAVE ADVANCED THE USE OF AVAILABLE DRUGS AND DRUG REGIMENS WHICH HAD BEEN OBSERVED TO BE EFFICACIOUS IN SEVERAL PARTS OF THE WORLD
WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN DOING THE SAME
THE HISTORY OF MEDICINE DEMONSTRATES THAT THIS IS THE WAY THAT MEDICE HAS BEEN PRACTICED AND DEVELOPED.
EVEN IN OUR LITTLE NATION MEN LIKE RAMSAY BYER VAUGHAN WELLS ETC IN THE PAST, ADOPTED THEIR OWN METHODS (WHICH WERE VERY EFFECTIVE) AND DID NOT LOOK TO FOLLOW UNPROVEN PROTOCOLS BY WHO OR A JOKER LIKE DR FALSY
@ PMT
The fact remains that the Barbados government’s quarantine protocols in October, November, and December are directly responsible for the economic damage that this lockdown is causing……(Quote)
What is the economic damage?
@ Hal Austin February 22, 2021 3:17 PM
“What is the economic damage?”
+++++++++++++++++
The figure that PM Mottley referred to was $77 million for the February 3 to 17 period, and a bit over $70 million for February 18 to 28.
@John2 February 22, 2021 3:14 PM
“I was under the impression that the 5 days quarantine was for 5 days after u enter the island with a negative test”
+++++++++++++++
You were mistaken. I think the government went out of their way to mislead Bajans by quoting the 5 day figure without making it clear that they were counting the 5 days from 3 days before people arrived in Barbados.
Hal Austin, do you have the medical records to prove otherwise? Was Mia the only one who went on the cruise ship?
PLT,
If you read my earlier posts to blogs many months ago you would see that I too recognised the risk in the short quarantine periods and assumed that an outbreak would occur periodically. But what I did not expect was for Barbadians to relax to such an extent that the thing would not be contained.
In short, the protocols had two sides to them – those meant for the infection giving visitor and those meant for the potential infection receiving local.
We did hear of quarantine hotels insisting that workers expose themselves to infection. I would have walked off the job and made a report to the authorities rather than expose myself.
Then we heard of bus crawls and shenanigans on the west coast. We cannot pretend that there was no culpability by locals. These activities and more allowed the horse not only to bolt but to run several laps around Barbados.
So… the government took a calculated risk trying to make some money. The government also asked locals to play their part in keeping their guard up.
I did not go on a bus crawl. I did not go bar hopping. I did not socialise in crowds. I did not go to church. I did not visit anyone. I did not allow anyone to visit. Neither did my son.
After we were COVID free for a few months my son initially met with a few friends outdoors in the park, keeping distance and everybody masked up. He went to a couple of outdoor house parties with just a few people. He danced alone. He spent four days in a B & B with three close friends who had always followed protocols. I particularly told him to get out a bit because the time would come when he would be housebound for another few months. So… I took a calculated risk in consideration of his mental health. But we minimised the risk by acting sensibly with people who did the same. We do not associate with idiots.
He has gone nowhere but to his father’s with his brothers (who also follow protocols) since the first day of this current outbreak.
I limit myself to business only, wearing my mask and shield, keeping my distance and sanitizing.
An outbreak was inevitable. It did not have to get out of hand. It did not even get out of hand at workplaces except for the prison where close contact is unavoidable. It got out of hand with drunken partying. Unnecessary bullshit!
@PLT
You have not said what was the DAMAGE nor, if my memory is right, did she say which part of the economy was DAMAGED by CoVid and how.
We all agree that tourism – short-stay, cruise ships and family visits – has been hurt, even damaged, but I would argue that tourism/hospitality is not the economy.
Let me posit a proposal by the Italian theorist Giorgio Agamben, that we should consider sacrificing the elderly (and presumably seriously ill) to CoVid.
In this way we will achieve herd immunity, make the necessary sacrifice to the Gods, and reduce the economically inactive.
May I also suggest that the entire global economy has been impacted by CoVid so no real and unique damage has been done to the Barbados economy by the virus.
If there is any damage, it is economic incompetence.
@Donna February 22, 2021 4:11 PM
“So… the government took a calculated risk trying to make some money.”
++++++++++++++++++
No! the government did not calculate at all. The did what the people who finance their campaigns wanted them to do and deliberately ignored every responsible and expert counsel that was clearly and articulately presented to them. There is no excuse. Their irresponsibility cost Bajan their lives.
Let’s talk about the money. The only people who made money were the Sandals and Hiltons of the island who made a few paltry millions that they undoubtedly did not even bring to Barbados. The government’s stupidity and irresponsibility has cost Barbados hundreds of millions: almost $150 million as the economic cost of the lockdown, dozens of millions in short term harm to the Welcome Stamp program, and millions more in damage to the Barbados brand.
It was all entirely avoidable. The refusal to tell the truth and the blame shifting to poor Black people only makes their awful behaviour that much worse.
@PLT
You are making a good argument about the mismanagement of the pandemic, then you are drifting off in to talk about economic loss.
Separate them out. If you include economic loss, then the president was right to take that in to consideration. If the argument is about lives, ignore livelihoods.
If you want to balance the two, then there must be a trade off – lives for livelihoods. Given her own ideological internal logic, the president made the right judgement call.
The pandemic has badly damaged her positioning for 2023. She must regain that ground, unless she can sabotage the opposition parties putting her in a position to win by default..
Hal Austin February 22, 2021 4:20 PM
“You have not said what was the DAMAGE…”
+++++++++++++++
The lockdown damage that the PM referred to is the lost productivity I assume. She did not reveal what methodology the Finance Department used to calculate the figures.
A $9 billion economy completely shut down for 25 days would suffer about $616 million in damage, so the department must be calculating that the current lockdown makes the economy run at about 76% capacity.
@Hal
I acknowledge that the government has to take economic loss into account as well as health impacts. I am simply pointing out that they chose the worst of both worlds… it was clear since October that their decisions would be both a threat to public health as well as cause harm to the economy.
@PLT
You are speculating, making it up as you go along. If the president made a statement about economic DAMAGE she must give details.
There is party propaganda and there is objective reality. You are making assumptions about the impact of the virus across the entire economy.
I will like to see how this so-called DAMAGE has affected VAT, corporation tax, etc across services, manufacturing, hospitality/leisure.
Government has borrowed nearly Bds$1bn from the Bretton Woods groups; now Dr Greenidge, presumably with the approval of the president, is telling us that Barbados is now borrowing at the rate of one per cent – this for a government that two and a half years ago defaulted on its foreign and domestic debt.
The president also told us that we have Bds$2.6bn of foreign reserves; so, why borrow $1bn? I am not a mathematician, but something is not adding up.
Who is lending them this money at near negative rates? Further, if they can get cheap money, they should be getting ready to turn Barbados in to a massive building site, with infrastructural developments all over the country and clear all our debt..
Keynes must be turning in his grave at this lost opportunity. By the way, what ever happened to the confiscation of civil servants pay in order to subsidise the government? What a BOSS idea?
PTL
As long as you are asymptotic there is nothing named quarantine or isolation here like in Barbados . You do this things at home
Where would USA put the millions that are infected plus those that were exposed?
Will touch on the 5 day when I get the chance
peterlawrencethompsonFebruary 22, 2021 4:26 PM
@Donna February 22, 2021 4:11 PM
“So… the government took a calculated risk trying to make some money.”
++++++++++++++++++
No! the government did not calculate at all. The did what the people who finance their campaigns wanted them to do and deliberately ignored every responsible and expert counsel that was clearly and articulately presented to them. There is no excuse. Their irresponsibility cost Bajan their lives.
Let’s talk about the money. The only people who made money were the Sandals and Hiltons of the island who made a few paltry millions that they undoubtedly did not even bring to Barbados. The government’s stupidity and irresponsibility has cost Barbados hundreds of millions: almost $150 million as the economic cost of the lockdown, dozens of millions in short term harm to the Welcome Stamp program, and millions more in damage to the Barbados brand.
It was all entirely avoidable. The refusal to tell the truth and the blame shifting to poor Black people only makes their awful behaviour that much worse
Xxcccccccc
Policies made up of
A penny wise and pound foolish
PLT,
The motives you attribute to them are your opinion. I do agree though that the decision has backfired. They are probably spending more than they earned..
But… are we saying that this type of tourism earns us nothing???? Not as much as it should but certainly not nothing.
As for blaming poor people, I thought the rich ones were represented on the west coast. I think there is enough blame to be shared all around.
I shall leave it there because the people will ultimately decide for themselves at the polls and so my opinion matters only in one case – mine.
What really matters to me as that we reduce our dependency on tourism. Tourism is fine when one is not desperate for it. Desperation leads to servility.. When tourism is all a country has that country has to bend over and allow itself to be shafted.
Correction- what really matters to me IS.
@ GP February 22, 2021 3:15 PM
“THE HISTORY OF MEDICINE DEMONSTRATES THAT THIS IS THE WAY THAT MEDICE HAS BEEN PRACTICED AND DEVELOPED.
EVEN IN OUR LITTLE NATION MEN LIKE RAMSAY BYER VAUGHAN WELLS ETC IN THE PAST, ADOPTED THEIR OWN METHODS (WHICH WERE VERY EFFECTIVE) AND DID NOT LOOK TO FOLLOW UNPROVEN PROTOCOLS BY WHO OR A JOKER LIKE DR FALSY..”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What the France do you know about the HISTORY OF MEDICINE?
Do you think medicine started when the UWI produced a quack like you?
You cannot even explain the meaning of the ‘Caduceus’, the symbol representing the same field or profession called medicine, far less appreciate the role played by the father of medicine?
Do you know who was Imhotep or Asclepius or even Hippocrates to whom you had to pledge professional allegiance as if it was to your god Yahweh holding the bronze serpent?
Why don’t you just restrict your knowledge about medicine to what your god Yahweh instructed you to do through the mythical Moses as copiously plagiarized in the bush doctor Obeah books of Leviticus and Numbers?
Msriposa/ Angela Cox you still braying about Ms Mottley.Ms Mottley followed the advise of medical professionals of which you or the political nightwatchman are none.Most right thinkimg bajans believe they have done a good job thus far , especially the hardworking frontline workersAs usual a big thank you to them and keep up the good work.Do not let naysayers like Mariposa and Austin deter you as they do not have a clue what they are talking about especially Austin in the UK awashed with covid deaths and infections.Let him advise the english on his so called great ideas.Mariposa is just a Dem jackass parroting her lost pitical leader who cannot even win a seat far less a government.To Ms Mottley and her team keep fighting on and i know we will overcome this.
PTL
I fund it hard to believe the doctors that I see on tv and who I think are the ones who are advising the government on the protocols would sit and let the 5 days to be from the five day after the first test in a foreign country
So in short. If what you said about the 2-3 days is true then someone need to resign or be fired and I don’t mean only the cmo but also the minister. I don’t care what a wonderful job they did before
It is
if you were exposed u go into quarantine
If after 5 days you u get a negative u were ok
They had stop the 14 days requirement up here from since about July 2020
If u didn’t do a test then u quarantine for 10 days
angela cox February 22, 2021 2:44 PM #: “That being the case(however) should nt these failures be a cause where the PM diligence should be of a high priority in finding out Why which then underscore her recent utterances comment of “bjg works going through her.”
No, I disagree.
In the Westminster model of government, the Permanent Secretary is the administrative head of a department or ministry.
The responsibility lies with the Permanent Secretaries……. not politicians.
Stupes! There are plenty places for the young and ambitious in Barbados. There are probably not enough of them to go around, it is true but there are many. I know many young people who are doing well and enjoying life. Those who cannot find a position would do well to leave. Those who have found one are often happy to stay.
Why can’t you people understand that not everybody feels like you do????
Steupse man! You guys really make me sick!
@John2 February 22, 2021 7:01 PM
“If what you said about the 2-3 days is true then someone need to resign or be fired and I don’t mean only the cmo but also the minister.”
+++++++++++++++++++
It is an undeniable fact. You can check with the official guidelines for October 2020 at
https://www.visitbarbados.org/sysimages/fileupload/source/00%20ATTRACTIONS/Travel%20protocols%20-%202020/btmi%20travel%20protocols%20final.pdf
which say in part in paragraph 4 on page 2:
“You will have your second test between 4-5 days after your first test taken in your home country.
In just 24 hours, your test result will be back and once negative, it’s vacation time! You will no longer be restricted to your property and your Barbados adventure awaits you. This pandemic will not keep you from our beautiful beaches, restaurants and attractions, so get ready to enjoy yourself. We are happy
to have you with us!”
ArtaxFebruary 22, 2021 7:12 PM
angela cox February 22, 2021 2:44 PM #: “That being the case(however) should nt these failures be a cause where the PM diligence should be of a high priority in finding out Why which then underscore her recent utterances comment of “bjg works going through her.”
No, I disagree.
In the Westminster model of government, the Permanent Secretary is the administrative head of a department or ministry.
The responsibility lies with the Permanent Secretaries……. not politicians.
And the Permanent Secretary is answerable to Who!
70 million, plus 77 million, equals 147 million, divided by 287,025 Bajans equals a lost of $512.15 per Bajan,
But s it really lost?
I saved mine and I am anxious to get out there and move my $512.12 from my bank account into the bank account of various Bajan merchants since they are suffering so vwry badly, and I am suffering not at all.
I feel that it is my Christian duty to help them out.
My best friend’s daughter came home from studying in the US with a negative test.. She was placed in quarantine for three days here. She self-quarantined for a further nine days at home.. When she returned to the US she had not yet received her test results from Barbados. She was not put in any quarantine facility. She was tested and self-quarantined on campus. Sensible girl who masks up, distances and sanitises.
My niece has been studying in the US for weeks. Another sensible and careful girl.
And here’s a question for all BU contributors! Who else besides GP has caught COVID?
Anybody?
RE And here’s a question for all BU contributors! Who else besides GP has caught COVID?
Anybody?
I WENT TO THE DOCTOR IN JUNE FOR MY MANDATORY SIX MONTH VISIT
I HAD BEEN LOCKED DOWN AT MY HOME FOR SEVERAL MONTHS SINCE FEBRUARY AND ONLY LEFT HOME FOR THAT VISIT FOR THE FIRST TIME. I HAD NOT EVEN GONE TO CHURCH FOR OUR ASSEMBLY WAS CLOSED, AND OUR MEETINGS WERE HELD ON ZOOM
I DID NOT KNOW THAT MANY OF THE DRS AND STAFF WHO WORKED THERE HAD ACTUALLY CONTRACTED COVID.
WE ONLY LEARNED THAT THIS WAS SO AT THE NEXT SIX MANDATORY MONTH VISIT IN DECEMBER, WHICH THE FOURTH TIME I LEFT HOME FOR THE YEAR SINCE FEBRUARY.
HAVING BEEN THUS EXPOSED ALLOWS ME TO DISPEL MANY MYTHS THAT PREVAIL
AND I CAN THUS SPEAK WITH AUTHORITY BECAUSE OF ALL THE HOOPS THAT WE HAD TO GO THROUGH TO EVEN ENTER THE MEDICAL FACILITY AND THE FURTHER HOOPS TO PROCEED THROUGH THE USUAL STEPS TO SEE THE DR
I NEVER LEFT HOME AGAIN UNTIL OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER WHEN I HAD TO TEACH AFTER HAVING SYMPTOMS IN LATE AUGUST WHICH I TREATED MYSELF
MY DEAR WIFE WHO HAD MADE TRIPS TO PHARMACY AND WHO HAD BEEN RECIEVING THE GROCERIES ORDERED NEVER GOT ANY SYMPTOMS AT ALL
NOW WHAT IS THE POINT OF THAT STUPID QUESTION
IF I DID NOT ATTEND A MANDATORY DR’S VISIT ALL DRESSED UP LIKE ZORRO OR THE LONE RANGER I COULD NOT BE EXPOSED.
SO LOCK DOWN DID NOT HELP
MASKING UP DID NOT HELP
HAND WASHING AND
SOCIAL DISTANCING DID NOT HELP
NOTHING REALLY HELPED ME BUT THE FACT THAT I HAD BEEN USING HEAVY METAL CATIONS , VITAMIN D AND THE HETEROCYCLIC QUININE AS A PROPHYLACTIC
MY MEDICAL EXPERTISE ALONG WITH PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS CHURCH MEMBERS ON THE SATURDAY MORNING THAT THE VIRUS SOUGHT TO BREAK THROUGH SAW ME THROUGH SO THAT I WAS WELL ENOUGH TO PARTICIPATE ORALLY ON ZOOM THE NEXT MORNING WITHIN 24 HOURS
GOD IS GOOD MANY DRS AND NURSES HAVE DIED FROM THE VIRUS IN THE USA AND OTHR PARTS OF THE WORLD
I AM HAPPY THAT I DONT PRACTICE ANY LONGER
@Angela
You got it right about permanent secretaries. They are the administrative heads of ministries, but the minister is in charge, s/he is answerable to parliament. That is the Westminster/Whitehall model. It is called that for a reason.
Years ago we used to do a subject called the British Constitution, about the way wee were governed. I am not sure if the CXC has continued it.
The president, in a corruption of the system, recently had heads of department answering questions in parliament. That was wrong, but she could get away with it in Barbados. Talk about passing the blame.
@ Lorenzo
We are on the same side. I believe Ms Mottley is the Goddess. She is always right. I do not have great ideas, I am not an intellectual, in fact I did not even go to school, but I love your ideas.
Count me in. God bless Ms Mottley.
Hal Austin February 23, 2021 5:02 AM #: “@Angela – You got it right about permanent secretaries.”
There you go AGAIN. RESPONDING to a QUESTION as though a STATEMENT was made.
Please ‘tell’ BU what has Angela Cox “got it RIGHT about permanent secretaries” by ASKING, “And the Permanent Secretary is answerable to Who?”……..
…………………when she DID NOT MAKE any DEFINITIVE REFERENCE to the ROLE of a permanent secretary?
Well executed PLT. I’ve been involved in monitoring and modeling CV 19 since Dec 2019 and refused to really get into to the BU Covid-19 discussion because it is 99% fantasy.
The sad part is that many here sincerely believe their own rhetoric and the official government propaganda . I mentioned that the low number of cases initially were extremely fortuitous and that the govt will have to live with the extreme risks that they embraced.
The government, read Mia Mottley, is directly responsible for the deaths of dozens of Bajans (and counting). We must remember that the official CV19 death count always understates the true tally. The additional economic carnage is another thing altogether.
The narrow debate we have been having in Barbados about CoVid crowds out any other issues raised by the pandemic as it relates to social policy.
So far, all we talk about is the efficacy of the vaccines, who should take them and the competence of the way we have managed the crisis so far.
We have crowded out any related issues, such as its impact on economic and social policy and, crucially, what is government’s intentions.
We know there is a corporatist agenda, driven not by the government, but by the Social Partnership, the BPSA, the chamber of commerce and the BHTA and others. Government is dancing to the corporate tune.
We still do not know how government is measuring its performance, what are the metrics. Is it aiming for zero infection, the spread of the contagion, the number who enter ICUs, the number of deaths or those who enter and leave Harrison’s Point.
The message is also confusing. Is Dr George still a member of the task force communication team? How about that army of doctors all with different specialism? What is Liz Thompson’s role? Does it differ from that of Dr Walcott? What is Mr Bostic’s role?
Even the staged press briefings are farcical, usually dominated from that big guy from the Nation (by the way, is he the guy who once worked at Barbados Today?).
For a government with strategists and PR experts on its team, including Mr Jong, the Chinese man, the whole thing is a failure.
I suggest moving the location from Ilaro to the ministry of health; make Mr Bostic the chair, drop Liz Thompson, bring in the commissioner of police, bring back a properly dressed Dr George (with Dr Best as a back-up), and manage the press by calling on individual speakers and not allowing any single one to intervene when he or she likes.
Keep meeting short and informative, and cut out the politics. Remember, the role of the PR team is to anticipate the questions from the press and prepare the task force with answers.
If scientific answers are needed, bring in an expert from the US or UK by Zoom; don’t continue to allow general practitioners to talk about medical science.
Austin expected the childish response from you.You are a knowall jackass.you are in the right company of the dem jackass Mariposa/ Ac/ Angela Cox or whatever name she uses.This is not surprising coming from a man who once vlaimed had Mr Thompson lived he would have beco.e a GREAT PM.When challenged could find nothing Thompson did or said as PM or MPto support such a ludicrous statement except that he had a conversation with him wtf.Then berates our leader with some childish talk about hand waving and such nonsense.Thwn trying to imply a political newbie like Ms Bradshaw is a better communicator than Ms Mottley total madness.Austin if i had to choose between listening to Ms Mottley and the improperly dress according to you Dr George and Mariposa and you guess who i will choose everytime?Tell us which medical school you attended?The only medical expert i know on this blog is GP and for a while Dr Lucas.
@ Lorenzo
I have changed my mind on all those issues. I am now in full agreement with you. Plse forgive me for my past sins. Am I forgiven?
Is there an agenda or do we have positions from stakeholders in civil society promoting their narrow interest. It is not unusual in a type of democracy we practice the voice of the money class is the great influencer. These are the warts of our system until we discover utopia.
Asked a question
The permanent secretaries are answerable to Who
Awaiting the answer
PTL @ Donna
i am receiving some info about the “rapid test” being done at the airport for arrivals with a negative test from their country of departure. It seem like originally it was supposed to be a 5 day quarantine time after arrival in barbados but with the introduction of the rapid test between the two pcr tests reduced the quarantine time in barbados.
I have to info on when the changes were made and i cannot verify as yet. Maybe one of you or some else here can.
I can vaguely remember some mention of it but not enuff right now.
The good docs will be able to explain how the rapid test would bridge the gap between the two negative test before release.
See the following link re rapid test.
http://www.loopnewsbarbados.com/content/guidelines-conducting-rapid-antigen-testing
My trini coworker husband got sick and he was tested positive for covid. she treated him with some good old bush tea and he recovered.
so i am now bushing bush tea as a cure for covid. dont mind what the mad doctors say.
you dont have to be a DOC to know how to treat yourself if you only have mild symptoms and you sure dont need no trump hydo drug.
Beside that , i would advice u to seek help ASAP if you have any symptoms and suspect it covid.
Will endorse, as soon as symptoms show present to health caregivers.
@John2
yours@9.45am
More people survive the virus than die from it but the question: Is the death rate acceptable? The survivors will give credit to their treatment program whether it was home based or in a medical facility while the family of those that died will say “X received a strong dose of the virus and their body couldn’t handle it” or it is blamed on a preexisting condition.
Truth is, medical science is still grappling on ways to treat the virus, that’s why so much hope is being expended on vaccines, but I will put my faith in those folks that have spent a lifetime researching human health, treatment of illnesses and development of vaccines than some internet clown.
@Sargeant
A supporting point is the room for the virus to evolve or mutate. Any health policy cannot be a static one.
But David But David
How come u have allowed many here to put their two cents worth of nonsense about COVID remedies and solutions when there are many blogs on BU which are there for the purpose of addressing COVID issues
I clearly remember u calling out others as intruders for taking a subject matter that was not related to a topic or article on BU
ANYHOW…!!!###
David
Thanks for the rapid test info. there is still something and the back of my mind about the use of the rapid test before it being used out in the community now in the seek and search.
maybe not related to the rapid test but i think the protocols were updated/changes after a few arrivals with a negative 1st test had tested positive on the second pcr test – and it was before the out break (i think)
NOTHING REALLY HELPED ME BUT THE FACT THAT I HAD BEEN USING HEAVY METAL CATIONS , VITAMIN D AND THE HETEROCYCLIC QUININE AS A PROPHYLACTIC
MY MEDICAL EXPERTISE ALONG WITH PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS CHURCH MEMBERS ON THE
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx
Sargeant
Because of her medical expertise she obtained from high school and her grand mother teachings she was able to save her husband.
Whaloss she was a real mad doctor fuh true !
Tee hee! The point of the question was to yank your chain. You think you alone should have fun in the rumshop?
Sargeant, I with you. All these “experts” speaking as though they KNOW! Most don’t know their heads from their backsides. I will listen critically to those who have spent their lives studying the subject matter and are practising still and keeping up to date, especially with this particular virus.
Oh…and I especially cannot trust.the ones who are Trump influenced right wing loonies who believe Trump won the election. Who can take such wing nuts seriously? Who can take seriously one who takes Trump seriously?
re Who can take such wing nuts seriously? Who can take seriously one who takes Trump seriously?
THE DEMOCRATS & RINOS AND A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF THE AMERICAN ELETORATE DO, APPARENTLY.
RE All these “experts” speaking as though they KNOW! Most don’t know their heads from their backsides. THAT IS JUST WHAT I HAVE DISCERNED ABOUT DR FALSY.
HE IS A MAGUFFY EXPERT WITH A LONG CV AND MANY PATENTS WHO “speaking as though HE KNOWS. HE IS PAID WELL TO KNOW, BUT HE DOES NOT KNOW. HE IS STILL FLIP FLOPPING AND UNABLE TO GIVE GOOD SCIENTIFIC ADVICE
RE I will listen critically to those who have spent their lives studying the subject matter and are practising still and keeping up to date, especially with this particular virus.
HOW DOES A MEDICAL ILLITERATE KNOW?……….OH I FORGOT, HE GOOGLES A MYRIAD OF CONFLICTING INFORMATION, AND THEN COMES AWAY MORE CONFUSED THAN BEFORE HE STARTED……..BUT PONTIFICATES IN HIS PANIC.
IT IS A SOURCE OF MUCH MIRTH
@john2 February 23, 2021 9:34 AM
“i am receiving some info about the “rapid test” being done at the airport for arrivals with a negative test from their country of departure. It seem like originally it was supposed to be a 5 day quarantine time after arrival in barbados but with the introduction of the rapid test between the two pcr tests reduced the quarantine time in barbados.”
++++++++++++++
Utter Nonsense! Look at the dates.
The BAMP Recommendation was in September after extensive consultation with the government. The protocols posted above are from October 1st.
Barbados did not receive the donation of Antigen rapid test machines from PAHO until the middle of January 2021, long after the surge in COVID cases had established community spread.
Why doesn’t the government just admit that they f@cked up and try to learn from the experience rather than their stupid denial and blame shifting which robs them of any possibility of learning?
@PLT
Thanks. Where are all those who told us how well CoVid was being managed? Here is someone using very colourful language to say it has been a mess from the very beginning. And only one person is to blame.
Mirth in the rum shop indeed! Yuh evah notice that for all the disdain the medical literate has for Dr. Fauci he followed his advice to the letter i.e. limit interaction with individuals outside the home; stay home; wear mask etc. (that last bit he said was at the urging of his wife). He didn’t listen to his hero who wheezily said “Dominate it, wrestle it to the ground” or the other medical expert Dr. Scott Atlas who preached against masks and promoted herd immunity or even DeSantis who threatened every city in Florida if they promoted masks and refused to close restaurants for indoor dining and who was last seen providing vaccines to the wealthy while the black and poor remained on the sidelines.
BTW wuh kind of medical facilities dey got in Florida? Yuh go to a doctor and yuh come down with COVID yuh didn’t find out not till months later that employees of the facility were diagnosed with Covid. Yuh mean not even a phone call? Not even contact tracing? The clinic should know which clients passed through their office on what days and they didn’t have de courtesy to call and say yuh betta get tested because some of the employees are positive.
Imagine if this had happened in Bimshire
No siree Bob, mirth in de rum shop today.
My mirth comes in the knowledge that you were the first to catch COVID, which I knew would be the case.
Thank your Trump-aping governor for that! And then thank Trump from whence all karma comes to Trumpians. Even Mike Pence, Brian Kemp and Jeff Sessions his most loyal ass kissers.
And even the fools who “walked with him” to the Capitol while he went back to the White House!
Murdaaah!
The mirth is all mine!
P.S. You said Trump received advice from Dr. Fauci. But the problem is that he did not take it. Neither did he advise his Trump cult to take it. So you are being as disingenuous as John .Knox always is when you imply that Fauci’s advise was used by Trump and so the blame for the deaths is Fauci’s.
SMH.
Wait! Now I am laughing again!
Murdaaaaaaah!
IT IS WRITTEN VERY CLEARLY IN Proverbs 26:4
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.
PTL
Why doesn’t the government just admit that they f@cked up and try to learn from the experience rather than their stupid denial and blame shifting which robs them of any possibility of learning?
Xxxxxxxxxcccccxccccccccccc
I have no idea why u asked me that question. I have no contact in government.
The info about the rapid test that I got this morning was not obtained from government _ as far as I know
Maybe u should sent that question to ‘liz’
I can not help u one small bit with it
Beside that it was my wires that were crossed up with the rapid test info. That why u ask for one of u to verify it if you could.
U can bet your bottom dollar that I checked the dates on both ur and David’s
Finally The rapid test thing I was trying to remember did happen after the outbreak
I finally remembered that it was on one of Covid updates so it would have to be this yeAr ( although I still don’t remember what it is )
“Thanks. Where are all those who told us how well CoVid was being managed?
Here is one person who thought that prior to the bus crawl and other shenanigans the government was doing an excellent job. I still think it was, but perhaps officials became giddy with success and eased up on applying the protocols.
The GoB will learn from its mistakes. I suspect that by May, Mia will be looking good again.
@Donna February 22, 2021 11:20 PM “And here’s a question for all BU contributors! Who else besides GP has caught COVID? Anybody?”
I haven’t caught Covid yet.
I don’t feel locked down because I keep my windows open 24/7 and my door open much of the time. I garden both at home and at the “plantation” regularly, regularly being more than 3 times a week. Since March 28 last year I have made my quarterly visits to the doctor as usual. And visits to the pharmacy once every month or two. Typically I walk to and from the doctor, the pharmacy and the supermarket. Although sometimes I get a lift back with family especially if I have heavy items. Sometimes family will grocery shop for me. I have not been going to church except on zoom, although I did go to 5 o’clock service and to Queen’s Park on Christmas morning. I enjoyed a visit in October from a sibling you lives in England, and a visit at Christmas from one of my children who lives in Canada. We all practice hand washing, face masking and social distancing when outside of the home and sometimes inside. When my sibling from England arrived I did not meet with her until day 13. Both relatives followed to the letter the Barbados government quarantine regulations. In May I had a dental emergency and was seen by my dentist who wore full PPE. Temperatures and hand sanitizing and masking were done. Only one patient at a time was booked to be in the office, If others arrived early they waited outside. I’ve enjoyed 1 birthday beach picnic, 1 restaurant dinner, and two dinners, Christmas and New Year’s at the homes of relatives during the pandemic. In each case we kept our group very small. No family dinners yet with 30 people from 5 different countries. Looking forward to those though. The restaurant is very well ventilated, essentially an outdoors place. The family home is very well ventilated as well. A couple of siblings live nearby and they bring me treats from time to time. One brought me a chicken and a breadfruit recently, and one brought me a hot loaf of homemade coconut bread this morning. We meet and chat outdoors with masks on. I have received my first vaccine. However since the beginning of the year and community spread I have been sticking closer to home.
@Hal Austin February 23, 2021 8:24 AM “If scientific answers are needed, bring in an expert from the US or UK by Zoom; don’t continue to allow general practitioners to talk about medical science.”
The Gospel according to Hal Austin
If scientific answers are needed, bring in an expert from the United Kingdom where the Covid19 death rate is 1,781 per million people; or the United States where the Covid19 death rate is 1,550 per million people,don’t continue to allow [Bajan] general practitioners where the Covid19 death rate is 108 per million people to talk about medical science.”
angela cox February 23, 2021 9:33 AM #: “Asked a question. The permanent secretaries are answerable to Who? Awaiting the answer.”
I called CXC to find out if they’ve continued “a subject called the British Constitution, about the way we were governed.” Haven’t ‘heard back’ from them as yet.
So, you’ll have to give me a bit more time.
Finally Lawyers are contesting Judges rulings on breaches in Portocols. rulings which are absent of legal grounding
https://www.facebook.com/246784233190/posts/10158352177838191/
Third time for the morning this matter was posted. It shows the degree some of you are married to what is in your head.
Other people are now realising how magistrates often abuse their power.
Chief Executive Officer of the Small Business Association (SBA) Senator Dr Lynette Holder is not pleased that the owners of a number of small businesses are being hauled before the court for breaching the COVID-19 protocols and in some cases have been sent to prison pending sentencing.
She is instead proposing that authorities look at a system of imposing fines on the guilty parties and focus the island’s scarce resources into tackling societal issues to help steer people away from deviancy.
“Why not just fine them? Slap a heavy fine of them, but don’t send them to Dodds,” said Holder.
“How can it be justified that these young black businesspeople, people who are now trying their hands at self-employment and entrepreneurship that we place a criminal record on their lives. Shouldn’t we reconsider this? I am advocating that we reconsider this. Let us reconsider fines for these kinds of breaches. I have a challenge in criminalizing these business owners,” said Holder.
Over the past week several small business owners have been hauled before the courts for allegedly contravening the COVID-19 rules, with one magistrate even declaring that breaches of COVID-19 rules were getting worse, and that more “vicious fines” and jail time were coming for those who continued to flout the COVID-19 protocols.
Last weekend three of those business owners were sent to Her Majesty’s Prison Dodds, pending sentencing.
While making it clear that she did not support anyone breaking the law, Holder insisted that the business owners should not be made to spend a day in prison, but should be punished with a fine.
“Let me state for the record that I do not support anybody breaking the protocols. The Small Business Association does not condone any business breaking the protocols. You cannot be a law breaker and still expect the law to protect you,” she said.
“But I have a fundamental problem with what I am seeing in our justice system where we are criminalizing business owners for a breach in circumstances where several others are being given seemingly a slap on the wrist for the same alleged matter. I have a problem with that. How can you be sending a small black business owner to Dodds?” asked Holder.
The COVID-19 Monitoring Unit has warned that while its work was not to “lock up and charge” anyone, it would be going after persons who continued to sell items when they are not allowed to do so.
Holder said while there were those who would argue that the non-essential business operators had received several warnings “I am saying there must be some fine system, some penalty of fines that we can introduce instead of placing this criminal record on these business owners.
“I am not saying what they do is right – if they break the law then find them guilty, but the punishment that is being introduced, oh my goodness,” said Holder.
She told Barbados TODAY she believed authorities should get a move on addressing other societal issues, adding that people were struggling to cope daily during the pandemic and this was an area that required urgent attention.
“I think this is where we maybe ought to be placing resources. How can we address some of the societal ills, some of these issues that people will not think or feel that they have no alternative choice but to resort to deviant behaviour. That is the concern I have,” she explained.
“We are seeing some sections of society that are sliding into deviancy. Shouldn’t we be focusing then on how to correct that using our resources and our institutions and not to criminalize people? In my view, we will end up as a society just accentuating the problem.”
The SBA chief said the fact that some businesses were still breaching the protocols was an indication that they were “struggling with the issue of survival”.
“Beyond that though, there is an apathy that is creeping in,” added Holder, who suggested that people around the world were “losing hope and losing confidence in their leaders”.
“What has gone wrong that people are not even trusting in their leaders, that they are not believing what their leaders are saying any more?” she said…..(Quote)
One would think that Mia being a lawyer would take a differing view and chide the judges responses or has she seen the judges rulings as another open opportunity to get total control and power to stomp on people Constitutional rights
Btw where is Commissiong has he thrown away his law books s
Social media platforms are seeing red on what many perceived as a Barbados court system gung ho on taking away barbadians civil rights and having a govt standing by and doing nothing
Some Canadians have launched a video spelling out the difference in Barbadian Constitutional rights as adress by the justice system during COVID and the Canadian justice system
Shame shame shame
And while we are at it we have to look at what we are doing to those who dive sea eggs. Those who dive them say the are plentiful but the marine experts have other ideas. But from all reports on the ground the fellas had so many they could not get them sold. And they were mature not young. Why no season this year?
We have otherwise unemployed men using the great skills they have to make a living and in this environment they may have no other avenue to buy the basics necessities.
And a reminder, I know some of them who claimed they used to dive them for a deceased prime minister. Once an acquaintance of mine laughed at me when I refused his and told me he would keep them for Owen.
And apparently, once when one was picked up by the police after one phone call was made, off came the cuffs.
Help the men! They would make great lifeguards, swimming or diving instructors etc. Some of them cannot pay the fines. Do not lock them up!
Many Barbadians could nit care less about their Own Constitutional rights unless tgey find themselves caught up in similar circumstance
Who would have thought that two years ago barbadians now caught up with the long arm of the justice system would be fighting for their individual rights because of Portocol breaches
Most barbadians adhere to the solgan ” live by the sword die by the sword absent of the fact that when the justice system wheels its power the sword can be double edge against their rights as citizens
Btw where is Commisiong voice
Donna
The season is usually in the second half of the year. No? September I think
They may be mature but at this time of year maybe the time they are “reproducing”
The ban/ season is there for a reason
To sustain them
This should help wunna understand how the outside world looks at Barbados justice system
https://www.facebook.com/674657552/posts/10157548800162553/?sfnsn=mo
The same state you party left.
U have no shame to see govt stomping all over the Constitution and u attack a party that dies not have power
You are qualified to mention shame.
John 2,
I meant last year. There was no season last year. The guys don’t normally dive them this time of year. They usually dive them around what used to be the season many years ago. These guys know what’s under there. I have a feeling the marine experts are carrying this thing too far.
My point is that I would not seek to punish men who are willing to work. I would rather help them to set up better work.
David go listen to the video and tell whose lap the shame falls into
For certainty not mine
Lol
Remember when that big yacht brought in loads if drugs
Who was in charge then
Btw what happened to the black man
As far as i know he was not let free to go on charges brought against him
Today a blackman steals a loaf of bread and he is sentenced to spend time in dodds
Not so
“some of them cannot pay the fine. do not lock them up!”
Then how do we protect the sea eggs? Is community service on the books for this offence or is it fine /jail only?
in other words can the judge give another form of punishment or is he restricted.
Throwing people in jail for every minor offencd like stealing.a few crackers is the only solution that these big time and well paid court judges can muster coming from bench
Well so much for free education
Meanwhile the big wigs are given no time behind bars
As the saying goes money talks bull sh.it walks
Whst the hell am i hearing ? Persons willingly break the law snd some on here talking about poor man.It is this cuddear mentality that caused slot of these youngsters snd others to feel they can do as they like.Some want to fight and curse the police and others in authority and when brougjt before the law courts the magistrate or judge os to feel sorry for them becsusr they are poor.Give me a break! The only thing poor about them is their attitude.This softie softie approach to them will not help them or their followers.I agree with the judges in getting tough with these lawless people and i believe those on that bus crawl and on the west coast should feel the full weight of the law for their reckless behaviour.
John2,
And how do these men put food on their tables. I happen to know one of these men. In fact, I was a teacher at his primary school. I know his entire family and they are distantly related to me. This guy’s name has been in the newspaper many times before but for good stuff. Richard Marshall was an excellent footballer. He is also an excellent diver. He is not a problem to society. We have not provided any opportunity for him to use his gifts. Punishment is not going to stop the desperate divers from taking a chance.
Also, we have not had a proper sea egg season for many many years. There are sea eggs a-plenty, if you listen to all the fishermen I know. I think the marine biologists need to relax. They are not always right.