Difficult Conversations – Crack Heads

The Barbados National Building Code was published in 1992, as a draft document for review and comment. It was updated and published for use in 1993. For the next 20 years, Barbadian: politicians, senior public officials, lawyers, radio moderators, newspaper columnists, editors, journalists, and building professionals, confidently asserted that Barbados only had a draft building code.

For 20 years, I asked them to examine the evidence that easily verified the truth. They would not. During those 20 years, there was a building boom. Homeowners and contractors were misinformed that the only guidance they had to build properly, was only a draft. For most of those 20 years, I stood alone in claiming that it was not.

VINDICATED

After about 18 years, the Chief Town Planner explained that the 1993 Building Code was not a draft, and should be used. Those who misled the public, bear much responsibility for the thousands of substandard and high-maintenance houses that unnecessarily litter Barbados’ landscape today.

This unwillingness to even look at evidence that can easily settle a matter, is threatening to become part of Barbadian culture. The latest matter is Barbados becoming a republic. Added to the list of those unwilling to look at evidence on this matter, are our: ambassadors, political scientists, academics, and extreme radical activist political advisors.

CHECKING CLAIMS

They tell us that the Queen is a non-executive ceremonial position. Therefore, replacing a non-executive Queen, with a non-executive President, is something that no right-thinking Barbadian should oppose.

If that was true, then I would agree with Barbados becoming a republic. But I have learnt that when our radical activists make claims, they tend to be wrong. So, I checked, and their record of misleading the public with false claims remains unbroken.

CEREMONIAL OR EXECUTIVE?

Section 63.(1) of our Constitution states: “The executive authority of Barbados is vested in Her Majesty.” In Section 63.(2), it goes on to state that “the executive authority of Barbados may be exercised on behalf of Her Majesty by the Governor-General”.

Our Constitution describes several situations where the Governor General acts with executive authority, like when war is declared. Therefore, contrary to popular opinion, neither the Queen nor our Governor General are ceremonial positions. The only ceremonial reference in our Constitution is in the context of religious ceremonies.

CEREMONIAL PRESIDENT

Our radical activists have advised that Parliament can change our Constitution, to confer the title and function of President on our Governor General. But what does our Constitution state? Section 63.(3) explains that Parliament can confer functions on persons or authorities – except “the Governor-General.”

Our radicals have also advised that Parliament can change the Constitution to make us a republic. By now we should know the drill. If our radicals claim that something is true, and our journalists do not challenge it, then it is almost certainly false.

ALTERING OUR CONSTITUTION.

Section 43 of our Constitution allows Parliament to alter it. However, there is a limit to what Parliament can alter, so that they do not make Barbados a failed state. One limit is in Section 43.(3). It explains that alterations are not allowed if the purpose of the alteration is to establish “some other form of constitutional association between Barbados and any other part of the Commonwealth”.

Strike three, radicals. Tragically for us, that means nothing to them. They have been struck out seven times in the past two years, and have been rewarded with control of the game.

WHAT DO WE LOSE?

Our radicals claim that we will lose nothing by becoming a republic. They tell us that we should hurry to become a republic, and leave the reading of the Constitution to trained Constitutional lawyers. That is, of course, rubbish. People should read the supreme law of Barbados, that was designed to protect them from their elected officials – which is why they want to design a new one.

So, what do we lose? First, we lose our independence, then we lose our freedom. We lose our independence by politicising offices in Barbados that should never be politicised. The first office to fall will likely be our Auditor General.

LOSING INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT

Every time our Auditor General publishes his annual report, and reveals embarrassing potential gross corruption and mismanagement by the party in power, their political operatives seethe and call for him to be fired. Fortunately for us, they cannot fire him. He is appointed by the Queen to show the public how our elected officials have actually behaved, despite their public relations appearance.

In a Republic, the measures to ensure independence are lost. We can simply compare the annual Audit Reports of Barbados with those of the Republic of Dominica, that we plan to follow, to show us what we can expect.

LOSING INDEPENDENT PROTECTION

We lose our freedom by politicising our armed forces. Our last Minister of Education, who used to be an acting Prime Minister, warned in our Parliament, that the BLP’s public criticism of the DLP could lead to the DLP “calling on the military forces of Barbados”. He explained why: “to restore order you have to crack some heads, you have to shoot some people”.

Our armed forces of: defence force, police and prisons, are under the command of the Governor-General. In a republic, the measures to ensure our freedom are lost, and our armed forces are exposed to partisan political control. When our politicians take criticism personally, they are tempted to harm us. Both the BLP and DLP have accused each other of political victimisation.

I believe that Prime Minister Mottley will exercise maximum restraint on receiving absolute power. However, eventually she will retire or be voted out of office, and the DLP will be back in Government. At that time, her true legacy would be giving absolute power to those who never renounced the way of cracking heads, and shooting people.

Grenville Phillips II is a Chartered Structural Engineer. He can be reached at NextParty246@gmail.com

97 thoughts on “Difficult Conversations – Crack Heads


  1. I get it!

    We are savage, brutish beasts who will eat each other if the civilised white man is no longer around to stop us.

    All the black countries of the world should have a foreign, white queen to protect them. White people are well known worldwide for taking care of black people. This has been demonstrated in wonderful ways for centuries.

    God bless the Queen, long to reign over us!


  2. @ Grenville
    In one voice you oppose becoming a republic and on more than one occasion you declare that you have full confidence that Mottley will not abuse power. However you are attempting to run with the hare and hunting with the hound because it is Mottley who declared that we will become a republic .on November 30th. Something that you oppose because you think that it is being done undemocratically . In other words you are indirectly accusing her of abusing power while saying you don’t think she will.
    I support fully the PMs decision that we will become a republic. However I find that you are sucking up to the PM in a most unsavory intellectual manner. For all your talk you are blaming mysterious “ radicals” for forcing becoming a republic on the people. That is a blatant lie!
    Mottley has one radical in her party in parliament and when last I checked she kicked him out of the cabinet.
    BTW he ( Comrade Prescod ) was fully in Mottley’s corner when Arthur was kicking her to the curb.
    Stop sucking up. The easiest way to a dictatorship is when people with power and influence suck up to leaders. You ought to know that !


  3. The expected negative comments support the observation that some just cannot do evidence in Barbados. They can only do personal insults.

    What about discussing the evidence in our Constitution? Those who adopt the end-justifies-the-means philosophy find evidence as an inconvenient issue that must be ignored. They also become zealots in distracting others so that they ignore it also. Those who adopt that philosophy tend to oppose it when it is used against their opinions.


  4. @GP
    Your argument would’ve been strengthened if you provided other examples of the need for a GG besides war?

    Would a work-around to one of your objections be to appoint a person other than the GG as president?

    Concerning the AG. This toothless tiger has been printing reports for years and no action was ever taken.

    I read your articles and see you emerging as a man of pomp, ceremony, symbolism and with a desperate desire to maintain the status quo on all things


  5. DavidSeptember 7, 2021 12:24 PM

    @Geenville

    The Constitution is a living document. It can be changed to whatever the people deem necessary.

    Xxxxxxxx
    Still awaiting the referendum on becoming a Republic

    Xxxxxxx
    Next


  6. You mean section 49 (3) not 43(3). And you need to re-read the text of that provision more carefully. It does not say what you think or state it says


    • 3. Subsection (2) shall not apply to a Bill in so far as it alters any of the provisions specified in that subsection for the purpose of giving effect to arrangements for the federation or union of Barbados with any other part of the Commonwealth of for the establishment of some other form of constitutional association between Barbados and any other part of the Commonwealth.


  7. Mr. “Difficult Conversations” has got his knickers twisted up again, which is par for the course

    Firstly, there are no radical activists lurking in the shadows they are figment of Grenville’s mind like the bogey man.

    Secondly, the Queen or Crown as Head of State is the figurehead place holder of various institutions which is not an issue unless there was a Court Case against the Queen when she is the figurehead of the Courts

    Thirdly, the existing words in constitution can be screwed up and thrown away like a used tissue, nothing is cast in stone

    UK has said it is up to Barbados to do whatever it pleases and will not object.

    Like Rhodesia they have/had the prerogative to intervene if people’s rights are/were abused as part of the agreement forming a separate state
    but don’t hold your breath waiting for Queen Elizabeth to intervene and protect their rights
    she didn’t in Rhodesia and the people gave up waiting and took to arms

    I could say lot more with some further detailed arguments and deeper scrutiny, but why bother I can’t be assed

    BU trolls are a drag above the line and below the line

    I suspect they have underdeveloped brains being used


  8. Life is too short..
    There is no point wasting any time trying to reason with a bald head as you cannot reason with bald heads
    it is much to sit down and reason with rasta brethren with a natty dread upon their head and sip a cup

    Too $hort – Life Is…Too Short



    I remember how it all began
    I used to sing dirty raps to my East Side fans
    Back then I knew ya couldn’t stop this rap
    No M.C. could rock like that
    Then the new style came, the bass got deeper
    Ya gave up the mike and bought you a beeper
    Do ya wanna rap or sell coke?
    Brothers like you ain’t never broke
    People wanna say it’s just my time
    Brothers like me had to work for mine
    Eight years on the mic and I’m not jokin’
    Sir Too Short comin’ straight from Oakland
    California, home of the rock
    Eight woofers in the trunk, beatin’ down the block
    Short dog, I’m that rappin’ man
    I said it before and I’ll say it again

    Life is too short
    Too short
    Life is too short
    Too short

    Life is to some people unbearable
    Committin’ suicide and that’s terrible
    Was it much too much or nothing’ big?
    If ya live my life, you’d be fightin’ to live
    Life is to me my main asset
    I be doin’ all right and keep it just like that
    Chill out at the house and pump that bass
    I’m tryin’ to get rich as I rock the place
    Everybody’s got that same old dream
    To have big money and fancy things
    Drive a brand new Benz, keep your bank right here
    Never hear me stutter once because I talk real clear
    It’s on you, homeboy, watcha gonna do?
    You can take my advice and start workin’, fool
    Or you can close your ears and run your mouth
    And one day, homeboy, ya soon find out

    Life is too short
    Too short
    Life is too short
    (Too short)

    Life is too short, would you agree?
    While I’m livin’ my life, don’t mess with me
    It’s been a long time, baby, since I first got down
    But I still keep makin’ these funky sounds
    Cause I don’t stop rappin’, that’s my theme
    I make a lot of money, do you know what I mean?
    Like this, complicated ya must stay up
    Ya asked a simple question boy, don’t say “What?”
    Ya only live once and ya callin’ it hell
    Policeman tryin’ to take ya to jail
    You could give a man time but you don’t know
    I a matter of time, I’ll be runnin’ the show
    Now another young buck wants to be on top
    Makin’ big money, slangin’ hop
    The task force tryin’ to peel your cap
    Turn around, homeboy, ya better watch your back

    Life is too short
    Life is

    You can take back all the things you give
    But ya can’t take back the days you live
    Life is to some people who’ve been on earth
    Livin’ every single day for what it’s worth
    I live my life just how I please
    Satisfy one person I know that’s me
    Work hard for the things I achieve in life
    And never rap fake when I’m on the mic
    Cause if a dream is all you got, homeboy
    Ya gotta turn that dream into the real McCoy
    Not time to waste, just get on that case
    Ya can’t be down ’cause ya need to taste
    A good life livin’ like a king on a throne
    Gettin’ everything ya want
    And tryin’ to have all your own
    Its your life
    Don’t be stupid though
    Cause when ya waste it, you’ll know

    Life is
    Life is
    All right, that’s it



  9. @ David September 7, 2021 12:24 PM
    (Quote):
    The Constitution is a living document. It can be changed to whatever the people deem necessary. (Unquote).
    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    And how is this act of “deem necessary” expressed or relayed to the ruling policymakers if not by way of promises made in a manifesto or by way of referendum on a policy regarding the type of governance acceptable to the People?

    The current administration has no ‘authority’ granted by the people to change the country’s governance model into a republic.

    Where is that legitimate assent from the people?

    We are not talking about the Sisyphean-type task like the abolition of the obviously elitist ‘Common Entrance’ examination which represents the hallmark of a colonial monarchical-based system of social stratification but that of the political future of a people on the cusp of inevitable changes which will shape their capacity to either swim in order to appear above the horizon of a ‘new’ dawn of independence or sink in the backwaters which litter the history book of oblivion.


    • @Miller

      An elected government has the mandate to change laws as it seems fit and proper. Promises not kept in social contracts are evaluated at election time. We will see if Mottley and her government have the political capital to withstand broken promises.


  10. Why should we trust an ISO Taliban to build a house when he himself posts completely irrational things about vaccinations and fears that his fertility might be affected by a perfectly harmless vaccination???

    This reminds me of the fable of the ugly toad selling beauty elixirs to other animals.


  11. @Grenville Phillips “People should read the supreme law of Barbados, that was designed to protect them from their elected officials.”

    And who protects us from the unelected British monarchy?


  12. @Grenville Phillips “Every time our Auditor General publishes his annual report, and reveals embarrassing potential gross corruption and mismanagement by the party in power, their political operatives seethe and call for him to be fired.”

    Can you provide some evidence for when political operatives seethed and call for the Auditor General to be fired?

    Can you give us a list of the Auditors General who have been fired?


  13. Ha! Great question!

    Maybe Lord Nelson’s ghost will protect us from the unelected British monarch!

    Wuhlaus!

    But seriously, Grenville obviously believes the British monarch, whoever they are or will soon be, has and will always have our best interests at heart.

    Why is that? He has been a good little boy who has learnt his Eurocentric lessons well.

    But I believe that if we cannot govern ourselves then we are subhuman creatures of little consequence, deserving of our fate.

    There are no guarantees that life will be easy. Death and struggle are inevitable. Should we live cowering in fear, afraid of our own shadows?

    Maybe Grenville can. But I cannot. What kind of life is that?

    What a wimp!

    We the people of Barbados must get up off our backsides and “fight” for the kind of government we want, not hide behind foreign skirts like children.

    Does self respect count for nothing in Grenville’s book?


  14. David:

    The news article to which you referred challenges nothing I wrote. I provided the factual evidence. Rather than examine it for yourself, you proved my point about not wanting to look at evidence.

    Further, the Chief Town Planner has already ruled on this matter. Rather than simply looking at the evidence to verify his ruling, you are trying to continue to make something that is extremely verifiable divisive – that can only mislead the public.

    Why do that? Why be on the wrong side of easily verifiable factual evidence?


  15. Res Publica: Yes. 49.3, which David quoted for convenience. It seems self explanatory. Simply noting that you disagree is not very helpful. How do you interpret it?

    David: The Constitution is a living document that we may alter. Do you agree with altering this living document, or do you agree with killing it and making a completely new one?

    Cudear: They have no authority to fire the Auditor General. Further, if you want Barbados to be a Republic, then why not do it properly – get the consent of the Government and the people. If that is the will of the Government and the people, then everyone should be on board and we should move forward together – rather than divided on this issue.


    • The blogmaster agrees with replacing the white Queen of a foreign country with a native son or daughter of the soil. What ever changes need to be made to the Constitution do it!


  16. David:

    You are running from the issue. If Barbadians want to become a Republic, then let us do so together. In a Republic, we all need to be pulling together. Facilitating division by unnecessarily forcing Barbados into a Republic is definitely not the way.

    The end-justifies-the-means approach that you seem to be advocating is not a sustainable method of decision making. I thought that you knew this by now. What happened to you?


  17. USA did not have a referendum. It had a Revolution. Barbados is 250 years behind.

    Hear me now..
    There should be NO Weed Referendum for a Groovy Situation a Good Vibration and Liberation of Mind.
    Just Do It
    you don’t need no change in law to puff puff herb as people are doing it religiously spiritually medicinally daily already

    Can we speak in flowers
    it would be easier for me to understand
    — other language

    Something’s happened to me
    I found someone, you see
    No more lonely nights
    No more ugly fights

    She makes me feel like a man
    She makes me feel like a man
    She makes me feel like a man
    She makes me feel like a man again
    So you can say a girl meets boy
    Gets lots of joy
    A new sensation, a groovy situation
    A girl meets boy gets lots of joy
    A new sensation, a groovy situation

    This time I know it’s for real
    This is something I feel
    No more lonely nights
    No more ugly fights

    She makes me love like a man
    She makes me love like a man
    She makes me love like a man
    She makes me love like a man again
    So you can say a girl meets boy
    Gets lots of joy
    A new sensation, a groovy situation
    A girl meets boy gets lots of joy
    A new sensation, a groovy situation

    Something’s happened to me
    I found someone, you see
    No more lonely nights
    No more ugly fights

    She makes me feel like a man
    She makes me feel like a man
    She makes me feel like a man
    She makes me feel like a man again
    So you can say a girl meets boy
    Gets the lots of joy
    A new sensation, a groovy situation
    A good meets boy gives them lots of joy
    A new vibration, a groovy situation

    This is something I feel

    Submit lyrics correction →

    Groovy Situation, Groovy Dub


  18. Weed Versus Alcohol

    Be a Lover not a Fighter

    Lyrical Update:

    So you can say a girl meets boy
    Gives them lots of joy
    A new sensation, a groovy situation


  19. The question is – who will protect us from the unelected British monarch?

    Why are you not worried about that? Why do you have absolute faith in a foreign, white monarch?

    The answer – they have taught you well.

    Mentally enslaved.

    Your mind is BLANCHED.

    I ignore your arguments because they most often show a lack of ability for putting context to the subject matter.

    If you have interpreted the Constitution the same way you do most texts, you are most likely wrong.


  20. @ David September 7, 2021 3:37 PM
    (Quote):
    An elected government has the mandate to change laws as it seems fit and proper. Promises not kept in social contracts are evaluated at election time. We will see if Mottley and her government have the political capital to withstand broken promises. (Unquote).
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    That’s simply Democracy at work! No one can gainsay what you have stated.

    The only matter of concern is in which social contract made by the current administration can the people locate that “promise” to go republic.

    The question is if you are prepared to support a similar approach to governance in regard to the decriminalization of marijuana or the legalization of same sex relationships.

    What’s the difference other than, one (the republic status) will apply to the entire citizenry while the other(s) will affect the rights (and responsibilities) of a small minority in the society.

    Why therefore must there be a referendum on the decriminalization of marijuana?

    Were the people consulted when those ‘copied colonial’ punitive laws were put on the books at the behest of foreign interests; both commercial and political?

    Why not just do it without the same people’s expressed assent the same way the ‘going republic’ thingie is being handled ?

    The miller sees value in speeding up the inevitable total break from the British monarchy as the Queen sings Her last swan song. But why the double standards to governance?

    We think GP2 has your dictatorial number on this res republic.

    But he, GP2, takes a similar stance of ‘his way or the highway’ when it comes to adult people (not children) having the right to watch porn (as they see fit) over the internet.

    Not even the idea of a referendum is up for consideration on his dictatorial approach to matters of public morals.


    • @Miller

      Do not misunderstand the blogmaster, the expectation by the electorate that any government will do all that is reasonable to deliver on promises made should be a sacred bond. That said the blogmaster is not naive to ignore how Machiavellian politics and even animal farm come into play. Philosophically democracy is a man made construct, we will have to deal with the warts until end times.


  21. Prefab houses coming
    The 150 prefab houses from China are on the way.
    Minister of Housing Dr William Duguid told the MIDWEEK NATION that the consignment would include single houses, duplexes and quads.
    The project is a $29 million joint venture between the National Housing Corporation and East West Building Solutions (Barbados).
    The houses are supposed to be used for some of the victims who lost their homes due to Hurricane Elsa.
    Duguid reiterated yesterday that they would take 42 days to assemble “once our artisans get accustomed to the new technology using a metal framework rather than 2×4 wood”.
    He pointed out that the minimum size would be 700 square feet at a cost of $100 000.
    Local artisans will be used to construct the
    foundations and will be trained to assemble the houses at various locations.
    Duguid, who has come under fire for utilising the Chinese instead of having the houses built here, said the houses would have the added benefit of photovoltaic panels on their roofs, “giving an income stream back to Government to repay for the cost of the house”. (MB)

    Source: Nation


  22. “Philosophically democracy is a man made construct”

    a 30-0 parliament could pass anything they want with whips and votes


  23. “The blogmaster agrees with replacing the white Queen of a foreign country with a native son or daughter of the soil. What ever changes need to be made to the Constitution do it!”

    Q:
    What is the difference between
    UK
    EU
    USA
    Canada
    Australia
    New Zealand

    A:
    Nothing
    they are all white mans lands
    in the last stand of the white man


  24. Epiphanies
    #BlackLivesMatter against Evil in the Spiritual War
    There is no difference between past present and future in Universe / Gods time
    Imagine the outrage in white lands if their conquering wars killed dogs in the same numbers as non-whites
    their outrage and protest would most definitely be different as they would most definitely not be as indifferent


  25. @Hants
    Are the people looking for too much from the government. Lots of questions about paying land tax.

    –xx—
    I use an app call simple radio. All you have to do is find the station (once). You get an add that you can ignore at start-up.


  26. @ TheOGazerts,

    There are people who own land but have minimal income and can’t pay the tax.

    You are aware that a lot of Bajans lost their jobs because of ” Covid “.

    There are vultures in Barbados who will buy the land when persons are forced to sell.


  27. Miller…have not confirmed yet, still just people talking, but we know AI Carlton has been boycotted for a few days now, but ya may want to ask Fowl Slave Enuff if it’s true that both Carlton and Emerald City is now owned by Mark Maloney….ya know the yardfowls always in the know,, especially when it comes to the corrupt, who should be in prison as Mia said..


  28. Two fullly vaccinated people passed away in St. Lucia….at least they are not hiding theirs as Barbados is….they are up front with what is happening, the changing nature of the virus is a problem..


  29. @ David,

    Bajan workmen will be trained to assemble and erect 150 steel frame houses.

    Does that mean that steel frame houses will continue to be imported ?


  30. Importing 150 emergency houses to be assembled by Barbadian small contractors appears to be a good emergency policy. The risk is that the houses may not be durable. The ones I inspected in Haiti and Dominica were not. Hopefully, these will be different.

    Ideally, the designs should have been published and publicly reviewed, since they are being paid with public finds. If that is not allowed, then one should have been shipped or flown in, assembled, and inspected before paying for the remaining 149. Instead, we are paying for and bring in all 150.

    We have to decide which has higher priority, providing the emergency shelters quickly or ensuring that the emergency shelters are durable so that they can be reused multiple times. Reasonable arguments can be made for both sides. However, I am on the side of durable shelters.


  31. Perhaps Grenville makes a good point like a true worrier …
    … there may be anarchy in December when the Queen of England is removed from her throne…
    … don’t worry yourself when I become King there will be food for everyone…


  32. Duguid: Project bringing jobs

    THERE WILL BE more than enough work for the artisans of Barbados when the Government’s latest housing project, the importation of pre-prepared houses from China, gets underway.
    That promise came yesterday from Minister of Housing and Lands William Duguid while a guest speaker on Starcom Network’s Down To Bras Stacks radio call-in programme.
    Since Duguid announced the proposed plan to import the houses from the Asian powerhouse, there was a thought process in Barbados that local contractors had been given the shorter end of the stick.
    But the minister said yesterday that contractors would soon have their share of housing construction to spread the work around. He added that there were already many artisans currently making money at construction projects, both public and private, across the island, “We have to put all of our artisans to work,” he said to moderator Peter Wickham when asked if the importation project would hamper the ability of Barbadian workers to make money.
    Duguid explained that the houses were being imported due to the time factor involved, but it would be Barbadian workers who would be employed to first build a foundation for every property.
    The minister said research had driven the decision to start the importation project to help Barbadians who had been severely affected by the passing of the freak storm on June 16 and Hurricane Elsa on July 2. He revealed that it took around nine months for a house to be built as part of a Government project, but with the importation project that would be reduced to around 42 days.
    He said the developers associated with the project would be introducing Barbadians in the sector to new technology, and after two-week training projects, Barbadian contractors should be able to put together the houses in the same 42day period.
    “We are going to have about 300 people building the foundations, and after that, we would be in a position to also offer houses for sale,” he said.
    Duguid revealed the 700 square-foot houses come at a cost of $100 000 each, but Government would get a chance to make 100 per cent of that back over time, since every property will be fitted
    with a photo-voltaic system, allowing electrical power to be sold back into the grid of the Barbados Light and Power Company Limited.
    “We do need a lot of contractors. It’s a tremendous amount of work that has to be done. If we assign one contractor two or three jobs, some of them can’t handle the capacity,” Duguid added.
    He said the allocation of the houses would be first based on land ownership.
    The MP for Christ Church West said coming out of the storm and Hurricane Elsa, 429 wooden houses needed repairs and 225 wall structures were also damaged, which would also keep local artisans busy over the next few months.
    He reiterated that the decision to grant homeowners who requested the materials so that they could organise their own repairs had borne fruit, with 96 houses having been completed. Currently, 126 houses are being repaired, and another 62 are being rebuilt.
    Duguid said though Government’s HOPE projects had garnered significant interest, it remained a tough task to provide housing for the thousands of Barbadians still hoping to own a piece of the rock, so the Chinese-imported structures would also go a long way to providing emergency housing for people displaced by fires or hurricanes.
    In addition, people currently housed at hotels or guest houses after losing their homes would be granted the opportunity to own some of the imported houses, which come as twoand three-bedroom properties.
    The minister said Government intended the imported house project to be one of transition, which could lead to landowners who want a mortgage to build homes but earn less than $2 000 monthly, getting the opportunity to finally have affordable housing.
    (BA)

    Source: Nation


  33. Constitution reform questions
    THE PROMISE by the Barbados Government to embark on a process of consultation around a programme of comprehensive constitutional reform from December 1, 2021, makes it necessary to highlight the contradictions involved in a “managed” process of constitutional change.
    What do I mean by a “managed” process? In moments of “organic” or revolutionary change, constitution reform takes place when a group which has taken hold of state power seeks to reshape the social order in its own image. In contrast, in a “managed” non-revolutionary situation, constitutional change is presented as a “neutral” undertaking which is pursued simply because the “time has come” for a new reset of “who we are as a people”. Sounds familiar?
    However, there is no such thing as a “neutral” constitution, which captures the interests of every social group. Constitutions are intensely political documents which freeze existing power relations into a set of binding rules. There are winners and losers.
    In 1670 the Barbados constitution was a slaveowner’s constitution. The 1850 Barbados constitution reflected the image of the British Colonia Office intent on giving birth to a “free market” economy in which Barbados served the mercantilist monopoly interests of English capitalists. The later independence constitutions were constructed on the promise of greater opportunities to move beyond the monopoly power of British capitalist interests and to reflect the reality of a “global capitalist class”. It was not until the late 1990s that these expected “power relations” were actualised. (Witness the end of Geest, Tate and Lyle, Cable and Wireless and others).
    The question remains therefore, what are the economic power relations that the new initiative for constitutional reform by the Mottley administration are intended to capture? The answer to this question can be found in my opening distinction between “managed” processes of constitutional change on one hand, and constitutional changes based on “revolutionary” moments, on the other. In moments of revolution the above question is more easily answered than in “managed” moments which don the cloak of “neutrality”.
    In moments of revolution, the old order has so completely collapsed, that a National Constituent Assembly is called into existence, in which all the competing interests thrash out their perspectives of the desired
    new order. In such moments, class antagonisms are openly played out and there is no pretense at neutrality.
    Since a revolutionary situation does not currently exist in Barbados, the best that can be hoped for is for the “national constituent assembly” to be as vibrant and as inclusive as possible. While the existing class interests are expected to prevail in any new constitution agreed upon (or rather skillfully imposed), the assembly should be used to win the broadest possible suite of gains for the historically marginalised and exploited population. It should be used as a “dress rehearsal” for any future revolutionary moment which may emerge.
    Tennyson Joseph is a political scientist at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, specialising in regional affairs.

    Source: Nation


  34. “The question remains therefore, what are the economic power relations that the new initiative for constitutional reform by the Mottley administration are intended to capture?”

    that one is easy…keep the Black/African population CAPTURED and send out TEAMS of racist minorities to ROB AFRIKA to maintain the slave society………but that evil traitor shit, FLEW RIGHT OUT THE WINDOW..

    OOPS..

    and there is NO PLAN B…

    how CRUSHING…

    when ya digging GRAVES FOR BLACK PEOPLE who look just like you, make sure TO DIG TWO…


  35. I see they refuse to deviate from running this bullshit scam…

    “The minister said Government intended the imported house project to be one of transition, which could lead to landowners who want a mortgage to build homes but earn less than $2 000 monthly, getting the opportunity to finally have affordable housing.”


  36. The Barbados Association of Professional Engineers wants to know if the 150 prefab houses to be imported from China have been designed to the very specific Barbados building Code


  37. Corrosion of concern to BAPE

    By Maria Bradshaw and Sheria Brathwaite

    The Barbados Association of Professional Engineers (BAPE) wants to know if the 150 prefab houses to be imported from China have been designed “to the very specific” Barbados Building Code.
    President Trevor Browne said yesterday this was important given the serious challenge Barbados faces with corrosion of metal structures near to coastal areas and on the windward side of the island.
    At the same time, president of the Barbados Contractors & Artisans Cooperative Society, Troy Williams, says if Government intends for the houses to be completed and made available to those in need in a short time frame, then preparatory work should begin before the shipment arrives.
    Minister of Housing and Lands Dr William Duguid recently announced that Government had entered into a joint venture between the National Housing Corporation (NHC) and East West Building Solutions Barbados at a cost of $29 million, to provide the steel-framed houses for some of the families who lost their homes during the passage of Hurricane Elsa in July.
    However, Browne questioned the rationale behind the project.
    “As has become the norm now, no information has been provided to the public confirming that the needed engineering questions have been asked and answered before we committed to such an expensive and unprecedented project. The Barbados Association of Professional Engineers (BAPE) continues to be amazed at the casual and off-hand manner in which such projects are being executed,” he stated.
    “It is hard to imagine that, in order to address an issue of housing shortages caused by storm damage, officials in this country could be rushing into a major housing investment project without serious consideration of local building code certification of these 150 units. Hopefully, we will come to learn that the units have, after all, been designed to the very specific Barbados Building Code. This would provide good reassurance to BAPE that basic planning thought had indeed been applied to this initiative.”
    The BAPE head said he had his doubts.
    “Unfortunately, given the haste with which this order has been shipped, we are much more inclined to expect that these prefab units were designed to meet Chinese, or some generic building codes, instead. Obviously, when building professionals design sustainable housing solutions, very specific consideration is given to the particular location, topography, exposure . . . of the site and to the culture and capacity of the customer to properly upkeep the structure, far less to think that a generic imported unit designed for a foreign environment, will automatically fit the bill.”
    He added: “Metal frames are outstandingly resilient and dependable, once they can avoid oxidation issues. The expectation that low-income owners will be able to monitor and maintain the integrity of metal structures in the corrosive environments that represent large areas of Barbados, borders on wishful thinking.”
    In terms of the local contractors, Browne, who said the $29 million translated to $193 000 per unit, believed that the money could have been utilised here.
    Passing strange
    “It is passing strange that Government officials did not see fit to challenge local building professionals to execute this project,
    with specific requirements that are custom designed for the local environment – and which could well have led to concepts that could be adapted for export to similar jurisdictions. BAPE is convinced that a $29 million incentive with very specific performance targets to produce even better results, would have been achievable using local resources, and would have been a far better solution.”
    Meanwhile, Williams maintained that work needs to be done before the houses arrive.
    “What is coming from China needs to be assembled onto a foundation, and given the time frame being set, preparations should start happening as assembling or building a house the traditional way is a process and any process still takes time,” he told the Saturday Sun yesterday.
    “Let’s say they arrive tomorrow. You just can’t take them and assemble them like that. So you can’t get the solution you wanted in the time frame because they have to be assembled onto something.”
    In the last MIDWEEK NATION, Duguid said the prefab houses were on their way, with the shipment containing single houses, duplexes and quads. He added they should take about 42 days to assemble once artisans were accustomed to the new technology.
    Williams called on the NHC to arrange meetings with contractors.
    “NHC should be having dialogue with contractors to discuss plans, prices, locations and so on, so that when the houses land they could be quickly assembled.
    “So as far as I am aware, a lot of work has not been awarded at this stage. We would have had dialogue before with the ministry. We were promised some work but we have not gotten anything concrete such as a prospective start date.”
    Duguid said the minimum size of a house would be 700 square feet at a cost of $100 000, adding that local artisans would construct the foundations and be trained to assemble the houses.

    Source: Nation


  38. This govt is great for making grand unilateral decisions
    These kind of questioning concerns should have been given full blown transparency between govt and social.partnership as well as other groups or business interest knowledgeable in the field of house building
    However govt has shown once again that political expediency trumps common sense


  39. Now that the covers are being removed from the issue of Chinese houses
    The mind boggling part of all that has happened is that a govt who made a promises on transparency and Accountability to the people has reneged when it comes to being opened on the issue of how and when and where it spends the tax payers money
    Pray tell how can a govt go ahead with making unilateral decisions and not foresee the ramifications of negative fall out from the people
    Where ..how..and when the tax payers money is being spent should be a decision which govt should not take lightly or solely upon itself to make .
    China benefits while bajans sit on the sidelines asking questions
    Shameful and sad


  40. BAMP is not the only one who wants to know. I too want to know if these houses are fit for the purpose or if we will be back to square one in a hurry.


  41. DonnaSeptember 11, 2021 7:07 AM

    BAMP is not the only one who wants to know. I too want to know if these houses are fit for the purpose or if we will be back to square one in a hurry.
    Xxxxcc
    What interest does BAMP have in asking govt questions having to deal with Housing
    Xxxxx
    Be that as it may all are entitled to silly mistakes including u
    Now the question which I ask of you
    Should I lol at your silly mistakes


  42. I’m sure Donna is quite capable of defending herself, but, anyone could understand her mistake.

    But, this is coming from someone who referred to BARVEN as a man?

    🤣🤣🤣


  43. ArtaxSeptember 11, 2021 10:44 AM

    I’m sure Donna is quite capable of defending herself, but, anyone could understand her mistake.

    But, this is coming from someone who referred to BARVEN as a man?

    🤣🤣🤣

    Xxxxxxx
    I am sure she can
    Xxxxxxx
    Just another baffled response coming from someone who is quick to point fingers
    Xxxx
    Since you maliciously joined the conservation
    Maybe just maybe you can explained away Donna mistake
    By the way u have already use a finger to point in my direction
    You have nine more which you can use

    😆🤣😂😹😆🤣😂😹


  44. RE: “Just another baffled response coming from someone who is quick to point fingers.”

    Come on, ‘let not the pot call the kettle black,’ because you were equally “quick to point fingers” at Donna…….. and shamelessly so too, especially when one takes into consideration you often misrepresent the truth on BU.

    RE: “Since you maliciously joined the conservation.”

    Perhaps I’m following your lead.

    I remember a few days ago, while in ‘conversation’ WITH David, I made a reference to the prices of mobile phone. You “maliciously joined the conversation,” to ask “where.”

    RE: “By the way u have already use a finger to point in my direction. You have nine more which you can use.”

    Yes, I “have nine more which (I) can use,” but, would have to borrow several more fingers to point in your direction, each time you post shiite to BU.

    Your turn……. I know you can’t resist, because you must have the ‘last word.’

    https://media.tenor.com/images/b056d7d835ff43ee381a6efbbf1f14db/tenor.gif


  45. Moving ON
    Xxxxxccc
    It would be of interest to hear the Minister response to BAPE questioning of Barbados Housing Code
    The Minister was quick to go on local media and give a side of the story all laced in political pontificating
    Now wonder what is his reply on the issue if Housing Code


  46. I was going to ignore your response
    However you have used malice and intent to draw me into a cell phone conservation between yourself and David of which I am not aware of making a comment
    Now u can used another finger to point me into that direction of when how or where I made comment

    Artax @ac
    I remember a few days ago,while in ‘conversation’ WITH David, I made a reference to the prices of mobile phone. You “maliciously joined the conversation,” to ask “where


  47. Angela Cox,

    By all means lol away!

    😊

    Mr. BRAVEN is still No. 1 though!

    Can’t touch Mr. BRAVEN!

    P.S. I honestly did not know you had taken offence to what was supposed to be all in good fun. I read you as someone who would have appreciated the joke.

    My favourite jokes are my senior moment adventures. Like the time I came home hungry, took a share of leftover pelau from the fridge, put it on top of the microwave, set the microwave and pressed go.

    Four minutes later, I opened the microwave – no pelau. I did a double take. Searched all over the kitchen and the dining room too. Swore I was going mad. Looked inside the microwave again in disbelief.

    It took me ten minutes to finally notice the heaped plate on top of the self-same microwave!

    My favourite joke. Jerry Seinfeld would have done wonders with that one. That’s the kinda stuff he does much better than I do.


  48. I have just seen an extremely disturbing video clip featured in the The Nation. A property owner has built a structure on the beach which has not only hindered access to a public beach; but has caused major dislodgement of sand and caused serious erosion of the coastline. Mia and her blue economy minister needs to clear this matter up with immediate effect; this structure and all other similar structures on the island must be removed What the FCUK is happening in this country? What dumb arsed government could permit/ allow such things to happen. FIX IT MIA!


  49. @ Hants,
    I know. Many years ago I sent an aerial plan of Barbados showing how our beach fronts are disappearing. The fools on the island are damn ignorant. The locusts (tourists) will migrate to other islands in good time to walk on sandy beaches.

    Why oh why do these fools not listen to the locals !!!?


  50. Donna
    I did not think much of the Braven episode I simply brush it off to a mistake
    However my revisting the story was not to make fun of your mistake but to reinforce a fact that no one is perfect


  51. Watch out folks do not dare go.into Massy store unless you are wearing a face mask Massy determines as acceptable
    A customer was threatened by security to call the police because the cloth mask was not in compliance with Massy mask standards


  52. angela cox September 11, 2021 1:02 PM #: “I was going to ignore your response.”

    The problem with you is, to ignore means your ‘opponent’ WON the ‘argument.’ So, you’ll keep going until they no longer respond, because victory for you means ‘having the last word.’

    Kinda reminds me of a ‘BU’ regular’ who claimed not to know what ‘having the last word’ meant. Yet, the individual would go on and on, lamenting for days. And, weeks later, would CHILDISHLY look for an opportunity, created or otherwise, to revisit the argument…….. at a time when everyone thought they were FINISHED.

    If you’re going to quote me, do so correctly. I never wrote “@ ac.”
    No, not “malice or intent.” You used the pseudonym “bring evidence” on another blog to ask me, “where?”


  53. Opposition Senator Caswell Franklyn is questioning what is so special about the Canadian-German who has been identified as the person chosen to take up the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc (BTMI), at a proposed salary of $240 000 in addition to several perks.


  54. ArtaxSeptember 12, 2021 4:46 AM

    angela cox September 11, 2021 1:02 PM #: “I was going to ignore your response.”

    The problem with you is, to ignore means your ‘opponent’ WON the ‘argument.’ So, you’ll keep going until they no longer respond, because victory for you means ‘having the last word.’

    Kinda reminds me of a ‘BU’ regular’ who claimed not to know what ‘having the last word’ meant. Yet, the individual would go on and on, lamenting for days. And, weeks later, would CHILDISHLY look for an opportunity, created or otherwise, to revisit the argument…….. at a time when everyone thought they were FINISHED.

    If you’re going to quote me, do so correctly. I never wrote “@ ac.”
    No, not “malice or intent.” You used the pseudonym “bring evidence” on another blog to ask me, “where?”
    Xxxcccccc

    Telling me who I am and what I am is not going to stop me from handing you a big STUPSE
    XXCCCCCCCCCC
    Now u can FINISH the back and forth
    What a Duffus


  55. Can’t understand how govt keeps spending tax payers money at free will
    First the buses No transparency
    Then the Garbage Trucks No transparency
    Also the many consultants No transparency
    Now some German big head to manage the BTMI No transparency
    Are they NO Barbadians or any one in the Caricom community that can handle any of these big govt jobs
    Barbadians are being insulted and slap in the face by way of an arrogant govt whose attitude is that small island citizens are worthless in handling the big task called for by this govt


  56. Wuhloss Lisa Cummins says she knows nothing about the leaked document
    But then again What de hell does she knows
    Lisa Cummins also said that she was not aware of the Hay wire event until the noises of the few and diligent stood up against her lies and then the truth came out
    How can she be not aware of a document which another Senator says is legitimate in its contents
    So hear what is Lisa response amm nothing was laid out in Parliament


  57. Is it being suggested the document becomes “legitimate in its contents” because Caswell Franklyn says it is?

    And, how has he been able to verify its legitimacy or is he only offering his personal opinion?

    Until the ‘document’ is officially verified, then Franklyn’s opinions are based on assumptions?


  58. ArtaxSeptember 12, 2021 9:46 AM

    Is it being suggested the document becomes “legitimate in its contents” because Caswell Franklyn says it is?

    And, how has he been able to verify its legitimacy or is he only offering his personal opinion?

    Until the ‘document’ is officially verified, then Franklyn’s opinions are based on assumptions
    Xcccccccccc
    Are u assuming that Senator Franklin is a liar
    Or are you simply hiding from the truth like an ostrich whose head is buried in the sand
    Xxxxccccc
    Btw for what it is worth Senator Franklin would have taken a big risk of ruining his reputation if what is stated by him in the paper is untrue
    I don’t think he is that stupid


  59. The outspoken senator is blowing the racist dog whistle again. He and his ilk want black privileges for themselves and their relatives in the US and Barbados, but at the same time take the right to indulge their xenophobia.

    I would be really interested to see how the senator would react if foreign politicians treated his son like this in public. Surely he would be the first to call the BLM activists for help.

    What a hypocrite!


  60. I can hardly breathe when I read about the xenophobia of the outspoken senator. Time to protest in Bridgetown against racism and the outspoken senator.


  61. Grape vine story

    Hot off the press Mia was canvassing yesterday in Ch. Ch East and the people cuss real bad shut the window and door in the face and told her to carry she rass from bout here.
    Happened in Lodge Road to be exact.💯


  62. The thing is, when Caswell Franklyn was critical of the Fruendel Stuart administration, you did not have anything good to say about the gentleman.

    But, now his criticisms are directed on the current administration, you’re suddenly trying to verify his credibility.

    Read BU’s archives to see the disgusting things you said about him.

    You’re a shameless nasty piece of work.

    The stinking pretend limey dog would come out ‘talking’ shiite to defend you, because he had a particular agenda against me.

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