
It was heartwarming to learn about a truce between local gangs (we do have gangs in Barbados) orchestrated by players from the affected communities. The leader of the homegrown initiative Winston ‘Iston’ Bull and his team must be given all the plaudits. What is demonstrates is that we have the capacity to solve problems. We pray for the truce to hold and for similar community based initiatives to take root.
See the Nation newspaper video of Branch sharing his perspective on the initiative and related.
See Related Murder Stats from @caribbeansignal.com – Barbados Murder Statistics January 2023
Source: Nation
Source: Nation
🇺🇸 gun control Vs 2nd amendment war continues
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/gun-control
As an elder in the community, he and others should know, that’s their roles.if not them, then who,….
” trope about the ostensible benevolence of the village in those “good old days” is sometimes exaggerated.”
Couldn’t read it all. Let me strike a discordant note.
As some look back with nostalgia and fond memories do they realize that for others they are describing a Barbados that never was? The idyllic village that they speak of was a nightmare foe some; a place where scorn was heaped on you because of your circumstances. A family illness, a lack of money, a ramshackle house became a source of scorn or created a dividing line between some and the village they live in. The idea that material things or having their child go to a good school made them better than you was the backbone of whatever philosophy they had.
But I must confess that they were some in the village who were not blind or ignorant. I remember an old bicycle repair man calling me and asking me how I was doing at school. He would then urge me to get my game up and compete with my neighbor’s son as my neighbor always disparaged me. His words were fuel for my desire to succeed and I surpassed his charge (I know I did).
We who lived it know it. And whilst some may wish for yesteryear, others are firmly determined never to recapture or to live in that ‘glorious’ past. Let them dream on, let them tell tall tales to listeners or even travel back to the ‘glorious’ past in their minds, but I cab assure you, they travel without me.
I believe there is value in having some of us not joining in the national Kumbaya moments. In the ‘good old days’ the dissemination of information was in the hands of a few; and they, ‘the victors’, wrote stories and songs that made their actions noble and their motives pure and ignored the horrors they inflicted on others.
But for a moment, technology gave all of us a voice. How you choose to use your voice is up to you, but hopefully there will always be some who choose to sing a different tune or even change the lyrics of the song.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64722763
“What is demonstrates is that we have the capacity to solve problems.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Does it?
Which problems have we been able to solve Boss?
What this portrays to Bushie is EXACTLY why we DO NOT have the capacity to solve problems.
Here we have for DECADES been paying millions of dollars annually to a bunch of politicians, civil servants and lawyers to address a national problem of gang violence – a problem which has been growing increasingly worse.
Along comes an unknown community wise man who appears to have steupsed at the administrative folly, and casually addressed the problem in the most obvious and effective manner imaginable.
Boss
The ONLY thing that this demonstrates is that this shiite place is doomed.
While the TRUE leaders and problem-solvers are on the Blocks and in the ZR business, hoards of effeminate men and non-productive ‘men-women’ are being paid millions to put us further into debt, while running around making excuses for their ongoing failure…
What next?
Can we get one of the ZR conductors who’ll be displaced by the new cashless system to come up with a sensible transportation plan?
…or perhaps form a committee of the now peaceful gangs to reform the shiite court system at last…?
What a place…!!!
@Bush Tea
I agree with your comments.
‘Iston’ is far from being “unknown.”
However, he is well known and respected in the Orleans, Chapman Lane, surrounding communities….. and several other districts in Barbados.
Despite his reputation, we should appreciate he took the initiative to meet with gang members.
After all, he can ‘walk the walk and talk the talk.’
I would even better if other ‘old school gangsters’ would join his efforts.
Artax
Why should ‘other old school gangsters’ join with Iston to address problems pro bono …which we are paying politicians top dollar to deal with? Bushie never said that they were foolish…
If we brass bowls had ANY sense, we would SELECT and ELECT people of his ilk to run the damn place – like the ‘elders’ did in our ancestral kingdoms…
But instead, we have adopted the albino methodologies of choosing materialistic ‘talkers of shiite’ to lead us – instead of selecting wise, ‘DOERS of right’.
So, since we are sowing folly, we can only reap shaving cream.
BTW Artax…
Given your propensity to talk shiite – how come you are not next in line to become PM…?
LOL
ha ha ha
murduh!!!
@ TheOGazerts,
I reccomend you read this book by Bajan author Ronald A Williams
” The Fall of Autumn Leaves “
“While the TRUE leaders and problem-solvers are on the Blocks and in the ZR business, hoards of effeminate men and non-productive ‘men-women’ are being paid millions to put us further into debt, while running around making excuses for their ongoing failure…”
Ugly isnt it, hideous even……..weeee told yall, pretenders are not real leaders…can’t be both…..it’s outside the realm of possibilities..
I find it strange that the Blogmaster would take down my comment revealing the truth.
Isn’t Istanbul Bull a know cocaine dealer in Chapman Lane whose powder has been sold all over the island?
The man was able to negotiate a truce, others with flowery credentials have been unable. Why the hating?
So @David, what is the point of reference re ‘Iston’s’ peace pact???
I don’t know the brother nor do I discredit his efforts to forge the peace but it’s beyond cynical that I would laud John Gotti or let’s say Tupac if either of those gents had used their leadership status to calm warring factions of the Mafia or the warring rapper crews !
Quite cynical considering that the same gents were part of the problem that started the mayhem.
So kudos to the peacemakers fah sure but let’s get real.
Just now maybe Xi will forge the peace with Russia and Ukraine just after he provides some destructive new tech to the warring parties … what a savior he will be too, wouldn’t he.
Just saying, bro! The entire dynamic is truly brass-bowlery as the Bush Griot would tell us!
Source: Nation
@Dee Word
Why do we have to analyze everything to death? Branch was instrumental in forging a truce and that is all. His antecedents are irrelevant in the context of the discussion.
The blogmaster is unsure the relevance of Corey Lane’s intervention in the press at this time.
Source: Nation
@David, it’s quite appropriate – if you so desire – to view this matter as you have that we ‘over-analyze everything to death’ and that “antecedents are irrelevant in the context of the discussion”. I choose NOT to be so blasé!
In your path to peace you also seemingly profess to be “unsure [of] the relevance of Corey Lane’s intervention in the press at this time”, when in fact his entire commentary is so provocatively political. (A minister for Crime Prevention in the AG’s ministry who having replaced a previously ‘failed’ minister in similar capacity is now proactively dealing directly with CgEOs -Chief gangland Executive Officer – of the type who attended the opening of parliament; and you are “unsure” of his remarks)
I KNOW that you (and team) are much more astute than your comments would suggest so I’ll leave this in summary form rather than explore further your rather chilled dismissive focus.
Suffice to say again kudos and blessings to the peacemakers for they shall SURELY be called to ‘greater glory’.
I dun wid dat. Peace.
@Dee Word
An escalating crime situation in recent years obviously exposes the helplessness of authorities and wider society to stem incidence of rising crime. A man from the streets who knows the actors because he was in an earlier life a drug man now transformed must be seen for what it is, a ban-aide.
Let us work with Branch and his team to build a lasting relationship with the actors and more importantly address systemic issues feeding deviant behaviour.
Of course we want the street people to handover guns but they will not at this stage if one takes a pragmatic view.
The man was able to negotiate a truce, others with flowery credentials have been unable. Why the hating?
Xxxxxx
No hating I know him personally having spoken a number of times.
However we should never gloss over the truth.
@ Bush Tea
RE: “If we brass bowls had ANY sense, we would SELECT and ELECT PEOPLE of HIS ILK to run the damn place – like the ‘elders’ did in our ancestral kingdoms…”
I ‘said,’ It would even better if other ‘old school gangsters’ would join his efforts.”
It is NOT a guarded secret ‘Iston’ Branch is a known DRUG LORD from ‘back in the day.’ But, that DOES NOT negate the objective he is attempting to accomplish.
The other ‘old school gangsters,’ I suggested could ASSIST in achieving the desired objectives…… even those SAME ‘gang members’ for whom a truce is being negotiated……
…… as well as the same “3 known drug dealers” that YOU and others LAMBASTED Mottley for inviting to the opening of Parliament……
…… are are ALL “PEOPLE of HIS ILK”…… “wise, DOERS of right,” according to YOU.
That “if we brass bowls had any sense, we would select and elect to run the damn place.”
And, you have the audacity to ‘tell’ me ’bout “given (my) propensity to talk shiite?”
It is clearly obvious that, at some point in time, ALL contributors, YOU INCLUDED, have demonstrated a “propensity to talk shiite.”
I was also going to ask, “How come you are not next in line to become PM…?” But, then again, no.
We would have the sense to OVERLOOK YOU and “select and elect” ‘Bounty’ instead.
When “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting,” rather than remain silent or move on, you ‘bob and weave, jabbing the air’…… floating like a butterfly, stinging like a, but lacking the ‘knock out punch,’ unlike Muhhamad Ali.
LOL
ha ha ha
murduh!!!…… “Bushie stylie’
Artax
You may have the last essay…
But first, please check the number of words used by Bushie… and THEN compare the number of chronicles that you used – ….all to say that we we saying the SAME shiite.
Now tell us who is ‘runny’..
….and which Bushman ejects ‘goat rolls’…..
Artax
You could never talk as much shiite as Bushie…., but thanks mainly to Waru, you do it more fluidly (ie, yours tends to be ‘runny’)
Unlike you, Bushie is unaware of who were ‘drug dealers’ and who are ‘drug Lords’. The SIMPLE point being made is that there are some people in our society who have a KNACK for solving problems and for getting things DONE, while the vast majority are shiite talkers and parasites.
We have gone for the useless shiite-talkers, and rejected the ‘doers’ to work their magic on the blocks and the River Terminal.
Moses was a murderer, and the great Apostle Paul was a wicked SOB called ‘Saul’. Guess who were called to lead the ancient Brass Bowls of the past to the promised lands…
As to Bushie’s rejection from the shiite talk line-up…
Good call – not stinking Bushie, wunna could go with Bounty….
Bushie has already been hired…. ha ha !!
Bush Tea
There you go!!
‘Coming off the ropes bobbing and weaving…… jabbing at air.’
You ‘said,’ “Along comes AN UNKNOWN community wise man who appears to have steupsed at the administrative folly……”
“…… and casually addressed the problem in the most obvious and effective manner imaginable.”
I AGREED with YOUR comments.
“The SIMPLE point I made was,” ‘Iston’ is FAR from being unknown.
He is well KNOWN and RESPECTED in the COMMUNITIES where the onging violence keeps ‘raising its ugly head,’…… and BY THOSE INDIVIDUALS perpetrating the crimes.
That RESPECT and being able to ‘walk the walk and talk the talk,’ enabled him, according to you…..
…… to “casually address the problem in the most obvious and effective manner imaginable.”
I went on to ‘say,’ “it would even better if other ‘old school gangsters’ would join his efforts.”
One may find “a murderer” like Moses, or “a wicked SOB” ‘just like’ Saul, among those ‘old school gangsters’ (“people of his ilk”) …… who could ASSIST in further negotiating and quelling the violence.
Apparently, you took a dose of ‘castor oli’ or some epsom salts…… because your shiite is “runny” as well.
We are essentially using different words to make the same point.
BTW, Bush Tea
You asked, “WHY should ‘other old school gangsters’ join with Iston to address problems pro bono …which we are paying politicians top dollar to deal with?”
You already ANSWERED that question. Because, ACCORDING to YOU:
[1]. we have for DECADES been PAYING millions of dollars annually to a bunch of politicians, civil servants and lawyers to address a national problem of gang violence – a problem which has been growing increasingly worse.
[2]. we have adopted the albino methodologies of choosing materialistic ‘talkers of shiite’ to lead us – instead of selecting wise, ‘DOERS of right’.
[3]. If we brass bowls had ANY sense, we would SELECT and ELECT PEOPLE OF HIS ILK to run the damn place – like the ‘elders’ did in our ancestral kingdoms…
[4]. the TRUE leaders and problem-solvers are on the Blocks and in the ZR business.
After all, “Moses was a murderer, and the great Apostle Paul was a wicked SOB called ‘Saul’. Guess who were called to lead the ancient Brass Bowls of the past to the promised lands…”
But, we all know you’re a RISIBLE guy…… the reason why you ‘came off the ropes, looking pretty, and jabbing at air.’…… PROVOKING the crowd to LAUGHTER and distract their attention away from the fact you don’t have a ‘knock-out punch.’
“Why do we have to analyze everything to death?”
My intuitive analysis is that is a Bajan trait
for some but not all
others like to shoot from the hip
others display confirmation bias
others are followers in cliques
others like to false claim victory
others like to big themselves up
one of Bu’s biggest attractions is silly arguments
BAU MO Business As Usual Modus Operandi
if you look at gun and gang violence in USA
then truces made by respected leaders is common practice
rehabilitation of cadres is another tool in or out of jail
intervention before jail is sought by social services
when people are in the game it is more difficult to get them out
elders and former gang bangers testify it is bad life where young die early
YES @Dub, that is and has always been the used methodology of life.
Negotiations generally ONLY begin in earnest after some power base is established by one of the disadvantaged parties; one party has so devastated the other or the parties have reached the MAD point … and of course generally all of that can only begin oft times after much blood-letting.
The community generated peace-pact has always been the first iteration of the kumbaya moment.
Long may these dances exist … as it’s the only real path truly: demanding respect (a place at the negotiating table) ‘vi et armis’!
I remember someone calling you “Bush Shiite.” That name speaks for itself.
We all know you’re a RISIBLE guy……PROVOKING the crowd to LAUGHTER and DISTRACT their attention away from the fact you don’t have a ‘knock-out punch.’
If you are talking of forgiveness of sins or of some charity then a priest would be good candidate to choose as a leader.
We have seen that solving gun issues and murder with just police and government participation is folly; we know that this has not worked for years, but yest some are crying when out of ‘the box thinking’ is adopted.
I hope “Average Joe” has the the sense to ignore false tears, the sense to know when no real solution is being provided, the sense to ignore sophistry and when a six is being presented as a nine.
GoRoB-PF is in above way its head and needs help.
GoRoB ministers are out of touch and believed the new flawed laws are the solution. They have no answers and can only amend laws or create new ones.
I would suggest GoRoB-PF and GoRoB ministers first
(1) thank the man for this start
(2) then try to bring the process into their house (use his efforts to our benefit)
(3) abandon their hammer approach to solving problems. To a hammer, everything seems like a nail.
Times are serious.
“Security guards shot dead in Portmore while loading ABM
February 27, 2023
Two security guards from the Guardsman Group were shot and killed while loading an Automated Banking Machine (ABM) at Portmore Pines Mall in Portmore, St Catherine this morning.”
Artax,
Bushie has bamboozled the blog with form over substance BIGLY. He has a way with words that can leave one in stitches. That often is as effective as a knock out punch. A belly laugh leaves one as helpless as a belly searcher….and the big difference is…it FEELS GOOD! Who really wants to get past the dopamine effect? Wuh, even Donna too love a skin teet! Took her a while to wise up to the sleight-of-hand!
It actually took his prolonged absence to do the trick.
At least it has been a long time since he’s been called a sage. (You’re welcome.) lol Sometimes he makes a lot of sense and sometimes he doesn’t, just like the rest of us.
Old gangsters with street cred are the only people the gangsters can trust with ease.
But who are the Mr. Big, Bigger and Biggest behind the rival gangs in the drug trade though? Do the Misters Big order the hits or do they occur organically?
You seem to know a lot more than I do, so I await your response.
Seems to me to be a most relevant question.
As an aside, long have I admired the Barbadian flair for nicknames.
“Iston Bull” is the best of the best!
I’m guessing it refers to Istanbul, Winston and the Rasta “I” as well as the danger of the bull.
Nice one!
Will not even comment on the effort to grow the Barbadian population by 185,000 by 2050. Our current population is 282,000.
Please keep two things in mind
(1) in time these 185,00 will become elderly and
(2) these young migrant will also have children.
Interesting to see all these comments. We have a scenario where a former gang boss was able to get gangs to stop shooting up the place when officials couldn’t,it is not the best scenario but it is what we have at the moment. Officials have to find a way to credibly add a voice to the process.
Source: Nation
It seems this editorial lays alot of blame on the police. Where was the big discussion when the previous government ignored the replacement of scanners at the Port for example? What about the inefficient court system and laws which allow individuals charged with serious crime to be out on bail? What about John and Jan Citizens who refuse to report criminal activity in neighbourhoods the result we see garrison like culture developing in Barbados?
Source: Nation
@ David
This editorial is indicative of the pathetic lack of analytical skills in the fourth estate of Brassbados.
The simplistic analyses with which we are bombarded daily is a clear indication that, even if we could rid ourselves of the idiots currently in charge, it is unlikely that we will be able to do any better. (as we have discovered since dumping the DLP clowns in 2018).
There is a ROOT cause for every shiite.
The ONLY proper solution comes when the ROOT cause is identified, and corrected. Everything else is trial and error – and often makes the situation even worse.
Those Gangs exist and thrive because we have created the most STUPID education system possible – one that promotes mendicancy, feminism and conformance to the status quo (Yes Sir , Yes Ma’am, Please) and that DISCARDS true creativity, bravery and MANHOOD to the blocks and the ZR culture, while Mr ‘educator’ Sir Cave Hilary, runs around begging the world for ‘reparations’…
‘Surprise surprise’ that 20 years later, the Gangs now decide if there will be war or peace in Brassbados….depending on what suits THEM.
The ‘Police’ are mostly a bunch of docile school ‘successes’ who lack street smarts, and can even be forced to pay for the meals at their training center.
…meanwhile, The best efforts of the Ministry, the Police, the Courts, Press, the church, and Mia ..have been UNABLE to get the ZR culture to conform to ANY rules…
WHO THEN, ARE THE TRUE LEADERS?
A PROPER education system would have identified such TRUE leadership talent from PRIMARY school and honed those NATIONAL RESOURCES to take up the leadership of this country….. (REAL) Men like I’ston and many others now seen as ‘threats’ to society…
Instead, we see a bunch of emotion and intuition-driven women and mock men floundering hither and yon with meaningless shiite issues such as ‘Apps to monitor school meals calories’ or ‘surveys to see how many children know about bulling’….
Steupsss…
Do we even have 10 worthy in the whole damned place that could merit us avoiding the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah?
Bushie is doubtful….
@Bush Tea
It is the reason it was posted. It fails to connect with the root issues.
The failings of Iston Bull
“Perfection is the enemy of the good”
You gain an inch, they say you should have gained a mile.
Rather than take what Iston Bull Grant delivered and worked wit it, they demand that his brother Shit Bull Grant be also involved
(1) Iston is himself a ‘bad guy.
(2) He should have asked that they surrender their guns. How many guns did you recover ‘Mr Bull’
(3) The gang leaders should apologize to the people for their crimes
(4) The gang leaders should deliver a message to the young people condemning their own behavior
(5) Gang members should now be campaigning across the country trying to get people to turn in their guns
(6) Some key players were not at the meeting. Mr Bull why didn’t you go out and drag them in?
(7) What are the next steps ‘Mr Bull’? ‘Mr Bull’ you need to stop messing around and solve this problem; GTFOH with your silly meeting.
(8) ‘Mr Bull” what are the rules related to negotiating with these groups and the ramifications.
Having read all of these comments, it is obvious that Bajan prefer that Iston brother ‘Shit Bull’ be put in charge of these meetings. It amuses me how ineffective do-nothingers would attempt to throw piss on “Mr Bull’s” effort. The flap their lips and do nothing; one guy tries to do something and they cuss him out.
it’s your turn now, Shit Bull.
Ignore the ‘few’ typos
B.S.!
Excellent analysis of the kind of idiots taking up space in the Barbados media daily, TheO.
https://barbadostoday.bb/2023/03/08/give-truce-a-chance-lashley/
Do you know they are just waiting for the next shooting to say “I know it wouldn’t work”
How can Barbadians squander this bold and beautiful initiative? Will we allow big egos to take the life of John Average? Someone needs to take this ball and run with it.
It appears that the ‘Iston’ effect is lasting longer than expected.
A bold and beautiful initiative is being wasted. Anointed and appointed ones cannot accept help from outside of the clique.
It looks as if there is still a beneficial residual effect to the ‘Iston’ initiative.
Why do I get the impression that those on power will not make use of this effort. They will wait until ‘things fall apart’ and then rush in with their studied nonsense.
I have noticed a number of articles in BT that indicate methamphetamines is or may be becoming a problem in Barbados.
Police must also be on the lookout for fentanyl. They say fentanyl (a synthetic opioid) is -‘up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine’.
It is cheaper to produce than other opioid and because it is so powerful it is easy to smuggle as smaller amounts are needed to provide the high.
https://www.sjcphs.org/healthed/OSP_Fentanyl.aspx
in full support of RoBPF on this issue.
Did anyone notice that there was a shooting in Barbados yesterday (05/02/2023)?
This brings to mind several questions:
(1) Has the “Iston Bull” effect worn off?
**It lasted 3 months but no one expected it to last forever.
(2) Have government officials made use of this truce and try to bring calm/peace to the country?
(3) Or did ego, arrogance and petty jealousy stop our officials from making use of the “Iston Bull” truce?
(4) What will happen when the shootings starts again? Will we see a repeat of “old talk” and doing nothing?
(5) Is this problem outside of the understanding of our law enforcement officials?
Do we live in a utopia? We have had one murder in several weeks. Please do not be a drama queen.
The instruction to make use of the ceasefire in some way is seen as alarmist.
Watch how they bury their heads in the sand. When things fall apart you will hear the gnashing of teeth.
We need a national bird …
https://youtu.be/Clkec1zH2gY
Not going to be a drama queen.
” Lawmen report that at about 1:50 a.m. on Friday, June 16, 2023, along Worthing, Christ Church a man was walking in the area of the Republic Bank, Worthing, Christ Church when he encountered two males dressed in all black and ski masks, pointing a gun at him.
One of the men shot him in his right thigh. The men then ran off and left the area in a white motor car.”
Commander Hants
https://barbadostoday.bb/2023/06/20/one-dead-another-injured-in-st-philip-shooting/
@ TheOGazerts,
waiting to hear from Iston Bull whose brokered peace deal worked for a few months.
Of course it is NOT his responsibility to do the jobs of the authorities like the AG, Commish etc.
@Commander Hants
https://barbados.loopnews.com/content/3-shot-1-dead-superlative
The Iston Bull effect is fading.
Will be amusing to watch someone say ‘we don’t know if it is gang or drug related’. They believe they can explain away everything.