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Ralph Thorne reaches ‘dead end’

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Submitted by Victor Callender

What a politically castatrophic situation has befallen the Democratic Labor Party (DLP).The party founded by political stalwarts, and once a powerfully vaulted party in the lexicon of Caribbean politics, has fallen into disrepute. At the helm of this maniacy is Ralph Thorne, with fire in his belly, and a commitment to a political scorched earth mentality.

Mr. Thorne, who while a political backbencher in the [Barbados Labour Party] BLP, could not summon himself to meaningful political discourse, now parades in the DLP, with the mentality of Dr, Kevorkian. Claiming to have crime saving ideas, this officer of the court, only had to walk a few steps across the aisle of the House of Assembly, and reach out to the Attorney General of Barbados, and the Prime Minister of Barbados.

Mr. Thorne you will find yourself in the political potter’s grave, that dooms all who act and behave like you have. My old Ellerslie School teacher, Toney Olton, would always say to his students, “it is better to be thought of as a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” Mr. Thorne you opened your mouth, and from it came political, spiritual and mental midgetry. The Shakesearian end to a meaningless political career, and so it goes.

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150 responses to “Ralph Thorne reaches ‘dead end’”

  1. David Avatar
    David

    @Sargeant

    There is talk on the ground around loyalty issues etc. The stuff which doesn’t make its way to traditional media.

  2. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    Drink watuh and mind muh bizness.

  3. angela cox Avatar
    angela cox

    The the dlp haters of Tricia Watson all over social media talking about the 36 dollars refund she asked of the dlp
    The desperation level is very high with the haters to slander her name
    What these idiots don’t realize protest can come in any form and with that said others can join in and make what seems petty and insignificant a reality that becomes a financial problem for the party

  4. David Avatar
    David

    @ac

    You and other DLP supporters must find a way to stop the bleed. What people on the outside are saying about the DLP should be the least of your worries.

  5. angela cox Avatar
    angela cox

    David that is not my problem to solve
    The problem now lies in Thornes hands
    Not mine! I sit in the gallery looking on nothing else to do and on occasion put my two sense in the fray

  6. David Avatar
    David

    Actually it lies in the hands of DLP members.

  7. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    “..two sense in the fray”

    that should be 2 cents

    ‘two sense’ could be a freudian slip

    a woman’s instinct is he is his story

  8. Peter Thompson Avatar
    Peter Thompson

    @David wrote:
    “Actually it lies in the hands of DLP members.”
    Sadly you are mistaken… the membership has been silenced.

    The Party has been hijacked by a subset of the General Council who are the ones who invited Ralph Thorne to cross the floor in order to get rid of Dr Yearwood.

    They rule by eliminating in person General Council meetings, holding zoom meetings where the block the participation of council members who do not lick their boots, and mute any member who tries to speak up for party democracy.

    The membership tried to regain control over their party last Saturday, but they were unsuccessful.

  9. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    “The membership tried to regain control over their party last Saturday, but they were unsuccessful.”

    Not necessarily, their views of opposition were put out there
    sometimes extreme measures are the beginning of the end
    like the Sharpeville massacre

    Ralph is still listening to sycophants only and no one else
    and will not take any criticism on board for consideration
    he has had bad guidance from whispering campaigns

    Yin and Yang
    a victory has the seeds of defeat
    a defeat has the seeds of victory

    Yinyang describes the two complementary forces—yin and yang—that make up all aspects and phenomena of life. It encompasses the actual process of the universe and all that is in it. Yin and yang are depicted as the light and dark halves of a circle and contain dots of the other colour which are representative of one within the other.

  10. Pachamama Avatar
    Pachamama

    PLT

    Again we can’t see what could be the material objectives of any subset of the GC unless somebody other than Thorne has a seat.

    With respect, if you really knew RAT it would have long been clear to you that crossing the floor was likely.

    Indeed, on this very blog this writer was estimating this years previously.Thorne required no invitation from anybody to cross the floor.

    The dictatorial general tendencies which you cite within the DLP are not dissimilar to what happens in the BLP. How does this make the Dems unique, more likely to fracture?

  11. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    @Peter Thompson August 31, 2024 at 10:09 am

    Didn’t I predict from the beginning that things wouldn’t end well for the DLP with Thorn?

    His leadership style somehow reminds me of our beloved Supreme Leader … You just have to recognise the strings and you’ll see that Thorn is just a puppet.

  12. David Avatar
    David

    Well Peter if that is the case the DLP will hasten its demise.

  13. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    “Indeed, on this very blog this writer was estimating this years previously.Thorne required no invitation from anybody to cross the floor.”

    When people resign they often have a Plan B / something else lined up.
    Ralph must have spoken to old guard back channels not official DLP channels as this exactly how events panned out.

  14. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Would this be the ideal time to build a new party? I don’t meanwith former BLP member Ronnie Yearwood or any of the tainted old guard, but with the fresh face of Ms. Watson and a few well-chosen others? Does she not have that credibility with the general public?

    The DLP is a publicly rotting cadaver! This would not count as a third party. This would actually be a second party, after the next election when Ralph Thorne loses his seat.

    If you run only a few candidates there would be no risk of handing the government to the DLP by voting for them.

    People are talking about the BLP being run by a maximum leader and how that leadership style obviously is still popular.

    How obvious and with whom? What was the turn out in the last election?

    How popular is Mia OUTSIDE of the BLP’s few thousand members?

    Would her successor even be able to pull that leadership style off? If the next leader is Santia Bradshaw, I doubt it!

  15. David Avatar
    David

    @Donna

    Watson has significant credibility with public. What would have to be tested by a ‘new party’ is if the electorate willing to show interest outside of the duopoly i .e. the known brands of DLP and BLP.

  16. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Barbados politics is stale and needs a shake up.

    There is always a difference in attitudes between different generations.

    A vibrant youth / grass roots / future planning / change / outlook needs to be cultivated.

  17. David Avatar
    David

    To judge our politicians is to judge ourselves.

    Politics and prejudice

    There was one group of people whom I used to be unapologetically prejudiced against. If I ever encountered anyone of this group in person it would take some effort to not wrinkle my nose.

    I always tried my best to control any obvious reactions when in their presence but at my core the aversion would be bubbling over. I recognise now that I was immature and misguided, as prejudice usually indicates.

    This is not to say that everything I believed about this group was wrong.

    In fact, I still hold some of the same opinions I held before. But greater context and deeper consideration brings a clarity that can lead to more compassion and understanding. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become less quick to judge and assume things about others. Or, at the very least, I am less adamant about my judgments and assumptions.

    I recognise that you never know another person’s story completely, their inner motivations, struggles, intentions and workings of their mind. A more complete picture and understanding of the complexity of the other’s circumstances cause the dial on negative judgement to turn down.

    All that to say that I am no longer so prejudiced against politicians. I am generally less inclined to prejudicial attitudes than I was when I was younger. But, I also have a better understanding and appreciation of the difficulties and dangers of navigating the political arena. I also know that somebody has got to do it. That body is not me.

    Judge

    So, respect is due to the people who step up and face the fire with good intentions, whether they blast off or burn. Is each and every politician a person of total honour and integrity?

    Probably not. Are political decisions and policies always ones that I agree with? Definitely not. But if there was ever a case of, “If you point one finger at someone else there are three more pointing back at you,” this is it.

    To judge our politicians is to judge ourselves. And fall prey to our own prejudice.

    Because our politicians do not drop out of the sky. They come from us.

    Kendrick Lamar’s diss track against fellow rapper Drake does not apply.

    They are like us. They are us. If the political culture is toxic, it must bear some connection to the toxicity in the wider culture. Political parties must be a reflection of many other organisations and entities. This is why playing musical chairs with political parties every five years is not necessarily the answer to the changes and transformation we need.

    Transforming education, the crime situation, the economy, society all rest on wide-scale cultural reform which requires wide-scale personal transformations. If I/you want politicians to be different, I/you have to be different. To quote Blood and Mikey, “You, me, we, are the heart of the party.” When we take that seriously, politics will be different because we ourselves are different.

    Easier said than done. Parties in power tend to want to perpetually valourise and speak of glory to defend against opposition parties who want to perpetually demonise and speak as if the sky is falling.

    However, we have a special moment in history. We have a Government that is so unchallenged that it can afford to be more open, reflective and honest about where we are as a country and a people, without it being an admission of weakness for an opposition to exploit. We have opposition parties that are in such disarray and in such need of internal repair that they might as well reroute some of the resources used for the usual tactic of just lashing out at everything and take the time to truly reform themselves. We all need to truly have those hard conversations Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley often speaks of. Easier said than actually done though. It requires a level of maturity beyond what we have achieved before. Otherwise, we will be casualties of our own prejudices and negative cultures.

    Adrian Green is a communications specialist.

    Source: Nation

  18. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    Adrian reads BU.

  19. Terence M Blackett Avatar
    Terence M Blackett

    FOR THE UPTEEMTH TIME: ‘Where there is no “VISION” – the “RATS” will continue 2 fight over a sinking ship…’ scurrying to & fro in search of “POLIETICAL GEOGRAPHY” ( #PoliSci used in its less nebulous context)

    LOOK WE STUDY THIS CRAP ALL DAY LONG & IT IS JUST THAT THE MECHANICS CAUSE THE WHEELS TO COME OFF THE VEHICLE IN MOST CASES – HENCE WHAT WE ARE WITNESSING SHOULD NOT BE A SURPRISE TO ANYONE IN THE SLIGHTEST WAY

    Suffer my “IGNOMY” for a brief mo’…

    In the “INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR CRITICAL GEOGRAPHIES” – researchers at Memorial University of Newfoundland, University College Dublin, Cardiff University, University of Liverpool, Florida International University, University of Sheffield, University of British Columbia & Sheffield Hallam University looked at the rise of “RIGHT-WING-POPULIST-POLITICS, particularly in the “GLOBAL NORTH” & the effects that is having across the “GLOBAL SOUTH” & around the world!!!

    Sociologists & Futurists, like Samuel T. Huntington & Francis Fukuyama et al purport, that we have NOW entered an age where a “SPECIOUS MERGER” exists between “THE CLASH OF CIVILIZATIONS” & “THE END OF HISTORY” that will bring about an age-mired in “CONFLICT” – at a level not seen before – even after fighting “2 WORLD WARS” – given that the skirmishes will become increasingly entrenched, localised – then globalised!!!

    This “NEW DEMOCRATIC VARIANT” is a “HYDRA” of cross-HYBRIDIZATION of the “ANARCHIC & POPULIST” movements that are characterized by a critique of the “NEOLIBERAL CORPORATE STATE” & call 4 “MASS INSURGENCY”. This fusion, often called “ANARCHO-POPULISM” seeks to address the “MASSES OF THE PEOPLE”, regardless of occupation or political beliefs!!!

    Some of the key features are:

    (1) Direct Action & Prefiguration
    (2) Critique of Neoliberalism
    (3) Mass Insurgency
    (4) Anti-Elitism
    (5) Ideological Tensions
    (6) Co-optation & Integration
    (7) Building Sustainable Institutions

    Yet under the “PRETEXT” of all of this “HOGWASH” are varying degrees of “SELF-IMPOSED MYOPIA” on the part of “STATE ACTORS” who dance with the “DEVIL” to the “TUNE” of their “PAYMASTERS” – given that to cross that “PROVERBIAL GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE”, you gotta’ pay the piper for he’s the one who calls the tune!!!

    All these “GUYS” know whose “AGENDA” they are pushing!!! They “CONGREGATE” in their “MASONIC LODGES” where deals are struck with a “DEVILISH HANDSHAKE” – while the “DOCILE MASSES” are upended in every facet of daily life while they open up another “TIN OF CORNed-BEEF” (not knowing whether it is horse meat or the ground up entrails of some weird & wonderful animal)!!!

    If you are not “SICK 2 THE BACK TEETH” of all the “MADNESS” – then you are surely stranded on “GILLIGAN’S ISLAND” without a care in the world & with no future hope of exiting exile!!!

    This small island “FEATHERWEIGHT” bout of #PoLIEticians are all “CIRCUS MONKEYS” – no wonder the island is “OVER-RUN” with their “COUSINS” who are wreaking havoc everywhere & no one has the “BALLS” to sell them 2 the “CHINESE” as “LAB-RATS”!!!

    #ScratchAThief – #FindALiar

    WATCH CLAYTON & GERALD POSIT EYE-OPENING THINGS THAT WILL HIT THE PLANTATION WORKERS 2024 INTO 2025

    #StayTuned

    #IGone

  20. Terence M Blackett Avatar
    Terence M Blackett

    HERE IS AN AD THAT SUPPORTS THE BULLCRAP GOING ON IN BARBADOS

    Here’s the “ESTABLISHMENT” #EndorsingAnotherJackassMessage

    “THE ACTORS ARE DIFFERENT BUT THE MESSAGE IS THE SAME…”

  21. de Pedantic Dribbler Avatar
    de Pedantic Dribbler

    David, what exactly does the fact that “Watson has significant credibility with public” truly mean in this real politic of life!

    We must stop acting shocked and disturbed by the shennaigans of our political parties simply because it has ALWAYS been such.

    Can you or anyone else define a time in Bajan politics when a “maximum” leader was not the force that commanded and drove the party’s General Council to his, and lately, her will !!!

    When did party membership ever truly drive the final machinations … hasn’t it not always been a case of seeding plans within the groups of members and watch them seemingly grow organically to the desired result!

    Where there was truly non-seeded member driven activism was infrequent or side tracked by the leadership crew.

    🤷🏿‍♂️

    I would agree that now is the absolute ideal time to test if “the electorate [is] willing to show interest outside of the duopoly” … BUT merely having credibility will not carry the day.

    Bajans (and the region) have grown accustomed to STRONG men (women) and that type persona must step up to seize the moment and start any new party.

    In the same vein that the Barrows, DeBoulay Forde et al charged a narrative of the 60s and of course set Barrow on his DLP path.

    Different time and different narratives surely … so does Ms. Watson have the ambition, zest and ‘maximalism’ control demanded to coalesce a required team for political success !?

    That’s the calculus … NOT feel good aspects of some cumbayah moment of inspiration!

  22. David Avatar
    David

    @Dee Word

    We are trying to develop a new text that will help to disrupt and trigger a new ‘world’. Can you help?

    Doesn’t it help for emerging players who aspire to be part of the change movement to hold credibility with the public?

  23. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Watson does not have to lead a 3rd party, but her presence would add credibility.

    What is the opposite of the Maximo Lider ?

    Perhaps one or more leaders

    or a maybe a consensus orientated party

    it could be called the ‘Real Democratic Party’

    I guess the marriage between Ralph and Tricia fell apart because he thought his 1 lousy seat made him head of the household

  24. Frank Avatar
    Frank

    Every election is an opportunity to vote for something new.
    2018 was such a time. While nobody saw the 0, many predicted 3-5 D wins. Few sought to show any support to other parties. Ditto in the last, where the protest vote was to stay home. Both perfect times to test other parties with minimal seats. Very rarely do new entities go from 0 to 10 in a single election. And the majority of Bajans refuse to consider third parties.
    We get what we deserve. No risk = no return.
    Also note the brazeness of the internal D’s. They run the party like how the BDLP runs the island. They do as they please.

  25. David Avatar
    David

    @Frank

    We have had this discussion about a new party many times on BU. Many factors must collide to make it happen. In the case of Barbados because of the two entrenched brands i.e. DLP and BLP it probably will require the DLP to implode and for a NEW DLP to emerge from it. A new party doesn’t grow like a plant.

  26. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ David
    What happened to your optimism?
    All it takes to start a new party is a group of like minded patriots whose common thread is a commitment to the PUBLIC GOOD, and who have shown some kind of talent for getting things done.
    Cant find 30 such?

    Bushie long ago suggested the ideal format for such an approach, using persons who are serving successfully (and voluntarily) on NGOs and Professional organizations as the core group. (10 point plan)

    Your resistance to an alternative approach to the duopoly is suspicious… given your otherwise optimism.

    The ACTUAL reason that we are stuck with the single option of B/DLP is that Bajans are suckers for punishment. Like unrepentant slaves, we INSIST on being mistreated and exploited.
    Even our politicians RUSH to defer to our former slave masters and to foreigners for instructions, guidance and counsel…
    What a place

  27. David Avatar
    David

    @Bush Tea

    Not resistant at all. You have been on BU long enough to know this is not the case. A new party requires more than 30 likeminded people, it is the machinery behind a party that requires significant resources of time, money etc. Then there is the psyche (way of thinking) of a people to unfreeze. This is being realistic Bush Tea. There is nobody in this space that would like to see an alternative political option take root than this lowly blogmaster.

  28. John2 Avatar
    John2

    Lynette caswell Tracia (plt)

    The potential candidates / members will come as party grow

  29. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    BE JEEZE! This is why I am more comfortable with the young and the young are so comfortable with me. Young people have VISIONS!

    Here we are trying to imagine a new way of forward and some are condemning us to what “we are accustomed to in the Caribbean” as though it has brought us the life to which we aspire!

    Clearly some are stuck in the mire of eternal madness!

    Those who have read Macchiavelli’s The Prince seem to have adopted it as our political bible.

    They don’t question it, just as they don’t question the Christian Bible, even when the Old Testament and the New Testament don’t agree.

    Well, I have this terrible habit of questioning EVERYTHING!

    Who the hell is this Macchiavelli that he should be allowed to stagnate my mind in what is???

    What SHOULD BE? Why can’t it be? Why can’t we pursue what should be?

    Does politics HAVE TO BE a blood sport?

    Do we really still long for the maximum leader?

    Is a “third party” of Watson warriors not possible in Barbados?

    And later –

    Must we govern by the Westminster system?

    Forget old men! Let us look to the young!

    I have a feeling that they are fed up with old men’s mire!

  30. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Looks like BLP will be the default for the 2-4 election or until the world ends,
    as there have been many discussions about Armageddon on BU too.
    So there is no point discussing politics anymore,
    the standard answer to these type of questions on BU is ‘Not DLP’.

  31. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Dub,

    Damn right! Why waste time here if we are resigned to the same old shit continuing “world without end”

    Amen?

  32. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    “…it is the machinery behind a party that requires significant resources of time, money etc. “
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    FYI Boss, that was the case back in 2000 and before. Back then, we needed boots on the ground and constituencies etc, with foot soldiers knocking on doors.

    Not so much in 2024….

    Social media, mass communications, ON-LINE political meetings and WEB based productions have RADICALLY changed the dynamics…

    Marcia Weeks and Caswell has been MANY times more effective that the shiite DLP – who are still trying to ride their old, half-dead 1970 political donkey into parliament..

    BLP is just behind them – despite the BUR-RIFFLE of Public Relations people and info-gathering resources being deployed… The lack of RESULTS will be THEIR undoing.

    Can you imaging the IMPACT of 30 brilliant CITIZENS using state-of-the-art technologies to REALLY communicate with citizens..?
    ..AND THEN BEING able to get things done…?

    Even Brass Bowls like Bushie would be impressed…

  33. David Avatar
    David

    Do not agree Bush Tea. It will take more. Marcia Weekes and Caswell appeal mainly to a blue collar demographic only. Social media will help you get the message out but what will anchor the messaging? Is it enough to expect people will switch to an alternative because they have become cynical with the duopoly? Just listened to the head of the youth arm of the BLP (Rohanna Trim) forced to admit there is no philosophical difference between the BLP and the DLP which is what has been discussed and agreed in this space.

    What will differentiate this new party Bush Tea?

  34. David Avatar
    David

    @ Bush Tea

    Is there a difference between a pressure group and a political party?

  35. de Pedantic Dribbler Avatar
    de Pedantic Dribbler

    David, EXACTLY re your 11:31. I am shocked, deeply so, at the narratives of obviously very astute persons who look askance at historical realities … which have been proven over and over!

    How can a country like Bdos evolve from the so called duopoly within the context of what you noted above?

    How does it!

    These two parties have the term Labor in their ‘brand’ and espouse identical policies and philosophies … what DEEPLY separates them BUT PERSONALITIES.

    So even in Bush Griot-s model what is the DIFERENTIATION , the competitive edge- if you will, that an already respected and credible NGO or other leader brings to the party – political and otherwise???

    Will he or she propose some radical Green New Deal or Climate Energy model that charts a brand new path not trod by current parties?

    Is there some new economic philosophy to be unearthed ?

    Or maybe some absolutely new technological plans?

    REALTIES .. not cumbayah!

    Sorry @Donna, but it’s not about Machiavelli… come now. He is but one historical voice among MANY who clearly show the context of leadership… there is also “The Myth of the Strong Leader: Political Leadership in the Modern Age”, and many more tomes …there are the writings of Covey, the Sun Tzus ad nauseum.

    Youth MUST and will always take over and lead … that’s a FUNDAMENTAL truism … that does NOT mean that it’s some de facto or automatic rite of passage.

    Leadership by its FUNDAMANTAL definition also means the one who hopes to lead a country MUST act as a maximalist power at points along his/her path to the top.

    Name me ONE leader in ANY so called western democracy who has not ascended to the top after sometimes brutal battles with colleagues !

    If you and others like Bushie want to perceive that modern Bajan leadership will be shaped by some fanciful new scope of youthful exuberance or collective common- good leadership then carry on smartly … stories of Alice”s Wonderland are also well known.

    Peace.

  36. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    Bushie’s days of arguing are long past, and most certainly with the likes of dribbler, whose idea of ‘utopia’ is albino-land and all its trimmings…except perhaps police killings of blacks.

    However, the ROOT Problem with the system we currently have (the albino-centric system) is that it is fundamentally flawed in a number of ways.

    1 – Government is essentially controlled by money (needed to fool the public in order to win elections) – and this money comes from the 10% wealthy.

    2 – Once elected, government CANNOT tax their financiers, and IN FACT is FORCED to repay the bribes collected with questionable contracts, while AT the same time, pretending to keep the promises made to brass bowls for their votes.

    3 – The ONLY way out, is to BORROW – from the same damn rich people, at high interest rates, making them EVEN richer…and the country poorer and poorer.

    4- This is OBVIOUSLY unsustainable, and will collapse into chaos – as we are currently seeing …

    The SOLUTION that addresses the ROOT problem is to REMOVE THE NEED FOR MONEY in the pursuit of political power, and to instead substitute attributes such as honesty, community commitment, prior performance, and results achieved.

    With modern technology, it would be VERY easy to measure and display such attributes of candidates for the world to see, and hence voters would be in a position to vote based on OBJECTIVE independent information – rather than need to depend on PR gimmicks, promises, and BS from stooges being pushed as ‘candidates’.

    That BB’s may fail to grasp the value of such an approach is par for the BB course, and in fact is why we are where we are…

    So be it…

  37. TLSN Avatar
    TLSN

    Have you noticed that we do not even discuss the dearth of media houses in Barbados. Once upon a time they existed a newspaper called The Barbados Advocate. Unable to pay its workers. It had a cardiac arrest and passed away swiftly. Its demise raised barely a whisper amongst the BLP, the talk shows and “the newspapers”.

    As for this Thorne chap, I have nothing to say. We, as a people, have in place a political system that we thoroughly deserve. Read some of the comments from the characters such as Enuff and Dub555; and their unswathing support for all things Mia and the BLP. Absolutely pitiful!!

  38. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    They say that there cannot be a 3rd party (or more)
    but they are old cynical critical and boring
    they are not young creative and romantic
    so don’t become like them dead in the soul

    it is better to try and aim for the top
    even if you don’t reach your goal
    you will be better than you are now
    and your views are in public domain

  39. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    “Read some of the comments from the characters such as Enuff and Dub555; and their unswathing support for all things Mia and the BLP. Absolutely pitiful!!”

    Mia is the best of the worst

    Pitiful snide Hal Austin we see you

  40. Peter Thompson Avatar
    Peter Thompson

    @Bush Tea & @David,
    I agree with both of you: with Bush Tea that 30 people in 2024 can achieve more than 300 could have in 2020, but on the other had I agree with David the much more is still required.

    Bajan political culture is corrupt to its core. The tiny constituencies can easily be bought with very modest investment; neighborhoods are controlled in many cases by political bosses who are sometimes synonymous with crime bosses. The power hierarchy replicates what we inherited from the plantation: the capitalists are Massa, the political leaders are merely the Overseers, and their Rangers are sometimes career criminals.

    So I guess that puts me in Bush Tea’s camp… “Like unrepentant slaves, we INSIST on being mistreated and exploited.”

  41. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    TLSN aka Hal Austin

    Empty abodes are not conducive to my type of living. They are cold, dreary, boring, uninspiring and monotonous. I therefore reject your offer of rent-free residency in your head. Rest muh!!

  42. de Pedantic Dribbler Avatar
    de Pedantic Dribbler

    Bushie there is a reason you don’t argue (debate) now with people supposedly like me…😇🤣

    Good sir, your argumentation is what I believe used to be called illogical tautology but nowadays can be shortened to a trumpism! 🤷🏿‍♂️

    I say tautology bcz you repeat
    the same thing twice: once to criticize and then in same words it supports a different view … that’s illogical, brother.

    You criticize me as speaking of a utopia yet you then describe an IMPOSSIBLE to achieve state of governance with the most utopian of ideals!

    This is the same incredulous method the current male presidential candidate in US uses: he soundly criticizes his opponent for actions which he does more egregiously!

    As brother David said (and seen from evidence of failed attempts) you CANNOT rely on social media alone to SUSTAIN candidates in an election and you certainly cant use it to mainatain them in power.

    2. Some jurisdictions (in US at least) have the concept of public funding for candidates … that does NOT preclude or prevent the big money benefactors in the system.

    3. Honesty cannot be wished into existence for all politicians. Stop the utopian claptrap musings.

    Do you know of any constituency in Bim over the life of our nation where that HONEST politician maintained complete integrity across the breadth of his a) span of control and b) in all his dealing.

    4. Can the original community commitment that drives initial involvement withstand the real world issues that will demand compromise of matters affecting others which does not affect your community in the same way ???

    5. What’s ‘objective information- brother!

    We can access details like never before … YET here we are with more entrenched positions than ever in our lifetimes.

    And with citizens supporting wars fought on lies and candidates winning despite avaialble info of their culpability with assaulting girl friends, bullying other candidates, possible illegal wiretapping etc etc…

    Yet you are saying that all of a sudden the magical tool of social media will herald a sparkling new vista to view objectivity and “measure and display such attributes of candidates for the world to see”!

    Yep, that will work just perfectly!

    Dream On.

  43. Pachamama Avatar
    Pachamama

    The “locals” are so interminably caught up in political trivia as guided by foolishness that there can be no time for matters of more importance.

    The foolishness can be easily fixed but the seriousness cannot be even afterwards.

    Some market watchers are expecting the EU countries to have deep political, economic disruption early 2025 or by summer but more certainly within a year.

    Warren Buffet has mobilized over 300 billion in dry powder with the expectation of an historic correction. At which time he’ll scoop and buy on the cheap.

    Last time this happened in 2008-9 the Americans flooded the banks with an announced two trillion dollars, however that turned into 16 trillion.

    Of course, the current geopolitical outlook is vastly more foreboding for the West.

    Don’t bother wid Pacha keep talking shiite!

  44. Pachamama Avatar
    Pachamama

    Covey?
    Bullshite!
    You really know too little about tooooo much!

  45. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ David
    You are being quite realistic. In the end we must understand the motives for wanting a third party and it goes way beyond finding thirty people or somebody whose head recently popped up as some instant public celebrity. The twin is still firmly entrenched in spite of the present shenanigans. That is our current political climate-like um or lump um.
    Nothing going on now is because of either ideological or philosophical differences and that is the problem. While we understand the need for a new political dispensation, there is absolutely no current evidence, that those being seen as possible trail blazers are any different in the thinking of the BLPDLP.
    A third party must be prepared to work very hard and should expect to see some form of electoral success in at least ten years. If it is formed from a rib of either twin it would bring the same inferior approach to politics and governance. The NDP is a classic example of such a fallacy.
    The best hope , is perhaps a well disciplined group of young people with solid community based backgrounds to begin the process of becoming politically active and then attract others , who will come with fresh thinking and hopefully an ideological /philosophical wave of newness could evolve.
    We suggest that those who have not yet been contaminated by the Twin, will be the very best prospects. Our generation, has failed miserably by dropping the baton that was passed to us. The youth would hopefully learn from our mistakes and do better over the next fifty years.
    There really is no abracadabra /magical formula .

  46. David Avatar
    David

    @William

    After agreeing to a philosophy of the political party or some differentiating approach the plan should be to create penetration of about 2 or 3 seats and build. This approach is probably more realistic, to be a ‘disruptor’.

  47. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    RE: Social Media Politics
    There is a lot of push back comments against politics on the Bu
    which is picked up by politicians and news media who run with it

    Dumbest Conspiracies go viral

    Right Wing Racist Politics works well on the net*

    (*) If anybody spoke like that to your face they would get punched

  48. Peter Thompson Avatar
    Peter Thompson

    It is actually perfectly simple to create a third (and fourth…) political party in Barbados. All we need to is discard the idiotic Westminster system and institute a rational proportional voting representation system. All the rest will follow.

  49. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    Dub,

    That is exactly my point! We can acknowledge reality, human failings, flawed political systems, and still seek to reimagine and strive for the ideal, knowing that we will always fall short.

    One thing I know is that it cannot not get any better without that vision. But it can and will definitely get worse!

  50. Hants Avatar
    Hants

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