BLP Blog Keeps Telling Bigger Lies About BFP

Says Barbados Free Press “Allegedly Managed And Operated By Close Friends Of The DLP” – Fails To State That BFP Called Thompson and DLP As Big Thieves As The BLP Piggies If They Did What Is Alleged

The Government’s Barbados Labour Party BLP Blog just published an article DLP Gambling Deal, wherein the BLP states that Barbados Free Press is “Allegedly Managed And Operated By Close Friends Of The DLP”…

AND THEN goes on to quote a comment posted on the Barbados Free Press where a “Fundel” alleged that DLP Leader David Thompson had met with Donald Trump and brokered a deal to give Trump casino gambling rights in Barbados in exchange for campaign support.

What The Deceptive Scallywags At The BLP Blog neglect to mention is that Barbados Free Press wrote and article on this very subject (See Barbados Prime Minister Donald Trump?) and said in part…

“… We already have legalized gambling in Barbados in the form of a slot machine casino in a GEMS hotel under the BLP, and a national government approved lottery.

The issue is not whether or not Barbados will have casino gambling – that has already been decided and implemented and administered by the BLP government. The BLP Blog just seems to be upset about which games and types of casinos are allowed.

The issue is whether or not it should be legal for a political party to sell their influence. We agree it should not be legal for a political party to accept foreign money upon promise of performance if elected. If Thompson and the DLP did this, they are no different than the BLP thieves.

We call upon the ruling majority party – the Barbados Labour Party – to immediately introduce Election Financing and Disclosure Legislation – and to also immediately introduce Conflict of Interest and Integrity legislation. The BLP has a majority – they could make it happen tomorrow.

We also call upon the DLP – Democratic Labour Party to support the immediate introduction of Election Financing and Disclosure Legislation – and Conflict of Interest and Integrity Legislation.

Ladies and gentlemen of the BLP and DLP: do that and you can criticize anyone you want about unethical behaviour. Otherwise, sit down and shut up.

We citizens have had enough.

Message to the BLP: If you are so concerned about the DLP’s Thompson receiving election support from Trump – you have a majority government and (assuming the allegation is true) you can stop Trump and the DLP tomorrow by introducing Campaign Financing and Disclosure Laws.

Your call, Prime Minister! ”

… end of quote from BFP article Barbados Prime Minister Donald Trump?

About BLP Blog’s Pathetic Traffic

What a joke! I just did the math on the daily traffic at the BLP Blog … and it looks like they’ve averaged a piddly 86 visitors per day since their inception. Remove the DLP government members who visit their own blog and you don’t have much left.

OK fellow BLP Bloggers – we’ll link again to your propaganda site, but it looks like very few of your online constituents are bothering much with the BLP blog. Golly, I wonder why that is?

Posted by Cliverton in a most foul mood. I enjoy an open debate any day with anyone and I hate to see open lies. When the BLP raises a question or an issue with us, we meet it head on. When any citizen asks a question of the BLP or their BLP Blog, they ignore the question.

Well, I guess when you are the BLP government or their blog, you have to ignore the questions!

Cricket World Cup Barbados: Barmy Army Says World Cup Visitor Numbers “Pie In The Sky”

Barmy Army Contains UK’s Most Fanatical Cricket Supporters

We’ve all seen the Barmy Army on the television at cricket matches around the world. These fans are hard to miss and their costumes and antics add much to the enjoyment of modern cricket. Most folks don’t know that besides being a bunch of crazes who love to travel the world in search of the next big test, the Barmy Army is also a travel organization whose focus on cricket gives them much more credibility in cricket than one would imagine just by looking at their clothes.

When the Barmy Army as an organization says something, the cricket industry will usually take note.

So perhaps we should carefully consider what the organization has to say about Cricket World Cup 2007.

Our friend Adrian Loveridge has been in contact with the Barmy Army, and they have replied. Take it away, Adrian…

I recently sent an email to the Barmy Army to try and get a second or third objective opinion of exactly how bookings were progressing for the ICC World Cup Cricket event which starts in just over six weeks.

I received a detailed reply from a member of the Barmy Army who is also a director of the leading accredited tour operator for that organisation in terms of the 2007 event.

The following are direct quotes:

‘As an organisation we have been quite vocal in pointing out that the world cup numbers quoted throughout the last year have always been pie in the sky’.

‘South African is blessed with fantastic infrastructure and plenty of accommodation and the cost was around 40% of the Caribbean, but there were less than 30,000 overseas visitors including the returning South African expat community and the neighbours’.

‘The problem is the rip-off prices and the unnecessary hype’ and ‘do you know that there is a US$630 levy on match tickets if you are travelling with a travel agent’.

‘Do you know that ticket prices are the highest in the history of cricket’.

‘Most of the islands have plenty of accommodation available out of the 4 ships chartered’ (up to 18 have been quoted) ‘for CWC only one is 75% full, others are 40-50% including the BTA ship Destiny’.

‘All will loose money including our organisation in the case of the BTA, public money’.

The ‘Barmy Army will have less than 1,000 people over the 6 week period and we have never suggested otherwise, and the Barmy Army still remember the 2004 rip-off levy on the tickets’.

The email ends with ‘please start telling people the truth’.

I could go on as there many other damming comments which need to be urgently answered.

I sincerely hope the writer is wrong and I urge the policymakers to urgently address these issues. I will gladly email the full contents on request.

If the writer is even remotely correct, the estimated revenue from a total of 30,000 visitors for every event, across the region, based on average stay and spend is only likely to reach US$30 million.

Adrian Loveridge
27 January 2007

Article Resources

Barmy Army Official Website

Wikipedia “Barmy Army”

Anthony Gunn Has A Plan For Cricket Visas – But To Implement It, Government Would Have To Admit Deception Or Idiocy

God Bless Anthony Gunn

Mr. Gunn is the Turkish Honorary Consul General To Dominica, and Director of Beachcombers Hotel in St. Vincent. He has been working hard to try to convince CARICOM to scrap the necessity for travellers to obtain Cricket visas prior to boarding their flights to come to the Caribbean.

Mr. Gunn’s concern is that, like just about everybody except the idiots in charge of the visa program, he realizes that the current visa programme was announced too late to be properly implemented abroad – and especially in countries that did not previously have to have visas to travel to the Caribbean. The recent fiasco about Pakistani citizens having to send their passports to India for approval is just one small, but outrageous example of what the world press is now commonly referring to as the “World Cup Visa Chaos”.

Mr. Gunn has come up with an idea to staff each airport with enough employees and tables to allow for visa issuance as cricket fans arrive…

… and that, my friends, will NEVER be implemented by Mama Mia Mottley and her friends. Mottley claims that the cricket visas are all about security and background checks to ensure that bad folks don’t make it onto airplanes and to the games. Mottley’s crew (A Mottley Crew? 🙂 ) have staked out this position despite the obvious flaws in their arguments and holes in the implementation.

Mottley Has Backed The Entire Region Into A Corner And Isn’t Big Enough To Admit The Mistake

In Miss Mottley’s eyes, Mr. Gunn’s idea would only have merit if security checks could be done instantaneously and effectively via computer in real time from every airport in the region. I suppose this could have been implemented with a year or two lead time – but people are already starting to arrive for the games that are only a few weeks away.

So the security check computer system is not going to happen, and without eating several helpings of tasty crow, Mottley won’t be able allow Mr. Gunn’s idea unless it includes real-time-at-the-airport security checks… and that is not going to happen.

Mr. Gunn’s folks should fly to a country where they don’t need a visa to enter – and then take a boat to Barbados and the other islands where the games are taking place…

… because the Mottley Crew has decided that persons traveling on the water are not a security threat and do not need cricket visas.

Mr. Gunn was kind enough to send us his idea, which we are reprinting in it’s entirety below. Ian Bourne also has some thoughts about Mr. Gunn’s ideas – that you can see if you head over to Bajan Reporter. (link here)

CRICKET WORLD CUP VISA SOLUTION?

For years now, I have maintained that the two best things to recently happen to the Caribbean are CSME (Caricom Single Market & Economy) and the Cricket World Cup 2007.

Every now and again, we humans need “something hard” to make us stop and take stock and re-focus, and since the Caribbean was not likely to start a war with anyone [it will interfere with carnivals and cricket matches] or some other focus-grabbing activity, we settled on CSME and http://www.cricketworldcup.com , popularly known as the “Caribbean Olympics”.

This sentiment is because these two important things are not easy, they are hard!

Also for years now, we were urged, and rightly so, to “get prepared” for the biggest single event to ever happen to us since the Atlantic plate drove itself under the Caribbean plate and these beautiful islands were formed from deep inside Mother Earth.

And so it came to pass that most of the general public are prepared, the private sector is all prepared, and we observe by way of all manner of jokes and bemusement, that the stadiums might just barely be ready in time for the opening hour of the games, as hopefully the paint has dried in the tropical sun, and the final few nails are driven.

I drove right into the frenzy that is the construction zone at the Arnos Vale stadium in St. Vincent a few days ago and from my very simple vantage points, I am sure they will pull it off OK and already the playing field grass looks absolutely amazing and very beautiful.

Similar news from around most of the other construction zones indicate the usual last minute rush expected [and needed] but that the stadiums should be ready in time.

So far, so good!

Then, as a hotelier, we get our first email in December, from one of our European Agents warning that some of their clients were NOW finding out that they will require visas which are nigh upon impossible to obtain now, at this late stage; hence cancellations are inevitable.

After all, visitors expected to the Caribbean, for cricket or not, are often busy people who have neither the time nor the focus to send passports away to some regional office for up to 2 weeks [yeah, right – try longer than that!] plus now pay a further US$100 per person on top of that!

Since then the stories have hit the media of those who say relax all is well over to those who preach fire and damnation upon our heads.

The reality, as usual, is somewhere in between.

No question that this whole “visa thing” is way too late and that’s that…

All things considered and after chatting directly with a number of high-level officials and reading about the points of view of all others, I think we now HAVE to do something hard and fast.

Consider the family of 2 parents and 4 kids. Booked, paid for and confirmed tickets and reservations etc.; from some time ago.

Plus when they booked their trips, all Caribbean web sites and general info said they do not need visas [normally], and since they don’t usually get the Caribbean daily newspapers and emailed news reports, they arrive in the Caribbean …

They have no visas… Now what?

Do we send them back home on the next plane?

Sure, why not just shut down the tourism industry right now and forget about it all?

A SOLUTION!

Inbound visas upon arrival!

At each major inbound airport, we can set up tables with 12 to 20 persons staffing these tables, processing visas upon arrival.

Accept cash, credit cards and travelers checks. We have to do that otherwise what if someone does not have a credit card on them?

Now do we send them back?

It is time the Caricom Officials wake up and realise that they have no choice but to deal with this pressing issue as the private sector would deal with it, as a sensitive commercial issue and of course security is critical but if we have no tourism industry next year then what?

Turkish visitors to the Caribbean who do not usually need visas now have to have one.

Turkish Honorary Consul Generals from around the Eastern Caribbean have informed Ankara via the regional Embassy in Havana of this development and stand by to help where needed.

Regards,

Anthony Gunn
Director – Beachcombers Hotel Ltd. – St Vincent
Turkish Honorary Consul General to Dominica

African Dust Over Barbados – What Is Government Going To Do About It?

Dust Layers Can Be Deadly To Jet Aircraft

TWO months ago the sky took on a tannish tinge over Barbados for a few days until the winds shifted to the North. Most people never even noticed, but from the air it stretched for hundreds of miles in all directions. Pilots noticed though, because a few times every year some jet aircraft try to eat too much dust and the turbines stop turning for a while. Volcanic dust is even worse than sand as it “cakes” onto everything and even forms electrical bridges (shorts) in engines and electrical grids.

Boeing Aircraft’s website says that over 90 jet-powered commercial airliners have had significant incidents with volcanic dust in the last 30 years – everything from sand-blasted windshields to a brand-new 747 that lost all four engines near Alaska. In that incident, the pilots were eventually able to get the burners going again at a lower altitude, but the aircraft systems had to be almost entirely rebuilt with new engines, new electrics and lots of new wiring.

Everything Is Interconnected – Economies, Societies & Environments

The recent tan coloured dust over Barbados was carried all the way from Africa – proof once more if you need it that as big as the world is, in some ways it is very small. Who really thinks that a dust storm in Africa would change our weather or force us to fly a different route over Barbados?

Our tiny island is impacted by enormous economic, social and environmental forces from all around the world – and much like the situation with African dust, we often have zero control over these forces.

Sometimes we can avoid these forces if we change altitude, use the radar to pick our way around the biggest trouble, or plot a new course entirely.

But sometimes when you can’t control the outside forces – environmentally, economically or socially – you just have to punch through them if you want to get where you need to go.

Government Cannot Divert African Dust From Barbados – Even If They Say They Can

Far too much, we Bajans look to government to “save” us. Far too much, we trust government protect us from outside forces where any sane person should realize that some things cannot be contolled or even predicted. Government propagates the myth that they are “in control” when it suits them, but this is a dangerous political strategy because the people soon start asking “Why are you in control only when good things happen, but when something bad happens, it is ‘out of the government’s hands’ ? “

Take all the recent hoopla over gasoline and natural gas price increases and impending shortages. We have known, and the world has known, that this has been coming for decades. Governments – and certainly not the government from a nation with a population of less than most North American cities – cannot change these forces. We, Barbados, should have put in place the coping mechanisms ten years ago (solar, wind, mass transit, energy from tides & garbage, conservation efforts, electric cars, better architectural designs and on and on.) – but the government of the day did not. We citizens didn’t worry because … the government was “in control”.

Now, those who relied upon our Government to “control” things are surprised and upset that gasoline has become so pricey – and that natural gas is about to follow.

But even if we Bajan citizens can see the storms coming, how are we to know if government is charting a wise and honest course through the storms?

Without The Laws That Bring Honest, Transparent and Accountable Government, Bajans Will Never Know If The Government Is Charting A Wise And Honest Course

Bajans will be forever under the control of the elites unless we institute the laws that force the Government of Barbados and individual elected and appointed members to be accountable.

The citizens of Barbados should not be passengers in the back of the aircraft – hoping that the pilot knows the best route around troubled skies. The citizens of Barbados should be co-pilots – confident in the ability of the person in the left seat because they can see what that pilot-in-command is doing: openly and with shared knowledge.

We need the transparency laws that will allow us to move from being passengers in the back to being co-pilots up front.

NOAA Photo: Sahara dust northeast of Barbados in late 2006.

Barbados Coast Guard Storms ‘Stolen’ Yacht With Guns Drawn, Millionaire Andy Scott Says “Who, Me?” – Barbados Court To Hear Case

So Much Excitement!

Ok, folks… All we know right now is what we read in the Portsmouth UK newspaper The News.

It seems that one Mr. Andy Scott, a millionaire “property speculator” (already I don’t like the guy), had a refit done on his sailing yacht at a boatworks in Trinidad, but was dissatisfied with the quality of workmanship. Instead of contesting it in court – perhaps posting a bond or something – he and his compatriots (conspirators?) snuck into the marina and made off with the vessel in the middle of the night.

One little detail – he “forgot” to pay the 26,000 pounds owing to the boatworks.

He made the mistake of stopping in Barbados for a gin and tonic – and our Coast Guard ‘stormed’ the sailing vessel Whitbread and arrested happless Captain Andy. We have conflicting stories coming in as to whether it happened at sea or at anchor. We don’t even know exactly when it happened.

All we know is that some foreigner thought “To hell with the rule of law. To hell with the Trinidad courts – I’ll show them” and made off in like a thief in the night.

Stupse Captain Andy could be right – the chaps at the Trini boatyard could have overcharged him and done bad work. He could be in the right here.

… But now that he did what he did, it doesn’t matter. He disrespected the sovereignty and laws of Trinidad & Tobago.

From The News Portsmouth…

Night raid as tycoon claims back his boat

A MILLIONAIRE sneaked into a pontoon late at night to seize back his yacht after boatyard owners refused to hand it over.

Under cover of darkness businessman Andy Scott and friends untied the Whitbread and sailed off into the night. The dramatic night-time raid followed a row with boatyard owners in Trinidad, which he claims bodged repair work to his yacht.

Mr Scott, from Old Portsmouth, forked out £48,431 for a refit, but the yard then asked for a further £26,233 which he refused to pay.

The boatyard said if he didn’t pay he wouldn’t get his boat back. After making off in his yacht he was stopped by gun-wielding coastguards who raided his boat.

He said: ‘In the dead of night and feeling like a criminal or spy – despite being the boat’s owner – eight friends and myself left the yard on the yacht and headed to Barbados.

‘When I got there I contacted my lawyer and asked him to get in touch with the yard to let them know I wasn’t making a break for it, but I needed the yacht for a charter.

‘In the meantime they had already been in contact with the authorities. ‘A night after getting there the yacht was stormed by big, burly coastguards with guns, and issued me with a writ, arrested me and impounded the boat for non-payment of the final invoice – which was quite an interesting time.’

… read the rest of this article (link here)

Here is the millionaire’s website: Ascott Group Of Companies

Fidelity Will Bring State of The Art Wireless Broadband To BIM

Broadband Internet penetration in Barbados is amongst the highest in the Caribbean at around 20% but Fidelity believes that with the introduction of new ‘IP’ multimedia services the market is set to change and that by 2012 both residential and business broadband penetration will exceed 50%.

… from Service To Begin In Second Quarter 2007 (link here) 

But will it be as secure as a satellite uplink?

Barbados Gets Fidelity

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Fidelity Wireless revealed its plans today to offer Internet, phone and IPTV/Video on Demand services (so called triple play) over a new state of the art wireless broadband network to the residential and business community in Barbados.

Fidelity will soon commence the construction of a new nationwide ‘WIMAX’ wireless broadband network with service due to commence in Barbados in the second quarter 2007. The company has based its regional operational headquarters in Barbados where it is locating its back office support and network operations centre. Fidelity has licence applications pending in seven other Caribbean markets.

… original article here

Barbadosed Boy Lonely On A Friday Night – Shoots Cat

New semester. Way ahead in my reading. Been working too hard and January is not yet finished.

Did you know that “Barbadosed” use to be a verb? I feel that way. (Look it up here)

I’m taking a well earned break tonight and I won’t be posting again this evening. I have some friends coming over around 9pm Texas time – but until then, my high score is 834 feet.

If you think you can shoot the cat out of the cannon further than that – give it a try here or click on the screen shots.

Here kitty, kitty, kitty!

🙂

Cliverton

If you’re going to be silly, I changed the title around. (Used to read “Barbados Boy…”)

George