Bostic’s Appointment Undermines Democracy
If “Lieutenant-Colonel” Jeffrey Bostic had even the most basic sense of what constitutes ethical behaviour, he would never have accepted the position of coordinator for that government giveaway known as the Kensington Environs Beautification Project.
Bostic had to have known that as a declared candidate for the government’s party, his job of giving away tax dollars to renovate homes would give him an unfair advantage and a head-start on his election campaign. He apparently had no question about the ethics of using tax dollars to launch his election campaign.
So ethics be damned – he took the job from the unethical government people who offered it to him, and together they continue to abuse the system while openly defending the indefensible.
Bostic Shows His Flawed Values
Either Bostic knows that his behaviour is unethical, and doesn’t care – or his values are so warped that he actually sees nothing wrong with his accepting the appointment as project coordinator.
Now Bostic is challenging those who object to “prove” that he’s doing something wrong – proving once again that Mr. Bostic has no idea of what is right and what is wrong in a free and democratic society. He fits in well with the Prime Minister – under whose office the permanent secretary is issuing millions of dollars for the program, without transparency or accountability.
Sometimes I’m just sick watching Bostic say “Nothing wrong here”, and other times I’m filled with rage at the abuse of our democracy by a group of people who long ago forgot about Barbados in order to fill their own pockets.
Bostic is learning his crooked lessons well.
Read this article in The Nation News and you’ll see what I mean…
Above Board!
ABSOLUTELY NOT TRUE.
That’s how Lieutenant-Colonel Jeffrey Bostic responded yesterday to charges of political victimisation with the Kensington Environs Beautification Project.
In fact, Bostic, whose appointment as the project’s coordinator has thrown him into controversy, issued an open challenge to the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) and its City candidate, Patrick Todd, to “stop the rhetoric and produce the evidence”.
Nothing to hide
“There’s nothing to hide with the project. There’s nothing political with the work being carried out for poor, working class people,” he told the SATURDAY SUN…
… continue reading what this unethical man has to say in The Nation News (link here)
Photo: BLP Candidate Jeffrey Bostic explains to DLP supporter Pearl Layne that an administrative matter and not her political affiliation was responsible for her not getting some of the government money that he is giving away. (Whether Pearl was denied because of her political affiliation shouldn’t even be an issue – and wouldn’t be an issue were it not for the fact that Bostic, the person in charge of the money giveaway, is also a BLP candidate.
54 Comments
February 17, 2007 at 9:53 am
This is like the affair with Mr. Babb at Holders.
The refrain from connected persons was “no laws were broken” and the documentation was produced to show how the TCP permissions were achieved AFTER the sale of the land.
That was really not the point. It is what happened for 4 years before that mattered.
The Law was and is just being used to justify the unjustifiable……… a standard pasttime in Barbados.
One day we will have no respect for the Law, and that day may come sooner rather than later, …. if it hasn’t already come.
On that day, Mr. Bostic and the piggies will not need to go to through the mental contortions necessary to come up with the words of justification…… but then there will be a whole lot of people on whose belief in Law and Order Barbados depends who will also be following suit.
Mr. Bostic and the piggies Barbados can do without. But its those little people, the 250K plus, who will ultimately matter.
February 17, 2007 at 10:10 am
He may have been an officer, but what sort of gentleman fails to recognize a lack of ethics when he sees it? Just another piggy, that’s what he is. One day coming soon…
February 17, 2007 at 1:00 pm
Partisan politics at work here. They all did it. niether party has the right to call anyone on it, and Barbadians have never complain about this behaviour in the past. Those Barbadians who are now referring to this behaviour that dates back to pre independence are not serious and are probably playing politics as well.
February 17, 2007 at 1:30 pm
All that matters is what the current Government does right now.
When the DLP becomes the Government they too will be judged on their present actions. Not what they did when they were in power 20 years ago.
This is not only about Bostic because he did not appoint himself. He was just going with Oh When.
February 17, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Ms Eastmond if you are reading this, once again this shows a blatant abuse of your partys power and complete arrogance, am I to really vote for this type of corruption or are we to vote this corruption into history of being the party that never undertook a project unless the likes of Arthur, Nicholls, Shoreys, Lynchs,Clarkes,Mottleys,where financially taken care of to the tune of millions of taxpayers dollars paid to their personal accounts?
Remember the Jail when a local group could have done it much lower price and quoted to this effect but Mia awarded the contract to an overseas company that Mr Nicholls was involved with as a faciliator, when he attempted to muscle in on the quote by the local company he was bluntly refused and went as far to tell them that they could never get the contract without his involvement and low and behold what do you know they never recieved the contract (despite being the first to rush to the service of the Gov’t when the prison was destroyed by fire what a group of thieves) but the contract ends up being awarded to a company with his connections involved now do you say this is wholesale corruption or what?
Guess you may say otherwise as this is the norm with all that they have been know to do in the past why worry now I suppose.
February 17, 2007 at 2:22 pm
More matters than that. When these calls for accountability are coming from the unaccountable, against the backdrop of a glaring absence of the rules, system, and laws then it is meaningless, it is partisan and laughable. Until Barbadians stop accepting the 5 yr at a time poltical largesse, until they say no to the mordern day corn beef and biscuits, then the greed in us all will allow those that have to opportunity to buy votes to do so. I am looking for the seriousness, the real real willingness to put an end to these state of affairs.
February 17, 2007 at 2:37 pm
The absence here of the two nationnews article containing the quotes below indicates to me that folks here are bent on presenting one side, and the question must be continually ask, what is the point? If as you say that the government no matter which party it is made up off, needs to accountable, then why are we so focus on the Governing party and not on the system that enable whomever is in power to engage in such questionable endevours? Why?
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“This current issue does not qualify as a threat to democracy. If you doubt me listen to the views of Sir Frederick Smith, a founding member and inaugural president of the DLP.
When asked by moderator Tony Marshall, if the DLP would have done the same thing, Sir Frederick said “yes”, but conceded that his party (DLP) would have put a die-hard party member to front the operation with Bostic probably in the background. ”
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“Lashley wanted to know what all the fuss over the Kensington Environs Beautification Project is about, and recalled he had a similar programme back in 1994 when he entered politics on a Democratic Labour Party ticket.
“I did the same programme in St Michael South-East and there wasn’t any hype about it. We painted the houses, I got all of the people involved, got people to buy paint and then when I went over to the other side [Barbados Labour Party], I continued the programme.
“But you know what? It was a community-based initiative and community-based initiatives are critical at this time. When we travel through time we tend to forget things, but [back then] the Press came and took pictures of people on the ladders . . . but all of a sudden it is convenient to forget. That is why I have a most distinct dislike for politicians,” Lashley said. (DS”
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Comment by Marcus
Hello Adrian
We mainly focus on the ruling BLP because, of course, with a majority government they could have implemented integrity and conflict of interest legislation anytime in the past decade or so. Owen Arthur and the party can do it tomorrow if they choose.
Hey… they only promised to do it in 1977 so what’s the hurry?
But that is not to say that we don’t blame the DLP also. We have continually chided Thompson and the DLP for not implementing the same rules while they were the government, and for not implementing conflict of interest rules for their own party and candidates right now. We have called Thompson and his DLP friends piggies and most recently said that he was behaving like a eunuch because he feared the skeletons in his own closet.
How you can translate that into saying that the Barbados Free Press has partisan support for the DLP is beyond me.
We have been in the forefront of calling for a change to the system from our very first posting. Check it out!
You continue in your effort to paint BFP as partisan because you have announced your support for the BLP in the coming election – but your allegations don’t hold water when compared with our own words and record that is there for all to see.
Respectfully,
Marcus
February 17, 2007 at 2:50 pm
Adrian, Do you mean by your argument that one can never condemn behaviour which went unobjected to before? I was not in Bim 13 years ago. I’m here now. Am I too precluded from commenting?
February 17, 2007 at 3:25 pm
According to Veco Usa Inc., they are constructing Dodds and as owners are leasing it to GoB for 25 years.
That’s probably the reason for no tendering.
February 17, 2007 at 4:56 pm
What or who is Veco Usa Inc?
February 17, 2007 at 5:55 pm
“According to Veco Usa Inc., they are constructing Dodds and as owners are leasing it to GoB for 25 years.
That’s probably the reason for no tendering.”
It is like this: you want a new car but don’t have money. I will buy you a car and lease it to you and you pay me back ten times what it is worth over the next 25 years. By that time the car is old and don’t work well but you still owe me money.
you paid me ten times the real value of a new car!
That is the deal the government signed for the people of Barbados.
February 17, 2007 at 6:14 pm
I think the arrangement for the flyovers is the same – BOLT- build, operate, lease, turnover.
February 17, 2007 at 6:55 pm
Don’t worry,Be happy.
Kensington Oval has been built- all is well.
February 17, 2007 at 7:02 pm
So since when the PM been traveling with bodyguards?
February 17, 2007 at 7:46 pm
Comment by Marcus
Hello Adrian
We mainly focus on the ruling BLP because, of course, with a majority government they could have implemented integrity and conflict of interest legislation anytime in the past decade or so. Owen Arthur and the party can do it tomorrow if they choose.
Hey… they only promised to do it in 1977 so what’s the hurry?
But that is not to say that we don’t blame the DLP also. We have continually chided Thompson and the DLP for not implementing the same rules while they were the government, and for not implementing conflict of interest rules for their own party and candidates right now. We have called Thompson and his DLP friends piggies and most recently said that he was behaving like a eunuch because he feared the skeletons in his own closet.
How you can translate that into saying that the Barbados Free Press has partisan support for the DLP is beyond me.
We have been in the forefront of calling for a change to the system from our very first posting. Check it out!
You continue in your effort to paint BFP as partisan because you have announced your support for the BLP in the coming election – but your allegations don’t hold water when compared with our own words and record that is there for all to see.
Respectfully,
Marcus
February 17, 2007 at 8:50 pm
Justice
February 17th, 2007 at 2:50 pm
Adrian, Do you mean by your argument that one can never condemn behaviour which went unobjected to before? I was not in Bim 13 years ago. I’m here now. Am I too precluded from commenting?
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No i can never mean any such thing. That would be censor, self impose but censor nevertheless. I simply don’t see enough of an attempt too dissect our system in such away that more Barbadians would understand why things are the way they are, and why they are not likely to change. Too much time is spent on the party in power as if the one in opposition would make a difference to the way things are done. If they both think that sufficient people do not understand our system of government they will both engage in the politics of elections, saying all the right things after which we will once again be singing what has amount to an old hymnal “Them more thing change, the more they remain the same”
…..Listen to Ezra Alleyne
“Yet when David Simmons, a former Attorney-General under the BLP, was proposed for appointment to the Office of Chief Justice, the DLP was up in arms, shouting this, that and the other, about democracy and the judiciary without “understanding” the political system which we practise.
And so to patronage. Both the Westminster and Washington systems are fundamentally based on patronage. The head of Government is possessed of power which he ought to use for the public good, but there is a range of the powers, commonly referred to as “patronage” in which he is expected to “look after his people”.
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Understanding the system is clearly needed and dicussing it is sadly lacking.
On another note and at another time >>>>>
I take issue with Ezra convenience of linkages between what obtains between the US system of governance and what is practice in Barbados.
1: he is on right in the general comparison, yet so wrong in the details.
2: What is practice in Barbados is not Westminister.
February 17, 2007 at 9:07 pm
BFP says:
You continue in your effort to paint BFP as partisan because you have announced your support for the BLP in the coming election – but your allegations don’t hold water when compared with our own words and record that is there for all to see.
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I think they do, I raise my concerns on the day and to the specifice post that gives me reason to so do, like your reponse today it does not attempt to answer or to deal with what i contend.
The charge today is that the ruling party is engaging in unbecoming behaviour. Information that demonstrates the engrained attitudes of all current politicians has been left out, information that would or should lead to questions such as, who can we trust? how are these members of the political class able to do this and get away withit, are hardly asked. Time and time again and practically on every issue that has been carefully plan to give lie that such has only occurred in the last 12 years can be proven that they have occurred much earlier, Yet we do not take the next step to look at what is enabling this behaviour, and then build a consistent, energize call to arms to a look at the system .I beg to differ that this call for legislation is sincere and that even if so that it is all that is needed.
As for my support of the BLP in the next election. Thats all it can be given my current location, but if i were still in Barbados i would be voting in St.James central and since party is never a concideration in where i place my X and the fact that the incumbent representative is 1: A lawyer (i will never vote for one if i have the choice to do otherwise) 2: He is by all accounts a piss poor representative 3: The current rep would carry that seat for the BLP. Then it is true to state that i would rather see Owen Arthur continue to lead the executive, but i will not be helping his cause to so do, as i would vote for the challenger in St.James central.
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Marcus replies…
Hi Adrian
If your object is that we “left out” certain comments, you assume that they were left out deliberately to achieve an agenda. I never even noticed the other articles that the quotes come from myself – but so what? You filled them in for our readers and they don’t change anything. Neither party wants to implement laws that will be used by the public to hold them accountable.
But of the two parties, only the BLP has the power to implement these laws tomorrow.
If your standard for BFP is that we must notice and include everything – that’s impossible.
Back to the main point though.. we have a corrupt BLP government in power who will not use their majority to implement accountability laws, and an opposition party waiting in the wings for their turn at the piggy trough. The DLP senses the public’s disgust with the BLP piggies, but doesn’t want accountability laws because they just might form a government and they want to feed.
What is left for Bajan voters?
Independent candidates who declare support for conflict of interest laws and voluntarily adopt the standard for themselves, or a new party founded on principles of integrity and accountability – who immediately adopt the standard.
Marcus
February 17, 2007 at 9:15 pm
Indeed, Adrian, it is called the Westminster export model. Ezra fails to understand that the objection against the CJ was not a constitutional objection but an objection on the basis of West Indian political ethics. Similarly, we accept patronage; no one expects the Chairman of CBC to be a member of the DLP, for example, but is not Bostic’s apppointment at least indecent? This is the subtle point which Sir “Sleepy ” was trying to make. Its not the type of the harm, it’s the extent.
February 17, 2007 at 9:55 pm
Adrian said:
Then it is true to state that i would rather see Owen Arthur continue to lead the executive, but i will not be helping his cause to so do, as i would vote for the challenger in St.James central.
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I wish to highlight this again as it touches lightly on one of many details of differences that Ezra deliberately attempted to hide with his simpleton convenient linkage of the two system. I relish the opportunity to vote in Barbados with my local needs and national needs as two equal but seperate responsibilties. What obtains today is the obfuscation of one for the other.
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February 17, 2007 at 10:06 pm
I think Mia, Bostic et al believe most people in Barbados are a pack of fools. It is was an administrative blunder why did they not explain this to the two persons involved? Why did they have to wait until it was highlighted in the press? I think that they expect all this talk about Bostic will be another nine day wonder. My opinion is that they are all a pack of bold faced, dishonest gold diggers who belive strongly that bajans will do nothing after all the talk. It amazes me how the general public continues to allow the P.M and his boys as well as the female vampire (s)…….( I wonder if Minister Eastmond knows there is allegedly a big burly 200 lb plus vampire who possibly sits in her midst on a regular basis…the Minister needs to lock her door at nights and keep some salt or a silver dagger close by her bed???) to function without taking any action.
We need to send a serious message to this as well as future governments that we the people of Barbados will not tolerate the sort of unethical as it relates to the appointment of Bostic. It must stop now.
February 17, 2007 at 10:17 pm
But of the two parties, only the BLP has the power to implement these laws tomorrow.
If your standard for BFP is that we must notice and include everything – that’s impossible.
Back to the main point though.. we have a corrupt BLP government in power who will not use their majority to implement accountability laws, and an opposition party waiting in the wings for their turn at the piggy trough. The DLP senses the public’s disgust with the BLP piggies, but doesn’t want accountability laws because they just might form a government and they want to feed.
What is left for Bajan voters?
Independent candidates who declare support for conflict of interest laws and voluntarily adopt the standard for themselves, or a new party founded on principles of integrity and accountability – who immediately adopt the standard.
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They are no quick fixes here, yet the longer we start to initiate a change in thinking, the longer it will take to achieve a government of the people, and that is focused on the people. That’s why I believe the implementation of laws tomorrow will not lead to a change of anything, anytime soon, Trinidad anyone?
…..Independent candidature is a good step, but one has to be cognizant of the image and experience of the Independent candidate, and again, sensitizing the public to the necessity of these type of parliamentarians is much needed, but will fail given the realities of our current system of mix government, where placement, pensions, payments, and corruption are essential components for maintaining power. So to be effective in sensitizing the public in this regard, one has to dissect what obtains today, build the case for why things will never change as long as we maintain this system. The people are the only ones that will change this system, and using the independent candidate to sidestep the entrenched power mechanism is the only approach that has a measure of guaranteed success to it. But there is an order to this.
Dissect our so called Westminster style government system.
Use everyday practices of corruption, placements, etc e.g. that fact that the size of the Cabinet which is supposedly a committee of parliament is so large that it is by the nature of its composition (via payments and promises) not answerable to parliament.
Explain why neither party can be trusted to make the change needed as they have both benefited from this status quo, and the changes needed is the people’s benefit at the expense of the political class.
Then build the case for independent candidates as the only way to gain access to parliament to implement the legislative changes needed to bring government back to the people.
February 17, 2007 at 10:24 pm
no-name
February 17th, 2007 at 10:06 pm
We need to send a serious message to this as well as future governments that we the people of Barbados will not tolerate the sort of unethical as it relates to the appointment of Bostic. It must stop now
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…Sending messages will not work, we need to find the will to impliment the way towards reforming the system. That way we will not have to rely on election promises by the same crowd, to pass laws etc. they are not going to do it and they will always fein any knowlege of the message we send. Politicians never remember promises made, or gifts received. Have you seen the response the Bahamian Minister Gibson gave to the media when asked if he recieved any gifts from Anna Nicole Smith, or Howard K. Stearn? He said he could not remember.
February 17, 2007 at 11:05 pm
Justice
February 17th, 2007 at 9:15 pm
Indeed, Adrian, it is called the Westminster export model. Ezra fails to understand that the objection against the CJ was not a constitutional objection but an objection on the basis of West Indian political ethics.
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Justice to my mind Ezra Alleyne is a great yet highly compromise political thinker, this goes much further than being a party member. He understand only to well what our system is, but cannot betray the reasons for his new lease on life. He is easily destroyed, and I don’t think he can live with the fallout on him if he chooses to publicize the facts of our current system as they are.
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Justice
I hear you Sir Sleepy; tell de young poltico’s how to hide their corruption. Do it but don’t be so bold. get a front man or woman. wow!
February 17th, 2007 at 9:15 pm
Similarly, we accept patronage; no one expects the Chairman of CBC to be a member of the DLP, for example, but is not Bostic’s apppointment at least indecent? This is the subtle point which Sir “Sleepy ” was trying to make. Its not the type of the harm, it’s the extent.
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Whats the difference again? The measurement of HARM is more with the current BLP approach? you ain’t slitting hairs at all you slitting indecentcy.
February 18, 2007 at 12:07 am
now you all sound like COW whining about the state of affairs. At least COW is a man of action.
Get some friends together and set up in point form what you want and expect from government in the way of environmental and accountability issues. Then take memberships in both parties under the eyes of the OECD and walk into these meetings with your heads held high and enough votes to make it happen.
You have the power you just need enough like minded citizens to coalesce around you. Its called a platform and democracy and can be done from within or in a new party by people who are normally apolitical but are really fed up. Stop whining!
February 18, 2007 at 12:09 am
Perhaps BFP should start a new thread.
Our attention has been focussed on Kensington.
Looks pretty… costs $ 150 million
OK ..top developing nation..Pride and Industry etc..
But look how the cost overrun of Glendairy’s replacement can put Kensington into insignificance.
Mia quotes “around $100m” (Nation – June 2005),
and because of this rejects a bajan consortium’s
quote of $120m.
By the way this consortium is unusually broadbased – Jada, Rotherley, Bizzy, COW, Rayside
and a large UK property company, Carillion, particularly skilled in BOLT contracts.
But no, GoB selects Veco USA.
The original $100m has now been revised by Dale Marshall to $292m ( Nation – Feb 8th ).
This overshoot far exceeds the total cost of CWC 2007, and no-one in Bim is saying a word.
What are the terms of Veco’s contract ?
Does it include operating the facility ?
If not , I sincerely hope that our then Attorney- General fixed the lease at the original estimates, or else it may be more economical to house the unfortunates at Sandy Lane.
February 18, 2007 at 12:23 am
Adrian, I would engage you on one point; it’s not a matter of corruption-it is not corrupt in the normal sense of the word to appoint Bostic, it’s politically indecent. That is, it crosses the boundary of what is acceptable even in that putrid business.
February 18, 2007 at 6:35 am
Did anyone hear Owing making his speech at the oval today I was there but could hardly understand what he was saying, he appeared to have been involved with a session of the see thru stuff, he was very very poor in his presentation almost like if he were punch ( not rum punch but then again it could be this to)drunk.
February 18, 2007 at 6:52 am
So the whole issue of corruption and payouts to those favoured friends of Owing in regard to the erection of the jail appears to have some basis. my, my, my and we are being asked to pay these facilitators fees to the tune of millions into the bank accounts of a few well connected friends of Owing.I am also to carry this to its natural conclusion that this is also the case for the flyovers as I never seen where these were quoted for by any builder locally, is this also true for the west coast sewage treatment plant? And true also for the importation of the 1000 slot machines into this island to be operated by an american who is close friends of Mr Nicholls and Owing? What a wonderful bunch we have on our hands.
February 18, 2007 at 9:40 am
all there will be is talk…noone will do anything….the corruption will continue…owen will get richer and drunker…..we will get smaller and poorer cause bajan’s aint gonna do s##t but get our hard earned money taken for a ride into the pockets of these nice clean cut and honest politicians we have in Beautiful Barbados….agreeded
February 18, 2007 at 11:47 am
Marcus
Your question is bang on – what are Bajan voters to do. In a two party system we line up on election day and ask ourselves do you go with the devil you know or the devil you don’t. Clico will do dixie in Barbados if the DLP get in – they own swathes of land, a construction company plus a majority share in a bank. Put it all together and you can see what’s on the horizon.
An Independent will never get elected without the financing and support of a party apparatus. Trying to effect change from within the parties also is futile given the historic autocratic style of decision making within each. Do you really think that a change can come from the floor of these parties?
Which leaves the only obvious option – a third way. Barbados needs a legitimate third party to bring integrity and trust back to the system. A third party will immediately have a base of support – I think there is a significant block of apathetic voters who refuse to vote in protest over the antics of both of these parties.
February 18, 2007 at 1:11 pm
no independent without million’s to back him will arise from the sunrise,the DLP are just waiting for their chance at the piggy trough awards and the BLP are hoping that bajan’s are still stupid enough to give them 5 more year’s at the million’s to be embezzled and the vast sufferation on black people that a 4th term will bring…well well well…the options,the option’s…
February 18, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Why would anyone think that outrage would bring any change to the thinking within this party, with a crowd as arrogrant and as corrupt as this bunch you really think that they care? you have got to be kidding, this bunch will move from one level of corruption to next level seamlessly, after all you are dealing with a professional outfit of thieves at their best.
What would a change of Gov’t do? It would breakup this cycle of corruption and wholesale stealing that is so rampant in this island at this time?
Anyone have any means of investigating the offshore bank accounts of Owen et al
MR Nicholls, Mr Shorey,etc. bet they woul make very nice reading material bet not one of them would be less than $ 5 mill and i would hazzard a guess that it maybe many times more than this figure.
February 18, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Mr Nicholls, Mr Shorey,etc. bet they would make very nice reading material bet not one of them would be less than $ 5 mill and I would hazzard a guess that it maybe many times more than this figure.
February 18, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Adrian, you might be right about Ezra being compromised. Did you know that he too receives over $5,000.00 a month as a constitutional consultant to Owen Arthur’s government? Why do you think he writes in these terms? He is feeding at the trough after blowing a successful legal career. Ezra is down and out because he could not stand on his own two corrupt feet after the 1986 BLP loss.
Tellme though, did the DLP have any consultants other than Dr. Rudi Webster? No. Now, Owen Arthur following Tony Blairs bad example has flooded his government with Consultants.
Campaign Manager Clyde Griffith is also a Consultant. Campaign Strategist Roy Boyke is a Consultant to GIS – campaign expenses paid by taxpayers. Rodney Wilkinson was a Consultant – funds for the Party. David Gill former MP is a Consultant to the Drug Service. Hammy La MP in poverty alleviation. Joe Edghill MP Consultant to Sports Council. Mia’s friend Consultant to Culture. Bostic as City candidate – Consultant. Tyrone Lovell – Ch.Ch. East candidate – Consultant.
This never happened under any DLP government ever. It is clearly criminal behaviour that needs censure by voters.
Adrian, on the other point that there are no quick fixes, I disagree. What we need is as follows:
1. Full disclosure of the consultancies, contracts etc.
2. Publicly broadcast question time in parliament with no restrictions on questions to PM
3. A budget for the Public Accounts Committee and independent Auditors to carry out investigations
4. On-going Services Audits
5. Integrity legislation
6. Parliamentary scrutiny of political appointmets
7. Off-budget expenditure by government on GEMS, Flyovers etc. brought under parliamentary scrutiny during the Estimates
These are just a few that can be done within the system and with the stroke of a pen!
February 18, 2007 at 7:14 pm
good start holiday—how about an independent apolitical group of individuals ( 3-4 persons maximum ) with known integrity to overview freedom of the press.
Media outlets would sign on to a protocol of
openness and fairness in presenting the
news—all the news—no political
appointments from government whatsoever.
This would mean that the GOB would have to sell CBC and open up the country to one or two other competing licenses. These licensees would have to promise fairness and openness in all news, local programming etc etc just like most other countries.
The explosion and growth by young people to produce new programming would be extremely positve for the country.
February 18, 2007 at 10:05 pm
Holiday didnt Lynette eastmond start political life as a consultant. What a racket? Why Owen didnt make Bostic head of Defense Force or consultant to BDF? That way he spends taxpayers money without pissing us off.
Bostic behaviour is reprehensible. GOB actions most despicable in placing him as declared candidate in charge of $3 million slush fund. Owen..God dont sleep.
February 19, 2007 at 11:26 am
Well, folks, now that you have all shouted ourselves hoarse.. at least Jerome seems to have… and the situation seems hopeless, let me make a suggestion and after you have all pilloried me as being a BLP yardfowl, think for a minute.
Since the DLP won’t commit to integrity legislation because they want their turn at the trough, let’s keep them in opposition until they do and let’s make them understand we won’t elect them until they do…. I’ll bet it only takes five more years.
February 19, 2007 at 10:48 pm
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February 19, 2007 at 11:32 pm
Hi Inkwell
I’d rather vote for an independent candidate than a DLP or BLP candidate representing parties that refuse to implement integrity legislation.
February 20, 2007 at 12:11 am
QEH in turmoil again.When is QEH not in turmoil? Chairman and board apologise for George Griffith( Dep Chair?) statement that QEH employeese theiving. Griffith says he not taking back his statement nor resigning. Do any of these political hacks resign anymore when there is a difference of opinion with their political creators. Thought that was convention.QEH, CBC, GEMS,UDC, BTA, NCF, GAIA on and on. Boards run by so many political misfits you can bet on commotion anytime. Griffith go home and leave the workers in peace.
February 20, 2007 at 12:36 am
BFP, precisely how will your independent candidate, if he/she wins, implement such legislation?
*********************
Response by Cliverton…
You don’t have to win … to win.
We have a long journey ahead, but to reach our destination the first step is to admit that we chose our original path unwisely. Never hesitate to choose a new path when it becomes obvious that the old one is taking you somewhere you don’t want to go.
Cliverton
February 20, 2007 at 2:22 am
And now stinking Owen in the flipping paper with my darn tax money hugging up so called ‘boys on the block’ trying to win back the guvment.
I really now just can’t stand de man!
I hope that Patrick Todd mash up bostic the joker.
And lord have mercy Rev Artherley got my guts sick sick sick… Lord please call de elections …
February 20, 2007 at 3:43 am
Boys on de block does vote too.
They now have another million reasons why they could be going with Oh when.
When it is close to elections, Canadian politicians even put on turbans and walk barefoot in Sikh temples.
Politicians will do almost anything for votes.
February 20, 2007 at 6:57 am
Dizzy Bajan
I note one of the boys is known as Bucky Ned. Love the imagery of the Barbadian nickname. Found it in Guyana as well.
… but I suspect Owen could show him a thing or two.
February 20, 2007 at 8:37 am
Hi Cliverton
Your independent candidate idea is simply not going to work in Barbados. So you succeed in electing one, two, three independents candidates, then what? Independent candidates are even more incapable of effecting change under our parliamentary system than opposition parties. The changes we want can only be enacted by a majority with the will to do so and getting a sufficient number of like minded independents in the House is a well nigh impossible task. Our best bet in my view is to pressure the current opposition as suggested in my original post.
February 20, 2007 at 9:58 am
“I now see how de yutes get so”…
Three weeks ago Rawle Eastmond donated a weed wacker…some months ago Clyde Mascoll did the same..Owen has now done it…who is next?”
Barbados must really be planning an intense debushing campaign which will be headed by the “disenfranchised” youth.
How “noble” of the BLP… but wait!!! This is the same BLP that has driven up the cost of living, fails to rectify the QEH, cannot find a way to assist in house and land ownership…and a plethora of other ills…what a change of heart!!!
One million more!!!What about putting that money to REALLY assist the youth with bona fide business enterprises?
They can do a lot more than debushing you know!!!
P.S
I hope the donated weed wackers are used to cut down the “illegal weed trees” that have been springing up here and there in Barbados.
February 20, 2007 at 5:36 pm
Another MILLION ways to spread the campaign finance funds around the island for the benefit of the BLP candidates….!!!
February 20, 2007 at 8:41 pm
i guess owen wants to keep the youth as noble son’s of the soil…and nothing else…my grandmother worked on a plantation until she died so i guess the ideologies of these politicians is that the youth’s in Bartown can follow in their fore parents footsteps..cause under BLP…it ain’t nothing else for them..
March 5, 2007 at 11:25 am
What is wrong with Peter Wickham, he is so thin-skinned it makes me wonder about him. How can he have his say in the public and no one can tell him anything. I will leave him to the sharp tongue on the hill — that short man could be a real political python.
March 5, 2007 at 11:32 am
David Thompson must be singing the blues. The Prime Minister and his Merry Men (women included) have distanced themselves from the trash known to surround Thompson. Look closely and you will see what I mean. Have you not noticed the truth behind so many people leaving the DLP over the years? Do not dare challenge Thompson, he and Wickham have more in common than you will realise — unless you look closer at the antics and theatrics. Still though, I wonder what Esther has on the other women? Undene must realise that she is not of Thompson’s ilk! David you and your trash are in for a thrashing, good luck Mr. Divisive.
March 6, 2007 at 7:50 pm
Now, where does Adrian and holiday get their false information from. I have known Ezra Alleyne for over 50 years, since we grew up in Black Rock together. He is not down and out.
I do not know if he is a consultant to the Govenment, but I know that he has been writing articles for the press ever since he came back from England as a Barrister, but it is untrue to say that he cannot stand on his feet. My daughter tells me that he is one of the best teachers on campus, and I think one of the great legal brains that this country has seen since the great Henderson Clarke, and that is why he attracts so much criticism and comment when he writes.
It is true that he is a strong supporter of the Government, and that he makes the DLP members uncomfortable, but a lot of what he writes is true, and the DLP members are to blame for that, because they talk a lot of foolishness and give him food for thought. He is my friend and sometimes I do not agree with him, and I call and tell him so, but he has been writing for the press, for a longtime and I read his articles, but I do not swallow everything he says, friend or no friend, because I think for myself.
March 6, 2007 at 8:54 pm
Aeneas, your daughter is in the law faculty I trust? And why do you think Ezra is one of Bim’s great lawyers? On what do you base this?
March 7, 2007 at 1:38 pm
Aeneas = Ezra.
I am certain if you asked Ezra he would express some disapointment in terms of where he is now compared to where he thought he might have been today based on his fortunes of the seventies.
Owen has also gotten rid of persons who challenged him by either firing them or marginalising them. Mia, George, other BLP Politicians and several journalists and private citizens can testify to the fact that Owen does not liked to be challenged.
March 7, 2007 at 3:58 pm
correct me if I wrong didnt ezra alleyne go before bar association or courts for messing with client monies.
quite a few local lawyers should be in prison.
apart from overall white control of economy lawyers run things.
barbados a sad place for anyone not friends of blp,whites and lawyers.