Barbados Mascoll Affair Fuels Electorate Cynicism

Former Leader of Barbados’ Opposition Party, Clyde Mascoll, sat as an independent for about five seconds before abandoning years of criticizing the actions of the government. By crossing the floor, in one motion he embraced his new political master and exchanged his principles for… what? Power? Perks? Revenge?

Whatever his motives (and Mr. Mascoll has not come close to being forthright about his motives), his actions have fuelled cynicism – especially among the non-partisan electorate.

Titilayo at Gallimaufry says that she’s done writing about politics for now and will be posting pretty pictures of cows instead. She may post the cows, but we doubt (and hope) that she has not really given up on making the Government of Barbados accountable.

Here’s some of the comments Titilayo picked up from the Barbados Forum before it was hacked…

“…until we have a a hospital where we can receive timely efficient medical attention, until we have roads free of major roadworks for at least a year, until our unemployment is really lowered, salaries and literacy raised higher, and we have one true Barbados, Mascoll (and all the others who might follow suit) can cross the floor, lie down in the middle of it, or mop it… it wouldn’t mean a thing to me.”

“I long for the day when I cast my vote for the person who will do the best for the country I live in, as opposed to voting for who I think might do the least amount of damage to it.”

Full text see “So You Can’t Predict The Flop”

Lucille Baird wrote in the Barbados Advocate…

“I’m very disappointed in the stance that Mr. Clyde Mascoll has taken in crossing the floor. Today, I want to direct this column to his attention, because it’s so easy to forget the past, as we’re confronted and overwhelmed by the present.”

“…lest (Mascoll) forgets that it was he who warned us, the people of Barbados and the Caribbean to shun the very appearance of evil coming from the BLP in the form of the GEMS project (Hotel and Resorts Ltd $200 million) mismanagement, the Greenland Landfill $30 million error in judgement, the NHC building at Warrens that was termed as a national disgrace; and lest he forgets I want to remind him of all the ill-treatment he suffered during the pushing down of his ill-advised construction of the kiosk at Deacons Farm.”

“I wept for him then. But, Oh! How he has forgotten!…”

Greenland Landfill. GEMS Scandal. National Housing Corporation. Barbados Water Authority supply & quality failures. Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation mess. Corruption in Urban & Rural Development.

Mr. Mascoll and Mr. Arthur may want to forget these “little bumps”, but the people of Barbados will not.

Posted by Robert

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Barbados Forum Hacked – Barbados Free Press Attacked

Some of our readers have let us know that the Barbados Forum has been down for a while after a malicious hacking attack. While our friends are working hard to put everything back together, we have to point out that this type of attack is not unexpected – especially when Bajans “Tell it like it is.” Fortunately, Barbados Forum has managed to restore almost all the posts and only lost a couple of days worth. (Congratulations on a successful backup policy guys!)

Here at Barbados Free Press, we also experienced a fairly concentrated attack on the morning of January 30th with the trace-route pointing to a proxy server in Russia. This does not mean that the attack originated in Russia – only that a Russian server was used to conceal the true origin. In all likelihood, the attacks originated a little closer to home than Russia.

At Barbados Forum, and here at BFP, we are asking ourselves, “Who has the most to gain from preventing Bajans from discussing politics and social issues?”

Everyone on Barbados should be asking themselves the same question.

Around the Web: Blogs Discuss Barbados, Clyde Mascoll, Owen Arthur & David Thompson

We Bajans often think that our small island is generally unnoticed by other countries, but a tour around the web shows that lately, our political situation is being followed by bloggers outside of Barbados. Here are a few samples…

“Bajan Poli-tricks” is how one ex-pat Bajan blogger describes what is going on in Barbados politics. Jdid of Doan Mind Me Blog in Toronto Canada posted…

“Many said they couldn’t see Mascoll leading the country so they are glad to see him go. His replacement Thompson was the former golden boy of the party but his election results left his image tarnished and one wonders if he can regain his former luster.”

“This opposition has lacked effective leadership, with power struggles erupting at some of the most inopportune times. Where they might have the opportunity to shore up their support and capitalize on the government’s missteps instead they have become bogged down by ineffectiveness, argument and controversy amongst their ranks not putting up a united front with the small number of members they have in parliament.

That’s pretty sad because with their strength absent it really doesn’t leave the average bajan with much choice at the polls. The country is fast becoming a one party state.”

Jamaican blogger Scratchie’s World, watching Bajan politics as well as Jamaican, pointed out that Mascoll’s defection to the ruling party isn’t all that surprising…

“yup…..thing is when you see these opposing sides at it in parliament …catch them at the party scene….best of friends.”

Scratchie might have a point there!

Emmanuel Asomba at Poverty & Social Development has some nasty words for Prime Minister Owen Arthur over his refusal to sign on with Petro Caribe – calling him “a loyal liegeman of President Bush…”

Well, everyone is entitled to an opinion, I guess.

Even in China, bloggers and the media are talking about the CSME – Caribbean Single Market Economy – pact signed by Prime Minister Owen Arthur on Monday. While Barbados might be a tiny player on the world stage, we are there!