Liars in our Caribbean leadership

by Peter Binose

Some people lie to get attention. Some lie because they are mentally ill, some lie for narcissistic reason. Some lie because they are pure evil. Others lie to make others think that they are worthy, while some lie to mislead, confuse and deceive. Another group lies to avoid the expected punishment.   

I believe that several of our Caribbean leaders are serial liars, and they lie for all the above reasons.

Those who speak lies often write lies and should not be trusted in law courts to give truthful evidence. They should not be trusted to draw wills, contracts or agreements of any kind. In fact their profession should never be in a position of trust.

This might sound strange but in fact a large percentage of people that lie, they lie initially to themselves, even believe the lies just because they are too afraid to face the truth.

Many psychological researchers have proven that people who lie to themselves tend to believe the lies later on, and then convince others that the lie is the truth. 

Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson: “Catch a Nigger by the toe, when he squeals…”

UPDATED May 7, 2014: Poll closed due to organised campaign to support Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson

Did Top Gear or Jeremy Clarkson hire some backroom operation to change the results of BFP’s poll? That’s a definite possibility.

BFP’s poll asked if our readers could hearing Clarkson saying the word ‘nigger’ in the YouTube video. For the first few days the results were running about 90% yes… but then we saw dozens and dozens of ‘no’ responses coming from two IP numbers in the UK, where the people involved were obviously conducting an organised effort to change the results of the poll in Clarkson’s favour.

Naughty, naughty!

So we’ve frozen the poll where it ended up, but our readers should know that the displayed result doesn’t reflect the actual views of BFP’s readers that is running about 90% ‘yes’ and 8% ‘no’ and 2% ‘can’t tell, too drunk to care’.

Cliverton

“Einee meenie miney moe…”

“There’s a slope on it…” (Clarkson as an asian man walks on a bridge. YouTube video below.)

And we haven’t even told you about Clarkson’s Nazi salute or his black dog named after a black footballer.

Is Jeremy Clarkson unthinking, always over the line… or truly a racist?

I haven’t decided for myself as yet, but here are a few tidbits for your consideration – including an apology excuse from Clarkson.

Is the BFP crew going to the TopGear festival at Bushy Park? You bet! We wouldn’t miss it for anything… no matter what Mr. Clarkson thinks or says about the colours of our skins.

Jeremy Clarkson’s apology excuse

Hey… no matter what he says about mumbling, I hear the word ‘Nigger’ clear ’nuff in the video at the top of this post. How about you?

Further Reading and Viewing…

UK Mirror: Jeremy Clarkson’s previous ‘race rows’: From black dogs and Nazi salutes to Lenny Henry

UK Mirror: Video: Watch Jeremy Clarkson use n-word in unseen Top Gear footage

The Guardian: Jeremy Clarkson ‘begs forgiveness’ over N-word footage

Jeremy Clarkson: Twitter feed with apology excuse.

More great photos from Dominick Gravel

(click photo for larger)

New Places & Subjects

Almost a year ago I wrote of accidentally discovering Dominick Gravel’s photo-blog during one of my aimless middle of the night surfing safaris. What a treat…

And so it was that I discovered the photos of Dominick Gravel early Monday morning when I couldn’t sleep.

I’d say I “wasted” two hours at his website and blog, because I should have been sleeping so I could be human for work in the morning, but I couldn’t stop. Mr. Gravel’s photos took me around the world and every one of them was more than art. Playing lot cricket in India, school girls in Japan, riding bicycles in Nepal, a smile from the Dalai Lama, speeding across the plains of Tanzania, an alleyway in Hong Kong, releasing a captured bear somewhere. Who is this guy?

… from BFP’s We discover Dominick Gravel’s blog – a creative feast for eyes and imagination

Last night I found that Mr. Gravel has posted many new and fabulous photos of Vietnam, Korea, Paris and Australia, and more people, people, people!

Have a look at Dominick Gravel’s DKGphoto.com and his info website, but I warn you… be prepared to blow at least an hour. Well worth your time.

Meet Barbados’ future King: His Royal Highness Prince George

Kate and, what’s his name? Oh yeah, William. Anyway they are a nice young couple across the pond and they have just had their first little one, a boy. His name is George Alexander Louis. (Yahoo! News story here)

George for his great-great grandfather, Louis for his great-uncle (?) who was murdered by the Irish Republican Army and Alexander for some distant relatives in Scotland.

Unlike many other children born on the same day in Barbados and around the world, George will never be hungry for long. He will never have malaria or gum disease. George will never experience parasitic worms in his eyes or have trouble finding clean water to drink.

George will have soap available to him every day. A good school and tuition for anything he wants to do are a given. Should he ever have a health problem it will be spotted as early as humanly possible and then treated immediately with the resources of an entire nation. George is already wealthy and as he grows he will have real power and authority (the two are different, you know). As with his wealth, George won’t have to earn that power and authority because it will simply be handed to him.

This little one is truly blessed, and good for him and his proud parents.

George’s task now is to use his blessings to change the world for the better. That’s up to him – he can work hard at using his position to advance the human race, or he can choose to do little or nothing in that regard.

And to those who begrudge the fact that little George has such a good start in life – I remind you that the privileged children of the Bajan political class (and elsewhere) are born with the same silver spoon of assets, family influence and political ties to help them along in life. The difference is only in the size of the assets and influence.

Some of those who are critical of the Royals tend to forget that Barbados has its own royal class, and if the test is to judge how much good they have done with their blessings, our island’s royal class has already failed the test.

As Rihanna self-destructs, Bajan jazz singer CiCi says she’s always done her best to portray Barbados positively

“I love my country”

I don’t mind being an official Ambassador for Barbados. I’ve been doing it for the last 8 years in Canada and for 20 years worldwide. I love my country and at every opportunity I let people know it. When I was asked to sing the Canadian Anthem at the immigration awards Gala in Canada I thought it was one of the Greatest honours for Barbados and for me as Bim’s ‘First Lady of Jazz.’

It is the little entertainers like myself who have people from 10 years and more still coming or contacting them, and asking about our island and what’s happening with it.

The Barbados Tourism Authority seems to be out of touch with what tourists really want in Barbados. Canadians wonder why there is no advertising to encourage them to come to Barbados. Relying upon one person (Rihanna) to bring people to Barbados just doesn’t work especially when they arrive and discover that Rihanna is not representative of Bajan entertainment and culture. Tourists want to see a culture that they cannot see at home. They want to see real Bajan culture, and music and dancing that they don’t see at home.

Rihanna is not ‘Bajan’ culture. She’s done well for herself, but tourists don’t want Rihanna’s half-naked dance numbers: they want limbo and other iconic Bajan and Caribbean culture. As Rihanna’s behaviour gets progressively worse, we should be asking how this benefits our tourism.

The BTA is so wrong with the Rihanna tourism campaign!

CiCi

CiCi’s Website: Barbados’ first lady of jazz!

TMZ: “Rihanna turning her Instagram account into a porn feed” – Barbados Tourism Authority awaits the new holiday arrivals!

“Another pillar of the strategy was the creation of a global brand for Barbados, using modern technology. Getting Rihanna to endorse this brand, via the visitbarbados.org website saw an increase from 2,000 to 68,000 hits per week. This association with Rihanna is also expected to take the Barbados brand into 19 million homes via social media like Facebook and Instagram.“

Barbados Tourism Minister Richard Sealy on the DLP website

NexCyx wins Ryan Seacrest’s contest!

American Idol host Ryan Seacrest compiled a list from YouTube of his favourite Maroon 5 covers for his “best Maroon 5 cover” contest. It turns out that NexCyx from little Barbados won the contest with 60% of the popular vote.

Well done! (An we hope BFP’s article sent them a few votes. Cliverton – can you tell us how many we sent?)

NexCyx WINS!

“Nexcited!”

It’s the only way to describe how local band Nexcyx feels after officially being announced as the winners of the RyanSeacrest.com March Music Madness contest for their version of Maroon 5′s Moves Like Jagger.

When online polls for the final had closed, NexCyx had earned more than 60 per cent of the vote. They beat four other artists and groups to take the top spot.

… full story at Barbados Today

Vote for NexCyx at Ryan Seacrest’s website!

UPDATED: April 4, 2013

NexCyx WINS!

“Nexcited!”

It’s the only way to describe how local band Nexcyx feels after officially being announced as the winners of the RyanSeacrest.com March Music Madness contest for their version of Maroon 5′s Moves Like Jagger.

When online polls for the final had closed, NexCyx had earned more than 60 per cent of the vote. They beat four other artists and groups to take the top spot.

… full story at Barbados Today

American Idol host Ryan Seacrest compiled a list from YouTube of his favourite Maroon 5 covers for his “best Maroon 5 cover” contest. It turns out that NexCyx from little Barbados was selected and made it to Round 2.

Barbados, help your own win this GLOBAL contest…

Visit this link and vote NexCyx!

We discover Dominick Gravel’s blog – a creative feast for eyes and imagination

Cricket, anyone?

You know how it is surfing aimlessly on the web… you are reading something about Bristol Centaurus sleeve-valve engines and then about three clicks later you are someplace you never intended to go. Sometimes it is a treat, sometimes not – but it is all part of the adventure and fun of surfing.

And so it was that I discovered the photos of Dominick Gravel early Monday morning when I couldn’t sleep.

I’d say I “wasted” two hours at his website and blog, because I should have been sleeping so I could be human for work in the morning, but I couldn’t stop. Mr. Gravel’s photos took me around the world and every one of them was more than art. Playing lot cricket in India, school girls in Japan, riding bicycles in Nepal, a smile from the Dalai Lama, speeding across the plains of Tanzania, an alleyway in Hong Kong, releasing a captured bear somewhere. Who is this guy?

The photos draw you in. You are immersed in the colours, the stories, the action, the moment or the look in the subject’s eyes. I know that I could never do what he does no matter what training you give me. I have great equipment. Mr. Gavel has talent… No contest.

Robert

Have a look at his blog and website, but I warn you… be prepared to blow at least an hour. Well worth your time.

Dominick Gravel website

Dominick Gravel photo blog

“Gimme a ticket to Barbados, one way”

Funny, sad… and a little bit of de truth!

Avicii vs Nicky Romero: I could be the one.

Van Cliburn and “My favourite chopping”

Memories of Auntie

Van Cliburn died yesterday and there is not one in 100 people on this island who would recognize his name, let alone know who he was: one of the first 20th Century classical pianists to have rock star cult status.

I only know who he was because Auntie lived with us for her last ten years and she had one Cliburn ‘record’ that she loved and played over and over and over. And then played some more.

But Auntie called the album “My favourite choppin” as in chopping onions, not listening to ‘show-pan’.

We never had the heart to tell her.

When I read that Van Cliburn died I thought of Auntie and it made me sad and happy at the same time. I hope you don’t mind I shared that with you.

Robert

Rihanna attacked on London street, bottle thrown, knee cut in fall

Attacker shouted something about Chris Brown

Rihanna was not seriously injured in a fall caused when a madman attacked her as she was leaving a London club. The man threw a full drink bottle at Rihanna after shouting something about Chris Brown. Rihanna fell trying to avoid the projectile (which by some reports did not strike her) and had to go to hospital to be treated and then released.

The attacker was not apprehended, which is a little surprising.

Further Reading

DNA India: Rihanna injured by fan

Hollywood Gossip: Rihanna injured in bottle attack!

Yahoo UK: Rihanna hit after crazed fan chucks bottle at her, slices open her leg

Photo courtesy of The Examiner: Rihanna Injured

Rihanna’s audience: Right for Barbados tourism?

Scenes from Rihanna’s Boeing 777 on Tour

Rihanna is one of the biggest names in show business right now, and she’s from Barbados.

They say there’s no ‘bad’ publicity and I guess that could be true. What do I know about that?

I do have doubts that Rihanna’s audience is the one we would choose to target, but it could be I’m wrong there too. I thought we were targeting upscale adults with Rihanna’s help. Maybe we’ll hear some statistics later on about the success of the Rihanna Barbados campaign… but I wouldn’t hold my breath. Is the campaign worth it in terms of direct returns? I don’t know. Future returns? Nobody knows ’bout that fur sur!

Steve Jobs one year after his death. Why did we cry this morning?

Mom? Dad? Why are you crying?

Very few people really change the world, and do it for the better. Shona and I believe that Steve Jobs did.

So we had to explain ourselves this morning to our #1 son when he found us at the table. Say what you will, doesn’t matter. We miss Steve.

Steven Paul “Steve” Jobs

February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011

Steve Jobs on death and life (Steve was a Buddhist)

From his 2005 Commencement Speech, Stanford University…

When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: “If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.” It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.

Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart…

… continue reading Steve’s commencement speech: Goodbye Steve… and thank you

Oh Harry! (What happens in Vegas… gets posted on the Internet)

HRH Prince Harry – All of ‘im

Secretly taken photos of a nude Prince Harry cavorting with a nude woman in Las Vegas seem to be causing more smiles than shock – and that’s true at our house too. “His Royal Highness is in good shape. Cute bum too!” was the first response of Shona just before she poked me in the belly. (hmmm… yes, not as taunt as it used to be, I know dear.)

So far it looks like Harry was unaware that someone was taking his photo, and that probably garners him some sympathy and leeway. If he knew and allowed the photos that would be another matter, but if some friend betrayed his trust and he didn’t notice, that shifts the perspective.

It looks like Prince Harry is another victim of the new reality: people don’t carry cell phones, they carry cameras capable of making calls. So you’d better be sure you’re with friends if you want to play strip poker, strip pool or any of the other variations that young men and women have been playing for a hundred years.

Further Oogling

TMZ.com  – Prince Harry: Naked at Vegas party

Ian Bourne: Oprah’s Rihanna interview “PR fluff, a travesty”

As staged as any Broadway production

For what it’s worth, we agree 100% with The Bajan Reporter. Oprah was once a serious journalist who broke important stories. She was once a skilled interviewer who was unafraid to ask ‘difficult’ questions.

It looks like those days are long gone, and gone forever…

“Where did Oprah fall down? Many areas, where to start? Since Oprah herself pointed how TIME listed “RiRi” as one of the 100 most Influential People of the Year, then knowing the Westbury girl is considered a role model  whether she likes it or not, then why did Oprah not ask her about how Nivea cancelled her huge contract?

What was Rihanna’s big idea of sporting C**T on a pendant into a Catholic Church – how could Oprah miss such a thing if she is truly concerned about women’s rights? Even “RiRi” using the same jewellery when taking photos with young fans at their parents’ ire?

If this gal from Westbury is so into God and loves her Grandmother so much, then why accept a lapdance from a midget Dominatrix which could confuse and upset the old lady – you don’t think she’d hear in this day and age of Technology, if the grandmother did not view it herself then she could have been told by a neighbour? Oprah should’ve ALSO asked why Rihanna does these extreme bad things which contrasts with “RiRi’s” Cultural Ambassador status for Barbados?”

From the Bajan Reporter story Rihanna’s So-Called Interview With Oprah – What was NOT there…

Oprah – Rihanna interview sampler released

The Nivea 100th anniversary Rihanna campaign was successful

Have a look at the above video showing part of the Nivea 100th anniversary campaign featuring Rihanna. According to the video, the campaign was successful. That tends to show that the recent falling out between Nivea and Rihanna is based upon Rihanna’s image problem, and not the short term performance of the campaign or her representation of Nivea products.

Rihanna’s managers and Rihanna herself should probably be assessing if this client loss is a blip in the plan – or indicative of something larger.