Pirates get stay of execution till 2010
(CNS): Although the Pirates Week festival is set to change and a competition is to be held to find a new name, the pirates moniker was offered a stay of execution this week, at least for this year’s festival. Leader of Government Business McKeeva Bush has denied that the change is based on pressure from the church and said that it had more to do with the way Cayman was perceived on the international financial services stage. He confirmed that he wanted to see the festival change in content as well as name and is looking for something that puts the islands’ rich maritime heritage at the forefront.
“It’s still a very real threat today,” said Bush, reflecting on a number of international news headline stories about Somali pirates. “We are all too aware that even with one of the most robust financial regulatory frameworks — which incorporates both international standards of supervision and cooperation with overseas regulatory authorities — our reputation as an offshore jurisdiction, among some influencers in North America and Europe, remains unjustifiably tainted. For us, the image of piracy — or theft, or hijacking, as it is also called — is not one that we can afford to embrace at this time.”
Bush said it was prudent to do everything possible to remove any perceptions of, or associations with, piracy from the Cayman Islands.
The decision to change the name has generated considerable controversy and polarised the community, with the church wanting to see the pirate connection removed completely versus those in the tourism sector who see the festival as offering a real annual boost to the country’s tourism sector at a very slow time in the industry calendar.
“I understand that Pirates Week means a lot to many residents. And I greatly respect and appreciate the intentions of our National Hero, the late Hon James (Jim) Manoah Bodden, who implemented the festival as a way of bringing tourists to our shores,” the LoGB said.
He added that he did not think it brought that many tourists any more and it was time to create a festival that puts Cayman culture at the forefront. "I believe this is our opportunity to shape this festival into something that represents us culturally, and that reflects our rich maritime heritage,” Bush stated.
He acknowledged that there were people who wanted to have been more involved in the process of change so he said he had asked the Tourism Attraction Board, in collaboration with other relevant government agencies, to spearhead a renaming competition.
“The activities this year will remain the same. Our goal is to implement the new name and renewed festival by November 2010.”
He said that while he appreciated not everyone was going to accept the situation he hoped people would understand his decisions
“Yes, my role as minister of tourism demands that I champion events that will bring visitors and foreign exchange to our shores. But my role as leader also demands that I strive to protect that which ensures our very survival,” Bush added.
Category: Local News
"Re 21:25 – can you be a "foreigner" in a place that is not a country?"
Wattayamean, this is not a country???
This is a British Overseas Territory, and thus part of the British Empire (such as it is today).
Therefore if you are here, and if you are not British, you are a foreigner in the Cayman Islands. Simple!
Right?
"Why can’t the private sector get together and have its own Pirates Week? No Government funding, no Government interference – that way we could find out if it really does make money."
Why doesn’t the private sector do what pirates actually do really well… come ashore with cannons thundering and muskets firing and take the Island over. They can then turn it into a pirate’s lair, board any ships that sail too close and when not otherwise occupied with that they can sit about and drink all the rum? Just like the old days…
Why can’t the private sector get together and have its own Pirates Week? No Government funding, no Government interference – that way we could find out if it really does make money.
"Rich maritime heritage" come on. Caymanians were not the Vikings or the Portuguese. Outside of a reference to Caymanians’ island sailing skills in Dr. No, no-one outside of Cayman has ever heard of this. Keep Pirates Week for fake fun loving dressed up Pirates! If you want to save our souls, please just pray for us.
Maybe Pirates Week could end with an enactment of missionaries converting the pirates to the ways of our Lord and changing their pirate ways to pursue wholesome careers slaughtering turtles with traditonally made rope instead. That way everyone would be happy.
Revamping Pirates Week? Maybe we do need to adjust, add, or subtract some of the activities. The problem is…with WHAT? Caymans "heritage" is very limited and I do not envision tourists from Germany or Canada spending thousands of dollars to come down and watch a little old lady make rop out of thatch. Please remember that what many of us consider to be Caymanian…is infact BORROWED from our neighboring countries. There I said it.
As for the name change….this is not necessary. It adds the right amount of excitement and interest. What are we to name Pirates Week instead? Cayman Heritage Week? How lame. As a Caymanian I wouldnt even leave me house to come and see this if I was basing itoff of a name only.
People, stop thinking Bible, and start thiking MARKETING STRATEGY.
"Oh Jesus Week would be sweet. We could have a walking on water race rather than a sea swim. There could be talks on "Why there never were dinosaurs" and "A complete history of the 6,000 years of earth", "Evolution – why it is evil" and "Harry Potter – why it is evil"."
For goodness sake don’t get them started! They really will come from far and wide for Jesus Week. The hotels will be full, everyone will start looking for mangers, and suddenly the women will all be having babies whilst remaining in a pure state (nonwithstanding the guys from JA spending theri nights servicing the mangers). Chaos will begin!
For the life of me I have no clue why the hypocrits won’t leave Pirates Week alone. That includes all of those Pastor’s trying to pass laws from the pulpit.
Even our Precious Lord and Saviour gave us the right to make choices. Now here come these PERFECTIONIST who think they have to out do our God and take it all away.
People come to god they are not dragged there.
You are getting far too involved in my life without my permission. You shoudl be welcomed in. Do not beat on my door cause I will turn against you. Jesus never did it why are you doing it!!!
Where does this stupidness end? Next will be Halloween. I mean its the day of teh dead right. Poor little kids what are we teaching them?
Do you really believe us that stupid to think that pirates were wonderful people? We know what Pirates were about. Let me give you a small hint. THEY ARE DEAD!!! At least the ones that we speak about at ours. The others off Africa are not "Pirates" in the traditional sence of teh word. They are are just criminals who hold people for ransom. They are only doing it at sea.
So Pastor’s who want this dead you are going to do something you are going to regret and so is Mr Bush when his brain finally kicks in.
Mr Bush can you please explain for us idiots out here how shutting down the Islands largest tourist event which brings in large sums of money to so many businesses who need it so desparately helps to solve our financial crisis? I mean I haard you spend money to make money but where does it say you kill your cash cow to make more money? I am going back over my text books and I simply can not find where it says that.
I sure hope Mr Bush you are prepared for the fall out because I am telling everyone who reads this that they should show up at your house and ask for money to pay rent and what have you should they loose their jobs because of this stupid idea. Everyone please go to Mr Bush house should you loose your job!!!
Now Mr. Bush do you honestly think for a second that someone is going to pay CI$2,000 to fly from places like Seattle Washington to the Cayman Islands and stay in our hotels so to see us make thatch rope? Or…wait for it….Make hats….what else…
I don’t want you to think I am not proud of our heritage but it’s a fool who thinks it more than it is. Our Heritage makes a wonderful backdrop for Pirates Week. It has worked wonderfully over many many years.
Let me say this no one believes we are saying it’s nice to be a pirate. At least no one in their right mind. We are only using it as a way to attrack people to the Islands.
There are things you can do to curb problems and raise funds. Let’s start by taxing the hell out of liquor except at Tourism establishments and events. Basically wherever a tourist would be impacted. Do the same with cigarettes. These are two sickening things that kill people.
You will lower the amount of car accidents and raise funds for government. You will lower medical bills and fund government WIN WIN WIN!!!
You want more Heritage then look at another event that is not doing so well and see if it can be integrated into the event or even take it over. Pirates Week worksjust teh way it is. Don’t touch it or we will all pay a hefy price because no matter what you are thinking I can assure you IT WILL NOT WORK!!! And whatever you do will have a MAJOR impact on these Islands and the damage might be irreversable.
Yuo need to start having brain sessions with the finance sector as to what we can do to attract even more foreign money. Different products that maybe we have stayed away from.
I also think if you are not going to do anything about the numbers game that is going on you should really do a lottery. There will be no change to social issues because well it is already happening. And the government can actually raise funds than can help social services run programs and maybe fund those schools we are trying to complete.
Let’s start thinking outside the box for abit at what we can do to bring more tourism here. Ask the hard questions. Get people who can give us good answers. CUC needs a second look. Maybe we should be looking at a solar farm for the Cayman Islands. We have sun so many days of teh year. It might well be viable. Solar wind….all needs serious looks.
"Isn’t it significant that James M Bodden started Pirates Week not because it was a significant aspect of Cayman’s past and culture, but in order to make money at a slow time of year? That says it all-nothing to do with anything other than making money."
And what’s wrong with that? At least SOMEONE tried to expand the economic activity of the Islands instead of moaning and groaning about how bad things are and blaming it on the guy down the street (or the expat). You might want to try it. Get off your butt and create some business of your own instead of crabbing about the work of others.
Oh Jesus Week would be sweet. We could have a walking on water race rather than a sea swim. There could be talks on "Why there never were dinosaurs" and "A complete history of the 6,000 years of earth", "Evolution – why it is evil" and "Harry Potter – why it is evil".
As Mrs. Adam said “Let’s make it Jesus Week” LOL! Quick, someone call South Park to do a show on the new Holy Week.
Simply put there should have been public consultation. But I think McKeeva knew that the results would not favour him nor the approval of a name & theme change.
“There’s a tear in my beer and I’m crying for you dear”
PIRATE!
What a joke! "For us, the image of piracy — or theft, or hijacking, as it is also called — is not one that we can afford to embrace at this time.” Mac is tying this festival to the financial service industry — what?
"meeting various heads of state across Europe" — Would love to actually see the itinerary of his meetings — which heads of state had a problem with Pirates Week? Doubtful!!
While you are at it — check out some of the video stores and look for "boot-legged" DVD’s. That is piracy and no one here cares about copyrights.
Batabano — dancing and simulating sex in the street is so much better as a representation of Cayman culture. May as well go kill some endangered turtles while you are at.
A Caymanian Heritage Festival is going to be very short and very dull. What happens after the rope making festival and tales about how great the sailors were? Pirates Week is fun (well the bitsat either weekend are). Don’t let the dull religious killjoys win just because they can stop being so uptight.
Fully in support of the changes to this festival, we can benefit much more from a festival which is a better representative of our ‘Caymanian’ heritage. Hopefully the new name and events will reflect just this.
"Fully in support of the
Fully in support of the changes to this festival, we can benefit much more from a festival which is a better representative of our ‘Caymanian’ heritage. Hopefully the new name and events will reflect just this"
Here is the summation of a festival you have any part in…
Good evening all….and good night….
Frankly if you think anyone is going to spend CI$2,000 to come see us making thatch rope you are silly.
You want us to sink. Your patriotism is going to kill us.
When I saw the headline I thought that the decision on the Bodden Town case had been delayed.
Then I read the article in which the Minister for Everything now claims to have been meeting European heads of state and discussing piracy with them. In which full technicolour delusion did that happen and who else was part of that delusion – Ghengis Khan, Attillathe Hun, Bugs Bunny? MAC may have met head waiters while spending our money waltzing around Europe but everyone can be absolutely sure that he did not discuss piracy or anything else with European heads of state. I am surprised that no one called him on that at the press conference – or maybe they were all a bit rattled by the perceived threat of censorship.
Great news, there is hope that we will see DS and McKeeva fight "on the plank" after all – LOL
Re 21:25 – can you be a "foreigner" in a place that is not a country?
Good. This was perhaps the most ridiculous interference by the Bible thumping brigade for a long time.
Oh God! A bunch of foreigners dressed up as pirates again, spreading their phoney "pirate’ noises and beery breath all over the islands again. So bloody childish-that’s what many of us have against the whole stupid thing.
And dont tell me how much the Seattle Seafarers Silly Men Acting As Boys raise for charity until you have subtracted the local government policing/garbage pick up etc costs. Or how they speak out against drinking and drug abuse (as if the two were different). What a sick joke.
Our objections are nothing to do with the Church which is equally irrelevant and, worse, prevents us living normal lives where we can shop on Sundays like the rest of the free world of the 21st century. Those of us who are embarrassed and annoyed by this pathetic week every year wish Mac would have just finished it once and for all as yet another tired part of our terribly tired and inadequate tourism product.
Re: Oh God ! A Bunch of Foreigners Apparently Someone is Very Angry with Pirates Week and The People who Participate in it ! The Writer of this Letter seem to be Downplaying the Contributions of The Seattle Seafair Pirates; remember they Raised $50,000 for the Victims of Hurricane Paloma in Record Time !!! If You feel that this is a Paltry Sum of Money, then I suggest that YOU reach into YOUR Pocket and come up with Something better !!! The Writer also states that The Seattle Pirates Speaking out against Drug and Alcohol Abuse is a Sick Joke; please be Thankful that SOMEBODY is trying to Spread this Message. It really doesnt matter if its a Priest in His Vestments, or a Person in a Pirates Costume; as long as the Message gets spread ! Remember the People who Participate in Pirates Week ARE NOT TRYING TO HURT ANYBODY, They are just trying to have a good time. If Pirates Week is not Your Idea of Fun, thats fine; if You have a better Idea to raise Money, then form a Group & Petition Your Government to Enact Your Ideas ! So if You want Businesses to be open on Sunday like the rest of the civilized World, then get on the Phone to McKeeva and tell Him to "Get it in Gear" and leave Pirates Week alone !!!
Save Pirates Week! http://www.gopetition.com/online/29368.html
Isn’t it significant that James M Bodden started Pirates Week not because it was a significant aspect of Cayman’s past and culture, but in order to make money at a slow time of year? That says it all-nothing to do with anything other than making money.