Mac goes on attack

| 17/08/2011

(CNS): The country’s premier has lashed out at the auditor general’s office and the media in connection with his Nation Building Fund. In a statement broadcast on TV and radio on Tuesday evening, which was not widely publicised, the premier accused the audit office of courting media headlines and implied that writers on a local newspaper could be devil worshippers. Defending his decision to give grants to churches because of their important role in society and young people who needed scholarships for a second chance at education, McKeeva Bush said he intended to keep on helping local churches and those in need. (Photo Dennie Warren JR)

There was considerable backlash from the community expressed on the CNS blog, the radio talk shows and in the wider public domain when the details of the grants given under the Nation Building Fund were revealed via two FOI requests, one made by CNS. In response the premier has chosen to hit out in particular at an editorial published in The Caymanian Compass last week as well as the Office of the Auditor General (OAG).

A spokesperson for the OAG told CNS that the office would be examining the Nation Building Fund at some point in this financial year in order to establish the criteria on how the money was being allocated and to ensure value for money was being achieved with public cash.

In his televised statement Tuesday, Bush said that he hoped the auditor general’s office would do what an audit of public expenditure is intended to do, which was to help strengthen the process and value for money. The premier said the OAG had a right and duty to report its findings but accused the office of seeking out media attention.

“It does not enhance their contribution to good governance for them to play up their public role to the point of seeking out banner headlines for themselves and making the office into a media celebrity as it has been doing in recent years,” Bush stated, echoing comments he had made in the past about the previous auditor general, Dan Duguay. Bush had accused Duguay of being a “cowboy” following a damning report concerning the Royal Watler terminal.

Soon after the premier began criticising Duguay publicly, he learned that his contract would not be renewed and the governor’s office began the search for a replacement.

Alastair Swarbrick arrived just over a year ago to take up the post and has until recently focused on the issue of government’s failure to complete annual financial reports. However, last month the AG published his first value for money report, which was directly critical of the current administration when he questioned the management of government procurement and accused politicians of interfering in the central tendering process.

Speaking about the wider reaction to his Nation Building Fund, the premier said he could not understand why there had been so much criticism about the government’s efforts to give grants to the churches and help young people get a second chance.

He denied that there was any patronage involved, as suggested by an editorial in the Compass. Bush claimed that the grants were made to the churches that had heard about the fund and applied for help for after school programmes or with buildings and buying land.

He said the disparity in amounts was because the different churches had applied for grants for different things and that obviously there would be a difference in funds to start an afterschool programme compared to building a community hall.

Answering criticisms about the significant amount of money ($1.3 million) which was given to his own church, the Wesleyan Holiness, he said that there was no wrongdoing and the money was to build a community hall and hurricane shelter which would benefit the whole community. He said the church, like many others, had been completely destroyed after Hurricane Ivan but it had built back the sanctuary without any help from government.

The premier said that the churches had been an enormous help to the community and what they did could not be measured in dollars and cents as he accused the newspaper of being “slippery” in the way it reported on the issue.

“Why does giving money to churches cause so much upset?” he asked, adding that he also wondered why the newspaper thought the churches wielded too much power as suggested in the editorial. “What problems have the church caused?” Bush queried.

The premier continued to attack the paper directly, accusing the staff or editor of having “jaundiced views … where people don’t know what they come from or what they did ….(sic).”

Not for the first time, the premier questioned the politics of the press and implied that they came from countries where things were going badly wrong while Cayman still enjoyed good governance.

“Ask what are their politics … whether they are devil worshippers … ask why US don’t allow prayer in school, some of them, and other countries are now burning down, and young people running to and fro looting and burning … thank god we have none of this … thank god we do have peace order and good governance. This has been because all of our years we have had tremendous influence from churches … pastors and Sunday schools … who have taught us to do the right thing.”

He said the editorial had led public opinion to a heightened level of suspicion of wrongdoing on his part as well as civil servants and the churches when there was nothing untoward. The premier said that the wider community looks to churches for moral guidance and that they reinforce the community.

“I will pay no attention to the heretics and the devil as he is a roaring lion moving to and fro causing burningin cities, young people killing one another … and those who claim … and marching and causing demonstrations …,” he said.

The premier asked Christians to “pray for them and that they will turn from their wicked, spiteful and dirty ways,” as he added how concerned he was about the turn of events in response to the help given to the churches.

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  1. REALGAZAMAN says:

    Religion and politics just shouldn't mix. PERIOD. Then you wind up hearing the hypocratic arguments such as the ones MAC was using in this article. What a stupid argument, those countries that are getting burnt down are getting burnt down because of the same bullsh*t! (religion+polictics) Muslims rioting the jewish govt, jews rioting the muslim govt, etc, that plus all of the other economic problems those people are facing, feel free to correct me if i am wrong,  i personally don't know too much about what is happening over in them countries.

    But it all boils down to the same sh*t, I am in no way shape or form a religious person but i have enough pride to know that and not try to make myself look like a saint by claiming otherwise. Mac on the other hand seems to be using this religious argument to cloak the foolishness he doin. I don't see why any church under the same sun that boils my sweat in cayman should need 1.3 million dollars, and if someone under this same sun can give me a plausible reason well your either a damn good liar or have a very good method of stretching the truth!!

  2. Anonymous says:

    Question: Why does a church need protection, or increased protection/strenghtening, from an "act of God"?

     

    That makes as much logic as the Pope riding around in a bullet-proof car.

     

    Don't they believe that all things are "God's will"?

    • Anonymous says:

      You are logically correct, its becoming more obvious that the Bible is archaic and self-contradictory and is used as a life insurance policy to keep the poor and disenfranchised from forgetting their poor quality of life, and as a fear factor to suppress any earnest search into truth.

  3. Anonymous says:

    The Bible said whatever is done in darkness, will come to light.  I rest my case.

    • Anonymous says:

      I find it ironic that people are now using the Bible against a man using the Church that uses the Bible to distance themselves from that same man…I'm convinced Christiansare in total denial about how archaic their beliefs have twisted the very notion at getting at the truth. Another example of people using the Bible to justify their hate instead of addressing the issues.

  4. Dreadlock Holmes says:

    Who made this guy Ayatollah?

    Tone it down Bush you're scarin' us.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Cracker Jack Mac fights back. Be afraid, be very afraid.

  6. Anonymous says:

    BS!! The Premier has to EARN my respect.

  7. SORRY STATE says:

    Only Mac can attack TRUE facts.

  8. Anonymous says:

    Did Mr. Ivan get any money for Hell? Das in Wet bay 2 nah!!

  9. Dare to Dream says:

    I rrealise that  I am a bit late on this one but "better late than never" I am a christian, go to church and pay my tithes every month like the bible that I believe in teaches me to do. I don't have to but it is my choice and I know that God has blessed me beyond measure.  However, i believe that the churches should take care of the community and not the community taking care of the churches.  I don't think that my church got any money from this "slush fund" and I am quite pleased with that.  Our congregation is a tithe paying church and we are able to amply take care of the church's business through our giving.

    I am ,however, wondering if there is any mechanism in place to force the Premier to go back and gather that money that he has given away? If not can the Cayman community bring a legal case against him personally.? 

    • Anonymous says:

      Dare to Dream, thank you for your comments.  I agree with your statement "that the churches should take care of the community and not the community taking care of the churches" and believe that is the very issue that has stirred up opinion about this topic.

       

    • Anonymous says:

      If you are Jewish then you should pay tithes. Nowhere in the New Testament is it commanded, ordered, or even hinted at, that Christians should pay tithes. If you want to follow the laws of tithing, a practice which obviously meets with all pastors approval, then obey ALL laws in the Old Testament. For anyone digging up Matthew 23:23 I say the food that you are always taking to church functions is equivalent.

      • Anonymous says:

        Many churches, even though they are not of the Judaism faith, do expect their members to give a portion of their income, if not a tenth, but certainly a portion.  If you drop "small change" in the collection plate when it is being passed around, you get frowns from even fellow congregation members, and so out of embarrassment, many people drop more, even when they may not have it themselves and can barely pay their own utility bills.  Do excuse me if take what you say with a grain of salt – believe me, churches are among the richest organizations in this world.  What people forget, is that a church, according to the Bible's meaning, is the congregation of people, not a physical building, but many church leaders seem to think that the bigger and more opulent the building is, the more "faithful" they are.  Jesus taught people in their homes, their villages, their market places, by the seaside, by their fishing boats, and by the wells.   One does not need a monument to worship from.

        • Anonymous says:

          exactly! it makes me sick to see these so-called people of God who can only shout fire and brimstone and actually preach division and angst and hatred and usually for the sake of the power and persoanl wealth that comes of it.  A true church is not a lavish building full of people turning up to be seen there and to show off how much money they are seen to flaunt. That's the antithesis. A church is a congregations of believers, people of gentle and considerate and selfless manner. Not some jumped up egomaniac or a bunch collecting millions of dollars and then creating smoke and mirrors about how they dished it out for favour

      • Anonymous says:

        Can the UDP party and its, dare I say 'Leader"….PLEASE refund all the votes that the good people of Cayman wasted on them so we may use them on electing people that truly care about this island and its people! 

        • Anonymous says:

          Wasn't the UDP better than bread? The Premier is the Holiest of the Devils Angels.

  10. poissonmonsieur says:

    Folks read this caption from Mr. Bush's statement – I find it appalling that this man is permitted to hold public office…

     

    "We continue to support the churches because the churches hugely reinforce the solid foundation of our community. Long may it remain so. But I will pay no attention to heretics and the devils, as he is a roaring lion moving to and fro, causing burning in cities, young people at war with each other, young people killing one another and those who claim they allow the public but yet don't want these thing to happen and are marching, cause demonstrations making all sorts of accusations. The devil is moving to and fro, and so I will ask the Christians in our country to pray for them that this group may turn from their wicked, spiteful, jealous, dirty ways."

    Mr. Bush, you job IS to listen to others that do not share your opinion.  Do not dismiss us.  Just because we do not share your beliefs it does not make our voice any less important.  We demand you listen and pay mind even if you think we are the devil.  Your intollerance is, in short, intollerable!!!

     

     
  11. Anonymous says:

    See, now sleepy Kurt Tibbets and bumbling Alden McLaughlin don't seem so horrible do they?

  12. 4th CLASS CITIZEN says:

    Our misleader is raising cain about his own activities that are very quetionable behavior.

    He is wrong. Why wouldhe get upset when he is called on it? In democracies, there is a strick seperation of church and state except for Cayman where our so-called leader has not gotten the message. This is unforgivable.

  13. Anonymous says:

    cns: why have the number of comments gone from 200 to 198?

    CNS: As explained in the CNS Comment Policy, if someone clicks on the comment abuse button and says why they think I was wrong to publish a comment I will take another look at the comment. Sometimes I agree with them anddelete the comment. This will also delete all the responses to that comment. 

    • Maverick says:

      whay a very effective way for 'someone' to manipulate what comments are allowed on CNS, and what's not. For example, if 'WHODATIS' has two 'flags for abuse' then presumably that will mean they can't comment anymore…

      Shocking. Does Macs' office have internet access? LOL

      CNS: Just because a comment is flagged (however many times) does not mean that itis deleted. It just means that I reconsider. No comment is deleted just because someone doesn't like it — the number one reason comments are flagged. 

  14. truth says:

    The country of Grand Cayman now has its own "Castro" for all the world to see and hear.  And of course this 'Castro" has his own people who allow themselves to be dictated to.  Can they truly say that this is not what they deserve?  The financial businesses can and will move. The tourist can and will go anywhere else.  Where will the Caymanian people go to find work and or asylum?  Cuba?  Jamaica? Honduras?  Good luck with that!  Smart people would fight (actually do something) while there is something to fight for.

  15. Cartoon Despot says:

    All a unna try so SHUT UP!!!! Wymeeble unna got to be such rabblerousers?? Unna don't know queheh bout failed nation building. We can soon be just like Cubea. Just let me lead unna wi my two ham fist nuh?

  16. Knot S Smart says:

    "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

    Matthew 19:24; Mark 19:25; Luke 18:25;

    If the Bible is correct, then it looks like our Beloved Premier and the Churches that took our money, are going to have to take the straight road to Hell. Those others of you who are hypocrites must take the round-a-bout way.

     

  17. Loren says:

    God will take care of you Mr Premier.  Do not worry about what those devil worshipers say about you, God will reveal the truth in time and let nations see just howgood a man and leader you are.  Many of these people who are so against you giving to the churches are the first that will be up in church crying and praying to God a soon as a hurricane is near to these islands.  Keep up the good works Mr. Premier.

  18. Right ya so says:

    More frightening than Big Mac are the people who keep voting  him in! It beggars belief.

  19. View from Afar says:

    Methinks your Premier has lost it.  That wasn't a statement by a leader but more like a rant by a loose cannon in an elected position of authority.  He's beginning to sound like our U.S. V.P. Joe Biden who recently called members of the Tea Party here "terrorists."  Is that what the decent, law-abiding people of Cayman have become in the eyes of their Premier?  Terrorists?????

  20. Anonymous says:

    Thanks for sharing Steve

  21. Mr. T says... says:

    Devil Worshipers!!??

    Wha happen wid Firs K-Man Bnk? Me tinks dah dewhil mussa found lotsa wuk for somebody's idle hands.

    If dat can't be answered and dem questions about dah Nation Bulding Fund somebody needs to watch a few reruns of dah A-Team show and listen good nuh when Mr.T says,  "Shut up, Fool".

  22. John the Baptist says:

    All of you writers need to go and pray. Please pray for me, yourselves, the country and Mr. Bush.

    • Anonymous says:

      Praying(Wishful Thinking) won't help you. Try meditating on the problem for a solution rather than just passing the buck to your claimed higher power. 

      • Anonymous says:

        what's the difference?

        • Anonymous says:

          One involves an earnest attempt at the solution and analysis and many modifications before you converge onto a solution.

          The other requires making a Christmas wish list and hoping that the claimed almighty thinks you have been a good boy. If you don't get your presents, then you further rationalize that you were bad in some irrelevant manner to the original problem. You can continue this spiral of looking for something abstractly bad in you(that is imaginary) for years…it will encourage a low self-esteem and you won't become any smarter because you have submitted your human faculty of objectively researching the problem to a claimed higher power.

    • Wet Paper Caymanian says:

      JTB 23:26. We do everyday and several times a day sometimes. When you have a " Leader" who behaves this way and calls his people amongs other things devil worshippers it is quite evident that something is not right here with not only our " Leader" but creates hatrage and confusion amongn'st  the people and then have certain comments saying some pretty harsh things towards Caymanians in general by the actions or I should say inaction of our premier. When disarray in a Country (Cayman Islands as a whole) begins at the top and it's a sign of a lack o a current strong foundation. No Sir not all Caymanians are idiots and Mr. Premier the reason we pray for you everyday is that you get back on track Spiritually and that don't make me a devil worshipper on the contrary I am a humble person that is very distressed by what our Islands are fast becoming. 

    • Anonymous says:

      Especially for you and Mr. Bush.

    • Dred says:

      I don't know why you guys are thumbs downing this guy. This person is speaking the God's honest truth.

      Let's look at what he/she has said….

      We the writers need to go and pray. Okay not much to chew on there cause we need a really good reason to do this right?

      He/she goes on to say Pray for them. Okay if you are a follower of Big Mac I can see you being in dire need of prayer. Let's just say EVERY little bit counts when your mind is that troubled. So I agree there.

      He/she goes on to say Pray for ourselves. Okay. Big Mac is in charge and from what we can see the way things are going WE DESPERATELY NEED PRAYER FOR OURSELVES so we have the patience to make it to the elections and not bump him off before. I know I agree there. I need lots of prayer right now.

      He/she goes on to say to Pray for the country. Do I really need to say more about this. This country needs everything it can get prayer wise. So I agree there also.

      He/she says to pray for Mr Bush. This is the truth Big Mac needs a lot of prays. Even atheist should be praying for this man. I do have a feeling he won't go to hell though. Not sure the Devil wants than kind of competition down there. 

      So why are we thumbs downing him/her. This is thee most SPOT ON blog I have seen lately. I believe in the grand scope of things he needs tons of prayers to purge the demons between his ears. And for all you athiest do whatever you do.

    • Yo mama says:

      Uh, but prayer doesn't do anything.

  23. AnonymousSick and Tired of the B...S... says:

    Sorry, I am on a roll. Somebody earlier raised the issue of some sort of “Military” force on the island. In his Budget speech, Beloved Leader at one point commented that he thought it would be a good idea to increase the “Cadet Force” to as many as 3000 – WHY – possibly to provide an “armed” Militia, in the event that street demonstrations by disaffected residents,could only be controlled by force.

  24. Anonymous says:

    Thank you JuJu for buying my vote when you gave me status in 2003. Them days is done as I am wide awake now!

  25. AnonymousSick and Tired of the B...S... says:

    Call me a liar but I am back. One of the most frightening comments by Beloved Leader suggests that we are better off than the UK in the context of their recent riots. HAS HE NO MEMORY of the days after “Ivan” and the LOOTING. Fast forward to 2011 – how many more guns are now in the hands of people who would have no hesitation in shooting house owners to steal anything from food & water to computers/appliances, jewelry etc. – and please don’t tell me that our disfunctional RCIPS would be able to do anything about it. If some of the currently unaligned gangs got together one weekend over a couple of beers, and decided to work together, they could reduce George Town to a smoldering heap of rubble in no time flat.

    • Anonymous says:

      Add to that if the Uk had the luxury of so many police per capita as we do here, then the riots woulda been under control in no time… 

  26. AnonymousSick and Tired of the B...S... says:

    Last word from me on this subject because I now realize from Mac’s outburst that you might as well piss into the wind, as expect any logical thought process – he is utterly blind to any normal reason. LAST WORD – did Mac notify ALL the churches on the three islands, whatever denomination, that funds were available and invite them to submit requests for financial assistance, which of course would have to indicate their particular, and, specific needs.

  27. Anonymous says:

    Could it be that this total nonsense was designed to divert attention from the economic disaster that he and his cronies have perpetrated.

  28. Anonymous says:

    it hard not to be a devil worshiper when you pastor has been leading you astray all these years.

    I for one will be changing churches.

    I want the money I gave last Sunday back.

    In fact I want a complete refund for the last 5 years.

     

  29. Jenny from the block says:

    I have not been to church voluntarily for twenty years.
    This week and every week thereafter until I am satisfied that I have recovered the 3.2% of my salary which the Government of McKeeva Bush took for this abomination, you can bet your ass I will be there.
    I will be the one in the back, soaking up the A/C I have paid for, charging every phone, laptop, iPod etc from my household with the electricity I have unwillingly paid for.
    I’ll probably be reading a book as the proceedings and ramblings of the pastor whose salary I have been forced to subsidize will be of no interest to me
    It is you Mr. Bush, and those who continue to blindly support you, who have made a mockery of the church, no one else.

    • Anonymous says:

      The church itself has nothing to do with this.  McChavez knows that outright buying votes is against the law, so he has some cohorts who are smart enough to give the advice on how best to purchase all the votes in West Bay again.  One day the people of that district will get tired of a long-term diet of 1 big mac and 3 small fries. It is unfortunate that some of the well-educated people in the UDP are going to go down with their Fearless Leader(Ha! Ha! HA!) You see, it is now against the law to provide the fridges, TVs and stoves, so he has an adviser that said, let's give away the people's money to some of the churches to ensure that we get back in in 2013. 

       

    • Shock and Awe says:

      Good one Jenny. Don't forget the free wine and crackers. Depending on your religion.

  30. Anonymous says:

    "Weez broke"

  31. Strangers in the night says:

    Anon 20:11, what are you talking about, this happens all over the world, most notably in the UK & the USA! Why should Cayman be any different, & why should we treat McChavez Bush-Laden any differently than other countries treat their leaders? If a politician cannot handle something that is accepted practice worldwide (especially one like MacSaddam Bush who gives more than anyone) then they should not be a politician in the first place! Get with it girl child!

  32. Real World says:

    In his address to the nation, Bush identified the cause of crime both in the UK and Cayman as, and I paraphrase: "The devil like a lion on the rampage.' I'm glad it's not social deprivation, poor education, disenfrachisement, nor a widening social divide because those issues would have been much too difficult to deal with.  Instead, all we have to do is destroy Satan!

    • Anonymous says:

      You hit the nail on the head. Its much easier to create a mythical "straw-man" cartoonish devil, than solve the particulars of a multitude of inter-related problems. Solving social problems is hard work, its not glamourous like a beauty pageant, and traveling around the world in luxury will only distance you from knowing the problems, plus pretending that complex human nature/behavior related to moral/ethical issues can re resolved by funding Churches that are built on an archaic psychology is the biggest denial and dance between the public and government.

    • Anonymous says:

      Well, stop voting for him then!

  33. BORN FREE says:

    It is obvious what this is all about (VOTES & support), but I still think that this is one "hell" of a lot of OUR money to spend on votes! I hope that the Auditor General does a very serious & thorough investigation into WHERE & to whom all these millions of OUR dollars have gone. I am suspicious that not all of OUR millions of dollars has gone where he claims it has gone. Every last red cent MUST be accounted for

  34. Anonymous says:

    While blogs can be a good source of information, getting pesonal is not very pleasant reading material.

    Firstly, the constitiution has created a Premiers position. The people voted for the advancement. Let us respect the verdict.

    I have given this preamble because it hurts many people like myself,  when some of the comments to blogs  call the Premier by his first or nic name.

    we are the ones who voted for change and in democracy , the majority gets voted in. So let us show respect for the Premiers chair. You have , by majority vote, the avenue to vote in another incumbent to occupy the chair.

    Just a reminder,all these rude blogs etc will be read by surfing readers all over the world causing a negative impression about our islands.

    • Anonymous says:

      When the Premier acts like a "Premier", acting in the best interest of the people he works for, then and only then will I give him the respect the position deserves.

      He disrespects the constitutional position we voted for. He disrespects those who do not agree with him.  I have no respect for the man, and until he treats his elected position and the Cayman people  with respect I can not respect him.

      I hope,and pray that soon (before two years) we will have someone that can fill the position of "Premier" that will put the desires people of The Cayman Islands above his own.  Then I will show proper respect.

    • Anonymous says:

      I definitely have more respect for the chair he uses than for him.

      Nobody interested in the future of this country voted for the buffoonery that we are subjected to on a daily basis and it is hypocracy to suggest that we should pretend otherwise.

    • Anonymous says:

      What is an embarrassment to us Caymanians from the awareness of readers' around the world is a leader who picks up $1.3 million of government's money and gives it to his own church.  Please, can't we see that this would leave people very skeptical and concerned about motivations and control, etc., etc.

      The Whole Nation Building Fund is questionable — who is administering this fund?  The Premier?  Why do you open yourself up in this way to suspicion and skepticism — it is not your money, Mr. Premier, and you cannot just give it away without proper administration, controls and transparency.

      I would like to see the fund disbanded entirely, with responsibility for funding of community needs returned to appropriate government bodies.

      Scholarships? We have a system in the Ministry of Education, away from political control, to receive applications and to exercise oversight on grants.

      If we need to fund more hurricane shelters, and I am sure we do, let's get a strategy developed by a relevant government agency and fund that agency as part of the national budget.

      The same for youth out-reach, etc. 

      But we simply cannot be handing out money here and there based on individual appeals — with no reference to transparent programmes and strategies.

      I find it very frustrating that some institutions are struggling to survive and provide basic health, education and social welfare services, while millions are being given away on an individual basis, without proper planning and public disclosure.

      Not good at all and my guts tell me that this is just plain wrong, wrong, wrong.

       

       

      • B.B.L. Brown says:

        I agree with you, Anonymous 21:10.   There SHOULD be a sensible, productive, equitable, honest process for using OUR funds.  You are right, right, right!

    • Dred says:

      Big Mac is that you? You blogging now? Oog sry. My mistake.

    • Anon. says:

      I disagree. I suspect they may think we finally grew a pair!

       Try watching TV. Some people call it humor, some call it black comedy, others call it reality!

      Freedom of speech, what an idea! 🙂

    • Anonymous says:

      The Premier is doing a fine enough job creating a negative impression of the Cayman Islands all by himself.

      Also, perhaps The Premier himself, might want to respect the very chair he so occupies.

    • Anonymous says:

      Why are you afraid of knowing what people really think, notice there are not as many comments in the Cayman Compass because people know they will be tracked down and ridiculed and ostracized for having an opinion. Denying that there are problems is more hideous, and believe me, if the world picks up on that, then your credibility and trust is severely damaged. Its much more healthy to have these issues brought out into the open, address them in earnest, rather than only have them only discussed and decided among a few self promoting elite as if they have some super power to discern all the facts. The public gets the final say.

       

    • Anonymous says:

      Are you really expecting anything else if you are anti the government, anti the church, and anti the people who are allowing you to remain on their Island.

      • Anonymous says:

        Your creating a hyperbole of extremes to prove your fallacious point:

        1) Nobody is totally anti-government, I love government because it has the potential to bring peace and prosperity, but when it is used to further personal goals or groups at the expense of the public, we need to take a step back and redesign its aims.

        2) Nobody is totally anti-church, I love the fact that people get together to talk about the big questions in life, but I hate when somebody or a particular religion acts like they know all the answers and furthermore forces others to believe they know all the answers.

        3) Nobody is totally anti-people. We are all human and the beautiful thing about being human is that respect is earned by developing your own personal characteristic(not by copying a doctrine out of book), whether you are an introvert, extrovert, or (like 95% of us are), an ambivert. What I and many other people hate is others forcing their personal characteristic on others. 

        Now let me translate(between the line) what you really said:

        "You will be rewarded to stay on the Islands if you go to church, believe in everything the government tells you without questions, and only act in the same mannerisms and believe only in my opinions."

        Keep using residency as a form of mind-control…eventually the Islands will consist of only carbon-copies of yourself.

         

         

        "

    • Anonymous says:

      You can blame CNS for the nicknames that offend you. The nicknames that are a more accurate portrayal of him they refuse to print.

  35. nauticalone says:

    What an incredible embarassment this man is!

  36. Anonymous says:

    Ex pats dont want their residency or work permits revoked/denied

    • Anonymous says:

      They don't vote. If actual voters put their names down in letters to the editorlike in other places, or called their MLA (or MLA(s) depending on your district) and raised hell, it would make a difference. Until that happens, the other UDP members are just going to keep riding the bus and hoping it goes somewhere nice.

      • Anonymous says:

        I recall a couple of people who did just that and lost their jobs in the private sector during Mr. Bush's first reign.  

  37. AnonymousSick and Tired of the B...S... says:

    Mac may have hit on a new theme for Boatswain’s Beach. He could get Public Works to build a replica of an English mediaeval Witches Ducking Stool by one of the pools, and entertain the tourists, dunking suspected CNS Bloggers to see if they are Witches/Warlocks, or Devil Worshipers. Of course if it was going to cost more than $250,000, which is very likely, the contract would have to go to the Central Tenders Committee

  38. Anonymous says:

    did I read this right?  did the honorable Mr. Bush comment on unlawful acts, burning and looting?  It is such a good thing that there is None of that in Cayman. Perhaps it is because the young people are to busy shooting each other, stealing cars and robbing Banks! 

     

  39. Anonymous says:

    As my granny used to say, when you throw stone into pig pen, the one that squeals the most………  There is a lot of protesting and indignation over a simple request for full accounting of the disbursement of public funds.    As for the churches whose leaders live in grand style and whose congregations give a 10th of their income (if not more) to fund church activities, shame on you for accepting money this way.    Even though you may have intended to use it for some good, the lack of transparency and due process in how it was given, the fact that there was no equal opportunity offered to other churches across the island to apply for some of the funds, etc,  even a 2-year old would realize that it does not look good, to say the least.  What did Jesus do when he found those using his Father's temple for commercial or personal gain?  He whipped them, turned over their tables and ran them out of his Father's place of worship.   Think on these things – they are found in the same Bible that you preach from, and learn from it.

  40. Anonymous says:

    There needs to be a 3rd or 4th party,  and campaign funding needs to have limit, otherwise it will just be the same parties, posturing fake solutions as though change is around the corner, but really assuring their powerful connections that business will be usual, grinding out the same old gimmicks and catch phrases…why dosen't some intelligent caymanian(I now there are many out there) start a progressive movement, and start out simply by listing out the faults to the system, and how we can redistribute funds in projects where all Islands residents can reap the benefits. If the members of such an institution can at least get together for a few meetings, you will at least have an advantage of some already existing government committees who don't even have the will to meet up to discuss pressing issues.

    • peaceful protest man says:

      What a real idiot you are! A 3rd or 4th party,  for what? To teach you to learn how to spell, read and see?

      • Anonymous says:

        How about a 3rd or 4th party so there is some honest competition…and as watchdogs to keep the other 2 parties inline, in case you have a problem making inferences…idiot. 

      • anon says:

        Those persons that want a 3rd and 4th party and independent candidates to contest the electons loves being ruled by this Premiere!. Just look how at how easy it was for the UDP to get elected during the last election despite there being so many candidates. Cayman people seem to just love to live in ignorance and be abused by their leaders.

        • Anonymous says:

          Thats the reason why campaign funds should be limited. Look at the ridiculous Supreme Court ruling that Money=Free Speech where now any "Super-Pac" can supply unlimited amounts of contributions, drowning out all other voices. If currently less represented parties knew that they could compete on well designed plans, and would all receive equal time and funds to express their views to the public, then we would be able to vote on a pool of competitive ideas, rather than always being forced to choose on the basis of image and acting.

      • Anonymous says:

        please try to be civil

    • Anonymous says:

      no way….cayman has proved it's political incompetence beyond doubt….direct rule from uk please!

  41. Anonymous says:

    So if the Church of Satan opens in Cayman, will they get a donation too?

    • EMPTY CHAIR says:

      Why does this man keep getting upset when we call him a dictator?

    • Anonymous says:

      No.  Only the Wesleyan Holiness…

       

    • Anonymous says:

      The Church of Satan convenes in the LA building whenever the devil himself sees fit. We faithfully pay them 10% of our income to send the other 90% to hell.  

  42. Anonymous says:

    Bush keeps doing the same thing because it REALLY works. He shoots his mouth off and NO ONE answers back. No one gets in HIS face about anything. So do you really deserve better?

  43. Anonymous says:

    At this point.. I wil vote for ANYONE to get rid of this madman!!!

  44. peter milburn says:

    Its really amazing to sit and read blogs on CNS and in particular on this subject.Why are so many of you so scared to put your names up here so that Premier Bush can see who he is ticking off with all this hubbabaloo he is throwing out there.Why dont you all get up and do what youhave to do without hiding behind Anonymous!!!!When I did the talk show sometime back on CITN about the North Sound dredging did I look like I was afraid to say what I had to say and to believe in what I had to say?No!!!!Because I am not afraid to speak my mind and to make my opinion know(right or wrong) whether its the Premier or anyone else in Govt for that matter.Ever since we created these political parties Cayman has started down that slope that leads to nothing but heartache and trouble.Look at how we are today.THEM&US!!!Is that how you all out there want this country to be like?I sure as hell dont want my kids or their kids to inherit  the mess we find ourselves in today.

           Is it time for a change?You bet your bottom dollar it is.and just when are you people out there going to FINALLY open your eyes to see exactly just how bad things are but just dont SEE? Get up off your duffs and DO something about it!!!!!!Stop moaning and groaning and take your future in your hands and stop hiding behind that famous word Anonymous.

    • Anonymous says:

      Maybe it is because they are Civil Servants and don't don't want to risk losing their job. 

      • peter milburn says:

        Again I understand but when does this stop?We cannot continue to live like this.Next election soon come.

      • 8768 says:

        How about, " maybe because most of us are civil servants with nothing much to do but blogging on CNS"?  lol!

    • Anonymous says:

      Sorry Mr. Milburn but most of us on Cayman Brac wouldn't dare publish our names because of the retaliation we would suffer. 

      • peter milburn says:

        I understand but that is so sad.Its what Cayman has come to.Next election ???

        • Anonymous9 says:

          What Cayman has come to?!? It's been that way for the entire 20 years that I have lived here. I've always been aware of it.

          I can name you 2 people off the top of my head that were kicked off the island back then because of something they said.

          I learned my lesson well.

      • Anonymous says:

        If the political system in Cayman is that broken, maybe it’s time for a meaningful change. Throw off your oppressors and live free of fear. Simply decide that the old ways of evil are over as of now, and put new leaders in power. No need for an election, as they are openly corrupt and can’t be counted on (and where are the Governor, the UK, and the democracies of the world while our elections are being OPENLY bought and paid for with paved driveways and washing machines?). Change is the only choice. March them to the edge of the sea, and one step beyond.

    • Maverick (yes really) says:

      Pete, I agree. I have been saying the same thing as you for months. I wish the Caymanian people, no matter "where people don’t know what they come from", locals or expats, would realise that they are standing by and wasting time criticising the 'powers that be' and not actually growing a pair and standing up for what they want and doing anything. (and yes I did, thank you, it cost me job and my home).

      Muammar Bashar Al-McBush anyone?

    • Anonymous says:

      Peter

      Please, Please, Please declare intent to run.

      You are the sort of person we want in the LA.

      You will get my vote.

      Unless people like you run I will not be voting at the next election.

       

       

  45. big whopper says:

    Blasphemy you Pagan worshipers!!…It's the PPM's fault I had to give millions to the churches!

    • hmmm says:

      Hmmmm, I wonder IF my 300 yr old church in Bodden Town even KNEW about these funds!?!  

      I can certainly say they need the money, they help the community too, offer after-school programs, and were in serious debt last year.  Thankfully their Sunday own came out and donated to keep their valuable services alive….not the CI Govt.

      I guess I am outraged at this Nation-Building fund for this very same reason!  When a well known and loved local church is really struggling and has dwindling  elderly attendance, and receives NOTHING….but the politicians own churches receive HUGE amounts of funds…there is something seriously XXXXX about this.  XXXXX I ask the AG if a research of ALL the churches was done, or as I suspect, it was on a case by case basis for only those who were in the know!!!

      • Anonymous says:

        First, there is no 300 year old church in the Cayman Islands let alone in Bodden Town. The longest established denomination in these Islands is the Presbyterian/United Church which began in 1846 – 165 years ago.

        If yourchurch is a "well loved" church and performing great works in the community why does it have only an "elderly dwindling attendance"? Has it ceased to be relevant to the real needs of the people?  

        According Rev. Sykes account on Radio Cayman the Ministers Association was told about these funds in September, 2009 and those churches who felt the need applied for help. Is your church not represented on the CMA?    

  46. Anonymous says:

    "What problems has the church caused?"-  The Crusades…the 30 years war…the 7 years war which was to halt the control of the Holy Roman Empire…the all too recent Taliban forcing their extremist branch of Islam…the list is long, and you can do your own research on it, if you have not learned about it in your own schooling. Those are just examples of what "problems" the "church" has caused. Most wars have started over religious ideology, as there was no separation of church and state in past centuries.

    There is nothing wrong with giving money to churches. I am simply giving an example of what problems have been caused over religious zealots. The manner and process in which the money was distributed in Cayman, seems to be more of a concern to the public. In North America (for example), grants are given to those who apply and have fulfilled the necessary requirements requested by the government. Of course not everyone gets through.

    What needs examining, is the process by which one can apply for such funding and help here in the Cayman Islands….I'm positive if the entire public was made aware that everyone has equal access to these funds, and the steps to take to apply for such funds was apparent, then this wouldn't be such a huge deal. I agree that the OAG needs to make an inquiry into how these decisions were made.

    Furthermore, I would be surprised if anyone argued  against fundamental SPIRITUAL beliefs having contributed to making  Cayman a very strong community and country. However, spirituality is very much a private and personal pursuit.

    The money going towards education is surprising however; as students need a B average to get a government scholarship, and if they cannot attain that, they are turning towards still having their education funded through this program. I have sat on scholarship advisory boards, deciding on whether a student is eligible for funding. Money has been granted to students who barely passed highschool. That is very sad. They will never understand what it means to work towards achieving success if an easy road is given to them.

    Hopefully the $60000 awarded to one individual to pursue a musical dream (?) will result in #1 billboard hit singles, or something close of the nature.

    Bottom line…the Nation Building Fund is a good idea. It is just the process by which money was granted needs to be examined, and equal opportunity needs to be given across the board.

  47. Anonymous says:

    OK I get it now.  Everyone who doesn't agree with his was of doing bisiness is a devil-worshiper!

  48. Anonymous says:

    As a private citizen whose money was given to churches without my permission I expect a full accounting by the ministers who received the money as to how every penny is spent. ALL PUBLIC MONEY MUST BE ACCOUNTED FOR. This is the only means we have to assure the money is not taking an unnecessary detour to places it should not go. I suspect that if the stupulation of a full pubic accounting for the money was placed on the terms of reveiving it that many would have refused it. It is also important that the Auditor General begin demanding records of account for every penny spent as well to assure us the public that it is indeed accounted for. Heaven does not help those who help themselves to public funds.

     

    If this accounting fails to happen then our system of government is badly broken and has let the entire country down. The appeance of corruption is alway great when public funds are given away in the manner done here. Accountability is the only tool available to prove that corruption is not a factor.

  49. Anonymous says:

    As I read the above comments I notice that most people are agains MAC and most of what he does! I Hope all the people who are able to vote take their voice to the voting booth and not just here. Cause I for one will NOT be voting for Mac! If you plan on voting for MAC you either know him as a personal friend or family member or maybe you are a member of these churches who he has BLESSED! LOL He is a terrible leader! And Makes terrible decisions!

  50. Anonymous says:

    Who is going to take this man on in public? He's a big target. Is the whole electorate scared of him? Why?? After all he has neither police or army to command (yet).

  51. Jenna Jameson says:

    Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Shame on the entirety of West Bay that voted in him again. You have been voting in XXXX for over 10 years. http://www.offshorealert.com/hajecate-loans-first-cayman-bank.aspx

     

  52. Anonymous says:

    Dearest Mac, my bar is struggling at the moment. It was almost completely destroyed after Ivan and I have not yet been able to build it back to my liking.

    We offer great evening and weekend programs which are open and available to all.

    Please advise how we, as bar owners, should go about applying to the Nation Buliding Fund for our piece of the pie.

    PS, I don't believe in fairytales.

    • Anonymous says:

      The least you can do is offer the poor guy a drink on the house…oops, I almost forgot, he’s a man of God…

      • Anonymous says:

        This "man of God" who kept a certain bar on Cayman Brac open til the wee hours of the morning one night in 2003. Lock the doors he said and keep the drinks comin!

        • Anonymous says:

          Yep, same man of God. No doubt that is where the famous Hurricane Hilton was conceived…

        • Anonymous says:

          You don't get it do you.

          Mr. Bush doesn't do what Jesus said to do.  He ADVISES Jesus.

          Jesus.

           

  53. Anonymous says:

    In 1940, when Norway was being over-run by the Nazis, an important debate was held in the Mother ofParliaments (The Norway Debate), in which the weakness of the Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain was pointed out. Conservative MP Leo S. Amery echoed Oliver Cromwell's words to the Long Parliament in the mid 17th century by saying:

    "You have sat too long here for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you.In the name of God, go"

    A couple of weeks later Chamberlain resigned, and a STATESMAN, Winston Churchill, filled the position of Prime Minister and formed a new government.

    Does this not fill a parallel for the situation we find ourselves in?

     

     

    • Anonymous says:

      Here's another parallel for you. Hugo Chavez called President  George W. Bush, "El Diablo" which means "The Devil". Now the Premier is calling those against the Nation Bulding handouts "Devil Worshipers". The similarities are mounting.

    • Anonymous says:

      Who and where is our Winston Churchill?  There are plenty of Winstons around in the Caribbean!:)

  54. Anonymous says:

    Who says Santa Clause does not exist?? Let me tell you we have our very own Santa AKA McKeeva Bush and his reindeers "UDP crew" here in Cayman. He is the gift giver who keeps on giving all year round …not just at Christmas. Thanks Sir Bush for putting up in bigger piles of s@#% to wallow in. Ahhhh the aroma!

    • Libertarian says:

      Welcome to the two-party system.  God help us all to open our eyes and see the light!

  55. Anonymous says:

    Kindly allow me, my Caymanian people, to repeat that this kind of maniacal response from McKeeva is very simply and clearly and purely the working of a guilty conscience. Pay no attention to this blatant attempt to make the press and the Auditor General and the general public look like wrong doers and heathens while making himself look like a saint. This is hopelessly and desperately grabbing at enough straws to cover his own backside. This crap is no longer going to work, Macaroni. Your beloved Caymanian people have had far more than enough of your bull. 

  56. Anonymous says:

    so how may devil worshipers are in Northward?

    How may Chrisitians?

    Next year we can start our own church of the devil.

    I know who I want as Pastor!

    And like the sheep that they are they will follow.

  57. Anthony Montana says:

    Mac – This is your last term in office. Enjoy it while you can!!

    • Anonymous says:

      Er, no it isn't, because you XXXX will vote in anyone else to get Mac out, then next time, vote Mac in to get out who you voted in last time. Ahhh, progress.

  58. Anonymous says:

    I couldn't write a better script for a pantomime than Bush writes himself for a speech – hilarious.

    Cayman people and in particular UDP supporters and back benchers, how much longer are you going to stand for this man taking you all for idiots?

  59. Anonymous says:

    How embarrassing to be Caymanian….Hey all you devil worshippers – FREE cool aid on Sunday!

    • Anonymous says:

      Thank you, it's getting pretty damned hot down here.

    • Anonymous says:

      How come Mack is not at Rum Point on Sundays distributing free boose. Everyone else seems to be there looking for a drink.

      Oh, pardon me! Sundays he goes to Church, hence the money to the churches.

      Sure wish he would bring some to Rum Point even occasionally.

  60. Anonymous 666 says:

    Poor old Mckeeva dey trying to kill you boy. Speaking of the devil and his worshipers, those who authorised this phone tapping aren't devil worshipers, they working for the DEvil. betta pray hard boy!

  61. Anonymous says:

    As usual, my Caymanian people, "I can not possibly do any wrong and to hell with your opinion and so what the hell if it's your money I am giving away". Its OK McKeeva Bush, you just keep right on intending to give more of our money away, because we are intending just as hard to finally replace you with someone with a brain. We hope and pray that the Courts will finally see fit to give us a helping hand with that. What a total and utter disgrace to our country.  

    • learningtospellishard says:

      who is out there with a brain to replace him? Arden? Alden? Ezzard? We are doomed!

      • Anonymous says:

        There you go. Three honest, educated, experienced, dedicated, functioning, sane brains just like that. So what on earth are we doing with an empty coconut shell leading our country?

      • Anonymous says:

        McKeeva Bush is not to be comparedto the educated men mentioned above.  Either of them have more brains in their big toe than he has in his entire head.

      • Anonymous says:

        It seems that you answered your own question.

  62. Anonymous says:

    Mr. Premier

    Please please leave God out of your deeds! Leave your preaching to your attendance at your well-funded Church. Do not judge anyone else. Look at your own actions before you criticize anyone else. And protect yourself from a lightening bolt!

    So so tired of your rantings and your always trying to involve God ….Please please just stop.

  63. Anonymous says:

    Why is it that we must be continously embarrassed by our Premier when he opens his mouth. He is not afraid to speak his mind and call people drunkards and devil worshippers and attacking free speech openly. He deliberately clouds the issue which is not so much assisting the churches – which I do not believe should be done- it is his Nation Building Fund and the lack of accountability.

    Scholarships to young people and assistance to youth programmes etc of churches have other channels and set procedures to follow.

    Once again he has by-passed established procedures, placed millions under his sole control without believeing he should answer to anyone – not even the OAG!

    Well – I do hope this AG will stand up and not be afraid of losing his contract becasue of this bully!  

    • Anonymous says:

      CNS, a technical point:

      if I do not agree with Mr. Bush and Mr. Bush says those who do not agree with him are devil worshippers and I am NOT a devil worshipper…

      is that libel or slander?

      Which one is against the law?

       

       

      • Anonymous says:

        Both.  But Mr Bush tends to use the Constitution like toilet paper, so it's unlikely you'll get any money out of this.  My suggestion is that you join Wesleyan Holiness "church" in West Bay, they are getting money by the bushel from Mr. Bush and you don't have to account for how you spend it.

         

  64. joe black says:

    Careful, Mr. Bush, you'll give yourself a heart attack and ruin UDP's mismanaged reign in Cayman…

  65. Anonymous says:

    It's when you hear cr*p like this coming from the Premier you really miss Desmond Seales.

    Mac's getting firmly into the paranoid, "If you're not 100% with me you must be against me," mind set. 

    Love him or hate him (and I admit being in the latter category) Des would have ripped into this BS like a chainsaw with editorials that would have sent Mac into apoplectic shock.   

    • Anonymous says:

      You actually identified something deeper.  The public debates are now here instead of in the papers where they could be read each morning by the politicians – with names attached – and acted upon.  Anonymous posts that take a few seconds or minutes can always be attacked and are easily ignored and forgotten when the reader gets up from the computer.

  66. Paperboy says:

    It is time for this story to go international ; perhaps the UK or US heavies or The Economist might pick it up.  Criminal investigations for corruption, threatening comments to those who seek to investigat or querye, crazed religious zealotry ; I am suprised it has not broken wider so far.  Only international concern will have any leverage to stop this ever darker cycle we are suffering.

  67. R.U. Kiddin says:

    You say some countries have young people running to and fro burning……. Yes, you are right, Mr. Premier.  Are we better off that they are only running to and fro robbing and shooting, etc. here?

    You say we have tremendous influence from churches….. taught us to do the right thing.  I hope you aren't including the robbing and shooting! 

    Does anyone really think Cayman is enjoying good governance?

    • Anonymous says:

      And the majority of all these "shooters/killers" are from West Bay, a lot of good those Churches are doing bringing up the youth!

  68. JC says:

    There is a REASON that government shold NOT be involved with giving public funds to the church. In ANY country. This is only done in the most corrupt and third world countries.

     This is clearly Mac's election/vote buying fund. Pure and simple.

    You CANNOT be impartial to someone that has steered millions ofdollars your way. There is no possible way.

     

     

  69. Libertarian says:

    One must wonder how these ministers can deny the separation of Church and State; or, interpret their stance justified. Here are three Bible passages plain as the day: –

    Mark 12:13-17

    "And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in [his] words. And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?  Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see [it]. And they brought [it]. And he saith unto them, Whose [is] this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's. And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him."

    John 18:33-36

    "Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?  Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?  Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence."

    2 Corinthians 6:14

    "Be ye not UNEQUALLY yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"

    * It would be interesting to see how these ministers would interpret these Bible passages.

  70. Freedom Man says:

    Me Thinks Thow Portests Too Much!

  71. Anonymous says:

    …here are some factual reasons why to support Catholic Schools:

    The 2003 NAEP reading and math tests were administered to 6,900 public school and 530 private school 4th graders and 5,500 public and 550 private school 8th graders.

    The actual 4th grade private school NAEP mean scores in reading were 14.7 points higher that the public schools; 8th grade reading was 18.1 points higher. In math assessments the 4th grader private school scores were 7.8 points higher than public schools and for 8th grade the private school scores were 12.3 points higher than public schools. These are the actual scores of real students taking the tests under real conditions. http://www.ncea.org/news/NAEPComparisons.asp

    …also read this other fact: http://www.ncea.org/news/NAEPUSHistory2006.asp

    • Trollin in da 345 says:

      Here are Factual reasons why you’re post did not make sense…..you want the "Cayman Islands Government" to Support a "Private School" because it is "A" Catholic School?………….What’s the point of having public schools?????

      Hurry and Google some more "factual" Stuff to try and make sense out of nonsense, can’t wait to hear it 🙂

       

       

    • Dirk says:

      There is a clear CAUSAL relationship between socioeconomic status and academic achievement for a variety of reasons (parents less likely to be educated or have the time to spend with children and assist with homework being a major one). The lower classes cannot afford to send their children to private school. Also, private schools have more fundingand are able to offer smaller class sizes, more individual attention and potentially better quality teachers (I would argue this is not so in Cayman, but there is an argument to be made in the US, where you have gotten your data). Therefore, private school exam scores will always be higher than public school averages. Government schools shoot for the middle and hope to succeed with what little resources they have. Want to educate your children better? Don't give money to churches to spend on their schools, invest in the public schools where the majority of the children and the VAST majority of the at-risk children are getting their education.

    • Anonymous says:

      Often "Private" Schools only enter for exams etc the children who they know will pass and pass well, they require parents of less able children attending their school to enter their children for the exams privately. That means that when statistics are counted the results are skewed in favour of the school. Not that I am saying such practice is the only explanation, high parental support for schools helps enormously. But many "league tables" in the UK for example have been "cheated" in this way. However I am not really sure what this has to do with the topic to hand???? 

    • Anonymous says:

      So let me understand your logic, because public schools are doing worse, apparently from funneling funds away from public schools, we should continue to divert funds away from public schools to ensure public schools continue  to do worse. 

  72. Kung Fu Iguana says:

    Pesky things accountability and free speech especially when you build power based on secrecy and fear.

  73. Voice of Reason says:

    I love the fact he's buying votes already. He's not as stupid as he looks!

    Normally there's a whole bunch of people posting comments sticking up for him……. now notable by their absence? Well, well, well……….

  74. Natalia says:

    Will a succesful, highly educated and intelligent Caymanian please stand up and run for government? I know your out there, you are making millions in the private sector,but your country needs you now!! Enough of the riff raff we have from both sides of politics! Who will step up?????

  75. Anonymous says:

    It is indeed unbeleivable that anyone could actually support this man. I do not beleive that those who show any support for him derserve any respect from the public. The UDP backbenchers cannot agree with his approach nor do those members of the business community who for long have supported his point of view. The business community especially will always keep its mouth shut when it comes to politics to ensure they do not damage their ability to make themselves wealthier while at the same time preaching their support for their the Cayman community. Perhaps a few business leaders in some of the large audit and law firms shuold speak out against the approach this premiere takes on a daily basis.

    Perhaps he should consider changing his name to either Hugo Bush or even McKeeva Chavez. There are strong similarities in political style which should be quite obvious to the entire population.

    • Anonymous says:

      Brave words! By remaining anonymous you are effectively keeping your mouth shut too.

      • Anonymous says:

        Not so brave words, Anonymous.

      • Anonymous says:

        It's called opening your mouth without risking your neck. THAT is what our beloved country has come to. God help us.

  76. Anonymous says:

    Big Mac A Christian?

    If  McKeeva 'Bush'  is now a 'Christian' , he should present evidence of the Deed Poll!!!

    This is deMockerycy at work!!! 

    • I Care says:

      Please !!!!!! If Mackeeva is a Christian I am a SAINT,  Mackeeva action is a direct  reflection of his education or rather lack there off

  77. Anonymous says:

    And he shows us his real face once again. There he is fellow citizens and residents… the Dishonorable Nightmare Meglomaniac "Double Dipper"  Bush.

  78. Anonymous says:

    "thank god we have peace, order and good governance" says mac .  I know he travels a lot but how far removed from our society can he be to say such nonsense  XXX  the churches have never lacked funds in cayman .  And i laughed at his comment about money being needed for youngsters to have a second chance at education,  Why do you suppose they need a second chance? because the governemnt schools are such a shambles that's why.  this man is beyond embarassing and has no shame whatsoever. 

    • Anonymous says:

      and the methods for choosing those to be given a 'second chance' are selective to say the least! 

  79. Get Behind Me Satan says:

    Unfortunately this gibberish is probably sensible analysis for large sections of a tiny electorate.

    Does he really think that is all auditors of public bodies should do?

  80. Anonymous says:

     

    The definition of a tyrant is: A person exercising power or control in a cruel, unreasonable, or arbitrary way. 

    The definition of a christian is: Having or showing qualities associated with Christians, esp. those of decency, kindness, fairness.

    The definition of a politician is: A person who acts in a manipulative and devious way, typically to gain advancement within an organization.

    Based on these definitions, its hardly likely our leader will be be confused with a benevolent Christian.

     
  81. Knot S Smart says:

    This is an urgent call for those in the society who are trained mental health specialists.

    We need to organize a posse, and start a search to roundup all of those devil worshippers or anyone else in the society who might be suffering from unsound mind, or whose behavior is detrimental to the community as a whole.

    Please bring along a large stick in case they might be agressive, and because we are going to look behind the Bushes to try and find all of the devil worshippers.

    Once we find them we will need to restrain them, and give them two injections each, one to stabilize them and reduce their aggression, and the second one to diminish their confusion…

    • Anonymous says:

      I believe what you are calling for is an "intervention".  This can be done by either the UK or the other elected members of the UDP.  These are the only enities that can make anything happen.  At this point both are unwilling or unable (maybe Mac has pictures) to do so.

      It is a shame as an intervention is needed badly while Cayman still has a chance.

    • Anonymous says:

      Please start at the house in West Bay with a 7 foot (or thereabouts) security wall around it.  Catch that devil first and many ofour problems will be solved!

  82. Anonymous says:

    Mr. Bush's continuing angry attacks on every person and organization which has been charged with insuring good governance shows clearly Mr. Bush's intent to "govern" outside the law and at his own whim and impulse.

    The laws were put into place to protect the people of the Cayman Islands from politicians like Mr. Bush.

    Who will enforce the laws and protect the people of the Cayman Islands?

     

  83. HardTalk says:

    I am in no way a supporter of the Premier, but I do want to say this.

     

    Why do people allow ignorance to prevail in our community? When did it become a crime to help the Church? I didn't think that Cayman would reach the point of where people would complain about the Church recieving help. Do we expect God to come down from heaven to assist the Church. We (even non-Christians) love to say that God works in mysterious ways, but if He's not working in our situation, we don't accept it at all. While this could be a political stunt, let's not ignore the fact that this will be a benefit for the Cayman Islands. Faith is the substratum of our history and culture. Therefore, let us not become cynical or critical of any help that the Chruch recieves. Maybe if we would all get back in line with God, there would be less criticism about the "Body Of Christ!"

    Psalms 1:1 – Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the SCORNFUL!.

    • Southside says:

      Your last name has got to be Bush! LOL MORON!

      • Anonymous says:

        It's Maiden Plum, to be specific. Listen to me Maiden Plum, if the churches had faith in a living God, they wouldn't be pocketing millions of the nation's money with the help of a desperate premier trying to ensure that he gets re-elected. Makes me wonder where HIS faith in God is. Take your itch someplace else Maiden Plum. It's not going to work here.

    • Anonymous says:

      Its ok to help the church but let us, the public who provide the money with which they are being helped, see what the money is spent on.  On the other hand, the budget cut the amount of money available for school lunches for kids who will probably now go without lunch.  How can you justify millions to a church which has money and let the children go hungry.  How can you let your old people live in a way in which some have to choose between buying food and buying medication but give millions to the church.  How can you do nothing about the 2400 plus unemployed Caymanians and do nothing to help them. How can you ignore crime, 2 missing ladies in the past year, one young man shot in the eye, another middle aged lady shot down in the street and give millions to the churchs.  Yes, I want to know what these churches are doing to help our people.   I would like to know why the premier is so upset about an enquiry into the nation buidling fund.  It makes me wonder what he is trying to hide or what he is so afraid of.  

    • Anonymous says:

      You misunderstand the issue.  It's not the giving to the Church per se, it's the creation of his own private unregulated fund to subjectively disperse public funds (we don't have) in his own name as if it were his own money.  That's not something we hired him to do.  It's not his money and he is sworn to answer to the public on where it has gone, and why.  That said, CI$1.3mln is a staggering amount of money to donate to a single church and the recipient pastors would do well to refrain from deploying those funds lest they be called upon to return them.

  84. Anonymous says:

    I am not religious,but recognise the rights of others to practise.  Neither am I a devilworshipper, I do however pass over my values and ethics to my children, who all have developed a life for themselves that makes me proud.  Religion has had no place in their upbringing other than to respect others views and rights to be christian, muslim, hindu, buddhist or athiest (or whatever).  For the leader of a country to rant on about heretics, praying for deliverance, devil worshipping media is probably the most offensive rant he has come out with and is a religous statement on a par with religious extremists from another part of the world.

    Is it true that his church got 1.3 million $, but not one East End church received anything.  If that is the case, as an outsider who lives in East End, how on earth did the 'decision maker' not think that it was needed there – if indeed it should go to churches at all.

  85. Anonymous says:

    Directing his audience to perform an 18th century "witch-hunt" is evidence he is incompetent  to lead Cayman into the 21st century. I hope he isn't also advocating dunking suspected witches into the ocean to see if they sink to prove their innocence…unbelievable with so many positive and modern discoveries that we still have to deal with trash in suits manipulating the masses.

    • Anonymous says:

      Yes, throw them into the ocean.

      Iif they float then they must weigh the same as a duck which means they are made of wood and are therefore:  a witch!!

       

      • Anonymous says:

        we could always built the Emerald Sound developments bridge of them.

  86. Anonymous says:

    The churches have a lot of political pull in Cayman, hence why bars and clubs close at 11:59 PM on saturdays. No loud music, DJ's or live band on Sundays. No national lottery can be established (which would help a lot of government debts).

    This is why Mac spent all that money on chrches, especially in West Bay, remember every vote counts, and one single chruch may have hundreds of followers. When election time comes around all the pastor will say is "remember good ole mac in this time for he rained the money on us as though from heaven!"

    Churches are private organisations and get money from their followers like clockwork. That is why most of the preachers and their families are driving Mercedes Benz and BMW's and live in huge expensive houses, why don't the pastors give the money they make to the church and live more humble. Come to think of it I went to college for the wrong profession!….cause life seems much easier if you were a pastor, they have a flock of sheep that is being robbed by the wolf.

    I say the church and state has to disband and the state not be influence by the church! Going to church is a personal choice, which I am not saying going to church is wrong, but should be left to the free will that God gave us. All I know is I do believe in God, but I can pray from my home, as a church is not a building but the people, and God will listen to me if I pray to him, I don't have to give away my money to listen to someone read the bible for me!

    O.K. time for me to open my bible "AT HOME" and start praying.

    "Dear God please remove Mac from power as he is the start of the Cayman destruction……" 

    • Anonymous says:

      HEAR HEAR.

    • Anonymous says:

      "Churches are private organisations and get money from their followers like clockwork. That is why most of the preachers and their families are driving Mercedes Benz and BMW's and live in huge expensive houses".

      You make some good points but this statement is false. Most of the pastors in this Island do not drive MBs and BMWs or live in huge, expensive houses. I am fairly confident that those that do did not derive their wealth from the offering plate as you suggest but from their own private means. I for one do not begrudge anyone that has God has blessed with wealth. Of course "God's blessing" means it was not obtained dishonestly.    

      "All I know is I do believe in God, but I can pray from my home, as a church is not a building but the people, and God will listen to me if I pray to him, I don't have to give away my money to listen to someone read the bible for me!".

      You seem to be oblivious to the self-contradiction here. You correctly say that the church is the people but then you apparently believe that staying at home and praying by yourself is having church. Private devotion, although vitally important, is no substitute for the gathering together of people of God in worship, celebration and thanksgiving to him. We build one another up in community not in isolation. Christianity is about relationship – your relationship God and your relationship first with other believers and then with the wider community. No man is an Island and no man stands alone, my friend. A life of spiritual isolation will tend to leave you inward looking and self-centered. It goes without saying that going to church is a choice, but there are good choices and bad choices. My advice to you is to let go of your self-righteous indignation and find a good church where you can fellowship with genuine believers and hear something other than the sound of your own thoughts. They do exist. All that anger you have got pent up inside will prevent you from hearing God's voice however hard you pray.       
       

         

      • Anonymous says:

        And you need to realize that each time you add another layer of self-reflection by saying church is a choice, that everything you qualify after that(church is a good choice) is entirely irrelevant, unless your real intentions are to simply persuade a belief and not to get to the truth.

        What you don't seem to realize is that there are many ways to experience the same euphoria that churches give(try reading some philosophy), but what churches have done also is change a sincere quest of truth into a country club atmosphere for the poor, a hideous market for business and politicians to gain/give favors, and a gossip mill to ostracize and obstruct promotion in office politics, usually against those that have chosen alternative lifestyles, all justified by receiving orders through a man made book claimed to be inspired by a higher power

        By all means congregate, congregate for a sports event, congregate for a play or concert, congregate around the water cooler, but don't think you are special or are "choosen" for simply congregating because of your belief system.

  87. Donna Marie says:

    I may not be the biggest christian but I do believe in God and do my best to live right. However, I don't agree in Mac giving this money away to the churches for the simple reason that the churches have their own congregations and those congregations give their tithes and offerings every Sunday. A church is to be maintained by its followers/worshipers. Being that this money that was given away is coming out of the public's pocket I feel that the people should have been consulted as to where the "Nation Building" money goes. If I'm a Baptist, why should my money be given to Seventh Day Adventist and/or vise versa or to any other church that I do not support. Worse that the churches weren't given equal sums of money. How are you going to give away millions of dollars to churches that collect money every Sunday, or Saturday respectively, when I can barely afford to eat and pay my bills?

    In saying this, no I'm certainly not a "devil-worshipper" but their are much better things that this money could have been used towards, finishing the high schools perhaps?

    Your power could go a long way in helping this country if you would start listening to your people and their needs and stop trying to be a dictator…

    • Libertarian says:

      Donna, you hit the nail on its head. I just wonder how would these ministers or pastors interpret such scriptural passages like, "Render unto Ceasar the things that are Ceasar's, and unto God the things that are Gods." Because as far as I know, from time I was a little boy, that passage is simply declaring the separation of Church and State. That the state's public funds and the church funds from its members, should always be separated and not unified. There is another scriptural passage that says "be not unequally yoke with unbelievers." Again, I just wonder how these pastors or ministers would interpret such words?  CNS, could we have a list of the names of these ministers that have "yoked" themselves with government? 

  88. Anonymous says:

    How long before McKeeva Bush becomes the next Robert Mugabe?

    • Anonymous says:

      Yuh mean to say he isn't already?

    • Anonymous says:

      It's a good thing that you made that post anonymously, otherwise Robert Mugabe's lawyers would be filing a suit against you right now.

  89. Anonymous says:

    Ignorance and arrogance, a dangerous combination. Throw in a fifith grade education and you have a disaster in the making

  90. Anonymous says:

    He doesn't even answer anything specifically. He just attempts to distract people by finger pointing and going on these irrelevant tyrants instead of explaining. He's upset because there was media coverage. Freedom of information –> does he not understand the meaning of that or that a democracy should be the people's government? It's poor financial governing, that's what it is, Mac. You can't give away what you don't have and there needs to be more transparency and protocol, not because you felt like it was a good idea. Why is this so difficult to understand. I'm 23 and it seems so simple to me.

    As Ted Turner (started CNN) said, we live in a sound bite world. We want information and we want it as it's happening; we want it now. Adapt, Mac.

  91. Southside says:

    Bush had accused Duguay of being a “cowboy”

    "Hello pot nice to meet you." said the kettle.

  92. Anonymous says:

    time for a march to the governors house to DEMAND good governence

  93. Anonymous says:

    any comment mr governor?

    well done ag's office….criticism from mckeeva is a badge of honour!

  94. Anonymous Addy says:

    Well – while all these negative comments are mildly entertaining, and Big Mac has apparently lost the rest of his Fish Tea Brain – I am left wondering – WHO VOTED FOR HIM?! I mean – seriously – the public voted him in – multiple times…so, those of you who voted for him and can still live with yourselves, I have one question…what now?

  95. Anonymous says:

    Isn't it funny how a man with a 8th grade level education preaches the importance of education, but yet does not find it important to educate himself.  I suggest he takes his own advice and demonstrate why education is so important instead of leading this country into the ground with his life theories.

    • Tracy from Swamp says:

      11:14 The same thing is said about foreign people who come here with false certificates, also said about house wives, who come here and rise to the top of Management, without having a scratch of paper that they graduated from College or university.  MacKeva is a Caymanian, and it is high time that  we stick to the foolishness we know.  He is going no where.   He has to buy gass from your pumps and he aslo has to shop at your supermarket, eat at your restaurant, and go to your church.  So support him giving  to the church all Caymanians, because when all the others have wrecked this Island and left, we will still be here and so will MacKeva Bush, and all the churches.

      • Anonymous says:

        Who is wrecking this Island?

      • Anonymous says:

        Great, lets just reward people for "being around" and crucify those who are trying to make progressive changes. Totally insane, but I don't blame caymanians one bit, with all the incompetent fools masqeruading as leaders, its easy to lose hope and just accept a third string quartet to play first fiddle

      • Anonymous says:

        'He has to buy gass from your pumps and he aslo has to shop at your supermarket, eat at your restaurant, and go to your church…'  ??? He buys and pays for gass at the pumps?  He shops and pays at the supermarkets??  He eats and pays at the restaurants??  He does pay the churches!!  All paid from where??

  96. Anonymous says:

     

    1) Would the CNS, or anybody,  please perform a simple study, count the number of churches, count the number of people per church, take the sum and divide by 60,000. If the percentage turns out to be more than 50%, then we can say that Cayman is a Christian Nation. Even though this point is entirely irrelevant to the practice of spending public funds to benefit private institutions that require you to submit to their beliefs,  I have a hunch the churches/government are simply self promoting a myth to sustain their stake of public funds that could be used for other public educational institutions to create real industries and jobs. 

    2) A government source, that serves all the PUBLIC, is not a legitimate source for a Church that has a PRIVATE agenda, or a "Mission”. The fact that some churches received more funds than others just compounds the realization that government is rewarding people for their religious beliefs, which is irrelevant to what people have contributed to society. This disincentivizes people from generating new ideas, since who wants to be discredited based upon your belief system not taking into account  the substance of your ideas. 

    3)  What about results? Did the money accomplish the church's projects and “Mission" with verifiable results? In addition to the government soliciting the votes of church members by using public funds, it also sounds like a way for churches to fund an increase in their capacity(congregation) and fatten church leaders wallets, by at least 10%, all under the guise of a higher power. Can you imagine being stuck in the newly renovated wing of a church during a hurricane, where at your weakest you would be a target for an easy conversion. In the end all the churches have to do is rationalize their extra cash flows as a blessing from their claimed almighty with the intent , not the act, of benefiting the community. With the intent to provide goodwill to their community, but without any proven results except possibly an abstract submission of their claimed almighty, your required weekend attendance, and 10% of your personal income, what the churches are really doing is providing irreparable damage to Cayman's future and educational system, by stealing from public institutions that offer public services, regardless of your religion. I wonder how many classes, scholarships (earned) and exposures to innovative educational projects have been indirectly stolen, by not being able to be funded,  from those trying to instruct and increase the quality of education and from those trying to learn and better themselves through progressive skill building classes.

  97. Anonymous says:

    He gives to the Churches because no due diligence can be done on Churches as they are Exempt.  He wants it to be considered a Charitable Foundation.  Charitable Foundations should not be funded by the Government purse, but rather by private individuals.  No way can the church money be trace to its final destination under Cayman's exempt Law. C'Mon guys get real, the money is not traceable.  Mr. AG please do not bend, do the right thing for the people of these Islands and audit the books.

  98. Anonymous says:

    Public funds are public funds. Churches are private entities. There can be no moral or reasonable explaination for using public funds to support private enterprise.

     

    Where are the lawyers???

    • Anonymous says:

      Since when has McKeeva been bothered by the law? 

    • A Lawyer says:

      Actually, there can be if it is a legitimate partnership between them to serve a public purpose and there is value for money accruing. That is the testthat must be applied.    

  99. lilpressgyal says:

    Alexis de Tocqueville, a renowned political philosopher in his age whose writings on democracy are respected to this day, once wrote about the importance of newspapers to the survival of a proper democracy.

    He wrote: "WHEN men are no longer united among themselves by firm and lasting ties, it is impossible to obtain the co-operation of any great number of them unless you can persuade every man whose help you require that his private interest obliges him voluntarily to unite his exertions to the exertions of all the others. This can be habitually and conveniently effected only by means of a newspaper… Newspapers therefore become more necessary in proportion as men become more equal and individualism more to be feared. To suppose that they only serve to protect freedom would be to diminish their importance: they maintain civilization."

    The press, if they do their job properly, maintain our civilization. To attack them for edtorialising on current affairs, for publicising blatent breaches of transparency, is to attack the foundation of our society. That is what McKeeva is doing.

    If McKeeva truly cared about the good of this country, he would follow its laws, he would spend the budget wisely, and he would not attempt to silence the news media.

    I am a young CAYMANIAN journalist and I can only do good in my country by writing. If my own government tries to stop me, nothing but my love for these shores will keep me here and keep me writing… and I do not know how long my love for Cayman would sustain me if my job was taken away.

    I would love to see McKeeva call me a devil-worshipper to my face. If he did, that's one more young Caymanian he could add to the growing brain-drain.

    • Anonkymous says:

      Well said! Well thought out and well articulated! You, my dear, make an amazing Caymanian! You are thinking of your future, protecting your inherent rights and freedoms and squarely facing those that pose harm to your future!

      More. Please encourage more young Caymanians to think like you!

      That will be the only hope for you at this point. Stand up against the injustices. Demand better. Refuse to take criticism that is not constructively given or intended to edify you or make you stronger.

      You are the future of this country when the old are gone. Design YOUR country YOUR way. Do not let the greed and motives of a few destroy what YOU were born to command.

      I am impressed AND inspired by your words. There IS hope – – – it is in your hands!

  100. Anonymous says:

    He is not an idiot! If it’s one thing he has its street smarts. He just knows how to manipulate the weaknesses in our political system…our complacency is finally catching up on us!

  101. Anonymous says:

    Does anybody listen to him anymore….

  102. CSI says:

    He just doesn't get it.  It doesn't matter what the money was spent on – the most noble cause in the country would still be criticised by some.  It's the process (or more correctly, the LACK of process) that is the real issue here.  Even if all of the recipients were deserving and contributed to nation building exactly as planned (and I seriously doubt they do), it is still a XXXX and underhanded method of doling out cash.  Keep digging your political grave Mac.  I'm shocked you've lasted as long as you have.

    • Anonymous says:

      Central Tenders Committee??????????????? It would look a lot more above board if the amounts over $250,000 went through them as they are supposed to by law.

  103. Anonymous says:

    And that, people, is indicative of the level of leadership which we have collectively selected.  Piss poor. 

  104. Anonymous says:

    TIME FOR A CHANGE NOIW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE..

  105. Anonymous says:

    This man needs help!

    He really believes what he says and that he has not done anything wrong.

    If  you go to church pray for him there

    If you don't but you believe in god ask him in whatever way you want to help him

    If you don't believe in god or anything else then just cross your fingers that some how he will come to his senses.

     

    • Annon/imus:) says:

      10.35  Respect God , his name is spelt with a capital. "G" and He  knows exactly what you and I and mr Bush is doing,  24/7 like my grandma says , time longer than rope and he got it coming. So trust in God and pray to him about what is going on, he will hear you and answer you, maybe not in the time that you are looking for but he will.

       

  106. Anonymous says:

    Never ever has there been such a joke of a leader. This man is a joke! PLEASE GET RID OF HIM!!!!

  107. Anonymous says:

    Oh my gosh! What if Jon Stewart or Stephen Colbert get wind of this!

    • Anonymous says:

      I think we should send it to them. We need something to laugh at more than ever nowadays.

  108. Anonkymous says:

    WOW!! Wow, wow, wow!!!!

    I cannot believe I just read a sermon from Paster Mac. I mean, it was powerful and condemning and …. XXXX

    Is this man for real!?

    After ALLLLL the things he has done – – – in the most public settings…he has the presence of mind to accuse those who question the honesty and integrity of his actions, deals and behaviour of being….DEVIL WORSHIPPERS?!?!  Really? Is that the best he can do?? Is that ALL he has left?

    This is yet another rambling drivel of a man who has lost the plot and is trying to sell out the rest of ours. Devil Worshippers?!?!?!?!??!? COME ON!!!!!!!!

    Next, those of us non-UDP supporters will be labelled "Witches" and "Warlocks" and gathered up to be burned at the stake!! It's coming! I saw it in the tea leaves and dry bones I was reading just this morning!

    I am sitting here wondering how this person is still allowed to conduct business on behalf of the country and why the multitudes who protest against this nonsense haven't actively forced him out?

    It's like watching a really bad soap opera – – – the crud that happens on those shows could NEVER happen in real life…and yet, here we are…

    • Anonymous says:

      The only way we can "actively force him out" is to get the vote of no confidence passed. That is why this route has been proposed. Unfortunately, we need the rest of the UDP MLA's to grow a pair and vote to dissolve the Government, so that we can relieve this man of the Premiership for the sake of the country. They are unwilling to do that.

  109. Dred says:

    Say wah….

    Hold on Mr Big Mac….

    Did you really and truly say the words…."good governance""?

    Hold on. Really!!!

    Thee issue is to me not that you give to churchs cause in truth I have no issue with that little fact BUT If it was me here is how I would have handled it….

    1) Publish in the local paper an ad saying you had created a fund to help out local churchs and if your church would like to receive funds from the fund to apply for it.

    2) Take X portion of the fund that is earmarked for church relief and divide it EQUALLY between all the churchs who apply and give it to them.

    This is called a fair process.

    OR

    Since the amount of the fund exceeds $250,000 have them go through a CTC process for getting the funds.

    What you do not do is to tell certain churchs only about the fund and that they should apply for this that and the other.

    How did you think it would look when YOUR church got the bulk of the funds?

    And we say Good Governance. We throw this around like it's the word of teh day or election term.

    • Anonymous says:

      Excellent description of how this whole process should have happened.

  110. McCarron McLaughlin says:

    Mckeeva,

    Your arrogance is clear as day now. Why don't you let the people know what criteria was used in giving away the PEOPLE"S money?

    While your at it also let us know why none of the 6 churches in East End didn't get a red scent for this Nation Building?

    Is it because East End isn't a UDP Stronghold or is it because you put the cart before the horse again.

    • Anonymous says:

      What about the Cayman Brac churches and the Little Cayman church?

  111. Anonymous says:

    '……and the devil as he is a roaring lion…' ??? A lion is a proud beautiful animal of God's creation.

    • A person says:

      McKeeva is misapplying 1 Peter 5:8, where it says that "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" – speaking of the temptation to give up the faith.

    • Anonymous says:

      OMG do you hear this man ranting??? Justbecause you don't believe that funds should go to a church he is stating you are Devil Worshipers!!!! 

  112. Anonymous says:

    No education + power = instant jackass

  113. Anonymous says:

    The issue is that he alone has engineered his party and resulting administration so that he holds the mantle of power on all of the mission critical portfolios of the nation.  These are positions for legitimate appointment as our servant, not roles for him to assume through divine ascention or intimidation.  He has forgotten who he works for, has somehow silenced those in his party, the opposition, the speaker of the House, the OAG, the CTC, that are ALL paid and sworn to represent and defend the public interest and to intervene when things go crazy.  As he publicly defends his nation building fund as a means to counter international devils, do we really need any more evidence that he can no longer serve?  As far as I can tell, the entire LA has let the nation down through their inaction over the last couple years.           

    • Anonymous says:

      "the entire LA has let the nation down through their inaction over the last couple years."

      It is time for the UDP elected members to stand up to Mac.  They have been quiet too long.  Only they or the UK can stop this destruction of our country. If the UK has to step in it will be because of the lack of action by the UDP  MLAs. They could stop it today if they had the desire and the moral backbone to do so.

      • Anonymous says:

        I wrote this weeks ago.  You are judged by the company you keep.

         

        Judgement day is coming…

      • Anonymous says:

        I predict some of those members will bail on the Premier in a 

        pseudo-Machavellian plot  that will go terribly wrong.

      • Anonymous says:

        Are you crazy! If UDP try to stand up to their "leader" they will just be thrown under the bus by Mac with him probably saying "Thanks gor running and getting me into my position, but,I am the Premier now and don't need you anymore!"…then he will probably walk off leaving behind one last remark "you are now a devil worshiper!".

        • Anonymous says:

          I don't understand.  If these men stand against Mr. Bush, what will happen?

          Will he kill them?  I don't think so.

          Will they no longer have income?  I don't think so.  Don't each of them own businesses or have other careers.

          Will he call them names and make fun of them?  If so, consider the source.

          WHAT EXACTLY DO THESE MEN STAND TO LOSE BY STANDING UP FOR THE LAW AND THE PEOPLE OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS?

           

          • Anonymous says:

            Their fat salaries as politicians who do nothing, that is what they are afraid to lose, and that is what motivates them, not love of country.

  114. Anonymous says:

    The people that attack the watchdogs of our Caymanian home are the people up to no good.

  115. Anonymous says:

    There is an online translater called Babblefish. Unfortunately it does not appear to have a MacSpeak to English option. If it did, perhaps it would have entries to the effect that 

    devil worshipper = person who identifies corruption

    slippery = honest

    jaundiced views = well researched and reasoned perspectives

    money well spent = votes bought

    good governance = nobody questions what I do

  116. Anonymous says:

    Thank you McKeeva very much for that analysis of these critics of Christianity.  Look at America who took the Bible out of their Schools and took Prayer out of the public places, look at the UK who have the Gays controlling their Governments, the Canadians too are so damn Liberal and bias against Christianity and other new world countries who do not put Jesus first in their lives.  They are all self destructing, because they have no Christian connections and no Bibical guidance.  They just find god"s in everything bad and refuse to accept the REAL God.  this world is self destructing, as they are trying their best to destroy Christianity and yet they still do not realize that the is what is destroying their lifestyle, their money, their families and their countries.  If every househole will put Jesus/God first, their families, themselves and Country first, Cayman will survive this onslaught of reject by the New World Order.

    • Anonymous says:

      Nobody resident here would oppose some money going to struggling churches, so long as it was properly vetted by more than one man.  The central problem is that he has appointed himself sole custodian and funded a personal treasure box of our public funds to subjectively hand out to people he likes without any due process whatsoever.  He should not be pretending to be Saint Francis of Assisi with our money.  His ability to discern right from wrong in his methodology and accountability is the central issue.  He is SWORN to serve the voting public in this regard, and we have a right to be disappointed.

  117. Anonymous says:

    Has Mac travelled the world so much that he has forgotten what country he leads? This is not Gabon, Venezuela or T&C.  This is supposed to be a proper, functioning country with a transparent democratic government. Unilateral allocations of state money via personal slush funds looks like corruption and vote buying.  Calling anyone who challenges his a "devil worshipper" sounds like Hugo Chavez style madness.  This guy is making Cayman look like a banana republic.

    • Anonymous says:

      I think it is close to a banana republic, but closer to a dictatorship.

      Doesn't the UDP understand that the world hears THEIR leader and thinks he is an idiot and this reflects on our contry.

      • Tracy from Swamp says:

        Why dont you foreighn bloggers leave oura affairs alone.  We must be a good Banana republic, or you would not still be on the boat.  So if you all think that you will get MacKeva Bush out of power come next election, then try.  It will surely be a dark day in Cayman when that happens.   Caymanians I say remember after Ivan,  I will not say anymore.  That should tell you enough who was there for you.

  118. Anonymous says:

    Oh Lord……..this Premier simply needs to shut his mouth….nothing coming out of it makes any sense. Does anyone know if there is a surgical procedure through which this could be achieved ?

    This is who you're supporting Tru Tru ?….no sah….your credibility gone BoBo !!

  119. Terry says:

    May God bless the Ministers and Pastors that have not received such pagan funds (strange fire).  Amen

  120. Libertarian says:

    McKeeva, when will you understand that so long you keep on helping local churches and those in need like a socialist, your acts will never be approved by the majority of the populous. Because those funds (non-christian funds) are taken from the public purse!  Not even tax-payers of a similar christian faith like yourself, would want their monies used for such causes when they don't attend the church. Sir, if politicians want to donate to a church, they must do so from their own personal equity. But this taking from the public purse to pay faith-based organizations, can never be ethical! There must be a clean cut separation of Church and State in the Cayman Islands. Regards 

  121. Anonymous says:

    He is XXXX!   I urge the good people of West Bay not to vote him in again. I would also like to see his UDP collegues stand up to him.  He is an embarrassment to our country.

  122. Anonymous says:

    The devil is a liar!!! The AG opened pandora's box and all the skeletons started jumping out and shouting "no audit, no audit, no audit…….."

  123. Anonymous says:

    Look out, another Mac Attack. He's throwing his toys out of the crib again.

  124. Anonymous says:

    The man has lost it.  Stop hom stop him now!