Premier describes opposition leader as ‘wild man’

| 12/10/2011

(CNS): The premierhas defended his backbench MLA following accusations that the opposition leader had assaulted him in the parliamentary tea room. McKeeva Bush said he witnessed the altercation and that Ellio Solomon did not start “any fight with anybody”. The premier denied that Solomon had cursed or talked about anybody’s family. Bush accused Alden McLaughlin of flying across the room during the incident and that other members of the Legislative Assembly had to hold him off. “He was like a wild man I tell you,” the premier said at a George Town meeting, adding that it was not a good example for the country’s legislature when the leader of the opposition behaves like that.

“Ellio Solomon didn’t start any fight with anybody, don’t let anybody tell you that. He didn’t, he didn’t talk about anybody family, he didn’t curse anybody, in fact he was not talking to Mr McLaughlin, he was talking to us when Mr McLaughlin rushed across the room.”

Despite the circumstances that he described of ministers having to pull off the opposition leader while assisting the backbencher, Bush said he was encouraging Solomon not to take any legal steps. He said the opposition leader should be shameful about what had happened but he felt the George Town representative should let it pass and forgive.

Defending Solomon during a UDP meeting at the Mary Miller hall on Tuesday night, the premier said that although McLaughlin had struck the fourth elected member for the capital twice, it was Solomon who was blamed for it.

He said that politicians set themselves up to be criticised and he had suffered it for years, describing it as a baptism of fire, but he asked the people to give Solomon a chance as he was new. The premier accused the opposition of crucifying Solomon, whom he described as “the boy” and said they tried to get him into trouble.

Since the incident, which came after a heated exchange in the Legislative Assembly chamber between East End PPM member Arden McLean and Solomon, McLaughlin has stated that he had assaulted no one.

“The premier's account of what transpired is about as truthful as his account of what transpired with the Cohen financing arrangement,” the opposition leader told CNS Wednesday.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Big Mac is going to Milk this to the core! Alden screwed up and UDP will take advantage of this! 

  2. peter milburn says:

    Why dont all the members of the house grow up and stop wasting the Peoples purse with such childish behaviour.?Have you all not better things to do with OUR time?I certainly think so so for goodness sake get on with what we are paying you all to do or better still fast forward to 2013 so we can get some hard working solid Caymanian folks to run things?.Sure as hell cant do any worse.you think??

  3. McCarron McLaughlin says:

    Hi Mr. Premier,

    What you've just said the other night was one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard.

    At no point in your rambling, incoherent speech wereyou even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone attending and listening is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

    Regards,

    McCarron

  4. Country Girl says:

    All of you are a digrace to representour country.

    What you all need is a beating.

  5. Anonymous says:

    If Mac can speak with such certainty he must have been there during the assault. If Ellio didn't start the fight, and if Alden hit Ellio TWO times, and if the UDP want to get rid of Alden in the LA… why why why why does the UDP NOT want to press charges against Alden???

     

    Here is the perfect chance, if what Mac and Ellio are saying is true, to get rid of Alden from the LA – but what do they do: talk and talk and talk without pressing any charges – sounds like somebody is not telling the truth.

    • Anonymous says:

      They won't press charges because they would have to tell the truth in court, and if not, then they would perjure themselves leading to bigger problems.  They know the truth, but can spout off whatever they want to in the public domain, the court would be a different story.

    • Anonymous says:

      Country is more important than Alden.

      Why drag the country through the shame of the World having to hear about Alden's behaviour in our LA.

      • Anonymous says:

        The real shame is having to hear of Ellio's behaviour. Most red-blooded men would have responded in like manner.

      • Anonymous says:

        Is this Mac or Ellio?

         

        So are you suggesting that it is ok to have punch-ups (in the LA no less) without criminal charges being brought  because "country is more important" and eluding to the bad press we might/will get? I would have thought that, for the good of the Country, and showing a no-tolerance attitude to this kind of behavior (especially from elected reps), and for some good press that we will discipline sitting MLAs, that the "Country" demand an investigation and see it thru.

         

        All you want to do is sweep it under the carpet.

        • myview2 says:

          Man dat carpet is toooo ful to hold any more!!!

          Isn't that where it all goes??

          Would be nice to think that the Cayman Islands may have, by 2011, evolved to a more mature, diplomatic and respectable homeland, with genuine, honourable and qualified professionals to govern.

          Guess that is just a pipe-dream, but it sure sounds good, nuh? 

  6. Anonymous says:

    “He was like a wild man I tell you,” the premier said

     

    ————————————————————————————————————

     

    Be careful what you wish for in that suit of yours, Mr. Premier.   You do not have "Privilege" outside of the L.A.

  7. Anonymous says:

    The discussion included:

    the new juvenile facilities, The Pension Motion, Job for Caymanians only, Enterprise City The state of budget, etc. etc. And THIS is the article CNS comes up with regarding the entire public meeting?

    You come up with the Alden altercation in the LA, and In full support of Alden behaviour!  You call this a _news_ organization??

    Amazing to what point the standards of these blog organization have degraded to.

    CNS: Just to clarify this was a second story. The lead story on Wednesday was posted late Tuesday night immediately after the meeting – CUC faces audit of rates – which covered the premier's presentation.

  8. Anonymous says:

    “The premier's account of what transpired is about as truthful as his account of what transpired with the Cohen financing arrangement,”  A very good jab, Rocky…Er, Alden, unfortunately, it probably won't have anywhere near the effect on Mr. heavyweight as that right hook had on "the boy". Keep up the good work, Sir. If you land enough of the sort of punches you've been throwing SOMEBODY must start feeling eventually.   

  9. Anonymous says:

    The Cayman public most certainly no longer expects any better than this coming from our beloved Premier. Just like Elio, he is asking the public to believe that Alden attacked Elio for no reason whatsoever. Thankfully, again, I believe, and I most certainly hope that the majority of  people in Cayman are not stupid enough to believe this horse manure. He goes on to suggest that Elio should "let it pass and forgive". I understand that he probably wasn't really paying attention when he said that because he was preoccupied with thoughts of signing an absurd lawsuit against CNS.  McKeeva then continues with his usual, innocent, holier that thou, roundabout way of getting out of a situation by stating that "in fact he was not talking to Mr. McLaughlin, he was talking to us when Mr McLaughlin rushed across the room.” Well perhaps he was in fact not talking to Mr McLaughlin but is there any possible chance whatsoever that he could have been talking ABOUT Mr McLaughlin??? Beloved Mac then continues blabbering to the effect that Elio "the boy" should be "given a chance" , I'm not sure for what since he has already declared that Elio did nothing wrong. Finally he tops off his magnificient speech by seeking pity from "the people" by pointing out how much he himself has suffered the "baptism of fire" from years of being unfairly criticised by 'the people'. Not only is McKeeva right once again, folks but this time so is "the boy". Perhaps McKeeva should consider reducing Mr. Big Mouth's salary to that of a boy's in fairness to the people of this country and in consideration of our ongoing and ever worsening economic woes under the UDP's government.  The UDP very simply cannot possibly ever do anything wrong whatsoever. God help us.   

  10. The lone Haranguer says:

    Nice picture.

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

    And yet again, like the investigation into Beloved Leader's deal with Stan Thomas, the car crash involving Ju Ju's car in the Brac, the decision of Madame Speaker to expunge the verbal exchange in the LA between Arden and Jellio, another issue will be swept under the carpet. It may be time for the College of Heralds in London to revamp the Cayman Coat of Arms, and replace the pineapple, with a pair of crossed bananas.

     

    CNS: The car crash on the Brac was investigated, charges were brought and it has been through the court system.

    • Anonymous says:

      Of course it was, CNS. How we wish the same could be said about the other issues.

  12. Anonymous says:

    Alden unna match.  I just love Alden's answer.  

    How about your forgiveness Premier?  Why are you suing CNS?  Forgive and forget if you are a Christian.  That's what Christians do.

    You have a country to run.  How about running it and stop talking foolishness.  Have you seen the comments on yahoo, CNN, etc about President Obama and other US leaders?  Obama would be bankrupt if he went after everybody that said something about him that he didn't like and they say a lot worse than what Bean Counter said.

  13. Knot S Smart says:

    So if this happened in the tea room – then would we say that somebody got his coco-tea?

    • Anonymous says:

      They say his eyes went wide as a saucer when he felt the connection.

      • Anonymous says:

        What happens in the tea room stays in the tea room!

        • Anonymous says:

          If Elio has his way, this one will be cause for much humor in the Court House tea room.

    • Fisticuffs says:

      Best/funniest comment ever! This one will be hard to beatfor sure. Good stuff Knot.

  14. Anonymous says:

    "A politician that (sic) makes laws behaving like this?? Only in Cayman". Excuse me!!!??? Have you never seen videos of politicians in Russia, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia fighting (SE Asia countries are renowned for free-for-all fights in their Legislatures)??  Well I have and I've seen such videos for years. So, please do not detract from that behaviour in other countries and suggest that it occurs "only in Cayman".  

    I'm not condoning any alleged physical encounter which may or may not have taken place in our LA but please be fair and truthful and not suggest thatthis is only a Cayman thing.

    We have our issues but there's no question that there are very few non-Caymanians here solely to help Cayman and Caymanians. So while you're enjoying the benefits of living and earning here, please be respectful. Is that too much to ask? Would you not ask the same were it the other way around?

    And if perchance you posted from overseas, your right to comment at all is diminshed. Please familiarize yourself with what happens in other countries before you comment.

  15. Anonymous says:

    The Premier's story sounds like a "Jeannie in the Bottle" where Alden kept popping up unknown to anyone.

  16. Anonymous says:

    This is symbolic of the manner in which Uncle Dart's Puppets will be beaten in 2013!!

  17. Anonymous says:

    "Ellio Solomon didn’t start any fight with anybody" – Outstanding use of words here lol

  18. Anonymous says:

    A politician that makes laws behaving like this??

    Only in Cayman.

  19. biker says:

    Two comments:

     

    1) Everyone has their "Breaking Point" and I know Alden's "BP" is quite high (obviously higher than mine!).

     

    2) Premier Bush & Mr. Solomon: All the country's eyes and ears will be upon you two, to set the "Standard of Behaviour" in the Legislative Assembly from now on.

    We'll be watching and listening with great interest!

     

  20. Anonymous says:

    The old bait and switch routine again, did Mac talk about any of the things he said he would such as:

    "Changes to the rollover policy, the introduction of the ten year work permit, the amendments to the law allowing for pension withdrawals and the Youth Rehabilitation Programme will all be open on the agenda"

    or did he try to distract us all from the real issues with a four year old's trick of "but he did such and such" instead of explaining why he has achieved nothing?

  21. The Prophet says:

    Mr, Bush, Mr Bush, if you feel that Mr Elio Solomon should be forgiving and not persue charges against Mr McLaughlin, who assaulted him in presence of others, then I think in the same breath you should turn the other cheek to CNS in your suit.

      Let us forgive all, let God fight the battles of Satan, because God promise that he will deliver and take care of vengance.  Please remember these kind of physical fights is of the devil, please do not let him have the last say.  What is the true purpose of your life on this earth when you have money, good health and strength?  It is time Mr Bush that you stop and read Revelation 20 :8.  Satan is so experienced in deception that the Bible says one day he will deceive all the nations of the world.  Also to you and Elio, please read Ephesians 6:12.  The organization of Satan is well run and heavily disguised.  Mr Bush and Elio, instead of worring about what people say and do in the LA and outside the LA.   The prophet says spend more time reading the bible, stop trying to fight a battle with satan, you just cannot win.

  22. Anonymous says:

    What a surprise, instead of talking about what he says he will talk about at the meeting, Mac tries to distract all of us with another "look at what he is doing" diatribe.

  23. Save face says:

    How about, "not a good example" to run crying that people are picking on you by filing law suits while in a public office?  Makes Mac look like a fool.

    I'm so tired of ALL these bums.  

    Please Cayman community, give us some intelligent and respectful LEADERS in the next election (not 2-party foolishness for this small rock) and give us a chance to stop embarassing ourselves on the world stage *which is now the global daily Internet.

     

  24. Jonah Principlr says:

    The would be Boxer would say that because as a lawyer he knows he must conceal his defense. Maybe it should be settled in the ring ey

  25. Doh! says:

    If Alden is Rocky, can Mac be Bullwinkle?

     

  26. Anonymous says:

    I hear so many people say they want to live here, but don't want to become Caymanian. Is this because when one thinks of what a Caymanian is, they think of MaKeeva Bush? Indeed, are his values, ethics, decorum, behavior and christianity considered "typical Caymanian"? If not, why is he the leader of this territory?

     

    • Anonymous says:

      It would be very ignorant and prejudiced for anyone to consider McKeeva Bush a "typical Caymanian". The people of the Cayman Islands did not elect McKeeva Bush to office, and in any event I doubt that any country would consider its politicians typical of their people.  

      But you have a raised a good point that goes straight to the heart of so many issues: the contempt with which many expats hold Caymanians all the while demanding permanent rights in Cayman. Perhaps this should give you some insight into why eliminating Rollover is such a controversial issue. If you hold the people in contempt before you have permanent rights in the country what are you likely to do after you have got them?     

  27. Anonymous says:

    Isnt that the Pot calling the Kettle black ???

  28. Anonymous says:

    Who knew Alden had that physique under that suit…LMFAO He is too sexy for his clothes now only if Mac would "mogle" for us we could laugh through all the negative in this country.

  29. Anonymous says:

    People are sick and tired of hearing all this nonsense.  Go back to the schoolyards and let the lil gangsta boys there sort you all out.  If you can't do something to move these Islands forward and do your jobs as you are being paid to do then get the hell out the whole lot of you!  Your whining, bickering, complaining, travelling, suing the press and people who are doing their jobs, doing nothing but ruining these Islands in the international forum and press.  If you can't or won't do your jobs with some dignity and respect for the people of these Islands then get out!  People have had enough!!

  30. Anonymous says:

    So this "meeting" was not really about the issues it purported to be about, it was to be just another opportunity for Mac to try and look all innocent while slinging mud at the opposition?  Constructive use of public funds and time eh?

  31. Libertarian says:

    God help us!  Not one politician I see, is morally and mentally fit to govern this country!  Can't we at least give more power to the people when it comes to regular legislation – mere referendums are not enough!

  32. hmm says:

    Is it that Ellio  wont press charges because they will not stick?

     

    • Anonymous says:

      Trust me, we will be hearing about "Alden Attacking Foolio" all the way up to the next election. The UDP see's this as another election wrench to try and pry and twist away from the REAL ISSUES that face EVERYONE in this country.

      What I would like to see happen is for those that do vote, to not get so easily blinded by this sh%T and for once focus on the real issues at hand. Vote for the benifit of your children, not for the binifit of you getting a little somthing on the side or a favor. Stop letting these politicians use you for their benifit. It is amazing how fast some of our voting population forgets!!! ABSOLUTLY AMAZING!!!!

  33. Anonymous says:

    Seriously? Doesn't this XXXXXXX XXXX have any social or professional filters, or even any sensible advisors? FFS Cayman, deal with this XXXXX will you?

  34. Anonymous says:

    BLAH BLAH BLAH Thats all  you ever hear of course Mckeeva would say that Ellio didnt start any thing. Alden is wild with the punches and Mckeeva wild with the mouth. My Money is on the punches.

    • Anonymous says:

      I accidentally clicked thumbs up after reading 'Mckeewa wild with the mout'h before I was even sure what your point was.

      Still not sure what you are trying to say…

  35. Anonymous says:

    Pot callin' the kettle black..

  36. Anonymous says:

    LOL!!!!  Love Alden's statement at the end….!

  37. Anonymous says:

    I'd rather a "wild man" like Alden than "men" like Mac and Ellio in charge! Nuff said!

  38. Anonymous says:

    He also defended the MLA from Bodden Town. So, this comes as no surprise.

  39. Anonymous says:

    The only wild man is You Mckeeva Wait just wait the whole UDP needs to GO!!!!

  40. Anonymous says:

    Can anyone say why we don't have surveillance cameras in our Legislature and government buildings similar to the White House?

     

    Government offices should be one of the most secure buildings to be in, especially to avoid this type of activity who nobody knows who did or said what to whom, judging from the difference of account the people who were right there are stating!

     

    Instead of spending $100,000 on some bogus CUC audit, why not spend that to outfit our Government offices with a security system to monitor activity so people wouldn't get beat up?  The White House uses both indoor security cameras with facial recognition technology, as well as outdoor security cameras with day/night lenses, infrared capabilities and motion sensors. 

     

    Ellio should love that!  If something happens, you better believe someone is watching you on a security camera somewhere.

    • Anonymous says:

      maybe b/c you'd see a lot of people filing fingernails while laughing it up on the telephone, and that might cause embarrassment to our bloated civil service!

    • Anonymous says:

      And this is the kind of crap they want to put on TV?  On second thought, this country could use a good locally-produced comedy/action programme to lift the spirits.  Looking forward to the LA on TV… LOL

  41. Anonymous says:

    The Premier said: “Ellio Solomon didn’t start any fight with anybody, don’t let anybody tell you that. He didn’t, he didn’t talk about anybody family, he didn’t curse anybody, in fact he was not talking to Mr McLaughlin, he was talking to us when Mr McLaughlin rushed across the room.”.

    Obviously this statement does not sound credible. The real reason Mr. Bush does not want the case to go the court is that the truth about Mr. Solomon's behaviour will come out and it is he who will lose politically as a result, not that Mr. Bush is a champion of forgiveness all of a sudden.   

  42. Anonymous says:

    Well isn't that the poor little pot calling the kettle black.

  43. Anonymous says:

    Alden should be ashamed of himself.

    Is this how he will act if he were ever Premier? I can only imagine what he would do at a Caricom meeting where he doesn't get his way!

     

    • Anonymous says:

      Oh, so you're saying the way Mr Bush and Mr Solomon conduct themselves is exemplary are you? 

      …FFS.  SMH

      • Anonymous says:

        The "behaviour" of Mr.Bush and Mr.Solomon is hardly relevant, is it? A report has been made that Mr.McLaughlin assaulted Mr.Solomon in the LA building. As far as I'm aware, punching someone, or attempting to punch someone (except, I should imagine, in self-defence), is a criminal act regardless of who you are, including being the leader of the Opposition and aspiring Premier of the country. Are you saying this alleged action by Mr.McLaughlin was justified because of certain behaviours on the part of the alleged victim (and Mr.Bush) which you would personally classify as not exemplary? My goodness, if we all went round physically assaulting those whose behaviour we viewed as less than exemplary, what a society we'd be living in!

        • Anonymous says:

          If one led to the other obviously the behaviour of Mr.Solomon would be highly relevant although I understand why you would wish to cover that up. Mr. Bush's account simply does not have the ring of truth.

        • Anonymous says:

          To every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction.

          Alden was obviously reacting to something, so yes, I would say their behaviour especially leading up to this incident is extremely relevant, and should this go to court, I think you'll find a judge saying the same.

        • Anonymous says:

          Your behavior is less than exemplary…get 'im Alden.

    • Anonymous says:

      I agree, and no amount of harping on about the supposed failings of others excuses it , let's be honest. There reaches a point, surely, where one needs to assess things separate to political affiliation and ill-feelings towards certain individuals. What's wrong is wrong.

    • Anonymous says:

      I can only imagine Alden bettering our country, and our people, including you, by replacing our current redundant Premier.

  44. Anonymous says:

    HAHAHA! He expect us to believe that Foo.. Elio was just there talking and out of nowhere, for NO REASON, Alden rushes after him? Hmmm, must been something in the tea then…

  45. I Need Answers! says:

    Just how many brothers does Ellio have? The people demand an answer!

  46. Anonymous says:

    For what it is worth, there is an interesting entry in Wikipedia which states:

    His primary rules were: never allow the public to cool off; never admit a fault or wrong; never concede that there may be some good in your enemy; never leave room for alternatives; never acceptblame; concentrate on one enemy at a time and blame him for everything that goes wrong; people will believe a big lie sooner than a little one; and if you repeat it frequently enough people will sooner or later believe it.

    That quote refers to a US government profile of a very bad man who controlled Germany from the mid 1930's to the mid 1940's.

  47. Anonymous says:

    Two men enter; one man leave.  (rinse and repeat)

  48. Anonymous says:

    Waaaa Waaaaa Waaaaaa……………

  49. Stroke the Ego says:

    Riiiing…. riiiing…. "hello Pot? This is Kettle…."

  50. Anonymous says:

    The subject of defamation comes to mind, except for the fact that it is almost impossible to prove that you have been defamed by the rantings of a lunatic or anyone else that could not be viewed as in any way credible by any reasonable person.