Former talk show host takes against free speech

| 15/03/2012

IMG-20120308-00020 (258x300).jpg(CNS): Government backbencher Ellio Solomon appears to have been unnerved by objectors raising their opposition to government’s policy to relocate the country’s landfill to Bodden Town at a recent meeting. The former radio talk show host, once a staunch advocate for free speech, quizzed the police commissioner this week about the legality of picketers at the government-hosted UDP Bodden Town meeting last Thursday. Although Solomon seemed to struggle to articulate his point during Tuesday’s Finance Committee, he appeared to imply that the “large number of people shouting” and waving placards at a political meeting was wrong and they should have had police permission to shout.

Commissioner David Baines told Solomon that the picketers on this occasion did not require permission to demonstrate as there was no procession and no disruption to the roads or the normal right of the public to go about its business. He said the demonstrators were merely exercising their lawful right to free speech and his officers had reported that there were no public order issues that night.

Solomon seemed to think, however, that the Coalition to Keep Bodden Town Dump Free needed police clearance to wave placards and chant during the meeting and he asked if the RCIPS had “a policy to allow these kinds of demonstrations at public meetings”, even when there were significant numbers. “It is a worrying development,” Solomon said about the picketers, who, he said, were deliberately trying to drown out the speakers.

During the meeting, which was billed as an update from government but which was more like a UDP political rally, Solomon was one of the speakers that had shouted over the protestors who were expressing their opposition to the landfill move and heckling him during his time on the platform.

Solomon said he was not launching an official complaint but he said the protestors were involved in an organised demonstration and so they should have had permission.

The police commissioner spelt out to him the position of law enforcement towards demonstrations. He said that provided there was no breach of the peace, people had a lawful rightto express their opposition to something. “We are only concerned with public order and that does not interfere with the right of people to express themselves,” Baines said.

He explained that only rallies, marches or motorcades where significant numbers of people would be blocking the highway did organisers need to get police approval so officers could minimize the disruption to the wider public.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    You've got to hand it to McKeeva, Cayman. How he accomplishes these things boggles the mind. He is not only collecting two pensions simultaneously, but he has his very own reincarnation while he's still alive. Way to go Mac!

  2. Anonymous says:

    Ellio ol boy. A hope you ga friends besides dees CNS bloggas. If na dawg nyam yi suppa bwoy. Aye Ellie I taut you was carrin Alden ta cote like ya good boss would do. Wa happen, ya get chikin o wa. Da tru u pay Alden two million fa na win u in cote? Boy Ellie, you de same one was promisin ti mek us king in owa own castle agin, now you big up wid ya masedes you tryn mek d police lock us up. You na ready ya na, no way Elliat.  

  3. Anonymous says:

    Every time this man open his big mouth , i remember what somebody  told him once.   It goes like this .  From the time that you (ELIO ) GOT OUT OF THE CITY AND WENT TO LIVE IN CREWE ROAD he believe that he is the best thing that happen since norberg slice bread .  i HEARD THIS MAN ON THE RADIO friday saying that glf did not have the money to build the dock, there fore the premier had to breach the agrement   IF glf could not find the money that sound to me that they (GLF) BREACH the agrement, so why did we pay them two million for .  Thank god not every body is fool  as you and the premier.  FOOLIO i anm giving you a bit of advise the premier is setting you up to fail

  4. Anonymous says:

    To quote that classic Shirelles song  –  "Mama said there'd be days like this, there'll be day like this, Mama said". True, she really did actually – "I feel sorry for your generation my sons, Cayman will be run by idiots".

    Just look around!!

    • Anonymous says:

      No, it won't! Some young, educated, principled candidates are getting ready for 2013.

      • Like It Is says:

        And then they will all decide "maybe the next election" and get on with making their own money.  Lots of potentially great candidates talk at dinner parties about running a year before an election.  They don't run.  By the time of an election we only see the parties' people and a rag tag bunch of generally crazy independents.

  5. Anonymous says:

    I guess it's a shame that the police weren't there when Foolio busted into Rooster and shouted at Alden.

  6. Anonymous says:

    Have we ever been more desperate for level headed, educated, well intentioned Caymanians to run for office? We know they're out there. How can they stand by while this current cast of characters run this country into the ground?

  7. Anonymous says:

    Foolio's resume states that he "took" courses in engineering.

     

    Did he attend?

     

    Did he pass the courses?

     

    Did he earn an engineering degree?

     

    Cayman is ruled by a bunch of Beverley Hill Billies. Sad.

     

     

     

  8. Anonymous says:

    You know what they say about HEAT and KITCHENS. 

  9. Anonymous says:

    IT WAS BAD ENOUGH WHEN WE WERE SURROUNDED BY ONE IDIOT……

  10. Anonymous says:

    Ellio and all his cohorts have only ever been clowns aspiring to be politicians, not up and coming poilticians turning into clowns.  Think about it…..thats why this government has been nothing but a three ring circus with the king of clowns for a ringmaster from the last election day.  I beg you people….in the next election please vote for someone with brains and ears that will listen to you instead of voting for your neighbor or cousin or friend…..you must have been able to see by now thats not the best choice for you.  Ellio sit down and shut up for a minute so you can hear that the people don't like you, have no respect for you and no faith in you and you are on the way out little punk nusiance.

  11. SKEPTICAL says:

    Yellio, you are a ” little ” man – grow up and/or shut up – and, if you can’t takethe heat, get out of the kitchen.

  12. Anonymous says:

    High school students must have found CNS these comments could not have been written by adults. Name calling and personal attacks,  hopefully these people do not have the vote as they don't sound old enough for a drivers license.

    You all must be equally upset about Ezzard wanting the AG to investigate the charging of the Cayman Compass reporter a while ago.  If freedom of speech is so dear to you all or is this just an opportunity provided by CNS to bash someone?  CNS must also be impressed with the level of discourse.

     

  13. Dr. Who says:

    Helium Solomon, the next “Dr.” Frank.

  14. Turtle's Head says:

    Ellio :"Mr. Baines, Mr. Baines"

    Commissioner : "What now Ellio."

    Ellio : "Those nasty CNS bloggers again, they are saying nasty things about me".

    Commissioner: "And?"

    Ellio : "Stop them.  Make the nasty people go away."

    Commissioner : "I can't"

    Ellio : "But I am not sure you understand, they are not saying nice things about me.  Why can't they be stopped".

    Commissioner : "It is called modern representative democracy.  They have rights to protest and express themselves".

    Ellio : "I was speaking to my friend Mac's new Chinese friends.  They said that would not happen in China"

    Commissioner : "This is not China"

    Ellio : "I wish it was China.  mac si right"

  15. Alan Nivia says:

    If you can't take the heat, don't become the vacuous apparatchik of a party that does stupid things . . .  

  16. Anonymous says:

    @ CNS – Are you sure you didn't mean to say "Government bench warmer Ellio Solomon"? #justsayin

    • Kung Fu Iguana says:

      He is the Angry Loud Waste of Space.  Captain Eugene is the Mumbling Waste of Space.  It is important to distinguish our valued Government backbenchers.

  17. UDP Supporter says:

    The amount of hate people have for our leaders and especially for our great Premier and his colleague Mr. Solomon is amazing. Where would Cayman be without these good, Christian men? No where!!!

    • Anonymous says:

      Neighbor, perhaps you don't understand because you're not from this part of the world.  You should learn to measure a man by what he does rather than what he says about himself.  This country would be just fine (and in some opinions much better) if these "Christian men" were sitting at home collecting their double-dip pensions and minding their own business.

       

    • Anonymous says:

      You mean our great 5th. grade Premier and our wise King Solomon who thinks he's already above our great 5th. grade Premier?

  18. Anonymous says:

    Ellio is a little spoilt brat.  He has no class.

  19. Anonymously IRON CLAD says:

    Mr. Baines, THANK YOU for defending our RIGHTS!!! Put that XXXXX in his place yes!

     

    ELLIO, hold that !!! 

  20. Benz says:

    Ellio, The mounth of the south – you must want another upper cut from someone again?

  21. Anonymous says:

    I'm a bit surprised that Elio would think that a member of the public needed police permission to shout at him. I wonder what criteria the police would use to decide whether or not to grant permission to an individual to shout at Elio. I mean, would the applicant need to specify, for example, the precise reason for wanting to shout him? It all seems rather bizarre.

    • Anonymous says:

      However, I'm sure we would find lots of very practical reasons that he needs to be shouted at for.

  22. Anonymous says:

    I think the police officers at the location that night did a good job, and excercised good old common sense.

    If I am not mistaken I think I also saw the new guy in charge at Bodden Town out there as well. 

  23. Anonymous says:

    This young whipper snapper, upstart and wannabe statesman, thinks he can shut the good people of this country up.  You lucky they neva threw a shoe at you like they did with President Bush.

    • Baldric says:

      Which President Bush d'ya mean? The dumb one or the really dumb one?

  24. v.V.v says:

    power corrupts

  25. Anonymous says:

    He will not be the oposistion party.  His party will.  He will not get re-elected.

    • Reality Bites says:

      Sadly the "Thumbs Up" do not necessarily reflect Eliio's electoral prospects since there is strong evidence that his core voters do not have opposable thumbs, let alone know how to work a computer. 

  26. Loopy Lou says:

    Did the nasty people tell upset Ellio?  Aw diddums.

  27. Anonymous says:

    Hey Elio, some friendly advice for ya.  Stop pestering the police commissioner with frivolous complaints, he has more important things to do, like solving crime.  Be very glad you live in a free country.   Be doubly glad you don't live in China where you can be stoned in public by the authorities simply for dissenting.  Why?  Because one day soon, you will be the opposition party (meaning, we soon vote you out), and you will crave to have the same freedom of speech that you want to deprive us of.   It works both ways, seen?  Peace out.  And don't let the door knob hit ya on the way out.

    • Anonymous says:

      And be glad that so far you and Bush have not been prosecuted for WASTING POLICE TIME Foolio! SMH

    • UNCLE says:

      1812  Please stop fanning the fire, it my get to your grasspiece and surround your house.  Be nice.

  28. Anonymous says:

    Hey Elio, this aint China!  Or not yet, anyway.  But it seems that if you had your way, it would be like that country, where people can't speak freely huh?  My granny used to say, show me your friends, and I will tell you who you are."  Careful Elio, your associations are rubbing off on you, and you are exposing a side of you that we just don't like.  Freedom of speech is not a 1-way road like you wish for it to be.  Just as you are free to say what you want (much to our dismay who have to listen to your useless, nonsensical, constant yapping), we are free too say what we want to say.  Love it or leave it !  Or move to China! 

  29. Anonymous says:

    He better go try look a job at that hydroponic farm in Honduras! The only thing that will be green next year is your thumb.

    • Reality Bites says:

      Given where he has had it stuck for the last 3 years I am not sure his thumb is green anymore.

  30. Big Whopper says:

    Under the snake charmers spell

  31. Anonymous says:

    Is this your first timehere..if not that you would know that CNS provides equal opportunity for anyone to display thier ignorance.  Why your comment being allowed here is evidence in and of itself.

    Just Sayin..

    • Anonymous says:

      Sorry, this is no excuse to allow ignorance on a news site – freedom of speech or no freedom of speech!  Don't try to justify wrong. Wrong is wrong!

      • Just Sayin Again says:

        If it was a crime to be ignorant….there would be a lot more people doing hard time.

         

        Just Sayin

  32. Anonymous says:

    Ellio Solomon you better get cracking on the Port Construction and get it started because one thing is for sure. After this next Election you are going to need a job there at the Port. Maybe a Security Officer to keep the noise down!

  33. Stiffed-Necked Fool says:

    OMG, he is learning, copying and behaving like his leader!

  34. Anonymous says:

    Cayman has become its own reality show.

  35. Anonymous says:

    He didn't change.  He was only revealed for what he truly is.

     

  36. Anonymous says:

    can't wait till this XXXX gets whats coming to him in may 2013

    (thats if this shambolic administration lasts that long!)

  37. Anonymous says:

    thats all he ever was….

  38. Absurdistani says:

    Foolio, at least they didn't throw shoes at the speakers which would have probably been deserved.

  39. Anonymous says:

    Easy. He was always a simple big mouth clown. He just happened to fool enough voters.

  40. King of Clowns says:

    How can a man go from an up and coming political figure to a simple big mouth clown? In less than 3 yrs, beats me?.

    • AUNTIE says:

      King of clowns, did you love your grand mother, If you did why are you not remembering her words.  Do not call people names.  Would you like someone to call your child a Foolio.   My dear Caymanians what has really happened to you all anyway.  iF YOU HAVE ANY FAITH AND LOVE FOR GOD IN YOUR HEART PLEASE PRAY TO MAKE US BETTER EACH DAY.

      • Anonymous says:

        Um, what’s the difference between Foolio and King of Clowns, Auntie?

      • Anonymous says:

        "Foolio" is much nicer than some of the things Elio has called others.  Pray for yourself Auntie.

        • AUNTIE says:

          0726, I do hope you are not a Caymanian, because I would be very surprised at your response.  However if you are then, all I have to say is this.  Vengence is mine.  

          Mr Elio the advice I am going to give you is this.  "Do not, under any circumstances allow fallen angels to eat away at your soul.  A smile turneth  away wrath, and grevious words stir up anger.  In your work, be strong, but stay true to the goodness you inherited, let others who want to critize and call you horrible names go ahead, because there will be a day of reconning, don't be a part of it.

      • Another Anon says:

        Throw some more money at the churches, because it seems all the praying is not working.

  41. Anonymous says:

    Common room fracas eh? SOunds like it to me……….

  42. Just Askin' says:

    Precisely how many brothers does this man have?

  43. Plato says:

    And to think, this person is one of the "guest" speakers at the 50/50 conference at UCCI.

    SCARY!!!!!

  44. Anonymous says:

    CNS obviously any discussion questioning freedom of speech is ridiculous but I am concerned about your bias in reporting. I don't think this statement is any more offensive than Ezzard threatening to burn down the North side park in a protest against Dart or Arden saying that his father would have thrown Dart off the island or the West Bay Road activist who said that the government doesn't care about you and thinks your children are punks. All are ignorant comments in my opinion and if you are going to focus on ignorance then spare no one please.

  45. Anonymous says:

    Gotta love how Foolio feels when the "freedom of speech" shoe is on someone elses foot!

  46. Anonymous says:

    Gotta laugh at Foolio trying to tell the police commissh how to do his job, next thing Foolio will be claiming he has a law degree to go with the other two degrees he doesn't have! Try to take away a persons right to free speech and you will have a revolution on your hands.

  47. One Hit Loser says:

    I a really worried bout my bwoy Ellio because i dont know what he is going to do after the next election?

  48. Anonymous says:

    Foolio has admitted that this was a political meeting, can the UDP now pay for the advertisements at $3000 a page and the police presence rather than us paying for all of it under the guise of the premier updating the public on the port, dump etc…

  49. Anonymous says:

    ' and the little piggy cried wee weee weeeee weeeee all the way home'

    Grow Up Elio.  Last I recall you were on the opposite end of the table trying to defend "your free speech" before you joined the other "whiners".  Focus on getting the port deal sorted and stop wasting time in the LA with petty issues like this.  Plus half the time when you're on the talk shows you get so emotional and have so much mouth and an emotional response (what you think is an answer) to every comment/question its the same way our citizens are allowed to express themselves. 

  50. biker says:

    Hey Ellio – I think you'd better get used to this as it will most likely get more prevalent as it gets closer to the general elections.

    Also remember, all recent newspaper polls have shown the public's support of the UDP and its initiatives to be less than fifteen percent".

     

  51. Anonymous says:

    Boy, Foollio, sure has learned well at Mac's knee.  If they get in your way find a way to shut them up.  If that does not work denigrate them.  The size speakers and sound system  they had there would blast  over any loud protesters and for sure all Mac does is yell at these things anyways.

    It is a travesty to call these political rallies a "public meeting".  They are exactly what they look like a chance for mac to run down his opponents.

    Once again a UDP member tries to shut out the public.  They want to be listened to; but they refuse to listen. 

    Ellio, I hope you enjoy what is left of your first/last term in office.  I personally had great expectation for you.  You have turned into a little Mac clone.  And by the way, that is not meant as a compliment.

    We need to stand up for what we have left of free speech in Cayman and not let people like Mac and Foollio try to take it away from us.

  52. Anonymous says:

    Another reason why the UDP think the Commissioner of Police should report to political powers. lol.

  53. Anonymous says:

    Yes Mr Solomon, what you are saying is a 'worrying development'!!!  DO YOU HEAR ME??

  54. Anonymous says:

    Elio Solomon is another jackass in a horse race.  Most of us for get from whence we came and endeavours to put each other down.  We are protecting our district, environment and its people, from predators and money hungry people who are willing to sell us out for a dime.

    When there is something good we are by-passed and when there is something that's no good it is always dumped on Bodden Town.  I am perplexed by the poor representation we havebeen receiving, when the two representatives say it is ok to dump on Bodden Town.  We are always caught up in the crossfire, but I hope 2013 will give us some hope, if we all survive until then.   George Towners try and get Tyrant #2 on the back burner for 2013 so his big mouth will be shut.   I hope it is understood that the upstart is latching on to what ever he see or thinks is going to give him a chance for re-election.  When you make a mistake, stop and think seriously about it, finding a way to correct that mistake, and not making a bigger one.

  55. Anonymous says:

    Boy when Ellio when the shoe is on the other foot it nah feel good. Hold tight cause much more coming between now and May next year.  

  56. Anonymous1 says:

    I understand if you have people "shouting" and interupting the speakers on the platform. There should be some appeal to ensure order in the crowd. So I could relate with Solomon if that was the case. But to go so far as use the Police to ensure such order, I would be very hestitant about that. The last thing you would want to do, is creating animosity between the public and the police. Rather, they should have allowed people from the crowd to speak and ask them questions.  

  57. Slowpoke says:

    That's the nice thing about radio, you can't see the placards.