Bush lectures ICCI students on economy
(CNS): The premier appeared as a guest lecturer last week at ICCI, where he talked to business students about the interdependence of the global and local economies. According to a release from the college, McKeeva Bush spoke on the economy, government initiatives, including economic stimulus through public private-public partnerships, managing public debt, immigration reform and the country’s relationship with the UK. “Government should not be in the business of creating businesses, but it should be in the business of facilitating businesses to grow in the medium and the long term,” he told the students. He said he did not finish high school or university because he grew up in a different time with limited resources and means.
However, Bush told the students that the new generation coming up should take advantage of the educational opportunities available overseas and locally. Despite not studying for a degree himself, he said, he had been awarded an honorary master’s degree in humanities by the International College of the Cayman Islands, which was a source of great pride.
“If everyone here at ICCI convinces just two people to go and get a university education, Cayman would be a much better place,” he told the group.
According to the release one student said she was impressed with how much time and effort the Premier put into his presentation. “We always see him in the newspapers and TV, but to actually hear him in person was fantastic,” added Sophia Elliott.
Marva Powell, a master’s student in the human resources programme, said the premier’s exchange to the students' and faculty’s questions was engaging and thought provoking.
College business instructor, Joey Ebanks (the former director of the turtle farm), said that, given Bush’s demanding schedule, the fact he found time to come and give the evening class lecture showed how important education was to the country’s premier.
“The premier gave a very broad overview of the economy, where we are, where we need to go and what we need to do to get there. And the students got some insight in how the premier operates,” Ebanks added.
Category: Local News
Stop people STOP! I once heard from an expat educator that attending ICCI is like attending kindergarten or Sunny Smile Pre School. With you guys knocking Mac and Joey, will convince this educator that he is right.
Did he sing his song? Was the keyboard playing dog still part of his backing band?
Are you still wondering why the islands are in a mess? Education is the key to success!
“Government should not be in the business of creating businesses, but it should be in the business of facilitating businesses to grow in the medium and the long term,”
What he should have said is that Government should be in the business of 'getting out of the way of businesses, so that businesses can grow and prosper indefinitely'
yep…does he understand that his taxes and fees have crippled business and the island overalll….
The majority of our forefathers who built Cayman did not have the opportunity to achieve a high-school education, with the first private high schools only being introduced in the 1940s. I am told that their education ended at Standard 6.
So if they built the country with that ability it shows that the ability to read and write allows persons to develop on their own.
Who says that Bush has not developed on his own by his own reading? Can you imagine what he would have achieved had he had the opportunity to complete high school and university?
I say he played the cards he has been dealt with pretty well.
Where the cards up his sleeve?
If he was serious about the children Education, the government would start dumping money back into the schools instead of buying new police cars. yes the crime is bad but at least fininsh one school. insted
Whatever your politics and whatever you may think of the Premier (and I happen to disagree with him about a lot particularly his assault on freedom of the press), it always a good thing when leaders take the time to speak to college students. Those students are smart enough to distill the important information from the rhetoric and whether it is the Premier, the Leader of the Opposition or other government figures, it is never a bad thing for them to take the time to speak to students. Sadly too many posters on this site only want to speak negatively about everything and that blinds them to the fact that not everything someone does is automatically bad just because they are the person doing it.
This kind of joke should be reserved for tom fool day to see how many would pick up on it!
“The Auditor General has released a report saying the former CEO of Boatswain’s Beach, Joey Ebanks, borrowed and spent Turtle Farm money inappropriately.” (Cayman 27 website)
Good work professor! Birds of a feather, they say.
So Joey Ebanks, the former director of the turtle farm, is a college business instructor. We know his track record at the farm, so we can thus measure the value of degrees granted under his tutelage. Take note students.
Ex-Wonderland, one needs at least a Masters degree but usually a Ph.D. to teach at a university (or at least status as a Ph.D.candidate). Does Mr Ebanks have such a qualification? Strangely, he’s not listed in the staff directory (http://www.ucci.edu.ky/ourteam.php), so I can’t look it up. If he has a Ph.D., or has one underway, I’d like to see where it’s from.
Joey does have a MBA. He is an alumni of ICCI.
I know what the “B” stands for where Joey’s concerned, but what’s the “A” for? Anyone?
It would help if you were looking at the correct institution – it's ICCI, not UCCI. Many posters here would do well to remember we have multiple tertiary education facilities here in the Cayman Islands.
What the xxxx is the ICCI? It’s accredited by 2 guys in a tool shed in the bad section of Washington DC! This accreditation shop doesn’t even have Harvard or Yale as accredited facilities, but they’ve accredited the “Academy Of Couture Art” in West Hollywood! OK, It’s all clear now. All done here.
Lecture???
Must have been how best to loose money.
Mack and Joey should follow this economics lecture with one on ethics in public office.
It would be most enlightening.
I say respect to the man if his underrlying motivation was to to benefit the youth at UCCI. Certainly some of his Government policies interpret to be questionable but I believe the underlying strength of any education is exposure and that's what the students got. The seed has been planted and with time and mental digestion the students will have a view (whether valued or not) they can perhaps reflect on helping them in the evaluation of their future choices/decisions. Often our views are influenced by others conditioning, – learn to see beyond your initial perception.
Say What?
He gave a lecture?
And he has been bestowed with a Master's degree?
And Joey is a college professor teaching business?
OH DEAR!
Ha Ha Ha! Ho Ho Ho! He He He…
This is all just too funny….
I laughed out loud in the middle of an office when I read the headline.
Joke of the day…definitely.
I think he should stop making excuses for not getting an education. There was a 90 year old woman that got a degree in university in the States so he can get one too.
What has UCCI come to ? Joey and Mac teaching chidren. I must say they have lots of experiences in financial matters!
ICCI not UCCI
CNS ya making meh laugh too much! Mac lecturing on the economy an Joey as Business Instructor! Thank goodness I finished with my education 20 years ago! Talk about 'wha I see happ'nin'……
HA HA HA HA, HO HO HO HO HE HE HE HE AHHHH man that was a good one!
Quick, tell me another one, PLeazzzzzzze?!
Boy!!! you can truly hear and see some foolishness. Joey what exactly are you up to now?? You switched aggggggggaaaaain? All I can say you surely have a lot of nerves BoBo.
Two good ones for sure! Hope you all pass the class.
Joey has a MBA, which is more that alot of you. Stop hating and start participating.
Where is Rocky aka Alden? Where is Hazzard. They dont take personal time to stop and have a discussion with the next generation.
And they are the typical politician, loud mouths with a small brain. I dont see any ideas other than anti-ideas coming out thier camp. All I hear is McKeeva is not doing this right and he shouldnt do this and out the other side of thier mouths saying we need to get this economy turned around. My only thoughts are PUT UP OR SHUT UP!
'Just curious. What institution awarded the MBA?
Billy Bob’s Boutique of Fine Business and Fish Bait.
2 for 1 degrees on Wednesdays, and all you can eat seafood on Mondays.
We definitely need to turn this economy around, and at a quick pace!
As Clint would say: The CIG needs a few good men, but unfortunately, they ain’t it.
Jealousy is going to destroy this island. Look how Mackie looks smart and most of you cannot accept that. If he was not a smart man he would not be so wealthy.
He's not smart… people who vote him in just fool…
Why all of you so jealous?
i heard doctors were called to treat wounds from too much head scratching……,
Despite not studying for a degree He was Awarded an honorary Masters Degree in Humanities"
Does this mean he was just given a Master's Degree and didn't actually have to complete the requirements to earning such a degree. If that's the case Shame on you Mr. Premiere I would be embarrassed to acknowledge or receive a degree gained without doing the hard work.
Oh my goodness, gracious, what is happening here?! It is now abundantly clear why our hard working and dedicated students from ICCI cannot get the respect they rightfully deserve after accomplishing their goal of obtaining a College degree.
Bestowing to McKeeva Bush, a High School drop-out an Honorary Master’s Degree, not even a Bachelors demonstrates the ultimate in poor judgment of this institution. Coupled with the fact that Joey Ebanks is lecturing on Business considering his not so stellar track record in world of business further chips away at this wonderful institution’s credibility.
I would like to respectfully suggest to Mr. Ebanks that he task his students with an assignment to examine the financial viability of some of the proposed projects presented by the Premier since May 2009. Such as but not limited to;
1). The Shetty Deal,
2). The George Port,
3). The Turtle Farm Pier,
4). The FORCAYMAN Alliance in totality i.e.
i). swapping of major tracks of Crown Land over to a private citizen,
ii). the West Bay Road closure; its negative implications and or benefits and to whom goes the benefits and or negatives,
iii). the possible rational and ultimate net benefits of dividing up of Barkers into two distinct sections; North and South with Dart getting the majority if not all of the beach on the Northern Boundary, when the Crown (the Caymanian people) gets all the swamp to the South,
iv). why the exact location of the new landfill, why did they settle on the sales price it was ultimately purchased for, and its operational cost in five years and beyond,
5). The Economic Free Trade Zone,
6). The consequences of the Premier’s recent hard pressuring of the Governor to divest /convert 365 plus acres (Ritz Carlton and Safehaven sites) of Crown Land to Absolute Title to the benefit of the current proprietor(s) especially considering they still owe the Crown Millions in accruing outstanding fees.
Once their assignments have been completed for final grading, offer their analyses / Theses for public perusal. After all these bright minds are our hope to lead industry in the future! Then we will certainly see if the Hon. Premier earnestly knows what he is talking about moreover if he truly understandings the world of sound business practices.
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. Not our children…..Protect the children. How can he on one hand say he's not a expert in finance and then on the other be speaking to our poor innocent children about economy which he knows nothing about.
Mckeeva lecturing on economy and Joey Ebanks College Business Instructor. Hum ! yes I am certain this will leave an incredable mark when in the future in our history books will speak of the tremendous failure of BOTH. One thing they have in common, they both love their turtle stew and give it away too. Like one post said earlier somewhere, I believe my IQ is being affected by smelling sooo much bulll…. Never ceases to amaze me and it don't mean to be a compliment.
UDP and PPM at their best!
I NEED A GOOD LAUGH TODAY AND THIS MADE MY DAY. Beleive you me it did, it really can't get any more fun than this title. I am still laughling MAO I am giddy to a point I almost fell down.
Next up Donald Duck and Micky Mouse talks about ???? well I am at a lost.
Too Darn funny, Mackeeva lectures on the economy and how he keeps messsing up , O My God .
Please forgive me God , I really don't mean any bad here I am just having some fun
Does anyone actually believe that the Macaroon prepared his own presentation? (Hint: He has speech writers prepare most if not now all of his public presentations.)
If the ICCI presentation sounded rational, dignified and impressive, you can place a safe bet that the premiere did not prepare it. Have you ever compared the Macaroon's extemporaneous speaking with his prepared speeches? They do not sounds like they originate from the same person. (Hint: Because they do not.)
Does anyone really believe that Bush holds education dear? I for one do not. If he actually did hold education dear he would have one. Bush excuses his lack of a formal education by inferring that his academic shortcomings are due to his being from an economically disadvantaged background. Bullocks! Utter tripe! This is just another of Bush's countless bad excuses for poor performance.
"Bush told the students that the new generation coming up should take advantage of the educational opportunities available overseas and locally". I say to Bush, "Physician, heal theyself!" Why have you not taken advantage of these offering of these schools?
I personally know a good number of people who came from severely impoverished and disadvantaged backgrounds, and who as youth could not attain a secondary or post-secondary education. As adults who possessed a desire to improve themselves, they enrolled in various programmes and obtained their high school diploma and/or post-secondary degree. The eldest such person I know personally was almost eighty when he completed his legal degree; by comparison Bush is a young man, so what is his excuse now? Is it that he still doesn't have the money?
ICCI and UCCI have been operating here for many years; if Bush had the desire and motivation to better himself academically he would have obtained a real degree. (Well, maybe.) It takes a bit more that desire, motivation, and money to attain a real academic degree. In my opinion, Mac's "limited resources and means" as a reason for why he remains so pitifully undereducated has little to do with what was lacking in the bank account.
Politics and stupidity aside for a moment, McKeeva Bush you will find actually remained in school for two to three extra years trying to get to sit overseas exams that would allow him to move forward academically. It never came and he was forced to start working. His reference to "limited resources" was undoubtedly to that situationnot the ability to pay for a course. Not very many persons would stay on in school hoping to get an opportunity to sit an exam, certainly not back in that time when most men(boys) left at 14 or 15 years old for the sea-some never to return to their loved ones.
Advanced education was obviously impossible in Cayman at that time and certainly would have been worst later in life we he would be supporting a family and full time job at the Bank. Yes, overseas with its support mechanisms, one can continue. I am not surprised an eighty year old could do that, they probably don't have much else to do now.
Not everyone has been fortunate as you have to have learnt words like "extemporaneous " (clearly you want us to know you can read the dictionary) but one should never laugh at someone just because they did not get the education you may have received.
Whether you believe in his politics or not, respect must be given to Caymanians from back then that even learnt to read and write in the mosquitoes and with smoke pots under the grape trees. His story is not in isolation here. If you are from somewhere else and come to our country please show some respect. If you are Caymanian, learn your history and appreciate your circumstances.
Enough said.
Call me a stupid blog if you like, but please stop trying to rewrite history. I am the same age as McKeeva. He failed his 11+ exams and was sent to Secondary Modern instead of Secondary Grammar for the rest of his education.
Many from West Bay, both before and after him, passed those same exams, went on to pass "O" and "A" Levels and then attend universities overseas.
McKeeva did not remain in school for any extra two or three years, but left when his time was up and took a job as Messenger for CIBC.
Ask any West Bayer above the age of 50 if you have any doubts on the above.
I thought he was a gardener! To this day I do not understand how this man keeps getting re-elected….It really baffles me. Are there that many crackheads and people without washing machines in west bay?
Gardener? That would explain his great knowledge of organic fertilizer.
Sorry BoBo, I am Caymanian and I consider your excuses for the Macaroon's poor education flimsy at very best.
XXXXXX
I possess a post secondary education, earned under very difficult circumstances. Not too very long ago, I managed to obtain further academic qualifications (yeah, another real one, not honourary) and put more "paper on the wall" through an external programme; this was done while raising children, supporting my family, nurturing my businesses, doing volunteer work, while still finding quality time for my spouse, family, and recreational activities. It took a while but I did it. An' dis wah done right yah in de Cayman Islands, ol' B! But then I am not a slothful undisciplined buffoon; if I was I surmise you might be inclined to excuse my lack of education.
My story is not in isolation here, either. I know several Caymanians who have managed to further their education later in life while juggling work and family duties. Save for flimsy ones like yours, Bush is without an excuse. Geeze! At the very least he could take some evening classes and learn proper grammar.
Please, please accept my sincerest apology for being so untenably arrogant that I committed the horrid faux pas of displaying a varied vocabulary by my use of the word "extemporaneous". I almost forgot that some "old school" Caymanians don't appreciate people acting/talking/writing like they have an education and an intellect. Thank you for reminding me of the fact that such people still exist. Darn, in light of your comment I suppose I should now go back and edit out "faux pas", but like my use of "extemporaneous", it is the most concise and fitting term that comes to mind to convey the idea I am trying to express. (Do you tink dat acting dum mite mek my ritin' bettur an furthur my pullitical carrear? I are tinking 'bout runnin' for Premiere.)
Gee, I almost forgot that if one dares to be critical of a Caymanian or of some of "de way tings bees roun' yah" that some people will almost invariably assume that the author is either a disrespectful "furiner" or a renegade Caymanian with no regard for their heritage and culture. I am neither, but thank you for reminding me that such an attitude still exists.
I do not laugh at people who do not have an education, but I do loath buffoons and their minions. I admire a clear and disciplined intellect regardless of the IQ or education that mind possesses. I know and greatly prize the friendship of many people without any "paper on the wall", but who – in spite of their lack of education – display great wisdom, a wealth of common sense, and a logical and disciplined mind. These people need no one to make excuses for them. (Enough said?)
Obviously the rock hit and hurt. Enough said.
Gee, I am kinda sorry for your obvious pain. (Well, not really.) Judging by the brevity of your comment it is a good thing I didn't use a larger rock, eh? (Maybe next time.)
It shouldn't hurt for long. Take two aspirin and post again in the morning.
For the sake of your country, please stand for public office. An educated articulate person as Premier could save the nation, literally.
“We always see him in the newspapers and TV, but to actually hear him in person was fantastic…”
I’m glad the Premier took time to share with these students his view of what he sees happening. I personally hope that he can turn this economy around at a quick pace.
Opps, he’s gone now… at a quick pace.
I'm glad he has changed his mind about higher education. Last I heard he said that you didn't need that to run a country and he was proof of this.
That made me sad and scared at the same time.
Finally some good PR for the premier.
YOU have to be joking???
This is Progress!!!!! (sacarsm intended)
I know well…
LOL Mr. Bush giving Lectures on Economy I'm Sorry but this man needs someone to lecture him on the economy he has this country in. And why is Mr. Joey all up in glee with Mr. Bush hmmmmmmmm enquiring mines wouldlove to know?
~In other news~
Road kill iguana lectures on importance of looking both ways before crossing the Premier.
I'm generally not a fan of MacKeeva but am objective and call a spade a spade.
Kudos to MacKeeva for taking the time to speak to the students. Also, credit goes to Joey for arranging this. I'm sure this lecture will leave an indelible mark on their minds.
It’s called a scar…