Mac calls for Arden probe
(CNS): The premier says he has written to the Anti-corruption Commission about the PPM’s former Cabinet minister Arden Mclean, whom he accused of not paying his power bill for over a year during the time he was negotiating a licensing agreement with CUC in the last government. McKeeva Bush told a public meeting in Bodden Town on Thursday night that McLean had admitted on radio recently that he did not pay the bill and if this was true, it meant he had used his office for personal gain. Taking aim at the opposition, who he said was accusing him of corruption and incompetence, he said he had "on his armour now", as he revealed the request for the investigation.
Bush also said that he would be asking for anti-corruption enquiries into the opposition leader, Alden McLaughlin, and another PPM member but gave no details on who or what he believed the others had done.
In an ironic twist, Bush made no mention of the actual ongoing investigation into financial irregularities over his dealings with developer Stan Thomas but suggested that the opposition had the audacity to point the finger of corruption at him and were using it as a red herring in order to get back into office.
The premier said that McLean should explain to the country, if what he admitted to on radio was true, why he did not pay his electrical bill. “Should that be an investigation Mr Arden? So you want an investigation on me giving East End $200,000 for projects – he didn’t have to pay his light bill but you have heavy ones to pay,” he told the audience.
“Can you imagine they talk about corruption and incompetence?” he queried as he told the audience that if the opposition wanted a fight he was ready as he was a hard worker. “I have on my armour now.”
Reading from his letter to the police commissioner, who is chair of the Anti-corruption Commission Bush said he wanted the commissioner to look into the failure of McLean to pay the CUC bill when he was in office and dealing directly with the power firm in his role as minister responsible for utilities.
“After all that has been said in this country about corruption and the use of public office for private gain and conflict, I would ask that this matter be investigated by the Anti-corruption Commission,” he said quoting from the correspondence to David Baines.
“I want to tell at least two more of them that I have two more letters that I want to give to the commissioner but I am just getting the facts,” he added. He later indicated that one of the letters he would be sending to the police commissioner was about Opposition Leader Alden McLaughlin.
He queried why there were no investigations into various issues from the PPM administration, such as the money allegedly stolen by the former UCCI president, Hassan Syed, the Matrix scrap metal deal and the expenditure on the schools.
“All kinds of financial infractions and process took place in that contract,” he said about the high school projects, which were awarded to Tom Jones International, which is now embroiled in a legal dispute with government.
In a speech that lasted close to two hours and gave very few updates on government projects and policies but was very heavy on political rhetoric, the premier launched a full scale attack on the opposition, as well as the various activists that are opposing government policy.
Responding to theaccusations on Friday morning Arden McLean told CNS the country was in trouble if this was the best the premier could do to “deflect from his own criminal investigation.”
The former PPM minister admitted that he had been in dispute with CUC over power bills but just like everyone else he had to pay. “There is nothing criminal or corrupt about paying your bill late when you are in dispute about the amounts,” McLean stated. "I am sure any investigation into that will be over very quickly as opposed to the criminal investigation into the premier,” he added.
See more on CNS later today from the Bodden Town meeting and the Keep BT Dump Free Coalition demonstration.
Category: Politics
How dare he call into question the morals and ethics of such a great corporate citizen as CUC, who operate on a high standard of business ethics and principles.
Mr. Hew, please set him straight.
Is this a JOKE writer of 03/12/2012 – 12:48? For your information, the Premier is loved by all and every ex-pat and foreigners along with 95% of Caymanians. It is only 5% of our jealous natives that hates him.
Now THAT's a JOKE 20:09… Good reciprocal comedy there, but I just wanted to make sure that there are no misconceptions here.
FYI – That 95% Caymanians must be discounted by 90% just for me alone. The DESPISE I alone have for that dragon will account for about 95% of the Caymanian population… and that comes from my CRYSTAL CLEAR insight, foresight and thorough understanding of what this Vlad Dracula is all about. Otherwise, if Love means Hate, then yes.
The jealousy part, can't say that might not be close, but let's speak for ourselves bo bo.
I cannot believe the amount of hatred people have for our good, God-fearing, decent Premier, the leader of the Cayman Islands. If gambling were not a sin I would bet that most of the comments here come from godless ex-pats and foreigners. Support our Premier! He knows what is best for the people of the Cayman Islands!
LOL. Did you really say "good, God-fearing, decent Premier"?
You are very good at parody. You should join the Rundown cast.
The Hon. Arden McLean is one of the very few politicians in Cayman who cares about his people and his country. He is well educated but has not forgotten where he came from. I wish we had one of him in each new "one man one vote" district. No I'm not an Eastender, nor a real Caymanian, just a paper Caymanian with enough common sense to see who is who and what is what.
Well educated you say????? Where and with what?????? Enlighten us please
Not sure who "us" is but 'you' could certainly use some enlightenment.
Come on UK. Time to step in and do your duty to the Cayman islands. Take the power from the todlers and let the parents clean up the house and take out the trash. While your at it how about enforceing at least some of the basic rules of a functional society? I'm all for starting out with small steps and letting the kids learn by failures but there should be some successes along the way to show the way. Don't you think? All of this never ending crying, fighting, and incompetence should be enough proof that Cayman has too much growing up to do to let them have the cars keys yet. Or have you given up on them?
Way to go, Brother Mac. Praise the Lord. You just show them how to treat Mr. McLean like a real brother. Don't you people understand that the Good Lord is $2 million richer because of our dearly beloved Brother Mac? What's WRONG with you devil worshippers anyway? You really want to see our brother Mac replaced by that criminal from East End? You bunch of heathens you? Brother Mac only wants to see all his friends blessed with all the same things he has earned for himself in life, you know, criminal investigations, off the charts terrible reputations, record breaking failures and screw ups at everything he touches, that sort of thing. You blasphemers should be proud we have such a wonderful brother so willing to share his blessings in life. Shame on you god-forsaken bunch. Repent and be baptised before it is too late all ye worthless sinners.
THERE YOU GO! That's how giving money to churches guarantees you votes!
JESUS SAVES
He can on the money given to him by Bush, but he couldn't on my salary and with the CUC bill I get every month!
Tit-for-tat BS, while the country sinks into the Caribbean Sea. The two of them should be ashamed of themselves. They're like children scrapping in the playground. Pathetic! What an embarassment to the country!
Mac's action is clearly tit for tat. However, I don't see that the criminal investigation into apparent corruption by Bush initiated by a Grand Court judge and ordered by the Governor has anything to do with tit for tat. There is no equation between the two.
The question remains is why did a Grand Court judge have to initiate. These types of allegations and evidence have been openly discussed for many many years. Attorney General, Governor, Police?
I am nost sure why you think that is relevant. The fact is he did, and rightly so. What is your point?
For all the theologists out there, note that tit-for-tat, eye-for-an-eye thinking goes totally against Christian doctrine. It's certainly not behavior fit for an aspiring "national hero".
Only person worried about a thief is another thief……
Joke of the MILLENNIUM. Right up there with harry skippin Cayman on the most farsicle of trips. Who needs it?
We wouldn't be having all of this trouble with McKeeva and his puppets today if former Governor Stuart Jack had called a Commisssion of Inquiry into the alleged corruption which Charles Clifford exposed instead of calling the Commission of Inquiry into the exposure of that corruption.
We need to investigate why Governor Jack chose to call that Commission of Inquiry into the exposure of the corruption instead of into the alleged corruption itself !
If we can get to the bottom of that question then perhaps we can figure out why we have heard no moreabout the current investigation !!!
YOU ARE CORRECT 17:51!! Leaves you scratching your head doesn't it??
Nothing to figure out here though. It has been established that it's all chalked up to 'Money', 'People in High Places' and the magnetic connectivity that occurs at those levels.
Does that mean that using your political position to require the public purse to pay the electrical bills for youprivate property and causing the public purse to pay for your personal servants is corruption too? How about voting to allow yourself to double dip on salary plus pension?
Dog gonna eat yah suppah! How about using the same agreement with the US government to investigate and detail all US bank accounts held by all Cayman politicians or companies they own, and the sources of those funds? Preferably BEFORE the next elections!
Fearless Leader never misses an opportunity to make himself look ridiculous. I do not mind him doing this except does he really have to be our leader to continually remind us how uneducated he truly is? It’s so embarrassing.
Mac had better be careful that he is not setting the bar for 'corruption' at a level that he himself cannot hope to pass. This could come back to back bite him in the a$$.
Double Dipping. One of the posters castigated the Premier for double dipping, but is it not true that the ex leader of the opposition and the incumbent third elected member from Bowden town and PPMmember were involved in this dipping scenarios. Come on now they all have skeletons it seems, so don’t be one sided.
Personally I think double dipping is reprehensible. But it is not corruption.
Remember: There is still no evidence of personal gain found on the Premier. He is criminally being investigated by the Commissioner of Police. Evidence is needed for corruption. If they had the evidence, they would have the case pending so long… but they don't have it. Meanwhile, the Premier is initiating an investigation against Arden Mclean, which there could just be evidence to pin corruption on him and the PPM party. I laugh to myself, because "How the Table Turns"… if there is evidence to pin on Arden Mclean and nothing is found dirty on the Premier's side, Arden is screwed, and all of these allegations against the Premier he is so vehemently declaring, will look like he is hiding something. So let us not be so quick in calling the Premier's allegations, a make-up story. We have to judge each candidate on their own merit.
That is hilarious. To everyone except the most blind party supporter can see this for what it is – a desparate attempt to deflect and keep the heat off himself. If Mac had really believed that this was corruption he would not have waited for 3 years to ask for an investigation. I predict that what will happen is that the Commissioner will find that there is nothing that would even remotely come within the scope of corruption as contrasting to say extorting money for the performance of your public duties.
The difference is that Arden has offered himself up to be questioned by the Commissioner of Police while Mac is still hiding behind "it was a real estate bill" and offering no real explanation.
We all know that there are problems getting an immunity arrangement for a key witness.
Lin, LIN must be a code name for Linked to bush or a genetic term for UDP members, or the United Destruction Party. A literate person who has read the letter/invoice asking for three hundred plus dollars knows what it is. As an example walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and looks like a DUCK is a freaking DUCK. OK.
…Three hundred THOUSAND plus dollars to be more accurate, but we get your point and we agree with you too.
I wonder which sand your head burried in; Boggy Sands?
Shame the Premiser's personal banks accounts are not subject to FOI!
I can't wait for 2013 election to place my vote in West Bay and vote them all out. We really need new young blood running this country, i have had enough.
Don’t forget to claim your free refrigerator first!
07:59 You must be from East End or North Side because you could never be from West Bay and talking such nonsence. We are Voting the Premier back in so keep quiet if you cannot find something better to say.
I don't think anyone in West Bay is capable of running this country….it is the people from West Bay who did this to our country by voting who they did in….Just take a good look…you are paying salaries to people in West Bay, Ugene???? OMG his name only comes out when elections are around to name one…if you people are really tired of it THROW THEM OUT BEFORE 2013, even though we don't have that many rights in the cayman islands YOU STILL VOTED THEM IN, YOU CAN VOTE THEM OUT!!!! But again that would take back bone…and it doesn't look like the people have any of that…look what happened in Bodden Town……
You are a smart west bayer that wants new blood in the west!!!!
Sadly too many of your neighbours will not change their voting patterns.
This complaint raises serious issues and should be investigated. It was infamous that Jim Bodden arranged a truck of gravel dumped on the driveway of an attorney that tried to collect payment on his long unpaid electricity bill. If that culture has continued it has to be stopped.
However is the investigation also going to look at the attitude of CUC in enforcing the electricity bills of politicians? This too is a serious issue.
Obviously Mac and his supporters are trying to hype it into a serious issue. We understand the political game: the best form of defence is attack. If this was such a serious issue why did it take the Premier 4+ years to ask for an investigation?
What does having a dispute with CUC over your bill and it remaining unpaid until the dispute is settled have to do with having gravel dumped on the driveway of an attorney?
How about we investigate politicians who avoid having to pay their own CUC bills by causing taxpayers to pay it? Is that an abuse of office?
Friday 08:47. Please, you should avoid stereotypical and disparaging views and remarks like "the Caymanian representative to the world telling everyone what Caymanians are all about". I'm sure that wherever you're from there are unsavory politicians and all manner of social misfits including, crooks, criminals, perverts, etc. Does that mean that you're any one of the above?? If you insist on cutting all Caymanians from one cloth then, although you're Anonymous, don't be offended when I say you could well be a crooked, criminal pervert yourself.
Caymanian politics has created a sad paradox. There needs to be fresh bloodacross the board – and I don't just mean new puppets like the Fourth Elected Member from GT. In order to revamp the warped system inrouduced with the 1976 elections and which has never been completely departed from since, we need people who have the integrity and ability to rise above the cronyism and favour-based politcs and remain true to that resolve. In my opinion there have been few politicians of significance in all that time whose integrity never wavered. One was the former EXCO Member for Tourism in the 1984-88 Govt. but he alone could not make a difference.
The paradox I speak of is that while acknowledging the above premise, no one of integrity wants to be associated with politics here because it has become a dirty word. And that is why it's sad. Unless enough people like that throw their hat into the ring, there will be no significant difference but people like that don't want to tarnish their reputation. So they stay on the side and are comfortable to be armchair politicians so like many of us.
I applaud some of those types of people who have bit that bullet, stood up and in fact been elected, but sadly they have been too few to make a difference.
Remember the old adage; 'a people gets the Government it deserves"
Unfortunately, Citizens that would be willing to stand for election and work in the ineterest of the country cannot 'win" the popularity contest that elections have become! The voting public of Cayman has become to accustomed to american style campaigning with flashy soundbites and rethoric over substance.
Most people confuse "good governance" to mean making decisions that favor their special interest!
Imagine if I stood for elction with the slogan " If I am elected, I will work toward introducing fiscal legislation that prohibits deficit spending except in the case of a national Emergency! the majority of Voters would yawn and say "booring"!
because of all of that, I don't really expect any real change!
da-wa-u-get
This is laugher, the Premier asking for an investigation on the Action Man. This man has no class or shame in how he just makes himself look like a fool daily. I know people that go 4 to 5 months without payment to CUC, but eventaully they have to pay.
If any probe should be done it should focus on Mckeeva's numerous missteps Cohen, GLF, the Dump and DART funds to name a few.
Just do not let them take away my status. I know I did’t live in Cayman when Mac gave it to me but I may want to move back and open a large taxi service. I have found a lot of Indians willing to act as drivers for a dollar an hour. I will apply for permits for all of them and thus grow the population. Of course if any qualified Caymanians with a minimum of 10 years experience want to apply for these one dollar an hour positions I will gladly hire them and thus generate local employment.
Give me a call. I can get you some Chinese for 50 cents per hour, and all have clean Filipino licenses.
McKeeva apparently either doesn't have a clue or doesn't give a hoot about the fact that this kind of behaviour only and simply serves to highlight the disgrace of his own criminal investigation, or the mystery of why this has not been resolved to the satisfaction of the Cayman public.
You are so right. THAT "mystery" should be the subject of another criminal investigation, NOT Mr. McLean's personal utility bill.
These idiots need to grow up, they all behave like playground bullies. This country will never grow to be a mature and democratic member of the international community with corrupt politicians and old family scores to settle. This persistentname calling and personal malignment is unacceptable in the 21st Century. If they're not picking on each other, they're picking on the evil expats or 'outside influences'. Hopeless, all of them.
We teach our children two wrongs don't make a right. I guess, our elected officials were not taught this concept. This tit for tat is making us all look incompetent!
WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE INVESTIGATION OF ALLEGED FINANCIAL IRREGULARITIES PURPORTEDLY INVOLVING BUSH ????????
It is obvious that a case that is held up, is a case that needs EVIDENCE and leads to move forward… If there is no evidence to move forward the case, it will just sit in the Commissioner's office, and we will be here all day, speculating on whether there is corruption or not. Let us not speculate, and let us not hope that corruption is found, because no one wants a TCI style takeover to occur here and the international community mudslinging the Cayman Islands on how corrupt we are. It will not be good for our financial center and economy. So I just pray that there is no evidence pointing to corruption on Arden's part.
The developer is in the US. Would you be surprised if he didn't want to come back to testify? Unless the zoning payment is reported to the Justice Dept. in the US for investigation of the developer under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act there won't be any evidence available. End of story.
EVIDENCE….Did you say EVIDENCE? REALLY!!!!!
How much more evidence do you really need?
WOW!!!!
You know having people like you on the Island scares the hell out of me. It makes me start to wonder where rationale on criminal activity starts and ends.
The difference is that there is no reason to believe that there is anything that amounts to corruption on Arden's part. The allegation is that he was late his paying his light bill while negotating with CUC. His explanation is there was dispute about the bill and it was eventually paid. Really – that's all you've got?
Mac stepping down while this investigation continues could help us avoid a TCI styletakeover but he is too selfish to do that.
McKeeva's owed Cayman Airways over US$75,000 when he was Minister responsible. Nuff Said.
Next headline: Arden calls for Mac probes. After that Julia Calls for Arden probe then Arden calls for Julia probe after which Ezzard calls for Mac and Julia probe which would make Mac call for Ezzard probe.
Then the UK will finally take over and probe them all.
The premier does indeed seem to be getting increasingly desperate. I've noticed he's shouting ever louder and louder (to the point where the use of a microphone appears really quite superfluous) and is getting very upset indeed that thousands of Caymanians are raising objections to his plans with this developer in particular. All this must be very frustrating, but then that's usually the case with those who are accustomed to weilding absolute power. The Caymanian public has become a great deal more sophisticated than Mr.Bush appears to realise, and certainly the old ways of character assassination etc have very little, if any, traction with today's electorate. Poor Mark and Dwayne, like lambs to the slaughter. I don't reckon even Mr.Bush would bet a dollar on them getting reelected. And the rest of them don't look too happy at how things are developing, in particular with the one man one vote initiative, which is all but inevitable. Poor Elio, shooting himself in the foot with ever more absurd reasons against Cayman joining the rest of the developed world. (The one about the dangers of communists and socialists was truly bizarre.) Ever heard of being on the right side of history? Oh, and I've got a tip for all MLAs, whatever their party affiliation. When someone is delivering a speech, you must pay attention (and certainly not be checking your emails, chatting, and other such foolishness). The reason for this is very simple, and is surely obvious to anyone with a grain of common sense, which evidently isn't an attribute that common amongst our present bunch of elected representatives, sad to say. You see, if you don't consider what the speaker is saying as worthy of your attention, why should the listening public?
Upset…. not really…. he is beginning to speak to the people, and that is what the people want. They want their representative to interact with them. When the Premier and MLAs are silent and don't come out and explain to the people, then you same guys on the Opposition side, complain how they have forgotten the people and following their own interest. So here is the Premier coming out…. what more do you want?>>
He might be speaking but he is not explaining things nor is he answering the hard questions. Or ANY questions really. But i'm sure you are happy with the way things are right? Lots of voters/churces/friends/civil servants, etc. are. Many of the OTHER Caymanians would just like a chance to make a HONEST living.
Actually, simply civility and respect for the electorate. Forgive me, you assume I am pro PPM. Believe me, nothing could be further from truth. I was appalled at the conduct of the last (hopefully, at least until it gets its act sorted out via some of their excellent representatives and supporters) PPM government, but the behaviour of the replacement lot has left me wanting for an alternative to either party. Basically I'm sick and tired of thirty odd years of loud mouths bad-mouthing people who don't agree with them. I feel demeaned at being expected to react positively to this base level of behaviour. This isn't me. Is it really you? Is this desire on my part being unreasonable? I want reasoned, respectful discourse on matters of public interest, and to see persons diametrically opposed on major issues the best of friends. Don't you really want that at heart? Kindly affirm that with a positive vote, or at worst a "humour" vote for being hopelessly optimistic (!), but I'm hoping for the former, PPM, UDP, PMS, you name it!
Coming out? lol! From where?
LOL. You are joking right ? To "come out" as you put it to talk to the people he would actually have to stay on the island longer instead of jetting off globetrotting every two weeks. Think before you comment please. Someone needs to calculate exactly how many days he has been here since he has been Premier. I wonder how you can be the leader of a country when you are away more than you are here.
mckeeva forgot to talk about the 6 MILLION that the RITZ owes government which falls under the UDP
You all are just crazy…hateful and unruly! Go ahead and elect the PPM…go right ahead! And when these islands sink to the bottom of the ocean, see if you can find the lost city of Atlantis while you are down there…but with some versitility, maybe you too can grow some gills…
21:40 You made my day, I am still laughing. It is true what you said, so now I would suggest let the nerds go ahead and elect a PPM government and we will have a good belly full of laughs come by December next year. I cannot wait believe. Hahahahah
We prefer a good belly full of laughs over not being able to sleep in our own houses at night because of crime, and utility bills and grocery bills we can't pay and a gowerment that is under criminal investigation. THESE are what the UDP have blessed us with.
Apparently we not only have a President evil, Cayman. Now we also have a Resident evil.
Nerds? Are we in the 80's. Is it the Jocks VS Nerds again? Thin leather ties? Ahhh, life was so easy to be bully then.
At least you're not desperate alone, Mac.
If we re-elect the UDP it will surely sink to the bottom of the ocean. The PPM is the lesser of two evils.
This country is what you call between the frying pan and the fire and you can switch the parties around as you please because either one get in we are in a mess.
Makes me almost want to have an expat. Naaa lets not get that crazy we would not be any better off.
In terms of the young blood we have Elio, CG, Mark and John John. The problem with the young blood is that they are following in the footsteps of the lost.
Ppm lesser of what two evils,hmmm divine intervention took them out once ,pleeeease remember this. Dowe want people who spent all our money in the face of an oncoming recession to govern again for whatforgat it.they dont have a clue other than go to great Britain agree a payroll tax and a real estate tax which their wealthy partner(s) are telling them has to be done and they will support. This then will allow them to fund the completion of the east end highway,and have their convention at darts newest hotel(ah which one)? One two? Sky blue all out including the PPM.
Divine intervention?! Are we living in Jonestown? Do you really think that a wise, holy and righteous God would have put McKeeva Bush in charge of this country?
I see Ellio has been onlione again.
Mac needs to practice a different lifestyle. He should be ashamed of himself. All his life he has been trying to show the public how clean his hands are and how pure his heart is by trying to scandalize, malign and make other people look bad ugly and corrupt.
Please Mr. Premier practice a life style that people can be proud of! Not live a life that people are suspicious of and have doubts about!
Grasping at straws Mac?
What a plonker!
Is someone going to look into the freebie private jet half the UDP went on laid on by the companies that profited hundreds of thousands of dollars on the Cohen debacle? What was the name of the jet – "Sacred Vessel"?
Why start more investigations when the current investigations are not complete? What is happening with the investigation into the fax to Stan Thomas that was signed by McKeeva Bush??? What more "smoking gun" evidence does the RCIP need?
CNS, I personally think that any news relating to someone's character by another politician should not be publicized or posted, unless there is mentioned of evidence. Really this mudslinging against character between the MLAs, your News organization should not be declaring to the world. An MLAs character at question should be taken like the character of suspect, during a court case. Not until there is absolute evidence should you be allowing comments to be made. But seeing the articles touching the character of our MLAs has to stop. We need to focus on what is important for the public to know and proclaim it – LESS OPINIONATED ARTICLES PLEASE
Mac is this your best rebuttal to your situation? C'Mon man explain to the people all the wrong you have done and how much you alone has caused these Islands. XXXX explain to us why you are double dipping out of the government purse, explain to us why you need a chef, a security guard, a driver, a personal photographer, a personal secretary, a team secretary and a PR person. Explain to us why YOU need so much, who are you afraid off? You has a lot of questions to answer to. You are the one stealing from your people. Explain that……
Desperate times call for desperate measures I guess. It must be getting hotter, because lately more and more ludicrous things have been spewed out in an effort to detract attention from the more serious ongoing "investigations".
Interesting that he left Operation Tempura off the list.
Ah! But didn't he back that one when Arden and others wanted to cut thefunding?
and This is the man that David Leggett writes about in his fancy magazine that is turning the economy around? Come on David please rewrite that article immediately, I hope you went out to Bodden Town last night to take notes and write about that meeting. It was a disgrace to the people of Cayman that loves this country. Dear God please have mercy on us and these Cayman Islands if we are to continue down this path with these bunch of hooligans.
David Legge actually.
I would call an investigation into MLAs using govt funds to place advertisements of public meetings to discuss goverment projects, when in fact the meeting(s) only turns out to be the sitting government's campaign rallys with little being said at the meeting about the topic that was advertised – talk about a "Bait 'N Switch"
What a disgrace this man is to our country.
What a bunch of %^$&!!!! I wish the leader of this country would get that passionate about the real issues here e.g. CRIME!!!!
I’ll get right on it Mac, just as soon as I get through with “Cambridge-Gate”
It would be in the best interests of Cayman to do away with ALL political parties. And start over. This is getting more like watching WWF everyday. As they fake their aggressive moves while collecting huge salaries and leaving the people to be purely an audience to their capers. It is fake and I don't know why people put up with it as they could much better represent themselves. Government is the largest cost that government has. Bar none. It perpetuates itself, creates it's own reasons for existence. In reality we could do away with most of it, and save money, especially the costs of career politicians who act like children. Let them find real jobs and leave the running of the country to the people who are actually affected. We all go to work each day and we all know what we have to do each day. Problem is they don't. So they continue to fake it at our expense. The country will not stop without politicians they seem to have forgotten who they work for. We hired them. We can fire them. What a relief it would be to realize that.
Classic whataboutery and witchhuntery – Bush treats the people of Cayman with contempt once again.
A drowning man clutches at straws. In the coming months also watch for the attacks on the UK as he fears they are closing in on him. You are not fooling anyone, Mac.
THE BIG QUESTION IS WHO IS DEPUTY PREMIER MISS JULIE OR FOOLIO ???????????????
12:23: I really do not know why you would be calling Elio Solomon Foolio, but please I beg you spend sometime listening to the man speak. If you say he is not a good speaker and a good representative for the Islands you are being bias. The one thing that I do not like with you people is that you complain about someone but you cannot come out and say why. For Pete's sake give some back up reason for us to go by instead of just slandering the person for no obvious reason. Have some good thoughts about the man instead. Has he done you any wrong? SEarch your heart, and if he has please be a man or a woman and discuss it with him. That is what I call being a man or a woman. So show that you are one of the two by reading this comment and then speaking with Elio or any other person you have a grouse with. Make your heart be at peace.
Self praise is no recommendation Foolio!
10:37 Wrong again. This is not Elio, but someone who do not put their Caymanians down like you are doing. You really donot ahve any shame whatsoever, because the young man has done you nothing yet you stoop so low as to calling him a Foolio. Shame on you, do you have children? or Grand children, Be careful, because someone may call them a Foolio in school today.
Arden you need to sue the hell out of him for this one!
Don't let him get away with this!
Oh Gaad why una dont leave Arden and Bush alone. They are strong Caymanian men just bitching with each other, and we definately do not want to see our men behaving like Pussy cats. Leave them alone, cant you understand.
On behalf of Sir Mac – "Depowate twimes cawls fawr depowate weasures"
Perhaps Mac doesn't recall that he doesn't pay his electricity bills either. He fixed it so we do.
Rather than asking the Commissioner of Police to open a new investigation, people would be far more impressed with Big Mac if he would just step forward with all the information necessary to close a current investigation.
Stay there and follow Bush and Arden. You all will be lost. They are best of friends. They row and they Bitch with each other, but when it comes down to friends, they adore each other.
Resident Evil I must agree with what you say. The two of these men adore each other as Man to Man but they got a job to do, but when the day is done, it is the best man wins. So I wish the people would stop fanning fire, Yes you are correct Resident Evil, I have seen and heard Arden and Bush Bitch at each other, so the rest of the PPM Cow Boys can go ahead and see if Bush don't make Arden Assistant Deputy next to Julie.
Will this man ever grow up? I have never seen such an immature politician in my many years! This is just another smoke screen to take the spotlight off of his investigation & other suspicious transactions & deals! Oh man, he is so childish. He threatens to sue almost every person who disagrees with him & anyone who threatens to expose him, but all it is is an attempt to divert attention away from his wrongdoings, but it will not work, everyone sees it for what it is. Poor Mac, his time soon come!
Cracker Mac?
With no offence intended to 09:04 we have all for years requested Mr. Bush to disclose, explain or elaborate on an issue as a paid by the people representative. Never has anything been disclosed or explained. This is politrics 101, spin, dodge, create smoke, don't answer instead ask a question. It never ends. Thank goodness for the petition for one man one vote. The constant requests from existing elected members to tell us what is happening with the countries money has proven to be fruitless.
Sign the petition, elect individuals that will bring Cayman back to what she should be.
Lachlan MacTavish
lol… you folks are unbelievable! McKeeva has already explained and brought forth his information. If they had the evidence do you think the case would still be pending???
The easiest to fool are………the fools. Explains a lot here.
Really? When did this happen? I hope you are not referring to calling that letter a "real estate bill" as bringing forth information or providing an explanation. Only a complete idiot would think that that was an adequate explanation. Some of the questions are: what services did you provide other than ensuring that rezoning was approved? We know that you were not the real estate agent on the sale and we know that the sale had been completed many months earlier. Where is the contract for the provision of such services? Why does this not resemble any other real estate bill including those issued by McKeeva's companies? Were you paid the $350,000 and if not why did you not sue for it (and we know how much you like to sue)?
XXXXX
If they had no evidence why would the case still be pending? It would be closed. Just remember that it took 2+ years of investigation to bring charges against politicians in TCI.
Complete foolishness here by Bush again!
Disputing a utilility bill with a Private Co. is in NO way corruption. XXXX Amongst other very questionable moves (Cohen Deal, GLF Dismissal) just to name a few recent deals that he personally should be held responsible for.
And if Bush was even remotely genuinely concerned about Corruption then why NOW is he "re-acting" (tit for tat). And why has he not provided for proper resourcing of the Office of the Anti-Corruption Commission?…but has instead railed against any and everything to do with following processes and Good Governance?
The arrogance and incompetence of Bush is just embarrassing!
With due respect to Abraham Lincoln, perhaps an altered line taken from his Gettsyburg Address might apply here:
The world will little note nor long remember what the Premier says here but it can never forget what he did here.
Kiss mi neck back – pot a cuss kettle!
In this case I would say pot is desperately trying to shift focus, and making an ever bigger a_ _ of himself in the process.
What about the public purse paying for an MLA's helper, cook, driver, Christmas lighting, fencing, residence security guards, security alarm system with lighting? Also, what about MLAs (more than one) taking gifts of free airline trips for a Christmas vacation in Bahamas on a plane owned by a bidder on a pending contract for govt financing? Also what about a MLA who champion private developments, then receive a condo at little to no cost in the development?
A desperate move by an extremely desperate MLA who is falling from grace at an exponential rate. You will see more desperate acts to come in the next months as he scrapes and claws at the walls and at cronies who owe him favours for the deeds he has done for their gain. The favours being called in will have a knock-on effect to the rest of us when his supporters come "bearing gifts" that seem too good to be true.
As the lady on the radio used to say: "Da wha ya get!"
Bwoy, Mac is sure gettig desperate!!
Frankly, I am tired of these political party personal wars that are taking place in the Cayman Islands today.
We have far greater issues to consider than some schoolyard "he did it too" bullcrap.
It seriously feels as if the personal cross-bickering is priority number one for the majority of our elected 'officials', and none of that will contribute in any way to the improvement of the average quality of life in this country – for today or tomorrow.
The outcome of Politician A's beef with Politician B will benefit my children and grandchildren in no way whatsoever. At best all we seem to be ensuring them at the moment is a neverending and detailed transcript of "who didn't like who".
We are living though serious times at the moment. This is not a game folks – this is real life.
Get on with the job or get the eff' out!
I was at the meeting last night and it was embarrassing to say the least. The UDP members performed a comedy show that was without question the personification of what the UDP stands for. Jon Jon was transformed into a singing and dancing clown who was obviously on the platform for his entertainment factor.
Ellio in true Ellio style spent his time blasting Alden and the PPM snickering and throwing slurs at the protesters and mocking Bodden towners. He displayed no sense of respect for the people of Bodden Town and in his attempt to imitate the Premier came across as the usual obnoxious, hard headed, ignorant, no class, no talent riff raff they all seems to aspire to be these days. ellio do you realize that you were mocking and throwing personal insults to Bodden Town residents,and whether you like it or not you do represent them as well. Why mock someone for standing up for their beliefs? You should have been a statesman and acknowledged them and got on with your job as a Public Servant. You need to try and humble your damn self and stop jumping up and down like an ass, you scare no one!.
The Premier (supported by his usual throng ofWest Bay residents) was in true form and spent over an hour following Ellios lead, everyone knows what he delivers these days, the usual sob story about growing up poor, having nothing, not going to school and making personal remarks about people including his own cousin. Change that tune Mac we get it! You envy anyone who has a better childhood that you, but we don’t all have to compensate you for it. Stop looking pity with that sad story, because at this moment we know you have a whole lot more than the rest of us, we only hope you got it the right way.
Mark ……what can I say ? Mark you have ruined yourself politically, I hope it was worth it buddy. But you need to stop glaring and poking fun at the people who elected you.
The UDP song and Dance show is now on the road. this bunch of class less, ignorant, incompetent clowns are parading around in their green ties, trying to coax people to believe that they mean well and at the same time are ducking allegations of corruption, suspected payoffs, poor project management, poor negotiation skills, no financial management skills whatsoever. All they are qualified to do is throw out one-liners and make us laugh, not at the joke but at the joker!
I sincerely hope that the rest of the voting public are as disgusted with this group as I am, I was raised to show people respect even if you differ in opinion, and what I saw last night was sickening, show some class guys, straighten up your act, tell the country how you plan to help the poor, how you plan to fix the economy, stop blaming the PPM for your poor financial management, you have had almost 3 yrs that excuse has expired! And for God sake try to have a meeting that does not appeal ignorant, self serving UDP supporters and addresses the concerns of the entire country.
Mrs Julie! I expect better. You say you are a Christian, yet you sit smiling on a platform with people who display no Christian values and principles whatsoever!
Sincerely,
Disgusted
Must be a UDP supporter that gave you the thumbs down.
well said bravo !
Congratulations, Disgusted, that says it all very nicely. These people are a disgrace to this country.
Sir,
No one could have said it better!!!! the UDP have clearly shown what a complete bunch of ignorant bunch they are!!!!!
As far as I am concerned Mike Adams,Rolston Anglin, and for God sake Mark Scotland Get away from them before you are all classified as Ignorant souls.
We tell our children you are known by the company you keep! Well sad but true the same applies here.
I really don't know what to say . . . except . . . . I can't –
As funny as this is, he has a point. There is a culture of enrichment on both benches. Cayman needs a new party with fresh blood. Anyone with a pulse and high school diploma care to apply?
Can you point to one PPM member who has become "enriched" from public office? Do you know any who owns (or used to own) condos at the Ritz Carlton? Please. There is no comparison whatsoever.
11:32 Not at the Ritz Carlton, but if you want you can check out those at Rumpoint. Hahahah what you dont know wont kill you. Lol Nuff said. You do not know a darn thing.
Not nearly "nuff said". If you have got information (as opposed to innuendo) should it out loud.
You should realise that I am talking about gain which cannot be accounted for by known sources of income.
07:41 I say Ouch, ouch, ouch, Go Rumpoint, Ouch, ouch, ouch, Do a check mate on the condos registration up there, Ouch, ouch, ouch. Nuff said is correct.
i.e. you have no real information that would suggest corruption.
Can some decent, ethical, educated, Caymanians please step up to the political plate? Don't you care about your children?
We are too busy with real jobs trying to make an honest living and don't want to get involved with the cesspit that Cayman politics has become.
Too busy to secure your childrens' futures? You would make the perfect politician. Already coming up with excueses why the proper thing can't be done. Just stop and think about what you are saying.
Is this a trick question?
Nice title.
Now I have heard it all. Obviously if there was any substance to this allegation of corruption it would not have taken 3 years for Mac to bring it up. This is grasping at straws to deflect attention from his own corruption investigation and because that Arden is giving him too much heat so he wants to throw some mud in the hope that some of it will stick in people's minds.
I know for a fact that a number of present and former PPM members have outstanding library fines. Not only that, but there are a number of books which have been (allegedly) lost! This has been going on for years, and this scourge against intellectual property must stop! Compare these heinous anti-social acts to UDP library abuse, and the record is clear: there is no record of any UDPever having used the library, and it is patently clear that most of the sitting members have never even come in contact with a book!
LOL, I needed this morning laugh, thank you for the memories cowboy…..
Here is the Caymanian representative to the world telling everyone what Caymanians are all about. Thanks for the warning!
Does anyone else remember that Mac at one time owed Cayman Airways thousands of dollars during one of his previous stints in government?
If Mac think not paying bills is corruption, then he must step down.
Come on man, he was disputing the airfare with them and refused to pay at the time.
At the time? He refused to pay until after Chuckie was Minister and insisted that he pay.
… which he has defined as corruption.
Yup. And if I recall correctly I believe he was in charge of Cayman Airways at the time also.
More smoke and mirrors, paid for by us. I bet we paid to advertise this event on the grounds that it was going to be about the dump relocation. It is really an election campaign meeting and should be paid for by the UDP. Now, that's corruption!
As this election heats up and the Prime Ear gets more and more desparate, he is going to throw all the mud on these islands in every possible direction hoping that with so much mud in the air the people will not notice that he is one with the most mud on him.
Mackeeewa….please go away
No Ole Hart, Boss Hogg Mackeewa and his powa, is here ta stay,
forever, and ever, forever and ewa….and if he die, he goin straight to heven and he ga dump God outta dat trone too cuz he say Jezus carrupted too!
What a mess Cayman is in. This is the kind of lunatic we have voting in McKeeva in and therefore running our country, Cayman. What more reason can you possibly have to sign that one man one vote petition. CAYMAN AND IT'S PEOPLE ARE BEING DESTROYED BY A BUNCH OF LUNATICS, CAYMAN.
Hilarious. He sees no irony at all in accusing Arden of not paying his electricity bill as part of a protest when Ardene was the Minister responsible, but nothing wrong with not paying his own electricity bill but instead using his political power to force the poor people of this country to pay it for him. Is he deluded or just has no shame whatsoever.
How about the irony of the people who are crying the loudest are the ones who gave him the job title in the first place. And let him keep it.
The few people who continue to support Mac think that irony is something their helper does with an iron and an irony board.
"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."
LOL and therefore all stones should be set down!
They all dirty which is why part politics has no place in our society.
So then if a protest against high utility fees is corruption and accepting bribes from developers isn't, does that mean that there really is no gravity after all?
The Premier is attempting to deflect the heat.As the article said it was all political rhetoric during his 2 hour speech.Why won't he talk about the so called projects he has with Dart?Why is he so evasive?Why does he care more about Dart than Cayman itself?If he wants Arcen probed why doesn't he open up his own dealings for the public to see?I always thought the leader of a country was to put the country first,guess Bush never got that memo.Too many questions NO answers.
Christian Bush, tell the world the tale of the Memo that was faxed to Stan Thomas demanding $350,000. Strange happenings that cannot be explained. Our people ought to be able to read between the lines of your rhetoric, and deflection. Arden made Elio look like a dog wagging his tale with his questioning on the Hurrincane Donation for East End. What next for the UDP.
One thing that is obvious, they are an incapable group of people, who has not to date got one half-way project off the ground since election in 2009. Collecting a hefty pay every month and doing nothing. Get some of those projects of the ground and stop speaking from the corner of your mouths.
Big Mac knows all about not paying his bills… he lets us do it for him! I suppose there is a silver lining here however… if we start going for the minor infractions like not paying a bill then we can build towards the big fish XXXX who have been perpetrating the biggest swindles for the longest time! Time to clean house all round I say…
If our situation was not so sad I would be rolling on the ground laughing. Come,come, Mr. Bush you are looking desperate.
If Mckeewa was serious about fighting corruption all he has to do is pass tough new anti-corruption laws and provide resources to allow the tough new laws to be properly enforced. Somehow I just don't see that happening until hell has been frozen over for a few centuries.
Mac seems to be confusing grasping at straws with putting on armour. But then again he seems confused about just about everything.
I am going to go way out on a limb and suggest that at least on one planet a dispute with a utility over a power bill is not the same as demanding/receiving huge payments from developers for “favours”.
True, and I imagine the bill was paid by Arden in order to not have his electricity cut off, if it ever happened.