Mac’s admission ‘astounding’
(CNS): The opposition leader said he was astounded that the premier still feels he has done nothing wrong despite admitting to requesting an illegal shipment of explosives be released. Alden McLaughlin said the letter that Premier McKeeva Bush sent to customs asking for the dynamite to be freed when it had been seized by officials was simply unlawful and an abuse of office. He said the law was strict for a reason because dynamite is a dangerous substance. Ezzard Miller added that Bush’s comment that he was trying to help a friend was extremely troubling as no minister has that kind of authority.
Both men said that if Bush received a request for assistance he should have looked into the matter and checked the legal implications with the relevant government officials, or asked his chief officer to find out what was happening. But, they said, he was not in a legal position to request that civil servants by-pass the law, something which the premier should be well-aware.
“It was not lawful for him to issue an instruction or request to the collector of customs to release the explosives,” McLaughlin said.
In Wednesday’s edition of the Caymanian Compass, Alan Markoff writes that the paper is in receipt of various pieces of correspondence between the importer of the dynamite, the premier and customs.
Although the paper has elected not to post these documents on its website, Markoff claims to have a copy of the letter Bush wrote to Collector of Customs Colin Powery on 7 March. In that correspondence the premier allegedly instructed the release of the 32 tonnes of dynamite, despite the fact that it was illegally imported.
Bush wrote: “By way of this memorandum, I request that the blasting materials for Midland Acres, which are currently held by HM Customs, be released,” and he went on to ask for his request to be expedited “as the company is desperately in need of the materials to proceed with their on-going projects.”
Last week while appearing on Cayman27’s talk show, "The Panel", Bush implied that all he had done was try to help a friend when he requested the release.
The company involved in the importation of the illegal shipment is Midland Acres and, according to the Compass report, the director who wrote to the premier requesting his assistance was Suresh Prasad, who admitted some “oversights” as far as paperwork was concerned. Asking for Bush’s help, Prasad said a "large investment of funds” had been made in the explosives which were now tied up.
McLaughlin told CNS that he was concerned about the involvement of Prasad as his name had been linked to the premier in the past in matters regarding the potential misuse and waste of public money.
According to the former auditor general’s report on the financing of Boatswain Beach- Turtle Farm, Prasad was involved in brokering a financing package for the project. He, along with others, received considerable sums from government coffers in fees for assisting with the financing for the project, despite the fact that the deals never materialized.
The dynamite was reportedly destined for use in quarrying in order to supply fill for a major local project. CNS has contacted the Dart Group asking if the developer has any agreements to purchase fill from Midland Acres.
Category: Politics
The Cayman Islands government is paying all kinds of money for the US government to prosecute the individuals allegedly involved in the shipment of firearms to the islands from Miami, lets see whether the case of explosives shipped to the island is given the same attention and the individuals involved are investigated, charged and prosecuted also.
Mckeeva Mckeeva Mckeeva
tsk tsk tsk
shame
it must be Amateur Nite at the Apollo with this story…WTF are you thinking man??
#premierfail
I have commented generally on this before, but I return to what seems a very important secondary issue, acknowledged by at least one other commentator – HOW DID THIS CONTAINER GET ON TO A SHIP IN MIAMI WHEN, FROM ALL INDICATIONS, THE SHIPPING DOCUMENTS DID NOT MEET INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REQUIREMENTS.. As somebody else has suggested, perhaps the authorities in the US may want to investigate this “event”. In the current climate of possible terrorist activity, it is hard to believe that they would not be concerned about the shipment of tons of explosives, by an American supplier, without proper documentation. I would be very interested to see how they viewed a shipping company operating in and out of the US which might be sidestepping annoying “bureaucratic paperwork”.
"From all indications"???? What indications are you talking about? From all indications I have read, at least what it said in the Compass, there was nothing wrong with the shipment and in fact they were approved by the safety officers of the Cargo Line and Cayman Airways. The explosives came from a legitimate source. However, they receipient failed to get NRA approval in Cayman. That is all. Do you have different evidence? If so, please post it!
McKeeva remember it’s usually not the crime that gets you in the most trouble, the real trouble comes from the botched cover up. Come clean brother!
In that correspondence the premier allegedly instructed the release of the 32 tonnes of dynamite, despite the fact that it was illegally imported.
The Oaklahoma City Bombing was committed with 9,000 lbs of explosives.
McKeeva had no business ordering the release of explosives to any person "friend" or not.
The "irregularities" missed by your developer buddy would mean he is NOT authorised or licensed – meaning they do not meet the current criteria for an explosives license.
This means they are not allowed to have it. End of matter. You cannot release explosives to this person, sir. That is highly irresponsible. People could get hurt, sir.
It is extremely simple. Yet your repeated denialthat you did nothing wrong worries me greatly. And I am afraid I have to expect more of a politician, MLA, Cabinet Minister and certainly the Office of the Premier to my beloved Cayman Islands.
So, if you cannot acknowledge the simple truth of this point and accept your wrong here, when a child like my 4 year old nephew would understand, I am afraid you are going to have to go.
The Premier position is the highest political office of the country: we cannot have someone that simple in that job, sir.
McKeeva does NOT have the right to put mine or my children's lives in danger "to help out a friend."
Why can' the people of this country even when presented with the facts understand them? He did not instruct the release of the materials he requested it. There is a bid difference between an instruction and a request. Get it?
He is the Premier.
He is also Minister of Finance.
The Collector of Customs -who received the letter- reports to The Minister of Finance (aka Premier). The Premier / Minister of Finance is his direct boss.
The Collector of Customs cannot ignore the letter, so it is an order, not a request.
You do not "request" anything from your subordinates, except obedience with what the hell I just asked you to do…. BOOM (haha no pun intended!)
I wish I didn't have to read all the negativity I do when I log on to read the daily news. It is annoying and childish. And I really do not see how this benefits the opposition party and or the negative posters, who assumingly are in support of the opposition.
In regards to the importation of the explosives and Mr. Bush's assistance in trying to get it cleared through the Cayman Islands Customs department, does not warrant such disgusting words and slandering.
I work in the shipping industry and have had an experience where a shipment for a client arrived without the relevant importation permit. Yes, Customs did hold it until proper importation license were submitted. But it did not mean that the shipment was illegal as the item(s) imported were not banned from being imported into the Cayman Islands. And as far as I can see, the shipment of explosives were not illegal as the shipment could have cleared customs if the Importer had all the necessary permits. In this case it didn't and perhaps the process for acquiring a permit would have taken very long; adversely affecting work in progress that are perhaps feeding our Caymanians (both UDP and PPM) by putting money in the pockets of the parties involved in a legal way.
Now, with all the adverse factors weighing against the importer, he called out for help, knowing that our Premier is one that looks out for the people of this Island, both corporations and individuals. I will take it that Mr. Bush looked at the fact that Midland Acres was a ligitimate company that uses explosives to do its work and henceforth made an attempt to help the company clear its shipment so work could continue to benefit both the corporate enties and individuals involved. We have suffered so hard with unemployment and it seems that all the negative posters have forgotten about this.
I do not see Mr. Bush's action as aiding in any illegal activity but more of an action to help our people build ourselves. To rise from the ground that the global recession coupled with PPM's spending and bad governing FLUNG us to.
Being that you work in the “shipping industry” you are well aware that the shipping of explosives are a Hazmat commodity which requires strict attention to detail and proper paperwork for the importation and exportation of said commodities. Having proper documentation in every domestic/international shipment of explosives are paramount to protect the individuals residing within the consignees & shippers boarders. This instance of preferential treatment relating to the consignee is further clouded with the well documented objections on the part of the inhabitants of Bodden Town/Breakers/Midland Acres and silence on the part of the current government to constant requests for a response related to the newly proposed waste management facility………but I’m sure you were aware of this prior to your assanine post claiming Bush is merely providing the people with an opportunity for a job while jeopardizing the safety of everyone on this carribean rock
My post is not assinine MR OR MS. CAYMAN FOO FOO FIST FIGHTER!!! But I must admit that the name is very fitting for you and the others who share your view. Because all you and the others seem to do is lash out on every possible positive move than is brought to the table to better this country. The dump has to go somewhere outside of the center our tourist attraction. Or should we move it to your backyard so you can fuel more trashy political thoughts/slandering? Cayman is very small and to be honest there is no real fitting place for it, but it has to relocated.
And what is even worse is that there are hardly, if any positive recommendations from you and the others of your view to make this island any better. We are so divided by politics and it will only destroy the country in the long run. I am never one to allow politics to cloud my judgement and never should anyone allow that. But unfortunately I cannot say the same for you and the majority of others who love to share their views on this site. For Me, When Mr, Bush is wrong, he is wrong!!
Your post has shown that your gripe towards this importation of the explosives goes beyond the illegallity of it; it however seems highly political.
You worry about the safety of the people on this island but yet you oppose Mr. Bush's move to expeditie the process of getting the explosives cleared through customs and brought to its correct location and used for the purpose for which it was imported ? Yes, I agree that the importer should have ensured that the all necessary documentations should have been completed before the explosives were shipped and offloaded onto the shores. The fact of the matter is that this was not the case and Mr. Bush only tried to assist in getting this process completed expediously.
I do not see why we are still stressing about this. It only shows how small minded and divided we are. The PPM Party is weak, no real leaders who are able to build meaningful oppositions and postitive recommendations to better our island. CAYMAN IS MCKEEVA BUSH STRONG. THUMBS DOWN TO YOU TOO!!!!!!!!!
Subsitute explosives for guns dynamite for AK47 and this takes a whole new meaning as guns kill people. Have you ever been near a large explosion? It takes your breath away and sits you down hard litterally if its not killed you by blowing you into tiny little chunks of meat. It is illegal to import explosives or firearms to cayman without the proper licence & permits. Although such items are not illegal to import when you do.
To order HMRC to release a shipment that has been shipped to the caymans with the proper permits (and therefore illegally) is a absuse of power. Whats more its aiding and abetting as the importer doesn't hold the required licence etc.
XXXXX
Wow,……….and the brainwash is complete.
Dear Mr. THE,
You DON'T have to read it! Just skip over it. No problem. Personally, I wish I hadn't read your comment. Such drivel!
You are not forced to read anything! You can just put your head in the sand like 60% of the others! Or you can be more selective and read the first couple of lines like I did your. Keep the change….
It is these types of political favours which got us in to this mess in the first place
whooopsie…..UDP damage control time…where are you Mr. Benz?
If you all think that this is the first time a politician … any politician from any party, group or district … has written a letter suggesting someone should do something … you all must have had tea down that rabbit hole with Alice in Wonderland. This isn't anything new and everyone here is playing make believe if they think different. politicans are all the same …
People speed on the roads daily without being caught. Does it mean that you should not charge the person who they catch? Basically its a stupid arguement.
When you break the law its not about those that got away its about the fact that your broke the law.
Has he broken the law or was he just doing his job as an MLA?
OT Minister Henry Bellingham is also a constituency MP in the UK, is an earlier poster suggesting that this should prevent him from representing the interests of local people?
There are some really dumb arguments emerging here that do rather suggest that the posters have no idea what they are talking about.
I agree about the dumb arguments of which yours is a prime example. It should be obvious even to the brain dead that ordering Customs to release explosives which were imported illegally without reference to the NRA is illegal. Would it have been OK if it was a container of firearms being imported without the necessary permit and ordered to be released? In no way shape or form could that be considered doing your job as an MLA. At least not in this universe. Why was the letter from Prasad to Bush written in the first place since Prasad said he had a scheduled meeting with MD of the NRA on the following Monday when he hoped to receive the necessary permit and resolve the issues? Bush's response to seek to bypass the NRA altogether and he almost succeeded showed what was expected.
Absolutely right.
MPs and local councillors do this all the time in the UK working on behalf of their constituents – that's what elected representatives are there for.
Get a grip on yourselves, this is becoming really childish.
You want the Cayman Islands to achieve Third-World status? Keep on like this and your wish will be granted,
Mac and his band of "foo-fools" are doing a fine job already.
Yes, elected representatives are there for that – not ministers. That's why just one more reason why we need more representatives, so that huge parts of the country don't get ignored depending on who's in Cabinet.
Are you suggesting that Cayman adopt the unethical practices of politicians in the UK.
It is only unethical if the elected representative asks for something to be done, using his or her postion to pressure or influence the required outcome, that is against law at woArst or against policy. It is not unethical to write on a constituent’s behalf to ask if anything can be done, or ask for some clarification of the situation.
That's true, but it seems clear that it was the former in this case. Inviting political interference in the decision making was the only reason to write to the Premier since Prasad said he already had a scheduled meeting with the MD of the NRA on the following Monday when he hoped the issues would be resolved. The Premier's memo confirmed that he understood that.
Well if that is correct, then shame on themand such behavior cannot possibly be condoned – big difference – they were not found out.
The fact that something has been going on for years does not make it right. Take for example, slavery.
There comes a time when we must speak out and say, "Enough. No more!"
What a dummy Anon 11:42. Even though I have my doubts about other politicians being so corrupt, if by chance other politicians have written letters of request in the past does it make it right? It is highly unlikely that other politicians have done it because you can be damn sure that whats-his-name MacChavez would have shouted that from the top of mount trashmore a long time ago. There certainly seems to be some sort of mental problem with those associated with the UDP, & a remark like this (Anon 11:42) proves it.
Anon 11;42
You are so right about this, can anyone come forward with other examples, to shut up these hypocrites.
Thanks to the Compass for exposing Miller and Arden, where they themselves razed out the British Governmnetback in 2009 and we havent been taken over, or discredited by them.
So why is it that these narrow minded Caymanians think that because Mac razzed them out, we will be taken over by them,even going as far as to say we are trailing behind T&C.
The time you all take to do your nasty bloggs, take a little time out, educate yourselves, go to British parliment and experience their bickering. see how rude they are to David Cameron.
Actually, having now read the information provided by Wood and the other aggregate owner, it seems that the one step missing in the process was the NRA application and approval. Here, the NRA should have facilitated this process rather than take the draconian action to punish the importer for failing to totally meet every step in the required bureaucracy. That is what Government agencies are also paid to do, assist business by educating and supporting an expedient process. Anyone who has owned and operated a business can testify that there are many instances where the import process is sometimes not done as required by law, in every instance I have had, Customs have assisted, rather, the NRA in this instance not only forced the importer to seek political assistance, but also acted against their Premier by refusing to assist and leaking to the opposition. XXXX
………… and you fail to see the difference between messing up the paper-work on a container-load of toilet paper and one of high explosives, I take it
To make it clear to the senseless out there, we are not talking about 32 tons of sugar, it is 32 tons of explosives (materials), which requires an license from the NRA. No request was made, nor does the importer hold a license as such. Was it a matter of scooping up a liquidation sale and in the haste to buy in at a special price, matter came before substance?
We are always quick to blame someone, when we only know a fraction of the facts. A small bullet could net a10 year sentence, how many years 32 tons of explosives could net?
6 month, according to the current Explosives Law.
This isn't about a television set Egbert.
This was 32 Tons of HIGH EXPLOSIVE that came in on a regular cargo ship and SAT on the Port with the potential to level a 3 mile radius because some jackass didn't bother to follow Protocol and Proceedure laid out in the LAW.
Thousands of persons (yes, Caymanians as well) live within this radius.
Also, tens of thousands of Cruise passengers & Tourists were unknowingly exposed to a potentially HIGHLY DANGEROUS scenario (many of which were US citizens I might add).
International Shipping Protocol also dictates that a Cruise Ship in NOT ALLOWED within 5 miles of this class of explosives.
Finally, many schools with hundreds of young students (including MY kids) lie within this Danger Zone.
This constitutes nothing short of Gross Negligence and Reckless Endangerment on the Part of the Importer, Shipping Company, Port Authority and Customs Department (the shipment should never be allowed to have landed without the relevant paperwork being filed first).
Frankly, prosecute him to the FULLEST EXTENT of the Law, and then change the Law to be much harder on future offenders.
No, it wasn't. The high explosives were of the binary type, which are inert until mixed. This is a politically motivated witch hunt and yet another foreign developer is caught up in the political ambitions of twits.
Again, another mis-informed person who doesn’t know what they’re talking about.
It doesn’t matter if it is a binary or tertiary explosive, it is a High Explosive none the less.
Furthermore, both ingredients were shipped in the same container (not seperately) which greatly increases the Risk of an accident.
Would u say that common fertiliser is an explosive? Yet it was the cause of one of the most devastating peacetime explosions in the US (Texas).
Most accidents are caused by a sequence of errors or negligence. This was a deliberate attempt to circumnavigate the Law that put MY FAMILY at risk.
Hang them high!
Dude, here's novel idea: Before you post about things of which you know not, Google it. It's very easy to do, you know. It's true you can't believe everything you read on the internet, but it's generally considered an accepted fact about what kind of explosive was used in the US bombing in Oklahoma City. And by the way, Oklahoma City is in Oklahoma, not Texas. Common fertilizer was used, yes, but common fertiliser isn't explosive – it has to be mixed with something – in that case, two substances. Ammonium nitrate is compustable on its own and should be stored properly, but it is not a high explosive. If it were, then farmers wouldn't use it to fertiiser their crops, now would they?
What I want to know is this: If customs and the NRA identified these substances were dangerous and combustable, why didn't THEY make sure it got stored properly instead of leaving it out in the hot sun for days? XXXXX
You mouse, the caps were shipped separately sah, check ya facts
You are right of course and many could have been killed and maimed and millions of dollars in damage not to mention the bad press butt……………………..Its Cayman and its the Caymanian premeir? fogetaboutit! Or you WILL GET YELLED AT!!!
You are an idiot.
NRA's job is not to facilitate business by expediting rubbish applications through the process.
NRA are the only persons in Cayman authorised and with the expertise to carefully manage explosives as a dangerous substance. Not every joker off the road can have explosives.
Kudos to NRA for intervening to ensure only people with proper license and authorisation get access to explosives.
So the NRA are the only ones in Cayman with the expertise to carfefully manage explosives. Really!???? You think the NRA has more expertise on explosives that the private sector companies doing the blasting? You do know that NRA stands for National Roads Authority and not the National Explosives Authority, right? I would bet that none of its employees has more than basic training in explosives,.and that is real role is just to make sure certain paperwork is in order. That's not saying the paperwork isn't important, but let's put things in persepctive here. Explosives experts they are not.
The NRA are authorised by law to regulate the importation and use of these explosives. Your claim that there is more expertise in the private sector to handle explosives is irrelevant.
Crazy!!!
"acted against their Premier by refusing to assist"
Let me see if I have this right. By insisting on following the Law and not caving into the desires of our seemingly maniacal Premier the NRA is wrong.
So the law does not apply to the Premier? Is that what I am hearing.
Well done NRA for looking out for the people of Cayman and respecting its laws.
Good for NRA standing up to the Premiere since the Collector of Customs didn't to have the b**** to do so.
Firstly, we pay for the Premiers salary and expect him to carry out & abide by the rules & laws of this country.
Secondly, we pay the salary for Collector of Customs, Mr. Carlon Powery and we expect him to carry out his duties and follow the rules & laws which he is hired and contracted to do. (not be a yes puppet).
Thirdly, we pay the salary for director of NRA Mr. Brian Tomlinson and we expect him to carry out his duties and follow the rules & laws which he is hired and contracted to do. Thankfully Mr. Tomlinson performed his duty as a Director and executed the right decision to be followed contrary to the Premiers way of doing business.
Atleast one of these very high salaried persons did the right thing.
Premiere & Collector of Customs we expect better of you.
Rubbish. He is also paid by the importer and obligated to provide assistance rather than seek to slow business down in Cayman. Have him fill out the necessary forms, make his payment and provide the approval.
Are you a moron?
HOW did the shipment even leave the United States if no Import Permit was issued by the NRA?
The Documents required by US Customs to allow the Export of Explosives INCLUDE a Valid Import License and Permit from the Destination Country.
There appears to be MANY levels of possible Fraud & / or Illegality involved here.
What does US Homeland Security have to say on this matter?
balls is not a bad or abusive word as far as I'm concerned!
I am sure there are several people importing guns and drugs that would like help getting through customs…..anyone in a position to help?
Has anyone asked who owns, or has a beneficial interest in, Midland Acres?
Would a truefriend ask a govt minister for help like this!
Yes, and the friend will call the people on charge and they will get in touch with the petitioner letting him know what to do… WITHOUT getting involved or bypassing the law or making “small town” ruling decissions
I asked the original question for a reason………….
One might ask a Politician who has a vested interest (say if he / she is a current or former Shareholder).
Or any of the companies involved
It's time we made this fool walk the plank!
True – Alden got to go.
Ego over Country! Step Aside McKeeva and let the Investigation takes it course. Think about Cayman's reputation in the Finacial World and think about our stability. Think!!!
Pretty astounding is an undertatement:
Your quoting a law that took effect in January 2010.
i can see this is above many of the posters on this site, but the law does not have effect for acts done prior to it being brought into effect.
Agree, but my post specifically was in reference to the dynamite issue.
There are plenty of common law offences that do not require a law to have been passed. Under common law the offence of public officials abusing their position is still a criminal offence, and the common law was in force before during and after the passage of the above law.
Should be "You're (you are). It's important as correct English affects the reader's perception of the worth of what is being said.
There is sooooo much red tape and beauracracy one has to go through in order to get a project started or work done that will benefit the country and economy. We have some foolish laws, and I wonder who put them in place. It is so bad that breaking the law will become necessary in order to expedite the work that needs to be done. I break the law and I don't care. I am not ashamed. If I see something that can be done for the best, I will do it! Does that mean I am a bad person? Does that mean I am going to hell? Maybe, I am bad to those who made the law and have to enforce it, but expediting matters does not make me into a worse or better person. I attend church regularly and I'm a very moral person. I know the difference between silly regulations and good ones.
You are saying it's "silly" to regulate DYNAMITE?
It wasn't dynamite, it was binary explosives – these comprise two inert compounds that only become an explosive when mixed.
The use of dynamite has pretty much been phased out because it is difficult to transport and store.
it wasnt dynamite, at last one sensible soull. All is not lost.
Oh, that's alright then. Just as long as the allegation of corruption only relates to things that don't go bang.
With all due respect, I don't think laws safeguarding Cayman and its people in regards to importation of dynamite are foolish, and I don't think a Premier who views himself as above the law and therefore considers himself able to continuously act ultra vires (look it up), is a healthy precedent to set for future Premiers of the Cayman Islands, as is his refusal to step down pending the outcome of the three criminal investigations against him (and who knows how many more to come).
Cayman star, there's obviously a lot of basic concepts confusing you here so let's just try to focus on one of your points: That you can choose which laws you want to break because you "know the difference between silly regulations and good ones".
Have you considered what would happen if everyone adopted that policy?
I believe I shouldn't have to pay the same customs duty as everyone else (silly regulation).
I believe I can drive home safely after 15 beers (silly regulation).
I believe it's not theft if I only take a few hundred dollars out of the company accounts (silly regulation).
I believe that I should be allowed to stab someone if I disagree with their views (silly regulation).
The result is called anarchy. Look it up in the library – if taking a book out doesn't involve too much red tape for you.
You mean there is obviously a lot of basic concepts confusing to you – not me. You believe there is to be regulation for every single thing. Let's look at your rundown: Have you considered what would happen if government should adopt more regulations and make more laws like sawdust?
Tighter regulations on customs duty = business lost for many companies. Why? The process will take too long and the cost will increase.
Tighter regulations on beers (lets call it the one man, one beer policy) = less tourist on the island. People should be able to have a considerable about of liquor to enjoy themselves.
And you bringing up the subjects of theft and stabbing somebody, is way off. You have laws for theft and laws for actual bodily harm. But I am talking about "silly regulations." I am talking about laws that have nothing to do with property and harming people. Your tighter regulation policy is called statism and kills progress! Look it up on the internet.
Cayman star, you need to lay off the crack, you are killing what very little brain cells you have floating around in your head.
Don't be naive.
There are two sets of laws in the Cayman Islands and there always have been.
Certain people can land at the airport and not pay a cent of import duty even though they have 4 pieces of luggage and three boxes, one marked "52" television". Others, with one bag and a carry on are hassled if they didn't claim the magazine and chewing gum they bought at the airport departure gate (I've seen this happen).
Some people have to go through very strict Planning and Building Control processes and pay lots of fees to do so. Others just build or rennovate what they want to without any process or fees and often with the knowledge of authoriteis.
Some people get parking tickets for parking on tyre over the line on the street w\\hen they're at a popular Friday night happy hour location. But when dozens of cars are half way in the street near a church on Sunday morning, no one is every ticketed.
Gambling is illegal, but raffles are everywhere.
There's a requirement to have dogs on leashes here, but no one is every ticketed for letting their dog run loose.
There's a law that employers have pay the pension and health insurace payments they deduct from their employers over to the licensed providers. This would be considered theft in most civilised countries. Here, dozens in not hundreds of employers routinely pocket this cash and give the justification that they can't afford to pay it to the providers. None of them has ever gone to prision and only a handful have been prosecuted in court.
Some people can park in a fire lane or in the middle of the street even and not face a parking ticket. Other people get parking tickets while ilegally parking in front of the Kirk House to pay another parking ticket.
Some people can walk off their job and go shopping for three hours in the afternoon, lying about their whereabouts. They're never held responsible, even though the public pays them.
Some people can physically assult other people but are beyond the law because of the prominent positions they hold.
Some people can be involved in real estate deals where foriegn investors get ripped off and they aren't criminally prosecuted for this while others are.
I could go on and on. In some ways, we already have anarchy, at least when it comes to certain people. In Cayman, the laws only apply to some people.
Did you forget to mention that it is Soooooooooo easy to start any project no matter how damaging to Cayman as long as you have a corrupt politician in your pocket?
What a shocking attitude. Can you imagine the mess this country would be in if everyone just ignored any laws they felt like ignoring that "got in the way" of their business. Why don't we ALL just ignore the law and do what we want? Sounds a lot like how the Premier thinks…and look where it got him. NO ONE is above the law, even if the law is an ass.
Mac is that you?
Some laws appear to have no purpose until you think out consequences. Eg no riding in the back of open trucks, that means that businesses must incur costs to transport workers in either more trips with same vehicle or more or different vehicles. Silly law cry some, we have moved people in trucks for years, no problems, you are stifling our business. BUT someone in the back of a truck is unprotected in a collision, and is very likely to be catapulted into the road in a collision, and suffer serious or fatal injuries….that is the reason for the law. Practices that have gone on for ever that are dangerous need regulation, to protect the vulnerable. The explosives law is not complicated, it is a simple straightforward piece of legislation. Get a permit to import, then transport, store and use safely when on Island. This Law protects us all from the many consequences of allowing unlicensed, possibly unsafe, explosives and unqualified use of same. Only the court can authorise the release of explosives already seized. I would suggest that any unlicensed materials or explosives without permit which arrive here need to be thoroughly checked out to make sure they are suitable and allowable for their proposed use before any release is contemplated. I would hazard a guess that Customs officials would need to seek outside expertise to assist this. Or do you suggest they should just take the word of the illegal importer?
10.25 You make things so complicated! Suresh Prasad had said he's "sorry" about the paperwork "oversight" and Mac was just "helping out" a fry, I mean a friend. Are you seriously suggesting that's not enough? His hands are clean and his heart is pure, now run along and do something useful, like writing out 100 times, "I must believe everything Mac tells me."
OVERSIGHT….?… Give me a break.
I never attend church and I'm a very moral person, what has church got to do with it?
Cayman star, my hats off to ya. My buddy pal, we have too much conformist amongst the lot. No one with up-an-go and vision. Can clearly see why the fco is happy to see so much laws put into place: to thwart caymanian progress of course
I think driving at 25mph is a silly regulation when there are no other cars or people around, so, using your logic I should drive at the speed I think is safe?
Try and buy even one single stick of Dynamite in any other country without the Proper permit, and tell me where you wake up the next day.
Sorry Cayman Start but I've got to disagree with you there, laws have been crafted by much smarter people than you or I and you've got to follow them, everybodies personal limits and moral compass are different to others hence the benchmark set by law. If you don't understand the reasons for the law then that's your problem and not ours, if the laws are genuinely wrong then you petition for change, you don't ignore them. We've moved on from the lawless 70's and I suggest, for your own sake, that you try and join the rest of us.
You say you are a very moral person and yet you say you break the law and you don't care, the only laws that would qualify you as moral and justified are ones that would perhaps endanger someone's life or discriminate against, the one's you appear to referring to are perhaps ones that stop you doing what you damn well please and only make things easier for you. If I'm wrong kindly provide examples, and if they are an ass I will join you in petioning a change.
To be great you must lead, by ignoring issues and breaking the law you are no more than a common criminal.
What qualification, or authority, empowers you to be an arbiter of what constitutes silly or sensible laws.
Did you hear of big sin, little sin, same sin. You say you go to church but did you know that the devil goes to church also. Now, what is you point?!!