Lest you forget
As I begin this article, an old joke comes to mind: A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field. While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some steaming hot dung on him. As the frozen bird lay there covered in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was. The dung was thawing him out! He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy.
A passing cat heard the singing bird and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.
There are 3 morals to the story:
(1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy.
(2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend.
(3) And when you're throat-deep in shit, it is best to keep your mouth shut!
The Nuremberg and subsequent lesser-known war trials held by the Allied Forces after the end of World War II were organized to punish the remaining surviving members of the Nazi leadership. The idea that Hitler did not operate in a vacuum, that he did not act alone, but was in fact willingly supported by millions of his people was widely accepted by the world. It did not matter whether Hitler controlled the most prominent members of his regime through fear, intimidation, or charm; the point was irrelevant.
Members of his regime were not mere spectators, as many tried to argue later, but willing participants. All were directly and indirectly implicit in many of Hitler's crimes. Even today, men across the world are still being hunted for being participants in the horrors of the Second World War. Among these are what one could argue low-ranking individuals who played minor roles — regardless of their rank, and rightly so, they are still being held accountable.
For the four years that McKeeva Bush was premier of the Cayman Islands, and the leader of government, he also did not act alone. Among his most ardent supporters were the UDP 5. They, along with McKeeva's remaining motley UDP crew, provided Bush with the power base that allowed him to maintain control. McKeeva could have been a simple footnote in history had they withdrawn their support four years ago, once they realized that he did not follow commonly-accepted procedures. But, out of self-interest, they explicitly and tacitly allowed McKeeva to act with impunity and do as he pleased.
As many have correctly argued across various CNS forums, the little reform that the UDP 5 have recently demonstrated is far too little and far too late. The UDP 5 are not the martyrs that they now want the world to believe they are. The fact that they jumped ship last minute and thus somehow saved the country is absurd. It was pure self-interest at its best once again. Beside, had they not ousted the premier, events certainly would have. The only certainty in this matter is that the premier was going to go down, one way or another. Though McKeeva may have some miracles left in his bag of tricks, none were available fast enough to help him having to give up his coveted throne.
It is a shame to see how quickly some people fail to understand and remember. The five former UDP martyrs are not martyrs at all — they were willing conspirators in McKeeva Bush' failed regime. To try to somehow argue that they jumped ship out of love for country is laughable and comical. Not only did they not repent for their past sins, they haven't even bothered to provide the slightest explanation to the public for their blind support of McKeeva for so many years.
Perhaps it's out of hubris — that they're somehow above having to explain anything to the public; perhaps it's out of sense of shame … I doubt either is true. My belief is that they have no explanation; that they're guilty as charged. Unlike McKeeva though, the UDP 5 have learned that when you're throat-deep in shit, it is best to keep your mouth shut.
Category: Viewpoint
Good article but I think we should give the FAB 5 a teeny-weeny chance to see how they handle the next few months…
It is time for Mac to accept the truth and take down the "Premiers Residence" Sign form his West Bay compound.
I don't believe in carrying any Vendetta… all I have to say is that the Governor was going to suspend the constitution and enforce British rule. The 5 Ex UDP members negotiated the removal of Mac to save the country from that. Suspending the constitution and enforcing British rule would have caused an absolute collapse of the banking industry.
All I have to say is like the Governor, I congratulate Julie, Rolston, Cline, Mark, and Dwayne, and give them my support. They looked forwarded and thought about what was in our best interest, so I think we should give them a break from the past. They removed an arrogant man from power… what more do you want????!!!
It seems you have forgotten already. The UDP 5 sat on Mac's coat tails while he carried on in his arrogant and potentially criminal way. They helped destroy our economy by wasting incomprehensible sums on shoring up their voter base and on their own comfort and ease. They sat around and talked about grand projects- Shetty, the cruise terminal, the dump- none of which have materialised. They failed to implement any reduction in spending or waste or to introduce accountability. The new premier's ministry was one of the worst at providing financial records. And then when push came to shove they acted purely in their own self interest, to keep their jobs and abandon the UDP ship before it sank.
They have proven conclusively that they have nothing whatsoever to offer the country other than huge expense claims.
If you ask me, the UDP 5 and McKeeva should be issued shovels and told to move the dump by themselves.
Some of us are guiltily, yet satisfactorily, experiencing a certain sense of shadenfreude.
It's not really shadenfreude if you feel guilty. You're supposed to be full of evil glee!
what do we expect.??… we have a largely poorly educated electorate voting in largely uneducated politicians…
Or could our electorate be "gullible and greedy"?
great viewpoint but does anybody have confidence in the caymanian electorate to do the right thing????? …i.e the fools who voted these muppets in??
We really don't have a great choice, do we………
The FAB 5 = New PPM
Never happen, I assume you are referring to the UDP 5.
It will be interesting to see how many of the "former" UDP try to use the "Nuremburg Defence".
I couldn't agree more. We must not forget that these 5 represent an administration that brought the country into disrepute and nearly destroyed our economy through greed and incompetence.
They are still sitting in the LA with their salaries, perks and pensions when they should be in the dock alongside McKeeva!
LoL you obviously do not understand how politics in our country works and the significance of the agreement signed by the ppm
V is for Va-jaja! Least you forget. 😉
Very well written and presented. I wish the bird had made it though. But cat’s got ya suppa as some say.
Rock on and have a Merry everything all.
I love V!!! All year long!!!
"V" is for Vendetta, you are so right,"K" is for Karma. Love your Vendetta, now here are those on Karma http://tcweeklynews.com/boyce-blasts-dictator-premiers-behaviour-p1110-1.htm, http://www.tcinewsnow.com/documents/order_07-11-2012.pdf
This is a well thought-out viewpoint. What are the chances that these five will be re-elected? Who do you think has the best chance of being re-elected – would that be Juliana? I doubt Mark and Jon Jon have a chance, neither Anglin or Glidden… Anyone care to venture some guesses?
I agree this is an excellent viewpoint. The chances of the the UDP 5 (FAB 5) being re-elected is possible given the human condition anything is possible. For the sake of the UDP 5 now that the mess has hit the fan I hope they are clean. It would hate to see the same thing that happened in TCI happen here. I did some research on the internet over the weekend and was very surprised to see that the government of which Michael Misick was a part (PNP) did asked for his resignation before he was officially charged and he resigned (given the circumstances ousted). Majority of those same members were arrested and are being charged with various offenses. The very member of the party that seem to have asked for his resignation on many occasions and led the charge for him to resign will have to appear in court sometime in March before Judge Ramsey-Hale for corruption charges. The various angles of this are just too similar to what has happened in Turks and Caicos, it really bothers me when I read the many articles online and see the similarities with what is happening here and what happened in TCI because of incompetence and greed.
These are the five of the last Gladiators, but wait for the amour to shine in May 2013 – not too many of them will regain their seats. B.T. is opressed and suprised at their two representatives that their chances are slim in the Elections, not sure of the other districts, but they have a choice to see their wrongs righted, and Hello!! if they don't they are back in the same Gladiator ring.
I feel bad for the little migrating bird. that was so sad.
The Ju Judas 5 are Ke Ke Capitalist Power Hungry Pirates willing to do or say anything to remain in power… Lets see what they do in the next 5 months…my bet is nothing positive for Cayman and XXXX "favours" for people that they can come back to collect on in the future… Apple don't fall far from the tree…
Not one of the now FAB 5 is coming to the hands with clean hands and the voters will certainly remember that and send them and their former team mates a clear and resounding message. Just wait until May 2012, when the people will have its way because we have watched while the government had its say. To him who much is given, much is expected. I am very hurt to see the news on the internet about our beloved islands going thru the arrest of the leader of the country and him being outsted. This does not look good on the country and we the voting public of the Cayman Islands will hold every member of the house responsible for letting this fiasco get out of control. I remember other members asking the party to advise the leader to step aside at the first investigation when this would be less of an issue for the country and themsleves. Enjoy your short time in office FAB 5, every step you take, every move you make we'll be watching you!
These 5 individuals deserve nothing but scorn,
IF they had no confidence in Mac – why wait 3.5 years?
They say by for years knowing he was under investigation and did nothing to remove him.
Mac got what he deserved for trusting Rollie and CG – those two are tricky, very tricky.
Mark and Dwayne
Are the posters children of failure – they have done nothing for BT except bring a dump.
Now the PPM is supporting them.
Sounds like we need some C4 out in BT.
Anon you are spouting pure C4 propaganda
The PPM are NOT supporting Mark and John John!
Obviously you are a C$C supporter, blind to the fact that, for a short while, all the MLA's have to work together and are willing to do so.
Why can’t ppm bloggers just focus on the ppm instead of the usual c4c bashing?
Turn about is fair play.
Anon 0708 I do understand what the PPM is trying to do. It adds a bit of stability to Government so we dont have to have an early election. To the outside world we look stable with no problems.
However this is not just about the meetings held in the Assembly. These politicians are now thw leaders of ministries in Government and have a degree of say beyond the larger assembly meetings. Plus they hold all the ministerial positions and so have total say in finance committee.
Excellent!
Now ask Alden what the deal is that he has struck with Mark Scotland in BT.
I have a feeling PPM will be throwing some votes.
There is no deal in BT with Mr Scotland. He is a one and done for BT. John John the same way. Their lack of caring for what the BT people want has made them enemies of the state.
I believe Alden made things clear that they were not getting in bed with the Fab 5. We see them for what they really are trust me. They are rats jumping from a sinking ship. It would have been much wiser of them to have jumped a long time ago and claim they did not know this man was doing the things he was doing or would do. That way MAYBE we would have thought them to be stronger than they were.
Much less they approved on the Tax to spend plans. They are the reason why so many of us are loosing our job and it's only the stupid WBers and some GTers who is not seeing this.
In BT we know how to deal with people who do not look after our interest, just ask UDPs former team of Roy and Gilbert when they forsaked us during Ivan. We showed them the door. When PPM placed our finanes in turmoil they too got the door. Now UDP with their DUMP on BT plan will get whats coming to them. BT voters are not like WB voters who put in the same idiots year in year out no matter what they do to us.
The Fab 5 cannot have a session in the LA without the PPM supporting them.
How can you then say that the PPM is not supporting them,
The PPM / Ezzard / and UDP4 need to not allow them to have a quorum – and let the LA end without any further business in March.
Trust me these Judas 5 have nothing to offer,
There is a huge difference between "support" and working together to have a quorum on essentil issues to keep the country running. The UDP5 know that none of the crap they got away with before will pass before May. They now have to agree everything with all of the Opposition, including Ezzard and Arden.
Ok – so the PPM allows them to continue to operate – but doesn't support them!
Foolishness.
That's like saying – the PPM knows they can't run the country, but are allowing them to run it.
No, it isn't. It is actually what a lot of people say they want – no one party dominating and each acting as an effective check on the other.
Hell will freeze over before Alden or any of the PPM will work with Mark Scotland. No one wants to share collective responsibility with someone who refused to act to remove Mac until it was almost too late.
How can you say that when the ppm have a written agreement to prop up a minority government of the UDP5 which has Minister Mark Scotland in it? Pleas stop defending actions taken by the ppm if you don’t understand the ramifications of the agreement
Agree completely!
But (and reflect a bit before you respond):
PPM needs to tell its candidates in BT the deal that was struck with Mark Scotland so as to get him (and his shadow) to go along with this deal, which will see them running against a full slate of PPM candidates and UDP candidates in BT – except now with 5 months of PPM support for all his actions
To: Submitted by Anon (not verified) on Mon, 12/24/2012 – 08:58. You seem to have misunderstood the agreement between PPM and the Julie Alliance,or you are deliberately twisting the truth when you say that Mark will have "5 months of PPM support for all his actions".The deal is that PPM will make sure that enough of its members show up to enable the house to have a quorum,ie the minimum required to pass a law.PPM also agreed to deal with each piece of legislation on a case by case basis which means that not all legislation passed by the Alliance in Cabinet will be agreed to by PPM and the Independents..Please note nowhere does it say, support for all legislation or all his (Mark's) actions.
Ok – well put on your pads for when you see the legislation that will be passed.
lol… how I know we were going to have an Opposition article about the Post UDP 5. I could smell the spinning wheel churning, ready to usher in the New Years. Truely I haven't forgotten what McKeeva did and the 5 that watched as he spoke and behaved carelessly. But I believe people are fed up with the negative postings and articles repeating themselves over and over again. Nobody I don't believe want to ponder on these things during Christmas. Most everyone I speak to say , "at least give them a chance and lets see what happens before tearing them down." To me that sounds alot of sense. The UDP 5 went up against their own party. To go against your own party is not an easy thing. It has to take courage in order to go up against your own party, knowing that no one from both sides will like you! It is political suicide for the country's interest…. and they chose to make that sacrifice of themselves. They already know that is the end of their careers in politics. Note: There is only one PPM member that left his party close to these 5 and that is Arden Mclean to be an Independent, but you have 5 UDP members that have left – give them a break! that is a big move! This Post UDP 5 government is deemed by the Governor as functional and fit for governance – all the Opposition members I have noticed did not object to the Governor's decision and his announcement of congratulating Julianna as the Woman Premier. Question: what should we be doing now? On the brink of Christmas Eve, should we start posting criticisms and tearing down this new government? On Christmas?? Oh My Goodness! I think everybody doesn't need to be reminded of what they did or didn't do! Rather we should "ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." instead. We should ask and seek what you can do to support the new government and the Premier… Troll, doesn't that make any sense to you? We have a new Premier, let us be thankful for the New Years that Bush is no more the Premier and now it is a woman! Are you going to say she is corrupt too and have the same intentions like McKeeva??? We need to stop the election campaigning for crying out loud. It is a new chapter in politics and May has not come yet! Alot of things can be done for the country in 2013. This is my hope for the New Years… to see better postings on CNS, more positive postings than negative ones, because positive and persuasive postings win people over more than negative and vile postings. May God richly bless you and keep you all.
That's a nice sentiment – give them a chance. – Because they might possibly behave differently without McKeeva around?? Or deep down inside they didn't really mean it?? The drive way paving, the excessive and costly travel, the double dipping, the drunk driving. The hypocrisy?? Or – because after all it's Christmas?? I could go on but the reactions have been overwhelmingly negative to the most recent incarnation of the UDP not for the reasons this poster speculates. Rather people are taking a long hard look at what the party has accomplished. Even the poster would have to look pretty damn hard. And they've given an even harder look at what they have been through while these five warmed their seats in the Legislature. It is the timing of this sacrifice? on their parts that needs careful examination. That's what the comments have been about. To whit: At the last minute, suddenly, because of no other options open to them, they have decided to give being an effective government a whirl.
Yes the C/Brac mob are plotting their return as we speak with the blessing of their patron sister Julie and while she plays ignorant the UDP motto of me first will ring loud for the next three months already we have seen the Christmas gathering and cutting up of Gowernment boards and bizzness aaah boy swopped out one UDP tyrant to be fill by another who believes the only true path to political power is christanity! Lord help us
I agree but at this point I just want to see the country stop bickering and come 2013, we will deal with them. What I don't want to see happening is that Mac takes advantage of our division and finish destroying the country.
I do agree with the article and is why I believe come 2013 we should punish them all by removing their useless XXXX from government. In BT where I vote I can assure you we will do our job. We will never forget that Mark and John John were the core components behind the DUMP. We plan to pay them back in full.
In GT I would say Foolio better start working on that resume and hope there is a job out there for a washed up Radio host and wanna be politician.
He can go back to Rooster when Austin runs. Not much difference any way.
Who would listen??
Absolutely correct!
Please give this man/woman an Oscar, or a OBE. 🙂
The only positive I can find to say about the UDP 5 is that they are all better educated than the UDP 4. Having said that they are more than guilty of blinding an eye to all the XXXX behaviour that went on, and don't tell me they didn't know. In my opinion it is worse to have known better and failed to do so. God have mercy on the Cayman Islands
IF true it shows that education doesn't give you balls.
lol… I haven't forgotten what McKeeva did and they were for his party, but lets give the UDP 5 a chance. They just started and we should be asking what Kennedy use to say, "ask not what you country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." So we have a new Premier, let us be thankful for the New Years that Bush is no more the Premier and it is now Julianna. We need to give her our support and stop election campaigning! It is not May yet and alot of things can be done for the country. God Bless 🙂
Excellent article.
Collective responsibility.
no one can disagree with this viewpoint……. the pure incompetence and failure of all udp mla's over the last 3-4 years must never be forgotten……
You are so right! I can attest that JuJu contributed to the undeserving 3000+ status grants in 2003 out of personal reasons. Oh yeah you lucky paper caymanianians know who you are!!!!….
So you can therefore attest that some were corrupyly granted and are therefore void. Do it!
Mine was. Tough. No one did anything at the time. It is quite funny to see the complainers now. When they were being handed out like confetti it was amazing how little it took.
Actually, complaints were filed with the authorities. Nothing happened it seems, in part, because key persons were implicated ( some unwittingly) themselves. The Police now understand that they cannot get to the bottom of corruption in Cayman without getting to the truth about you and your corrupt grant. I expect you with get a “status in the Kingdom of Karma” stamp in your passport soon enough.
Wayne Panton was instrumental in bringing the case to challenge the status grants…perhaps he will share more now that he is running for office
Ok Wayne, crunch time. If you are elected and you discover that someone has unlawfully gained status, will you call for it to be revoked and for wrongdoers to be imprisoned?
and they're the ones getting all the jobs, i cannot believe that the prison service just hired 4 new employees and not one caymanian, what a shame.
Sad but you hit nail on its head!
THIS IS A "MUST READ" for those who do not have a good understanding of what has transpired. EXCELLENT post!! 5 stars*****
Oh do not worry we will not forget their role in this fiasco. Come May the UDP 5 will be sent packing too, I dont care what new wrapping they put on they will always be remembered for their role in dragging our country through the mud! I hear they will be C$C members by then, but that means C$C will not get my support either.
I agree with this viewpoint by 'V' as it has been said by many that the "UDP 5" are as guilty of what is happening as Mckeeva Bush is because they gave their blind & undying support to him, & now that the ship has sunk they are scared as hell & jumped off. But whatever happens I must admit that I am loving the position I am now in, along with the vast majority of Caymanians, sitting back & watching the UDP (what's left of it) chopping each other up & the 2 different sides attacking each other personally, revealing in-house secrets, & exposing some (not all, yet) of their dirt. I'm loving it, & I pray the two warring sides will continue, because believe me it is becoming extremely interesting, & I hope that neither 'side' in the now split UDP will understand fully that "when you're throat-deep in shit, it is best to keep your mouth shut." I pray they continue opening their mouths & revealing more secrets. I loved how Glidden & Seymour exposed the dirty little (BIG) lie by Solomon which was supported by Adam with a shake of the head, about the much wanted Ministerial seat, that was real SWEET!
Yup. Say it as it really is. Thank you. Articulate, well written and a most excellent and in my view, accurate, viewpoint.
Finally someone is able to “sniff” through the wreckage and see that we haven’t sprouted roses, but the same pile of crap only served on a different platter.
I do very much want an explanation from the UDP 5 why they blindly supported our ousted Premier for so long and why should we believe they are capable of doing what’s right now for country rather than for the old country club?
It is called political expediency
AMEN!
Well said. A commentary that needs to be re-posted over and over again as the election date approaches.
UDP 5
It is my belief that they are as guilty as Mac and that it is because of them why he would not resign. Ju Ju paved cayman brac , Rolston guilty of DUI, Mark and Dwayne should not of been there in the first place, Dwayne with his case in court. Which one of them can cast a stone at Mac?
You write: “Mark and Dwayne should not of been there in the first place,…..”
Oh dear. I think that I may be able to agree with the sentiment expressed but your inability to employ the auxiliary verb in a regular perfect tense construction is unforgiveable. You haven’t even got the excuse that you are constrained by the 140 characters of a tweet. I despair of Cayman education!
Happy Christmas,
Ed
Oh come on Cayman! Why the thumbs down? That's funny. It’s not meant to be taken seriously.
I should OF thought that you’d OF known better and could OF seen the joke.
Is it the reference to Cayman education that you are sensitive about?
I still wish you all a Happy Christmas,
Ed
Red herrining and distractions.
Oh dear! 5 thumbs down for this. Do you thumbs-downers know that there is no such verb as, "to of"?
If I get any more TDs I won't tell you the very funny McKeeva Bush joke I heard recently and then you'll be sorry.
You can't say I didn't warn you. Your loss!
I give you plenty LOL's . Now tell de joke nuh?
There is no joke. Just stringing you along…
I of
You of
He ofs
We of
You of
They of
Now tell de damn joke!
Now you're funny 🙂 Before you were being a bit of an a$$.