Bush: strangulating bureaucracy delayed hospital

| 27/02/2014

(CNS): When the former premier and now leader of the opposition was asked to deliver remarks at the opening of the Shetty hospital, McKeeva Bush said it would have been opened long before now had it not been for the “strangulating bureaucracy” and opposition from the previous governor and deputy governors. However, the CUDP (formerly UDP) leader said it was the former overseas territories minister, Henry Bellingham, in the end that offered his support to the UDP administration’s efforts to facilitate the development. Lamenting the red tape dominating modern politics in Cayman, he pointed to thesame problems facing the current government over the dock and the dump.

Speaking at the formal opening ceremony of the Health City hospital in East End, Bush reviewed the history of the project when the idea of the Shetty hospital surfaced, and the circumstances surrounding it. He revealed it was not until Bellingham took the OT minister’s post that Bush got the support he needed.

“Despite the then governor and his deputy not supporting the project and the then opposition and others not supporting the project, Bellingham understood where I wanted to go with the project and gave me his approval,” the opposition leader said, in a speech that went well over his allotted time and was not as well received by the audience as the opposition leader may have hoped.

CNS understands that at the time the governor, Duncan Taylor, had reportedly raised questions about the legislative changes to medical professional standards that were needed to facilitate Shetty’s hospital, and the North Side member Ezzard Miller had opposed the plan from beginning to end. However, the PPM had been cautiously supportive of that project and of all the planned projects proposed by Bush during the UDP administration, the hospital and Cayman Enterprise City had been backed by the then opposition.

Bush, however, lamented the opposition and challenges he said he faced and said the hospital could have been completed much sooner had there not been such opposition, but he was now vindicated for taking the steps necessary to pave the way for what would be the start of the third leg of the economy.

“When all is said and done, this morning we will have witnessed a significant step towards that targeted diversification of our economy because medical tourism has arrived, although they said we were fools,” he added.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    SHUT UP. Thank you

  2. Anonymous says:

    There looks to be much confusement about Mr. Bush's comment, maybe he would benefit from some more edification???

  3. Anonymous says:

    This has been done on schedule exactly as planned. It has clearly created jobs for Caymanians. Why is everyone bitching?

  4. HAHAHAHA says:

    STRANGULATING – his teachers must be be very proud of what they produced.

    • Anonymous says:

      It is an actual word, dumba*s

    • Anon says:

      And so must  your teachers. Know how to use a dictionary? 

      • SKEPTICAL says:

        The mere fact that a word exists in a dictionary, does not mean that contextually, it has been properly used. He is famous for mangling the English language.

        • Anonymous says:

          He used a verb as an adjective. So what? Don't be so pedantic. McKeeva uses language colourfully, which is part of his charm – and success – as a politician.

          McKeeva has a lot of faults (some of them pretty big!)  but when it comes to Cayman's politicians, he's easily the best orator and most engaging speaker, even if he mangles the language sometimes. Ultimately, he's not speaking to impress pedants, but to connect with his constituents, many of whom are much less educated than he. If he spoke the Queen's English, it probably wouldn't go over that well with the people who vote for him, so in that regard, he's actually quite astute. It's often better for a politician to be one of the people, rather than a pompous stuffed suit.  Rob Ford's rise is another perfect example of that and he uses improper English language in much more outrageous ways than McKeeva!

          Alden is much more educated than McKeeva, but have you ever listened to him speak? After three minutes of his dull droning, I'm ready to scream. Kurt's pretty good but he's very formulistic and once you've heard him speak a few times, you realise he's always giving the same speech, just with different words. 

          McKeeva is more extemporaneous and artistic with his delivery. He's adept at changing his cadence and knows how to hold an audience. He sprinkles in folksy humour, is not afraid to make fun of himself in some cases and can bellow for emphasis with the best of them. McKeeva, like Kurt, also has a lot of charisma, something of which Alden seems totatly devoid.

          Historically, mangling the English language does not automatically disqualify someone from rising to the highest elected position in a country. Just look at George W. Bush.

           

          • Anonymous says:

            That is such an astute observation. McKeeva Bush, Rob Ford, and George Bush are unable to speak proper English, but  we have all heard educated politicians swing right into the local vernacular and dialect when they want  to connect with a certainaudience.

  5. SKEPTICAL says:

    He really has become a pathetic figure, spouting self-serving platitudes, unaware that his audience lost interest after the first five minutes. He no longer has any relevance in Cayman politics, or public affairs.

    • Hancock says:

      Skeptical whoever you are: you are dead right. Bush is now a non -entity. I cannot believe that the sensible people of the Cayman Islands listen to his rants. Investigations of his conduct will no doubt bring about his demise. The sooner the better.

      • Anonymous says:

        Here we go again! coming away from the facts and reality of this F@@@ing country.

        why are you all castigaiting Mac?

        Im not 100% with what he has done to the poor, but when the man speacks of too much Bureaucracy that drag on and on projects to the point where the developers quit, one should listen.

        That's the problem with this country and why we cant get any further ahead. People like you would rather spew out hate for certain individuals, instead of trying to do something to get rid of the BS.

        • James, S. says:

          May I suggest you go to school for an education. Your grammar and spelling is that of a four year old. Alternatively you have been on the soda pop again. As an aside I do believe that the greatest manufacturer of BS was the previous Premier. Just cheque his record.

          • Anonymous says:

            You're going to write "cheque his record" while castigating others for spelling and grammar? You people are too much.

            • Hancock says:

              You obviously do not realize it but you have been had by James. He has been taking the piss!

              Cheque mate to him, I believe.

          • Anonymous says:

            James s you got the nerve to tell me to go back to school. look at your statement..you hypocrite!

             

            As an aside?

            Cheque?

            How old are you?

            I didnt know we were attending a  grammer competition!

            • James, S says:

              For your edification ( see Websters dictionary for the meaning thereof) grammar is spelt as I illustrated before and as I reiterate now. As to the spelling of cheque, you have been had!! Keep your pecker up as one says.

  6. SKEPTICAL says:

    One of the most serious issues arising from the UDP legislation that enabled the new medical facility to proceed was the removal of any formal process of due diligence to determine the origin of organs imported to Cayman for transplant procedures. There is a global concern that organs, such as kidneys, are frequently obtained from children in Third World countries in exchange for paltry  sums of money and , on occasion, people are murdered so that organs can be harvested. One of the principal countries where these organs originate is India.  There was also a secondary issue that any legal claims for Professional Malpractice would be capped at $500,000. Such a limitation would deter almost any American patient from being a Medical Tourist. It will be interesting to hear the outcome of the investigation in the US of Shetty's "charitable" investors. That said, I would be happy should I be proved wrong – I have several medical issues that have to be addressed, and if I can get them done at a lower cost at the new hospital, I, and my insurance company, would be very happy.

     

  7. Anonymous says:

    13:18 find a dictionary , don't ask those type of questions on Cns , yes it's a word.

    • Anonymous says:

      Is it a word generally used by people with your level of grasp of punctuation?

  8. Anonymous says:

    What's wrong with "strangling"?

    • Anonymous says:

      Why on earth, especially if a politician, would you resort to speaking plain English?  This is the Cayman Islands; we live on the other side of the looking glass.

    • Chris Johnson says:

      Strangling bureaucracy. An interesting concept from the mouth of the previous premier of unusual limited ability.
      If his remark is applied to the Shetty Hospital then what remark should be applied to the Port expansion which was under his personal helm for several years. As one says what is good for the goose is good for the gander. In this case it would appear mr bush has cooked his own goose. N’est par?

      • Anonymous says:

        "N'est par"?  "N'est-ce pas, s'il vous plait."

        (I could not be bothered working out how to put in a circumflex)

      • Anonymous says:

        Considering England have scored amongst the lowest results in the industrialised world in international Literacy and Numercy test.

        England  is 22ndfor literacy  and 21st for numeracy, out of 24 countries.

        I dont think Mac, that was raised and educated in these islands, back when time had forgotten us, has done too bad. God help us if he was.

        No matter what you all think of him, not being a university scholar. He can sure talk the talk and walk the walk.

         

        Maybe thats what got most of you upset? his tenacity, big balls and common sense.

        • Hancock says:

          Mac may indeed have big balls, only his more intimate friends can confirm that but as a politician he was and remains an unmitigated disaster.

          He was educated at a time when other Caymanians have accomplished great things. Blaming the system is no excuse. We do not expect genius of our politicians but we do expect them to serve the people without conflict, without self serving and to be persons of the highest integrity. In my humble opinion Mr bush failed to meet the bar in all respects.

          Look back to the careers of such great politicians as Capt. Kirkconnell, Benson Ebanks, Norman Bodden and many others. They managed well long before Mr Bush went to school.

    • Anonymous says:

      It's illegal.

  9. Anonymous says:

    Is "Strangulating" even a word??? 

    • Anonymous says:

      @27/02/2014-13:18

       

      Perhaps you should researc the wrd before you make such a sarcastic statment.

      Its clear you need help on your English.

  10. Anonymous says:

    I consider myself independent politically, but I thought that Bush's speech was awful.  He went on way too long and it became more of a bitch session than a celebration of what is a milestone for Cayman's economy (one that he quite rightly deserves credit for).

    I understand his need to ensure his place in history, butgraciousness and humility woud have served him better in that cause.

  11. Anonymous says:

    CNS:  "McKeeva Bush said it would have been opened long before now had it not been for the 'strangulating bureaucracy' and opposition from the governor and deputy governors."  Ha ha ha the nerve to say this before the present governor!  McKeeva tells it like he sees it and don't care about rass.

    • Anonymous says:

      Bureaucracy? Depends on your interpretation. Now is that the pesk bureaucracy to keep the process of bidding as transparent as possible and avoid corruption? This is the one Mac does not like. Or is it the one that Mac loves, which is to create layer upon layer of civil servants and other quangos to do the exact reverse of the first point?

      • Jonas Dwyer says:

        Haha your writing reveals who you are, another ego centric come ya take all and now wanna getQueens honors.  Sorry fe you.

  12. Just Sayin'.... says:

    Damn those pesky rules requiring a fair bidding process and no under the table deals!

    • Anonymous says:

      Yes and so in this case what bidding process was there?  NONE!  It is simply a decision for the Government to decide the appropriate level of support for this investment.  So your example is wrong.  There was no issue of unfair bidding process.  Private enterprise, private land so get your facts straight.  That point is not relevant in this instance.