Still Not Getting It

I spent the first 9 days of July in the USA, and strangely, did not have a lot of access to either computer or Internet. So, I am back in Barbados and trying to do a bit of catching up on issues and ideas. So, what do I find in just the Sunday papers?

First, I have to wonder (again) about what the newspaper editors do. The front page of the Sunday Sun celebrates 'golden girls', two sisters who have passed 100 years of life. They are described as 'from a family of long livers'. Now, I have mentioned before that my wife has a keen eye. "What does the size of the liver have to do with how long you live?" she asked me. I am no doctor, so I do not know. Maybe the Editor can elaborate tomorrow, and perhaps explain if what was meant was that the ladies came from a family of long lifers. That said, let me pass on my congratulations to the two ladies and wish them many more happy years of life.

I had seen the announcement on July 1 that the Prime Minister was going to take two months' leave from his duties as prime minister, and that the time would be spent outside Barbados (see Nation report). I was puzzled by the associated statement that Mr. Freundel Stuart (already Deputy Prime Minister) was going to hold the reins of government and the PM 'was devolving on him the authority to make whatever decisions he deemed necessary “to keep the social and economic ship of state on even keel”': I thought that was already a given. A news report later passed my eyes that Barbados had a new Attorney General (Adriel Brathwaite, MP for St. Philip South), and that this was not an 'acting' position but substantively taking over the ministerial portfolio up to then held by Mr. Stuart. I was confused, but accepted that from a distance I might not have grasped the right impression, yet wondered if a similar change would soon come regarding the portfolio of Finance Minister (held by the PM). However, Ezra Alleyne put better than I could several constitutional issues in his Focus column today, 'Constitution and power of the PM'. He may not be correct but he poses what, I think, are some valid questions about what is the real constitutional situation underlying the various changes resulting from the PM's leave from duties. While those matters are pondered, however, I would like to add my good wishes to the PM and hope that his time abroad will help resolve his medical problems.

Lastly, I read The Barbados Advocate front page 'No letting up on lobby against APD'. My question from a long time ago has been why the Caribbean Tourism Organization finds the UK's airline passenger duty (APD) contentious but does not seem to find as contentious the seemingly high passenger duties levied by regional countries on intra-regional air travel. I recall a detailed article on these levies written by Adrian Loveridge, where he pointed to the stunningly high level of these taxes but also that they were far higher than taxes levied on cruise travel.

An Extraordinary Week: Let's Play Pass The Parcel

It has been an extraordinary week in Barbados, culminating with a press conference held by PM David Thompson yesterday afternoon (see Advocate report). He gave what seems like the final word on whether a proposed concert and 'youth forum' featuring Jamaican dance hall artistes, Vybz Karkel (Adijah Palmer) and Mavado (David Brooks) would take place. It's now officially cancelled, after he met with the event promoters, just as the artistes were putting their toiletries together for the flight. Much public concern here had been raging about the spreading of the clear and sometimes violent rift between these two artistes and their fans, which has developed into what has been know as the 'Gaza' [Kartel] and 'Gully' [Mavado] feud. In Jamaica, it had several months ago gotten the attention of government, who wanted to see some easing in tensions between the factions with the government stating that it had reached a 'resolution' to the rift between the artistes (see link). Whatever merits the organizers claimed in their idea of bringing the artistes to Barbados for a show and to talk to young people about their new peace was lost on most people, who saw either another piece of public relations-turned marketing for the artistes. In addition, many saw it as another example of how a certain culture of disrespect and violence as portrayed and perpetuated through music was going to be allowed to spread and undermine values, especially amongst impressionable youths. The dispute here has done much for the recognition of the two artistes, whose music is no less accessible now than before and did not need an actual show to spread. But they now have a new, albeit varied and older audience as parents (perhaps for the first time) decided to listen to a kind of music many do not like or understand. The arguments were sometimes clear but also confused, but raised again many issues about freedom of movement, who could and should determine standards, parenting, youth development, decision making, role models, copying trends from abroad, and much more.

But the subplot to whether the show would go on was a show itself, with decisions changing as often as babies need diapers. We had the head of the police force, Commissioner Dottin, standing up and saying he did not approve of the show/concert only for his Deputy Commission Bertie Hinds to give approval for the show, just as Mr. Dottin was on his way to the airport. The Commissioner was not a happy camper and so he told the Nation: "It sends a very bad image and message that the Commissioner of Police has been having discussions on these issues and nobody had the decency to consult him....It reflects very poorly on the administration of the force." It's been an open secret that communication at the top of the police tree had its own special branch that was virtually non-existent, so no wonder the Commissioner was out on a limb. The PM ducked the issue nicely in his press conference when he said that "I will say there have been press reports about less than acceptable communication." Roger that! But with a Commissioner named Darwin should we speculate about who will survive any fight of the fittest?

The other bizarre event (or incident) involves an altercation in Parliament, which reportedly occurred last Friday during and after the Estimates Debate. The Worm cartoon in Monday's Nation was again really on target, with its depiction of an 'alleged incident' in the precincts of Parliament between Cabinet Minister, David Estwick, and Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Dale Marshall. Allegations include the brandishing of a firearm. The PM has decided that a bipartisan committee should look into matters of parliamentary procedures and privileges, and include not just politicians but media, clergy and others who could offer insight and input. But the current matter is for the Speaker of the House of Assembly to deal with. The matter was aired publicly by Mr. Owen and Miss Mottley at a BLP branch meeting at St. Leonard's School last Sunday. Reports suggest that Mr. Marshall has filed a formal complaint with the Speaker about the incident. This whole matter puts the government in a pickle as it deals with certain kinds of threats to society and less than stellar public behaviour and morals on one hand and has to deal with other similar threats in its midst.

There's also the uncomfortable situation brewing over the sentencing of the man responsible for the death of a Canadian tourist at Long Beach, after he hit her over the head with a piece of wood in an attempted robbery. The judge gave a sentence of 10 years to Curtis Joel Foster on a charge of manslaughter, well towards the lower end of possible sentences even though mitigating circumstances were slight. A lot of public surprise was expressed at what some would call 'insufficient punishment'. In keeping with that view, the Director of Public Prosecution is referring the matter to the Court of Appeal (see Nation report), arguing that the sentence does not reflect the gravity of the offence. As reported in the paper, citing the document on which the appeal is based:

"It is contended...that the sentence of ten years imprisonment imposed on [Foster] for the offence of manslaughter is unduly lenient in the circumstances.

"It is also contended that the sentence does not reflect the gravity of the offence.

"It is also contended that the sentence does not reflect the public's concern about offences of this nature.

"Moreover, there is an error of principle in the sentencing in the circumstances".

A space to be watched with much interest.

Then there is CLICO, which some say has become a political football. Stung by comments about the size of its statutory deficit, the company took out paid adverts in the papers 'categorically' deny that it was B$300 million. It did accept that the deficit was about this figure in 2008 and is now about B$100 million, but there is an accounting exercise for 2009 to be done by end April, which may move that figure around. Then in today's Advocate (page 7), CLICO's Executive Chairman, Leroy Parris, makes a statement taking to task the former PM, Owen Arthur, and 'responding to scurrilous attacks on my integrity by certain Barbados Labour Party (BLP) member, especially former Prime Minister Owen Arthur'. If it was a political football before, I dread to think what it has become now. A medicine ball?

It would be unoriginal to say that we live in interesting times, but I have to say we live in interesting times.

Dead Man Walking? Look Who's Talking.

When I first read in the Nation the stories over the weekend about the man who alleged that he had woken up in the morgue at the QEH, I had to stifle a big giggle. It was Halloween on Saturday and of all the stories to come out around that time, one like that had to be a winner. But, I swore to myself that over my dead body would I get involved in commenting on this developing saga. As I read about the man, I had to rub my eyes. He was well known as a man who did car washing. Naturally enough, those who knew him called him 'Bucket' as he was always with a bucket. So did he really kick the bucket in the QEH?

I certainly did not expect to have to face questions on the matter on the radio. Well, you cannot foretell the future and as luck had it, I got a request from Pat Hoyos, one of the call-in moderators to 'keep him company' in the studio yesterday. "It would be good if you could give some advice to small business people...and you can give us your view on how to get out of our economic problems," was how he sold to me. I could handle that. But I was quickly and acutely aware as I entered the studio that the people's business was not about the deadly serious issues of finance and economics yesterday but about something happening on whether a man walked out of the morgue and traipsed over nearly half of Barbados with only a huge pamper on and a tag on his toe. My mind was boggled already.

If you have not been following the trail of Reynzill Lorenzo Scantlebury then do not feel left out. Everyone else has. One lady, in her 80s, told of a man from Sargeant's Village who was known as 'Dead Reg'lar' because he was often waking up in the morgue. Another caller told about how things like this happened more when medicine was less developed. Given the other subject of the day--the worryingly loose handrails in the new Supreme Court--I sensed that people were concerned that they would find themselves having to go to hospital and all of their fears were captured by the scantily clad Mr. Scantlebury's tale.

One of my comments on the radio yesterday was that the facts of the story, which allegedly happened around September 20-21, should have come to light much quicker than they did. Well, today's papers reflect that the hospital management have had time to review its records and procedures and give us the unvarnished truth (see Nation report). But their press statement just adds more fuel by talking about the 'improbability...[of] being able to release himself from the morgue following an alleged pronouncement of death.' So, they do not say that it did not happen, but that it's very unlikely that it happened. Well, sorry guys, that we knew already. Is this semantics about some antics?

In fairness, the QEH seems to have enough evidence that the man did not go through the hospital as he claimed, after suffering an epileptic fit, but they just leave us confused. The QEH CEO even mentioned the existence of 'stringent security arrangements for managing the morgue with the use of closed circuit television'. The films have no ghostly images on them, we are told. They seem to lock it up by telling us that the QEH has 'electronic security system and that no diapers were placed on the deceased taken to the morgue'. So, I am about to give this one to the QEH by a short head. But hold on.

The hospital's communications specialist Katrinah Best takes us right back to the start, and makes us wonder about her holding that title. According to the Nation, "She noted that ... The hospital, while admitting that Scantlebury was seen in the Accident & Emergency Department on September 20 at 4:57 p.m., maintained that he was not a patient of the hospital because he was not admitted to a ward. They said he was released on September 21 at 4:30." Who cares if he was 'admitted'? He was there; on a blessed ward or not doesn't matter. Ms. Best is the same person who was reported at the weekend to have said the hospital did not have a Reynzill Scantlebury on record, but did have a record of another man who had died, also a Scantlebury, whose first name was close to his and who had Lorenzo as a middle name. Looks like a duck? Walks like a duck? That is what a communication specialist at work offers us?

The CEO had said "Our investigation substantiates that Mr Scantlebury has never been pronounced dead, or admitted to the hospital morgue over the eight-week period that has been indicated to us." Here we go again: 'not pronounced dead' does not mean that he was not taken for dead in most people's minds. That he was not 'admitted' to the morgue does not mean that he was not put there. The Head of the Accident and Emergency Department said that if someone goes to the hospital seeking medical attention through his department are also 'considered admissions' (see Advocate report alongside). So, come on, people, take another turn and get it right. Mr. Scantlebury has already indicated that he has sought legal advice and this may go to court. I cannot wait.

Barbados is trying to mount all forms of new tourism ideas, and medical tourism is in vogue. Imagine if the country could market itself as where you can go to hospital dead and walk out alive?

Harper on IMF and the condition of the economy

I like it that I am not beholden to the regular media, so when I write a letter I do not have to wait for the newspapers to publish it, I can do so myself. The following is broadly what I sent to the Advocate today:

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I greatly enjoyed Joey Harper's take on millipedes and things that go crawling in the ears in Saturday's Advocate see Advocate report). It seemed hard to not see the opening bars as a riposte to Hartley Henry's latest commentary on the state of the BLP, in Under the Microscope: No place for Millipede at Fowl Cock fight. As satire, though, it is the kind of piece that I would like to see more.

But, I have to take issue with his characterization of the IMF and some of his observations on the economic landscape. I declare myself as an ex-staffer, but with no remit to be their spokesperson. He wrote:

* "Contrary to the impression that was being given, they have clearly stated that the Barbados economy is on the verge of collapse." They said clearly no such thing. If they had, then the message would also have included reference to the need for additional external financing and a 'relationship' with the Fund.

* ''...this institution without a human face..." Excuse me! Hyperbole aside, what is that supposed to mean?

* "We have already seen the signs. A savage increase in the cost of water that I am sure will be followed by rises in bus fares, decimating the token gift of free bus fares for school children by placing an increasing burden on parents and caregivers". Budget financing is simple. If you have the revenue or access to borrowed funds you can spend as you pleas, subject to the need to be able to repay the borrowing as due later on. If you do not have the money, you have to curb what you spend. So, BWA is severely in debt and needs to cover some very heavy spending. We have seen price increases (high in relative terms, but still putting Bajan water rates no where near high in relative or absolute terms). The decision to raise rates was deferred by the previous administration, who considered even higher increases. Now, I would not wish to be cynical and suggest that the deferral had anything to do with electoral politics. But, by delaying an increase what was achieved?

* We have yet to see plans for BWA cost cutting. If a rise in bus fares is coming then one needs to see that they have not moved in years. Have costs remained unchanged and is revenue holding up well relative to that?There is no 'freeness': what happens is that something is subsidized--a body of taxpayers are funding the riding on buses of others who are not paying for it directly. If those taxed really don't want to do that or if the government purse really cannot afford the generosity, even if care about parents and caregivers is very high, let us know how to square that circle. Look at the existing budget deficit. What else should give way so that 'free' rides can continue.

* "The IMF has little interest in the welfare of children and less in the social infrastructure of the countries that they invade, even though these countries have contributed significantly to this institution over the years." The IMF is an institution with a mandate given to it by the world's politicians. The mandate does not involve a direct interest in the welfare of children--the World Bank was set up to deal with that in a broad sense. But it does have concerns in that for poor and heavily indebted countries (through the so-called HIPC [highly indebted poor countries] Initiative) it aims to reduce (even eliminate) the burden of debt repayments and the savings are supposed to go into social spending; if not, the debt relief is not supposed to continue. It has a concern about social infrastructure through the same Initiative. BUT, it is governments who DECIDE how to cut their social policy coats. Barbados is crimped in some areas because it 'graduated' from World Bank borrowing as it did so well. Maybe it would like to turn back the clock and be seen as part of the world's poor. I think it can be arranged. Will Bajans be happy with that and its consequences? I do not know. As for 'invade'...Methinks the words doth not fit well the truth.

* "I have asked over the past months for disclosure as to the real economic plight of Barbados and its population of people called Barbadians. I do not mean political answers with the sole intention of ensuring a second term in office, but the facts attached for public scrutiny." I would suggest to keep asking and if the answers are not forthcoming, keep asking louder. If the government feels that it has given the answers then perhaps they would be kind enough to SHOW that the 'real' plight has been spelt out CLEARLY. It takes political courage to do that, of course, so we will see if the mettle is there.

* "I am hearing of projects that will attract major financing and the IMF in its report states that social spending must be brought down." I've read the reports and found no such reference on social spending. If I missed it, I'd like to know the reference.

* "People in the country are hurting: contractors, store owners, car dealers who are recording drops in sales that are frightening; major building projects are stalled simply because no one in the position to make change is willing to meet and discuss possible solutions". I wish I believed that it was so simple as a meet and discuss issue. I don't think that the economic damage that is occurring is amenable to solution by mere talk and even action at the local level. If it goes international then it's really complex anyway.

So, my call is for a 'fair fight' over what Barbados can expect from the IMF. Enough of the knee jerk and, to my mind, misplaced commentary. On the broader economic situation, I think the issues are far graver than can be dealt with over a meal no matter how sweet the gravy.

Dennis Jones
Economist

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Let's see where editorial policy takes my comments.

Far From The Maddening Crowd

The so-called blogosphere is densely populated--like Barbados. I wont get hung up about numbers too much (see World Internet Users and Population Statistics 2008), because it's the magnitudes and trends that matter. The 2008 data show that Internet usage has skyrocketed, rising nearly 350% since 2000--from 360 million users to some 1.6 billion. While growth has been spectacular in all regions, the developed world has seen slower growth (i.e., less than the world average) than the so-called developing world. In Latin America and the Caribbean, the growth was about 870%, but that is dwarfed by Middle East (+1300%) and Africa (+1100%). However, developed countries show much wider penetration (around 50-75%) while the other regions are struggling to reach 25%, reflecting both an earlier start and more wealth to be able to facilitate the spread of computer ownership and Internet use.

Trying to be visible in a field that large is hard; trying to be relevant is even harder. I do not think that any of the local blogs are in the stellar area in world terms. The numbers are good, but let's be realistic: the Caribbean is still small potatoes. No doubt, those of us who try to make an online contribution think that what we put out has a wide audience--I stress wide, rather than large. The Caribbean's problem is both amount of recognition as well as extent. It's too funny to me to recall an American tourist who asked, "Where in Jamaica is Barbados?" (with that drawl that gives Bah-bey-doze).

I read very few blogs regularly: that's confined to the other locals blogs that produce many entries daily--Barbados Underground and Barbados Free Press; The Huffington Post; The Onion. Each is very different; I love the irreverence of The Onion, both in its writing and in its videos. See the video below.

White House Reveals Obama Is Bipolar, Has Entered Depressive Phase

Thank goodness that satire is alive and well somewhere, because it is woefully--repeat, woefully--absent in Barbados. I exclude "The Worm" cartoon and "The Lowdown" column (by Richard Hoad).

I also look at blogs related to a whole host of regular publications, such as The Times, Newsweek, The Economist, New York Times, and on broadcast media like CNN, as stories get my interest. Newspapers blogging in Barbados? We looking at it. The Jamaica-Gleaner and The Observer have been blogging for a while and doing it well--I recall the excellent coverage with words, pictures and videos during last year's hurricanes. In Barbados, the newspapers are wuking up a plan, I guess. But I really don't care. The general coverage is so poor I cannot see anything to look forward to on a blog, which currently whispers "Coming soon".

What I know from the direct contacts I have here and from correspondence I receive is that my blog informs well a certain audience. Other blogs have their styles and their following; their information content I cannot truly judge. Many allegations fly around and I don't have so much interest in chasing every 'ambulance' like a yapping dog. Quite naturally, I guess, the local blogs display in content and commentary strong political and national biases. That is good, because you get an idea of how to treat material if you can see that it is partisan. For a foreigner, it takes time to understand what the biases are and which are really strong and which are mere posturing. In that quest, I am glad to have a number of experienced observers and participants in local news and politics. I also do a lot of casual checking of interest. Just asking a question about a topic seen in the newspaper or blogs can reveal a lot. Often, people are not as well informed about local goings on as I seem to be. But, I guess I have fallen into the information business. Still, I find that interesting.

Many people use their Internet access to bypass or supplement local reporting; some people like to get printed copies of foreign papers, daily or weekly, as well as reading the periodicals, such as Time. What goes on in Barbados is not so Earth shattering most of the time. When I mentioned Crop Over to people in New York last fall, most reacted by asking me "Drop over, when?" I did not dare ask if they had heard about how well the Red Plastic Bag had done.

I try to give information that is reliable or at least checkable, often tagging well respected sources--mainly very reputable newspapers. I use Wikipedia, but am leery of its veracity. I often try to do a double check to see if the same story or information is reported independently in at least two places--any monkey can reproduce press copy.

But, I am going to try to do something in coming weeks. I think few people who read my blog regard its style and content and tone as anything like the other local blogs. I breathe a sigh of relief because I know that our views are not at all the same. But, I have tried to introduce a certain slant, perhaps too subtly. I grew up in the English tradition of satire--think of Monty Python and Spitting Image. Public figures need to be kept on their toes. But how that is done can be wide and varied. With no intention of disrespecting any of the media practitioners, they do tend to treat national politicians and senior business people like they are 'untouchable'. The deference is well-evident throughout the region.

The irony is that many of these people are prepared to engage fully: I recall P.J. Patterson holding 'court' on a flight last summer, glad handing people and talking about a few personal matters. Admitted, he is no longer active in politics but he is a revered statesman. I often see former PM Owen Arthur standing in the school yard, and also at school fair, it was rare for anyone to approach him even to say "Hello". That's too much. (Challenge for next term: I will introduce myself to him.) My chance brushes against former BLP Cabinet ministers a few weeks back reinforces my view that they are willing to talk, at least have a discussion. I have not yet heard "No comment."

The converse of that standing off is how we treat those related to the 'big men' (they are mostly men) are treated. I do not know many of the families of current politicians. But, I have met some of their children--that happens when you have young children. I was startled to find David Thompson's daughter sitting in the back seat of a friend's car. Where was the security guard I asked. My friend (a dreaded, though not dread-locked, Jamaican) looked at me like I was mad: "The who? This is Barbados, man. They don't check for that." I could see that. Good job that no one so far has given reason to change that need.

But, again. Let's be real. When one of our PMs goes to the US they often get little recognition as anything other than the ordinary citizen coming from "one o' those little islands down thayre in tha Carrybeen". I do not intend to try to change that. Bigger events will do that, such as Usain Bolt breaking both 100 metres and 200 metres world records again. I'm sure that would annoy some from other islands as it spotlights again Jamaica and maybe overshadows them, at least for a while. But, many people now know about Renta yam and the supposed benefits of eating callaloo and salt fish. "To the world" has taken on meaning.

So, I do not promise sparks and rockets and flash. I will try to poke fun a bit (see a recent attempt, Ten Effective Ways To Deal With Your Critics, and I know that some people have bought the whole shop--well, there are mugs everywhere). I know already that people take things very literally here. It is so odd that in a culture that can have nicknames like "Shorty" for a tall man, or "Clock" for a many with a amputated arm, we do not seem to get simple jokes. "You sey dat bout our Pyam Minista?? You. You...."

Even in Guinea, where the President was known to be no lover of the press, especially because they wrote in French and not in his native language, they regularly had him dragged around in cartoons and humours articles, often using his nickname. Le Lynx was the satirical weekly there. It was gobbled up like hot cakes every week, because it poked fun at all--I remember how they kicked at the IMF Resident Representative, but they also had some of the best sourced and most accurate information. If it's not in the Lynx then don't believe it, was the word. From time to time its Editor would be summoned to see the President or his henchmen, and periodically the newspapers were cleared off the shelves of newspaper stands across the country, but Le Lynx kept on biting.

In The Bahamas, too. The Punch is snapped up so fast each week that it's obscene. Look at, and listen to, some fall out from a recent story it ran about another the CEO of Jones Communications Int’l Ltd. (see The Punch). Words like 'gutter' and 'rag' sheet fly around.

Well, as the day starts for other people--though at 6.30am my wife is already nearly an hour inte her tennis, and I settle knowing that I have at least produced something, I see that sparks may fly later and I may need to go carefully with the former PM. I read today's Nation online and see the lead article, 'Wrong path' and the loud statement: 'Owen Arthur has accused the David Thompson Government of placing the country in serious turmoil. "Barbados is going down rapidly,"...' Maybe some thing's happening, after all.

In a society that has real freedom of choice it is truly wonderful that news and information comes from many places. Not everyone has only one state-controlled paper to read (with a picture of the head of state always on page one) and/or one radio station pumping out drivel and inane music--lived through that, thanks. When you are really repressed you go crazy for Elvis Presley in 1994 because you have been told that the king is not dead. There is a home for everyone, I believe, and it is true about blogs. We can all choose what we read and take from that what we will. I like to test out ideas and see if people who have a record of good sense laugh themselves onto the floor saying "You must be kidding" or "No, man. That is rubbish." When they do that, I take it out. When they say, "Hmmm. That's astute," then I do venture a little smile and a raised eyebrow. In the same way that you are particular at whose house your child goes to play, so too with which blogs to read.

Staying on message.

To say that I like blogging is like saying that a bee likes pollen. It's at times like this, during the stressful time of hurricane season, that I wonder what those who constantly beef about blogs and their content are really thinking or frightened of. I have yet to find a source of news and updates of current events that perform like blogs. Here I am in New York City, wanting to know what is happening in my native land. I read news reports online from my mobile phone and see TV bulletins if I can get near a television, or I can check in with some blogs. The Jamaica Gleaner has again shown that standard newspaper houses can be at the forefront of breaking news by having a blog (see http://go-jamaica.com/blog/). I spoke to my relatives by phone at last today, and sent some e-mails to friends and family elsewhere to say that all seemed alright, but the Gleaner blog has plenty of amateur video and journalists' brief reports to convince me that, while there may be a disaster in the making, much of country is not being ripped to shreds. The coverage is not polished, but it does not need to be. It's vivid and real, and that's often all that life is. We can add colour and flavour and politics and opinions if we want, but in the first place we want information, and it can come in the rawest fashion as far as I am concerned. I don't want to always wait 24 hours at least to know more about something major that is going on now. Those days are over.

I hope that by the time I get back to Barbados some of the local newspapers will have moved their heads from a place closer to their feet to see that above and around them is a manner of getting news and information out to the public speedily and with reasonable clarity. It's something they should have embraced a long time ago and to me there is a telling and somewhat disturbing indictment being built up about what are the interests--or better, lack of interests--of local news organs.

The Times are a changing: views on news from the UK

Whatever jibes may be made about Barbados being "Little England", I'll take an educated guess that none of the news items below, which I read in a recent issue of The Times (so they must be true, right?), will have any parallels in Barbados. The silly season is not yet on for news, but I see that the journalists are coming up with more surprises every day.

First, a story about two transsexuals who are about to make unprecedented history as Mayor and Mayoress of Cambridge, England.Both were born as men, then underwent gender "reassignment". The Mayor, now named Ms. Bailey, is the father of two children, now aged 18 and 20. Her former wife is reported to be "incredibly proud" of her ex-husband's achievement at becoming mayor. I find the whole story a bit confusing, to say the least.

Second, perhaps more warming for the tourists who have fled England to practice their golf, is a story about an amateur golfer in California who made 14 holes in one during four months. Practice makes perfect, they say, but luck plays an important part. Tiger Woods eat out your heart!

Third, the small island nation of Mauritius (population 300,000, just a bit bigger than Barbados and often cited as a good comparison for Bim) has become the first to open a real embassy in a virtual world, by doing so on Second Life (see link). Sweden is reported to be the next real country to go this virtual route. The virtual world seems to be taking on more reality for many people, so this seems totally logical. The mind boggles at this kind of development. But the reality is that you can't escape reality, though plenty of people never cease to try.