No repeal on newspaper ad boycott, says Alden
David Legge in his Jaguar with security detail (Photo from Facebook)
(CNS): The premier has said that until the editor of Cayman’s only daily newspaper apologizes, not just for his editorial insulting the whole country but for his histrionics after the fact and his international media rounds in which he implied his life was in danger at the hands of the Caymanian people, the advertising boycott by CIG against The Cayman Compass would remain.
Speaking in the Legislative Assembly Friday morning, Alden McLaughlin said ‘no’ to a request from the Chamber of Commerce to repeal the government advertising ban. In a statement released last week following the drama generated by the flight of David Legge and his wife, Vicki, allegedly in fear for their lives, the Chamber asked government to reconsider the ban and the impact the situation was having in the international press.
Read CNS Viewpoint: The Man Who Ran
McLaughlin said that, despite what was being said, the issue had nothing to do with free speech or a free press, which he wholeheartedly supported, and the editor of the Compass was free to write what he likes within the boundaries of defamation. But he said the government also had a right to criticise what he wrote when it was a direct insult to the entire country and spend its advertising dollars elsewhere.
The premier said he was disappointed that the Chamber had not condemned the offending editorial which had triggered Legge’s departure and the “histrionics and fabrications that have directly caused the international media stories that give the Chamber Council and me concern”.
Following McLaughlin’s original critical statement and the subsequent decision by Finance Committee to stop spending public cash for adverts in the Compass, the actions of the editor appeared to have angered the premier further.
David and Vicki Legge (courtesy The Epoch Times)
“Not content with the damage he had done by publishing the editorial in the first place, Mr Legge, that fearless defender of freedom of the press, falsely claimed to have been given police protection by the governor, and departed these shores with his wife in tow because of ‘fears for their personal safety’. He then spent the following week doing the international media circuit seeking to damage the reputation of Cayman further by giving interviews to anyone who would listen to him suggesting that not only was Cayman a place that was corrupt to its core, but that it was also inhabited by a violent people who would have done him real harm had he not fled,” he said.
Pointing to what he said were the paper’s daily attacks on Cayman and the financial services industry, the premier said the Chamber must be concerned by the inferences regarding FIFA and the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority that have no real basis in fact.
McLaughlin committed to protect the freedom of the press. He said, “I will fight for a free media, but any media house that will fight against my country unjustly to sell newspapers or to swell the ego and the coffers of a publisher while harming Cayman’s reputation is not one that in my view should be subsidised in part by public funds.”
The premier justified the ban on advertising as he said the Finance Committee had called for a ban “on advertising with a publication that is systematically seeking to inflict serious, if not fatal, damage to the reputation of these islands”.
Legge’s message was that “Cayman is a corrupt and violent place inhabited by incompetent and immoral people”, McLaughlin said, adding that he had continued to criticize so it was clear the paper was not being prevented from writing what it wanted, illustrating that this is not a freedom of the press matter.
He said the decision not to advertise with the paper was a “vote not to continue to subsidise a campaign aimed at destroying the economy of the Cayman Islands and the livelihood of its people” The premier continued, “The Compass is free to continue to print whatever it wishes. It just will not be subsidised by the taxpayers of this country, who Mr Legge claims are all corrupt.”
The advertising dollar that government previously spent with the Compass, estimated to be worth over $1 million a year, will now “be fairly distributed to other media houses”, he said, though it is understood the bulk is likely to go to The Cayman Reporter after the publisher agreed to turn his weekly free paper into a daily.
As the premier delivered his speech in the LA, it is understood that Legge returned to Grand Cayman around lunchtime after more than 11 days in the US. His wife, Vicki Legge, returned to Cayman just a few days after their dramatic departure on 8 June and has been seen around the island with a private security detail. It is not clear if David Legge will be given further police protection or whether he will be footing the bill for his own security or taking his chances on the streets of Grand Cayman.
Premier’s Response to Chamber of Commerce re Compass advertising boycott 19/06/15
Category: Government Finance, Local News, Media, Politics
Sorry, in 9:43 am above, there was a typographical error: should read “black” economies, not “blank” as shown .
Yes I understood what you meant and responded accordingly…the correction doesn’t change the sillyness of your comment
“Black” economies? Sorry, I had never come across that term — I wondered at the time if it was a racial slur. Reading over your rambling posting, it seems you were intending “corrupt” economies. Why not just say that? It just sailed too close to a racial slur.
But even so it was the one spark of life in your otherwise ho hum comment. You had not seemed to have read the many comments that agreed that we had problems we needed to fix.
i will keep in mind that the only way to get the attention of a drama seeking troll is to use words which can somehow be loosely and conveniently associated with some sort of prejudice. Black economy was an example of a social problem…corrupt economy is a general comment without example. Sheesh…women?
10:24: A little male chauvinistic as well, I see. No wonder your comment needs so much elucidation.
If David Legge is willing to move into the back seat and let the security guard do the driving, we could do a remake of the movie Driving Miss Crazy.
Or Driving McKeeva
I want all those whose feelings and sensibilities were hurt by the David Legg editorial to realize that the world will believe this outcry is the normal reaction to an editorial that strikes an uncomfortable truth that you are unable to accept.
So remember all your outrage and self righteous piety in the face of this editorial simply makes you look like you are hiding a guilty conscience.
5 pm 23/06: one word– baloney!
It’s the loss of dollars that’s bothering you bunch. Surprise – surprise. Legge doesn’t need the $$. Move on.
Hello all concerned: Now that this story has moved onto page 2mof Headline News, what we need is a resolution:
Legge: I am shocked you have not yet requested an audience with the Premier. Say that the editorial went over the top and that you have instructed the editorial team to stop fostering an us-against-them ethos, and to be careful not to convey disrespect to the people of these islands.
Premier: thank the Publisher and say that you had also perhaps gone over the top with word choice (treasonous) and that you are looking forward to the country settling down to business as usual.
Neither side should be tempted to discuss the ban. In fact, the Premier should be looking into revising the relevant laws so that it is unnecessary to spend such huge dollars with one media house. It is rather unseemly for both sides to be exchanging such huge funds that could ultimately appear to be tied to influence on or by either side. Looks too much like corruption.
Then we can all get back to our boring lives.
So when you stand up to defend yourself or your country it always means you are hiding something? Silly conclusion. The fact that you seem to have accepted it as “truth” that all of Cayman is corrupt says something about you.
Cayman is a nest of corruption. Nothing worse than pride in your own ignorance.
go home.
For those of you that think that the tail is wagging the dog, those of us who were paying attention to what was happening at the Compass (News flash — many, if not most, people do not read the editorials), were really deeply cut by the editorial. Before I knew about the Premier’s original speech in the House, I had been into George Town and wherever I went I found the clued in people expressing anger and disgust about the editorial in particular and the us-against-them trend in general at the Compass.
The Premier did not stir us up. We are not the mindless rabble as you characterise us. But I am not surprised at this attitude in a posting that would attempt to defend the indefensible.
…or that you are outraged that you have been publicly defamed as a thoroughly corrupt society by one whom you took in as one of your own at a time when many outside forces are arrayed against Cayman’s financial services industry.
Nice try, 12:31 pm, at concocting another fantasy!
LoL, 12:31, concocting a little fantasy, I see. Nice try.
12:31pm, you have no real point to make other than to continue the defamation started by Legge. You and Legge must be pitied in electing to live among people you disdain so much. And, by the way, no one here invited the Legges or “took” them in — and we would be only too glad to see the back of them — and you are welcome to join them.
You obviously didn’t understand my post which is not at all pro-Legge. We took them in when they were given residency and then status.
Every Dept. of the Gov. plays favorites, protects relatives, money goes to the good old rich boy club, get 6 weeks in jail for killing someone. Yet when pointed out, That what you get is the only solution. We small Island. Don’t see what don’t want, and all is well. Status Quo. Carry On.
love his pink shirt..does he have a little pink skirt to go with it? great looking couple!
Whats black and white and read all over?
Read all over? Not the Compost.
The only thing red will be their bottom-line.
The premier is supposed to act as a leadership example and not descend in to rabble rousing antics that harm these islands. If he had said nothing, there would be no issue at all. Turn the other cheek etc.., Risa above it all, you boys sure forget how to be Christians when you want, and ram it down everyone elses throats when it suits you..for a so called leader, his position is untenable.
You know what happens when good men say nothing? Evil triumphs. I noticed an earlier poster characterisng Legge’s sad international media spectacle as a form of blackmail. I had not thought of that but I could see how that works — and we can’t stand for that. I also agree with that poster that when the sword of freedom of the press becomes destructive, we have to fight back. The fact that people are free to say what they want does not mean that we should excuse their destructiveness and it does not mean that we must not defend the defenseless!
Blimey, has Mr.Legge no awareness of the reliability of Jaguars? I mean, his engine could die and it’d be a case of “Custer’s Last Stand 2” on Walkers Road. I’d recommend an American car, maybe a Humvee, which would at least provide some protection until the cavalry arrived. God bless our very own “Captain America”.
Humvees are Chinese.
Are you serious?
You’d recommend an American car for reliability? I think you should go for a lie down.
Well, I’ve often lain down under non-American cars trying to figure out why they’ve broken down, for sure! My goodness, have you ever owned a European car? They have a hopeless reliability record. I’ve run yankmobiles for 30 odd years here in Cayman and beyond run-of-the-mill stuff never had a problem, least of all being ripped off for parts. My 2001 Silverado is fantastic and a blast to drive with its 5.3 aluminum V8. Best value cars in the world in my opinion.
I think the Japanese and Koreans are blowing away the carmakers in America and Europe, at a fraction of the price, thank you very much.
The next step that our legislators need to take is to repeal/modify the requirements for any government notice to be published in a local print media. Printed papers are no longer the prime source of information anywhere in the world. Daily newspapers in large US cities that have existed for hundreds of years are closing down their printing presses.
If someone wants to operate a traditional newspaper then by all means they should be allowed to do just that, but its been many years since I last saw a doctor with a pager clipped to his belt if you get my drift. Times change. Let’s move forward by reducing the huge cost of printing everything on paper and save a few trees in the process.
Hallelujah , 9:31, and what about cutting out the middlemen entirely and publishing all on the government website on a central jobs page. Surely the people government wants to attract are at least on the information highway– if not, people will find away. Save the $1 million a year for a more useful purpose. Modify whatever laws necessary and away you go!
This is a good idea anyway — the government could then not be accused of influencing the press, if only indirectly. The right thing must not only be done, but also seen to be done.
With Freedom Comes Great Responsibility
With all the attention that has been forthcoming as a result of the Cayman Compass’ Editorial Board’s decision to engage on a sustained, full-scale “frontal assault” of the Cayman Islands, I think it is important to note that, with freedom (of the press) comes great responsibility.
The United Nations’ 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference, and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers”, so therefore we see that everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression. This includes even me and I now wish to exercise this right, which in my humble opinion, is a natural inalienable right given to us by our Creator.
It is my belief that the Publisher of the Cayman Compass, Mr. David Legge, has knowingly misrepresented the situation here in the Cayman Islands, both in terms of the islands and its safeness and indeed, the situation with corruption. No one has said that corruption does not exist here but we have certainly taken exception to his portrayal that “such behavior is so commonplace, we tend to ‘normalize it,’ refusing even to recognize it, or neglecting to see how aberrant it really is” (Cayman Compass Editorial of 3 June, 2015).
Mr. Legge’s unbelievable, sensationalistic and attention-grabbing reaction to this country’s response to his onslaught, leads me to think that he feels he could/can say whatever he wishes but that Caymanians do not have the right to respond or to counter his ridiculous, non-factual iterations! If he was actually a caring “new Caymanian”, who had our interest at heart and felt that he could offer solutions to any of the problems the country faces, e.g. unemployment of Caymanians, then he could have offered these up in a much more constructive and palatable manner and in an appropriate forum.
In conclusion, I feel that Mr. Legge has abused the freedoms and courtesies extended to him; he has literally spat in the faces of and insulted ALL Caymanians; he should not now expect to remain here in these Islands to continue his wealth-building interests; he is no longer welcome here; he burned the red-carpet that was rolled out for him.
On the other hand, I applaud the Honourable Alden McLaughlin (Premier of the Cayman Islands) and ALL members of the Legislature that stood with him and voted with him to suspend Government’s spending of the people’s money (subsidy) with Pinnacle Media and all of its publications, subsidiary companies, etc.
So what you are saying is that with freedom comes the responsibility not to annoy certain people and if you do then you had better get out of town pronto? So really you are saying there is no freedom of speech in your world unless the speaker doesn’t annoy you?
Did you miss the point that the Compass is a newspaper?
How about a doctor, and let’s use the Chief Medical Officer as an example since there is only one of those in Cayman, telling everyone that they have cancer when they go to see him/her? Of course it’s just a joke, you don’t have cancer but that day he/she thought it would be funny to see the look on your face when you received the news.
Do you think that in such an instance the freedom of speech for the Chief Medical Officer supersedes his/her responsibility to uphold the hippocratic oath or whatever it is called?
What a great analogy, John Bodden, 5:17 pm, 23/06. I hope you continue writing. Very useful contributions to the discussion!
As you say, the right to freedom of expression extends to you as well as Mr Legge, and you have exercised it – you have said that he knowingly misrepresented the position, and that his behaviour is sensationalistic, ridiculous and non factual. That’s the way the system is meant to work – people can express their views without fear or favour, subject of course to others disagreeing with them. Where the problem arises is when other, punitive measures are taken in addition – which unfortunately you also seem to espouse.
If you start to exclude people from a society because you feel they are critical of it, where does it all end…how do you distinguish between the radicals and narcissists and those with a genuine point, and more importantly who makes that decision? Isn’t it better to let everyone express what they feel, subject to incitement to violence and malicious criticism- both of which are covered by the laws of the land – and give society the same freedom to rebut the views, than to call for critics to be expelled? I am assuming you are the CNCF Lorna Bush, and if so I am surprised that someone who promotes the arts could support a view that those who have views outwith what society considers acceptable or comfortable should be expelled and their expression denied. Criticise Legge, mock him if you will, invite him to consider whether he feels comfortable living in Cayman given his views of its society, but to call for his expulsion hardly sounds like the kind of free society I thought you would support.
Pogo at 9:52 am: the posters on this site are people drawn from all walks of life who are trying to come to grips with the stupidity and gross contemptuousness expressed in editorials and from the mouth of the much exalted publisher (much of it self-promotion). And I see that you agree that he has been a total ass.
But don’t compare commenters to Legge. To whom much is given — with an emphasis on “given” — much is expected. It was totally reprehensible for someone in his position to go crying to the international media. That came across as a form of blackmail — repeal the ban, or else!
While I would like to see the back of Legge, however, not because he expressed his views, but because he wielded his power and access to the international media as a real weapon against the people and Cayman in general (it IS said that the pen is mightier than the sword!), we know it is simply not worth it.
We also know that despite how despicable his actions were, he does have the right to free speech.
While I grant him that, however, I can’t help wishing that tomorrow I would hear that the major shareholders at the Compass have made a clean sweep. Some people simply cannot handle the awesome power that has been thrust upon them: remember, “some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them,” William Shakespeare.
Pogo, you are such a hypocrite, you are on here doing the same thing to Lorna that you are accusing her of doing to Legge!
Freedom to express yourself by all means, but allow Lorna the same freedom!
Security looks like having fun being chauffeured around!
As much as violence and racism in the US are a regularly featured in the news and evidenced by horrific acts, we see today the President of the United States saying that he is refusing to accept that phenomenon as the “new normal” in that country! As a Caymanian, while we obviously have problems with ethical practices — and I include the Compass itself — I refuse to accept this as the new normal — no matter how much our dearly beloved daily newspaper would like to create that perception and no matter how much it tries to demoralize the population!
Security Guard lmao what is he going to do throw his sunglasses at them???? Security Guard never knew such luxury as a security guard being chauffeured around in a convertible lol
Not a bad job until you stop to think that he is only getting $5 per hour. I don’t know which is worse,
1) Sitting in a car with no a/c for $5 per hour or
2) Having to listen to David Legge
Probably #2 I’d have thought.
Open top convertible? Can’t be too concerned about his safety… hopefully he’s wearing sunscreen.
What was incorrect about it was that is came out just at the time Alden need o create a huge distraction from the more pressing issues he has no answer for……
Truth here…
Anonymous 22/06/2015 at 9:56am you asked: “what was INCORRECT in what was said in the original editorial?” I will assume and hope you really want to know and that you’re not just being rhetorical and remaining stuck in the quagmire of deep denial.
First, please read for yourself exactly what the Premier said on Friday June 5. Don’t just read everybody else’s interpretations of what he said. Click on the link at the bottom of the CNS article on the webpage
http://bit.ly/1dd2Pbo
If that doesn’t make it clear enough for you as to where the editorial went wrong, read on … Here it is step by unmistakably clear step, the INCORRECT wording that the Cayman Compass or its publisher chose to use in the infamous June 3 editorial:
/ INCORRECT: claiming corruption is “COMMON in the Cayman Islands”. In other words corruption is the norm in Cayman. STRIKE 1. Yes some corruption happens here but that Cayman Compass wording is a prime example of what Sir Winston Churchill would have termed a “Terminological Inexactitude”.
// INCORRECT: that “LURKING BEHIND THE SCENES are shadows of impropriety, influence and inscrutability”. STRIKE 2. Casting Cayman as a shady place to do business is another “Terminological Inexactitude”. Would the Cayman Compass publisher characterize Canada as a shady place to do business? Do you not realize the Cayman Islands ranks right up there with good control of corruption, as good as Canada, with the exact same score in the “Control of Corruption (2010)” index, 84th percentile, 1.126403832 as reported on the transparency.org website?
/// INCORRECT: that “such behavior is SO COMMONPLACE, [people in Cayman] tend to normalize it, refusing even to recognize it, or neglecting to see how aberrant it really is” STRIKE 3. Does the Cayman Compass “Editorial Board” not read the local website blogs and see and hear how people in Cayman very vociferously call out particular officials, agencies or institutions they recognize as corrupt?
//// INCORRECT: that in Cayman everyone routinely excuses corruption as “CULTURAL DIFFERENCES”. STRIKE 4. That is a BIG fat “terminological inexactitude”. How often, when and where have you heard Caymanians saying that something corrupt is not really corrupt, it is just a “cultural difference”? What a made-up story!
///// INCORRECT: that “people in Cayman have been CULTURALLY STEEPED IN [corruption]”. STRIKE 5. So the Cayman Compass editorial basically said people that have grown up in Cayman have been immersed in and have absorbed so much corruption for so long that it is endemic, intrinsic and as much a part of their nature as tea is to the water in which a teabag has for hours sat out in the sun. This sentence alone is so egregious that even if it stood alone without all the other diatribe of the same editorial, the gross malodorous insult it heaps on the people of Cayman would motivate even the most peacemaking, consensus-building of Premiers to have to rise to the defense of his fellow nationals and express his outrage at such an outrageous insult to a whole people group.
But the June 3 editorial was not the only occasion on which the Cayman Compass was INCORRECT. Here are some more INCORRECT statements and actions for you to recognize as such and understand what the people and Premier of Cayman meant when they said the Cayman Compass and in particular its editor is INCORRECT and needs to apologize:
////// INCORRECT: in the New York Times article of May 30, before the infamous June 3 Cayman Compass editorial and the June 5 Premier’s statement in Finance Committee – read it at http://l.ly/uh – the Cayman Compass publisher/editor is quoted as saying among other things “Because Mr. Webb was so popular and successful, THE COUNTRY hasn’t looked deeper into what else he might have been associated with.” Those words castigate the whole country, not just the government; they portray that everyone, politicians, regulators, business people, and other lay persons are all complicit in ignoring the situation with Mr. Webb and that there has been no local investigation into matters related to him. STRIKE 6. Recent headlines reveal that local officials such as the regulators, the local bank named in the indictment, etc. were already engaged in investigations into matters related to Mr. Webb. Even the Premier’s statement of June 3 makes it very clear that the country was looking a lot deeper. To read that, click the link on the bottom of the article at http://bit.ly/1Ibb3O3
/////// INCORRECT: in demanding 24-hour protection and fleeing the country. STRIKE 7. If Mr. Legge was really in fear of his life would he really be driving around in a convertible with its top down most of the time?
//////// INCORRECT: in the dramatized front page and follow-up articles in the Cayman Compass on Monday June 8. STRIKE 8. The Premier did not at all take away free speech and in his speech he began by reiterating his and the country’s commitment to a free, unregulated press. The Premier was very careful that he did not call for any regulatory action to be taken against the Cayman Compass. The Premier was very measured in what he said, and he chose his words very carefully. He did not say Mr. Legge had committed treason; the Premier used the word “treasonous” to describe not Mr. Legge but the character traits of the Cayman Compass editorial article. The Premier was clearly referring to that piece of literature as “treasonous” which in the vernacular means the article was “exhibiting the characteristics of the actions of one who commits treason”. As an example that may help in the current circumstances: saying that something someone wrote or said is “pompous” means it is “exhibiting the traits of pomp or splendor” but it doesn’t necessarily mean that person is splendid.
///////// INCORRECT: in the statements propagated in various different international media in the days before and after the Premier’s statement on Friday June 5 and the subsequent vote in Finance Committee, there was an abundance of INCORRECT things that Mr. Legge said and did. Read my Comment of 22/06/2015 at 6:34 am and you will find easy links to many of those statements, that you can read for yourself.
Is that enough STRIKES now for you and the Chamber Council to call him out or are you and they still looking the other way?
So now I am left to wonder: If a newspaper publisher were to be so INCORRECT as to tell multiple hurtful lies about Cayman and Caymanians, does that constitute a dangerous form of corruption? Or are Caymanians supposed to pass that off as “press freedom”? If such a person insults them as an entire people group are Caymanians compelled to keep on doing business with that publisher as if nothing really happened?
I have to shake my head and recall what Nelson Mandela once said, sadly but with a polite smile: “They pretend it never happened and we pretend to forgive them.” Thankfully on that score our Premier has the benefit of hindsight and the history books, and he does not appear to be in any haste to pretend. Being the consummate consensus-builder that he is, he has nevertheless graciously extended an offer of forgiveness if the Cayman Compass editor will have the decency to ask for it properly. Let’s all hope Mr. Legge doesn’t blow this chance.
well done for re-wording the entire article for your own benefit………zzzzzzzzzz
You lost me when you described McLaughlin as the “consummate consensus-builder”. We ARE talking about Alden McLaughlin who during his last tenure and now this one has presided over a growing divide between expats and locals and who actively encourages a distaste for expats and driftwood.
At 9:13 am,seems like you were well schooled by Legge and taking your cues from him.Post based totally on a figment of your imagination,or inspiration from Legge.
That is pure fiction.
Pat Steadman, I agree with a lot you say. However, the use of the word “treasonous” was wrong. Perhaps the Premier meant to say “unpatriotic,” which Legge has clearly shown himself to be. However, I think that focusing on the use of one inappropriate word and missing the larger message of the Premier is equally taking the wrong turn.
Incidentally, I certainly don’t feel we as a people are above being admonished and criticized, and do accept that, like everywhere else, unfortunately, we have our problems. But to treat the people as a whole with such contempt is sickening coming out of a supposedly professional media.
I am still waiting for the apology and a map as to how this gross unprofessionalism will be avoided in the future. Until Legge has the courage and good sense to do so, I am afraid he remains in the trash with the next copy of the Compass I come across.
Is Aldin afraid his name is coming up soon on some list? Get Legge out before that happens.
Really, 12:50 pm? Is that the best you can do?
I think we can see clearly which political party those in the spotlight belonged to or supported. Hint: it is not the PPM.
Oh for F***s sake Alden, get a grip and sort the real issues of Cayman out instead of this endless and irrelevant drivel The man has a right to Freedom of Speech, and you have a right not to like it, but this is now in the realms of sheer stupidity, and worse, you abusing your power just because he said something you don’t like. Did he get too close to home? Beginning to look like it.
In no way is Legge being denied his freedom of speech. And stop trying to make this about the Premier. He speaks for the vast majority of MLAs, Caymanians and a large number of expats. We are behind you, Mr. Premier. I suspect that these forums are being bombarded by a few Legge supporters with multiple computers. They certainly do not reflect how the Cayman public feels in general. It is also quite remarkable how they appear to show an about face on here in public sentiment this story began when all that has transpired since has actually vindicated the Premier’s statement. We are not fooled.
I agree with 1:15 –I have noticed the same thing– the Legge cohorts are at work trying to distort and skew public opinion!
I couldn’t agree more. I wonder if that is what Legge refers to as corruption, or is it what the Chamber refers to as freedom of speech, or both? Shoot the buggers down, Alden.
Stop putting words in my mouth. I can’t stand Legge but it doesn’t mean that he can’t print an essentially correct article on corruption. And the premier has done himself and Cayman no good at all by taking his “it’s my ball and you can’t play anymore” stance. It’s pathetic in the 5th largest financial centre in the world!
If you think that Legge’s editorial was correct then it means that you share his contempt for us. I fully support the Premier! We have had enough of the abuse, mockery and derision from the Compass. Finally one of our leaders had the courage to speak our behalf. This is a pivotal moment. Unfortunately, your myopia does not allow you to see the bigger picture.
“He speaks for the vast majority of MLAs, Caymanians and a large number of expats”.
I guess we didn’t need that bit about referedums in the constitution after all.
You “know” that you speak for “the vast majority” of us! You don’t speak for me, and I consider myself a patriotic Caymanian. You are a rabble-rouser,
10:49 : the poster said “speaks for the vast majority”. That leaves it open for a minority.
Good point, but it still does not shine any light on how this poster “knows” what they claim.
You are an ‘Uncle Tom’, so no I don’t speak for you. And no, you don’t need a referendum to assess public opinion on every subject.
Well it is clear that you don’t think so, though you offer no support for your argument.
I guess the entire Chamber of Commerce, and everyone else who does not wholeheartedly support you position are “Uncle Toms”.I am not sure what you mean by that anyway. The term is usually used to denote someone overally subservient to authority, a reference that escapes me in this instance, particularly as I am critical of the Government. In the interest of clarity, I do not support Davis Legge or his whining manipulation of the foreign press. I support freedom of expression of opinion and constructive debate, not knee jerk, populist grand-standing.
That is a simple matter of commonsense. You should look up the definition of Uncle Tom since you seem confused about it. You are obviously trying to ingratiate yourself with the cocktail party circuit kind of resident by tearing down your own and thinking that you sound smart. “Oh, he is very sound, and so well spoken (for a native, that is)”. You will lap it up like a dog. I have no doubt that many things escape you. Where the people stand is clear from talk shows, social media and the scores of people you meet in the street from all walks of life. You are in the tiny minority of Uncle Toms.
Actually, I did look up the meaning of Uncle Tom, to be sure that my understanding was in fact correct. It was, though I had not remembered that the original character was actually something of a martyr, beaten to death by a cruel master because he refused to betray the whereabouts of two women who had escaped from slavery. Did you know that?
Sorry, you got it wrong on the “cocktail party circuit” comment, by a long shot. I am as far from a socialite as you are likely to encounter.
Also, I am dubious about putting too much weight in talk shows, as they seem to have a small group of like-minded callers who all support each other’s opinions. Case in point, Sandra Catron was quite sure she had a political following, based on the support from her talk show audience, yet she bombed at the polls (a type of referendum).
If Caymanians are as non-confrontational as is so often said, did it ever occur to you that people you talk to might just appear to agree with you (who some might find rather confrontational), than risk offense?
Back to my original concern, your claim to “know” that you speak for “the vast majority” of us, and I am not so sure. My entire point in posting was to voice an alternative point of view, an idea that freedom of expression is supposed to protect.
Your dear Uncle Tom.
I do much more listening than talking so your assumption that I am forcing my opinions down the throats of others is totally wrong. This is what is on the lips of many people. Real people. What you fail to understand is that people have been fed up with anti-Caymanian rhetoric of Legge’s Compass for some time now. That particular editorial was just the latest salvo that caused this to boil over. Caymanians can not afford to allow themselves to be abused and demeaned without speaking up and acting if necessary. Thank God the Premier spoke up.
first I am not a fan of legge…his drama queen very public and very unnecessary flight from cayman has done a great deal of harm to our reputation. However I agree some of what was written in the editorial. We have all seen some of the examples referred to in the article (unsafe vehicles with new licensing stamps, apparently different application of planning rules/regulations, etc.). There does seem to be an acceptance of nefarious practices but it is not by all caymanians nor solely Caymanians. But suppressing reference to the infractions or merrely turning a blind eye to them is incredibly dangerous to any society as it can become not only accepted but practice necessary. How can a trucking company compete when their competitors don’t need to maintain their vehicles or pay required benefits to their drivers? This is not exclusively a cayman problem…look for example at the estimated size of “black” economies in places such as Canada or the U.S. We need to understand the rules are there for a reason and if you don’t agree with them have them changed but do not become a part of the problem. It is your duty as a member of a society to comply with the rules of that society and report infractions of those rules. And it is the responsibly of those receiving such reports (RCIP, Immigration dept, etc) to investigate and address the reports as part of their jobs and generally for the good of society.
Hello 9:43 am: I decide to go back and read your contribution– and my general comment was ho hum, but then you brought me up short — “blank” economies? Is this your racist slip showing?
so you ho-hum about the responsibilities of a society but focus in one word to label me a racist. That kind of convenient and dramatic response is what got us into this treasonous mess. The black economy or black market refers to the informal exchange of goods or services in a way to avoid taxation.
10:42 am 22/06 is a plant! Beware!
A plant? Paranoia city, if certain people don’t like hearing the truth on hear then it’s “a plant”, “a Legge or Mckeeva stooge”, because they have no counter argument so all they can do is point and mouth idiotic words. Get a life and realize none of this is good for Cayman and if you don’t care about that then you really have no brain at all.
To 7:51 am 23/6, aka 10:42 am 22/06: We are all aware this is not good for Cayman — but you seem to feel that Legge has a right to his God awful drivel in his editorial, but the Premier does not, if you want to call it that? You think that Legge has a right to his drivel in his media circus in which he mostly made a fool of himself at the expense of the global perceptions of Cayman?
I was hoping you were a plant — found it hard to believe you were expressing sincere views and not merely trying to manipulate.
I agree with the premier 100%!!!
i ask again….what was incorrect in what was said in the original editorial?
It hurt our collective feelings.
Diddums.
I know; I think I might cry.
Please don’t. You’ll break our hearts.
What was incorrect about it was that is came out just at the time Alden need o create a huge distraction from the more pressing issues he has no answer for..
Only a McKeeva numpty would post something like that. There was no need to create any distraction and what the Premier said resonated with the vast majority of people in these Islands. Even the readership of the notoriously anti-PPM government Compass gave the government a 70% approval rating in May, 2015. I wonder why they didn’t do their usual editorial on their poll? I bet they will be doing one on their poll on whether Cayman is corrupt which I suspect is being manipulated.
If Legge is so dependent on government for his survival, let him sell his jaguar. After all, it is inappropriate and a threat to the paper’s independence from government influence for it to be subsidized by government to the tune of $1 million per year. I am sure that would be viwed askance by media that operate within the confines of the propriety of the profession.
9:56 am is still asking what happened. The world will end and we will still have people asking that question.
It should be obvious to anyone who read the editorial. If you don’t see what was incorrect it means that you share Legge’s contempt for Caymanians. He made derogatory remarks about “the people of Cayman” being so culturally steeped in corruption that we cannot recognise it and that we dismiss corruption as due to “cultural differences”. In other words, corruption is a part of our identity as the people of the Cayman Islands. All this coming from a man who participated in and was a beneficiary of the 2003 status grants which had all the appearances of corruption. Then the idiots at the Chamber defended him when, as the business leaders of the country, they must surely be a prime part of this so-called culture of corruption.
“If you don’t see what was incorrect it means that you share Legge’s contempt for Caymanians.”
I share his contempt for simple minded idiots, who use arguments against the person to attempt bolster their case. Oh wait, did I just do the same!
So you are a self-confessed “simple-minded idiot”. Enough said. No need to respond to you.
I think you are missing the poster’s point which was not merely an argument against the person but goes directly to the credibility of Mr. Legge and his true motives in publishing this editorial and suggests either that he is not really appalled by corruption or that he himself does not recognise it and so must be a product of a culture “steeped in corruption”.
It said you are a criminal, bonehead.
Wouldn’t Mr. Legge be vulnerable to a Sniper if he drives roof down in his convertible? He should know better, as there were probably a few on roof tops that very day (histrionics is an understatement).
22/06, at 9:08 am — as my favorite poster likes to comment — Bazinga!
Well it was only the other day when the little publicity hound just had to insert himself into the JFK tributes by establishing a tenuous connection between his wife and LBJ’s daughter.
Remember it’s all about Dave. Unless it’s about Vicki Lu. Either way………
Watch out for da chicken shit!!
I wonder if some people see that making the irresponsible comments that are made on line are doing much more damage to the Islands, than what Mr Legge has said. Look at this we don’t know who is reading these comments. Maybe I was thinking about coming to the Cayman Islands to invest some of my money, but now after reading how some people feel about the out side investor investing his money in the Cayman Islands and can’t open his mouth for fear of retribution, Now I don’t want to invest or visit. Because of some of the people making these comments and I don’t know who you are .
Sharkey, at 11:15 am: what are the irresponsible comments?
Why don’t you invest your money in your country because wherever in the world you are from more bull shit is going on than here. On another note you probably do not even have two red cents to rub together, because I know from working in the financial sector for many years that wealthy people do not go around posting crap like you just did . You are so full it.
Sharkey, Sharkey, Sharkey, You are some wannabe “investor” who makes your decision on which Country to invest in, by reading peoples responses to Leggie claim that ALL Caymanians are corrupt?
Without digging deeper into the truth of Legge’s claim and proving it unfounded you come to the conclusion that “I don’t want to invest or visit”?
Well here is a newsflash, if you don’t want to come here, because you can’t talk about us like Legge does, without us cussing you out……..We don’t want you here…….no matter how much money you have to “invest”
Some kind of “Investor” you are, the accuracy and careful use of the English language in your post, makes me believe you ARE Legge.
Already here and always blogging so no money!
CNS , why would you publish such a threating comment as Anon 22/06/2015 9:08 am ?
CNS: Because the writer is very clearly being ironic.
This is a good case for the police to investigate because such conduct should not be tolerated in the Islands .
Yes I agree, those with sarcasm cannot use free speech for fear of upsetting the utterly stupid. They must be arrested and dealt with.
Shut up before I drop a few 500lb’ders in your area.
Thanks for clarifying that, CNS. Irony goes over the head of many, it seems.
For the benefit of the idiots out there, thanks CNS for explaining when someone is being ironic.
Here is what I think, and I mean no irony……….I wish a sprat-bird had sh!t on his head and a green iguana had sh!t on those nice leather seats, when he passed by the big almond tree, on his way to the airport with his police escort!
Now, now…be nice and be a Christian:)
Yes, clearly Mr.Legge is cocking a snook at Caymanian society, which he appears to hold in disdain for some unfathomable reason. Personally i feel pity for the poor fellow, I mean, at his stage in life he should be relaxing in the fabulous Cayman Islands. What the dickens is he going on about? I read about “Watergate” in Time and Newsweek as a teen, and now to observe one of the journalists from that era acting so erratically, well it is rather disconcerting to say the least. Mr.Legge, please go home, lie down and have a prolonged snooze, you’ve earned it, sir.
So true, 11:18 pm. You have hit it on the head. I get the sense that you are writing from outside the Islands, and it is good to know that you are getting it right. I tend to agree that Legge, who always struck me as not being all there, has now lost it.
yeah…the police officer sitting beside the smiling little pink shirted dude appears more concerned …probably that his friends will see him or maybe legge is insisting on taking a dyke road…would be a great photo to send to US publications
I think it’s time for both McLaughlin and Legge to put on their big boy trousers and grow up. Mr Premiere, please focus your attention on things that really matter, and lead this country the way it should be lead. You do not need to waste any more time or energy on the oxygen-thief Legge.
The Premier has thankfully been wearing his all along. Good for him.