The Man Who Ran
Nicky Watson writes: The world has gone mad. On Friday the Cayman Islands governor, rising on a tide of over-reaction and hyperbole, decided that David Legge, owner and editor of The Cayman Compass, needed police protection after he got an over-the-top verbal slapping from the premier in the Legislative Assembly.
And now The New York Times has reported on Legge and his wife fleeing the country “fearing for their safety”. (Note to the Times: no one “flees” the Cayman Islands unless they’re criminals on the run, escaping a hurricane or they’re full-blown drama queens looking for attention. You got suckered. Shame on you.)
Here at CNS, when we heard that the Legges had left the islands Saturday, who knows why – genuine fear, silly pretend fear, amateur dramatics, canny marketing, a free flight – our big debate was: is David Legge a freedom of speech hero (not really) or a big girl’s blouse?
Yes, people dislike what Legge’s done to the Compass, those awful sanctimonious editorials, the complete lack of understanding of the community the ‘Editorial Board’ writes about. Yes, some people loathe the man – he has done little to cultivate the love of the people, other than rich people. Some are going to boycott the paper, yes, pull their ads, yes. But where on earth does the governor get the idea that he needed protection from the people of the Cayman Islands?
What country does Helen Kilpatrick think that she is governor of, exactly?
In our opinion, if there was a serious, credible threat to Legge that has absolutely nothing to do with the blatherings in the LA and, based on this information that is not in the public domain, the governor felt he was in real physical and immediate danger of being seriously hurt or killed, then the whole drama of the police protection, the escort to the airport and the flight out may, possibly, have been justified.
Sort of.
The governor, apparently, decided that the Legges needed RCIPS funding for police protection more than, say, the Crisis Centre, whose occupants receive very real threats all the time, and took police officers away from their normal jobs and assigned them to protect a rich couple who didn’t, for some reason, hire their own security — all quite hard to swallow.
If David Legge just got scared, or wanted some attention, because of what was said in the House, and because of that the governor assigned security detail, plus the escort to the airport, plus, it is rumoured, a police officer on the flight, then some people might be tempted to think that Kilpatrick has had a little too much Seven Mile Beach sun.
With questions and assumptions humming on social media, it may be wise for the governor to make a statement about the whole affair – and its funding – which, because we are not privy to any possible secret private threats, have made her look utterly ridiculous and reckless with public money.
Being yelled at and verbally abused by those in power is just part of being a journalist here. It’s tiresome and silly but never physically threatening.
And in a world where incredibly brave reporters in many countries display remarkable courage in the face of terrible dangers, Legge runs away from the Cayman Islands. Yes, the Cayman Islands. The absurdity is mind-blowing. Shameful.
Ever since Wendy Ledger and I started CNS, politicians have verbally attacked CNS in general and Wendy in particular, from the floor of the Legislative Assembly (regularly), at press conferences and in public, on their own or as part of a pack. There have been times when the rhetoric has been pointed and sometimes vicious, and emotions were running very high, especially during the last elections. But never has Wendy or any other journalist here, as far as I know, ever sought police protection, or needed it. Never once has it stopped her doing her job, going to public meetings, at night, on her own.
Because it’s just words.
If any politician had hurled the ‘treason’ accusation at Wendy Ledger, Tammi Sulliman, James Whittaker (a few of the expat journalists here), I’m willing to bet the people would, by and large, have rounded on the politician and supported the journalist.
What David Legge (and the Times, apparently) needs to understand is that political and public support for the premier’s address in the House came about because many people already disliked him. This has nothing to do with the FIFA scandal. And it’s not because he’s a valiant crusader, a man of the people or an ace journalist/editor, because he is none of those things, regardless of his time working at the Washington Post, which he never never never lets anyone forget. Ever.
Nevertheless, we have been accused of not standing up for our fellow media professional, and this is true. We were rather enjoying the spectacle of a bunch of numpties trying to outdo each other in over-reaction, especially after all those snide attacks on Cayman News Service by the ‘Editorial Board’ since Legge took control. Pathetic and, as with many things about the editorial direction of the Compass recently, we have no idea what they were trying to achieve.
So here is our media solidarity:
Mr Premier: Treason? Really? Is that the kind of treason where someone steals the Cayman Islands’ secret plans to build a nuclear weapon and sells them to the Chinese? Or the kind of treason where you wanted to say the worst thing possible while hiding behind parliamentary privilege?
Call Legge a doofus, if you like, complain about his editorials, complain about the way the paper reports on news, say that you think he’s damaging the reputation of the Cayman Islands, but let’s not get carried away here.
If what he did was not treasonous by definition of the law – or even close – then it was fantastically silly of you to use the word. ‘Treason’ has a very particular meaning. You’re a lawyer. You should know that.
Back to the Compass. Because there hadn’t been quite enough blowing things out of proportion over the last few days, the front page Monday had no news whatsoever, just the words, “In Memoriam, Free Speech in the Cayman Islands, June 5, 2015.”
Here’s some free speech for you, David. Fleeing the islands in the face of no danger whatsoever is cowardly and a disgrace to the profession.
Helen has turned herself into the biggest culprit in this story.
It’s ironic that this writer uses terms like “big girl’s blouse” to describe people and then questions THEIR credibility.
This article is a joke, as is the writer.
The truth hurts Cayman. You have a corrupt government and a profoundly ignorant populace that just allows them to lie and steal.
You get what you deserve.
3:19 pm: throwing around global insults to the government and people of the Cayman Islands actually places you in the same class as the Compass. You are an example of the type of ignorant divisiveness that the Compass has spawned since Leggee took over and really is not worth replying to.
What you have shown in these sentences is in a nutshell what the Compass has been doing in its editorials. It is as ugly as it is false. Racist and ignorant, it is reminiscent of plantation era attitudes.
How sad that our daily newspaper should become identified with this twisted rhetoric.
I guess you were right and Nicky was wrong..It should have been a little girls blouse. A big girls blouse would smother the little man..
Hi David, how is Florida?
Whoops, forgot to sign my alias earlier.
– Whodatis
(Commence the thumbs-downs, lol!)
Hmm … now she’s claiming “It wasn’t me”.
This is gonna be good!
(Hopefully this debacle will serve as a warning to her and SO MANY of our newcomers that so swiftly attach themselves to certain characters in our society. Please understand that many of these entities are nothing but parasitic scum – with loyalties not to this country or you – only themselves.)
Wise up. Join us. The real “us”.
Our arms are open … are yours?
yes its now time to seriously investigate who is really behind the facebook scammers targeting Cymanian women.there was a Uk Id card frame used by the scammer/s planting the maybe victims photo inside it. theres going to be a shockwave when people find out who. is realy behind facebook scams targeting “Caymanian women one narrowly escaped that was smart enough to investigate thescammers herself the other made victim. a Caymanian woman. scammed out of $50,000 in a facebook romance scam. those targeted should study closely the friendlist fb network of the scammers. photo friend page.you may get an ldea that a person or persons may not be so squeaky clean after all.the scammer promised one escaped victim that he expected to spend his birthday celebration in the US in. this month of August?!!!1plus 2equals. 3 this is gonna get very interesti.
I disagree with you only on your belittling of the Premier’s use of the word treasonous. The definition of treason is “the crime of betraying one’s country, especially by attempting to kill the sovereign or overthrow the government.”. I believe when Mr. Legge attacked the country’s integrity and that of the people who reside there he did damage to it’s financial and trade markets. I believe that him knowing that what he was saying was in fact overblown and not accurate makes it heinous in nature with an outcome in mine. That to me is treasonous. Not what you would typically think of but because it is in of itself a willful betrayal it falls within reason of calling it treasonous. Now you could argue the language of “betraying one’s country” as in that he may not consider us HIS COUNTRY but that’s neither here now there because he has his papers.
Pfffffft!
You are actually arguing that money is the sovereign of Cayman.
This is the best editorial I’ve seen in a long, long time. Spot on.
It seems I received a few “thumbs down” for my suggestion to the Cayman Compass Editorial board for their consideration for this week’s cartoon, so here is another that may be better received. How about depicting Legge as Indiana Jones in the opening scene of Raiders of the Lost Ark, running to the floatplane with the hoard of bloodthirsty headhunters in hot pursuit behind him. Great scene!
Both of your suggestions choose to depict Caymanians as “bone-in-nose” savages and Legge as either a victim or hero (i.e. Indiana Jones).
A better suggestion would be to illustrate Legge as a dog running with his tail between his legs after being scolded by the master (who is holding a rolled-up Compass) for taking a massive dump all over the house…
Now THAT is funny.
4:06 pm. I love the cartoon! Very funny!
Note to PPM. If you really want to drive Legge completely off the deep end, how about nominating Watson and Ledger for Queen’s awards (which would be entirely deserved). You just know ol’ Dave has been angling for an honorary OBE to pin on that Brooks Bros lapel….
Fantastic Viewpoint, Nicky. It really made my day, thank you. 🙂
My re-post once again from other CNS articles on this subject, – The More You Know –
Some snippets from 2013, how things have changed, my, my.
Him:
“We are delighted to be moving forward and are looking ahead to serving the Islands and the people of Cayman,” Mr. Legge said. “We believe this is good news, not only for us, but for the company and the wider community.”
Her:
“We will remain the authoritative voice of the Cayman Islands. Readers and advertisers can look forward to continuity as well as positive changes in the future,” she said.
Him:
“My wife Vicki and I pledge our talents, our energy and our resources to producing for these Islands not just a great newspaper, but a newspaper that is great by the best of world standards,” Mr. Legge said. “Cayman has a great story to tell and we want to tell it not just to those who live here, but to the wider world as well. More on that in due course …”
/
I guess that course is now due. The Legge’s should have known that we, and I dare say, an overwhelming majority of Caymanians would never allow someone/another to harm them or anyone else living here just because of what was said, whether against the country and/or its locals.
While I/others don’t agree with the Editorial ‘blasting’ about how the Cayman Islands is steeped in corruption, etc, we would certainly not take it to harm those with this type of thinking and/or publishing such untruths that make it look to the wider world that the Cayman Islands is corrupted beyond all and that its natives are as well. That’s how it read folks.
I can assure you, the Caymanians I know would defend against those that might, and I emphasise might, do any harm to someone that intentionally or otherwise say/print overblown, half-truths/untruths about our Cayman Islands just to further his/her/them own agendas. This isn’t South Sudan, we don’t kill/harm people just because we don’t agree with them. It’s part of what makes us who we are, sometimes to our own detriment, unfortunately. But we don’t get violent and that’s what’s still great about my people and those that come and live with us for a better life and prosperity et al. Let’s remember that my fellow Caymanians, the younger generation especially.
In closing, dear Legge’s. As a weekly advertiser who takes out ads in the Cayman Compass, you can count on me no longer and never again spending my *’corrupt’ monies (*as I see it, from your viewpoint at least) with your newspaper. I applaud the Government’s stance and I take my own as well.
Finally, I get to use the below 3 quotes (I’ve been saving them for a raining day)
“The secret of successful journalism is to make your readers so angry they will write half your paper for you.” ~C.E.M. Joad
“They kill good trees to put out bad newspapers.” ~James G. Watt
“Harmony seldom makes a headline.” ~Silas Bent
Glad to see the advertisers’ adding their voices to the debate. I maintain that no one is stopping the Leggee’s from publishing, but not from my pocket book.
Nicky stick to your soft ball style of reporting and you will never need to worry about taking heat, something that you really know very little about.
Your choice to take shots at the compass editor may some day come back and bite you if you every choose to actually have an opinion.
The editorial in question showed a keen knowledge of this country and its method of business as usual. Rant and rave all you want the truth is still the truth.
I thoroughly enjoyed this piece please keep the serving the truth cold. Keep highlighting the need for common sense and the show of tom foolery these posturing peacocks carry on with.
You must admit. David Leggae doesn’t bear a resemblance to Forest Gump.
Run Forest Run!
I so wish it was up to me to give Legge the ‘all clear’ to return to Cayman.
Nicky, You’re the best!
Agreed!
Now will the real owner of the Compass please stand up?
Legge & Mr. Investor – The Caymanian people are more intelligent than you think. We have not bought this hogwash for a moment.
Is the investor not Mr Shetty?
Legge had the huge disadvantage of not being native. He was right to be concerned for his safety after Alden’s idiocy.
“Native” what are you talking about “native”. Don’t you read the Compass? As far as the Compass is concerned none of us born and bred Caymanians are “native” not even 7th generation ones like myself. Our ancestors all drifted here from someplace else.
Well Legge I for one hope you keep on drifting and catch that Labradore Current off New York and end up “washed up” in Greenland somewhere.
With apologies to CNS readership …… i can’t resist saying “Run Legge Run”
LOL! I’m sorry, CNS criticizing another news organization about journalist integrity is just too funny!
And turning to the other element of your story, if your account of the role of the Governor is correct, surely a public statement is warranted and will be forthcoming,
Excellent piece Nicky; you deserve all the bouquets being thrown at you.
I remember living in Barbados back in the mid-70’s when Ralph Gonsalves, now Prime Minister of St Vincent and then- a lecturer at UWI Cave Hill, was regularly in the Bajan media expounding his political doctrines. Someone asked the late- Tom Adams, then Prime Minister of Barbados “Tom, why yuh duh is throw he out a Barbados?” Tom Adams calmly replied “Bajans smarter dan he”.
While Gonsalve’s actions are not completely synonymous with those of David Legge, they were met with distaste among many Bajans. While David hasn’t contributed much to local journalism and the Compass has deteriorated under his control, I am not sure that Caymanians found the particular editorial as repugnant as Alden did, or simply wished he hadn’t printed it.
What Tom Adams showed was confidence in his people and in the office they had entrusted to him,and that he was smarter than Ralph. He did not need to jump to seize an opportunity to endear himself any more to Bajans. And he certainly was not about to give Ralph the benefit of even his recognition.
Sadly, Alden has taken Legge’s bait, showed his hypocrisy as he bit it by his professed support for free speech and we will pay from our own accounts for the negative publicity that he has generated.
Not exactly Leadership 101 coursework.
What would the world be like if Woodruff and Bernstein got the hell out of dodge in the shadowy days of deep throat?! It took a lot of toughness to bring down a President!
The diary of a wimpy journalist will make dull reading — no wonder we have to pretty it up with some wordsmith ing and sensationalism.
Can’t run to mama each time you feel the pressures that go with the job, Mr. Leggee.
I don’t think the Premier was angling for votes — I think he was speaking from the heart about very upsetting multiple offences by the Compass against good journalistic practices.
I don’t give a heck what the Compass says, as long as it can back up its broad rush allegations of a people “steeped” in corruption with documented evidence, and seek to make a difference. My beef with the Compass is that it substitutes gossip for investigative journalism. That is the problem that people have. And I am not sure we will ever get it because of the now clearly evident wimpiness of the publisher.
If all the Compass is going to do is to create more divisiveness in Cayman, why should they continue to be supported or even tolerated.
I hardly think the example of Ralph Gonsalves, then a lecturer, is comparable to the Islands’ only daily, and really only established newspaper, other than the struggling “Cayman Reporter”. (I hope this strengthens their position — that would be a good byproduct).
I am glad that the Premier spoke out — does not he also have the right of freedom of expression?
And by the way no one has thrown Wimpy out; he did the running on his own, and, unfortunately, I am sure he will be back!
And I am sure that the B’bados Prime Minister did use his right of reply in the appropriate fora, even if not directly.
How does Gonsalves, a private citizen, unfettered by the responsibilities to the rules of journalism, compare to the Compass?
Apples and oranges. Nice try, though Donnie.
Chase those crazy….chase those crazy baldheads out of the town….
Brilliantly written, well balanced and on point! Well done!
The Compass is still the only real newspaper, though barely. Not publishing on the weekends shows how far out in the sticks the place is.
So brave of him publishing all of these anti-Cayman editorials but as soon Alden raised his voice he ‘Legged’ it out of here faster than Folio went down that time when Alden confronted him in the Tea Room…
And twice as fast as poor old cripple Ms Vienne moved that time when those bad boys put cow-itch on her…
The Legges are done in Cayman. This storm-in-a-teacup is a smokescreen for the Compass to go out of business and blame the whole thing on Alden.
The final nail in the coffin will be an end to the requirement for jobs to be advertised in the newspaper. Watch this space.
Dear Nicky,
Nice journalism and by the way readers it’s Ms. Nicky Watson. A blogger in here thinks you are a gentleman.
So, stop the tape! As Brackers will say in our lingo, “but stop”……meaning we are thinking about the entire matter and shocked at hearing what you just said.
Do you Ms. Watson feel we are being “gas lighted” by the entire drama and something else is going on? Some things are not always what they seem. This is possible since it would take an act of Congress or more to move heaven and earth to get the Governor to act so quickly, decisively. Something bigger might be afoot. Bet we will never know the real reason he, Mr. Legge, was “raptured” out of there. This literal brou ha ha is not making sense. What evidence do we have that Governor Kilpatrick did this. We have not heard from her at all on Radio Cayman so can you give us your footnote of quotes or sources of this new information?
CNS: We only have what David Legge told the New York Times, and that is that the governor authorised the police security detail.
“What country does Helen Kilpatrick think that she is governor of, exactly?”
A very thought provoking question Nicky
She is Governor of a territory. And you cannot commit treason against a mere territory.
She is a cocktail hostess whose primary function appears to be to entertain the grasping social climbing class using a massive budget provided by the taxpayers. Bonfire of the vanities stuff at best.
Bravo. Nail. On. Head.
Well done Nicky. The piece was nicely articulated and I do believe very balanced as well.
It certainly behooves me that we can’t find resources to Police our Eastern Districts but YET, Gov. Kilpatrick provides resources to protect Mr. Legge from some perceived threat.
The things that makes you go hmmmmmm…..
Is it possible the Legge’s possess knowledge of high-level corruption and cover-ups that put them in harm’s way? Definitely. As for risk factors, there are hordes of armed gangsters living here (or a short plane ride away) in support of illicit transshipment industries. Those in touch with the reality of Cayman’s underbelly know this ain’t Kansas, and apparently so do the Legge’s. Whether we want to admit it or not, there are some lethal people living here and they commit violent crimes and move about with relative immunity. Sorry, but it’s true. Now, back to the fairy world of rainbows and unicorns…
Legge’s own explanation of his ‘flight to safety’ was his supposed fear that the Premier’s words would stir up some patriot to do him physical harm. I understand why you would be looking for another explanation though. That one is too absurd to be credible.
You’ve obviously never heard the drunk and high callers into Rooster on a Tuesday morning. Proof positive that Cayman has no shortage of idle demented head-cases and D-grade politicians that would listen and take their instruction from these morons. Unfortunately for us, very credible.
You show the same contempt for Caymanians that Legge has. Caymanians are renowned for their passivity. A completely baseless fear.
It’s not contempt, it’s honesty. Read the other CNS headlines – guns, bullets all seized from these native son pacifists engaged in business that seems to require these things. You can acknowledge or look away, but you cannot say this isn’t reality.
Sure buddy. When your only contact with local society comes at cocktail gatherings of the grasping class assembled at the old beach house next to the Westin you are certain to have a direct handle on the criminal underbelly. Anyone who believes that is probably on the regular guest list and as lost in his own bubble as most of that set.
The Governor and the CoP must come clean on their actions and connections to Legge.
Congrats to CNS on an excellent viewpoint. Very well observed!
10:44 am — well now that he is off the rock, he has a hotline to the governor and the Commish and can get the buggers!
Let’s hope!
Your post is telling. You are obviously in tough with and a part of the “underbelly” you write about and you know what Legge’s connection to this “underbelly” is.
Get to h*ll out here. Don’t paint me with yours and Legge tar brush.
There would be no “underbelly” if people like refused to participate in those types of activities,
Wow!
Wow!
Fantastic editorial Nicky!
I couldn’t agree more: our Premier, who I voted for and still support, is nevertheless a thin-skinned over-reacter. But David Legge is a foppish piece of crap and these Islands are better off without him.
One word of warning to my fellow Caymanians though: let’s not congratulate ourselves too much on chasing this idiot off the island. He is a dangerous wounded animal with many contacts in the international media. The Cayman Government, Cayman Finance, and others, need to get some good stories out there about Cayman. We can win the war on facebook and in the local media, but lose in the eyes on the international press.
Before you say “who cares” just remember that the foreign media is who Mr. Cameron and Mr. Obama read, not CNS. They are not getting the full story and we need to be sure they do! Otherwise we could lose big in the long run.
i keep reading the compass editorial…..what was said that was incorrect?
does the truth hurt that much?
That was my first reaction as well, but then I re-read it: Legge states that Cayman is “culturally steeped” in corruption. Which is horribly off the mark. Yes, we have issues (everywhere does). But, as someone who grew up here and has lived in other countries, I don’t see it that way at all.
Add that to the many other editorials where Legge expresses his disgust at Cayman and Caymanians (he’s always subtle, but I think if you read enough you’ll see that “disgust” is the correct word) and it just got to a point where enough was enough.
Like it or not, Cayman has a “no snitch” and “back-scratching” culture that does us no favors. At one end of the continuum there are murderers that are set free, time and time again for lack of reliable witnesses or judicial failure – at the other end of the continuum, there is overt cronyism, misconduct, ineptitude, and nepotism (he/she’s my second cousin). CNS, of all the media, should know this – they are the ones that delight in reporting the recurrent crime, sometimes several headlines per day. It’s true that nobody likes hearing this, but the whole territory will benefit from demanding a higher standard. If it’s not our goal as a society, we prove Legge’s thesis correct.
So where is your utopia poster
You are mixing up all sorts of things here. The fact that someone might not be convicted of a murder you believe they committed does not mean that the judge was corrupt. More often than not it means that the prosecution and the police did not do their jobs probably more out of ineptitude than anything else. Sometimes it is because the witness are in genuine fear for their lives and the witness protection programme is not really an appealing option and so will not testify or will flub their testimony.
BTW, I don’t think that being your 2nd cousin in Cayman counts as nepotism since there are far too many people in that category.
Not to mentioned a country where some politicians openly admit giving cash to members of the public down on their luck. Then oppose laws that would prevent such actions. Some self reflection other then condemnation of the Leggee article would have been beneficial. Instead of asking ourselves what can we do to stop corruption at all levels it seems many recoiled at the thought and scummed to nationalist fervor. Cayman is always under the microscope and when things like this happen it only damages the country. Shame on both parties.
But corruption IS rife up in here. We know that just in the way all the SMB land has been taken over down WB road. Why is every one so up in arms because this lil guy said it out loud?
I believe that the Legges were positioned at the Compass in order to push the policies of their patron/ employer/ benefactor. If there is any odor in this current fiasco, I for one smell Mt Trashmore very strongly. Something has to be done to the whole nations satisfaction.
How about thinking outside the box a little. Obviously the people of Bodden Town don’t wish to live with a landfill in their district and George Town residents want it gone.
After Ivan, wasn’t the majority of trash and debris carted to a site near Barkers where the prevailing winds took the smoke and other byproducts out to sea?
Now if 90% of the Island’s trash is generated in GT, 7MB and WB wouldn’t it make sense to utilize the great new northerly road given to us by the Dart corporation, and take the trash to a brand new state of the art, non offensive, facility at that part of Grand Cayman for recycling, composting, and responsible obliteration of the residue?. With the major topic of the Compass’s editorial board eliminated, maybe, just maybe, the Compass can get back to performing the responsible duties that our only print news service should be doing.
DART? Did you say DART?? You don’t think……. I mean you don’t believe that….. Oh my!
“Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men?”
No C Marron, I only mentioned Dart regarding the spectacular road the he provided. Now if we were to use the road in the manner alluded to then we could probably get an enormous sum of money for the current site of Mt Trashmore. How much do you reckon that block of land in Georgetown and adjacent to Camana Bay would be worth on the open market which is the only way for CIG to liquidate public property. In addition, all the foul land between the dump and North Sound has enormous potential for development.
yawn….this whole issue has been created by alden with his over the top attack on the only independent newspaper in cayman….
well done to mr legge for standing upto the typical cayman bully boys….
Obviously it was created by Legge’s editorial concerning which many Caymanians and expats are appalled. High-tailing it out of here on imagined fears of physical reprisal is hardly “standing up to” anyone. That was a major part of the article in case you missed it.
Planning to join him?
YAWN….*as if im half asleep to leave a half-azz comment* – You think caymanians are bully boys my brother? Was it perhaps from AN OUTTER influence of HIGHER standards? Do you know what hospitality is? Do you know why tourist pour in to our islands? Do you wish to threaten this and join the ranks of true terrorist? Dont repeat or attempt to torch the very country YOU ARE IN. Im sure the ‘blokes’ can tell you this whilst enjoying a brew at the pub mate…theres no caymanians there!
May I suggest to the Cayman Compass Editorial Board this week’s cartoon. It should depict the Legges in a big steaming pot, boiling over a fire surrounded by wild eyed cannibals with bones in their noses and knives and forks in the hands. The caption should indicate Mrs. Legge saying, “I told you we shouldn’t have come back.” Funny huh?
King Legge and Queen Kill Patrick Combine got more drama going on than Quakers have Oats!
This probably the best Viewpoint I have ever read on CNS! You totally nailed it, Nicky Watson. You ladies rock compared to that pompous, sanctimonious coward. This should be followed up with a cartoon. But not a Barefoot one. One that is really funny.
Well Said Nicky. It is so well written and on target, that I felt compelled to but my name on this comment. Thanks.
According to our Commish Baines he has a man power shortage yet he can provide 4 officers to Turk & Caicos to investigate a shooting they can’t even solve here (Jose Sanchez acquitted) and a security detail for Senor Legge and his entourage yet the outer districts has absolutely no police coverage. Yet another employment Scam to bring friends and family from the UK. As for Madam Killjoy our resident socialite finally doing “Sum Ting” by activating Def Con 4 to protect our resident “drama queen” speaks for itself. If Mr Legge’s weekly trek to our local prison to gather criminal gossip in exchange for gifts with our convicted local drug don and attempted murderer doesn’t warrant a protection detail so why does he need one now???? Just asking? only in Cayman in the playground of the Colonials.
You know a few years ago when the rollover started, there was only one newspaper that stood up to the rhetoric that was being levelled against Jamaicans. That was Cayman Net News. At that time the Compass stood by and did absolutely nothing. There were many in positions of power, a lot of them Jamaicans who had gained Caymanian Status who did nothing to defend the comments that were being made about poor Jamaicans who had been here for many years and who had contributed in their own way to the building of this beautiful country. There were days as a Jamaican I felt threatened and during all of this time I can’t recall the Compass using its position of power to do anything to stop the hate fueled rants that were being levelled against Jamaicans.
Fast forward so many years and while you can still hear the hate being spewed against poor people in this country, neither newspaper has actually said that it is hate speech. We have no idea what threat was made against the Legges that preceded their leaving the Cayman Islands, but Ms. Watson and others at CNS must know this, there are a few persons in the Cayman Islands who listen to politicians and then interpret in their own way what is being said or indeed what has been left unsaid. These people will no doubt think that a pair of rich white Americans who are being called treasonous by someone with as much power as the Premier of these Islands might be minded to take matters into their own hands.
Yes, the Cayman Islands is not like the Middle East or Russia or China. Frankly, the practice of journalism in the Cayman Islands can sometimes be likened to having your own blog and writing about what makes you happy or about what interests you. There is a saying that one man’s meat is another man’s poison. What you or I consider a nonsensical issue can be construed as a possible threat by someone else. The Legges, and by extension the Caymanian Compass journalists might not risk their lives on a daily basis but consider this: advertisements is what keeps entities like CNS and the Compass afloat. The Compass also employs a significant number of Caymanians. How does (as we say in Jamaica), box bread out of the mouth of the Compass help Caymanians?
The point that seems to be missing from all of this is that the Cayman Islands is looking very bad. 2 prominent citizens needing police security after being accused of treason by the Premier of the Cayman Islands. Have we forgotten how other countries and economies have been destroyed in the past? Look at the Turks & Caicos? Have we not learned from the mistake of others? Our country is under attack by outside forces intent on destroying these Islands. It would bode well if everyone could put their penis back in their pants before this p*ssing contest becomes much worse.
Anonymous 09/06/2015 at 9:55 am
This is spot on. Better said than the original viewpoint which was OOT. As OOT as the Premier flinging around such a serious word as ‘treason’.
You are so right about the p*ssing contest. That’s been goin’ on ’round here for YEARS.
Dem peeps need to calm theyselves.
Nicky you need to simmah doahn now. I’m disappointed in such a blatant verbal attack on the poor guy. (I don’t care for him either but I always thought you were better than that)
Right on the money, Miss Nicky. What that man has done to the Cayman(ian) Compass beggars belief. Typical of him and his Pinnacle organisation is the fact that the Compass is integral to his public relations and marketing structure – hence the endless pieces for Dart and Shetty. In any developed country this would be illegal. Time for the Caymanian to send him and his court shoes back to Washington.
Nicky its the best piece I have ever read from you. Hands down. Congratulations. You have said it the way it is and it reaffirms my faith in truth. It finally comes out the way it should, without any sugar coating.
Here are two articles from Mr. Legge’s past at the D Magazine in Dallas (1981).
It explains why the man did what he did once he moves from his corporate trash and took over the Compass.
http://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/1981/april/insights
http://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/1981/september/insights
Both articles reflect (his feelings about) the black community in general and the second article reflects his “true’ talent as an editor. Dont blame me if you end up on the floor laughing with the common english language errors that a four year old makes 🙂
Finally as for NYT article, Mr. Jeré Longman, the author was in writing for the Dallas Herald Tribune when Mr. Legge was venting his feelings about the black community in Dallas back in 1980’s. So much for the two minute fame he got. Truly, shame on Legge and shame on Longman for this stunt.
Your comments about the Premier are also on the dot. Time for reflection folks.
Also it would make a very interesting read if we ever get to know about the source of the US$ 18 Million that landed in Mr. Legge’s lap when he wrote the cheque to buy out the Compass and added a few brand new Jag’s to his car fleet. So its a story worth telling if someone has the patience to listen to people like us. Good luck.
Way to go Nicky. Thumbs up.
An intriguing and informative corollary to an excellent Viewpoint. Thank you for this. I hope we can get answers.
This viewpoint is right on point. Thanks for sharing!
YOU GO GIRL. BRAVO.
So he admits that he was wrong to the Governor, and not to the people of the Cayman Islands? He is not even a good PR practitioner — crisis communications means admitting to wrong doing and outlining how you will fix wrongs going forward.
Instead of the stupid, grade school level “In Memoriam,” if you had had a heart to heart with the people of the Cayman Islands, you could have done much for healing and forgiveness.
And don’t forget, David Leggee, you and your outfit are not the only ones with the right to freedom of expression — so do the Premier and theeople’sthe of the Cayman Islands.
Amen twice over, also. Bravo is right!
AMEN
Well said Nicky. Some people seem to melt like butter in the Cayman sun and lose all backbone (if they had a backbone in the first place). ‘And in a world where incredibly brave reporters in many countries display remarkable courage in the face of terrible dangers, Legge runs away from the Cayman Islands. Yes, the Cayman Islands. The absurdity is mind-blowing. Shameful.’ Reporters, cameramen, photographers and the list goes on to even losing their lives for freedom. Perhaps those that run should keep running and stay where they are now.
Ouch.
Hear, Hear well said!
I am appalled to hear our leading citizen use the word treason?
The action of betraying someone or something, The crime of betraying one’s country!!
Freedom of speech is one of the foundations Freedom is built on, and trying to gain ‘election’ support by using such inflammatory words does nothing to serve his cause.
I would ask of the Premier, is not his statement “I will not endorse a foreign fire chief” an act of betraying one’s country in the context that if it is OK for the Premier to publicly state he will not endorse a foreigner, does that not open the floodgates and give permission to every international corporation and organisation CEO, to advise their HR recruiting departments that it is OK to be racist, discriminatory and not employ Caymanians even if they are the best suited, qualified and experienced for the job?
Is this not an act of betrayal?
Our young people struggle and find it hard enough to gain admittance as it is without the Premier giving permission for any expat in position to be discriminatory!
Again, I applaud Nicky Watson for his journalism and the unbiased journalistic integrity shown on many occasions.
Sadly I cannot support our Premier in his ‘BIASED’ views.
Yes, I agree that Treason was over the top and would have been better left out — but Nicky said a lot more than that. You didn’t read the entire piece? All you saw was that reference? There were many much larger issues that she expanded upon.
Nicky, well done for a fair balanced yet passionate piece.
Had the Premier substituted the words “an act of betrayal” for “treasonous”, he would have been spot on. It is a betrayal. Your own political biases are clouding your judgment on this.
Offshore Alert has now jumped on the bank wagon also – calling it “3rd world attack”. Please Leggae – don’t return to our shores!
OffshoreAlert hardly ‘jumped on the band wagon’, given that my blog was published yesterday, which was before the NY Times’ piece, and we report extensively on Cayman on a regular basis.
My blog pointed out that 1. Accusing a newspaper of treason and withdrawing public funds because you and your colleagues disagree with an innocuous editorial is very third world; and 2. Claiming that corruption is not a problem in Cayman is ‘head-in-the-sand’ stuff that will not inspire confidence in the outside world that the problem will be addressed.
We also provide a link where you can view a video of a session on ‘Corruption in OFCs’ that was presented at OffshoreAlert’s Conference in Miami in 2013. One of the presenters was Cayman’s former Auditor General, Dan Duguay, who described corruption as “endemic” on the island (hardly what any non-homer didn’t know already).
Regarding Nicky’s well-written, interesting and entertaining editorial, I certainly don’t consider Cayman to be a physically dangerous place (financially dangerous, yes, but not physically). It’s my favourite offshore jurisdiction and I love visiting the island. However, when the leader of a government accuses someone of ‘treason’ (really, what on earth was McLaughlin thinking?), that’s fighting talk. It creates an uneasy atmosphere and could easily be interpreted as inciting hate. Perception is reality and David Legge clearly perceived there to be a threat.
McLaughlin’s choice of words were inexcusable. The guy needs to stop acting like a teenager who’s first girlfriend has just dumped him and more like a government leader.
David, I agree that we have problems in Cayman (where doesn’t?) and I agree that “treason” was a vast over-exagerration. But, what I think you fail to realize is the totality of Legge’s editorials over the years, and its impact on the everyday Caymanian (and expat, and PR, and all of us). He seemingly despises the people he has chosen to live amongst, and is apparently terrified of us as well.
We are not people who deserved to be despised and/or vilified.
I can’t afford your publication so don’t read it and don’t know your stance on the issues, but I accept at face value your profession of love for Cayman. Sometimes in love you have to accept that the feelings of the one you love are more important than your own. In this case, our feelings have been deeply wounded, and I hope for a little more sympathy from you who loves us.
This is the entire concept of the Blacks on a whole. The tricks, slandering, FALL, belief and thus what we have today wide range of segregation and legal slavery for ALL.
Greed is a never ending pot that boils its contents at high heat.
It is no longer only a racial war but a strive for ‘success’…or in reality whats mine is mine and what is yours is mine for those who HAVE.
THEY know not of genuine LOVE and its loyal companions.
Typically they can be found loathing in everything under the SUN to gain this ‘success’ for a lack of better word CONTROL for they are truly weak.
Control to make better ONLY at their gain (true success in their eyes) or downfall (further separation of people following their folly because THEY already HAVE)
Dont think for one second that it is a caymanian vs. expat standoff as they would make it appear….because in reality it is and will be Right vs. Wrong.
Open YOUR OWN eyes….Question to the ‘blind’ – What is the real reason you have more of something in this world? Now ask yourself is it to please them or your true self?
David Marchant – try to get past your biases against international financial centres like Cayman long enough to read and think clearly. No one has claimed that “corruption is not a problem in Cayman”. Not the Premier, not anyone. It is a problem everywhere. In the U.S., the U.K.. Everywhere. It is ridiculous to claim it is “endemic” to Cayman or that we are culturally steeped in it. Such words from Duguay suggest the “guy whose first girlfriend dumped him” that you mentioned. It is not clear at all that Legge really perceived a threat. It wasn’t reasonable to perceive any such physical threat, and if he is such a timorous soul he really should stay away from writing obnoxious editorials. And he was not entitled to any police protection at public expense if he had such paranoia, or worse, using Cayman public funds to damage the reputation of the Cayman Islands. It is far more likely that this was amateur theatrics for publicity. Yes, “treasonous” was over the top. But an act of betrayal, definitely.
The fact that you consider exposing serious financial crime to be evidence of “biases against international financial centres” is disturbing. If you’re in the industry, I dread to think the type of activity you are involved with. Only crooks consider what I do to be harmful.
From your reaction that obviously hit home. You ended up proving the point. You have clouded judgment. Try dealing with the substance of the post.
He is indeed. Unfortunately just another internet schemer trying to get rich by providing PROPAGANDA to attract people of the masses. Who are you kidding David? Because clearly you are deceiving yourself. What crook exposed himself to you whilst explaining what he did or didnt ‘like’???? I got MORE questions
Brilliant, wish I could hug you!
Nicky, to you I give a big fat juicy e-kiss!!!
Very well written Nicky, hears hoping that in the very near future there will be a space on the editorial team over at the Compass, Legge has over reacted and we the people (expats and Camanians) deserve an sincere apology and now, if this makes it to any more international news feeds then the premier might have a leg to stand on when he called Mr. Legge out for treason.
BRILLIANT!
THE BEST VIEWPOINT EVER!
Security for Legge, and escort to airport , and on the flight? What is going on here? Unless there is something we do not know here, this is utterly ridiculous!! This calls for a public statement to explain why this was deemed necessary. Cayman is an incredibly safe place, no one even throws a rock in election fever here, so why would Legge feel threatened? I suppose when you are a permanent part of the cocktail circuit here that’s maybe what you are entitled to.
Cannot be. Not in the manner reported. Access to the police as a private security detail not available to the wider public in similar circumstances would be a possible hallmark of corruption, wouldn’t it?