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.
This viewpoint is nothing but a BULLY writing to get the community up in arms over this. You are now just a big bully in my eyes. Nothing but a childish bully.
So disappointed in CNS. I thought you were better than this. You should have taken the high road instead of this mean, spiteful and hateful words spewing from this site. You should be ashamed. You could have showed much more class than this.
Ugh!
CNS did take the high road. The posters on Caycompass, of which you are no doubt one or your are Legge himself, are the ones who should feel ashamed.
To 11:55A who replied to my comment;
If I can make out what you are trying to say… No, I am neither. And CNS is definitely NOT taking the highroad.
I just do not like BULLIES!! I am so tired of the ganging up on anyone not born and raised here if they make one wrong move. This Viewpoint was an inciteful piece to get everyone on their ‘side’. Everyone came here to get things off their chest because they could do so anonymously.
The hateful and vile comments spewing from this post shows just how mean people can be in their gang mentality. This entire piece was a public stoning!!
Everyone taking up for Webb and his corrupted bumboclot, but poor little Legge got a big ol’ blast of Cayman Kind.
I do not particularly care for Legge nor what his paper has become. I don’t agree with him contacting the overseas press, but I agree that the use of the word ‘treason’ should not be done frivolously. This is mean spirited and downright childish. Taking photos of him and making fun of him, making fun of his looks, calling him names, trying to run the man off of the island for good etc. You’d all be singing a different song if he was or even looked like Jeffery Webb and had been born here. (That man will be slapped on the wrist and then welcomed home-you just watch!)
We all know corruption is all around us, we’ve been complaining about all of the scandals from the previous government (I won’t list them here but we ALL know what they are), but all of the sudden a paper Caymanian says it with his name attached and folk go batsh!t crazy on him.
My own people using this situation to spew their hatred and frustration towards paper Caymanians. I’m embarrassed at so much anonymous bitching.
This viewpoint was NOT taking the highroad. Did I already say that? If you think this is considered taking the highroad, I’m afraid that you do not know what that means. Google it.
Sign me A Caymanian that Doesn’t Hate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHmvkRoEowc
LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE!
Hahaha!! I never said that but that’s kind of funny Chris
I just found this entertaining piece of reading:
http://www.grandcaymanmagazine.com/media/downloads/GCM-CNN-Article.pdf
I can’t decide if I like his editorial advice or his comments to Ronald Reagan best.
“During my years at The Washington Post, which included the Watergate era, I developed an appreciation for the role that a free press plays in a free society. At the least, a good newspaper provides an agreed upon set of facts, so all ensuing arguments and debates at least start out on the ‘same page.’ At its best, a good newspaper uses its ‘voice,’ the Editorial Page, to provide wisdom and leadership on the most important issues of the day. To squander this editorial franchise by publishing “soufflé editorials” (sweet, light, and full of hot air) is to avoid one’s community responsibility.”
David R. Legge and former President Ronald Reagan share a handshake after they shared a stage in Charlotte, North Carolina. David’s opening remark to the more than 28,000 people in the audience: “There are nearly as many people in this coliseum tonight as there are in my entire country!”
Legge could say:
The premier wears underpants.
Or
It is not known if the Premier wears underpants.
Or
The premier wears ladies underpants.
Amy if these statements could be his opinion of what he knows to be true. If the subject wishes to take an exception to a published statement about themselves they may take civil action for defamation/libel/slander. They may not harass or threaten action for anything else, including treason.
So the fact something other than a civil litigation process was implied is a shock in a community with a recent implication of corruption so severe key players in the community have had to be replaced by action from the UK.
Are the Legged drama queens? Maybe, but look at the assets they left behind. Given the same circumstances, would you stay in a foreign country of any kind? I don’t think I would.
Regardless, any published opinion or soapbox speech addressed by any action other than civil litigation is censorship of free speech. This is outrageous. It may or may not have been appropriate to publish what they did, but we should have the right to do so. When was this right terminated?
And by the way, I have it on good authority the Premier does not wear underpants.
Ewwwww…
What rubbish. There was absolutely no reason for the Legges to “flee for their lives”. The Premier rebuked him as he should have. Govt is entitled to decide where it spends its money. The Compass is not entitled to it. What harassment are you talking about?
What a ridiculous, disgraceful, disrespectful post. No one has terminated Legge’s right to publish his views. Neither has our freedom of speech been terminated.
Nicky I’m quite disappointed with you. You just let the other newspaper take the licks when you just write soft pieces. There’s quite a bit going on in your own backyard but I’ve noticed that before whenever it’s something controversial and people write against you, you back down.
As an American, calling out someone on Treason is a major offense and not a laughing matter. I myself would have hightailed it to another country but I wouldn’t have went on t.v. talking about it.
CNS: This apparently was a note from a parallel universe, where CNS never takes any licks and the Compass does all the hard journalism. Too funny!
Can some one please point to the actual original article as want to make sure I am reading the correct one?
Nicky, many thanks for saying what most people honestly feel about the whole affair and the Legge’s themselves. What is particularly interesting about the Legge’s is that they are not professional journalists at all for they never report a balanced view of both negatives and positives or all the facts rather choosing to only report the negative side of news because “negativity” sells news. Legge’s are renown for their negativity and criticism of all issues and have lowered their journalist down to the levels of the National Enquirer standards in journalist. They lose all credibility in their support of the UDP and McKeeva Bush being totally silent on the actions XXXXX of the last Government and more recently XXXXXXX their performance and actions of operating the paper clearly do not indicate astute professional business people who are protecting and promoting their investment of over $12.0m in the purchase of the publishing business. XXXXXXX It is time the Legge’s are investigated for why are they here, what is their true hidden agenda and where did the money come from to purchase Cayman Free Press. We need to trace and follow the money and then light will be shed on the truth.
What are you talking about? What he did was unnecessary and frankly, embarrassing, but Legge has been in the Cayman Islands for decades and the need for an “investigation” is not only completely lacking evidence, and thus illegal without a warrant, but would also blow up this situation further. There is not a case of a ‘hidden agenda’; subsequent to his humiliation he blatantly aimed to make a bit of money out of his story after all. However, I think it was more outrageous that our premier, with a supposed legal background, could make such an incorrect statement that is accepted by the majority of us Caymanians. I think it essential that people actually look into this issue before they comment and further this debate, and really the investigation should be into the corruption which most people are aware of yet turn a blind eye towards.
What’s this BS about leaving for fear of his life? Wasn’t he planning a trip to France this week anyways? Well, that’s what Vicki said. Hmmm….
“anyways” is NOT a word!!
Mr. Leggett went to the Governor and demanded protection. She advised him to speak to the CoP because she does not deal with matters like this BUT Mr. Leggett knew that his fantastical tale of fleeing in fear of his life would have more credibility if he threw the Governor’s name in there
Then “while in hiding” he calls all his reporting buddies to give this incredible story of how he had to flee the island because he “bravely” exposed corruption. It is clear that he is not the accomplished journalist he had hoped to be. He envies the recognition his former colleagues got for Watergate so he decided he was going to invent his own story of which he could be the hero. Sad! He has obviously lost touch with reality.
I was also surprised that someone like Marchant got suckered into his story but then so did the N.Y. Times and The Washington Post.
It is unfortunate that Mr. Leggett chose to smear the island and people in this way just to obtain ‘recognition for himself..
Is corruption here? Absolutely! Are Caymanians “crazies and malcontents” that Mr. Leggett referred to them as, a violent people who will hunt him down and harm him based on his reckless wording? Absolutely not!
Mr. Leggett since you find Cayman is is corrupt and full of “crazies” who in your own imagination believe they are going to harm you or your wife it would be best not to return. Stay where you think it is safe.
When the CBC expression astonishment about the “target” on his back, Legge said that he was named in the LA so he is now a marked man among the population. Did he think that anyone with any interest in local affairs did not already know who he was and what he stood for?
Such thin arguments for a man who is charged with evaluating and assessing the weighty matters of a whole country that come across the newsroom of the Islands’ only daily!
God help us.
And you would think that a serious journalist would have more respect for facts and details: in his CBC interview he did nothing to dispel the notion that the uproar has actually nothing to do with Jeffrey Webb and his arrest, per se, but everything to do with the claims his newspaper made in its editorial about the endemic corruption of a people so “steeped” in corruption they cannot recognise it when they see.
If he was worth his salt as a journalist he would have sought to help the international media to understand the true cause of the uproar.
But, then, that would not have suited his purpose, would it?
If you put it in context, CBC had this interview between an item on lost garden gnomes and seniors who do graffiti, their ironic/weird segment, so I doubt if listeners took it seriously.
Who is the Leggett you keep referring to? Do you mean Legge?
It is the annoying incorrect which they didn’t catch or actually didn’t care to correct, in case you were trying to be funny or thought they got the name incorrect.
Legge Of Da Grandiose Existence. hahahaha on da run bobo
Interesting acronym.
This guy is such a p.o.s.
Well Cayman, welcome to the club. We understand what your goin thru, remember “everyone is innocent until proven guilty” and even so sometimes that is wrongly done. This is a voice from the Turks and Caicos whom you had so much to say about when our problems started so i say to you welcome to the world of injustices. We will watch to see what the world and others will be saying, you helped them when it was our time, now were in it together.
Hey, TCI, thanks for your commiseration and condolences at the same time. Our issue was a government-based one. Here we have one man, a private citizen working for a non-government international organisation whose corruption was long rumoured — decades old, in fact.
But thanks for thinking of us.
Sorry — must re-read the postings — that should have been “Your (not “our” as shown in 2:27 am) issue was a governemnt-based one.”
Obviously needed sleep.
The first reference uses her first and last name. Subsequent references uses last name. That is the norm for most media.
You’ve just insulted Cayman by comparing it with the TCI. Cayman is generally a well-run, well-developed and sophisticated jurisdiction where whatever negatives it has are far outweighed by its positives. Everything the TCI is not. Whatever corruption exists in Cayman is nothing compared with the TCI. Trust me, no country wants to be compared with the TCI. Now let me see those thumbs-up, please.
Can anyone else remember a few short years ago the news media were so respectful of these Islands that they referred to the Governor as His Excellency? Now the rude, ignorant writer of this article refers to Her Excellency as “Kilpatrick” even her own boss gets the courtesy of her first and second name! If this is what she thinks of Her Excellency then I can only think that this article is sour grapes that Mt Legge has a news paper and all she has is a keyboard and vents her frustration so. I think this is referred too as “gutter journalism” in the wider world.
Well, at least she printed your vent! Be thankful.
6:50 pm: times they are a changing. Welcome to the modern world.
Titles such as ‘Her Excellency’, ‘Lord’, ‘Lady’, ‘Sir’, ‘The Hon.’ etc. are all archaic, elitist nonsense. They should all be done away with. I once exposed a hedge fund whose chairman’s name began ‘The Rt. Hon. Sir’. Give me a break. The guy chaired a Mickey Mouse investment fraud. There was nothing ‘honorable’ about his conduct. He was a ‘Right Herbert’ more than a ‘Right Honourable’.
Time for Independence?
got to agree we are getting disrespectful here but still taking monday off for Lizzies birthday!!!
I think the government needs to start the conversation about removing this man permanently from cayman. I’ve seen the 10 compass supporters comments posted on the news article about government cutting all commercial ties with the compass stating all types of foolishness about hate comments being posted on cns what a bunch bs if you take time to read thru most of the comments posted about this viewpoint you will clearly see no one is truly spouting any hate towards him or his family . This is simple to understand if you come here to disrespect the people of these islands and I mean all the people we need stop this sh*t about expat or caymanian these names or labels are what is ruining this place this us vs them mentality. Just because someone can’t vote don’t mean they should be less important than someone like me who can vote. My whole point is this everyone’s opinions should be respected. If you come here and disrespect the people so boldly what do you think is going happen it’s only so much that you can take before you had enough. The compass and it’s supporters like to talk about free speech and all that good stuff so why wouldn’t they post any of my comments on their website? And do you really think if he had all this knowledge about corruption I don’t think someone like him has the capacity to keep any secrets. We aren’t a perfect place but we are sure better off than a lot of other countries. If the Cayman Islands is so bad then just please stay away this fifa scandal is bad enough we don’t need you making something out of nothing.
“My whole point is this everyone’s opinions should be respected.”
Too funny. You’re complaining about Legge’s opinions, and want to have him kicked off the island for them, but say that everyone’s opinions should be respect. I guess you really meant that everyone’s opinions, except for those you disagree with, should be respected. It’s kind of like the government’s whole “We believe in freedom of speech, but…”
You sir/mam is missing the point I want him kicked off of this island because he is hateful disrespectful disingenuous he means no good to cayman he is a destabilizing force. If you have been following most of the editorials since he has taken over the compass then maybe you would understand the sly remarks the so called “funny cartoons” well I can assure we aren’t laughing at all. The statements he made to the international media are laughable and * too funny* as well. it seems you share the same sentiments as him. And yes I do disagree with him that all “caymanians are corrupt” but you know what your opinion is just that yours, the majority of the people use to believe what he was doing was good exposing pitfalls in government and scrutinizing them. We had no problem with that but the way he views the people that’s a line he shouldn’t have crossed. The simple fact he is no longer welcome here call it what you want but that’s my opinion. You are clearly ignorant to the facts also or maybe the facts don’t matter to you. I keep seeing this sh*t about “freedom of speech” when was his or anyone for that matter been taken away or silenced. Did the premier or any other government official propose to shut down the compass ? Or censor anything all what was done was the government won’t be doing any business with the compass simple. Please explain to me since I seem to be so naive at what point was he not able to exercise his right of freedom of speech? He ran away and told lies on the people about needing protection . It goes to show he been here for 25 years (what he claims) and never once truly connected with the people. If he did he would know there was no need to run off island so dramatically and spout lies about the people. Real caymanians are non-violent and passive people we tend to avoid problems.
“everyone’s opinions should be respected” … so, er, … ‘let’s kick him off the island’. A spectacular contradiction.
Good or bad publicity, it is STILL publicity. Right or wrong, all he had to do was cast the aspersion that he ‘fled’ the country and it will be NEWS everywhere. Nothing like boosting the name of your publication to be on everyone’s tongue. Stock value just went WAY up!
I find it incredibly hypocritical that when McKeeva Bush complained about the press he was called all kinds of evil names. Now the shoe is on the other foot and so where is the uproar? This is just a ploy to detract from the high unemployment among Caymanians and other serious issues. Who else is this govt going to suppress now that they even got to the talk shows and the newspaper? Blind supporters are scary.
Ummm.. that would be because his complaints were not justified and were all about himself and not on behalf of the people of these Islands. Get it?
There is NOT repeat NOT high unemployment among Caymanians. Give the figures that exclude the unemployable or those with disabilities and you will find we are talking about a very small number of people. Of course its a tragedy that some people do not have jobs and we need to do something to support them in finding employment but that does not equate to high unemployment. Presumably you are one that has never let fact get in the way of ignorance.
“The Man who Legged it” would also work, even though I do agree that the coward did run!
Take them all from Cayman – THEY ALL have similar motives…else….why come here from your ‘glorious’ thrones over the high seas….?? FACE THE FACTS.
How many Caymanian contributors to CNS have condemned Mr Webb -very few. Contrast this with the vilification of the Governor who has already denied involvement in the police protection of Mr Legge.It seems they have got their priorities sadly wrong.
Ummmm…perhaps because Jeff Webb is entitled to a presumption of innocence until proven guilty? Is that a new concept for you? And also this story really has nothing to do with Jeff Webb whatever Legge would want his foreign press connections to believe.
and is the gouverner not also presumed to be innocent until proven guilty as well?
apparently not ,as she is not Caymanian and according to you only Webb is presumed innocent as he is a Caymaniana.
Even the Premier hid behind Parliamentary Privalidge to me his allogations against Legg
All so hypocritical, treat everyone the same or admit your bias.
[Sigh]. It was LEGGE who made the claim that the Governor had ordered police protection for him. If that is what happened then that was misuse of government funds to benefit a particular private individual which we all know is not generally available to members of the public even when in real, not imagined, danger. We have every right to demand explanations. And stop deflecting by trying to turn this into an expat versus Caymanian issue. You and Legge are obviously of the same mindset.
Presumption of innocence is merely a shorthand term for how a criminal court treats someone prior to a verdict. Outside the Courtroom we are all free to come to our own views.
We are always free to come to our own views — just not always free to express them — at least without a great deal of carefulness.
Maybe I’m being overly paranoid but does anyone else think that perhaps the rather wealthy gentleman who has bought great swathes of land here, who appeared to exercise significant influence over previous governments, has a hand in all of this? That perhaps this is his way of saying to the current government “see what happens when you don’t give me what I want”. That this individual is systematically attacking Cayman and things Caymanian through these insulting and damaging editorials to provoke a reaction. And, then when he gets the reaction wanted, he dispatches his wind-up toy to shine just enough of the international spotlight on us to bring the current government and its leaders back into line.
Somebody is behind this – not this man and his wife who would go to the opening of an envelope if they thought it would inch them up the social ladder!
I am not sure I want to compare and contrast the Governor and Jeffrey Webb.
As Governor, she is the Queen’s representative and head of the civil service, charged with guarding good governance and all that goes with that. As a citizen whom she serves, I have a duty to call her out when she appears to have violated the very rules she is to safeguard — to ascertain if the appearances reflect reality. Remember, our good friend Legge was the one who gave her up.
Webb, a private citizen, involved wih an international non- governemnt organisation, is accorded the right to be regarded as innocent until proven guilty. No amount of blathering-on by me will make any difference — in fact, I could be interfering with the course of justice. And, by the way, the U.S. hardly needs my help.
But my posture on either should not be taken to mean that I am making a statement either way as to guilt or innocence.
…Because in a democracy, the head of state answers to the people (although in our particular colonial form the Governor seems to answer to the FCO — not exactly the “by the people, of the people for the people” ideal democrasy, admittedly).
But for those reasons we must and should call her out! If only because the FCO does read the local media.
Webb? I leave him to the law to sort him out.
To Nicky Watson: Awesome job. You hit every single nail on the head. The Premier, Mr. Legge, the New York Times lack of vetting on this “story”…every comment was spot on. Thanks for saying what many of us were thinking.
David Legge has no credibility left. He is far too self-important and grandstanding. The denials from authorities in power of Mr. Legge’s version of the events are causing his mirage of reality to rapidly fade away. His interview on CBC Radio was carried after a story about unclaimed garden gnomes and the vocal tone of one of the interviewers made no attempt to hide the fact that they were taking his answers with a healthy dose of doubt.
I am reading more and more in the international press about this incident and all from Legge’s view. The information they are reporting is not fair and accurate and for sure not complete. What is This man doing? Is he sitting in Florida contacting he press buddies and getting them to print his spin on the story without researching further.
It is clear his goal now has turned into an obsession to destroy Cayman through his press connections.
I would like to hear a categorical statement by the governor that she was in no way involved in protection being granted. The statement her staff made was conspicuously ambiguous. If she can/will do that it will go long way to discounting Mr. Legge’s allegations to the international media.
Concerned Caymanian
I hope David Legge gets some psychiatric help before returning, because I really can’t believe he said this to the Washington Post:
“Jeff Webb is a native son of the Cayman Islands, and he’s done much good for the Cayman Islands,” Legge says, before comparing the impact of his arrest to the impact of the September 11 attacks in the United States. “He’s truly one of the most beloved, and certainly famous, people in the Cayman Islands.”
If David Legge really wants to know just how beloved Jeff Webb is then all he has to do is run one of his famous online polls in the Compass.
Comparing Jeff Webb’s downfall to the impact of September 11 attacks in the United States is a fine example of how far out of touch the man is with reality. To show such lack of empathy for the people who continue to suffer because of that heinous, despicable, and pretty much incomparable act, with a glib off-the-cuff remark is a sure sign that he still has no idea how deeply he insulted the residents of the Cayman Islands.
I thought when the assembled CONCACAF scum compared Sepp Blatter to Jesus Christ and Nelson Madela it was bad, and when Jack Warner compared himself to Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi it was bad, but David Legge has really gone way overboard with his Jeff Webb and September 11 comparison.
Way to go, John Bodden!
I don’t think Legge was giving his personal reaction with that Sept. 11 reference. He was attempting to portray the impact of Webb’s arrest in Cayman, insinuating an over-the-top hysterical Caymanian reaction, ergo Caymanian lack of empathy or proportion. Legge is definitely XXXX.
BTW: Is it just coincidence that guys who wear those contrast-collar/french cuff Gordon Gekko shirts all seem to be XXXXX? Maybe it’s the shirt…
You know, I just wonder whether this running away is a pattern and whether coming to Cayman was another run from the heat.
There have been rumours, actually; yes, he, too, has been victim of rumours.
But if this is how he behaves in both triggering crises and reacting to them, it makes me really wonder….
It would appears as if I am just as guilty as Mr. Legge of sweeping generalization with my ” assembled CONCACAF scum” reference. Undoubtedly there are many football representatives who found Jack Warner’s bribes and antics offensive, and who toil not for reward or recognition but simply because they love football. To them I offer a sincere apology and my humble thanks for their continued efforts to remove the tarnish from the beautiful game.
Yes he is a Lawyer but the word Treasonous could mean many things :the offense of acting to overthrow one’s government or to harm or kill its sovereign. 2. a violation of allegiance to one’s sovereign or to one’s state. 3. the betrayal of a trust or confidence; breach of faith; treachery
It was used in the correct content
9:27 am, you have aound — the Premier could actually have been a betrayal of trust, breach of faith.
But given its several meanings, probably would have been better to steer away from such an emotionally loaded word that Legge has bounced upon, ignoring the heart of the concern by the Premier and the people.
Well, nobody ever said out leaders are smart.
Sorry, the first sentence of post at 9:27 came out a bit garbled; meant:
Yes, you have a point — the word has several meanings, but the Premier could actually have meant the last among the definitions you offered — the betrayal of trust, breach of faith.
Are you a lawyer/friend of the Premier, a status holder perhaps trying to get at the other status holders? It would not surprise me if a West Indian anti-colonial lawyer was behind this, doesn’t really should like Caymanians
No, I am born and bred Caymanian, descended from the earliest settlers. And not a lawyer, and no intent to get back at status holders, and no more friend to Premier than good morning. Just an ordinary citizen exercising my democratic right.
Great article and well written. If you ask my opinion, i think it is time for us caymanians to take back our country and sign a petition to get rid of this outrageous Governor, who’s an embarrassnent to our country! Indtead, of wasting the citizens money, this governor, should be spending it on the betterment of our country. She has got to go! Nuff said!
Who are these “citizens”? Permit fees and T&B licenses don’t come from Caymanians so what are you complaining about? Anyone paying a work permit fee should be upset though! I agree with the piece and the whole thing is laughing stock! They say that Bush did not vote on the decision to remove spend at the Compass.. Was he asleep?
That’s the great thing about cayman. It is their money. We just give it to them.
How do you figure that work permit fees and T&B Licence fees do not come from Caymanians? Don’t Caymanians employ people? Don’t they own any businesses?
Actually almost all T&B and Immigration fees come from Caymanians as it most cases the law requires Caymanians to be the owners of the businesses. If they are not, that would be fronting. But since fronting is a crime, we work hard to stamp out all illegality, and have no widespread corruption, we know there is no fronting and no expatriate ever pays for their work permit.
You have a number of non-sequiturs there. No one has said we have NO corruption here. Fronting is certainly one of those areas of corruption that exists.
Sorry you missed the sarcasm
Oh, I got the sarcasm all right. Obviously, that is why I answered the way I did.
Well said, and I am a British expat. She is an embarrassment to all the decent people of these islands.
It is often the case that the over-promoted are unable to handle position, power and privilege when it is dropped in their laps. Very often they justify their good fortune by ascribing super human abilities onto themselves. This applies in business as well as politics.
It is pretty obvious that the handlers (aka the money men) have lost control of their man and he is now on a mission (i) of deluded self-vindication and (ii) to cause maximum embarrassment to the government that chided him. He cares little about the damage being caused to country. How else to explain his recent actions?
It will be very interesting to see how his handlers allow all this to play out. Are they prepared to let him obliterate their investment entirely?
Ahhhh. Who doesn’t love a good conspiracy theory!
Way to dress him down Nicky, that Monopoly looking M***********. When you are real journalist, you report the news, you never seek to become the news, but I guess his ego would never allow that. I am glad you had the courage to tell it exactly like it is
Nicky, thanks for an honest and outstanding piece of journalism. You and Wendy continue to give the people of Cayman in depth news and even if at times a bit harsh yet never short of truth. David Legge is a master puppet and be of Good riddance that they finally leave Cayman as he in particular has “I’m better than those locals ideology, I for one won’t miss him.
I’m not a big fan of Alden nor most politicians yet he couldn’t have said it any better and made many residents proud of our islands, culture and way of life. Cayman does have corruption yet I believe 90% of us are good, honest and hard working people.
Governor Kilpatrick please try to use a bit of better judgement next time some little man comes screaming that his life might somehow be in danger. Mr. Baines I would advise you to consider explaining to the people why you had to use RCIPS as security when the streets are so poorly policed.
Keep up the good work CNS
An opinion piece is hardly journalism. People her seem to have difficulty telling the difference between editorials/opinions from journalistic reports. There’s a big difference, you know.
Can we now declare him “persona non grata” and keep him out of this country forever. Crime is running rampant and Baines nor Kilpatrick seems to give a rats ass BUT Legge gets a nervous stomach and decides to “flee” and is provided with security detail. Where are the damn priorities Mr. Commissioner and Madam Governor????? The FIFA shenanigans was hard to swallow but truth be told these actions of security detail for Legge has given me one very serious and chronic bout of acid reflux.
Commiserations on the acid reflux. It must have been acute when you discovered that the previous premier needed security paid for my the tax paying .Caymanians in Miami when gambling with his government credit card. I suspect you condition has become chronic on our beautiful island?
Because the Compass didn’t do any in-depth reporting on McKeeva’s trial you may have missed it, but there was convincing proof that the money withdrawn was used solely for gambling and not for security. Whether Mr. Legge being one of the beneficiaries of Big Mac’s largesse in the 2003 status grants had anything to do with glossing over the details and just focusing on the outcome we will never know.
Very good point. A little outrage I’ve mac having body guards for however many years at how many thousands (hundreds of thousands) of cost.
Maybe ya’all ought to drop your overblown indignation for five minutes and see if the compass may have had at least some truth in the article instead of painting it with the satan brush.
Just say’in baby and bath water n all.
12:07 pm: comparing apples and oranges:
.
– Legge’s case failed the threat assessment; obviously Mac’s did not.
– Legge is a supposedly rich private citizen who should pay for his own perceived need for protection. Mac is a constitutionally appointed leader of the people.
Apples and oranges
More from our ambassador at large, in a Washington Post articles. Maybe someone can paste in the link — tried.
Legge repeated the charge of a “target” placed on his back by the Premier. Said the Premier was playing to votes of sympathizers of Webb and to the Caymanians who don’t like expatriates, such as him and his wife.
Legge knows both are nothing but lies.
The good news is that he told the Washington Post that he does not know when OR IF he would be coming back.
If all of this resulted in seeing the back of Legge, then it would be worth it. It would be difficult for me to see how he could return to that job with any credibility anyway. Maybe the major shareholder for the Compass is seeing the business go south and may even now be cutting ties with the liability that Legge has become.
Btw, Legge did tell the Washington Post that he had discussed the need for protection with the Governor, though the Post did note the Governor’s refutation of the allegation she arranged protection.
He is running through his contacts list as a means of building pressure. At some point a deal will be made and the hostages released.
Trust me, many expats don’t like Legge and his right wing views either. Both men have behaved disgracefully.
At 9:10 am, gracious of you to be so even-handed, but if by “both men” you mean to include the Premier in the “disgrace”, a little harsh, don’t you think? The Premier exercised his right of reply to an editorial that attacked the core values of the entire population. What was disgraceful about that?
While the use of the word “treasonous” was a little over the top there was nothing disgraceful about the Premier’s dressing down of Legge.
Well, the latest onslaught from the David Legge crusade, now appearing in the Washington Post, makes it very clear if we weren’t sure before that Legge means Cayman no good at all.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2015/06/10/how-fifa-arrests-are-causing-a-journalism-scandal-in-the-cayman-islands/
The above is the link to the Washington Post article on David Legge’s trials in the Cayman Islands
Re. “Crime is running rampant” … you make it sound like everyone should be fleeing!
Oh do go back to bed Merchant. Surely you can find something more productive to do than constantly haranguing anonymous posters on websites, including your own.
Crusading against corruption is a noble cause but your message has always been obscured by your eagerness to trash entire countries based on the actions of inevitable bad actors (as well as your subscription model which dooms you to such limited readership).
A little more gravity and dignity would go a long way in spreading the message.
The words that I think are mistakenly credited to Edmund Burke but which everyone knows are “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”.
The Cayman Islands Monetary Authority’s Guidance Notes on the Prevention of Money Laundering mentions that identification documents must be certified by a suitable person “such as for instance a lawyer [since]… such persons are expected to adhere to ethical and or professional standards…in a jurisdiction that has an effective anti money laundering regime.”
But when David Marchant publicises the fact that a prominent Cayman Islands attorney, a very prominent Cayman Islands attorney, “passed off a falsified document…thereby concealing the name of a client who was fleeing debts to a swindled customer, the IRS and others” nothing happens. No sanction by the CI Law Society or the CI Bar Association or the Grand Court.
So whilst not every Caymanian is corrupt and there’s every chance that its only the proverbial “small minority” that are, if good men do nothing then we’re all to blame when that corruption harms the country.
No one can now argue that FIFA isnt corrupt to its core and Jeff Webb was its Vice President. And anyone who turned his or her mind to it knew this about FIFA for at least a couple of years. And yet we were willing to take Jeff’s FIFA money, in order to promote “sports tourism”, although in typical FIFA style it seems that Cayman is the one actually spending the money, not FIFA.
FIFA spends $4,000.00 a night on hotel rooms for its Executive Committee but Osbourne Bodden spends millions improving our football “stadiums” so that we can hold FIFA sanctioned tournaments (which we’ll now never see). Explain that away tonight to Kevin Morales on Cayman 27 Mr Bodden
John Stuart Mill did say “bad men need nothing more to compass their ends than that good men should look on and do nothing” (I’m not supporting Mr Legge there but couldnt resist the pun).
The point is, if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem and Cayman, like everywhere else in the world, has a problem. The difference is we cant afford it.
Speak up Cayman
Nice try, Marchant, at 7:17 am, but if you lived here you would know what was meant. It is, as they say, all relative.
So you are essentially saying that “crime is running rampant” should actually be read as “crime is not running rampant”?
Out of curiosity, is corruption one of the crimes that is “running rampant” (sorry “not running rampant”)?
Now I understand why people think so lowly of this smug so-and-so.
Just a quick little reminder that the Gov. and the CoP aren’t the ones cutting the crimes you seem to be concerned about.
hmmm..not so sure about that anymore…Baines and Taylor…short memory???
Excellent viewpoint except for the matter of the Hon Premier misusing the word ‘treason’ as this word also means “the action of betraying someone or something” and the synonyms include “disloyalty, betrayal” certainly all the things displayed in ‘that’ editorial when Legge threw all of us in Cayman in (and under) the corruption bus. Not to mention the grossly disloyal behaviour Legge is now carrying on with in interviews in the CBC radio show etc.
The Hon Premier is not against free press, or against corruption. He just wanted to stand up for the vast majority of the people of the Cayman Islands who are not corrupt, in order to counter the culturally insulting and damaging editorial in the Cayman Compass. The sanctimonious tone of those editorials over the past year degrading much of our culture and attacking good things like NCL was getting tiresome, but this one was a slap in the face … Implying we are a systemically corrupt country. Shame on Legge. The man does not respect Cayman; we are an overseas territory of the UK and when the Legge’s took ownership of the Compass, it was promptly switched to US English from UK. Is that indicative of being sensitive to a sense of place?
This is not to say corruption does not exist – yes of course it does exist here to some extent, as with any nation or territory in the world. There are ad hoc instances of corruption possibly and then there are evidences of a “slide” where when some persons break the law (ie the tinted windows example) they may get away with it. The latter is more about maintaining legal boundaries and standards, rather than corruption and we must ensure those actions are rectified also, in addition to the continued efforts to stamp out any corruption found to be occurring.
But that editorial was an insult to all of us who take pride in working daily to the strictest standards of good governance and ethics. It was also wrong – corruption is simply not endemic here. I loathe corruption and abuse of power. I am a Caymanian who is not “culturally steeped in corruption” to the point where I “don’t recognise it”; nor are my beloved hard working upright parents, sibling, kids, cousins, uncles and aunts. All of us living and working and schooling in Cayman without being subjected to, or subjecting anyone else, to systemic corruption. (I realise they may have experienced it and not shared it with me but we are a very close family and I’ve not heard of corruption affecting them).
There is a responsibility that comes with free expression; Legge forgot that responsibility and insinuated that we are steeped in corruption. In my 40+ years in Cayman that has not been my experience.
We, the people of Cayman, decent Caymanians and expatriates and long term visitors alike, are absolutely done with ignorant generalizations about our cultural ways of life.
Don’t be shocked when we put our voices and hands up and out and say: no more.
That was meant to read that he is not against speaking out about corruption…
Playing the victim is most unbecoming in a full grown, albeit little man. Take your licks like a man Legge and perhaps we may have some repdsct for you
Absolutely brilliant in observation and statement, Nicky. Both you and Wendy are heroes in Cayman. I’m sure it would be considered a cheap shot by a rival publication, but I would love to see a public opinion poll on who likes the Brian Uzell Compass vs the Legge Compass. I certainly know which way I would vote.
Dear Madam Governor:
We appeal to you to reveal what is really going on in this drama of mega “gas lighting” now that your name has been added to the mix.
Mr. Legge might be another XXXXXX but you owe it to our Country to make a radio announcement to clear the air.
Innuendo, gossip and major scoops are swirling out there and the truth should come out.
Maybe your making radio announcements once a month would be an extra endearment and solidifying way of the Cayman people holding you close to their hearts. We really do love English culture and all they stand for so I feel this idea is one that you could make a reality?
Not a fireside chat as the Americans called it but a beachside or ironshore chat?
We look forward to hearing you on Radio Cayman. Everyone is listening and the floor is yours. We loved hearing your voice on radio before and await hearing from you more often. So, go ahead and make our day by telling everyone the bottom line on The Compass vs. The Premier.
I would really like to know why they got such privileges than the grandmother and granddaughter that was terrorized in the recent home invasion? Why the Governor did not reach out to this poor family and placed them under protection? It’s easy to understand why caymanians feel at a disadvantage for everything in their own country when it comes to employment and opportunities.
There needs to be a FOI request and seek the cost of this bill and who will pay for it? Arden/Ezzard are you up to the challenge? Please represent.
And while you are out, pick me up a nice watch. Just put it on the card.
I thought being a sharp journalist; these were people who had balls made of steel and a spine made of ivory.
In my opinion, most of what Leege said in the Compass Editorial is quite true but to flee the Cayman Islands as he did, makes himself appear to be a “scared pussy cat” who is afraid of his own shadow or is this a stunt of some sort ??
If you want to brag continuously that you were a “hot shot” who worked for the Washington Post, then you should have traits like Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward.
These guys had balls made of steel and a spine that could never be broken. As for running from a good story, the threat of an atomic bomb exploding next to them, maybe the only thing that would cause them to run, but nothing else.
Interesting that Governor has categorically denied organizing Police Protection, but was it perhaps suggested behing closed doors. If not, WHO had the authority to have it put in place.
Who is lying the Governor or Legge? What will the journalist Mr. Legge do now that his statement has been called into question?
The only person who has the authority to put the protection order n place is the Commissioner of Police. Whether someone else ordered it through him, he will have to say. The Governor is the Commissioner’s direct supervisor, by the way.
Listening to Legge hem and haw his way through the interview with the CBC and lie and prevaricate, however, makes me believe that he is quite capable of lying about the Governor’s supposed intervention. I am prepared to give her the benefit of the doubt over fudging and prevaricating Legge any day.
From the account in the more recent story (on the Washinton post story), it makes me wonder whether what happened was when the Governor said that she did not have the power to order a security detail, that that would be the Commissioner, whether, the Legges then presented themselves to the Commissioner and made him think that the Governor was communicating her wishes through them?
XXXXXXX
I hope she has learned her lesson.
http://www.cbc.ca/radio/popup/audio/player.html?autoPlay=true&clipIds=2669140275,2669140119,2669140665
interview starts at 20.29
“The Premier of Cayman put at target on my back”: David Legge
With regard to 6:56: all I can say that there are lies and D…m lies: that the Premier put a target on his back… (Btw, when the reporter expressed shock, he said, yes, the Premier named him — that was the target on his back)….That the threats are continuing against him, to the point that he has to lie low in Florida…that the editorial was about Jeffrey Webb, etc. etc.
I never heard more nonsense — and a credible journalist sat there and listened to him!
What is he trying to do? Such an act of cowardice. Can’t stay and face people. Has to run away. And then tell lies to the International media.
Sounds like he lied on the Governor as well. Seems Leggee can’t be trusted to tell the truth at all.
He should never, never, ever be at the helm of a newspaper — how is anyone going to ever trust the Compass? He is making the situation worse by the minute.
Just to add to the post at 8:43, Legge did mention later that he did expose, as well, in the editorial the small-time, petty corruption, the “insidious creeping” kind.
Some of these examples are a little ridiculous, but on the vehicle inspection stickers, It wasn’t clear as to exactly what the Compass meant. It would be good if the Compass would meet with the Vehicle Licensing Department and share information so that loopholes can be stopped. Has the Compass done that, as a good corporate citizen?
On the exemptions to planning regulations — again, we are just not sure if this is one case or several and exactly what they are and whether the Compass has credible information it can pass on to the authorities to stamp this out.
On the election “gifts”, we have long heard the rumpirs, but can we expect that the Compass will do An expose on this at the 2016 election?
Legge does seem to have the ear of the Commissioner of Police and the Governor. Surely he could get an audience and an opportunity to share information, if he does not want to publish — which is what newspapers do, btw!
Back to the CBC interview, he asserted that it was the Premier who made the editorial appear to be a “universal” attack on the people, and that that was not at all what the editorial itself had conveyed.
I am sure he wishes now that the editorial had not gone so far — we had a hint of that in what the Premier reported of his conversation with the Governor, about how contrite Legge was (nothing of which appeared in the CBC interview).
The editorial is now a public document and speaks for itself and enough people have commented on the perception of its “universality”, as Mr. Legge puts it in the CBC interview.
Regarding 8:43 pm, just in the interest of 100percent accuracy and fairness, at one point, the interviewer seemed to have assumed that the editorial was about Jeffrey Webb, and only later when she asked a direct question — what did your editorial say about Jeffrey Webb, did Legge say, “Not much”. I looked back at the editorial, in one sentence he spoke about “leaders” being “reticent to speak out” on the scandal. In another, he called upon officials to enquire into any “illicit activities into the FIFA scandal” and who may or may ot be involved.
Alden’s overreaction to Legge’s overreaction resulted in Legge’s overreaction.
Just Sayin, at 6:20 pm, It is easy to characterize the Premier’s speech as over-reaction. I know this is possibly shared by others. But the Compass’s editorial really cut to the core — and the population has really been hurt badly!
The Premier had to say something! He had to give some release to the rising national tension.
Pity he used the word “treason” — I suspect that has been long regretted. But I believe that the Premier used the word in the context, as one poster so ably out it, of “betraying one’s country”. I guess, as that poster put it, Legge does not consider Cayman his country, so that must make it ok. But when I listened to his CBC interview the only way I can describe that is betrayal — and a full on set of lies in the process, at that.
Many expats did not agree with the David Legge article and would not condone it in any way, shape or form. That said, the Premier’s leadership has been marred by his distaste for anything expat and his failure to act like a leader when one of his own abused a fellow employee is palpable. This Premier is stirring up hatred against us and he very well may live to regret his actions. As for Legge, good riddance.
19:19 am, enlighten me with ONE example of the PM’s “stirring up hatred” against expatriates, in and out of the LA.
Driftwood Bo Bo, Driftwood, must I go on?
Not a good example. That was Ozzie venting against his CO which has nothing to do with PPM supposedly stirring up hated against expats. Yes, do go on.
Why start with Alden? Why not put the blame squarely where it belongs – the disgusting broad bush smear that Caymanians are a culturally corrupt people.
CBC Radio (listeners 4.3 mil) just gave a very sympathetic interview to Legge.
How bad could it have been David? Cowcods at dawn? I am sure Foolio would have been happy to be your second.
Wendy, if you are taking verbaly and threatening abuse by MLA’s and people in power, are not just taking it as normal behaviour in Cayman and thus proving Legg’s point that this behaviour is just acceptable and taken as par for the course in Cayman.
And example is when a certain ex MLA called in his buddies to attack a tourist in an attempt to beat him up and threaten him and he can just walk away from the charges as the government in power show up to glower at the jury.
Just a normal day in Caymanistan.
Money for changing zoning, etc, all normal here, Gambling with tax payers money is not and is still not iliegal in Cayman. No real 1st world corruption legislation and certainly none enforced.
Employer’s stealing employee’s pensions, holding workpermits for people without a job.
but it happens so often that people do not see this as wrong anymore.
Maybe the MLA’s can do better than attacking the messenger and may be disprove the message.
You’re missing Legge’s point, unless you think everyone here – including yourself – do those things.
This is true but generally speaking you can go about your every day business without having to bribe. Also you cannot accuse ALL Caymanians of being corrupt when that is blatantly not true.
I’m not accusing all Caymanians of being corrupt, just unable to recognise it in its many forms as it has all become part of the norm. but this does not just apply to Caymanians either as many expats and driftwood see the prevading culture of corruption sharke their head and things well its Cayman, that the way it has always been.
More points
The immoral use of gasboy cards, no one ever charged, no money recovered.
The changing of the cruiseship tender at the last minute for no reason to the chinese who never even tendered. Nothing ever done.
Government credit cards with dodgy purchases that when questioned leads to hurling of rascist abuse
there are so many, but it is all the norm in Cayman
Instead of the Premier vilifying the messenger, if he had nothing to hide he should discuss the messgae and the changes he has brought to reduce corruption.
His reaction and the rest of the MLA’s to play on the “them and us” mentality is a smoke screen to ensure everything is kept as business is usual.
I predict everyone will distance themselves from Webb and then amputate him from themselves.
What do you think? Bet of there are any perceived threats to him it is not from Caymanians, more than likely it is from the same (think back now) his cock tail friends who ran someone of island a few years ago when they found out he was getting/ s****g into their business. Remember he could not even return to get his personal items.
da wa ya get. It is just convenient to blame Caymanians and the Government. I hope it is true that he did actually run away, what have he done for anyone living here, except himself.
So Ozzie is not a Caymanian then?
Ya’ll do know there are plenty who refuse to advertise on these tabloid pages right?
I am not sure why some commentators are trying to turn this into an expat v local issue. I’m an expat and absolutely stunned by the turn of events, the only conclusion I can draw is that the Legge’s have set out to either damage Cayman’s reputation or they have made an absolutely ham fisted attempt to discredit and try to remove the Permier.
Irrespective of which, if it is correct the Governour has really signed off on the police protection to the Legge’s this is an absolute disgrace and she really should be made to justify her actions.
4:35 pm: I am so sorry that this is seeming this way and I know it must be so distressing to so many expatriates.
Unfortunately, it seems an outcome of this whole debacle of the Compass’s creation.
To the expatriate community, we feel no ill will towards you and very much regret the atmosphere that has and is evolving.
As to the Compass, Right now, as a Caymanian, I am feeling a lot better — the tension has lifted, partly by the Premier’s remarks and partly by this CNS piece.
As for freedom of speech — the Compass is free from now on to say what it wishes — it won’t matter to me. I fact, I will only read if for some reason I am compelled by events.
I do not see that the Premier has in any way inhibited the Compass’ freedom of the press or freedom of speech. He has exercised his right as the first defender of the entire population, and I see no reason to infer that that is curtailing the Compass’s a i,it’s to say what it wants, even if it does so with little reference to the core rules of the profession.
As for the advertising revenue that they will no longer be getting from governemnt, as far as I know, the government did not sit down and agree to any furthering of the business goals of the Compass.
In view of the now clear ploy of the Compass to stick it to the Caymanian people, I would really resent the country’s hard earned and scarse revenue going into further funding of this rag.
But that should not deter the Compass in carrying out its role — I am sure that it can find various other funding sources. It may very well be that it could decide to cut its coat according to its cloth.
We have no proof yet that she was involved so lets wait and see.
If a Caymanian had said something, nothing would have been said but no one wants to admit that the people just don’t like Legge and would have jumped on him for looking the wrong way.
I don’t know why you standing up for the Caymanians for and I’m one. They probably don’t like you either.
One seriously wonders what the Legge’s endgame is. Other than desperately seeking 15 mins of fame.
Endgame- obviously his endgame is to make a bad situation worse, to spread hate and lies. According to the evening news he even lied on the Govermor. He Told the Reporter that she provided the security detail for him and she say she had nothing to do with it. he apparently has a huge inflated impression of himself.I hope Madam Governor will lend her support in helping us to keep him off this island. I wonder if he remembers how the Caymanian and Expats banded together to stop the inland Harbour that was planned for East End. When we set our minds on something ,nothing can stop us. To coin a Jamaican phrase ” we likkle but we talawa” ( I probably mis-spelt that).
Very unbiased and on the mark!
Maybe David Legge could really tell us something about corruption in Cayman than we don’t already know.
THE IMMIGRATION LAW (2003 REVISION)
GRANTS OF CAYMANIAN STATUS BY CABINET
In accordance with the provisions of the Schedule, the following persons were granted Caymanian status by the Cabinet under the provisions of section 20 (d) during 2003:
1467 Legge, David Richard
1468 Legge, Vicki Lu
How did your name get on the list Mr. Legge?
Bazinga!!
Getting your name on that list looks like a good example of what Mr. Legge meant when he wrote these lines:
Because such behavior is so commonplace, we tend to “normalize it,” refusing even to recognize it, or neglecting to see how aberrant it really is….
when it comes to identifying corruption, people in Cayman truly “don’t know it when they see it” — because they have been culturally steeped in it.
And which Government orchestrated the mass grant? Connect the dots people. Connect the dots.
And why did that Government give the grants to the Legges? The answer to that in particular may be the answer to all! It is time for the light to shine! Go on Premier, tell us. Corruption or not? Cover up or not? You have access to the records. Tell us.
Is it true they had been here for only 7 years when they got it? That was not even long enough to qualify to apply for PR. Just Sayin. There must have been a good reason why they got it and people here for 20 years did not.
so if he did get status through corruption it is like a joke to you, so his point is true corruption is normalised in your eyes.
You just proved his point, sigh
Are you really that stupid? The point obviously is that he is a XXXX – participating in and taking the benefit of a corrupt process while self-righteously saying that “people in Cayman truly “don’t know it when THEY see it” — because THEY have been culturally steeped in it.
Nobody is saying that no corruption exists in these Islands.
Oh wow! And this is the guy that is so passionate about rooting out corruption!? The one who is telling us that we do know it when we see it because it is so steeped in our culture?! Surely not. He has just lost any credibility he had.
Ha! At least I did mine the proper way.
So if I’m a paper Caymanian what are the status grant ones called?
The sad part is those who got it on the “status grant” their grant is not revocable, Those of us who applied and received ours through the board can not say that.
Nonsense, they are entirely revocable. It is only that the cabinet can revoke, and if they were given illegally, they are void anyway.
You really don’t believe that nonsense do you? The 2003 grants are irrevocable and their validity was never challenged.
I suggest you read s.28 of the immigration law. They are absolutely revocable, although in specific circumstances.
They were formally challenged (although the challenge was aborted) and their validity continues to be questioned to this day in part because of the possibility of outright corruption in the way some of the recipients were selected. There does not seem to have ever been a proper investigation. Why not? If there had been, and the process was independently found to be valid, then critics of the process would be silenced.
Absent an explanation of what really happened, and how citizenship was sprinkled like a trinket from a Christmas stocking on thousands of people selected seemingly without any clear basis, then some will continue to fear it may have included overt acts of corruption.
The premier has said we do all we can to unearth and prosecute corruption. I seem to have missed any formal investigation of what happened and why.
It should be easy. Just pick the recipients who had been here for less than 5 years, and inquire as to their business ties. If something is found then extend the scope to those here less than 10 years.
Or do we leave it festering under the carpet lest it create embarrassment?
Is that not what the editorial accused us of doing?
Usually driftwood.
I often wondered why the Compass under Legge never found fault with any of McKeeva’s shenanigans.
9:41 pm at 9/6: the status grant is possibly one basis for the free pass for Mac. I had not known the Legges were caught up in that dragnet, but now I know it seems a reasonable assumption one would not want to rock the boat.
Another basis for the free pass may be mutual business partners and friends. For example, as is rumored, one of the big developers whose business goals Mac had facilitated when he was in power. Legge is pals with these guys — they may wish for Mac’s return to power? Are you watching who gets what type of coverage? Cause to suspect some Corruption?
Now hear this – Just through MONEY. Genuinely can NOT replace or fix the lives they are attempting to destroy on this #1 destination place. They know themselves and they are the true unhappy ones that roam the streets in true FEAR!!! Truth Over FAME.
BRILLIANT!!!
Missed opportunity on the title here. Should read “The Man who Legged It”. Excellent piece, nevertheless!