Cayman has plenty to give thanks for, says premier
Premier Alden McLaughlin in the Legislative Assembly
(CNS): Given the “tragedy, turmoil and treachery” in the rest of the world, Premier Alden McLaughlin said Cayman was “blessed beyond measure” in his annual Christmas message. Accepting that there are issues, he urged everyone to count their blessings and be thankful this season. “In a world where so much seems to be going wrong, we sometimes don’t appreciate how blessed we are in the Cayman Islands,” he said. “That’s what we should be doing this Christmas season; counting our many blessings and being thankful for them.”
With an eye on some of the recent turmoil in his own party over the issue of rights for members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, the premier reemphasised Cayman’s constitutional position that it is a “God-fearing country based on traditional Christian values” but “tolerant of other religions and beliefs”.
Premier’s full Christmas message follows:
“We find ourselves once again at the time of year when everything and everyone is just a little more special. It’s Christmas.
There’s a magic in the air as we bustle about in search of the right gifts and food. But today I would like us to slow down just a little and consider all that we have to be thankful for in Cayman.
Today the world around us is filled with news of doom and gloom from terrorism attacks to countries facing serious financial hardships. We hear and read stories of people fleeing their homeland because of wars or injustice and of countries that are overwhelmed with the burden of the refugees.
In a world where so much seems to be going wrong, we sometimes don’t appreciate how blessed we are in the Cayman Islands.
That’s what we should be doing this Christmas season; counting our many blessings and being thankful for them.
While we are not without our own issues in Cayman, we have most certainly been richly blessed as a country.
Christmas is a time that reminds us to be thankful for our families and friends and the many opportunities to gather for food, fellowship and making memories. I know that I am thankful for my wife, my two sons, my father and sisters as well as my extended family and the many people I am fortunate enough to call friends.
We can be thankful that once again God has spared us the wrath of another devastating hurricane this year and we pray our good fortune and blessings continue into the upcoming New Year.
In Cayman we are blessed with a sun that is constantly kissing us and we are surrounded by the most beautiful water in the world.
We are also blessed and thankful that we are a country that, as it says in our Constitution, is “A God-fearing country based on traditional Christian values, tolerant of other religions and beliefs”.
I count as our blessings and am thankful for the many businesses that have chosen the Cayman Islands as their home base and for the tourists who find our homeland as appealing as we do.
We are thankful for the farmers and fishermen whose provisions we consume year-round, but especially at Christmas.
I do believe that sometimes we forget, in the grand scheme of things, that Cayman is blessed beyond measure. So let us turn aside the tragedy, turmoil and treachery we see the world over and instead dwell on thankfulness.
It is my hope that during this special time of year you take some time to reflect on your personal blessings and those of the Cayman Islands and offer thanks.
It is my sincere hope that each of you has a joyous Christmas and that these feelings of goodwill to our fellow man will carry over into the New Year.
Today many will unwrap their Christmas gifts and receive nice surprises. But there are still gifts we can give. I have a few suggestions made by Oren Arnold, a novelist, journalist and humourist:
To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.
On behalf of Government, my family and myself, I wish each of you a very blessed Christmas season.”
Category: Local News, Politics
To racist members of my cabinet, a blind eye.
To bigoted members of my party, a blind eye.
To any difficult thing that would need something that might cost me votes to fix, a blind eye.
To homosexuals, a timetable of the many flights leaving daily.
Plus ça change
Showing off with the cedilla.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls let us not forget we put him in Office. As much hog wash he dishes out time and time again through words and actions, it will be soon forgotten and come soon time to carryout political campaigns we the ignorant, blinded, gullible, desperate, two-faced, greedy, NOT God fearing, educated, uneducated, travelled, etc. Caymanians will still vote this man back in. We have the power to put those who can best representative the people of the Cayman Islands into Office. Yet we fail to do so election after election. So, until we take full blame and make best change, Alden and his likes will remain in Office with their pompous, ignorant, self-motivated and greedy selves continuing to destroy these beautiful, peaceful and “Blessed” islands we call the Cayman Islands.
To the best of my knowledge and belief, we do not have the option of a “write in” candidate so we can only vote for someone whose name is listed on the ballot.
If you think that better people were listed on the ballot but we repeatedly failed to elect them, perhaps the real reason for them not getting elected is because more people knew them better than you do.
Simple solution; in 2017, stay home!
Don’t vote; until you all have proper representation. Demand better people; changing the voting system won’t change the outcome as long as the same ol’ pigs are running the farm.
All young males/females should be requires to join the military or go off to university as to give the future of Cayman a chance
“I have a few suggestions made by Oren Arnold, a novelist, journalist and humourist:”
I am not surprised that Oren Arnold is required reading for Alden McLaughlin. I am sure all the good old boys in Cayman know exactly where he is coming from.
What worries me is where he is leading us. His Regressive Party has done nothing for the people.
Promises made at election time are yet to be fulfilled. The cost of living here is spiralling out of control and the government is devouring the country as it grows bigger by the day.
I am sure he has a bunch of new laws for us next year.
“The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.”
Source : Tacitus.
Just as the Roman Empire collapsed in on itself because of corruption and depravity, we have failed to heed any lessons from history and as such, we are doomed to repeat it.
I am not sure I want to be accused of electing the next bunch of politicians. Perhaps we can take a break from politics for a few years and just get on with life?
Not surprising that Alden neglected to mention Oren Arnold’s well-known status as a Freemason…
What?! Oren Arnold was a Freemason?! You mean he upheld the principles of a moral code, charity, education, Christianity but not religion, social responsibility, and fighting for justice and equality. Heavens no! You don’t want someone who admires attributes like that in government!!!
I hope my sarcasm is understood.
Caymanians are being displaced in their homeland and Alden thinks a meaningless speech will help. Not!!!!!
By “displaced” you mean “not getting jobs or promotions they are not really qualified for” and by “Caymanians” you mean “the minority entitlement obsessed mediocre slice of the Caymanian population”.
Calm it and get a grip. Caymanians are getting screwed and sticking your head in the sand or spitting in their faces is not going to help the situation, but make it worse. Everyone needs to face up to some facts, on both sides of debate.
As an indigenous Caymanian, let me say the majority of Caymanians are sheltered ingrates. If you had any exposure off Cayman you would see what the Premier is saying is true. I commend you Premier McLaughlin, please don’t let the unexposed portion of our population discourage you from doing the best job one possibly can in the face of ignorance! Best wishes for the New Year.
Wow, a typing iguana.
As long as you’ve noticed, we’re all over the place.
Firstly, there are no indigenous Caymanians, only those that have been here longer than others. I have spent 27 of my 60 years off Cayman and completely disagree with you. In modern first world democratic companies any one who spent over 600k on finger printing equipment only to collect dust would have been held accountable. We have half finished schools, and a very poor standard of education. Priority must be given to education so our kids have a chance of inheriting something worthwhile. Education should be for all and not just those that can afford it.
“At this time of year, my mind turns to my re-election, so let me spout some inane platitudes in an attempt to let the woters know I will do whatever it takes to win again. . . “
With 12k a month and lawyer business i would also feel blessed.
Blessed ,he was not talking about me and you.
Not having Mac and his UDP parasites in power is the real blessing.
The UDP is by far a better government than the PPM when it comes to protecting and looking out for the poorer class Caymanians. Blessed 2016 to one and all.
UDP/PPM… meh, two sides of the same parasitic coin.
“Blessed that we are surrounded by the most beautiful waters?” Are those the waters that your government are so happy to destroy for money? As a Caymanian who feels truely blessed, I really don’t understand your logic. I’m not sure God would either. Damaging coral for the vanity of false eye lashes and a damaging a reef to build a dock that we don’t need because we have enough tourists as it is, is the actions of a greedy, selfish government. Isn’t greed one of the seven deadly sins? But whatever, you tell yourself it’s all for the good of Cayman if it will make you feel better. Let’s hope God sees it that way, or you might be fearing Him sooner than you think.
Why don’t you try and apply your own ‘words of wisdom’ to your own government. Clean up the corruption, cronyism and mis-use of public funds. Why do you people believe you have to deliver a ‘Christmas’ message? Are you so full of it that you really think you are some sort of inspiration to be admired? Clean up your act and then I for one will admire you.
Good speech, but I wonder why he doesn’t have more light on him in the photo.
This man is delusional. Starting with the next election, all candidates should be subject to psychological examination.
You mean they have to prove they are crazy before they get to stand? Won’t change the composition of the chamber much.
The Premier should be congratulated on his Chistmas message. However, instead of young Caymanians sheltering behind others for their national security and comfort away from the worlds troubles, it would be nice to see those who could qualify join their fellow British citizens and actually join the fight against the evil that threatens us all. The British Army welcomes those from its territories who wish to join that fight and there are many different nationalities from Fiji to Jamaica that sign up and become proud servicemen and women.
So instead of trying to gain ‘respect’ through illegal guns and drugs, the young of Cayman should join the rest of the world and make this planet safe for all to live in, not just the few.
But I get my US passport if I join the torturing US forces
Well said, for too long Caymanians have hidden behind the coat tails of others whilst the world fights the evil of international terrorism. Instead of hiding in some of the most beautiful waters in the world, try defending them as those who live 6000 miles from your shores do every day.
On the other hand you could carry on indulging in the self serving and moronic behaviour that these news pages are full of on a daily basis.
It is true, Caymanians are truly blessed, some just don’t know or appreciate it, and even when they do they just abuse the privilege.
Oh great, as if the British Army would recruit guys that otherwise would be trading in guns and drugs.
What a complete load of bull! I suppose as Premier it’s his job to come out with nonsense like this but bluntly it’s embarrassing.
pure waffle…..
Alden, you are truly clueless. My one wish this Christmas is you come out of that bubble you’re in and take a look around at YOUR people. Maybe your Christmas message would be a little more reflective of the truth of what the people are facing.
Tell all those people who are losing their jobs, homes, robbed, raped, murdered…yep we are truly blessed!!!