Mac calls for HRC chair to be sacked
McKeeva Bush in the LA, 5 April 2019
(CNS): The fallout from the chief justice’s ruling legalising same-sex marriage continued in the Legislative Assembly Friday, when Speaker McKeeva Bush accused the chair of the Human Rights Commission of contempt regarding a press release from the HRC released Thursday. Bush said James Austin-Smith should be fired because he is an atheist. Following on from Thursday’s criticisms of the HRC chair by the East End member over the press release from the commission about the appeal, Bush continued to attack Austin-Smith and called for an apology from him.
Bush said that Austin-Smith had “declared his stand against God” and the church as well as Cayman’s laws and “his disgust against members”. The speaker also suggested that having an atheist as the chair of the HRC presented a conflict.
In the wake of the remarks Austin-Smith told CNS that he would not be commenting about the situation at this point but that this was not the first time he has had to endure the condemnation of some elected officials over his advocacy for the Bill of Rights.
Austin-Smith has been on the Human Rights Commission for five years. He was appointed as chairman in January and his tenure comes to an end on 31 May this year. Since taking up the position he has dealt with a number of issues that brought him into conflict with government.
But he has earned the greatest condemnation by elected members for his advocacy for the LGBT community and the need for government to end the discrimination, particularly regarding marriage equality.
During his comments from the speaker’s chair about the press release from the HRC, Bush noted that Austin-Smith had questioned the wisdom of the government’s decision to appeal the chief justice’s ruling on same-sex marriage, saying this was an insult to the Legislative Assembly.
The morning began with the members continuing to focus on demonstrating their religious credentials, and Bush made his statement following the education minister’s additional preaching to the members after the usual morning prayers. The issue of the legalisation of same-sex marriage continued to dominate the minds of the country’s leaders and the business of the parliament.
Bush accused Austin-Smith of being in deliberate contempt of the LA, as he questioned whether the entire commission has supported the content of the statement issued last week, which he said was a “flagrant and wanton abuse of office”.
Bush said he believed that Austin-Smith had not only overstepped the boundaries of his role but he had prejudiced the appeal that government is intent on making against the chief justice’s ruling, which was delivered just ten days ago.
See the Speaker’s comments on CIGTV below
Category: Government oversight, Politics
Off course we should listen to that paragon of virtue and honesty, Mckeever Bush 🤢
CNS, something seems afoul with the number of thumbs down on common sense posts. Ever since the gay marriage issue came into the spotlight, any comments on articles related to this have tilted hard to the right in terms of the thumbs up/down.
It’s almost as if they got wind of the comments section and have been in here hammering away at common sense posts.
It used to be there ignorant comments got shot down hard.
Perhaps the churches have gotten wind of this, but there is has suddenly been a hard shift.
Maybe because you think you have a bit of sense?
The same issue with the port. You should see the timing as well = usually the first few are thumbs up followed by a raft of thumbs down. Bet a lot of the thumbs go in within a short time frame too.
Abortion and assisted suicide first.
Oh now you don’t judge! How convenient.
In some sort of “flip/flop” way, after reading the article, it sounds like Mac is describing himself.
Does he listen to himself?
Does he see the irony?
NO!
Cayman Haiku
Why all this controversy over some god no one can prove exists?
Because people are weak and narcissistic so they need to think they are here for a higher reason and that they don’t just die. Sad really.
Being gay is not a human right, its a choice.
Baby, I was born this way.
Being religious is not a human right, it’s a choice…..
It is not. I am gay and I know.
Whether or not homosexuality is a choice is irrelevant. The relevant choice is whether or not you want to be someone that discriminates against another human because they are different.
The modern ethics of Christianity are set down clearly in the New Testament. Read again the Great Commandment especially ‘love thy neighbour’. Those suffering discrimination are the robbed and injured traveller on the side of the road. As Christians we have a choice to be the Priest or Levite and walk on by letting the discrimination continue or we can be the Samaritan, protecting and assisting those that suffer discrimination.
Please fellow Christians reflect on what it truly means to follow the word of Christ.
The UK Courts got it wrong. There is nothing wrong to discriminate against somebody else if it is justified.
The first ten minutes or so of the youtube demonstrates a totally unhinged Julianna O Connor Connoly, almost at one point speaking in tongues. This person CANNOT be a minister of education. She is unfit. It is soooo embarrassing to think this is on youtube. She’s demented.
Let the world to see it.
If they legalize this, they muss legalize ganja soon bo.
– A Christian
Dear McKeeva Bush, all MLAs, Caymanian preachers, and the Hounorable Juliana O’Conner-Connelly-Conner-Conley-O’Conner,
This is traditional marriage, according to the Bible:
-One man and his sister.
-One man and his dead brother’s wife.
-One man, one woman and her servants.
-One man and his rape victim.
-One man and many women.
-One man and 700 wives and 3,000 concubines.
-One man and one woman and her female slaves.
-One soldier and his virgin female prisoners.
(Read the Bible. There is a lot more in there than what your preacher tells you.)
#blessed
Shhhhhhhhh
You’re only supposed to reference the bible when the hypocrites are using it to push and justify their bigotry
Don’t bring up all those inconvenient bits, you’re going to make them mad
As Ricky Gervais would say Mr Austin-Smith believes in one less God than Mr Bush.
To educated Caymanians and all expats, McKeeva Bush is just an idiot we have to navigate around.
The fact that Mac still has a job shows that this system is broken and outdated.
Peter the iguana has more brains than the speaker of the house…and would probably do a better job!
I despair at the comments being expressed by government representatives from within the sanctum of this country’s Parliament. These inane comments and rantings are on a parallel to the hatred laced comments expressed by extremists indoctrinated in radical muslim ideology. Your comments needs to stop before you incite actions that you will be responsible for.
God does not need any of you politicians, or any one else, to decide what is right or wrong for any of us.
Jesus would be very happy if you stopped looking after yourselves and did a lot more for the Island’s children; its poor; its youth and those who are ill or in prison. So many amongst us are in need of your help.
So, don’t worry about who loves who because there are so many such true lovers entwined all around you and many of them are your very good friends and are wonderful people.
Please stop the comments and let that man Jesus swing by and come into your heart.
You people please don’t mix LOVE with SEX when I go to a brothel I pay cash for sex
not love!
Im happy Bush brought up Atheism (belief in no supreme deity) being an influential viewpoint that determines how laws are written. They have contributed in many ways to hatred against religious people.
Wow that was quite the statement @3:01 I am Atheist and I have 0 ZERO 1-1=0 Naught Nil Nada hatred towards religious people (except Muslim extremist practicing Sharia Law and bombing you Christians so actually I am on your side there.).
Just because I don’t believe in your set of deities (the ones in the clouds and the ones underground in the hot place) doesn’t mean I have hatred to those who do. You believe what you want to believe.
It’s statements of gross ignorance like this that’s part of the problem with our society, it’s either your way or no way. The people with the real hatred are you religious people against ANYONE who isn’t in the same mindset as you. For a “peaceful” and “tolerant” group you lot can be some of the most bigoted and self righteous people.
So if a politician is elected in Cayman who enacts law that greatly benefits all Caymanians and I mean real born bred Caymanians and it’s discovered that person is an atheist. Does that mean we strike down that law and let the people go back to a lesser state? Suppose you were affected by that law, you going to give up a better live just because that person is atheist?
Not all atheist hate religious people and not all Christians are Christian. Stop showing your hate.
Thank you and well said.
Another ‘real’ Caymanian (whatever that means) and ATHIEST. i dont have any issue or ill feelings towards anyone of any religion. I realize most people need this stuff to feel they are part of something, to justify their behavior/actions. I just dont need it and somehow, without this ‘guidance’, i manage not to be a hater or a judge or commit ‘sins’ per your ‘book of laws’. Go figure!
Sorry thumbs downers. Im not adopting your religion so i can be a hater and start committing sins just to appease you. Get over it!
Wait a sec…isn’t the role of speaker of the house to be a NEUTRAL person who keeps order in the house? Big Mac is definitely achieving neither of the main roles of his job description. Maybe it’s HIM that needs to be sacked?
I never know anybody act more ultra vires in Cayman history than McKeeva himself.
So Macdweebler wants to have the head of the HRC fired for doing the job they were put in to do? Maybe he should do the job he was put in to do and be neutral and keep his damned mouth shut.
If these so called Christian believe so strongly about the sanctity of marriage how is there some many outside children born in cayman?
Also, how many spouses, within these Christian marriages, are subject to psychological and/or physical abuse?
What does this have to do with the topic? They are Christian.. not God. No one is perfect.
They are ” Christian” not “God”. Well maybe they shouldn’t try to play God and act like they know what a surpreme diety likes from what it doesn’t like.
Firing someone based on their religious belief, or lack of it, would be a clear breach of the the Constitution, but I guess the Speaker has shown his disdain for the Constitution already.
Big Mac the Big Discriminator
Can we find 20 or so young-ish caymanians (maybe 35-45) who’d run for office in a couple of years? they dont all have to agree that expats are evil or the dump isnt toxic, but they do all have to agree to look at things with some objective logic and maybe be free of conflict with any local developer or pastor….put 1 in each district and lets fix this before the current lot sandbag us into a land time remembered as one giant roundabout atop a plague of corruption and hypocrisy
@Al Jazeria says:
08/04/2019 at 12:33 pm
“Xenophobic, nationalist, racists, barely functioning with their stone age mentalities, think they can harass, intimidate and terrorize fellow human beings (to the point of murdering White, British, female MP’s) because of their nationality / cultural background…….I do not recall bullying and incitement to violence as being British values… ”
The above is what the younger generation of Brits is saying right now to those that voted for, and will leave them to inherit, an undesired reality of BREXIT.
Just providing a bit of much-needed context here for you Bub.
*Interestingly, at least the people you have conjured up in your mind have religious conviction to reference as a platform.
On the other hand, the other group has nothing but actual, plain, good-ole, HATRED.
**Seems like the gentleman’s skills are in far greater demand across the pond.
smh
Because 2 wrongs justify a right? So what else does Brexit allow me to do in Cayman that might otherwise be called bigoted? And does the Brexit is worse excuse work with people who are not even from the UK? I guess you have Trump for the Americans. What about the Canadians? Or say mainland Europeans? How about Brunei, because they have religious conviction to reference as well? Or would that just be a fatuous, false equivalence, unlike your reasoned contribution?
Bless your precious, sputtering, little heart.
– Who
Thanks. Why don’t you address the question rather than pen an ad hominem.
thats all he ever does…..
His entire playbook is ” Thatcher, Blair, White nationalist, Brexit, Colonialism”
The dictionary definition of a broken record (or an empty barrel, readers choice)
“Thatcher”??
– Who
*Btw, you forgot about Chagos.
Interesting how CNS and the rest of the western media seemed to miss the latest UN findings / developments in that inhumane, racist, British atrocity.
All of this mantra about “human rights” by the Brits.
Then again, Men Fridays aren’t quite human so…yeah – never mind.
CNS: This has to be a troll pretending to be Who. UN court rejects UK’s claim of sovereignty over Chagos Islands.
And we’re not going to say anything about Julia’s hate speak encouraging people to disrupt a private ceremony??????
She should be fired and charged with a hate crime. She has no business being in that position and inciting violence!
You could say, she PAVED THE WAY for the other MLAs. So, at least she is utilising skills honed on the brac.
Get em Mac!!!
Homophobic, religious, racists, barely functioning with their stone age mentalities, think they can harass, intimidate and terrorize fellow human beings because of their sexuality…….I do not recall bullying and incitement to violence as being Christian values and threatening the very people they chose to uphold our human rights, with arrest and deportation, shows just how out of control they really are.
To then waste tens of thousands of public dollars on a pointless appeal to appease their fellow bigots, is insane, which probably best describes them all.
Drag yourselves out of the primeval swamp and focus on something that really matters, like poverty, the environment and healthcare and most of all, LOVE
Saldy dear sir, it is not a pointless appeal. There are a number of very important constitutional points that need to be clarified. You can say you are satisfied with the outcome. The process however leaves a lot of people (many more qualified than you and I) scratching their heads. Constitutions aren’t things to be muffed around with and therefore the appeal is absolutely within bounds.
The appeal is not bigoted. Let us be objective, logical, and rational in our approach and let the constitutional lawyers hack away at it until we can ensure that this ruling does not create misinterpretations or unintended consequences in other areas that leave us crying woe is me later on.
This is why we need Bush in power. Alden is too slow. And this was all planned after they let go the other Governor, they knew he was going to oppose it.
Y’all need locking up in straight jacket and throw away key. Dillusional.
oppose what?
But it is OK to grope young women while being married and an upstanding christian. Good thing it was with clean hands.
Ah, but that is Cayman culture … Apparently. Even though anywhere else it’s sexual assault / harassment.
Idiot. Just like Americans can’t hide from the fact that their President is the Trump buffoon so we here in the Cayman Islands are having to deal with this lowliest version of a human being much less elected official. The hatred and ridiculousness from these people is scary in it’s ignorance. We need prayers up around the world to get through this.
America is doing great under Trump. Wages are up, unemployment is at historic lows. Black unemployment at all-time lows. All the name calling isn’t fooling most people.
Hate crimes are up. Nationalism is up. Police shootings of innocent civilians are up. MAGA
Wrong. Hate crimes are down in the US. You think they are up because of the endless news loop on CNN everytime something happens. Remember those high school kids accused of harassing the Native Elder was reported by CNN as a hate crime and turned out to be false.
CNN has nothing to do with it
You ‘fake news’ clowns have to do better than this
You can look at the federal crime statistics yourself ( you know the ones that the Trump admin are putting up, Justice Department and FBI run by 2 Trump appointees)
There are clear trends
Multiple persons apprehended in the past 2 years linked to Trump targeting liberal politicians and media personalities etc
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/mail-bomb-suspect-cesar-sayoc-custody-allegedly-sending-pipe-bombs-n924856
https://www.npr.org/2019/03/11/702416491/coast-guard-officer-pleads-not-guilty-to-gun-drug-charges-in-alleged-terrorism-p
In fact there are even tracked spikes in hate crimes in and around trump rally venues
https://www.vox.com/2019/3/24/18279807/trump-hate-crimes-study-white-nationalism
The only people who are denying the trump effect are people who agree with the violence being perpetrated and the extremist ideologies he represents
I know facts are hard for you to swallow when they don’t support your narrative but here they are anyway.
Democrats were caught on tape in the run up to the 2016 election admitting they sent people to Trump rallies to incite violence. The Hillary friendly media then reported it was Trump supporters!
Due to pressure from the SPLC, under Obama the policy for tracking hate crimes was changed so that any “reported” hate crime regardless of whether or not it was proven was recorded. You know, like Jessie Smollet.
Under Trump lowest minority unemployment in over 50years. Yeah, he must be racist. Funny though how he wasn’t called racist until after he got elected and the Dems went into full melt down mode. Guess NBC just ignored that he was racist and left in prime time for 6+ years. 😂😂
Good luck arguing pro Trump because you are absolutely wrong. He is a vile narcissist and hate crimes have gone up under him. Minorities have gotten more jobs because of Obamas hard work. Every time a republican screws up that country a Democrat steps in to fix it but the right wing nuts confuse the ignorant voters to think everything is so terrible. That is when the electoral college fails the country and elects a right wing nutter who has taken credit for all of the previous administrations work. Open your eyes, it’s not complicated to see.
As expected you failed to comment on any of the 3 facts listed. Think it is you who should open your eyes.
Funny how the Dems loved the Electoral College when they thought they would never loose the Blue Wall states (Penn, Mich. etc). But when they did, it needs to go. Its not democratic. Cant wait to see your meltdown in 2020.
Let’s see… So Bush wants Austin-Smith sacked because Austin-Smith dared to do the job he’s tasked to do, that is, to stick up for human rights. Not to mention that Austin-Smith is free to speak his mind because Freedom of Speech is a bedrock right in the Cayman Islands. It’s obvious that Bush is the one who should be sacked. And Austin-Smith should be promoted — directly into the Speaker’s position.
A sincere thank you to James Austin-Smith for the extremely fine work you are doing. More power to you!
I agree with you all the way up to promoting him to speak er of the house.
Just like one man doesn’t speak for an entire parliament, one person shouldn’t speak for an entire commission. JAS’ tone was out of line, unprofessional and unbecoming of an attorney.
This matter is far too important from the perspective of constitutional law and precedence to pass on the fly. An appeal is warranted and will only add to the jurisprudence soundness of the decision if right, and correct any errors if wrong.
I disagree with you. Austin-Smith wasn’t unprofessional in the least. He did exactly what anyone in charge of “human rights” should have done: he stood up for gays, a group that is obviously detested by the bigots in the Assembly. Well, destested or not, change is coming. Any idiot can see that gays are likely to win the appeals case (you are right that the verdict will bolster the original decision), and the members of the Assembly will end up looking like a bunch of dinosaurs from another century, which is exactly what they are. Caymanians should be ashamed that ignorant people like these are running the government. The next generation will look at the world much differently — and we will ALL be better off for it.
Boot him out. No biggie.
Yes boot Mac out.
10.—(1) No person shall be hindered by government in the enjoyment of his or her freedom of conscience.
“Bush said James Austin-Smith should be fired because he is an atheist.”
You really can’t make this up. Cayman will be much better off when we the younger generation can finally replace the fossils we have elected now. It is time to separate church and state entirely.
As sad as it is to see older Caymanians pass away, they take their indoctrinated beliefs with them, and that’s the silver lining. Tick tock, Unison…
I love it that you quote the law in black and white and you get 107 thumbs down. And Caymanians wonder why we are becoming outsiders in our own country.
We are with you, friend.
Let’s bring our islands into this century.
Love, Caymanians.. most of whom are straight to add.
Bringing our islands into the last century would be a start.
there’s always been a recognized but unspoken suit of incompetent underlay with most elected officials and this week has firmly put the stamp on it. Absolutely mind-blowing, no wonder Dart chose this the territory to bowl his way through – simply speechless.
I’m sure he rubbed his hands with delight when he realised how thick and backwards most of the politicians are.
At no time in the plus 30 years I’ve lived here in Cayman amongst its citizens and residents , have I been asked to answer to religion. In other words , in order to live here , I’ve never had to pledge any kind of following to a religion or a deity, attend a church or write on any type of government application what (if any) religion I followed . Our [Cayman]marriage license that my spouse & I hold , no where lists a religion . This is with us even being married by a well known local Pastor , who was very happy to conduct a non-denominational marriage ceremony for us , where being married under a religion or a god in any form,was not mentioned . This is the way we wanted to be married , as neither of us follow a religion.
If McKeeva Bush wishes to see Mr. Austin-Smith removed from his position , due to other than his views on a particular subject by being an atheist , then McKeeva needs to see legislation passed that prevent atheist’s from residing here in Cayman. Also being granted residency and citizenship , working as an attorney . Mr. Austin-Smith passed the local bar and was admitted as an attorney to practice law in the Cayman Islands . At no point of this process was he asked to demonstrate what religion , if any , he followed.
To that end , for all McKeeva knows , Mr. Austin-Smith may very well follow a religion of his own choosing. Just because he objects to something and the L.A. doesn’t like it or it doesn’t follow the L.A’s views , doesn’t immediately make him an atheist.
O please, you drifted off so far and missed the point. Austin used his atheistic beliefs to interfere with the democratic processes of these islands. McKeeva is just naming what his belief is.
CNS: James Austin-Smith did not use his beliefs to interfere with the democratic process. He used his knowledge of the law to explain it.
Thanks for the correction CNS. Too many scarily ignorant people round here lately.
CNS 1 Ignorant moron 0
bush is a disgrace as usual. nothing new there.
however the real question is how/when the governor will respond.
the governor cannot stand back and do/say nothing when HRC is being attacked like this…..
we are waiting governor!
Perhaps our Gov is finally opening his eyes, as Mr Choudury did at the outset. Hopefully he will intervene as you say. But then we all know what will happen next if he does.
Yea, how dare the chair for the HRC advocate for human rights. He’s also an atheist so all of his opinions dont count! He doesnt believe in an invisible man in the sky like we do so he must be against us all!
Do these people actually listen to the stupid crap that comes out of their own mouths?
Your sky comments are stale. Get a life.
quite right, It is “invisible sky fairy”
Flying spaghetti monster according to Dawkins.
Not as stale as the bible thumpers same dated arguments against gay marriage! Those have grown mold and gone bad years ago.
You know, I just assumed the Governor was far away overseas somewhere on business last week and was unable to attend, or follow any of the misbehavior in the Legislative Assemblies that convened…but now I can see from his Facebook, that he WAS here, doing everything BUT raising his hand or doing his job. We can see from video that the freshly MBE’ed DG attended and was snickering in collusion with all of these eels as they took turns. This is absolutely unacceptable. https://www.facebook.com/ukincayman/
OMG. You jest. Franz is perfect and would never tolerate any impropriety!
This is so embarrassing for Cayman
Not really.
Let me get this right – you want to fire someone who is responsible for human rights on the basis that he does not believe in god, rattled the LA cage and stood up for a minority? Isn’t that exactly why there is an HRC in the first place!!!! Bravo James Austin-Smith…You are doing exactly what you should be doing in your role at the HRC. I thought the press release was spot on and I didn’t see any contempt or disgust for the LA in any form whatsoever. Rather a well thought out and practical statement. People need to check their egos at the door and look at this practically…but I guess that society really does have to walk as fast as their slowest walkers. SMH
If there is one man I support now than ever before is Mac! Why do they have to force a law that will mean same-sex parenting on our children?
Didn’t Jesus have two dads?
At least someone will be parenting your children.
What do you mean ‘our’. You bring up your kids and let them bring up theirs. The only way they bringing up your kids is if you are failing to do so yourself. Is that the case?
Bush is an idiot plain and simple!!!!!!!!!!!
Not a word about the crime Cayman faces on a day to day basis. Oh no, Honorable Bush with his make believe god cares more about what sexual preference you have and, which god you’re praying to. What does this tell you?
Wow, just wow…this island just set itself back 15 years in one fell swoop.
Let sack Mrs O’conner-connolly!
All the more reason to reappoint him as Chair of the HRC, he is doing his job!
Although I can think of quite a few people who should be fired and they can all be found in the same building….
Wow check out the convenient morality of the Gambler! Maybe he should call in that special security detail he used a the Hard Rock…
Mac was disappointed to be removed from centre stage, so he’s come up with this nonsense, to get back on page 1. Requesting removal of someone from an independent post because of alleged atheism ? Come on people, surely we are more enlightened and forward-thinking than this ? Or do we want Cayman (politics) to be a continual laughing stock ?
My Caymanian pride is at it’s lowest point ever. I can truly say, it’s bordering on shame.
Hearing the members in the LA really underscores how important it is for Cayman to remain an OT.
Give it up! James Austin-Smith is a wonderful person who wants nothing more than to protect every humans rights. I’d rather have an atheist on my side than a lying Christian. Atheists have to be good people for themselves while Christians believe they can sin but then go to confession and be forgiven.
Oh dear… poor you
Great rebuttal. I fully see your side now. Moron.
Mac is an idiot, end of story! If the head of the HRC doesn’t stand up for all human rights, than what is his position there for in the first place? I really just wish the LA and all of those in Gov’t would put forth HALF the amount of effort into fixing our public school system as they do for something that does not affect anyone’s daily life! This saga is getting old!
Caymanians voted for the constitution which provides the right for freedom of conscience and freedom from religion.. so much for that! Christianity is not a requirement to live here or to be called Caymanian!
I live my life with equally good morals derived from common sense all the same. I don’t steal, hurt, cheat, etc. Difference is I don’t go around judging people and telling them to burn in hell because they love another adult of the same sex.
I know right, Christians are so damned intolerant and moody.
Honorable Bush for our first Prime minister after independence, you always have us Caymanians best interest in your heart. You are strong and know how to deal with these people. Bless you!
I 2nd that!!!!
If we go independent and Bush is the first Prime minister? I’m getting my UK passport now to be ready to jump ship if that happens.
Good riddance.
Mac should be fired because he’s an idiot and a disgrace to this country and his position in the LA.
Cayman’s own version of Trump. Who knew we had a Trump before Trump?
Allegedly, Stan Thomas knew…
You need to respect his position in the house.
Absolutely Unbelievable. Religion should be banned, so outdated, caters to the retarded
Time for a referendum to revoke parliamentary privilege.