The end of Teflon
101 writes: In some ways the sleepy little island hasn’t changed. One of the prime examples of this has been our community’s unwillingness to rock the boat, speak up on key issues, and be publicly critical of our elected leaders on important social issues.
Thankfully in recent years, this is changing for the better. The speaker of the House’s recent apology for his actions last weekend was met with a response reflecting an awakened community which is refusing to accept the incident and detesting even more the basis for his apology.
In a sort of ‘me too’ moment, women are speaking out fiercely all over social media about the incident and calling openly for the once most revered politician in the country’s recent history to step down.
And he should.
Former minister Osborne Bodden’s ‘F..kng driftwood’ incident, as bad as that was for the treatment of women, pales in comparison to the incident that led to the speaker’s apology.
And if you thought that it was embarrassing that no elected member (and in particular female politicians) spoke out against Mr Bodden’s treatment of a female member of staff, then you would have been beside yourself a full two days after the incident at Coral Beach, having not heard a peep from anyone in the LA (statements surfaced on the third day but only after public pressure).
And no one should accept any sitting politician’s excuse of hiding under the guise of ‘legal action and innocent until proven guilty’ on incidents such as this one, particularly with the amount of anecdotal evidence available combined with the speaker’s own public apology.
So much for ‘girl power’…
That none of the women currently serving as role models to thousands of girls in the country have spoken out on the incident cannot be described as anything milder than ‘shameful’.
This isn’t the time to comply with party protocols requiring that the premier is the only spokesperson on the issue at hand.
It is the time to demonstrate beyond all doubt that women are not to be mistreated or abused under any circumstances. And it is time to show that no woman who has obtained the support of hundreds of voters will stand by quietly when an incident as serious as this one occurs.
If women in the most powerful and secure positions in our society are not willing to stand up for what’s right, then who will?
Teflon done?
The longest serving politician in the country hasn’t held this title by accident or luck. His combination of charm, charisma, influence, alleged bullying and popularity with the ‘man on the street’ has meant that for nearly four decades he has served long enough for thousands to love him and many more to hate him, but always receiving sufficient support from the people of West Bay to remain in power.
His political smarts has also meant that for years he used the seats he controlled in the district of West Bay to get pretty much whatever position the ‘Teflon Don’ wanted in the LA.
But if this recent incident and the outcries doesn’t lead to the end of his career in politics then nothing else will.
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
The Governor says that the police are investigating this, so I’ll be very interested to see how that goes and Government’s response to their findings. My father taught me well to never, ever, under any circumstance ever strike a woman. As for the term “Driftwood” I’d like to observe that it is always unique in its character and qualities, often beautifully sculpted by its time and experience offshore. Sometimes it is appealing enough that we desire to take it home with us. I was thoroughly observed and vetted for 20 years before I was granted status. I’ll take the label of “driftwood” as a compliment for my contributions to the society that I have chosen as adopted brothers and sisters and to whom I’ve lovingly given the latter two thirds of my life. I thank you with all of my heart for your acceptance and I’ll proudly die here as a Caymanian.
Why has this incident become a gender issue? Had Bush behaved in the same way towards a man, it would have been as equally distasteful and abhorrent.
He assaulted another ‘human being’ when highly intoxicated – the law does not discriminate on grounds of sex (or so it shouldn’t) – although it is still a criminal offence to insult the modesty of a woman…….?!!
Cayman christianity.
Lighter skinned Caymanians consider themselves white! Especially those next door in Brac! Check their genes, they/we all have a bit of Africa!
What is your point 10.56am
A single photo of this incident would go a long way to seeing Bush permanently ousted. Why haven’t we seen one?
Heads should roll for this.
We continue in hope that is what’s happening to Bush across the pond.
Can we forget all the division here and stick to the issue at hand which is Bush!!! Lets all agree he needs to go and fight for that. As for being revered the only people in Cayman that worshipped him is the Jamaicans in West Bay that he gave status to and loads of free appliances.
Not just Jamaicans. He is truly revered by many Caymanians who have lineage, and not only in West Bay. He is seen as a demi-God by both new and generational Caymanians. I don’t think we have ever had such a polarising character in this country’s political history. There is no middle ground when it comes to feelings for this man, he is either loved or hated.
Those that hate him have good reason.
And those that love him do not!
Cayman’s answer to Donald Trump but more intelligent.
Lol, Donsld may act like an idiot on occasion, but he’s done far more than any of the past 4 administrations put together.
Exactly what? Name one thing.
Black and Hispanic unemployment at the lowest levels in history
Manufacturing jobs returning to US soil from foreign countries
6 million welfare recipients off the dole
Illegal immigration on the decline and immigration laws being rigidly enforced
Veterans getting the health care the richly deserve
Energy independence from foreign sources
Real economic growth accelerating
Shall I go on?
Illegal immigration on the decline and immigration laws being rigidly enforced – has been declining for years
6 million welfare recipients off the dole – not qualifying for assistance doesn’t mean that the people suddenly aren’t in need anymore, it means that the requirements have changed and most of those persons are now excluded, not actually something you should be bragging about
Manufacturing jobs returning to US soil from foreign countries – not even remotely true, check in on that Carrier factory that Trump spent months bragging about saving
Black and Hispanic unemployment at the lowest levels in history – Name the specific Trump policies that have led to this occurrence (you can’t because there aren’t any)
Real economic growth accelerating – while GDP growth stalls and economic forecasters predict a recession in the next 2 years
Veterans getting the health care the richly deserve – not true
Energy independence from foreign sources – at the cost of , slashing regulations and allowing widespread pollution and the destruction of natural resources from areas previously protected, it will cost more in the long run to clean those areas up and provide healtcare to the people who get sick from the pollutants than it would have been to just import resources
Keep trying though
Trump just appointed a man who doesn’t believe in science to lead the US reponse to the Coronavirus while a global recession looms
Good luck with that guy
Only Jamaicans? CNS Library Extra Gazette No 33 of 2003.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://cnslibrary.com/wp-content/uploads/ExtraGazette-No.33-2003-Status-grants-1.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjA2azlkfPnAhWOneAKHT4uCVYQFjABegQIAhAB&usg=AOvVaw0gzfj1t4ZaTy2KmphGveXt
OK. Jamaicans, some developers, customers of Cambridge Real Estate, some police officers, and the Attorney General (amongst others).
Men like myself who have been physically abused by women without provocation felt absolutely nothing upon hearing about this incident.
I think this might say more about you than it does about the incident…
I’m sorry you experienced such a horrible thing. Understand though that not every woman is like that, just like how not every man is an abuser. It’s like a woman saying that they don’t care about your abuse because they were abused by a man. It’s equally abhorrent. I pray for your healing and better experiences.
When is justice going to be served after 40 years of this disgusting brutal abusive, and bullying behaviour. Its time to strip him of his public office and strip him of his pension, perks and govt. supporting his health and pension for the rest of his life. He was honoured with the highest office in the country twice as premier and then speaker and he has no honour or respect for anyone himself. He deserves nothing from this country and should be banished into obscurity forever.
To 9.50pm His pension was earned. It is not a bonus .
I fail to understand the clamour for reaction and/or comment from the MLAs, particularly the apparent disappointment at the absence of condemnatory statements from the lady members.
We follow the British parliamentary system: you do not see or hear of Westminster MPs raising cane when one of their number is arrested, caught drunk driving, assaults someone or otherwise comes to the public eye because of some malfeasance. The MPs have the sense to leave such matters alone, to be dealt with by the appropriate authority just as if the perpetrator was not an MP at all. If necessary, in due course the Prime Minister or Leader of the Opposition might make a public statement but that would be it.
So why should any of our MLAs say anything at all? It is just a media-driven frenzy..
I doubt that it has anything to do with them following the parliamentary system; it’s more the religious system that they are all familiar with “he without sin ….”
This is a LIE about British MPs. See link for the recent article where a British MP assaulted a female climate change activist and was swiftly suspended by the PM and a number of MPs spoke out, harshly critical of his attack on her. He apologized and more importantly handed himself into Cabinet for investigation.
What are you talking about? You seriously think that the British parliament would just ignore an incident such as this by a member? The MP would have resigned within hours or had the whip withdrawn.
Agree 200 percent on this! If he doesn’t go right away we must protest. His time is up!
Protest? I’ll believe it when I see it.
there is no such thing as 200 per percent, The only meaning for percent is one hundred.
I Say direct rule once and for all
Your an idiot.
You’re
This comment makes me wonder if a previous prolific poster Pit Bull has left Cayman. He used to make pithy pro British comments which we could all object to but there was a fun element to them too. Bull, have you left us?
Is that why you came here in the first place?
C5.11pm It is not going to happen. If you hunger for direct British rule just remember that BA flies to Cayman a couple times a week so feel free to catch a flight.
Good article with relevant points. It would be great if this incident changes the propensity for Caymanians to take strong positions on matters of national importance in private rather than large public outcry. Correctly stated, Caymanians generally don’t wish to publicly “rock the boat”, for various reasons, not excluding fear of political retribution. In another two weeks, if there is no stronger response from all our elected officials and the Speaker ignores the present “anonymous” outcries (which he most certainly will, this will be forgotten by most. Quite sad but hope they remember it on election day!
The majority of Caymanians will continue to expound in private and largely stay silent publicly and the media will continue to tread softly on such matters for at least the one reason I mentioned above!
Hopefully the younger generation of voters will have more balls and a stronger sense of civic responsibility!
And the other problem is that we tend to forget, we are really good at that. Next week there will be another story and this in will be put under the carpet.
Bush is a disgrace and should step down on his own but of course he won’t, he has beaten corruption charges, assault charges and many more acts over the years, including threatening people amd their business if things don’t go away.
I for one will never go back to Coral Beach as he is a shareholder in it.
I will not support a person who ‘has admitted’ assaulting woman and appear really to have no remorse (which I truly believe he doesn’t).
This island over the years have had several political persons who have verbally and physically assaulted woman and really nothing has happened.
The good news is that we are now in the 2020’s, woman are speaking up, the ‘me too’ movement is coming to Cayman and it’s about time.
Is he really a shareholder? I had been targeted with ads containing grammatical mistakes and I had wondered why the caliber of Coral Beach was so low compared to other tenants at Dart-owned property. Now I see why.
Who actually owns the restaurant and bar? How can we find out?
Prayers for the entire Bush family.
Crab
And a good psychiatrist.
Assuming Bush actually does have a mental health disorder ,as he claims. Don’t forget who you are dealing with here . Has he been medically & physiologically examined to demonstrate such a disorder ? Until such time you have read evidence as proof of his claim , it remains just that – A Claim.
It may also remain a tactic of smoke & mirrors.
Because somehow he is the victim here?
Nothing else will. The West Bay geniuses will still vote foe him.
Once most revered? By who? Those feeding at the possibly corruptly enabled trough? This is one leopard that hasn’t changed his spots.
Watch what you say for fear that he may become Premier once again.
No. Do not watch what you say. We have done that for far too long.
This is on point. I’m also very dissapointed that we haven’t heard a word from the 3 women in office. And he is not the only woman abuser in the house either.
Tara, Barbara and Julianna proving once and for all they all are not actually leaders in any respect, just riding the political wave as far as it takes them with the PPM
Embarrassing that a country descended from strong independent women who more often than not had to step up and raise families themselves and these muted followers are the best we can elect
Every one of of them should hang their heads in shame
Silent on the port project, silent on smith cove, silent on Mckeeva’s latest altercation, nothing but silence
Might be they think they are nuns rather than representatives
They are anti-gay, anti-gender equality ministers. We already know that.
“Smith Barcardere” please. Please respect our historical traditions and naming of places.
My grandfather was Caymanian born and raised in West Bay, my mother and her sisters the same. I have lived in Cayman since 1977 and never heard of Smith’s Cove being called anything but Smith’s Cove.
Can anyone give me the history of the name(s)?
Its an antiquated word, Shall we go back to the thous, thees and thines as well
I have always heard it called Smith Cove, I will continue to call it Smith Cove
What issues you take with that are your business
We have “the Barcadere” on Cayman Brac as well. The cut, or Bucaneer’s. All work okay for this born and bred.
It was called Smith Barcadere long before it was called Smith Cove.
And then it was Smith Cove for decades, and that’s the name the vast majority of the living population developed an attachment to, and that is the name that will be used.
I respect the stance and rightly so if the actions by Mr Bush have been accurately reflected. The problem with the accessibility and prolific use of social media nowadays is it also comes with a great deal of speculation and sensationalism for an audience, – it can be both beneficial and detrimental. I also don’t agree with condemning ‘the thousands of women role models for not speaking out’ so far simply because nobody has really seen ‘the facts’ except for Mr Bush’s letter with wash of apology,
With all that said however full justice and consequences should be served. If we are to be immediately disappointed with anyone at this stage it should be the enablers covering up with a quasi justifying for the actions purported by Mr Bush, and preventing the appropriate authorities in being able to pursue and bring charges against Mr Bush (or anyone else) to be punished tovthe fullest extent of the law. It appears to have been a disgraceful act but also a disgraceful impedance and desire to divert consequential actions away from Mr Bush where the underlying tone at all costs seems to be ‘protect your brethren’. I sincerely hope and put faith in ‘right matters’ that we see different. Very respectfully thank you standing up and the expression of opinion,
Don’t think it’s condemning thousands just the 3 elected ones..but I agree with you about those covering up for this man.
Thanks for that correction – apologies 101, I misread the opening line of that paragraph : (
The “f*%king driftwood” comment comes from the same place. Many proudly subscribe to Cayman’s violent misogynism and caste systems. That is why there is deafening silence from politicians who feel their complicity best represents their constituents (or at least the ones that matter most to them).
What caste system? The one you are trying to introduce here?
Long before we get to “Born” versus “Paper”, there are several degrees of “Caymanian-ness” depending on your originating fore-bearer surnames, racial-purity of your bloodline, ancestral wrecking/salvage/hurricane accomplishments, ascribed island of origin, wealth and connective utility. Then somewhere far below, a separate hierarchy of relative subjugation for expats. Reading Leahikar-Denton’s the “Wreck of the Ten Sail” there are interviewees that recall so-and-so Bodden’s daughter is the descendent of a Royal Navy deserter and therefore less Caymanian. Whether we want to talk about it or not, origination is lorded over all of us for generations, even long after grant of status.
Perhaps “pseudo caste” would have been a better term to use. That is…..
“True Caymanians” who can trace their ancestry in the Islands back to whenever;
“Caymanian by Marriage” who are effectively owned by the above;
“Paper Caymanians”, or “F’n Driftwood”, as our society elders consider them;
“Permanent Residents”, who are tolerated for their money;
“Work Permit 01” who have jobs we can’t (yet) do;
“Work Permit 02” who do the jobs we don’t want to do;
“Anyone other than 1 and 2 above we don’t like”.
Have I missed anyone?
It is not incorrect to call anyone from status holder through generational Caymanian, “Caymanian”. However, roots are incredibly important to identity. For example, a Filipino cannot and will not deny their heritage, why should we? So, when I tick Caymanian due to my legal status, I feel a bit of guilt towards my roots. That’s the way it is. I certainly consider generational Caymanians more Caymanian than me. It’s okay.
You’d tick British Overseas Territories Citizen if you were being truthful.
No, thousands of Caymanians are not BOTC’s and thousands of BOTC’s are not Caymanian.
Brac Caymanian, Jamaican Caymanian, Honduran Caymanian, Cuban Caymanian….there are many more echelons of belongership than you might think. Nobody talks about this. #Caymankindness
Lighter skin Caymanians thinking themselves superior to darker skinned Caymanians?