PPM denies role in release of Bush assault footage
(CNS): A decision by the Cayman Compass to publish the CCTV footage of McKeeva Bush assaulting Livia Kwong, the bar manager of Coral Beach Bar at the time in February last year, has become embroiled in politics, given the timing of the release. The publishers claim they secured the video with the help of a local law firm, despite it being accessible for some time and openly offered to the press in the wake of the election when the PACT Government had made the unpopular decision to include Bush in the new government’s line-up.
CNS and other media houses opted not to post the footage based on the victim’s wishes. But now its release has the community pointing fingers at the opposition.
Following the release of the footage on Friday, all eyes immediately switched to the Progressives as being behind the release, given that the opposition has begun to mount direct attacks on the current government, initially seen in the politicizing of the management of the border opening. The publishing of the video footage now has a potential negative impact for PACT, in contrast to the very different impact it would have had prior to the election.
PPM Leader Roy McTaggart released a statement Saturday denying that his party played a part in its release or publication, but also made the most of it.
“This video reminds me why the Progressives refused to campaign or form a government with Mr Bush following the elections,” McTaggart stated. “We could have come to an agreement with him and retained the government but chose not to do so. That was not a serious option we could consider again after his admission of guilt and conviction by the courts. Mr Bush’s sentence was suspended for two years until 2022. We remain satisfied that we took the right decision.”
Having said that, McTaggart then went on to deny that the PPM would use the issue “to gain political advantage”. He stated, “We wish to categorically state that we were not aware that the Compass was publishing the video until after the fact.”
McTaggart said it was important that everyone, particularly young people, understand that the type of behaviour displayed in the video is not acceptable and cannot be condoned. “As a society, we have a lot of work to do to raise awareness of and eradicate violence and harassment towards women,” he said.
The video has been released in full but in the absence of the numerous witness statements from staff, the victim and the people Kwong had called to come and get Bush before the violence began in earnest. The footage shows how intoxicated the speaker of the House was when he arrived at the bar. It captures him stumbling from his vehicle and staggering into the bar area before he fell over. Bush then lay prostrate on the floor for some time before Kwong was alerted to the situation.
According to the evidence revealed during Bush’s sentencing hearing, as Kwong tried to help Bush to his feet, she also called individuals connected to him and to the bar to come and assist and remove him from the bar. But soon afterwards the violence began. The struggle is largely obscured by a row of beach umbrellas standing between where Bush fell and the camera, but after he got to his feet much of his violent assault was caught on camera. The footage shows him throwing bus trays at Kwong and then later throwing her around the kitchen.
But the video is being seen out of context and in the absence of supporting witness statements.
Releasing the video before the elections may have made a difference to Bush’s political fate and the dilemma Wayne Panton faced in deciding whether to work with him to form a government of independent candidates, reflecting the wishes of the voters given the unclear result. But releasing it at this time is leading to a reinterpretation of the footage. Social media is now fuelling a backlash against the victim, Kwong, in support of Bush and a reinterpretation of the violent incident in accordance with the views of those watching.
It is also raises the question of why the video was not released before the election, which Bush won by just 27 votes. In his response to the Compass over the weekend Bush said, “The people spoke and they’re seeing now.”
During his sentencing hearing Bush had claimed to have no memory of the incident because he was very intoxicated. However, this was not before his attorney had tried to persuade the magistrate that Bush had been attacked by Kwong during the part of the footage that is unclear. On the campaign trail Bush had maintained that was what happened and had outlined claims that indicated he was not being completely truthful about his loss of memory.
CNS has contacted PACT and Premier Wayne Panton about the release of the video and we are expecting a statement later today.
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
I can be sure of one thing – if that was me doing that to the bar manager I would be in prison
Frankly, I thought this woman did not follow management protocols. He was clearly drunk when he arrived. She should have asked her security guards to escort him off the property, given his obvious inebriated state and the bad blood between them.
1. When he fell, let the guards fo their job.
2. When he entered the kitchen, that was a job for the guards. She had no business to enter into such physical contact with a drunk man.
She obviously doesn’t know how to de-escalate these situations. I wouldn’t employ here to run my business.
This is not to excuse Bush. Shame on him for appearing in public stone drunk.
I tried to make that point earlier, but the haters and “woke” aren’t buying it. Anything less than McKeeve is 100% wrong and the victim was 100% right doesn’t fly here.
CNS: It’s a question of degrees. Questioning whether the victim did everything right is not the same as victim blaming and victim shaming.
Bush put himself in this position and only has himself to blame. The law takes the same view and being drunk is no defence. Kwong’s reaction to being assaulted is probably similar to the majority of us – offended and angry. Bush has to accept his behaviour started this and he has to accept everything that happened thereafter including Kwong and her colleague confronting him about his unacceptable conduct. Kwong is very brave to stand up to him especially when he was in such an inebriated state. It’s a pity his contemporaries in Parliament neither have the bravery nor the character to stand up to him and remove him from office.
AND if it was a man standing up to Mc eew a, no one would be saying he was being aggressive. All would just be commending him doing his job!
So does this mean that the vote to make him a National Hero will be delayed for a few weeks?
I was expecting worse. It’s still bad. But when the news broke I expected him to go to jail for assault. Watching this I can see why she settled. Still, should he still be in government? Not if we want our representatives to reflect us. Unless….
I thought the CI constitution prevented criminals from serving as a Member of Parliament…… ? ? ?
CNS: The Constitution prevents people standing for election if they have at any time been sentenced to 12 months in jail or if they have been convicted of a dishonesty offence (link here).
Which is why Kenny B is also allowed to be a Cabinet Minister.
Pure, unadulterated, bureaucratic harassment.
He is innocent, after seeing the video. The only case that really can be argue is a ,”damage to property”. Which will also be thrown out too base on facts. He’s not the best guy around, but clear him of this.
Moron. Read the Sentence Ruling. You only saw fragments of what really happened.
To which he pled guilty.
So in your book putting your hands on someone and throwing them around isn’t assault, its damage to property? Or are you saying that as his employee she was his property?
It would have been interesting to see in a parallel universe if after Mac’s onslaught she managed to score a KO on him with a big ‘ole frying pan. Despite being pelted with insults and bussing trays I wonder how many years she might have received for that. I would have given her Cayman’s highest honour.
Yes, I would love to see a Quentin Tarantino revisionist history version of this. Since he’s on the island, Ron Perlman would show up and go Hellboy on McKeeva. I’d pay to watch that movie!
According to Cayman Marl Road, this video has vindicated Bush and the woman was the aggressor. I beg the UNDP/UN Women to start making some attempts to re-educate the women on Cayman on what gender-based violence is. This man is probably an alcoholic, but you will notice that the law does not excuse behavior on that basis. What a crisis this is, and how terribly it has been dealt with. He cannot continue to be in public life.
Cmr is hardly the authority on anything related to what constitutes abuse considering their abuse of innocent persons.
Yes, it appears as if Sandy wants to kiss and makeup with McKeeva (sorry just threw up in my own mouth with that thought) since PACT will not abandon him.
Anyone defending Mac after seeing this video should be ashamed. If male, what fragile egos you have to think that words ever justify assault in return. If female, I am sorry that you have bought into a prehistoric narrative that has you believing that if you act disrespectfully to a drunken a..hole, they have a right to attack you. #sheissupported
My choice for “Comment of the Day” !
He was wrong yes! But anyone who thinks provoking a drunk person or being an aggressor is okay to do, then be prepared for the fall out of your actions. I am a woman and I know not to provoke people. Especially drunk ones. She could have walked away and let the police handle it. She was the sober one.
Now that I’ve seen the video it is completely different than what I had imagined happened having only media reports to rely on.
For real. Would love to hear that audio…
Read the sentence ruling, moron. The released video is 3 min. and doesn’t show sustained attacks in the course of 20 min.
his supporters don’t do facts/reading….
Hilariously you reach the same conclusion as many of the commenters and jump on the defensive. The original comment doesn’t take a position other than the video is different than what was reported. It doesn’t say it was worse or better. Thanks for checking in sport.
The video paradoxically is frightening. Nomenclature dictates that Parliament passes a code of conduct immediately.
But have we seen ALL the videos?
The manager’s colleague spends much of the first part of the video clearly videoing him on her phone. What happened to that footage?
What you cannot see is the balance of the assault. What you cannot see it that during the time she was trying to help him up and was leaning over, that was because he had grabbed her clothing and her hair and was holding her down to him.
You people will BS anything to cover this buffoon.
I notice the PPM this, Alden that blah blah. But nobody talking about the clowns in West Bay who “woted” Mac back in.
Maybe we need to get some counseling for these lost souls because without their “wote” every 4 years for the last 40 years we wouldn’t have been repeatedly disgusted by his behavior whilst in high office.
Im glad he got in to show that PACT and PPM wanted him and needed him. If you can say West Bayers are clowns, everyone else are also clowns.
Not everyone else votes in Mac time and time again, whether he is embroiled in financial scandals, drunken behaviour, or even violence. No – people who vote for Mac are not like very one else. Just because you don’t like being called a clown doesn’t mean you aren’t one.
I am appalled at the multitude of comments I have read regarding this video. It appears that some members of the public would like to place the blame for McKeeva’s assault on the victim. Even the victim provoked McKeeva by her comments, that would still not justify his undeniable violent attack. Wake up!!
This is the same story with this bully everyone just looks the other way and the silly West Bay Voters are too selfish and stupid to understand its the country first not their ignorance … that will keep them with nothing as other Caymanians work hard and benefit from our success ….
MacKeeva’s behaviour is typical of how some Caymanian men treat women in general. This type of behaviour has been going on for decades and so is also seen by some as acceptable. Once a man with the same tendencies attains a position of power and influence he thinks he can and has done no wrong in the same circumstances. I’m sure that many young Caymanian men have been negatively influenced by MacKeeva’s behaviour over the past 20 years so this type of incident will not be the last we see, as he has set a vile precedence.
7.01pm I am sure that they have seen on the news that the same thing haopens in other countries. So it also true to say that his behaviour is typical of how some men treat women in Cayman and other countries.
So because it happens elsewhere we should accept this behavior here?? Of a member of PARLIMENT??? Are you kidding me?? If this happened by a member of the LA in the UK do you really think he would still be SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE???
LMFAO
You small minded islanders continue to amaze me.
Stop comparing this to other countries!! We are here now. Here in Cayman. GROW UP
Anyone that can justify his behavior doesn’t have an ounce of sense or decency! This video confirms what we all knew…..he was a highly intoxicated fool that beat a woman. End of story. No excuses.
not one time did i see him hit, punch or slap her, so its not true that he “beat a woman” please dont lie just to spread your narrative/ or prove a point. Stick to the facts. He roughed her up, but he didnt beat.
He “roughed her up but didn’t beat”…. we have a real bright one here.
4:24 Read the sentence ruling in the CNS library before commenting. Especially victim impact part. The assaults took place in the course of 20 min. The released video is 3min.long.
Back in your cave big guy.
He said he was told that when he was being helped to his feet, he “reacted badly to the very persons who were surrounding me and assisting me.
“I had no intention of doing so. I did not know where I was or what had happened or who was assisting me to get back to my feet. I was confused and disorientated, a similar feeling to that which I experienced when coming out of anaesthetic from my previous operations. I can only assume that I must have believed that I was in danger.”
He’s a lying drunk bastard
He was a danger and embarrassment to himself and others. She tried as best as she could to save his reputation and remove him from premises with the help of others. 300lb baboon against 90 lb woman. Classy!
C’mon now, even baboons have more social graces.
All those commenting on the theme of ‘I don’t condone violence but…’
Stop. Just stop.
All you need to say is ‘I don’t condone violence’
#SheIsSupported
There’s a doctrine taught to those who work in the beverage service industry about how to deal with drunk/belligerent guests. As the manager of one of these establishments, the victim (who indeed is the only victim here) would have known that. However, she didn’t follow the #1 rule of the doctrine, which was to remove herself from the situation. Instead she tugged the angry drunk tiger by its tail. That doesn’t take away from the crime of the perpetrator or add culpability to the manager, however, I do have to agree with some of the comments here that her actions after the first encounter on the ground, helped precipitate what ensued. You paint this as a black and white situation, suggesting that if you see it differently, we don’t support the victim. However, there are some who are suggesting that there are better ways to deal with an angry drunk and I have to agree. It doesn’t make McKeeva Bush any less of a scoundrel or insinuate the manager deserved this – she didn’t. But there is room for critique here. Let’s not be so “woke” that we don’t see that as well.
Are you stupid? Dealing with an angry drunk?!?! Nobody should have to put up with this behaviour whether in a bartender profession or any other profession!!
Ok – let’s stick our heads in the sand and pretend that angry drunks don’t exist and that all the training bartenders get on how to deal with them is a terrible waste of time and money. There – feel better now? Meanwhile, in the real world, bartenders sometimes have to deal with angry drunks. Should any of them, male or female, have to put up them while working? Well, as long as the world serves alcohol to people, there are going to be angry drunks in the world. It’s a hazard of the profession – which is why bartenders are given training on how to deal with angry drunks.
You are wasting your time. Many people hate this man and cannot see your point. I agree that he was acting like an idiot and should not have been that drunk given his position or even as a regular person. XXX
CNS: The video footage, which has no sound, was not the only evidence submitted in court and does not tell the whole story.
Wonder who held the Liquour licence at the time.
Did the board do anything about it he was a part owner?
The way he just tosses his drink onto the ground as he arrives should tell you enough about how little class this buffoon has….
How anyone can say that this poor girl was in ANY way to blame shows just how much Cayman is from being a modern civilised society. Bush is an absolute disgrace of a ‘man’ and a fraud as a politician. For PACT not to get rid of him right now shows they aren’t much better. And the saddest part is we’ll never change.
The PPM cannot be trusted look at their track record on this matter and how they mismanaged it. SMH
https://caymannewsservice.com/2020/12/bush-begins-60-day-evening-curfew/comment-page-1/#comments
Remember that McKeeva was arrested in a Florida casino in 2017 for misdemeanor battery against a waitress. But that too was probably the waitress at the casino’s fault as well.
Each of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and the Premier have something in common; under the Cayman Islands Constitution, their appointments can be revoked or their offices vacated if two-thirds of the elected members of Parliament pass a motion expressing no confidence in him or her. This threshold can be achieved by one of two methods – the “bad mind” vote or the “bad man” vote (note that these are not legal or constitutional terms, but are utilised here by the author to draw the reader’s attention to certain motives for seeking or abandoning a vote of no confidence).
“Bad Mind” Vote
In current circumstances (with a new government in place), the “bad mind” vote is the type that could be contemplated by a group of politicians whose members no longer have seats of power in government but who (for spiteful reasons or simple bad mind) desperately wish to regain control, including the re-acquisition of the positions of the Premier, Speaker and/or Deputy Speaker. Such a group would do or say almost anything to justify its existence.
Unbeknownst to them, desperate comments and harassment will not be enough to change the government. In order to shift the balance of power, people must first believe the negative remarks. This requires a significant investment in marketing, either using their own resources or a media house willing to promote negativity about the new government. Whatever combination of methods is utilised, the ultimate objective of these covetous actors is to paint a picture that the new government lacks credibility or that its membership lacks competence.
While the misleading notions are being cemented in the minds of the populous, political discord must also be sewn carefully amongst members of the new government. This includes planting seeds of doubt in the minds of those led by the Premier, the success of failure which will be determined by the the degree of deciduousness of the characters of those surrounding the Premier. How many will get nervous and jump ship? How many will be deceived easily? How many have their own sights on the position of Premier?
As you can imagine, the accumulation of support for a bad mind vote could take months, even a year. Absent bad mind politics, the Premier, Speaker or Deputy Speaker would (on their own) have to do something scandalous to get replaced.
“Bad Man” Vote
I would like to say that scandal is not the norm, but, unfortunately, scandal is never far away from a politician. When mishaps occur, the court of public opinion will immediately cast its vote as to whether a politician is a “bad” person and little or no additional marketing will be required to procure support for a vote of no confidence within Parliament. This was the case in 2012 where a special meeting was held to consider Private Member’s Motion No. 10/2012-13—Lack of Confidence in the Government.
In bringing the motion in 2012, the Leader of the Opposition stated that “it is with a heavy heart and a deep sense of responsibility that I move the following Motion this afternoon: WHEREAS the Premier… has been arrested and released on bail and investigations are continuing involving alleged cases of serious misconduct; AND WHEREAS the Honourable W. McKeeva Bush has refused to step down as Premier and a Minister of the Cabinet and allow the investigation to continue without any real or perceived appearance of a conflict; NOW BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly does declare a lack of confidence in the Government”.
According to the Hansard Report, the Premier at the time had not been charged with any criminal offence, however, the motion proceeded to consider whether or not it was appropriate for the Premier to continue in office as Premier while he was the subject of those investigations, while he was on bail, while he was faced with the possibility of being charged with grave criminal offences.
The result of the 2012 vote for a motion to declare a lack of confidence in the Government was 11 “yes” votes, 3 “no” votes and 1 “abstaining”.
Bad Man Vote Not Applied in 2021
The person who was subject to the bad man vote as Premier in 2012 could have been subject to a bad man vote in his new role as Speaker in 2021. However, as we know, the leadership of the Unity Government decided not to proceed with the holding of a special meeting to consider a motion to express no confidence in the Speaker in 2021. In the circumstances, this was a puzzling decision.
The decision of the Unity Government not to pursue a motion of no confidence in the Speaker in 2021 remains a mystery because it was the leader of the Unity Government who pursued a motion for a lack of confidence in 2012 at a special meeting when the circumstances only involved an arrest (with no conviction) but when the circumstances in 2021 involved an actual conviction, no special meeting was supported by the leader of the Unity Government. A kind of flip-flop as one would say.
In fact, the task of the Unity Government in 2021 to remove the Speaker was simple: if the reputation of the country and the government were open to a great risk by keeping the Speaker in place as Unity Government member, the Unity Government could have agreed to a special meeting, vote and obtain two-thirds of the elected members of Parliament to pass a motion expressing no confidence in the Speaker. Under the Cayman constitution, once the office of Speaker became vacant, the Parliament would have simply elected another Speaker. This means that, contrary to what was advertised, there was no need to dissolve the Parliament or call early elections. As members of the voting public, we were simply duped, hoodwinked and bamboozled.
Political Games Continue
The public is now being courted by a series of statements by The Leader of the Opposition, the aim of which appears to be to reduce the credibility of the PACT government and the new Premier. What is being laid out before your eyes is “the short game”. The “long game” is where The Leader of the Opposition may later pursue a vote of no confidence in the PACT government and the new Premier after establishing a critical level of negativity. Readers must pay attention and see this is for what it is. It is an attempt by those who lost their seats in power and control of the government to reacquire that power through political skulduggery. They will do this as long as it suits their personal and political agendas. To top it off, the losers are now referring to themselves as “shadow ministers”, a term which is not even defined under the Cayman Islands Constitution. It is being conjured up to give voters the impression that the losers have some special standing or title. This is totally deceptive and misleading. The losers should just accept the loss, take their seats on the backbench and chill with the propaganda.
The 2012 removal of Bush was based on his being Premier, head of government, and sitting in Cabinet and making and guiding policies and decisions while being arrested and out on bail. Members of his own party and Government supported the motion to move him as Premier and they then formed a minority government with him gone.
The 2020 incident with him as Speaker is not the same and is very different. He had no say in government and was not in Caninet.
So if his behaviour and conviction during the last PPM government did not matter sufficiently for the PPM to remove him as speaker and institute a code of conduct then, which might have resulted in his not getting re-elected, then why does that very same behaviour and conviction matter so much now that he was duly re-elected by his constituents and the PACT government is in power? Isn’t what’s sauce for the goose also sauce for tha gander?
You need to ask Compass their reason for publishing the video. Maybe it ties in with the series on sexual assault and harassment that they have been publishing.
Or maybe they are failing at print and radio and need something to get people speaking about them again.
To 12.51pm This post is a duplicate of an op-ed article on Loop News. Looks like Loop is now joining the anti Progressives movement. Just keep on pushing your conspiracy theories and spouting your dislike for PPM and give Pact complete freedom from responsibility for any of their actions and see where it will lead. You are preaching division instead of unity. Not good. It seems that you believe your Pact guys cant do any wrong or that if they do we should all keep quiet. Only in dictatorships or totalitarian states do we see such actions and we certainly dont want that here. So just toughen up ..if they need chastising they are going to get it.
If you’re a PPM supporter, then you can kindly stfu about “preaching division instead of unity”, “your Pact guys cant do any wrong” and dictatorships/totalitarian states.
Loving all the; “I’m not condoning violence but…” posts. Yes, that’s exactly what you’re doing with your pathetic excuses.
Wow. All the legal experts come out of the woodwork!
The man admitted his guilt, that’s all you need to know.
You can’t argue over if it was an assault. It was.
The old chestnut of ‘she could have walked away’ and other victim blaming nonsense needs to stop.
To think, this video will bolster his support among the percentage of the population with limited cognitive skills, is depressing.
Bush is a disgrace, and should have fallen on his own sword a long time ago. Though, in honesty, he’d probably be drunk and miss the sword… then blame a tragic death from years ago.
What puzzles me is why she didn’t just push and topple that drunk Humpty Dumpty. We would have had a funny video that we’d of all enjoyed.
It is amazing to see that McTaggart has finally found his voice. He was not even responding to messages that were sent to him after Bushs’ conviction asking for him to communicate his position on the matter and what he would do to quickly restore confidence in the elected arm of government. He is, in my opinion, a fraud.
Perhaps Roy is a fraud or perhaps not. But if he is then so is Wayne, Chris, Heather and almost everyone in this Government who said there is no condition they would have Bush as speaker. Wayne denounced Alden before the election because Alden said he had to keep Bush to protect the Government from falling. Wayne said he needed Bush to put a Government together. Hypocrisy.
“the type of behaviour displayed in the video is not acceptable and cannot be condoned.”
Your collective ministerial silence screamed that this behavior was indeed accepted and is condoned. SMH.
Roy McTaggart failed to stand up and be counted when McKeeva Bush was with the unity government. Alden McLaughlin fought against the vote of no confidence in Bush by calling early elections. That tells us everything we need to know about the PPM.
https://caymannewsservice.com/2021/01/mclean-and-miller-file-motion-to-oust-speaker/
https://caymannewsservice.com/2020/03/panton-finally-quits-ppm/
#sheissupportedonlywhenpoliticallyexpedient
That picture tells you everything you need to know about the man.
And about the men and women that continue support him….
It was in reference to Wayne, but yes.
Perhaps CNS can post the agreed full facts on which Bush pleaded guilty. It would give at least some agreed narrative to overlay the (currently open to visual interpretation) video.
CNS: All relevant documents, including the sentencing ruling, are in the CNS Library. The case was also covered by CNS throughout the trial, and all articles are in our archives.
Pleading guilty means he “admitted” in accordance with his lawyers carefully crafted script.
The video on the other hand shows
Our Speaker driving drunk
Exiting his vehicle hardly able to walk.
Struggling with a female
Falling over drunk at 7.30 in the evening
Attacking a female in the kitchen.
Reluctantly returning to his vehicle to drive away like a staggering drunk(which he was)
Anyone find anything redeeming here..?
Agree with everything here, but he did have a driver and didnt drive drunk.
Thanks, if that is the case I stand corrected..
A driver we pay for at a guess?
Yes, because there has to be a justifiable reason for a man beating a woman on video. Was there also a reason for what the same man was arrested for in Florida?
And what, pray, is a “justifiable reason for a man beating a woman”, on or off video?
Sometimes words fail me.
Miscarriage of justice in Florida.
Obviously the victim placed her bottom in his hand, yet he was blamed for that…
Thank goodness it was found to be a cultural
misunderstanding…phew.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=qipB5Jt2Kq8&feature=share
That’s why they didn’t want to get rid of McKeeva before election cause they knew they may need him to form the Government again. Say what any want but he is for the people that’s why he went with Independents. He always gets back to his people even if he can’t assist unlike some politicians!
Inexcusable. But Mac gets a pass. All the time. Never learning from his numerous mistakes. And YOU people allow it! YOU!!
All you people talking about how she could have walked away. What part of being a MANAGER do you think allows her to shirk her responsibility?
A manager takes charge of a situation and deals with it!!
You should all be ashamed of yourselves!
That drunken buffoon should be ashamed of himself.
There is absolutely no excuse for this. Doesn’t he (or us!) pay someone to ‘manage’ him??
Who knows if the PPM were aware that the video was going to be published but does it matter if the video is accurate? This is how politics works regardless of what country it is or what the topic is.
Prior to the election, the one question that was asked of each candidate was their position on working with Mr. Bush. At that stage, all candidates condemned Mr.Bush’s actions, including Mr. Panton. Once elected, we all know how their positions changed once they were enticed with the possibility of some power and influence.
Therefore, both sides are playing politics and will continue to do so. We need an active backbench regardless of which side is in power.
Another good hypothesis is that Wayne wanted a reason to get rid of Bush and weaken Bush’s emerging strength within the Pact Government. So he called up his good friend and business partner, who also owns the Compass, to put out the video. Then use that to put Bush on the sideline and separate him and Jay. That’s a better version of let’s guess the facts than ppm wanting to bring this sad story back to life.
By the way what ever happened to the Code of Conduct Mac and the others were going to sign?
Well everyone knows who owns the compass so we can put 2 and 2 together.
and the band played believe it if you like!
I’ve watched the footage, if anything it looks like the lady kept following him and her friend also…rather than walk away or make a complaint? McKeeva looks drunk beyond drunk for sure but overall, its not as bad as i thought it was supposed to be? He’s trying to grab her phone after shes spent ages on top of him outside and then following him everywhere
all very strange
She spent ages on top of him because he was holding her by her hair and clothes. So while she may have had a chance to leave- she was unable to. In addition, she is the Manager and has every right to confront him or anyone else who enters the establishment through a back door. This video could have shown Mac beating her with an object and his kool-aid drinking supporters would still say she was the instigator. It is disgraceful to see him walking in (barely) and then falling down inholding a position such as his. Typical drunken clown he has always been.
Thank you for explaining that! I wondered what was going on there.
To all the ignorant’s that suggested she could walk away.. As a manager she has the duty to deal with drunks and anyone else causing disruption to the business that she manages!
I’m no fan of Bush, he was clearly in the wrong and did assault Kwong. However, Kwong had several opportunities to remove herself from the situation but chose not to and it does appear she and her colleague inflamed the situation. The video does put the issue in a slightly different context to that portrayed in the media of a defenceless woman with nowhere to escape being assaulted by a drunk bully.
I guess you subscribe to the beaten wife only got beaten because she didn’t run away so it’s not hubby’s fault school? If I come to you house and you ask me to leave and I assault you it’s your fault right, because you could have fled? It’s her place of employment numbnuts – why should she have to flee because he is drunk and violent?
Did Bush have any ownership of that joint?
After watching the video, I believe both parties are to blame here.
Don’t get me wrong. As a publicly elected representative, any form of public intoxication or violence are both HUGE infractions of public decorum and behaviour and should have serious ramifications. Period. Even aside from political appointment, any man should never stoop to the low of hitting a woman, even if she asks for it. (I digress…)
However, it appears that she played an active participating role of provoking him as well. I see a lot of physical shoving, violent hand gestures, shouting, verbal abuse and derogatory commentary. The person next to her is playing camerawoman, and both continue to follow and antagonise him as he tries to walk away throughout every step of the altercation, amongst many unconvenient truths that were not conveniently addressed at trial.
As a bar manager, shouldn’t you and your staff have proper training on how to deal with intoxicated or disruptive patrons in the first place? I know exactly what that training entails and I saw none of it being implemented, other than possibly calling for help from authorities (which doesn’t seem to have been done initially anyways).
Even common sense will tell you to remain cautious when dealing with someone who is drunk. Any dog lover or owner will know that a dog can bite you at any time solely at the dog’s discretion. Hopes and wishes of how all drunk people will behave simply do not align with reality. You have to learn the fine line between trying to assist and treating any of the person’s actions or comments as irrational and not of sound mind.
XXXX
– Honest account from a paralegal
As a paralegal (really who cares) you should know that “anyways” is not a word!! Where were you educated?? Canada?
Anyways…..
Anyways … who uses ?? and !! as punctuation? Where were you educated? Sesame Street?
10:33 That’s exactly why you’re not a lawyer. Keep your head in the books researching laws and let the real lawyers do the analysis
Smug lawyer #687 has entered the chat!
Ok..and?
Wow.
Also who gives a $*** if you’re a paralegal? LOL
Maybe they think because mcBeater was paracletic
‘paralegal’=lawyer’s receptionist. funny you never hear about to many men claiming to be ‘paralegals’?
Caymanian women are a woman’s worst enemy. They always blame the woman. Sandy is such a disappointment. She only stands up for women when it suits her. And it only suited them to stand up for the victim when they wanted to get rid of PPM.
Agreed…I was surprised by her support for Kenneth who was the decisive vote in not removing McSlob and then saying they were offered video previously but refused…why the hell would you refuse a video that the public should see? Definitely is more a popular blog than independent news service.
I suggest you watch the CMR truthful Tuesday show on 25 Feb. About 1hr 40 mins or so in Sandra continues to attack Bush and said she was trying to get the video and when she did would drop it like it was hot. Throughout she attacked Bush and said there were no circumstances anyone should put him in as speaker. Please Sandra. You are as hypocritical as anyone else.
That’s because they’re buddies
I think you mean women in Cayman because there is a difference.
You ignorant bigots cannot make your point without including some skewed reference to denigrate Caymanians ? So Women everywhere outside of the Cayman Islands are perfect ?
Ah you seem to be proud of McSlob…well if you’re a woman I hope you never get on his bad side. XXXX
Yes was surprised at her support for the woman but as clearly seen it was not all his fault. If she don’t like you will do everything to bring you down as McKeeva did file a complaint against her!
If that’s an assault then the World has gone mad. Bush was in the wrong to try and grab her phone and looked drunk and disorderly. Kwong had plenty of opportunities to get safely away from the aggressor and at times appeared to be goading him on.
“Get away”?? She is the general manager of the bar. What the hell is McKeeva doing entering the back kitchen of these premises??
He was the owner
Not legally
If he is part owner he can.
Guessing because he (co)owns the place?
I thought that he was a co-owner.
That is what the snake Alden would do, to try to stir up trouble.
pact are an absolute disgrace to depend on this man to stay in power. end of story.
They were forced to by the Pathetic People’s Movement…so gfy
‘forced’ to rely on a convicted woman beater????
yep…just anotherday in wonderland.
James Bergstrom owns Compass Media, publishers of the Caymanian Compass. James Bergstrom and Wayne Panton are partners / shareholders in C3. James Bergstrom and Wayne Panton are partners / shareholders in Clean Gas. Any questions?
Wayne Panton has no shares in the Compass. So what is your point? I seriously doubt Wayne has anything to do with what the Compass puts out. They surely weren’t in his corner during the elections or after for that matter.
I own shares in CUC, Cayman National and Cayman Water…I have no power to tell them what to do..Any questions?
So he is guilty by association because he owns shares in companies other than the Compass..You logic is insulting.
I think if you look deep enough into the COmpass you will find out that the controlling force their is not just Jimmy Bergstrom.
PPM Should have had the balls to deal with him at the time of the incident, instead of twisting it their advantage now.
Rubbish. The past government is the past government. What is done is done. The current government are responsible for their decisions, actions or inaction. Where is the Premier today? What is his response?
And ultimately, the current Government answers to the people. As much as I did not want Mac back in, his constituents did and made sure they voted him back. No member of parliament is above the wishes of the electorate. The real question is, why was there such a lenient sentence for his crime? The judicial system had an opportunity to get rid of him for good. No fault of the current Government why Mac is still involved in politics.
It is the fault of the current Government why Mac is Speaker.
Because as seen both parties were at fault #hewasprovoked
My only concern if for the victim who after suffering the attack, had to endure a trial and now public dissemination of the video. It is disgusting that any media would publish the video unless she consented. The PPM actually proposed a motion for his removal – look into which members wouldn’t sign it and you will see who really did not have her best interests at heart.
Hey Cap’n Obvious. You do realize that NO media published the video right?
If you will read (and comprehend) the article it clearly states that it has been made public with her consent.
So you can be disgusted with the fact that WB voted that buffoon back in!
Hey Cap’n Obvious! Not ALL of West Bay voted him back, so please keep your general statements to yourself.
Pretty disgusting, Mac.
A picture says a thousand words. , as the Devil is in the details, as the road to hell is travelled with good intentions. Go figure.
He pled guilty. Nothing further.
Well as a woman from GTC and a voter in many elections now I have never ever supported MAC and never ever will vote for him if I was living in West Bay but after watching the video it’s clear he was wrong but it also clear she was just as wrong instigating some of it too. Why not walk away? I am sorry but you had that option too lady. Let me make it clear I DO NOT SUPPORT VIOLENCE TO WOMEN OR MEN OR CHILDREN or ANYONE but I think she could had avoided this to had gone on for so long. And as the old folks would say I will die with the belief that PPM is behind this as the are sore losers and taking this LOST BADLY AND WOULD TRY ANYTHING NOW TO GET OFF THAT BACKBENCH 👍That’s my story and I’m sticking to it…
“Why did she not walk away”? Seriously? She is the general manager of a bar where a very belligerent and drunk patron was falling around uncontrollably and eventually becoming violent. She had some responsibility to ensure other patrons and staff were kept safe from this man.
Such a ridiculous comment.
She should have called security to deal with the issue not try to take on the 300lb monster herself.
Mr.McTaggart, why did it take you then a year to make a statement?
Enough with awareness. Sick and tired of all kind of awarenesses. Put your money where your mouth is Mr.McTaggart.
He just “Woke” up.
You’ve really expanded my awareness, thanks. Now I can go forward and be an ally.
This whole thing stinks of the continued PPM/Compass ongoing campaign to try to divide and take down the PACT government. It is amazing how PPM was first to respond and oh the irony of Roy and Alden’s words when they had multiple opportunities to rid themselves of MCKeeva during the 8 years of their political power but the only thing they could respond with was to blame the PACT government for including him in their government. I have lost so much respect for these guys. Why do they want to destabilize or overthrow the current government? What is their agenda other than to seize power because they believe that they are God’s gift to the Cayman Islands and that they should rule over us whether we like it or not. Do thy actually believe this will work? Can’t they understand that we don’t want them? We don’t want a Dictatorship..period.
Roy is getting good at at imitating Alden ways and demeanor..or is this really Alden speaking?.. Does anyone notice that every time Roy speaks it is from a prepared written speech? There is not anyone in the world that can believe that the PPM had nothing to do with this. Everyone knows the media company is pro PPM.
It is a shame that the PPM did not even give the PACT government even a 100 days in office before they started their tirades to try to divide and undermine them or to turn the people against them. They are a bunch of worthless human beings that will stop at nothing to regain their power.
I don’t support anything McKeeva did to this woman or anyone else but trust me if McKeeva said he would go with them, they would have jumped on him like white on rice. They are nothing but sore losers and I am so disappointed in the way they have destroyed our political system, all for the love of power.
The PPM are a disgrace they had the power to remove McKeeva Bush. They chose to do nothing in 2020.
Roy McTaggart
Alden McLaughlin
Joey Hew
Moses Kirkconnell
Julie O’Connor-Connolly
Barbara Connolly
David Wight
Tara Rivers
Dwayne Seymour
Austin Harris
They did and said nothing as the Unity government to condemn or remove McKeeva Bush as Speaker nor did they support the motion for vote of no confidence at the time. The PPM led by McLaughlin at that time chose political expediency to aid their agenda. Alden McLaughlin who now acts as the puppet master allows Roy McTaggart to believe he is the new leader has also chosen political expediency as a tactic to embarrass PACT.
This is the definition of hypocrisy. There is lots of it in Cayman at all levels. The difference today is PPM are in the Opposition and powerless to continue with their policies and promises so must try to destabilize the PACT government.
The owner of the Compass is a business partner of the PACT Premier you idiot. There is no “continued PPM/Compass ongoing campaign”.