Mac hits out at critics
Posted on Thu, 08/23/2012 - 16:50 in Politics
(CNS): The country’s premier was unrestrained in his anger Thursday morning as he hit out at those who had criticised his budget presentation. McKeeva Bush took aim at the UK, the opposition, the media and even the Speaker when she attempted to curb his tirade. Bush described his critics as “vindictive” as he attempted to defend Monday’s budget presentation. He denied that he was responsible for the implementation of the COLA cut back or that he could do anything about the size of the civil service, and staunchly defended his Nation Building Fund. Although he admitted to “rambling a bit” in his budget speech, he said sometimes he had to do that to make the point.
During his closing remarks on the budget debate (which had rolled late into the night on Wednesday) when the legislators returned to the House Thursday morning, Bush reminded them of the days when speeches were far longer than his had been on Monday. He recalled both himself and the late Jim Bodden speaking for three or four days during legislative debates before the rules were changed to limit the time members could have when contributing to the debates.
Bush had received considerable criticism for the length of his budget presentation on Monday and the lack of significant content but he hit out at the media in particular, which he said should not be putting opinions in the reports but saving it for the editorials. He said that “vicious parts of the media” were “aiding and abetting” the opposition and that the press was vying for who could be the most opposed to government.
Pointing the finger at the Caymanian Compass as well as CNS, which the premier described as “nasty and dirty” and said that was why he was suing them and that he was going to win. He said there was precedent for suing on-line newspapers in the region.
“They can run but they can’t hide and they are going to pay,” the premier told the House, as he spoke about the ongoing legal actions he is embarking on against CNS in relation to a Viewpoint published last year. (See related story Mac files suit against CNS)
Bush railed against the UK and the governor as well and claimed that the UK did not want him to be premier because he was from the wrong side of the tracks and because they couldn’t push him around.
He also attempted to defend the ‘community enhancement fee’, which he said was considered because there was nothing left to do. He claimed he had not wanted to introduce any kind of taxation. However, he said he was happy that he did not have to go through with it and was grateful to the private sector for coming up with alternatives.
“If it was a mistake, we pulled it back,” Bush said. “I am glad we did but the opposition didn’t want us to do that as they wanted to use it as a stick to beat us with.”
The premier spent a considerable time during his remarks defending his Nation Building Fund and railed against those who were criticising him for it. The UK had gone after him for it during the budget process, he said, because the opposition had fuelled the flames by making such a fuss about it, which made the UK officials hone in on the fund.
Bush said that it was not about buying votes but helping people, as he pointed to issues like the youth programmes which kept young Caymanians out of jail as well as hurricane shelters being built by the churches, which was better than government funding it.
He said there was nothing wrong with the fund being held by his ministry as he was the minister for finance and had always been a politician who was a “social thinker” and interested in these issues. “They can dig all they want but I am not cutting these church based programmes,” he added.
According to the budget, despite the cuts that government has made to operational expenses elsewhere, the premier’s National Building Fund is more than $4.5 million, even higher than the appropriation in last year’s spending plans.
Email this pageViewpoints
Latest Classifieds
- Great Priced North Coast Sandy Beach Lot for Sale
- Original brand new apple iphone 5 64gb,32gb,16gb,Samsung Galaxy S3,S4
- Beautiful Cayaman Style Home
- for sale: samsung galaxy s4, apple iphone 5
- 2004 HONDA FIT
- 2004 HONDA FIT
- Walkers Rd condo for Rent - Poincianas
- Pups for sale
- SHORT TERM RENTAL
- Condo for rent
Comment Policy
The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of CNS or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by CNS. Read more
Recent Comments
- No more luck in Cayman Brac
10 min 35 sec ago - Why would the PPM give Tara a
12 min 10 sec ago - Any one in the viewing area
12 min 52 sec ago - If Alden/PPM wanted to be
16 min 38 sec ago - I guess you think that an
16 min 39 sec ago - The PPM should let Miss
19 min 36 sec ago - While I can understand the
22 min 39 sec ago - Bring in Roy and Arden!
23 min 53 sec ago - Theres no way she will stay
26 min 6 sec ago - It pays to tell the truth
34 min 30 sec ago
Search
Follow CNS via ...
Facebook Twitter RSS
Comments
By the time the UDP is voted
By the time the UDP is voted out of the house, the FCO will have to send us 6 more auditors to try an figure out the mess they will be leaving behind. I believe half of the money will not be accounted for and for those poor hogs that are always at the trough, how will they stand on their own two feet? That budget is total wasteage in it and it appears to be a high school type budget. Its not a professional sustainable type budget. CNS you did not miss anything, when you were barred from the press conference. Hold your head up high.
Wow, Mac has not only "gone
Wow, Mac has not only "gone off the wall' he has fallen off the wall to! Time to call the guys who can get him in a straitjacket, cause he's totally lost-it.
"..as hurricane shelters
"..as hurricane shelters being built by the churches, which was better than government funding it"
But, but, but, Govt IS funding it with money from the nation building fund..., what is he trying to say?
I think he confused himself with that one, he has brain-washed himself into believing that Govt is not building the churches.
That awkward moment when you
That awkward moment when you are a member of the UDP and realize that your 'Honorable' leader has completely lost the plot. He is the most impolite, disrespectful person in Government who absolutely does not care about anybody elses opinion besides his own. One thing he needs to remember is that HE works for the PEOPLE, not the other way round. Get him out and call it a day before he destroys the reputation of the Cayman Islands along with his own.
There is a village (West Bay)
There is a village (West Bay) that seems to have lost their idiot...
Hahaha - sounds like a
Hahaha - sounds like a T-shirt slogan!!
They most certainly did NOT
They most certainly did NOT lose him! They voted him into power so they are even more idiots than their (our) idiot leader.
One thing for sure the idiot
One thing for sure the idiot leader and the idiot people that voted for him are in their own idiot country and the rest of the smart world will give an arm and leg to come to this idiot country to be ruled by an idiot leader and have to live in the country of a bunch of idiots. Now this really says a lot about such smart people. From one idiot to all the smart people that have to live in such an idiot country, please take the next idiot flight out of here and leave us with our idiot country and idiot leader.
If Mac is so adamant it's no
If Mac is so adamant it's no more than a "Church based programme" then maybe he will provide some detailed accounts showing where last year's $3m was spent? Maybe he can also explain why the money couldn't be allocated by a politically neutral body instead of him?
This man needs a pacifier
This man needs a pacifier cemented to his mouth pronto. He just opens his mouth and erases all doubt.
That would make little
That would make little difference, as he usually talks out of the other end.
So Caymanians still belive
So Caymanians still belive what he says why? If they really are that dumb then they deserve to be led by the dumbest, sorry "honorable" dumba$$ that ever lived. Cayman your lack of interest in education is showing.
Who are you to generalize to
Who are you to generalize to say that all Caymanians believe what the premier says? Look, when the voters can get fridges and washers and dryers and hams and turkey and electric bills paid and driveways paved etc, why NOT vote for him. One hand washes the other.....and as long as that is how the votes can be won, it will continue and so on and so on and so on.
Since time immemorial, has it
Since time immemorial, has it not been the Honourable Premier who has constantly reminded us that it is he who knows what is best for Cayman and its citizens?
Be still my children. I will protect and defend you for I walk that path of reightousness.
When will you people remember
When will you people remember it is "Eternally Honorable Premier"
Perhaps Mac, oops, sorry, the
Perhaps Mac, oops, sorry, the "honourable" Mac already knows that representatives from the FCO are enroute to tell him to hand over the keys and they will take charge.
That would be "Eternally
That would be "Eternally Honorable"..
More like Eternally
More like Eternally Caymankind "honorable".
Eternally bush?
Eternally bush?
Or, "Infernably honorable"?
Or, "Infernably honorable"?
And in the midst of all this
Maybe someone should suggest
Maybe someone should suggest a cat scan or MRI of the brain obviously. Serious
not normal behaviour!. Then again maybe it's because he does not want to let go and
have HIS Caymanian people find out the truth. The he would have to go into exile.
Mac is our very own Sarah
Mac is our very own Sarah Palin except he is even more erratic than she was when the stress got to her.
But he's not as good looking!
But he's not as good looking! Nor can Mac stand being laughed at like the Saturday Night Live sketches did about Sarah Palin. He is just too immature for that - now I see he has banned CNS from a media briefing - so also unsophisticated and arrogant.
There is precedent for suing
CNS, CayCompass,
CNS, CayCompass, Rooster......to give the people's mind a break, please refrain from giving any coverage of this man, the UDP Party and anyone connected to him. Please demonstrate against him and lets see who he will blame next. Give him NO coverage and do not answer his phone calls on Rooster...give him the silent treatment. That's the only how you can shut him up!! He is a disgrace to us Caymanians and we can't take any more embarassment. Thanks you media.
Are you kidding me!!!! Where
Are you kidding me!!!! Where would the media be without Mackeeva?
Don't answer his phone calls
Don't answer his phone calls when he is calling in to the TV panel show either. The people want to ask questions and the phone lines blocked because 'Eternally Honourable...' still has to have his way there too and the sound of his own voice. Want the media blocked then why use it so often? 'Taste of own medicine', blocked!
In the meantime sir, whats
In the meantime sir, whats going to happen to those students who are in desperate need of that YNBP Funds? Will their funding ever be approved. Will they have to cancel their housing contracts, their school's acceptances and more. If the child was authorized to receive this funding and they cannot collect, then they are put in a very bad situation. I disagree that the funding should go to Board your supporters High School aged children, but I agree the University bound children, should get some help and across the board. Not just the UDP supporters children, like the ones driving around in their $60,000 valued vehicles. If they can afford those types of vehicles, then they should not get any funding for their children. Time has ran out on some of these children and is running out on others. When will they get their funding sir?
When will Cayman will get
When will Cayman will get read of this buffoon
how does "rambling" help make
how does "rambling" help make a point?! Surely being to the point and succinct helps make a point?! Just Saying...
What an embarrassment to
What an embarrassment to idiots everywhere. You sir, are king of the imbeciles!
The man is acting out because
The man is acting out because he knows what time it is and time is running out.
He is stressed out because he promised a fix within 90 days and has achieved nothing in 900 days. But most of all he is worried about the legal issues that he will have to deal with in 2013.
To call him stupid would be
To call him stupid would be an insult to stupid people!
Bullies always shout and try
Bullies always shout and try to frighten people into doing what they want them to do. But in the end someone usually brings them down to size. May 2013 is "Bring the Bully Down To Size" month.
For anyone who missed
For anyone who missed it....the churches are in his debt and God is on his side. And many, many are doomed to everlasting hellfire for disagreeing with anything he says. This includes CNS, the Cayman Compass, the Opposition, the Auditor General, the Speaker, the Governor, the U.K., and a sizeable portion of the Cayman population, But.... there is still time for those on his list to repent and plead for his forgiveness.
Finally people are waking up
Finally people are waking up to this totally ignorant madman who is both dangerous and damaging to our country. Your vote is an extremely powerful instrument that speaks volumes about you as a voter and as a person. If you vote and support for some who is a corrupt politician and without principles and ethics, you are basically saying that about yourself, that corruption and unethical behaviour is acceptable. If you suport and vote for an ignorant uneducated madman, you are no better and are saying that aout yourself.
Caymanians young and old step up and take back control of our country away from this dictator and send a powerful message to these useless politician currently in power that they have not been listening and working for the people, they just ignore us and proceed to ruin our country.
West Bay has by simply and blindly been electing these useless jokers into power at every election and have been basically holding this country to ransom. It is time that West Bay joins with the rest of the country and votes all of the UDP out of office because we are absolutely doomed if the country has to endure more of this tyrant and dictator who has damaged this country internationally to the point that it will take years to recover.
Voters for the sake of our future and future generations vote the madman and his followers out of office permanently.
....as well as hurricane
....as well as hurricane shelters being built by the churches, which is better than GOVERNMENT funding it....?????? Does Mac think the money from taxes that make up the Nation Building Fund are really his?????
Look out everyone, it's the
Look out everyone, it's the tail wagging the dog..................................
Mackeeva is suffering from
Mackeeva is suffering from Foot In Mouth Disease.
His family must be so embarassed and his UDP colleagues are all either cowards or idiots to allow him to continue with his tirades of abuse upon anyone who dares to cross him while he remains the Honourable Premier.
If he were an average Joe, he would be written off as a nutter but as it is, he is making a mockery of these islands and our system of Government and anyone supporting the rantings and ravings of this lunitac should be hiding in shame.
Please if you truly support
Please if you truly support this man LEAVE NOW !
The problem is, the GOOD
The problem is, the GOOD people, who DO NOT support this man are having to leave. He goes around threatening and creating law suits against the people who do not agree with him. I repeat - the GOOD people are LEAVING.
Isn't a free and vibrant
What has democracy got to do
What has democracy got to do with Cayman? Half the people living here can't vote, half of the other half apparently can't be arsed to get off the couch to do so, and the other half have their free fridges (Still nothing Governor? You CAN'T still be playing ignorant about this). From there we have an opposition that isn't. I mean it just does absolutely nothing - no fresh ideas, no meaningfull challenges to the majority government, no lawsuits for an order of mandamus to compel Mac to even obey the law. So after the "election" (those are sneer quotes Dick), Mac stands as the unfettered dictator until the next election, and even ventilating his wrongs in the public forum can't change his course or get the attention of the Governor. There is no democracy here; it's all been bought and paid for.
Pointing the finger at the
“They can run but they can’t
“They can run but they can’t hide and they are going to pay"
Threats as well as incoherent rambling. Juvenile words with power to back it up - we're entering dangerous waters here.
Vengeance is such a good
Vengeance is such a good Christian trait.
Mr Bush, as a long time
Mr Bush, as a long time supporter, I have to tell you you are losing it and are sounding foolish and paranoid. It's sad. Retire next year and let someone else take the pressure.
He needs to step down not.
He needs to step down not. The country cannot wait until next year. The harm he can do in that period of time may not be reversible.
He told me himself he
He told me himself he couldn't take the pressure and didn't want to be Premier anymore. Then Arden ran his mouth and said Mac was looking for pity. Now we may be stuck with him for another term. Arden is a dear friend and an honourable man but that was a terrible miscalculation.
Post new comment