Topic: editorial board
EDITORIAL – Cayman government: UCCI’s ‘silent partner’
The education ministry’s, and education minister’s, prolonged snub of UCCI comes during a critical time, not only for the college but for the future of higher education in our country – and just at a moment when it is especially vital for avenues of information to be kept wide open.
EDITORIAL – Major (but not terminal) problems arise at new airport
In the instance of Saturday’s breakdown of systems at the new arrivals hall, there was no “single point of failure.” Indeed the ostensible problem — long lines of unhappy tourists — was, in fact, simply a manifestation of a multitude of operational mishaps — many of them emanating from bad (or nonexistent) planning, others simply from bad luck.
EDITORIAL – Teen pregnancy: A social condition Cayman can’t afford
It’s a rare occasion when the Compass Editorial Board praises declining scores in our high schools. But the reported 44 percent drop in Cayman’s teen pregnancy rate is something to celebrate (albeit, with a fairly large caveat or two).
EDITORIAL – Caroline Wozniacki: Grand Cayman’s Grand Slammer
Welcome – and congratulations – to Residences at Seafire brand ambassador Caroline Wozniacki, the Danish tennis player who delighted the world with her Australian Open win last weekend.
EDITORIAL – Paying homage to Cayman’s essential ‘invisible’ giant
With continued good fortune, perseverance and high-quality education, we have no doubt that Cayman — energized and enabled by our financial services sector — will not only build on our half-century of success, but will surpass even those “miraculous” accomplishments.
EDITORIAL – The origin of Cayman’s traffic accidents: Our ‘big bang’ theory
Ranging from simple fender benders to tragic fatal accidents, it seems that Cayman’s problems with collisions, wrecks and smashups date back to shortly after the country’s first automobile — a 1905 Cadillac — rolled off a boat into George Town 104 years ago.
EDITORIAL – Electronic plates: One question – Why?
In regard to Cayman’s electronic plates, officials have introduced cutting-edge UHF technology into an area where government had not yet achieved mastery of “metal” and “sticker” technology.
EDITORIAL: Support the court — Build the building
Yes — in the realm of international finance, offshore centers such as Cayman “compete” to host blockbuster civil trials that could, legally speaking, take place in any number of jurisdictions.
EDITORIAL – Blue skies ahead: Record arrivals fill local coffers
The cruise industry, along with stayover travel, are the two legs upon which Cayman’s hospitality sector stands.
EDITORIAL – ‘Brexit’ and ‘blacklist’: Cayman stuck between the UK and the EU?
The “real victims” of divorce are often the children. We hope that doesn’t hold true for “colonial children,” including the Cayman Islands, in the context of England’s protracted separation from the European Union, known commonly as “Brexit.”
EDITORIAL – Conor O’Dea: A coup for Cayman Finance
A standard disclaimer in investment literature warns that “past performance is not indicative of future results.” But in the case of Conor O’Dea, the financial services veteran recently selected as chairman of Cayman Finance, a waiver of that warning would be perfectly appropriate.
EDITORIAL – Quaking in our … er … sandals
When something is happening that involves or may affect Cayman, you can expect the Compass to provide timely, relevant and useful information, in a variety of media.
EDITORIAL – When withholding the truth has consequences
As representatives of the public’s interest, government’s first impulse must be to tell “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.”
EDITORIAL – Drive, drag or tow: Derelict cars have got to go
In many cases, these vehicles can present clear safety hazards, as they are being left for days or weeks alongside (or even on) some of the busiest stretches of asphalt in Cayman, including the Esterley Tibbetts Highway and West Bay Road.
EDITORIAL – ‘Matchstick homes’: A clear and present danger in Cayman
To prevent future conflagrations – and possible deadly tragedies – officials from relevant departments must step up to ensure that every dwelling in these islands is safe for human habitation.
EDITORIAL – Two leaders, opposing sides, shared priorities
Premier Alden McLaughlin and Opposition Leader Ezzard Miller may sit on opposite sides of the Legislative Assembly, but in their New Year’s messages, they appeared to be singing from the same hymnal.
EDITORIAL – As the spirit of Christmas pervades our fair isles . . .
Yes, Cayman, there is a Santa Claus – he is kindled in each of our hearts. This season, may he find a home in yours.
EDITORIAL – New Year’s Eve music ban must be overturned
Unless Cayman Islands officials act swiftly, this New Year’s Eve won’t just end on a sour note — it will end with no notes at all, thanks to government’s negligence and an archaic law that prohibits public music or dancing on Sundays.
EDITORIAL – Celebrating the holy season of light in Cayman
During this season of illumination, we encourage residents – of all faiths, backgrounds and nationalities – to stop and reflect on the marvel of modern-day Cayman’s diversity.
EDITORIAL – A ‘lobster tale’: Only 3 per restaurant — Who knew . ....
How many times have you heard it from a waiter: “Do you have any questions about the menu?”
Well, in this instance, actually, we do. “Where’s the local lobster?”
EDITORIAL – One EU ‘blacklist’ and 47 shades of gray
There’s good news, there’s bad news and then there’s … gray news. Developments out of Brussels this week fell in the last category, as the European Union placed the Cayman Islands on a so-called “graylist” — meaning our government has made certain commitments in writing to address EU criteria on tax transparency and “fairness."
EDITORIAL – Congratulations to Cayman’s spelling champs
Felicitations are apropos for the Cayman Islands’ triumvirate of orthographic nonpareils.
In other words … congratulations to the three winners of the country’s recent spelling bees
EDITORIAL – Envisioning a bright future for Cayman’s schools
Perhaps the boldest aspect of Mr. Scott’s vision for our public schools is that he believes in our public schools. On a subject that is too often characterized by disappointing news and lower expectations, Mr. Scott provides a much-needed voice for hope.
EDITORIAL – Tired of waiting for government? Take the initiative …
We have an abundance of tools, resources, expertise and willingness to take on Cayman’s tough problems. We just have to stop “waiting” and start acting.
EDITORIAL: This season, decide not to drink and drive
By all means, enjoy the season. But if you choose to partake in “Christmas cheer,” choose not to drive – to make it easy on yourselves, make plans for transportation home, before you leave the house, and long before that first sip.
EDITORIAL – ‘Help Wanted’: A bold vision for a world-class university
The retirement of Roy Bodden from the position of president at the University College of the Cayman Islands presents leaders with the opportunity to write a bold new chapter in the history of higher education in our country.
EDITORIAL – Welcome, Christmas: May everything be merry and bright
Just as the swallows returning to San Juan Capistrano mark the start of spring, the welcome return of Christmas displays on our roundabouts herald an unmistakable sign that Cayman’s Christmas season has officially begun.
EDITORIAL – Marauding motorbikers: When police lose control of our streets
These marauding motorbikers are making Commissioner Byrne, the RCIPS and Cayman’s prosecutorial and judicial system look ineffective and impotent. It has become a highly visible mockery of their inability to enforce the rule of law on this island.
EDITORIAL – Pension ‘exodus’: Bad idea, worse execution
We imagine that Moses’ leading the Israelites out of Egypt was a more orderly affair than Cayman’s “pension exodus” – where hundreds of expatriate workers are packing their bags and leaving, so as to avoid being swept up in last year’s changes to the National Pensions Law.
EDITORIAL – Excellent teachers: The secret to excellent schools
Like a good businessperson, a good teacher desires only a couple of things: First, adequate resources. Second, for government officials to get out of their way, and allow them to flourish in their chosen vocation.
EDITORIAL – ‘Trash talk’ from our local legislators
“Cash-for-trash” has a certain ring to it but, frankly, we don’t think it adds up to wise public policy.
EDITORIAL – CEO Marco Archer: The right man for the right post
With the appointment of former Finance Minister Marco Archer as chief executive officer of the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange, the future of the exchange is decidedly bullish.
EDITORIAL – Two Compass stories that readers may find difficult to believe
Sometimes even we have difficulty believing some of the stories we print in this newspaper (no wisecracks, please; we’ve already heard all those jokes). Two prime examples appeared last week:
EDITORIAL – ‘Paradise Papers’: Paging ‘Dr. Phil’
As the Cayman Islands financial sector faces a perhaps existential threat from European regulators, left-leaning politicians, and increasingly irresponsible journalists, our country’s response has been underwhelming, if not blasé.
EDITORIAL – Rejecting ‘prejudice’: The day our premier spoke for all of Cayman
Are some individuals in Cayman “better off” than others? Of course. Is almost everyone in Cayman – to a man, woman and child – “better off” now than they would have been in Cayman’s economy of 60 years ago?
Also of course.
EDITORIAL – Speech in the Assembly: Curbing bullying, bluster and ‘blah, blah, blah’
When he called for restraining defamatory, irrelevant and erroneous speech uttered on the floor of the Legislative Assembly, Speaker of the House McKeeva Bush was 100 percent correct – in half of what he said.
EDITORIAL – Medical cannabis: Sober reflection on drug law
Our country seems to be of two (or more) conflicting minds about ganja, and whether its use should be tolerated, discouraged or punishable by prison.
EDITORIAL – Immigration: Government’s third largest revenue source
The bottom line is, government has no business treating the “immigration business” as a cash cow for the public coffers.
EDITORIAL – The ‘Bermuda Papers’? Journalism, hacking or financial voyeurism
In anticipation of the sound and the fury that will no doubt define international news coverage of a data breach at Appleby law firm, here are a few of our thoughts on the matter of “leaks,” “hacks” and offshore exposes under the guise of investigative journalism.
EDITORIAL – When there’s trouble, Cayman’s divers jump right in
For issues large and small, when trouble happens under water, our local divers jump right in to help.
EDITORIAL – A prescription for a healthier and happier Cayman
Not unlike the major systems of the human body (circulatory, nervous, digestive, etc.), our individual health and well-being is influenced by several interdependent “systems.” And speaking more broadly, so is the healthcare profile of the Cayman Islands.
EDITORIAL – ‘Political advocacy’: Cayman takes its case to Washington
Cayman Islands officials acted wisely when they hired Baker Botts law firm partner Jeff Munk to represent our country’s interests in Washington, D.C.
EDITORIAL – ‘I’m pickin’ up good vibrations’: Ah, there’s the rub
The primary issue is the assumption that government should police personal morality – a dangerous notion, at best.
EDITORIAL – The unhealthy condition of public healthcare
Without a radical course of treatment, the long-term outlook of Cayman’s public healthcare system, and by extension the country’s economy and residents’ quality of life, is at serious risk.
EDITORIAL – Mount Trashmore: Good news, goodbye and good riddance!
After years of anxiety (and for this newspaper, reporting and editorializing) over what the Cayman Islands is going to do about the hulking health hazard known as the George Town landfill, residents can finally rest easy: The government has reached an agreement with the Dart Group.
EDITORIAL – Due respect for anthems, flags and medals
Generally speaking, societies share the following problem: There is not much they can bestow upon war veterans and “great people who have done great things” except for shows of respect (for example, standing during the national anthem) and honors such as ribbons and medals.
EDITORIAL – An ideal leader for Cayman’s Education Council
Education leaders merit “honor roll” recognition for their inspired selection of Ernst & Young’s Dan Scott as chairman of the Cayman Islands government’s Education Council.
EDITORIAL – ‘Tis the season for glitz, glamour and generosity
The success of the Hannah’s Heroes Big Shave is an auspicious kickoff to a months-long social season that promises not only to be entertaining, but also to raise significant funds for, and awareness of, a multitude of needs on our islands and overseas.
EDITORIAL – Immigration nightmare: Time for Cayman to ‘give up the ghost’
Whether it’s achieved through Cabinet action, immigration legislation or some combination of the two, the only rational solution is for these people to be regularized and recognized as the Caymanians they are.
EDITORIAL – ‘Barkers rangers’: Pruning back big government
Barkers’ infamous “park rangers” have become “lone rangers” — striking out on their own to form a private landscaping business. In so doing, they’ve made a small stand against government growth and scored a victory for free enterprise.
EDITORIAL – Global warming: ‘Unsettling’ the ‘settled science’
As it turns out, the sky is not falling, after all — at least not as quickly as global warming alarmists assured us it would.
EDITORIAL – The DVDL: A department that failed ‘its inspection’
If Mr. Dixon needs more resources — people, money or whatever — let him make his case to the sharp-penciled “budgeteers” in central government. What he cannot do is simply ignore the mess in the department he oversees.
EDITORIAL – Hurricane Irma: Keeping our eye on the storm
We knew from past experience (“Thank you, Hurricane Ivan”) that we would need a finely choreographed effort to provide our readers, both online and in print, with fast, accurate, and meaningful coverage of this storm.
EDITORIAL – ‘The long goodbye’: Waide DaCosta’s ‘exit interview’
When Mr. DaCosta published his scathing critiques last week, he never addressed why during his tenure (which spanned four different government administrations), he never spoke up — or stepped down.
EDITORIAL – An ode – not an elegy – to September
As all wise men and women know, after a harvest, the next generation of crops grows back more robust and more bountiful.
EDITORIAL – Immigration consternation
A complete “rethink,” and likely revamp, of the entire immigration apparatus is in order — from management and staffing to policies and processes. “Musical chairs” at the board level is not nearly enough.
EDITORIAL – Breach of Trust: Why no word about threat to blue iguanas?
For two years, we now know, the Blue Iguana Recovery Programme and local veterinarians have been identifying and treating infected animals. So why is the public only learning about it now?
EDITORIAL – Byrne demonstrates leadership in wake of RCIPS child abuse errors
Notably, the commissioner did not try to bury the critical report or send out an insipid press release late on a Friday afternoon; instead he called a news conference where, flanked by his top commanders, he took ownership of the issues, pledged to make needed improvements – and apologized to victims.
LETTER – Human Rights Commission: Our efforts to help Cuban migrants
Ordinarily I would not trouble to respond to inaccurate stories in the press; however, on this occasion you have unfairly maligned the staff of the Commissions Secretariat and undermined the work of the Commission. The record should be set straight.
LETTER – Human Rights Commission: Our efforts to help Cuban migrants
Ordinarily I would not trouble to respond to inaccurate stories in the press; however, on this occasion you have unfairly maligned the staff of the Commissions Secretariat and undermined the work of the Commission. The record should be set straight.
EDITORIAL – Conservation Law: Revisiting an ‘unnatural disaster’
The salient question in our minds is whether lawmakers should overhaul the existing law … or scrap it completely and start over.
EDITORIAL – LA ‘lunacy’: Let’s blame it on the eclipse
We thought “lunacy” was in vogue during the solar eclipse that swept across North America on Monday — but apparently some of it carried over into Wednesday’s opening of the Legislative Assembly.
We aren’t referring to anything that took place on the floor of the Cayman Islands parliament, but rather to the treatment of a Compass journalist sent there to cover this public event.
EDITORIAL – Illegal motorbikers: Police must take back control of our roads
With every incident, it becomes increasingly clear that current means, methods and strategies are not capable of dealing effectively with Cayman’s menacing motorbikes.
EDITORIAL – Statues vs. statutes: Law and order must prevail on the Brac
Legally speaking, what constitutes “obscenity” is for a court to determine – not us, not Brac residents and certainly not the criminal miscreants who trespassed on Mr. Kynes’s land and destroyed his property.
EDITORIAL – Bush arrest: When ‘no comment’ is the best comment
Three weeks after he was arrested at a Florida casino, House Speaker McKeeva Bush’s name has been cleared. This is welcome news, of course, for Mr. Bush and his family — but also for our country. And yet, we are certain there are those among us who are not cheering, who were hoping for a different outcome.
