APRIL FOOL’S DAY is celebrated annually on April 1 with pranks, practical jokes and hoaxes being played on unsuspecting individuals. Those individuals are called April Fools and become the butt of jokes because they fell for the prank.
Cou Cou was told that several Barbadians believe that a man of major repute was made to look like an April Fool after being made a genuine offer but then unceremoniously had it yanked from him.
These people suggest this man’s two burning ambitions – his sincere desire to make a positive difference to national affairs and his indifference to his former colleague – made him perfect to lead the charge he was asked to.
And this man did not disappoint. From the time the offer was made he busied himself spouting ideas and engaging in a frank public discourse on the issues. At the same time, and as anticipated, he put some warm lashes in his former colleague whenever he could.
The more he talked the more people listened, since many believe – and that includes those who loathe him – that he has most of the answers those who made the offer need.
With the stage seemingly set for this man to take charge and start to put his considerable intellectual capacity to work, something went wrong. It left the man so dumbfounded that he has since become silent.
The question these people have been asking is why did those who made the offer not double check that their leader was comfortable with this man’s help. Clearly the leader wasn’t in favour of having him around in the first place, and that was why he pulled the proverbial rug from beneath this respected man’s feet.
They are wondering if those who made the offer were again being eager.
Whichever it is, the impression Cou Cou gets from hearing these people talk is that the way this man was blanked made it seemed like an early April Fool prank.
Unfortunately, few people think how he was treated was funny.
Clearly those known to have been in favour of this man’s inclusion don’t seem to be amused.
Not even his former colleague, whom he showed no love for in his statements, seem to be happy he is not able to make the contribution all recognise he can.
Maybe the leader knows something no one else does.
No to Bajan dollars
THE BARBADOS DOLLAR may still be trading two to one US dollar, but its supposed strength does not seem to matter on leaving these shores.
A couple who recently returned from an island hopping excursion related this to Cou Cou. They said that in each island they went, store owners refused to take Bajan dollars. They demanded EC or US.
Only the banks took Barbados dollars, and their limit per person was $500.
What upset the couple is that they had a similar adventure three years ago, and then store owners and even street vendors took Barbados dollars.
The couple are questioning if this has anything to do with the frequency of the downgrades Barbados suffered particularly in the last three years.
They believe it’s a result of Prime Minister Freundel Stuart’s statement that the downgrades only matter if Barbados was seeking to get a loan from international sources. Therefore, they are convinced the other islands are out to hurt Barbados as they were always jealous of our success.
Their concern, though, is that since only US dollars are acceptable in the islands, and each Barbadian is entitled to approximately US$493 annually, they would have to hoard US dollars to have enough for a proper holiday. And if many other Barbadians do the same thing, how would this affect the economy?