THERE IS NO such thing as privacy once you discuss a matter in an open forum.
There is no such thing as confidential when it comes to social media – be it Facebook, texts, email, WhatsApp, Twitter or whatever else.
Hillary Clinton’s email affair should teach us a lesson.
The revenge porn actions of Lendl Simmons ought to highlight the cesspool you can easily drop into.
If you don’t want your message to get around, then keep it to yourself.
And even when you want to say something in public, then be prepared to stand by what you say, or apologise if you are wrong, be contrite and move on.
We should rather start to focus more on praising in public, criticising perhaps at the dinner table at home.
The truth is that we spend far too much time trying our utmost best to tear down others all the while pretending that we mean well.
There should be voices of acclaim for the success recorded by Aziza.
Whether Akela Jones medals or not in Rio we should laud her efforts, recognising that most of us could not do what she has done.
We must praise those young scholars, whether they won Barbados Scholarships or Exhibitions, were top performers in Professor Cardinal Warde’s initiative or those who have excelled at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic or done well in the Skills Training Programme.
To the nurses who must work under trying circumstances at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, The Psychiatric Hospital and the geriatric hospitals, let’s laud them for a job well done.
The men and women of the Royal Barbados Police Force, we cuss them and criticise them, yet we rely on them to keep us all and this little rock safe.
The objective is to give praise first, so that when we criticise we would not leave the door open for someone, or indeed lots and lots of people, to criticise us.
This means we must not talk foolishness, like suggesting interference in a process when the rules and regulations are oh so clear.
Gabby and Grynner once shared lots of licks and they get to walk about here free and without fear.
Gladstone Holder used to write some long stinging attacks on people and people simply shook their heads and laughed.
Dean Harold Crichlow in St Michael’s Row would on certain Sundays – and thanks to Rediffusion – not spare his tongue.
Yes, men gave no quarter and they asked for none either.
But there was no fear and recrimination and efforts to get at those with opposing views.
Not even in times of depressurising Eric Fly.
So to suggest that today that half-baked commentary would cause a commotion is far from true.
It is best to look, listen and learn.
Congratulate Viper and Sir Don, Edwin and Lil’ Rick.
Praise the life and times of Renee Ratcliffe
Yes, send some emails encouraging people from all across the world to join us in 2017 for our great festival Crop Over.
Perhaps someone will do the double … not in talking nonsense and making themselves look stupid.
Put the good things about Bim on Facebook and WhatsApp and share with the world.
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