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**Avid Reader** » 2011-05-18 11:06

You are beyond education, just to get on a street in NYC you need a permit from the city, and there are restrictions on when you can apply and where they can be held. The West Indian Day Carnival contributed over 101 million to the NYC economy in 2010. Why do you think that they wont get rid of it? Get a grip on life will you.

These types of events involve both City and State governments, be real. They are money makers if done right.

**pellucid** » 2011-05-18 02:02

As for money, the West Indian Parade in Brooklyn is at best a break-even for the city. There is increased tax revenue from the stores in the area, but that is more than offset by the cost of increased police presence and sanitation and parks department's cleanup costs (Prospect park is such a mess after Labour Day!)

But it's a party, and as you may have figured out, New Yorkers love a party! Just don't try to pretend it's anything else.

**pellucid** » 2011-05-18 01:46

I've been to more big events in nyc than you could imagine! West Indian Parade at Prospect Park, St. Patrick's Day on Fifth Avenue, The Pot Parade from Washington Square to Central Park, The Gay Pride Parade (not that there's anything wrong with that), Earth Day, Midnight Oil on Sixth Avenue during the Exxon Valdex spill.......

I LOVE a good party!

But none of those events required US cabinet involvement.

**Avid Reader** » 2011-05-18 01:18

I will say again you are so uninformed - one of the largest money makers for NYC is the annual West Indian carnival celebrations. In Canada when the creators of Caribana had endless confusion one year, the businesses complained about how much money they lossed from the dissention in the group. Well guess what, the Canadian govt. intervened, because of monies lost to businesses.

You are really not serious about the US government and its intervention in the music industry, with over 4 billion dollars contributed to the economy, THEY DO. One of the things that West Indians don't seem to grasp is the economic gain from these events and hence music, since they promote music.

**pellucid** » 2011-05-17 21:57

But it's totally unfair to relate compare Antigua to the first world (I for instance, went to a school with a higher GDP, larger population and comparable real estate to the so-called country of Antigua).

What needs to be kept in context is that the Sir Allen Stanford/Antigu an Government fraud is SEVEN TIMES the GDP of Antigua. In the last four years, four tourists (from the UK, US and Australia) have been murdered, yet their killers not yet tried, and the Half Moon Bay owners have had their property taken. No matter how many times Simon, Spencer or any of those other xhiexes try to justify their "compulsory acquisition", to the rest of the world it just looks like each embezzling, all a thieving.

Maybe Antigua needs it's party more than I originally thought.

**pellucid** » 2011-05-17 21:40

I understand the economic benefit of a good party. But imagine if the US government established a cabinet level position for the Superbowl or Lady Gaga concerts?

(BTW, both of the above events/tours earn several times the entire annual GDP of Antigua)

**skyewill** » 2011-05-17 20:44

you are wrong no money for Antigua...Money for CDC members. People don't want to come the the most boringest eventknow to man

**Wadadlison** » 2011-05-17 17:54

Does anyone know why the soca artists don't have their own Association?
It might be a good idea to create one

**Morris** » 2011-05-17 17:34

I am rather amazed at the blistering speed of our Cabinet to address this issue. However, I am even more amazed at the snail pace by which they move to address other important national issues. Where are our priorities?

**Avid Reader** » 2011-05-17 15:35

Pellucid you have got to be kidding, considering carnival does bring money into Antigua via people coming home. You know taxes on airline tickets, foood in grocery stores, not important, how uninformed can you be.

As far as the CDC and the calypso assoc., mass players are concerened they all need to grow up, carnival needs a plan so that Antigua can see economic growth that it can provide. It requires more than a minister over it, it requires someone who can come up with a real plan.

**Professor** » 2011-05-17 11:07

An Anology
I remember the ALP tried to implement a 2% tax on the people of Antigua & Barbuda and people demonstrated agains its implementation. A few years later the people gladly accepted much more tax burdens from the new UPP government.

The issue that caused the outrage over the 2% ALP tax was not so much the tax itself as it was the people showing no confidence in the ALP government at the time.

Similarly, the seemingly unreasonable stance taken by calypsonians, steelband men and women and mas players and the level of public support is not as much about the 50 dollar registration fee as it is that people are fed up with the UPP and their incompetent management of everything, even carnival.

**skyewill** » 2011-05-17 09:43

The upper Negroes VS the lower Negroes. An entire country conditioned to fight itself. Operant conditioning, also known as instrumental conditioning is a process by which humans and animals learn to behave in such a way as to obtain rewards and avoid punishments. Operant behavior "operates" on the environment and is maintained by its consequences. We fight for everything. No one compromise in Antigua. These people are fighting over respect something that is earned. $50 is just the excuse used since there is no logical reason to kill carnival if it is about love of the art. The CDC do not have the confidence of the musicians and that is inherent failure. The $50 fee is nothing in fact I would not have objected to $100. Things are bad and everyone need to pull a little to get this wagon going.

**foreigner** » 2011-05-17 08:49

Well said Marcus!!! However the CDC may have missed the mark due to lack of proper planning.

**Foolish calypsonians** » 2011-05-17 08:36

I am not sure why these calypsonians think they have the upper hand in this fight. Let us be real. A boycott of CDC shows will hurt the calypsonians much more than it would hurt the CDC. If there was not a single calypso song recorded this year, Carnival would still go on. People would continue to listen to soca at all the parties, shows and on Carnival Monday and Tuesday as they usually do. The calypsonians need to realize that they are at the helm of an art form that is dying a slow, painful death and that if this boycott were to occur, they would only be hastening the death of the art form. I hope the CDC holds its ground. Fifty dollars is not an oppressive sum. It is time that these calypsonians face reality and that this is no longer 1970. Calypso is no longer at the top of the heap. The people have moved on. Soca is the order of the day now. Let them readjust to the change that has taken place.

**Marcus** » 2011-05-17 08:06

Yes!!! I agree!!!- In an IMF conditionality operation, and people getting everything free over the years, and the time is now for sacrifices to regain our stability, it is disheartening to see that Govt. cannot stand for principle. Registration fee is a normal element of any competition. I was surprise to know that no registration fee was applicable for the over fifty years of carnival...and a mere fifty dollars. it is outrageous that that is causing a problem...and they want duty and tax waiver to boot...No registration fee means a downscaled, or no carnival, then so be it...We need to get serious in this country..

**We can do better** » 2011-05-17 06:37

Mr. Prime Minister,.... please don't let the people of Antigua suffer through another Carnival with Minister Adams at the Helm.

Seriously speaking, I think its clear to all that Carnival and its major interest Groups have very little respect, confidence and faith in the poor, arrogant leadership on the Minister. There is no question about it.
PMs reshuffle there Cabinets and Ministries all the time, maybe its time you consider such. I'm sure Minister Adams is a well intentioned person, so maybe his ability or lack there of can be better utilized in another Ministry.
His leadership of Carnival has brought you & your Government under constant Public criticism for the 'pappyshow' job he has done at the helm. As it relates to an alternate Minister for Carnival for you to consider, I kindly suggest Malaka Parker, Chester Hughes, Minister Leandro or many other talented members at your disposal.

It's time to give Carnival the serious attention and QUALITY LEADERSHIP it deserves.

**pellucid** » 2011-05-17 03:43

Considering that the Mullany trial is about to start, the Stanford case is about to begin and Half Moon Bay owners have yet to be paid, it refreshing to see the Cabinet instead tending to a truly important matter: a party.

:cry:

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