Shona Pitman: Vote of No Confidence in the Bailiff

[danrok]

In hindsight the Bailiff was right and in his capacity as a judge in saying that media attention of the Island was over-kill it was spot on.

That's not what he said, however.

[Jason the Maverick]

I know, but that is what it basically implied.

I can understand the victims being cheesed off and translating the speech as a sweep under the carpet of child abuse, but I do think the police reporting was blown up a bit which created such a media attack.

Remember as well, there were people using the case to attack our finance industry.  The critics came 'flocking' in.

If I was a victim I guess I would be bewildered by his reference to the case though, but whether that is a strong enough argument to kill him is another thing 

[Conductor]

I can see Deputy Pitman getting humiliated next week and I hope its the end of her abysmal career in politics.

[boatyboy]

JTM you are a very clever guy however I take exception to you statement,

I know, but that is what it basically implied.

What does implied mean fifty different things to a group of individuals thinking about the same statement. Put out your stall and stand behind it, which may teach others, and also healthy debate teaches us. Implied is a nothing word.

[danrok]

The press would have flocked here regardless of any mention of a skull or body found.  Even without those two factors, what we have is a large-scale abuse scandal, one of the worst in modern times.  Plus, there's plenty of factual "stuff" for the media to feed upon, e.g. underground secret chambers, the connections with the beast of jersey.

The national press had a front page story, even without any suggestions of a body having been found.

We all know how some newspapers go about reporting on these things, no one in Jersey is to blame for that.  It's the price we pay for having a relatively free press.

[Conductor]

Do you really think so?  The Beast of Jersey is an ancient case from the 60s and cellars in any building nevermind a care home is hardly international news. 

[Jason the Maverick]

JTM you are a very clever guy however I take exception to you statement,

I know, but that is what it basically implied.

What does implied mean fifty different things to a group of individuals thinking about the same statement. Put out your stall and stand behind it, which may teach others, and also healthy debate teaches us. Implied is a nothing word.

Why thank you!  But I don't think some of my critics would agree with you!

Implied?  Would you prefer the word hinted then? !

When the Bailiff said that a media frenzy had descended upon the Island he was 'suggesting' (to me) that it was over the top reporting or like I said over-kill.

And I agree with him.

[danrok]

Do you really think so?  The Beast of Jersey is an ancient case from the 60s and cellars in any building nevermind a care home is hardly international news. 

They're not just cellars, which you must surely be well aware of.  But, just in case you've missed it all, the "cellars" were not on the original plans for the building, they were dug out at a later time, and kept secret, with concealed entrances, and used as punishment rooms.  Big difference!

If the beast of jersey connection was insignificant to the press, as you suggest, then why have they run stories on that?

[Conductor]

How many underground tunnels and bomb shelters were built during the war that are not on plans FFS? 

[boatyboy]

Implied?  Would you prefer the word hinted then? !

When the Bailiff said that a media frenzy had descended upon the Island he was 'suggesting' (to me) that it was over the top reporting or like I said over-kill.

JTM did you really write over-kill,  maybe a good idea to think a little more before you write as I am at this moment. Just read the News of the world front page,
much of it from a source stuff but very serious allegations are there for all of the world to read. I am sure you did not mean to use the word KILL.
   

[Jason the Maverick]

With all due respect "Over-kill" was a word used this morning on talk back about the motion against the bailiff on Tuesday.

With regard to the News of the World, at 10.00 a.m. this morning on BBC radio they said that the claims had been described as inaccurate and no such secret reports exists.  Until the Police make a statement to say it is all true then people should take such reporting as sensationalism.  On CTV earlier they reported that the Police would make no further comment but they have said that no such secret report exists.  Make of it all as you please but I will remain skeptical.

[Jason the Maverick]

Letters in the local rag:

"FOR only the fourth time, since I came to live in Jersey 25 years ago, I attended a States sitting. To say I was disappointed would be a serious understatement.

Deputy Shona Pitman treated us all to a lengthy and dreary diatribe culminating in telling us that the new minimum wage was now £5.60 per hour. Someone in the Assembly queried this, to which the Deputy replied: ‘Can anybody help me out’.

Surprise, surprise, not one States Member could provide her with the correct answer. Even the supremo at Social Security did not know.

The answer is of course £5.80 dated from 1 April 2008 – not a date which I would have chosen myself.

This same Deputy has sought to remove one of the only trained minds that understand both the law and correct procedures.

I fear for the future should the States Members be moved to elect their own speaker/president".

"I HAVE spent a large part of the day listening to the debate in the States as regards building on green zone and agricultural land.

I hear only three cogent arguments against the proposition, although I have not heard all the arguments – just as well, maybe. As for the quality of the arguments I heard in favour, well there was no quality.

Deputy Guy de Faye, Deputy Carolyn Labey and Senator Stuart Syvret were well worth listening to. I was not a supporter of Deputy de Faye and the incinerator. However, what he said about not wanting to see good land built on in the country was, for me, correct. The same can be said for Deputy Labey and Senator Syvret.

As far as the attempt to remove the Bailiff from the States Assembly is concerned, I believe that having to sit through a day like that – listening to people who would not even get into a fourth year school debating society – was a punishment far worse.

In fact, if I was the Bailiff I would ask for early retirement, or to have the role of president of the Assembly given over to a Senator, maybe the Housing Minister".

Not sure about the last point.

[Consultant]

Quote from JTM "This same Deputy has sought to remove one of the only trained minds that understand both the law and correct procedures."

Unfortunately this "highly trained mind" could not differentiate between paedophiles and normal people, the consequence of this was the further abuse of minors. Neither has he seen fit to appologise for these errors of judgement. He further compounded this with his Liberation Day speach. What makes you certain he is any better at making the correct decision in any other points of law?

[Jason the Maverick]

I never wrote this letter.  It was just copied and pasted from this is Jersey.  I would imagine the person is referring to the Bailiff's qualifications.

[Consultant]

Sorry this person has no idea as to what they have said then. They are blindly following their leader. My previous point still stands how can anyone have confidence in someone who has already made big mistakes?

Also anyone expected to live on £5.80 an hour over here must be living in a German bunker, without electric and eat food scavenged from the surrounding countryside. One gallon of petrol costs nearly this amount now and how far does one gallon go in Jersey? Anyone on less than £10-£12 per hour will still be stuggling to live over here. A half a million pound rabbit hut is a non starter for these average workers.