The above is one of the most famous
lines from the pen of William Shakespeare. It's from “Hamlet” and
although my quoting it has nothing to do with the character in the
play, it came immediately to mind when I saw “a peaceful protest”
is being planned this Saturday.

We have so many protests going on now
that they undermine the really serious ones. And so many “peaceful”
ones start out that way but attract the wrong elements who join just
to cause as much mayhem as they can. There is safety in n umbers.

I am not suggesting this protest I
mentioned above is going to end up in violence, far from it. However,
what this protest is about escapes me.

The protest is aimed at stopping the
government’s planned enhancement project at the Smith Barcadere.

Why?

Apparently, the objectors believe the
enhancement will encourage tour operators to drop off cruise ship
passengers there.

The cost of the project is going to be
two million dollars.

There is a vacant property immediately
behind the existing parking lot across the road that could be
acquired for the use of parking at Barcadere that would provide three
times the parking that is planned.

There is absolutely nothing to give any
substance what-so-ever to these claims from the protestors.

As Barbara Conolly, MLA for the
District where Smith Barcadere is located, has stressed, there will
be no commercial activity at Smith Cove. They don't believe her.
However, to reinforce what she has said, there are covenants in place
to restrict commercial activity in that area, Therefore, THERE CAN BE
NO CRUISE SHIP PACKAGES, TOURS OR GROUP ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED AT THE
BACADERE!!!

Tenders for the project are out at the
moment and the budgeted costs are nowhere near this figure, so let's
wait and see what the actual true figure is before making this
assumption.Where did the figure of two million come from? “We have
our sources” is the cry.

So now government should actually try
and make the project come up to the above figure by purchasing this
vacant car parking lot that the owner won't sell, or wants too much
money for.

I sympathise with Conolly. I truly
believe she really did want to do something positive for her
constituents. It is a well known fact the area at night is “swinging”
with drug users and sexual acts. At least these people do practice
safe sex by the used condoms found there.

So who is really behind this protest?
There has to be more too it.

Conolly has publically saidd, “Smith
Barcadere will be a park and beach where all Caymanians can come and
enjoy. It is a treasured beach spot for families to swim and spend
time together and our vision for it is to do what we can to enhance
what we already know and love. We will be adding additional restrooms
that will offer the disabled full accessibility, an improved parking
lot and environmental friendly lighting,”

Now what can possibly be wrong with
that?

“Some persons doth protest too much,
methinks"