@ AUSTIN,
Sadly it to appears that you are ignorant of the fact that the land given is PRIVATE land that was offered to the Government for a significantly reduced price so that the Government could present it to Rihanna as a gift for her acheivements.

what were the Merrymen…Spice..Norman Barrow and the Sandpebbles…Michael Thompson and the Troubadors..doing over the years when they played music and travelled the world, especially the Merrymen. Barbados’ leading ambassadors to promoting the Island…When they sang, Barbados was always mentioned in a song..Tell me one song Rihanna sings that mention Barbados..she has enough money to buy her own land..she is owed nothing by Barbadians…her coming to Barbados is just like any other tourist, adding a column to the newspaper headlines..

@Bare Foot Boy; what a sad rebbutal to Austin. I hope you are not suggesting that anything given to the Government “for any price” is open for gifting to any Barbadian citizen that some politicians deem to be very high “achievers” like Miss Rihanna. For if it so; then let us start using the money that is given to us as Foreign Aid. I wonder what the World Bank would think of such an idea? You should at lease start wearing sandals on your feet with thinking like this!

@ Alvin: It is amusing how could you draw such a generalization in response to my comments which were that the land in question was SPECIFICALLY GIVEN TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR A REDUCED PRICE ON THE SOLE CONDITION THAT IT BE GIVEN TO RIHANNA AS AN APPRECIATION FOR HER ACHEIVEMENTS. And for the record, I like my brain to be unencumbered and enlightened like my feet, free from the pretensions…you should try it sometime.

@Bare Foot Boy: This is an open forum, and I do respect your right to support or oppose any position. I do enjoy ALL the commentaries, even those that I disagree with. Please don’t take my comment as personal, it was not intended to be.

@ Alvin:  As a Bajan, I do take what I say in this forum, open or otherwise, personally and sincerely. I suppose others also take what they have to say just as personally and sincerely.  To do otherwise would seem to me to be a waste of time and space.  For as to matters that pertain to the interests of Barbados and Bajans, wasting time and space are not endeavours that I care to be a part of.  We state a position and we rationally defend that position.  We don’t have to agree or disagree with or love or hate other people’s positions but we MUST respect each other and not just their right to state a position.  WE ALL CAN AND WILL BE BETTER FOR IT.

@ Bare Foot Man: talk about sensitive and sensitivity! Man relax and smell the roses, you appear to be so uptight and straight laced. It seem that you are appealing to an online church audience; try catholiccharities.org…I have been reading the back and forth emails and don’t see the dis-respect at all. However, I do see signs of entitlement on reading your email!

@CAC:  The irony of your comments is that, contrary to most of the bloggers on this story, I did not get into the unabashed denigration against Rihanna, the two senators or the Government as they relate to the granting of this land.  My comments were merely to the fact that the land was private and not public as was suggested by someone. Yet, you have concluded that I am “sensitive” and should “relax and smell the roses” and “appear to be so uptight and straight laced.” Here is some advice that I think you are “entitled” to: If you are a psychologist, find another profession; if you are not a psychologist, don’t start.

A rebuttal/correction: If the land referenced in this discussion was legally deeded, gifted, or sold by someone with legal title to the land to the Government of Barbados for $1.00 or $100,000 as quoted; the Government and therefore the people of Barbados owns the land. Private property is personal and restricted property, and Public property means property that belongs to the people. The land given to Rihanna becomes Private only at the time when the deed of the property is legally transferred to her by the Government of Barbados. In my opinion what was given to Rihanna by the Government of Barbados was indeed PUBLIC land; and I am not taking any position (for or against) here.

Rihanna is a beautiful and very talented young artist and she always lets people every where she goes know that she is from Barbados. She shows homage to her country and why not honor her? There’s so much hate and jealously in the world today, and it needs to ceases.

it might not have started out as rihanna being this big star, but she is a super star in all of the words of one. so even something like a piece of land given to her causes a stir. i agree with mr. o marville, that a small token of gratitude to rihanna is just great.  and it shows that she does indeed come from a country who loves and adores her .  and rihanna loves all of you right back barbados.

@LAVISH: I am one of the 99.9% of Barbadians that loves Rihanna as a person, and recognizes her for all of her world entertaining accomplishments. However, to say that Bajans are jealous of her is to avoid the point in question. Why not name a LANDMARK for her? We did it for Sir. Grantley, Sir. Frank, Hon., Errol and many more. Rihanna do not need the money or the land! She is a multi-millionaire.

I am not in total disagreement with the condition of the land being public at the time of transfer to Rihanna.  My point is that the land was initially private land that was given to the Government at a reduced price so that the Government could present said land to Rihanna as an appreciation of her musical/entertainment successes.  The Apes Hill Development Group would not have given the land to the Government at such a ridiculously low price if not for the sole fact that the land was to ultimately be given to Rihanna.  Thus, as a technical matter, the land was public when owned by the Government and people of Barbados but if a decision was or is made not to grant Rihanna the land then the deal would be off.  So in that sense it is not public land in the true sense but more of conditionally public nature.

I’m in awe 1st we love her, then we don’t then we can’t decide if we don’t.  No bajan has done it. She isn’t doing it. Doing what Bajans want. She’s not bigging up Bdos again, that image is gone. She doesn’t carry the colours anymore.  She‘s busy, & is focused on making paper. Everything she does is a popularity gimmick. She’s working to make a living! Ride on it, she kept her accent because its a way of saying I’m me (laughable). If the store nextdoor is outselling you, recommend visit & befriend them, create an alliance, & earn more than before they came. A fool is envious, backbiting & can’t see around their own position. So, leave the relationship alone, it’ll benefit the country. 100G is nothing in comparison to the waste of the BLP and DLP over the decades.  Generations have seen it, & many more will experience it. Life was hard & and will get worse. The strategy didn’t work with OBA, maybe it will with Rihanna. Reciprocity can be effective and productive

Let me ask you all something. Is this woman who happens to be blessed with good looks a role model for your young girls?
Is this the best that Barbados has to offer?
Your island does not need publicity. Believe me.
All that she is doing is spending an awful lot of money on herself.
And when she has burned herself out, what then?
I wouldn’t go to a concert of hers if I were paid to.
Guess what? The Merrymen will be up here on August 28th and I got tickets. Now, that’s talent!