21 Square: Comments

Christmas cards for everyone! Brought to you by, well, you?

Cindy Murray — 2008-12-22T11:34:44-04:00

I personally think it is a waste of my money as a taxpayer and I have sent my card back to the Premier (Marked "Return to Sender"). With so many people wondering if their jobs are safe, the cost of electricity and food, he could have had his usual press conference and said in lieu of Christmas Cards my wife and I will donate $20,000 to charity. I would have been happier with that.

Christmas cards for everyone! Brought to you by, well, you?

Tryangle — 2008-12-22T09:11:48-04:00

The guy has a legitimate question about the appropriateness of Government spending money on Christmas cards and the response is "Get a life"? You can disagree with someone's opinion without being an asshole about it.

Christmas cards for everyone! Brought to you by, well, you?

loki — 2008-12-19T17:17:32-04:00

Ken, unlike an increasing number of Bermuda residents, I take it that you don't have to worry about your kids going hungry, or whether you're going to have money for gas and electricity at the end of the month, which is nice for you. Good to see that the PLP Government and its minions have got their priorities straight in the midst of an economic downturn, though, especially when newspaper advertising wasn't deemed to be a good use of taxpayers' money. Apparently, glossy, image-enhancing Christmas cards sent to multiple voters within the same households were worthy, however. Mind yourself up there in that ivory tower, now.......

Christmas cards for everyone! Brought to you by, well, you?

Ken — 2008-12-19T14:53:53-04:00

I cannot believe the uproar over Christmas cards. Get a life.

Christmas cards for everyone! Brought to you by, well, you?

loki — 2008-12-18T08:14:02-04:00

"Are you kidding. You devoted this much venemous thought into the fact that the leader of your country spent taxpayers' money frivolously in a wasteful, vainglorious attempt to improve his image? bah humbug indeed."

Fixed for accuracy.

Christmas cards for everyone! Brought to you by, well, you?

rocksolid — 2008-12-17T19:24:15-04:00

Are you kidding. You devoted this much venemous thought into the fact that the leader of your country sent out a xmas card. bah humbug indeed.

Christmas cards for everyone! Brought to you by, well, you?

Tryangle — 2008-12-17T09:46:31-04:00

Lord I hope it's just to you guys. I would not expect to receive a Christmas card from the Premier. Who does that? And who would spend money on that venture in these times?

Now I've seen birthday cards sent out by politicians, but I'm certain that those come from the political party.

If it is indeed the case then I'd be upset and wish that the PLP would just get out of election mode already and spend money wisely. I know they can't (government policy, yay) take out a full-page ad in the gazette now to wish Bermuda happy holidays, but it sure would've been cheaper than getting thousands of cards designed, printed and mailed out.

Christmas cards for everyone! Brought to you by, well, you?

Sal — 2008-12-17T03:42:52-04:00

Straight out of the dictator's handbook,glorious leader,during one of his rare visits to the island , sends Christmas cards for everyone!

“ I certainly hope he footed the cost of this out of his own pocket”

… err Dennis,if you believe that,I have some hedge funds to sell you!

Tmore spin and buffoonery,Goebbels-Stalinist brainwashing
same as RG article today 'Increase in visitors from New York' is pure bullshit beats brains ! Tourism is DEAD, People are living in cars, caves,and containers,crime is out of control, Inflation is out of control,as is traffic,crime,the drug underworld,and gangs,

Why does a 19 square dot in the ocean with a population of a small town spend $250,000 on a BMW limo,and ONE $ MILLION dollars per DAY on Govt travel?

He's consolidating a dictatorship, to exploit the Island as his personal pocketbook on the 'Friends & Family Plan'.

The smug majority who voted back this American Carpetbagger, Prince of Pay-to Play with the slim majority win last year are saying " We're OK with Corruption!"

The PLP sheep being herded by one the greatest con artists and sheep herders of all time.

Bizarro-Obama

Beeleg — 2008-12-09T00:44:13-04:00

I'm a 'white' Bermudian and I would have voted for Obama. Comments like this is the reason why Bermuda is a place I sometimes fear will create a society like Jamaica.

History tends to repeat

Ken — 2008-12-08T16:17:32-04:00

Denis,
I am just getting around to commenting but as a political observer I would think you would be a bit more astute.
The Board that recommended these increases is made up of independent people who are not politicians themselves.
The board sat a few years ago and is legislated to sit every x amount of years to review salaries.
So it wasnt about the PLP government voting themselves salary increases. It was about the government reading the recommendation of the Salaries Board and then deciding whether to accept or reject it.
It seems like on both sides of the house they did the appropriate thing in rejecting the raise due to the current economic situations.

Make like an Ostrich?

Sal — 2008-12-02T11:04:56-04:00

Speaking of exploiting racism for his own political gain. Check out by-election candidate Raymond Davis (or when he pretends to be Muslim, wasi) photo op in today's paper,mocking the Sally Bassett statue,like he's Jesus carrying the cross. Davis is a an IDIOT in search of a village ,NEWSFLASH: your 15 minutes of fame is long over .The gutter politics of victimization and entitlement died when Yobama was elected.

Make like an Ostrich?

GenNxt — 2008-11-26T09:40:25-04:00

If Ewart Brown adopted Obama's strategy of moderation and inclusion and reform, then he might attract some white voters. But then that turkey couldn't fly. Not that he could or would want to change his 60's race rhetoric. It's his best suit he thinks it's comfy and fits him well. The key point in that sentence is 'can I trust this man'?

Videos from the new kite cam

Max — 2008-11-22T01:23:09-04:00

This is awesome man... I've been thinking about getting some sort of kite mount system. It's definitely not something you see everyday. I look forward to seeing more!

Shadow boxing

Tryangle — 2008-11-21T09:54:14-04:00

So true, and so disheartening.

Bizarro-Obama

Sal — 2008-11-20T11:31:17-04:00

RG today :the crows are about to come home to roost ... and right on your doorstep.

Think again...

November 17, 2008

Dear Sir,

I address this to those PLP voters who, in my opinion, last December selected their representatives on the basis of race. Folks, the crows are about to come home to roost ... and right on your doorstep. You decided that competence, integrity and experience was secondary to race and now you, and to a lesser extent, we, are about to see just how 'race' solves problems.

I just returned from a conference on the current worldwide economic issues, with some emphasis on what people think will be the impact on Bermuda, and believe me when I say, the fun is about to begin. If you were born after the Second World War you probably have (a) never experienced this kind of economic turmoil and (b) even though you may think the UBP was a bunch of racist ogres, you at least had the benefit of ability and experience.

Now all you have is Ewart and, very maybe, Paula. The rest do what they are told, when they are told and how to do it. And tell me something ... when was the last time you saw a doctor and a lawyer able to solve massive financial problems? Doc and Paula were probably just sitting there last December like George Bush and saying "Well, we're back in control ... sure hope nothing happens on this watch!"

The economic problems that the world, and Bermuda face, are probably not fixable any time soon, at least by Bermuda. What you lost when you gave up on the UBP was access to people who could develop alternatives ... and if you think Ewart and Paula are capable of doing that, well, I have a bridge to sell you. You may not have liked them but the people of the UBP had (and continue to have) access to the intellect, the experience and the contacts to develop international business in order to create another economic pillar to stand beside tourism. Ain't gonna happen, people ... not with the PLP ... and if you think that old poser picture with Barack means anything to Mr. O ... think again – a few times. .. "

CHICKEN LITTLE

Bizarro-Obama

Sal — 2008-11-19T05:24:38-04:00

what else do you expect from a 60's Black Beret terrorist?

divide and conquer,diverts attention from his latest theft, lies,and failure.

straight out of the dictator's handbook
Control the media
Control the Auditor General
vilify whitey and ex pats
ID cards

I am shocked that none of the liberal blogs have given this any comment,

Expat's face smashed in mugging

http://www.royalgazette.com/siftology.royalgazette/Article/article.jsp?articleId=7d8b93730030006§ionId=60

A guest worker was left with a shattered cheekbone and bloodied face after he was attacked with motorcycle helmets by robbers in Pembroke over the weekend.
He was walking down Richmond Road, when two guys jumped down, beat him to the ground with helmets and shattered his cheekbone.
"They beat him up pretty good. They stole his bag with his wallet with all of his bank information and his watch. What was exceptionally frightening was that before they said anything they just jumped him and beat him."
"This guy could have been mortally wounded," he said. "The Police car drove by our house twice and we were the only house with the lights on. I was reading in the paper today about all the Police patrols. Certainly, there were no street patrols here last night. Where is the community policing here?"
the expatriate architect was severely shocked, very confused and in a lot of pain. He remains on a general ward in the hospital

watch your back...your next!

Bizarro-Obama

youngwhitebermudian4obama — 2008-11-18T21:29:00-04:00

Ewart Brown's comments are part of a well calculated plan. When will people get past this racial rhetoric he used in the last election and continues to use today and finally start focusing on issues. As long as Ewart keeps us divided as Bermudians the longer he will keep power. Its so transparent (wish I could say the same for his administration).
Really Ewart lets do some basic math here. Approximately half of the UBP's candidates in the last election were black. Now unlike the US Dr. Brown, we in Bermuda dont vote for the leader of the party during an election. Therefore at least half of those same people you seem to think would have voted for Senator McCain, would have voted for a black person if they voted UBP.
I pray that one day both the PLP and UBP and any form of party politics are removed from Bermuda. What we need are the best minds of our country, who have Bermuda's best interests at heart in control. I firmly believe this is the only way we will ever move forward to better race relations. While the Big Conversation is a nice idea, how can people really take it seriously when the man behind it is spewing this type of racial nonsense?
Remember people: Reverse Racism is still Racism!!!

$3 Million+ for ID cards???

Andrew — 2008-11-18T19:23:39-04:00

When I read the article, I had the same initial thoughts. $3M is a lot of money for an ID card.

I like the idea of having a card to carry rather than having to travel with a paper work permit. Instead of a card, I would much rather have the information available to immigration officials at points of entry. Didn't they just spend a zillion dollars on a new border management system? Shouldn't this include work visa status of all people in the system?

I don't like the idea of government inspectors popping into work locations and demanding, "show me you papers". This is a little too totalitarian to me.

$3 Million+ for ID cards???

Tryangle — 2008-11-18T11:29:38-04:00

Hm, save money and divert resources into actually tackling illegal workers and the employers that break the law in hiring them? What a concept :-)

The irony of pitching independence to dependent youth

Andrew — 2008-11-13T21:30:21-04:00

I have yet to see a valid argument for independence. The only reasons given are things like "it's the next logical step", "it's only natural".

I just wish the population was capable of critical thinking, recognizing rhetoric for what it is.

The irony of pitching independence to dependent youth

Tryangle — 2008-11-13T08:38:36-04:00

Yeah, and not for the first time, Dr. Brown seems to believe that young people *want* to live with their parents in Bermuda. Your second paragraph nailed it perfectly.

Whether or not becoming an independent nation is a rite of passage for any territory, the way that the Premier has approached it, and particularly recently, is something to be concerned about.

The irony of pitching independence to dependent youth

Sal — 2008-11-13T03:16:45-04:00

He's consolidating a dictatorship, to exploit the Island as his personal pocketbook on the 'Friends & Family Plan'.
Grass roots of his own party don't trust him,his only tool is deceit,lies and brain wash and BS the brain dead.

The former Attorney General, Phil Perinchief,was interviewed last week,on a talk show,among other things he said Brown is consolidating a dictatorship.

Mini Nuclear Power Plant?

Renaissance Man — 2008-11-11T17:20:51-04:00

Great link, Denis.

I have to be a little pessimistic about the unit. The picture they tout is only the reactor core. To produce electricity from an attached steam turbine would require a much bigger space, plus the ability to reject large amounts of heat to condense the steam, plus make-up water, water treatment, etc. Steam plants require a huge number of auxiliary services and safety devices. Have a look at Tynes Bay, which is only a 5MW turbine.

Great premise, but misleading info on their site. Definitely not ready for prime time yet.

You put up with this kind of performance?

Sal — 2008-10-28T12:22:14-03:00

Let's stop blaming the current crew who are at least trying to bring some stability and balance.I find it hilarious, how JW Swan ,the two faced greedy weasel who undermined and created the demise of the UBP , now is on the news swearing “ Christ, I don't give a shit .. who did what in past, why don't we have a big conversation about economy, were facing a precipice!!”

ZBM even had to apologize for his profanity

just a year ago he was crowing about how proud he was of incompetent clown Alex Scott and this black gov't ,because he thought sucking up to the PLP would get him his waterfront casino!
But now EB has his family and friends lined up to develop the waterfront casino

Update?

Sal — 2008-10-25T18:45:55-03:00

bet on higher taxes and exchange control taxes coming in the new year to pay for 10 years of looting the treasury

You put up with this kind of performance?

abc — 2008-10-14T16:54:58-03:00

What do you think about Jon Brunson's resignation and who do you think the UBP will field to replace him?
I doubt his reasons for resigning are as simple as he stated. I am sure it has something to do with the internal bickering.

You put up with this kind of performance?

Merianna — 2008-10-13T13:05:42-03:00

As is so often the case you have gone to the heart of issues - I just wish the UBP would do the same. I still believe that the UBP can be viable .... they just need to focus on issues, keep repeating its proposals to remedy say housing, and cease negative attacks on PLP -- Come on UBP show how good you can be - stop trying to show how bag 'they' are.
I cannot believe that a supposedly socialist Government would spend so much money and time and yet in 10 years have not made a dent in the "affordable" housing situation.

You put up with this kind of performance?

mat — 2008-10-12T15:36:39-03:00

Spend on PLP Spend on you can not house us but the Preimer gets two new cars

Sponsoring positive coverage

Martin — 2008-10-12T13:29:38-03:00

"...it'd be incredible helpful if they had a blog of sorts where they could keep the public up to date on where we're covered".

I have often thought it would be useful to trawl the existing advisory travel sites and blogs. Trip Advisor comes to mind which I use. It has a section on Bermuda, has people asking questions on a daily basis and answers given by other vacationers and sometimes Bermudians (professed).

Maybe the Dept could trawl - answer the questions - and at the same time inject a +ve note about Bermuda.

Just a thought.

You put up with this kind of performance?

Rummy — 2008-10-11T17:07:05-03:00

Well said yah broken dahn St. Davids Islander.....you must have ties too St. Davids Prep.........

The UBP needs new ideas.

Mike — 2008-10-01T12:16:44-03:00

"The stallwarts in the background weild the 'real' power in the party and they an't gonna give it up".

Isn't that what they have just done...for the third time?

What are they left to hold on to? Memories?

Totally agree with Denis...they need to be out there asking the questions. Until they get the answers, they can have no possible idea of direction.

Don't dance around it, get to the point

Alex — 2008-09-26T20:46:18-03:00

The first paragraph of this post ruled.

The UBP needs new ideas.

CERP — 2008-09-14T11:09:59-03:00

Denee,

Why do you keep wasting your time trying to flogg a dead horse? The UBP just don't get it! The stallwarts in the background weild the 'real' power in the party and they an't gonna give it up.

What you suggest is to sensable an idea - it would bring the former rulling class down to earth, out of the clouds, into light of day where we could all see and possible offer suggestions; what? such ratical ideas would bring new blood, new ideas, a new vision, and best of all, a new plan that the 'people' would have had a hand in establishing.

Focus on your career and let the die-hards die a natural death.

CERP

Is Bermuda in a housing bubble?

Denis Pitcher — 2008-09-10T17:34:50-03:00

Observer,

These charts show savings and lending practices among local banks.

While I am no expert on banking or finance, my guess is that these banks work similarly to traditional banks in that money taken in as savings is subsequently loaned out with the bank making money on the differential in savings interest rates vs. loans interest rates (about 5% or more).

The distinction with the above chart is that the total amount borrowed outstretches the total amount saved meaning that money is coming from somewhere off island.

Coincidentally, the drastic change in that chart begins at around the same time as HSBC bought out the Bank of Bermuda. HSBC certainly would be in the position to leverage banking assets off island to increase lending in the local market.

Is Bermuda in a housing bubble?

Observer — 2008-09-08T19:45:00-03:00

Great information. Thanks for posting! And on top of that just who exactly are we borrowing all this money from and what are the terms of repayment? I would hate to think that Bermuda is borrowing billions of dollars, which we cannot repay. What's worse, does the lender know that we cannot repay? And if so, why do they lend anyway?

Sponsoring positive coverage

bermudaBream — 2008-09-02T22:58:38-03:00

Do we really want to tell tourists to kill our fish when we already overfished predators like grouper all on our own.

If you disagree, how many Nassau Grouper have you seen lately? Pre-1950 that was the only fish of choice, now its long gone, bie.

Sponsoring positive coverage

Chris — 2008-09-02T09:31:34-03:00

Denis - if you need anyone to be an evangelist for fishing in Bermuda you know where I live!

'Bermuda has its issues'

Earl R. Pitcher — 2008-08-30T09:51:31-03:00

He is one of the few actually speaking out. How many feel the same, but simply head to our South?

Zooming nowhere

Earl R. Pitcher — 2008-08-30T09:47:36-03:00

I am not the least bit surprised that the subject ‘low-cost’ carrier has made its final landing... there will be more such operators following suite!

I once asked the late, Wing Commander E. M. Ware, then Director of Civil Aviation, why Bermuda did not court low-cost airlines. He cautioned that Bermuda would be better served by the tradition established carrier and that there was a real chance that an un-established carrier could force one of our long serving airlines to fly elsewhere. Imagine our situation soon after Zoom began operations, had BA declared that it could no longer server Bermuda as the run was not profitable and promptly ceased operations from the U.K. Do u think that Dr. Brown and crew would be able to coax them back?

Moe told me that the air transportation history was rife with low-cost/start-up fly-by-nite operators who too often, suddenly and without warning, stranded hundreds or more passengers when its operations were suddenly suspended. Ask those now stranded at the airport if BA flights are too expensive? "You pays ya money and ya takes ya chances!"

Can we afford to attract a replacement fly-by-nite operator on the European route? Can we afford to push BA off the route? I believe in competition, but on a ‘level playing field.’ Clearly Zoom was not competitive at all and was in fact very unprofitable and there is no doubt that high oil is a contributing factor; as it is for BA, but BA has the financial leggs to stick it out. Thank you to BA for sticking with us.

Capt. E. R. Pitcher,
Air Transport Flight Operations Expert

A war on drugs is not the answer

Sal — 2008-08-30T07:03:59-03:00

what else do you expect from this Corrupt tribe of useless race-baiting incompetents?

PLP "gov't" .....IS THE PROBLEM!.

"former Bermuda Police Commissioner who brought rival gang members together in sessions...fell apart when politicians insisted on getting involved."

http://www.royalgazette.com/siftology.royalgazette/Article/article.jsp?articleId=7d88e3330030027§ionId=60

A war on drugs is not the answer

Anonymous — 2008-08-25T08:49:21-03:00

Great post!

NextBus

Hannah — 2008-08-08T22:50:53-03:00

Wow... that sounds really cool.
I catch the bus a lot, but I'm not familiar with all the routes.
It would be so awesome if we could see where each stop is on an interactive map & know when the bus will arrive!

To disband or not to disband, that is the question.

Denis Pitcher — 2008-08-07T16:02:49-03:00

Alex,

It is interesting that you suggest the solution is for me to do some "fact checking".

I can neither confirm nor deny how bad the UBP was in comparison to the PLP and have never attempted to do so. Indeed, I was not alive for much of the UBP's term nor was I very politically aware during my youth at the time when they were in power. To the best of my recollection, though I admit I could always be wrong, all I have ever done is point to the perception held by a great many Bermudians and pointed to the generally held statement that in politics, perceptions become reality.

If you would kindly note the weblink above of the "term limit" and click on it you'll be pointed to a Royal Gazette article which suggests:

"The report does not recommend a name change although there are indications it calls for a limit on the number of terms MPs should sit. "

Does that sound like a suggestion of term limits? Let's go a step further and note that the other link above it points to another Royal Gazette article which suggests:

"Opposition MPs have kept a close lid on the internal report commissioned to map out a way forward after three election defeats."

It certainly is of wonder how I, as a staunch non-UBP member, could be expected to know the "facts" beyond what has been made privy to the public. Indeed, the sheer secrecy of the document itself lends itself to my arguement that there is a perception (again: perception) of hypocracy with the UBP in terms of it's suggestions of an interest in greater transparency vs. it's actual actions. As has been suggested before (http://www.21square.com/2008/07/the-opaque-ubp.html), the UBP would do well to put its money where its mouth is in this regard.

You suggest "The simple fact that I think we can all agree on is that we would be better off without the PLP in power. That leaves the UBP, the strength of which is dependent on the people willing to stand up and make it better."

However, this is a perfect example of where perhaps you should check your own facts as it is indeed not a 'fact' but rather an opinion that we would be better off without the PLP in power. An opinion to which half the electorate is in disagreement which places things far from the 'all' that you suggest. Statements like this shall get you into hot water should you care to remain involved in politics.

Denis

To disband or not to disband, that is the question.

ABC — 2008-08-07T15:35:53-03:00

Alex,

That is simply not good enough.
You cannot say that everyone agrees that the PLP shouldnt be in power, when everyone I talk to has no confidence at all in the UBP to govern. There are only 2 options currently.

Most people that I talk to are quite fine with the PLP in government. Doesnt mean they agree with everything all the time, but things are not that bad. And many people that suffered under the UBP administration do not want to go back to those times.

Alex, you are a clear example of why the UBP find themselves in the pickle they are in. You are in complete denial about the lack of viability of the UBP becoming the government.

To disband or not to disband, that is the question.

Alex — 2008-08-07T12:34:39-03:00

Denis,

I am on the road and can't type a decent post, but basically your response is so full of misconceptions and outright errors that you would do well to do some actual fact checking. Nothing the UBP did has been on the scale of what has happened under the PLP.

For example, there was no suggestion of a term limit, but rather an apprentice system.

I agree that the PLP have been winning the culture wars.

The simple fact that I think we can all agree on is that we would be better off without the PLP in power. That leaves the UBP, the strength of which is dependent on the people willing to stand up and make it better.

To disband or not to disband, that is the question.

Alex — 2008-08-07T12:33:28-03:00

Denis,

For example, there was no suggestion of a term limit, but rather an apprentice system.

I agree that the PLP have been winning the culture wars.

To disband or not to disband, that is the question.

ABC — 2008-08-06T12:23:09-03:00

If the UBP were to disband into independents, though, the public would still feel that they are a block of opposition to the PLP especially if their actions didn't appear to be 'independent'. That is, if they continually voted together in a bloc and opposed everything the PLP government said or done, then their 'independence' wouldn't seem legitimate. IN the same breath, if they simply form a new party made of the same members, it would be an exercise in futility. The UBP brand is so sour at this point, that they need to totally disassociate from it, and whatever new entity or group that is formed cannot be linked to or tied to it in any way.

To disband or not to disband, that is the question.

Denis Pitcher — 2008-08-05T20:22:01-03:00

32n64w

"What? How can a party that has been in opposition for almost 10 years be holding the country back?

Furthermore how can you blame the UBP for the PLP's inability to properly govern and/or duping of the electorate?"

I do not wholly blame the UBP, however I do feel they shoulder some of the blame. ABC's attitude, while I don't agree with many of the points he makes, demonstrates the attitude held by many in Bermuda. The UBP's percieved historical legacy and avoiding it is held of higher importance than the issues.

Yes, we can certainly dance around and sing tra-la-la while we pretend that everything should be as idealistic as we all wish it could be or we could sit down and take a hard look at the situation as is. In politics, perception is reality, and as it stands, the perception of the UBP held by many is one that will only cease with death. The UBP would be offering the greatest sacrafice for the future of our island if they were to help us move beyond such perceptions towards a structure where we could truly start focusing on the issues.

Alex points out that the UBP once held 30 of 36 seats, which certainly may be true, however, as ABC counters, that was also in the day when the boogeyman was in full force against the PLP. These days, the tables have turned. Perhaps we've only to wait another 20 years before things turn around.

Alex,

"Also, don't underestimate the power of parties to bring together people"

Or divide them apart. Parties pit one group against another and it becomes less about the betterment of all than it does a team mentality.

"on the issues the UBP was (and is) superior - vastly so. "

So what? The issues didn't win and by the looks of it, the PLP is stealing all of the ideas anyways.

"The PLP will do a similar smear job on any other party or any individual candidates that they have done to the UBP - make no mistake. "

Certainly, but it becomes alot easier to paint a group than it does individuals who stand on their own merit, clearly puppeted by no one.

"The simple fact is that parties add value, and the value they add is dependent on their ability to attract and retain the right people"

Thats exactly it. Are they attracting and retaining the right people? You show me the people who've got the right stuff who are turning up in droves to support and run for the UBP.

" - so if we really want what's best for Bermuda it's up to us to join a party and make a difference, which since I value ethics, honesty, and competence means I have joined and will be pushing forward the United Bermuda Party. Sorry Denis."

People use that same arguement about the Regiment and I don't buy it. They tell me that if I want to change the regiment for the better that I should strive to become Lt. Colonel so that I can bring all the change I desire. I find that to be filled with about as much bull as the arguement of joining a party and working up the ranks. The reality is that when you join a group at the bottom you're forced to conform. You don't have a voice and even if you do, nobody wants to hear what you ahve to say. You have to abide by their rules, their practices and do things their way, even if you disagree on the inside, you toe the party line, because thats what it takes to advance. You're groomed year after year to think the way they do, act the way they do, talk the way they do right up until when you finally reach the top. Yet by then most every ounce of idealistic and radical thought for real change that ever inspired you has been groomed out of you and you end up being no different than they.

This is why the UBP is failing and why politics in Bermuda itself is failing. You and I both know it and we've chatted about it before. It's nothing but a bunch of closeminded old people who are so used to doing things their way that they can't recognized that the world has actually changed a great deal in a very short span of time. Today's youth are not as ignorant as we are made out to be. The world for you and I is a much smaller, more accessible place and the amount of knowledge available at our fingertips is astounding. The old guard on both sides have little to no appreciation of this.

Certainly don't apologize to me that you have chosen a different path for it is your choice to make. I feel I am free to choose my own course and in choosing my own course I would rather not sacrafice my desires for change, even radical and perhaps idealistic, simply to conform to the status quo.

To disband or not to disband, that is the question.

Sal — 2008-08-05T16:16:09-03:00

Jamahl Simmons and Gwyneth Rawlins are opportunists,their remarks during the election had a racist aim,not only because they are racists, but because they knew that the decision to divide,to play the race card and openly engage in a verbal race war might win by a hair.

They will say anything for power and cash payoff.

The PLP do not have their “finger on the pulse of the wider community” ,they have it up certain a***holes.
Follow the money: Brown's relatives,US business associates for Pay-to-Play consultants and Stem Research investors, Dennis Coreia,Zane Desilva,John Jeffreys,and "condo-hotel" investors.

The only” business they get down to” is lining their pockets by the same Black beret slogans they came from in 60's “by any means necessary”.

To disband or not to disband, that is the question.

ABC — 2008-08-05T15:17:58-03:00

Alex,

The UBP were also responsible for perpetuating and propogating the myths that black bermudians wouldnt be able to run the island, and were incapable of governing. Sounds like good governance to me.

The UBP were responsible for decimating and destroying the education system and leaving it in total disarray when they were bounced out of government. Sounds like good governance to me.

The UBP were responsible for the demise of the tourism industry by introducing international business as the predominant industry and leaving tourism behind. Why couldnt we have both? Sounds like good governance to me.

I am not going to say that everything the PLP has done has been perfect. I will say that they have their finger on the pulse of the wider community though. The PLP to me seems to realize that the majority wants. You say that the PLP will the other parties etc, you obviously are in denial about the smear jobs done against numerous PLP politicians by the media and the UBP over the past 10 years.

The PLP is winning elections because the majority of the electorate realize that they dont have to necessarily like a politician for that politician to be effective. We were controlled by the ideology that John Swan was the consummate politician - the smiling, waving, kissing babies gentleman. Now we realize that all of that isnt important. What is important is to get down to business. The majority of the electorate realize that the UBP is bankrupt from a moral and ethical standpoint. They believe that Jamahl Simmons and Gwyneth Rawlins and Wayne furbert and Maxwell Burgess were speaking the truth, and that the white members who disagree are only disagreeing because they dont want whatever sliver of power they think the retain to be taken from them. The majority of the electorate may not agree with every initiative put forward by the PLP, or by Dr Brown or whichever Minister, but they believe in the vision of the PLP which is to create an equal playing field.

The UBP's problems will continue until they acknowledge them. Kim Swan himself knows he is only the leader by default and he knows that no one else wanted the job. And believe me he is not the one calling the shots. He will find himself in a hot spot when the DOnte Hunts, and Shawn Crockwells, and Darius Tuckers bounce from the party.

All Bermuda sees from the UBP right now is a no holds barred attack on Dr Brown. it is not policy driven, it is personality driven, and the Bermuda electorate is finally mature enough to not let that sway their support.