Dear Editor,

I have been bemused and astonished by the level of hypocrisy recently levelled by the PLP, and its blindly loyal cronies, at Government MP Leah Scott, in respect of her recent letter to the editor and the allegations of plagiarism.

On 25 October 2011, Sam Strangeways reporting for The Royal Gazette (http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20111025/NEWS01/710259958) wrote the following:

Premier Paula Cox has been criticised by a youth charity for lifting a line from its business plan for a political speech without giving credit.

Ms Cox used the sentence from Youth on the Move (YOM) at a Progressive Labour Party rally last week. But her chief of staff, Senator David Burt, denied she had when approached by The Royal Gazette. He claimed this newspaper inaccurately reported her remarks on Thursday and presented as proof what he claimed was unedited DVD footage of the speech.

But the video he provided “jumped” near to the point where Ms Cox actually delivered the line, skipping to the next part of her remarks. An audio recording made by The Royal Gazette at the rally revealed Ms Cox did use the sentence and did not attribute it to YOM. After the sound clip was sent to Sen Burt last night, the Premier issued a statement saying: “I regret any concern caused by my inadvertent exclusion of a reference to YOM in my oral comments.”

YOM president Carlton Simmons said the “controversy” could have been avoided entirely if the Premier’s staff had simply admitted the mistake last week and said “sorry”.

Miss Scott did humble herself and publicly apologised to those she had offended.

Former Premier Ewart Brown gave a speech at the 2008 PLP Annual Delegate’s Conference. On October 23, 2008, following the conference, well-known blogger Jonathan Starling via his “Catch a Star” blog (https://jonnystar.wordpress.com/2008/10/23) in his analysis of a speech by former Premier Brown. The blog first records Premier Brown’s words:

“Let me say to Labour for all to hear: You have a voice that this PLP government respects and welcomes. You have a listening ear that is always available to you. Before you down tools, let us talk. Teachers, before you decide not to come to school and leave parents and school children to fend for themselves on a given morning, please let us talk. Government civil servants, before you leave your work stations, know that with a PLP government, you are more than your job or your profession, you are a neighbour, you are a relative, you are a friend — let us talk. We can stay at our work stations and move this country forward because you have access to your PLP government.”

On his blog, Mr Starling says: “Wow. This part really blows me away. The scariest thing is that it is almost a word-for-word plagiarism of a speech given by Trotsky during the Trade Union debates of the Russian Communist Party’s Eighth and Ninth Congresses (the RCP’s equivalents of the Annual Delegates Conferences).”

Ironically, on Mr Starling’s blog, LaVerne Furbert confirms, in print, to Mr Starling that Dr Brown did indeed plagiarise and in fact, not only LaVerne, but most, if not all PLP members, justify the plagiarism.

On October 23, 2008, at 9.49pm LaVerne wrote on Mr Starling’s blog, and I quote:

“You are right Jonathan, Dr Brown actually went on the internet, found Trotsky’s speech, and copied and pasted. 99.9 per cent of members of the PLP thought that Dr Brown’s speech was just what the doctor ordered, and it matters not that you and others disagree with what he had to say. You have not even walked an inch in the shoes of most black people in Bermuda, let alone a mile.” (LaVerne Furbert, 9.49pm, October 23, 2008 “Catch a Star” blog)

I suppose, for some, the end justifies the means. No apology was required or requested from Dr Brown, because it is just an advancement of the PLP’s toxic agenda.

I have read Miss Scott’s letter and I have read the article on the hellobeautiful.com website. While there are similarities, I certainly do not see anything in her letter that warrants the level of vicious diatribe and hostility that has been directed towards her. This is a letter to the editor, for goodness sakes. It is not a medical paper that is being published in the Journal of American Medicine or a speech that was broadcast worldwide!

Shadow Minister for Education Lovitta Foggo called for Miss Scott to do the “honourable” thing and relinquish her title as Junior Minister of Education. Miss Foggo, while you may believe that you have tinted windows in your glass house, you, of all people, should not even question someone else’s honour. In fact, the word should not even come out of your mouth. Put those stones back in your little bucket and be on your way lady.

The most unfortunate thing about all of this is not so much the allegation of plagiarism against Miss Scott, but that, once again, this entire country has been distracted by the “white” or should I say “black” noise of the PLP.

Miss Scott’s message was not an attack on anyone. I believe her message was one of encouragement that was designed to foster and promote unity. God knows we need it on this Island.

I don’t know Miss Scott well, but I do believe that she is a woman of principle and integrity, no matter what others might think or say. Miss Scott was the only one who raised her voice during the whole “Jetgate” saga. I do know that she is trying to do what she can to assist families in need. She is doing what she can to assist people to prepare and be work ready for the economic transition that is coming.

To all you armchair quarterbacks on the sidelines I say, if you think that you can do a better job than she does, then run against her in the next election. You’re sitting on the sidelines moaning, complaining and degrading her. At least she has the guts to be in the game.

Miss Scott, thank you for what you do and for what you bring to this country. I highly commend you for your courage. I applaud you for your literary skills. Do not let your spirits be dampened by the naysayers and accusers. Continue to stand for what you believe in. Keep on writing (remember to cite your sources!) for the pen is mightier than the sword. Most of all, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. Because HE will vindicate you.

Not a Stone Thrower