Media bashing has always been a cheap way to whip up applause in PLP and BIU circles so Hector wasn?t surprised to see departing union boss getting in a last few gratuitous swipes in his final address to BIU delegates.

Former Senator couldn?t resist following suit, turning on this newspaper, for which he writes a regular column. Apparently s handling of the news of the Hilton group building a swanky club at Ariel Sands wasn?t prominent enough for the former PLP senator who lamented ?it got a little picture down in the left hand corner of the paper with him () and and the hoteliers.?

The little picture and story he referred to was in fact about one third of the front page. But don?t bother spoiling your media bashing with the facts, Cal.

He added: ?But you know I said Indians did not seem to like black Bermudians and I got the whole Mid Ocean front page!?

Er, no. In actual fact Cal?s sweeping, offensive generalisations about a whole segment of the Bermuda community got a narrow section of the Mid O?s page one. Get over yourself Cal. No one thinks you?re important enough for the entire page.

But as we know there is no stopping Cal once he gets started.

?I am not mad because it is the only time they put my picture on the front page!?

Wrong again. You were actually pictured on that very same newspaper less than a year ago ? when you were saying it was all right for Dr. Brown to keep selling those $2,500 dinners to pension fund managers.

And Mr. Smith mentioned the good doctor when he delivered his last falsehood about the Hilton story.

?This man who is obviously reviving tourism and bringing the first improvements in hotels and there?s a little headline, back page, leave it at the side there and only half an editorial.?

Back page? Er, no it was on page one.

@EDITRULE:

Moves are afoot to up parliamentarians? pay packets but Senators did not do their best to justify a pay-rise after a few embarrassing faux-pas in the Upper House on Monday.

It all started when Senator kicked off the Budget debate with a long list of natural disasters that struck the world in the ?last 18 months?.

The worst hurricane in living memory, typhoons and earthquakes followed on the heels of Hurricane Fabian in 2004, Sen. Tannock said.

2004?

In the House of Assembly there would have been about 20 points of order to remind Government that Fabian hit Bermuda in September 2003 ? some 29 months ago ? but in the Senate, not a whisper of disagreement could be heard as the Senator rambled along in his speech.

Next, was a long assessment of the economies of the world?s economic powers, including the US, which Sen. Tannock said had sold 17.1 million new vehicles last year.

?Excuse me?!? Government Sen. interjected, obviously not listening to his comrade?s speech.

The other Senators managed to calm Lt. Col. Burch down when they told him Sen. Tannock was talking about the US.

?Oh,? Sen. Burch replied meekly. Classic stuff. Give them all a pay rise.

@EDITRULE:

Hector understands that ferry commuters are all too familiar with delays and cancellations lately. As the pricey fast fleet stumbles and bumbles, anything can happen and usually does. Take Tuesday night, for instance. Commuters hoping to latch onto the 7 p.m. vessel were told it was limping towards Hamilton on one engine. The following night the 7 p.m. to Rockaway was still stuck in port idling at 7.10 p.m. More engine woes? It seems not. One member of the crew was spotted slowly ambling towards the terminal with an oversized bag of goodies from Kentucky Fried Chicken.

@EDITRULE:

Hector will soon breathe easier when he shares a pint with his pals at his favourite pub. A smoking ban takes effect on April 1, but some bar owners will be taking advantage of a six-month grace period, courtesy of Health Minister . Is it true that they must first prove to Ms Minors that there?s a worldwide shortage of smokers and that the puffers are ?key? to the operation of their businesses?

@EDITRULE:

Hector hears Bermuda?s reputation for friendliness even extends to some of its muggers who are apparently willing to grant one or two concessions when carrying out their dastardly deeds.

This week he was told of a 20-year-old young man who was walking along Front Street late one evening, after a long night fuelling Bermuda?s economy and his thirst for alcohol no doubt, when he was robbed at knife point. The mugger took his wallet but the young man pleaded with him saying he needed $20 for a cab ride home. The kind thief relented and took $20 out of the young man?s wallet and returned it to him. Feeling bold the young man also informed the mugger that he had a lucky two dollar bill in a special part of the wallet and asked if he would be kind enough to return it as well. The gracious thief took pity and returned that lucky bill before leaving with the wallet.

It?s almost a heartwarming story but perhaps not one to see repeated in the tourist brochures.