This week?s announcement that American Dr. Charles Green has been appointed as the new president of the Bermuda College throws even more doubt on the validity of Premier Alex Scott?s arguments in favour of a Bermudian Chief Justice.

Mr. Scott, it will be remembered, travelled to London to fight for the appointment of Puisne Judge Norma Wade Miller as the successor to Chief Justice Austin Ward when the Governor wished to appoint Englishman Richard Ground.

Mr. Scott lost, but in doing so, secured exhibit number one among the still short list of reasons for Independence.

This was a classic example, it was argued, of how qualified Bermudians are prevented from fulfilling their potential by a foreign power that did not understand Bermuda?s special needs.

Now, no one would argue with the idea that qualified Bermudians should be the first choice for jobs, even when there are more highly qualified people available for the post.

And yet Dr. Green?s appointment is yet another example of the Government doing just that.

This is not to say that Dr. Green is not qualified, nor that he will not be very successful; indeed, he may well have been a superior candidate to Dr. Larita Alford, the Bermudian applicant, although he is in fact no more experienced in terms of posts held than she is.

But that was not the point that Mr. Scott was making in December when the Governor appointed Mr. Justice Ground. His argument was that Mrs. Wade Miller was qualified for the post and therefore deserved it.

Never mind that Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons rejected that very argument recently when she ruled that Bermudian Michael Dolding had not been treated unfairly when New Zealander Barry Coupland was appointed over him as Director of Marine and Ports.

She said of the Public Service Commission?s obligation to out Bermudians first: ?While I have opined the scheme is primarily designed to protect the interests of Bermudians, this does not equate to a particular Bermudian having a right to appointment.?

She added that Civil Service general orders stated no one was entitled, as of right, to promotion.

What that means is that the PSC, or any person making an appointment, must consider a qualified Bermudian, but it does not require that the Bermudian be hired.

Presumably, the same principle applies to other public service appointments, regardless of whether they are for the presidency of the Bermuda College or for the post of Chief Justice.

Based on the Government?s treatment of people like Dr. Alford and Mr. Dolding, Mr. Scott?s argument seems to come down to this: When Bermudians stifle the legitimate aspirations of other Bermudians, it?s OK. But when the Governor does it, it?s reprehensible and a strong reason for cutting ties with the United Kingdom.

Of course, there are other descriptions of Mr. Scott?s position. One is that it is politically expedient. Another is that it is just plain hypocritical.