A movement or a party

December 24, 2007

Dear Sir,

Your columnist suggested that the PLP was a movement rather than a political party. To the extent that it is true it would, in my view, not be surprising and a very good thing.

After all, two of the most significant events in the history of Bermuda's black community are the achievement of universal franchise and the first successful effort to remove Government sponsored segregation. Both were the result of a movement within the black community. I have always felt that it was very much to the disadvantage of the black community when those movements became restricted by the organisational bureaucracy of a political party.

In the first place, "movements" tend to involve everybody to some extent and therefore everybody feels personal responsibility. The formation of a party immediately justified divisiveness within the black community.

It was a justification that never would have been possible if it had been a "movement" that called for greater economic opportunity and social justice for blacks. It also meant that the "people" stopped feeling personally responsible and placed all responsibility on "the party". This really meant only a few people at the top of political hierarchy. Thus, the "people" no longer felt personally responsible for ensuring change.

Finally and most significantly the leadership in a movement is far more fluid and without the automatic perks which go to the leadership of a political party. The role of leadership in a movement is dependent on the genuine commitment and truly superior skills of leadership and not on the votes of a chosen few.

If the PLP had truly remained as a movement it would have avoided many of the public conflicts which it has experienced. Roosevelt Brown was questionably almost solely responsible for the achievement of universal franchise. But when he left before it was achieved the goal was still in the minds of the people. And thus it was achieved under other leadership it may have taken much longer to reach that goal than it would have done under Mr. Brown because the leadership which replaced him was far more conservative. But nevertheless, it did happen. It happened because most of the black community felt responsible to ensure that the goal was achieved. It happened without public conflict despite the very great difference in the style of leadership.

EVA N. HODGSON

Hamilton Parish

Mixed emotions

December 21, 2007

Dear Sir,

Well if was not clear with the hollow promises after the 2003 election, it is certainly clear now in the aftermath of the 2007 election, our "Leader" is completely clueless.

The new Cabinet is clearly a joke, maybe it is the result of a mad or desperate man who is on his way out, but how can a rational, clear and calculating person in a position so important as the Leader of a country with the third largest GDP per capita in the world, a country so dependent on the alliances and protocols already establish, how can this said Leader who should have the best interest of the entire country in mind, turn around and appoint to the Senate and to Cabinet as a Junior Minister a radio Disc Jockey with absolutely no political experience? Surely you jest, Dr. Brown! This DJ delivers nothing but lip service and he cannot even do that intelligently. Have we forgotten the on air babbling and prank calls, one of which temporarily caused a law firm to shut down?

Does he not know that law firms bring in business, big business, that pays all of our salaries one way or another? This juvenile has shown no responsibility in any way, shape or form. Wake up Bermuda, the tocsins are sounding! Dr. Brown has just curtly dismissed an opportunity to help Bermuda grow and develop. The PLP Election promises are about to become null and void.

Sadly we see no true leaders in Cabinet save Paula Cox as sadly, Patrice Minors has declined a Cabinet spot. We have two former Premiers sitting in the back row whose knowledge and experience could only benefit Bermuda if they were given a chance to lead; we have former Cabinet members now reneged out just as we arrive at the point of opportunity that Dr. Brown so eloquently told us we stand before.

If Dr. Brown truly had the well being and prosperity of ALL Bermudians at heart and he wished to grow and teach these new politicians, why could they not have been given a job of importance within the PLP? Dr. Brown, why are you gambling with my future? So if Thaao fails, where does that leave Bermuda, waiting another five years to correct this blatant error?

How is it that we have two non elected members in the Cabinet when the Bermudian public clearly already voted for 22 PLP representatives? There are plenty of deserving PLP members who captured votes of the people in the last Election who have experience, knowledge, expertise and ability to help lead this country, e.g. Dame Jennifer Smith, Alex Scott, Stanley Lowe, Walter Roban, Michael Scott, and Zane DeSilva. Even more, there are several PLP members who lost their chances who are more deserving, George Scott, Walton Brown, Phillip Perinchief, and Larry Mussenden!

To the PLP Caucus, Members and Supporters: It is time to surgically remove the Doctor! Take charge, make a stand, vote no confidence, your help and wisdom is needed to see that it is time for this foul and diseased limb to be cut off. Return to the party grass roots, return to being a labour party.

Remember and honour Mr. Arnold A. Francis, Mr. Walter N. H. Robinson, Dame Lois Browne-Evans, Mr. Russell Dismont, Mr. Cecil Clarke, Mrs. Dorothy Thompson, Mr. L. Fredrick Wade and Mr. C. Eugene Cox, remember and honour the party that they forged with their blood, sweat and tears. Remember and honour them, follow in their path, set this party right and Bermuda will have the chance to flourish. Forget them, their principles, their values and their hard work and risk the set in of the gangrene that is surely to come.

T J STEVENS

Ex-PLP Supporter, Ex-UBP Supporter, Disenfranchised voter

Devonshire

Rolfe a bad choice

December 22, 2007

Dear Sir,

Having Rolfe Commissiong as the Government's race relations consultant is like hiring Hitler as an unbiased consultant for the Jews.

To say the pathetic state of race relationships in Bermuda is lonely a white problem is stupid in the extreme – especially after PLP's cry of back to the plantation and remarks about 'house nig—-s' etc.

If the PLP continues to insist this problem is one sided, then they guarantee we will never come together; which means they can continue to play the race card. The one think the PLP does NOT want, is for all of us to get along.

QUO FATA FERUNT

City of Hamilton

A firm hand, Dr. Brown

December 20, 2007

Dear Sir,

It is my fervent hope that during his second term, Dr. Brown will realise that running a government is not running a charity, and that he will make some decisions which his party faithful may not like. People have no right to expect everything for free.

I hope that Dr. Brown will raise the levels of competence of his Ministers and reign in their spending.

I hope that the Premier will see "out of the glass less darkly" and realise that Bermudians of all colours are patriots and can make meaningful contributions to the betterment of the Island.

I hope the vengeful ministers who abuse their power will be kicked to the kerb and that Dr. Brown will surround himself with decent and likable people. I hope he will also divest himself of the hot headed pseudo-revolutionaries who have no place in the inner circle of a leader.

Somehow Dr. Brown must target the underachievers and turn them into ambitious upwardly mobile citizens. The big conversation and the dismantling of white technocracy cannot take place until black people finish school and go to university. Idiots who go around saying white people don't like to see black men in suits are just that, idiots.

Finally I do hope that I never ever live through another election where race became a disgrace and decency was abandoned in favor of ambition.

BOWED BUT NOT BEATEN

City of Hamilton

Dunkley owed an apology

December 19, 2007

Dear Sir,

I read, with utter disgust anddismay, about the behaviour of the PLP supporters immediately after their election win yesterday. Michael Dunkley is a genuinely decent human being - you only have to look at his face to see the honesty and integrity that comes through. To see the shocking behaviour the PLP followers against Mr. Dunkley left me sickened.

I think the entire PLP MP's owe Mr. Dunkley an apology for the unbecoming behaviour of their followers - their utter glee at his loss left me speechless. Do you really think Mr. Dunkley would behave like that if the boot were on the other foot. I can assure you he would not.

What is achieved by trying to ridicule another human being? When I came to Bermuda 45 years ago, I could not get over how lovely, kind and pleasant Bermudians were - what ever has gone wrong? They now only show hatred and take pleasure in persecuting anyone who is not PLP.

In the past, people did not behave this way in Bermuda, and I can only see a future filled with hatred and vengeance if this "herd" mentality continues. To repeat a famous quotation, "you should be quiet in your hour of triumph". There was nothing quiet or decent about the behaviour of the PLP supporters in their hour of triumph.

After seeing the photographs in the newspaper and reading the nasty and spiteful comments by the PLP supporters and MP's, it appears Bermuda is definitely going in the wrong direction, teaching only hate and division. There will be a terrible and painful price to pay for this unbecoming and uncivilised behaviour. I feel this is the end of the road for the Bermuda that we all loved.

SAD FOR BERMUDA

City of Hamilton

BBC's racist remarks

December 21, 2007

Dear Sir,

The BBC reporter who challenged that Ewart Brown did not "embrace Bermuda's white community" smacks of racism in the remarks itself. I would hope that anyone in Bermuda who needed assistance in staring a business would be given help, regardless of race, or colour, as well as supporting "black businesses for help".

Personally, I have known Ewart Brown since the early '90s and never found him to be racist in any way, shape or form. In fact, I have considered him a friend for many years – I happen to be white – and Bermuda is darn lucky to have him; he is man of vision and integrity. I believe the BBC owes him an apology.

JEANNE ELIZABETH BLUM

Ikaria Island, Greece