Mr Editor,

Am I the only one that finds the Rev Nicholas Tweed a bit much, considering he is a guest worker on a work permit?

He serves as a Christian minister at the pleasure and appointment of AME Conference, as I understand it. Now clearly it is understood and appreciated that these men/women may find it their duty to speak on social issues and injustices as perceived.

The precedent and necessity for this has been set many decades ago and I believe we are the better for it. Some of Bermuda’s history is less than glorious, to say the least.

Mr Tweed is bolstered by a pressure group whose political agenda is unquestioned in my considered opinion and I believe many others’. He is assured of the support by Bermudians who enjoy his glib and very passionate advocacy of their objectives. This naturally emboldens this gentleman, who conducts himself as any Bermudian would, with all rights and privileges.

Senator Georgia Marshall made a comment and was the subject of criticism from the most indignant citizens, who felt she should be summarily sent to the airport for expulsion from a country that she enjoys full rights and freedoms of Bermuda status. The term xenophobia was used as a reasonable and accurate description of some by a local politician and he was denounced as a vile pariah and most insulting to the entire country.

Have we now decided that all of our guest workers are afforded the right to challenge the Government with cavalier swagger at any time they so desire? Do we see this as championing free speech and a very good thing for democracy?

If so, then why are we so selective about what we will countenance from some others?

The erstwhile Mr Tweed has his loyal support base, but let him turn his guns of eloquent fire publicly in the direction of the Bermuda Industrial Union and the Bermuda Public Services Union or, heavens forbid, the Progressive Labour Party publicly. They are not above criticism.

It would be most interesting to see him take that vehicle out for a spin and see how she drives. If you are in stout defence of guest workers’ rights to speak publicly and lampoon the Government, that also means you as born Bermudians can be told off as well and should receive it graciously.

There have been many unpleasant conversations held about foreigners that some of us find arrogant and condescending to us “in our own country”. Let’s be clear the same liberties that we extend to Mr Tweed must go right across the board especially to those foreigners we do not like and disapprove of.

When the microscope of analysis, criticism and suggestions of impropriety is aimed at the Opposition, it must take it right on the chin because we gave it the privilege to publicly state its displeasure.

Pandora’s box is now open; do not be shocked at what pops out and where it decides to bite us. After all, we welcomed it with open arms. Are there any out there that feel some boundaries of protocol and respect due in a reasonable society expected from those we invite as tourist and guest workers when it comes to what we may perceive as unwelcome and contemptuous of us “in our own country?”

Toni Daniels produced an accurate chronicle of her political opponent’s record in a by-election and was vilified as hateful, replete with calls for a boycott of her business. Not a single comment of personal rancour was mentioned. Her freedom to speak had no champion.

Needless to say, she is not a guest worker on a work permit or an obnoxious, in-your-face foreigner.

TRUTH LIBERATED