It's a Brown thing

June 19, 2009

Dear Sir,

In answer to the now rather tired race card being played yet again, this time over the recent protests:

"This is not a black and white thing. This is a Brown thing."

TECHNICOLOUR GLASSES

City of Hamilton

A new party

June 23, 2009

Dear Sir,

Your editorial of June 23 is indicative of the prevailing view that the United Bermuda Party actually exists in any meaningful form. Other than 13 MPs and three Senators, only a handful (and I do mean a handful) of members are actually active in the Party. And when I say "active" I really mean "talking" and/or "expressing an opinion".

Supporters of what was once a very proud party, simply tell the party what "they" should do; what "they" shouldn't do; and what "they" can't do. The so-called supporters do not support their Party by actions; not by funding; and not by getting involved. The supporters simply stand apart and tell this vague (and very small) group what to do pretending that it's not really them, it's some other body of thought!

Don't get me wrong, that is their privilege but to suggest that this is a viable Opposition or an alternative Government is giving credit where there is none.

What was interesting in the RG of June 23 was a letter suggesting that the leaders of the recent community protests might take a leadership role in the future governance of this country. No, Anne, Janice and Erica, I did not say politics. I said and I mean governance. Politics is simply a game that the current crop of politicians play. You don't need to play that game and nor do we, the people of this country, want you to. What we want is good governance. Fair and competent Government. Integrity. Leadership. Unity.

Davida Morris said it too. A new party. Led by a diverse group of younger people. That's what we need and I absolutely, categorically know that a new Party, with new and honest ideals, will not be a 'third' Party, and neither will it be an Opposition Party. It will be swamped with support, funding and everything else that people, who are hoping for change, are committed to giving. And it will be a Government faster than you can say Ewart Brown!

JUST DO IT

Southampton

This was the last straw

June 17, 2009

Dear Sir,

"… O, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practise to deceive."

Some say this was a quote of Shakespeare and others say it was from the quotes of Sir Walter Scott, but whoever said it, it came to fruition this week. If you deceive people, depending on the recipients (in this case Bermuda), the backlash on the perpetrator can be as serious as that of a deadly spider.

The repercussion of hastily decisions is what has gotten the Premier, The Hon. Dr. Ewart Brown, MP, JP into this mess. Dr. Brown's recent actions are the last straw and have put Bermuda in a negative spotlight globally. This can't be good for our little Island. While I don't condone all the actions of the Premier, some of his ideas have been good and acceptable by the majority of the voters. My opinion of the Premier however, has been on the decline since he and "his team" ousted Dame Jennifer Smith. Know this; I am a supporter of the PLP.

I would add, don't blame US President Obama. I will quote another of Walter Scott's phrases. "I cannot tell how the truth may be; I say the tale as it was said to me."

It was what Dr. Brown told President Obama, and from that information, President Obama congratulated Bermuda. We all know it was a lie, the people of Bermuda did not know. The fact remains that the citizens of USA knew before Bermudians, despite LaVerne Furbert's claim, Bermuda did not know first!

So, here is my suggestion (for what it's worth). The PLP please 'get your caucus together and remove Dr. Brown, before you loose your voting supporters" If you looked at the statistics and what we all saw on TV and the newspapers, the support for the PLP is still strong. I believe that most of the PLP supporters, both black and white did not want to bring down their own party, but would prefer to have Dr. Brown disappear!

All the hoopla this past week is not the people who put the PLP into power! It was obvious they were either the UBP , some other Party or Organisation of supporters. I would go as far as to say that less than one percent of the people that were at the march were PLP supporters. Some are disenchanted but we will not vote UBP. Can they do better? God help us all!

Yes, we may not want to think that this turned out to be a race issue but it certainly looked like it and smelled like it! If we are really honest, we would agree, that this was a well-orchestrated march by certain segments of the community.

My heart goes out to our Chinese guest. If they do not stay here, then where would they end up? Their lives seems to be at the will of all Governments! I do not know what they did or did not do and who is going to believe anything the Bush Administration claims that these men are harmless. Regardless, they are people with feelings and had no say in this fiasco and should not be blamed.

I ask all Bermudians to keep a cool head. Allow the British Government and the Governor of Bermuda to do their investigation, report the findings and then we act!

Let me close with Sir Walter Scott again: "A sound head, an honest heart, and a humble spirit are the three best guides through time and to eternity."

MS G.J. TROTT

Sandys