WHO says Bermuda's youth aren't informed about current affairs? A new locally-based Internet group calling itself Students Against Independence & Government Corruption in Bermuda is discussing the island's affairs on the popular Facebook web site and already has more than 400 members.

Organisers of the online group hope to unite young Bermudians by not allowing race, religion, gender or cultural background to distract them from what they refer to as their increasingly "imperilled future".

On the front page of the web site, the editors, many of whom are still in school, ask: "How many of you have watched the news or read the newspaper and thought, 'Something needs to be done!'?

"How many of you are sick of having your rights trampled over by our 'unethical' (which really means corrupt) Government? Students, this is our future we're looking at here, and it's become quite clear that it's up to us to be the defenders of that future. We deserve an honest, transparent Government who represents everyone."

The web site acts as a forum where participants are allowed to voice their opinions on Bermudian issues, including whether or not young people will get actively involved in the political process.

One response reads: "I, like many of you, am concerned at the way Bermuda is being run. While I love my country the Government is letting our generation at least down.

"Now it's all good and fine for us to write petitions and complain but nothing will get done until we involve ourselves in Bermuda's political process. Unfortunately, I trust neither party to lead an effective government."

Another student says: "I'm sure there are many of us out there who would like to be involved but are just too young (i.e., under 18 and therefore not able to vote).

"However, apart from just signing petitions and joining Facebook groups, there is something that we can do! As you may know, we're planning a protest against Independence so we'll need lots of people to show up in order for it to mean anything.

"We need students of all ages, all races and all schools to show up for it. It'll be really important because it'll be a student protest fighting for our interests. Not the Government's. Not our parents'. Not the past's. Our interests. The future's interests."

Another writes: "I would just like to say that Bermuda is not a democracy, in fact, it is far from it. Bermuda runs on a parliamentary form of government. The only gripe I have with this group (Students Against Independence and Government Corruption in Bermuda) is that nowhere does it actually cite what kind of 'corruption' the Bermudian Government is exhibiting.

"I plead ignorance here, but what is the silent protest for? From what I have read it is to protest corruption. Honestly, you guys are going to have to be a little more specific if you plan on a protest.

"I dislike the Bermuda Government just as much as the next person, but I feel that us students just don't know all the facts, and I include myself in that statement."

He goes on to say: "It seems that us Bermudians are following the American trend of fighting the people that run our country. Sure, there is the Southlands project, sure there is money missing from Government funds and our representatives are spending copious amounts of per diem on their overseas trips.

"But what really is the problem here? I find that the sort of laissez-faire attitude that the Progressive Labour Party has taken to not only the people of Bermuda, but the Bermudian institutions, is the problem, not corruption. The PLP has seemingly made race relations their main enemy, leaving behind other problems such as education and unemployment.

"To conclude my tirade, I would like to say that even though this group has a good message, I feel that the message is way too vague to really hold any water.

"Someone please explain to me why Independence is a bad thing? To say you are against something is all good, but where is your evidence for opposing the idea?

"Your decision, for or against Independence, is far too important to be based solely on political rhetoric. Bermuda is Britain's oldest colony and enjoys more Independence than any other.

"Why, then, cede our liberty? As Sir John Swan famously put it in 1982: 'With the Americans to feed us and the British to de fend us, who needs Independence?'

"The answer to this question is complex. In part, it relates to the racial divide in the country. For the most part the white population opposes Independence while a significant number of the black population (though not an overwhelming majority) support it.

"The PLP obviously feels that there is some political mileage to be derived from an Independence platform. This is why there is a race issue. I believe that we, as students and citizens of this wonderful country, need to be informed about what we are fighting for or against.

"Neither party, the PLP or the UBP, is helping this process. A referendum is needed, and until there is one, we will be stuck in political limbo for years to come."

It appears that Bermuda's youth do, in fact, have a lot to say about politics and current issues and if the thoughts and opinions of some of its 400 members are anything to go by, this group plans to make that voice heard — loud and clear.

Attempts to reach the editors of the Students Against Independence and Government Corruption in Bermuda web site proved unsuccessful at press time last night.