No disquiet around Brown

October 31, 2007

Dear Sir,

I find Matthew Taylor's introductory sentence in the article entitled "PLP insider claims Dr. Brown has lost a lot of credibility'' quite interesting. Mr. Taylor writes that Progressive Labour Party MPs are split over the fall-out from Government's costly legal defeat in London with former cabinet minister Renee Webb saying Premier Ewart Brown's declining popularity could lose the party the election.

It is undoubtedly a fact that Premier Brown has lost favour with Ms Webb, however, I wonder on what basis she is able to ascertain that the Premier's popularity has indeed declined. However, it appears to me that Ms Webb has forgotten that her name was also included in the "BHC Scandal".

Although I do not agree with Ms Webb's opinion that "we" could lose under Dr. Brown, I will give her credit for having the courage of her convictions. As I see it there is no major "disquiet" around Dr. Brown, although she has stated in no uncertain terms on more than one occasion that she is dissatisfied with his leadership, however I do believe that in this instance Ms Webb, and the other MP, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, are in the minority.

But those of us who know the real truth understand why Ms Webb must use every opportunity she can to denigrate a man whom she once called her very good friend. She is really acting like a scorned woman although we know that the relationship between Dr. Brown and Ms. Webb was purely platonic.

Further I wish both Ms Webb, and the anonymous MP would tell us why Dr. Brown's leadership should be in question because of the decision of the Privy Council. When I read the comments from these two supposedly PLP MPs I think of the question Dr. Clarence James asked many, many years ago ¿ "Are we being used?"

The PLP MP who spoke on the condition of anonymity is, in my opinion, a coward. Anyone who chooses to speak publicly but asks to remain anonymous does not have the courage of his/her conviction. I'm sure that most PLP members, including his fellow MPs, like me, know who this cowardly person is. But in my opinion if he is so dissatisfied with Dr. Brown's leadership, I don't understand why he doesn't take a page out of Renee Webb's book and step down as a Member of Parliament.

The cowardly MP goes on to state: "He (Dr. Brown) has lost a lot of credibility both within and without the party. You can feel from the people who defend him ¿ the Rolfe Commissiongs and the LaVerne Furberts ¿ no one holds them to be too credible anyway."

It is quite obvious to me that this cowardly lion (in sheep's clothing) was not in attendance at the opening of the PLP's Annual Delegates Conference. If he were he would have seen just what I and everyone else who was in attendance saw ¿ a membership who was solidly behind their leader, why else would there be a standing ovation when Dr. Brown entered the room and after he delivered his conference speech.

Certainly I would not expect anyone who chooses to constantly hide behind the cloak of anonymity to respect anyone who has the courage of their convictions. It is obvious that this anonymous MP is way out of touch, if he were not he would know that in addition to Rolfe Commissiong and myself, many, many other people are supportive of Dr. Brown and these people an be heard daily in private conversations or on the very popular talk radio shows.

It would have also been helpful if this anonymous, cowardly MP would explain why he felt it important that Dr. Brown should have been in Bermuda when the Privy Council ruling was handed down. What is so bizarre about a Tourism Minister being in China at a Tourism Conference where he was the keynote speaker? Could the Premier have asked the cowardly MP to travel to China and on his behalf, deliver the keynote address and accept the tourism award on behalf of the people of Bermuda? I think not.

If the MP is the person whom I think he is, I don't think I've ever heard him speak even on the floor of the House. He is one of those MPs who is keeping a seat warm so that he can collect his parliamentary salary.

By the way, I did hear him speak at a press conference once and he bungled it so much it was embarrassing. The departing remarks of the anonymous MP are "The party is having trouble because of him (Dr. Brown) ¿ not because of itself".

Once again, I don't know who an MP who never attends meetings, or any party function would know that the "party is having trouble". Because the Editor of The Royal Gazette and reporters like Matthew Taylor say that the party is "having trouble" this anonymous MP chooses to mouth their words. Maybe Matthew Taylor can interview him again so that he can explain to us how the party "is having trouble". Or he may even want to go on television and put a paper bag over his head (if it could fit) and voice his concerns.

LAVERNE FURBERT

Hamilton Parish

Editor's Note: Matthew Taylor has never personally used the expression "the PLP are in trouble" in his reporting. As a reporter ¿ as opposed to a columnist or an editorial writer ¿ it would be unprofessional for him to do so. His job is to interview other people and give their views fairly and accurately.

Enough lip service

October 31, 2007

Dear Sir,

Living in Flatts Village, I have a great view of the harbour, Harrington Sound, the Aquarium and the changing of the tides in and out of the Sound.

I also have a front-row seat to the Flatts International Speedway. You know, that narrow stretch of road that runs from just up the hill from UpperCrust to Lazy Corner. The unabated speeding and reckless driving that occurs throughout the day is amazing. Amazing that no one has been killed yet in this area.

What is really amazing is that no attempt has been made to curb this situation. There is no Police presence and we haven't seen a cop in this area except to scrape another accident victim off the road and summon an ambulance to take them to the hospital which occurred again Monday in the village. Other than that, I don't think the police exist. Here are a few suggestions and a challenge to the Minister of Public Safety and the police force.

Put up highly visible speed limit signs such as 25 kph at the beginning of Flatts Village in both directions and then enforce the speed limit without announcing to the world that you are going to implement a speed trap system. Don't just do it for a day or two but how about something that is on going. Show some prolonged presence which is totally absent today.

If this government spent more time and money on what is needed in this country versus foolish, costly, unproductive studies and personal greed, you could hire a policing organisation that is paid well and can provide safety in all areas.

Enough lip service. Actions speak louder than words

JIB

Flatts Village

A waste of newsprint

November 3, 2007

Dear Sir,

It is unfortunate that you were obliged to print the Throne Speech. What a waste of newsprint when other more important news could have been published! With the dissolution of Parliament, nothing in the Speech is relevant. I think it was a complete insult to the Deputy Governor and the Members of the House and Senate, and only wasted their time. Does Dr. Brown think the general public are stupid? If the PLP do win this next election, then it does show how naive the voters are.

ANTONY SIESE

City of Hamilton

A conspicuous absence

November 2, 2007

Dear Sir,

Conspicuous by his absence during the recent coverage of Bermudians attending the Privy Council ruling in London was Tim Hodgson, the Editor of the Mid-Ocean News, the only one together with his staff members who had the sheer guts to bring this unfortunate matter before the public in the first place. I wonder why?

WONDERING & WANDERING

Southampton

Address education first

November 2, 2007

Dear Sir,

I attended the forum last evening and would put forward the following thoughts. I have been in HR for over 30 years, and have experience in the International and local business sector. I feel that my insight and that of others in this area would be illuminating for all. I suggest that one way to gain some good knowledge of hiring and promotion practices in Bermuda would be to open a dialogue between the relevant Government department and the Island's Human Resource Professionals, who, I may add, are largely Bermudian.

I will say that listening to the panel last evening left me deep in thought on how to address this issue. I am not sure more legislation is the answer; laws on the books seem to be in place. Do more cases needed to be brought to the court? Do reports of racism go to a governmental body for investigation? Do we need to give more teeth to someone? Organisational racism and discrimination is already illegal isn't it? The protection seems to be there, yet it continues? Why is this allowed? I think we need to tackle this in a couple of ways.

Firstly, recognition was given to the poor standard of education of our school leavers, and that is a fact. We need to address poor education and ensure our children understand the value of good old fashioned hard work.

A college degree is great, but one cannot expect to get a degree and instantly become an underwriter, or a manager. I have interviewed so many candidates who have great educations; I would love to have them come on board. However, I cannot hire an inexperienced person to run a division or to go out to represent our company with a shiny degree in hand.

They have to understand the nuances of the business world. They need experience, to understudy with more experienced professionals in their field of choice.

Unfortunately, many times when offered entry level positions, these candidates decline, sometimes with no other job prospects! One candidate flat out told me he had spent five years in school and did not expect to report to some foreigner! That foreigner came to Bermuda with the same degree and 20 years of experience. They don't come cheap; and as a Bermudian I would much prefer to hire a Bermudian, economics aside, International employees are a lot more work, just think of the immigration process!

The second would be getting the "establishment" or white people to be more aware. A campaign to get this message out by way of organisations such as HR Professionals, BEC, ABIC, BII would be a more practical and palatable way to deliver the message. I would very happy as an HR professional to do this, as would all HR professionals I suspect. One may wonder if we need to educate each other, talk about this more. I think we do already. Personally, my circle of friends are a mixed lot, we talk about it and it helps us to better understand our backgrounds, which we all know make us who we are. Time is changing the face of our companies, albeit more slowly than we'd like.

Lastly, I do applaud anything that ensures all are treated equally, but we cannot expect International business to continue to pour money into the betterment of our people; we need to invest in ourselves. Companies are profit-making organisations, with an expectation by shareholders, to run their business to maximise investment. That means they are required to run a cost effective and efficient organisation.

Locations that become too difficult or expensive to operate in will only see their locations abandoned. This benefits no one in Bermuda, no one at all, black or white.

LADY SCRIBBLER

Warwick