Deceptive at best

May 5, 2009

Dear Sir,

The Premier attended the meeting of the Central Committee of his party last night where he reported having visited a public school earlier in the day to read to youngsters. Given his reputation for frequent absences from important Government meetings due to his extensive travels abroad, the report sounded strange. It brought to mind President Obama who, along with his wife, escaped the White House for a bit of respite during early days in the White House to read to area youngsters. The contrast between the two men is striking because of the consistency aspect. The Premier consistently avoids the community while Obama built his Presidency on caring for others. Given that the day's front page news in The Royal Gazette was the Premier's firing of the head of the Civil Service Kenneth Dill, without reason (thought to be connnected to the Premier's interference in a former Tourism employee's dismissal for reporting irregularities in the Tourism Ministry). The suggestion was his discontent with Mr. Dill's mismanagement of the whistleblower who acted alone but won her case against Government. The reported sacking of Mr. Dill is what made the Premier's report about doing community service scream "damage control".

One by one during the meeting, audience participants rose to declare their constituency's support for the Premier. Given that there are few active branches operational outside of the election period, coupled with the fact that no public meetings were held and no polls taken to substantiate their constituency claims, it was curious that the Chairman would identify the delegates present as "representatives of the party's comnstituencies." Publicised solicitation for representatives to attend the meeting did not occur, this one can safely assume that the group had been hand-picked. In allowing these individuals to vote on behalf of thousands of party members, the Central Committee of the Party could feel at liberty to claim that the Premier enjoys wide support with the implied message that the party in general supports his leadership. We also heard a letter read by the executive, identified as having come from the President of the BIU, in which his executive's support for the Premier was also claimed. The letter would seem to want to be interpreted by some as representing the membership of the union, hundreds of BIU members, but there had been insufficient time for a meeting to hear and to discuss their views regarding the leadership either.

With a vote from the unofficial represenatives of the various constituencies, coupled with an endorsement intended to suggest the support of the union membrship, this plan would appear to have succeeded to the extent that tomorrow's headlines will claim that the Premier enjoys both Party and union support. What was interesting about the motion to accept the vote that the Premier has majority Central Committee support was there was no dissension whatsoever. When asked for a show of hands on the motion to accept the CC executive's carefully worded statement of support, only 50 percent of the hands were raised, prompting the chairman to ask for those who opposed, but the other 50 percent didn't move a muscle. To account for the vote that didn't compute, the chairman then asked for those wishing to abstain but still not a hand went up. The motion was carried and tomorrow Bermuda will hear there was unanimous paty support for the leader, done according to the Constitution in a most "democratic" fashion.

The purported declaration of unity sets the stage to influence MPs who meet in Caucus again tomorrow night to continue a discussion about the leadership. The Premier, armed with his decisive "victory" at Central Committee will use this as a launch to stifle the need for further discussion with the full knowledge that many fearing retribution would dare to oppose him. He will be handing out scripts to those he will need to assist him, which could be fat packets indeed. That is what makes Ewart Brown politics so dangerous. He is disingenuous ... dangerous at best.

WATCHMAN

Pembroke

No to Paula Cox

May 3, 2009

Dear Sir,

Well, at last, the long awaited statement on the front page of The Royal Gazette on Friday May 1. An assessment by three realistic Parliamentarians that Dr. Brown must go before he brings this lovely Island into disrepute. It is none too soon as we have recently seen on another island close by. My fear now is that the PLP members may be looking at Paula Cox for the Premiership. This would be by choice another tragic mistake, for she stands for the very things that we want to oust Dr. Brown for.

This lady supports and has indiscriminately signed cheques for millions of dollars for extravagant junkets and misguided ill-feted projects that have rifled the people's purse, and thrown money down that infamous drain. Let us hope therefore that the 12 votes against Dr. Brown, that he himself said he would resign if they were proclaimed, can be found quickly without delay, so that the Petard that he alone has hoisted up against himself, will be his downfall.

DIANA WILLIAMS

Pembroke

Leadership characteristics

May 4, 2009

Dear Sir,

I think it is very exciting that we (Bermudians) are considering the important subject of 'leadership' and some of those fundamental qualities that the best leaders possess. After all, we need to have given this some thought for at least two reasons: first, so that we will recognise a leader when we see him or her and second, so that we are clear on who we are currently following and what their values and principles are. It is especially important in this day and age when more people than ever are scamming us for personal gains … whatever the cost to others.

Last weekend I had a very stimulating conversation with another person on the subject of leadership and I committed to identify at least some of the characteristics that I think are important. In my mind, he or she should:

• Be honest and worthy of the trust invested in him/her;

• Be clear that 'the rules apply to them too' and be accepting of that fact;

• Already have their own 'personal' power to withstand the temptation that will present itself because of the power that comes with the job/position;

• Have the ability to inspire their followers to be the best they can be; and

• Be disciplined and be willing to regularly practice their own introspection and self-improvement.

I hope others will write in and share their thoughts on the characteristics required in a good leader.

KIM SMITH

Pembroke

A new era

May 4, 2009

Dear Sir,

Congratulations Bermuda. We have entered into a new era, a dictatorship.

DEMOCRACY

Warwick

Should be a concern to all

May 4, 2009

Dear Sir,

Since the revelation of a Government leadership "discussion" last Wednesday, we see in the news two more reasons why there should be change, and/ or the appointment of a Royal Commission of Inquiry. If the news reports are accurate, it would appear that Dr. Brown has again shown tyrannical ways and interfered with the Civil Service. The reported sacking of Major Dill should be of concern to all Bermudians. (Both PLP and UBP supporters.)

Secondly, the awarding of a $28 million contract to GlobalHue after reports of overpayments, non performance and high abnormal commissions is mind boggling I cannot think of any legitimate reasons for not putting this out to tender of instead continuing with this company.

Perhaps Dr. Brown and his Cabinet can see benefits that the rest of us cannot. If you believe as I do, that there are deals going on that cause you to question the integrity of this government, please sign the petition requesting a Commission of Inquiry.

It may be found at the following online address: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/bermuda—royal-commission-of-inquiry-into-possible-corruption-or-other-serious-dishonesty-in-recent

"I am not interested in power for power's sake, but I'm interested in power that is moral, that is right and that is good." – Martin Luther King Jr.

BORN BERMUDIAN

Smith's

Dictatorial and devious

May 4, 2009

Dear Sir,

I was taught that rules, regulations, policies and laws must be followed in a democratic society. So who read today's headlines and was not puzzled, perturbed and just plain outraged by the instant dismissal (my words, as it appears so) of Major Kenneth Dill?

This latest dictatorial and devious act by the powers-that-be has got to be the last straw. The Premier may have political challengers scheming behind the scenes as I write, but in general, silence from the ruling party members is deafening. I sense a fear, and how frightening is that? I say it's time Mr. Editor, to storm the Bastille. We as a people need to come together and say enough is enough.

A HEAVY HEART

Smith's Parish

The right response

May 5, 2009

Dear Sir

As much as your reader might have wanted to take the spotlight off our Premier and how he feels he is above our country's rules and regulations with his use of GP1 on the highways and byways of "his" little nation I would like to point out that the driver of the Governor's car had in fact done nothing illegal. The use of loading zones is for commercial vehicles between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5. p.m. Monday through Friday.

Rather than trying to point the finger and blame someone else, especially as he wasn't even in the car, the Governor showed true class and integrity by writing personally to apologies for what he was incorrectly informed to be an error.

Unfortunately this is not a behaviour our esteemed Leader and his spokesman are familiar with.

THE SPITTAL POND SKINK

Smith's