They have a home

June 12, 2009

Dear Sir,

The high-handed, grandstanding arrogance of the Premier in his recent and seemingly unilateral decision to accord some sort of refugee status in Bermuda to the four ex-Guantanamo inmates is astonishing, even to those who have grown accustomed to his rather presidential (not to say imperial) style of governance, in itself so alien to Bermuda (and alienating to Bermudians).

One has every sympathy with the four Uighur men, who – like so many of those caught in the clumsy "antiterrorist" dragnet when Uncle Sam went on his prolonged international crime spree (kidnapping, false imprisonment torture, etc) under President Goerge W. Bush – are probably entirely innocent.

But the Premier's decision clearly trespassed on matters of high-level international relations properly left to the British Government in respect of Bermuda, and his actions may well also have put Bermudians (as well as British people more generally) at risk in terms of retaliatory action by the Chinese Government. For although the Premier chooses to call the men "effectively stateless", they are, as I understand it, quite clearly Chinese citizens, and it is known that China wishes to have them repatriated to China so that they can be dealt with under Chinese laws (however unjust those laws and the actions of the Chinese Government in relation to the subjugated Uighur people may well be).

China is, effectively, a fascist dictatorship, and is certainly deserving of criticism in a number of aspects of its public policy. But let us not forget that China is also a very important world power, and one that is likely to continue to grow in power and influence in years to come. Beijing is unlikely to forget or forgive this action by the Bermuda Government. Quite what the ramifications of China's displeasure may be, remains to be seen; but it would be naive to imagine that there will be no consequences, whether it be for Bermudians or other British people travelling in China or Hong Kong, for Bermuda companies with business interests in China and Hong Kong or otherwise for Bermuda generally.

It is all very well to provide a helping hand to America in this way, but Bermuda already enjoyed excellent relations with the United States, and for the Premier to anger what is arguably the world's number two country (China) seems impulsive, self-indulgent, and injudicious. And by putting Britain in an embarrassing position for no reason, he seems to be acting for reasons that are (at best) political rather than statesmanlike, and (at worst) savour of the kind of nastiness that he is acquiring a reputation for.

The Premier is adept at specious blandishments and in the self-serving drawing of misleading parallels: for example in likening the forgiving of the BIU performance bond to the assistance given to Butterfield Bank; or in suggesting that because Bermuda accepted Vietnamese boat-people in decades past, that we should now take the Uighurs (ignoring the fact that we had an international law obligation to take the Vietnamese, because they were picked up at sea by a Bermuda-registered ship, whereas this present affair is 100 percent voluntary). His evident relishing of the predicament that he has put Great Britain in is distasteful, to say the least.

There are all manner of practical problems that could flow from the Premier's decision, not just in terms of China, but in areas closer to home as well. I haven't done the maths, but it would not surprise me if we in Bermuda have more Americans per square mile than even the USA itself does. If (and let us hope it is a misplaced fear) the Uighurs decide to seek revenge against America for the way they were treated, they would have plenty of scope to do so here in Bermuda. Also, there are, I fear, plenty of Americans who will be angered or fearful (and who will certainly be put off coming to Bermuda) by the Premier's action. In a not-dissimilar fashion, the kind of aggressive patriotism that has so gripped the United States and shaped its public discourse since 9/11 could also conceivably lead to vigilante attacks on the Uighurs here in Bermuda. Let us sincerely hope that the Premier's trumpeting of Bermuda's undoubted humanitarian instincts does not one day make victims (or liars) of us all.

UNEASY

Paget

Why not USVI?

June 13, 2009

Dear Sir,

I am very concerned about the situation the Premier has put Bermuda in by accepting the four detainees from Guantánamo Bay. Surely if these men are innocent and were in the wrong place at the wrong time and this has been proven, then why would the US Government detain them for seven years and not send them to their overseas territories i.e. Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands? Why involve another country a British Territory, especially as the Chinese Government has requested from the British to return all detainees. What has our Premier gotten us into?

MONICA BERRY

Pembroke

Unfair twist

June 17, 2009

Dear Sir,

I can empathise with Dr. Brown now, as I feel I was doing something for my country on Tuesday by standing up for the many dubious decisions our Premier has made over the past several years and I have been accused of being a racist. Those same people that accuse me of being a racist say they welcome foreigners. Have they heard the stories from expats – all nationalities and colours – who work here who feel anything but welcome? Many in the expat community have had flyers put on their cars telling them to go home. They receive threats from Bermudians for any perceived misdemeanour that they'll be reported to immigration and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Interesting though to hear Jane Correia's comments on the radio as she implies there was a deal cut and Dr. Brown has saved our reinsurance business!

FOR TRUTH AND INTEGRITY

Smith's

Follow our laws

June 17, 2009

Dear Sir,

I am writing to express my sincere dismay at the actions of the US Consul, Mr. Gregory Slayton, in relation to his part in the importation of the four Guantánamo inmates. I feel he has completely overstepped his bounds and has broken the conventions of this country and Britain. To have willingly deceived the people of Bermuda for months in a situation of this magnitude is grounds for immediate removal from his post. Having a Consul from the United States in Bermuda is very important but that person must reside under our laws.

FED UP

Pembroke

Not in my backyard!

June 17, 2009

Dear Sir,

May I ask US Consul General, Mr. Gregory Slayton and Congresswoman Diane Watson, why they feel that after past US President George Bush and President Obama "had vetted the individuals and found them not to be enemy combatants" and that "these young men never committed any acts of terrorism against the United States", the United States Congress and the American people consider they are unable to accept these people into the United States? Obviously, not in my backyard!

ANTONY SIESE

City of Hamilton

A real threat

June 17, 2009

Dear Sir,

The presence on the Island of four former "detainees" from Guantánamo poses much less of a threat, I think, than the presence of Dr. Brown as the Premier. Could he possibly be accused of something or other and sent to Guantánamo as a new "detainee"?

D. HOFFMANN

Kansas City, Missouri

High-handed

June 16, 2009

Dear Sir,

He has to go!

Ewart Brown has deceived us before and now he has flouted all democratic policies and deceived us again and treated us all with disdain.

He has to go!

It seems he thinks he is of the "political elite" where he can largely ignore "the masses" (and the Governor) and make autocratic decisions that affect us all. The retort that he can't go out and get 65,000 opinions is just rhetoric and spin and we all know it.

He has to go!

Most of us believed we lived in a democratic society but this type of highhanded leadership is not democracy at work.

He has to go!

A democratic society empowers ordinary citizens – it doesn't make them feel powerless and disrespected.

He has to go!

"We care what you think" should be the mantra of any democratic government.

KIM YOUNG

Smith's

Elected to lead

June 16, 2009

Dear Sir,

Dr. Ewart Brown has to recognise that he does not own Bermuda. The Bermuda Treasury is not his chequebook to spend how he pleases. Bermuda is not his house to invite in whom he pleases. Bermuda is a democracy, Dr. Brown was elected to lead, not own, Bermuda.

PAS

Warwick

Jaw dropping

June 16, 2009

Dear Sir,

Just when I start to think that our current leader cannot possibly be any more underhanded, my jaw is left to drop at this latest move to allow these former Guantánamo Bay prisoners to take up residence here.

This is an act of total hypocrisy. Under this current PLP government we saw a law passed that requires expats to have to leave Bermuda after six years, of which I lost some close friends of mine for no reason, as they were fully qualified and were not even replaced by Bermudians! There have been many Portuguese, West Indian, and many other residents of various nationalities who have lived here for over a decade, yet have been denied citizenship and cast out of Bermuda. How much more of a hypocrite can Ewart Brown look by not following his own Government's laws? These residents have poured sweat and countless hours of work into bettering this island and consider this place home, yet they are denied status while these ex-prisoners are given it?

They say they have never heard of al Qaeda? Well I don't know if I believe that, but what I do believe is they probably have never heard of Bermuda! So why should they be allowed to enjoy the fruits of other people's labours who had to be deported? And suppose these men are not "innocent" and cause trouble. We can definitely forget about US ties after that as we will look like a terrorist harbouring nation. I mean look at the US government's stance. These men are innocent; however, we will not give them residency here as they may be a threat?! Maybe those years in the US rubbed off on Dr. Brown as he clearly got a taste for hypocrisy somewhere! They are the USA's problem; they should have given them residency, not us! He did not even make it known he had made such a decision until the four men were here. Did he forget this island is not a dictatorship?

I beg MPs in the UBP and PLP to please wake up and support the vote of no-confidence.

ROBERT DAVIES JR.

Devonshire

Insulted

June 16, 2009

Dear Sir,

I think we've got hold of the wrong end of the stick here. This Guantánamo thing isn't about terrorists, or humanitarian gestures. I don't know if the Guantánamo four are terrorists or not.

Nor do you and nor does anyone else. After all, the details and negotiations were kept secret from the Foreign Office, let alone from you and me.

This whole episode strikes me as not being about Bermuda having four new immigrants with questionable reputations. It looks to me as though it's about provoking the British Foreign office, and forcing them to react. Another tweaking of the lion's tail. Once the Foreign Office are pushed into making any active protest, Bermudians can be told, "see how these Colonialists are trying to tell us how to run our country! Remember what they did in Turks and Caicos", and predictably the Bermudian audience will respond as expected, with anger, and resentment.

Another step on the road to independence, a new constitution, and Presidency for life?

Dr. Brown is no fool. He knew very well that he could not constitutionally negotiate these matters with a foreign power. He went right ahead and did it though. He thought that he would write the words, The Foreign Office would be forced to play the song that he wanted, and that the man in the street in Bermuda would dance to his tune. He seems to have miscalculated on one thing however. A sad indictment on Bermuda perhaps, but he didn't count on the massive objection that people would have to our four new arrivals.

Do you really want to be treated like this by our country's leader? Personally I am insulted that anyone should look down on me as just another dumb sheep to be manipulated quite so easily. It does appear however that this is how we all look if you're getting the view from the top of the heap.

BAAAA, WE'VE BEEN –HUMBUGGED

City of Hamilton

For stable government

June 18, 2009

Dear Sir,

With regard to the illegal and secretive bringing in of the four Uighurs – humanitarian humbug! Remember, folks, the closing of the KEMH clinic which hugely upset and further disadvantaged a large group of already disadvantaged and disabled Bermudians – a very "humanitarian" act on the part of Premier Brown!

Both Premier Brown and Minister Burch have shown themselves (time and time again), to be dangerous loose cannons, who so clearly resent Bermuda's constitutional ties with the UK, with its parliamentary system and protocols, that whenever they can take a swipe at it, they do – like a pair of silly rebellious school boys. Democracy has become dictatorship. We must get back to stable government and good governance by mature men and women with consciences, integrity and backbones!

PENNY HILL

Hamilton Parish

Time to wake up

June 16, 2009

Dear Sir,

As an American born in Bermuda, I totally disagree with our President and your Premier. Don't they realise the impact this would have on tourism? Did someone forget that tourism is Bermuda's bread and butter? Wake up Bermuda before its to late.

AL BAPTISTE SR.

Toms River, New Jersey

Missing the plot

Dear Sir,

I listened with disgust to HOTT 107.5 this morning. Why? Morbid curiosity, I guess. I knew what was going to happen and sometimes hate when I am proven right. The political spin machine was in full effect attempting to diminish the true spirit of Tuesday's demonstration and what it was about. Once again out comes the race card, the last resort of desperate men.

Mr. Dill was hell bent to point out that all he saw were white faces in a short clip that he viewed. As I couldn't call in, I guess due to "technical difficulties", I opted for a slightly wider audience via this letter. Having actually been at the rally along with about 1,000 other Bermudians of all walks of life, black and white, I can say that there was much more diversity in the crowd than what the spin masters are letting on.

While I agree that I would like to see even more black Bermudians next time as well as my fellow younger Bermudians, don't be swayed by tinfoil hat theories that this is a racial or politically driven rally; this is about one man; as Mr. Zane DeSilva so aptly, if not obviously pointed out in today's Royal Gazette. This is about our current Premier Dr. Ewart Brown stepping down and allowing someone else take the reigns of Leader who actually has Bermuda and all her people's best interest at heart.

A quick note to Thaao Dill; a learned DJ who ironically keeps missing the plot. In your attempts to demonise the crowd you clearly stated that "blacks love a rally and will show up for one regardless", you either missed, or dismissed, the fairly obvious point that there were only 50 people there to defend Dr. Brown. If that doesn't speak volumes, I don't know what does.

My fellow Bermudians of all walks: Come to the next rally and let your voices be heard.

SEAN SOARES

Southampton

Theatrical nonsense

June 16, 2009

Dear Sir,

The advantage of spending a large amount of one's time off Island is the privilege of being spared the immediacy of the Premier's political brinkmanship with our Governor, and by extension the UK Government. Absence also enhances perspective.

Anyone who really believes our Premier has adopted (in our name, and without asking us) the four Guantánamo Bay prisoners on purely on humanitarian grounds should probably head straight for MAWI … or do I mean PALAU-I...?

In today's Royal Gazette, Dale Butler, Minister for Social Rehabilitation, informs us the planned overhaul of the Salvation Army's homeless shelter promised in the 2005 Throne Speech, has been delayed due to a lack of funds!

How much more arrogant, self-serving, theatrical nonsense must one accept from Dr. Brown before he has punished us enough for preferring the protective UK hand on the tiller instead of his bellicose fist?

Ironic, is it not, that Dr. Brown has spent a small fortune on building fortress-like security around his home to rival that of Guantánamo Bay? Would that be because his people love him and his selfless, humanitarian style of government? (LaVerne doesn't count.)

As much as I feel sorry for the displaced Uighurs, who got caught up in G.W. Bush's dragnet, it is indeed for the USA to correct that. Currently Bermuda has enough with which to contend. However it is also highly improbable, all four men left family, home, language and customs in their remote Turkic-Chinese province to cross into an inhospitable part of Afghanistan on a nature expedition to collect rare flowers for drying and pressing in their Korans. One last rather touchy matter: does anyone really believe all of this went down without Gregory S's help?

THIRD TURTLE INN

St. David's

Keeping racism alive

June 17, 2009

Dear Sir,

I was dismayed at the blatant racism of the Ewart Brown supporters at yesterday's protest rally. I am a "white" person who was told by Dr. Brown's supporters, at the Cabinet building, that I do not belong in Bermuda. They believe this is so, apparently because my skin is a different shade than theirs.

If I object to Brown's style of government, they point to the colour of my skin. They say my opinion doesn't matter because I am white. I would like to propose that this paper no longer talk about race, no longer publish letters about race, no longer publish quotes about race.

This issue is kept alive by vehicles like "the Big Conversation" that are not truly designed to improve race relations, but to keep racism alive.

Dr. Brown's supporters seem to be filled with anger and hatred towards white people, and dedicated to spreading this hatred. If people disagree with them, they use racially charged rhetoric, such as "lynching".

May I remind you that this is the same tactic that was used by Hitler to rise to power.

I AM BERMUDIAN TOO

Paget

Unfit to govern

June 18, 2009

Dear Sir,

Any PLP MP who fails to support the no-confidence motion is demonstrating that they are unfit to govern us. We value our democracy and our constitution safeguards it. Dr. Ewart Brown, by his actions in blatant disregard of the constitution is a threat to our democracy and must be removed. Now is the time for the PLP MPs to abandon blind voting along party lines and listen to their constituents and their consciences. Are they all so desperate to cling to their ministerial jobs and MPs salaries that they will be party to any and all kinds of (mis)behaviour without having the gumption to stand up and be counted?

If Dr. Brown remains at the helm of government our future looks very precarious indeed.

ELSPETH BREWIN

Hamilton Parish

Hazard to democracy

June 14, 2009

Dear Sir,

So the worthy Premier has gone off at half-cock again, displaying a total ignorance of the rule of law and the basic principles of the Bermuda Constitution so far as it relates to external relations. He has managed to put Bermuda on the front pages of the international press in a most unfortunate light.

He is not, as yet, a dictator. He does not have the power to dispense with or suspend statues he does not like. Some of us recall that in the historic struggle between King and Parliament, Charles I arrogated to himself such a power and ended up in 1649 without his crown and his head. In the course of a few weeks the Premier has purported to dispense with the provisions of the Employment Act (hustle truck), the Trade Union Act (forgiveness of BIU bond and submission of BIU accounts) and now the Bermuda immigration and Protection Act and the Bermuda Constitution. While the nonchalance with which SDOs are invoked is discreditable they at least are contemplated by the Planning Act. The gentleman is a hazard to the health of democracy.

WISDEN

Charlottetown, –Prince Edward Island

Overlooked

June 18, 2009

Dear Sir,

My name is John Moreira and I live in Canada. For years I have tried to move back to Bermuda where I was born in St George's some 41 years ago. I left Bermuda with my parents, not by choice, by age eight or so. My father worked for the St. George's Corporation for many years but was never a Bermudian.

I have always considered Bermuda my home and still do. Yes, even with all the crime and bad rap, I still would love to make Bermuda my home again for good. Bermuda was my place of sunrise and I wish it could be my place of sunset.

I have tried for years to obtain employment in Bermuda in landscaping and recently for the BFA Technical department. I have plenty to offer Bermuda especially in Football, I hold a USSF National A licence in coaching and the highest credentials in coaching soccer. Bottom line, I could never and still to this day cannot get into where I was born. I am a law abiding citizen of Canada and contribute to society.

How does someone like myself get overlooked and the Premier allows these Guantanamo Bay Detainees into Bermuda to savour the benefits of a beautiful life, that others like myself should have the right to pursue and be granted? My parents contributed to Bermuda for years, not these guys.

JOHN MOREIRA

Ontario

Constitutionalism

June 17, 2009

Dear Sir,

I have followed the interesting debacle resulting from Premier Brown's actions which culminated in a secret night-time flight to Bermuda, many headlines on major news networks throughout the world, and many upset Bermudians. Although some people appear to want to look at this as a great favour to the US and the Guantanamo prisoners, I want to consider the interests of Bermudians, and how Premier Brown's unilateral decision has affected our Island.

No one is perfect. Even the most intelligent people make mistakes. For Premier Brown to decide on his own to bring the Guantanamo prisoners to Bermuda without consulting his Cabinet, the House of Parliament, the Governor and the Commissioner of Police (let alone the people who elected him) isolates our leader as a man who is reckless and has no respect for the PLP or Bermuda.

I believe Premier Brown should resign on the basis that he is capable of creating and perpetrating a lawless dictatorship that international business and tourists will want no part of. If the Premier refuses to step down, section 59 of our Constitution states that if the majority of the House of Assembly vote that they have no confidence in the Premier, the Governor shall revoke the Premier's appointment.

The vote of no confidence is not a threat to the PLP Government according to our Constitution – if the Constititution still applies.

SARAH TOMLINSON

Smith's

Fearmongering

June 18, 2009

Dear Sir,

I write to express dismay at your story, "Tourists upset by Guantanamo issue threaten to boycott Bermuda". If you're going to pander to this kind of groundless fearmongering, you really should do more to present the other side of the story than just mentioning that the Uighurs were "twice cleared of being enemy combatants by the United States". You should spell out that they were cleared of being enemy combatants by the Bush administration and by the US courts, and that the only reason that rumours persist regarding their supposed danger is because certain politicians in the United States decided to score political points by campaigning to resist their release into the care of communities in Washington D.C. and Florida, who had prepared detailed plans for their resettlement.

These men pose a danger to no one, but, like the many hundreds of innocent men who were imprisoned in Guantanamo because of the incompetence and arrogance of the Bush administration, they will forever be tainted by their ordeal, unless braver voices than those who whine about "terrorists" are prepared to point this out, and to congratulate the government of Bermuda for doing the right thing and offering a home to these men when others in America were not prepared to do so.

ANDY WORTHINGTON

London, UK

For tolerance

June 17, 2009

Dear Sir,

The protest march yesterday was a great day for activism in Bermuda! It clearly underscored that Bermudians can get engaged when they fully realise the gravity of a situation. The downside of all of this is that it took this long for this kind of action to happen. But to be specific about this particular event, I was worried (as was a group of white friends of mine who chose not to attend) that it would appear to be a xenophobic rally. It turned out to be the opposite (as I will report back to them) but my fears would arise again when religion entered the picture.

If there was a blemish on the speech given by Ms Battersbee, it was that she inserted religion into this when I believe it should not have. We all know what it looks like when someone is in prayer no matter the religion or denomination so I can only imagine what the four Uighurs might think when they see 1,000 people in Christian prayer when related to an issue that involves them. I can imagine it troubles them.

TOLERANT

Smith's

Embarrassing Britain

June 18, 2009

Dear Sir,

Our Premier's and Lt Col Burch's knees must be sore right about now after a week of being on them thanking the Powers That Be for the great gift of not two but three birds to kill with their one stone. In one swift throw they have engineered:

(1) a Gandhian act of civil disobedience that has put the Brits in a very difficult situation and garnered international attention to British "rule" in Bermuda;

(2) a quid pro quo ingratiating Bermuda to the US Government when we sorely need a big favour in light of the very real threat of their striking a serious blow to the major pillar of our economy; and

(3) a PR carpe diem, appearing to worldwide audiences and groups such as Amnesty International as supremely magnanimous in providing refuge for the four illegally-detained Uighurs.

While the Bermuda populace is diverted by personal issues such as Bermudian status and jobs and all the other "hullabaloo", the Premier and his right hand man have not lost sight of their ultimate objective – Independence for Bermuda. It's textbook stuff which would without a doubt earn them an A+ in Strategic Management at Harvard!

Whether the majority want it or not, these few people are determined to coerce Bermuda into independence in just the same way that Gandhi engineered independence for the East Indians – by embarrassing the British Government into cutting us loose. If it didn't smack so much of a shameful manipulation of what could have been a truly humanitarian gesture on behalf of the Bermudian people, maybe Bermudians could also be proud of what our Premier has done.

NOT SATYAGRAHA

Hamilton Parish

Take a stand

July 18, 2009

Dear Sir,

Carpenters, taxi drivers, electricians, masons, bus drivers, plumbers, truck drivers, waiters, garbage disposal collectors, insurance workers, white and blue collar workers, it is time to stop talking and complaining of Dr. Brown's leadership style and policy making. Now is your chance to stand up for your beliefs and be counted. Down tools and come to the House of Assembly at 12 noon on Friday, June 19, 2009. Bermuda has reached a crossroad when it comes to its' leadership, come out and support the " vote of no confidence."

DEMOCRACY

Smith's

If nothing else

June 17, 2009

Dear Sir,

"It is the economy (stupid)", the letter by an Englishman, Victor Lyon, QC, in The Royal Gazette on June 17, makes very interesting reading after listening to Dr. Saul on TV News on June 16. All should read it for its educational value even if nothing else.

EVA N. HODGSON

Hamilton Parish

Slayton must go

June 14, 2009

Dear Sir,

Never has Bermuda's international reputation sunk so deeply into the mire as has happened as a result of the events of the past week. In an effort to repair some of the damage three things should be done as soon as possible:

1. The British Government should make it clear that never under any circumstances will the four terrorist suspects be granted British nationality. All four are involved in Islamic extremism and their protestations of innocence are nonsense. All that has happened is that the US Government has decided that they do not have sufficient evidence to found a successful prosecution in a Democratic court.

2. Gregory Slayton must go. Never has the US Government been represented in Bermuda by such a publicity seeking incompetent and for him to knowingly involve himself in the illegal transfer of these four men from Cuba to Bermuda is a disgrace.

3. Ewart Brown who prides himself on masterminding the conspiracy must cease to be Premier and preferably not hold any other Cabinet office.

WILLIAM M. COX

Devonshire

Very, very wrong

June 18, 2009

Dear Sir,

As a concerned Bermudian, I attended the rally yesterday at the House of Assembly and marched down to the Cabinet Building.

As I watched and listened to Mrs. Battersbee's speech, I cheered and chanted along with the other hundreds of Bermudians there. We had come together as a united front. It was made completely clear that this was not about race, but about our saving our democratic island from dictatorship.

As I stood there, I was approached by a uniformed immigration officer, who had taken his badge numbers off his shirt so that he was unidentifiable. He proceeded to rudely ask me what plane I had gotten off of. I was too stunned and appalled to respond, so he said it again in an even more derogatory tone: "I asked you a question!What plane did you get off of?" I turned to him with my head held high and told him that I was Bermudian, born and raised!

This pathetic immigration officer assumed that I was an immigrant because I am white and don't have a Bermudian accent. Well he is wrong, very, very wrong. It saddens me to think that this kind of racism is still more important to some, than the problem at hand.

If this insulting and disrespectful question was not about race, then I only have one question for this man: What plane did you get off of?

DISGUSTED AND

DISRESPECTED

St. David's

Patronising

June 18, 2009

Dear Sir,

I am referring to the rally/speech on the Cabinet grounds aired on both local stations. I thought Ms. Battersbee expressed with great dignity and poise the root of this Island's discontent with this Premier.

On the other hand, the Premier was occasionally smirking and sometimes laughing. Mrs. Brown also. Behind Ms Batterbee, we saw Lt Col Burch looking bored and picking his teeth and Senator Bean was laughing most of the time. It was extremely patronising and arrogant.

That picture says it all on how these people respect others which was the essence of Ms Battersbee's speech. As far as Laverne Furbert – she missed the point (again) because she had her 'Black and White' glasses on (again).

NO RESPECT

Pembroke