I find it curious that this case even made it to court. As reported in the Royal Gazette the facebook status in question .
“Why on earth Robert Cardwell has taken an unhealthy interest in me is astonishing...I really hope it ain’t because I’m good at what I do and I’m black...that would make him vindictive and racist...could it be?”
Isn't this a question Charles is asking? It's not a statement... How do you charge libel for something posed as a question?
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Kim Wilson, Parking Tickets & Switching Plates
Senator Kim Wilson got a parking ticket on her Government car, but expects it to be canceled because she understands Ministerial vehicles are exempt from fines, this according to an article in today's Royal Gazette. It seems cars GP1- GP20? are the ones exempt as her plate is currently GP30 she received a ticket in error. My question is this, why take already scarce parking spaces from Joe Public when there is designated parking on Cabinet grounds?
I also question the legality of the constant switching of GP license plates by Public Works. I have personally seen two GP10's on the road at the same time. Is this another case of Government doing whatever it wants? If I have a trucking business with two trucks am I free to switch plates at will? Of course not as the vin numbers etc. would not correspond to what is in the records at TCD. If I am wrong on this can somebody please correct me....
I also question the legality of the constant switching of GP license plates by Public Works. I have personally seen two GP10's on the road at the same time. Is this another case of Government doing whatever it wants? If I have a trucking business with two trucks am I free to switch plates at will? Of course not as the vin numbers etc. would not correspond to what is in the records at TCD. If I am wrong on this can somebody please correct me....
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Bermuda Regiment Needs Review 2011
Speaking as someone who has completed his "allotted time" in the Bermuda Regiment I must say that I completely agree with Walton Brown's opinion piece in today's Royal Gazette. It was obvious to me during my service that far too much time is wasted forcing compliance with the rules and creating a cohesive force. If I had thought my service would have been beneficial to my future endeavours I would have been much more attentive instead of counting the days to completion. Better to have 100 well paid volunteers make a career of it than 300 conscripts. One would think that the new price point would be similar to the old. We could give the better quality soldier produced a much expanded role, one in keeping with the needs of Bermuda today. They would take pride in activities meaningful to the entire community ie. Coast Guard etc.
My first 2 week camp served as a traumatic introduction to Regiment life. The cursing and berating by ones superiors seemed more befitting to a convicted criminal guilty of the most heinous crime, not young impressionable men fresh out of high school. I was defiant at first, as was a high percentage of my peers but you quickly learn that there are punishments for those that choose to buck the system. After awhile one becomes immune to the treatment, your fate is sealed and you learn acceptance. The goal of this treatment is to make you a man right? I was told by the then Col. that this ordeal was necessary to prepare us for the working world, when working on a job you have to follow the bosses orders right? Yes and no. The major overriding difference is that I applied and choose to work at my job but I was forced against my will to serve in the Regiment. If I am abused by my boss there are options open to me, I can even get an different job. So you see this justification is absurd but one that i have found they use often.
I sit here 13 years after service with a head full of useless information such as how to field strip and reassemble a rifle in the dark. As a matter of fact I would be so bold as to say that the Regiment actually helps to foster a love of guns in the youth that have passed through its ranks. I personally witnessed many of my peers develop this love, only to be informed on there completion of the required 3 years and 2 months that they can never legally handle said weaponry here again. Why encourage this behaviour in 18 year old aggressive males in a supposed gun free society? Makes you think doesn't it? Is it any wonder they feel the need to answer the call of the cold black steel in a Bermuda where being in the wrong place at the wrong time could quite possibly end your life? In other countries you can have this lust fulfilled by legally owning one and participating in recreational shooting at a range but not in the land of contradiction we call Bermuda.
We must decide if the current configuration of the Bermuda Regiment is the way forward for 2011 and beyond. It is my personal belief that an unbiased review must be done and the results put to the people. We must decide if this is the way we should be treating our young men. There must be a better way, all we have to do is be willing to look.
My first 2 week camp served as a traumatic introduction to Regiment life. The cursing and berating by ones superiors seemed more befitting to a convicted criminal guilty of the most heinous crime, not young impressionable men fresh out of high school. I was defiant at first, as was a high percentage of my peers but you quickly learn that there are punishments for those that choose to buck the system. After awhile one becomes immune to the treatment, your fate is sealed and you learn acceptance. The goal of this treatment is to make you a man right? I was told by the then Col. that this ordeal was necessary to prepare us for the working world, when working on a job you have to follow the bosses orders right? Yes and no. The major overriding difference is that I applied and choose to work at my job but I was forced against my will to serve in the Regiment. If I am abused by my boss there are options open to me, I can even get an different job. So you see this justification is absurd but one that i have found they use often.
I sit here 13 years after service with a head full of useless information such as how to field strip and reassemble a rifle in the dark. As a matter of fact I would be so bold as to say that the Regiment actually helps to foster a love of guns in the youth that have passed through its ranks. I personally witnessed many of my peers develop this love, only to be informed on there completion of the required 3 years and 2 months that they can never legally handle said weaponry here again. Why encourage this behaviour in 18 year old aggressive males in a supposed gun free society? Makes you think doesn't it? Is it any wonder they feel the need to answer the call of the cold black steel in a Bermuda where being in the wrong place at the wrong time could quite possibly end your life? In other countries you can have this lust fulfilled by legally owning one and participating in recreational shooting at a range but not in the land of contradiction we call Bermuda.
We must decide if the current configuration of the Bermuda Regiment is the way forward for 2011 and beyond. It is my personal belief that an unbiased review must be done and the results put to the people. We must decide if this is the way we should be treating our young men. There must be a better way, all we have to do is be willing to look.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Part Time St. George's Police Station
I saw an ariticle in the Royal Gazette today and felt the need to comment. As a life long resident of St. George's I must ask how long will it take to get a 24 hour police presence in the town? The police station was closed down for an extended period a few years ago. It's renovation and subsequent opening where interestingly timed to coincide with the last General Election. The station is said by police to be staffed between the hours of 8am to 10pm, but as I drove past today at 2pm it was already closed and locked up tight.
Much effort is being expended to revive and revitalize the beleaguered old town but these efforts will prove fruitless if an issue as basic as security cannot be adequately addressed. I know this sounds absurd but does the town have to hire it's own security? I thought that was one of the reasons we pay taxes! I personally have been in meetings where the public have begged and pleaded with senior members of the Police Service to open the station on an around the clock basis. Their response? Statistics were quoted that the overall rate of crime in St. George's is down, precious police resources are needed elsewhere and the St. David's Station is close enough. This is not good enough! Properties have been ransacked and vandalized less than 100 feet from the station. Statistics do not help you to sleep at night, nor have they any meaning if you are the one unlucky enough to be the victim.
The local police have said that they are interested in garnering the support and friendship of the St, George's people but how can this be accomplished if their pleas are ignored? I can remember the days when there were regular foot patrols at night, officers would check doors of businesses to ensure that the properties were secure. Does this still occur on the regular ie. a few times a night? I have not seen it. Is this just another sign of the times? It seems our tax burden increases while overall levels of service decline.
I join with the Mayor Kenneth Bascome in calling for a 24 hour police presence and a fully functioning police station for the Town of St. George.
Much effort is being expended to revive and revitalize the beleaguered old town but these efforts will prove fruitless if an issue as basic as security cannot be adequately addressed. I know this sounds absurd but does the town have to hire it's own security? I thought that was one of the reasons we pay taxes! I personally have been in meetings where the public have begged and pleaded with senior members of the Police Service to open the station on an around the clock basis. Their response? Statistics were quoted that the overall rate of crime in St. George's is down, precious police resources are needed elsewhere and the St. David's Station is close enough. This is not good enough! Properties have been ransacked and vandalized less than 100 feet from the station. Statistics do not help you to sleep at night, nor have they any meaning if you are the one unlucky enough to be the victim.
The local police have said that they are interested in garnering the support and friendship of the St, George's people but how can this be accomplished if their pleas are ignored? I can remember the days when there were regular foot patrols at night, officers would check doors of businesses to ensure that the properties were secure. Does this still occur on the regular ie. a few times a night? I have not seen it. Is this just another sign of the times? It seems our tax burden increases while overall levels of service decline.
I join with the Mayor Kenneth Bascome in calling for a 24 hour police presence and a fully functioning police station for the Town of St. George.
Bermuda Tourism Board
Hope everyone had as good a Christmas Holiday as I did... although I must say that I have had enough of Christmas food till next year lol. Now, back to business...
The Minister of Business Development and Tourism Patrice Minors announced the members of the Bermuda Tourism Board this morning. This is most definitely a step in the right direction in my opinion... a far cry from the previous Minister of T & T's one man show. Hopefully we will see more of this in other areas of Government rather than the usual suspects. It's well past time to start putting Bermuda first.
One thing that struck me while looking at the picture of the group though... where are the young people? While I'm sure these Geritol sippers have some good well aged ideas where are the youth with the fresh ones?
The Minister of Business Development and Tourism Patrice Minors announced the members of the Bermuda Tourism Board this morning. This is most definitely a step in the right direction in my opinion... a far cry from the previous Minister of T & T's one man show. Hopefully we will see more of this in other areas of Government rather than the usual suspects. It's well past time to start putting Bermuda first.
One thing that struck me while looking at the picture of the group though... where are the young people? While I'm sure these Geritol sippers have some good well aged ideas where are the youth with the fresh ones?
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Merry Christmas!
Hope you and yours have a wonderful and Merry Christmas... and remember... HE is the reason for the season.
Friday, December 24, 2010
9 Beaches "Lease"
The 9 Beaches lease was held up in the senate this week and rightfully so in my opinion... seems to be yet another deal that the PLP tried to ram through without attracting too much attention. A sure sign that further investigation is warranted. There appears to be many inconsistencies in the lease agreement that should have long been revised, very sloppy to say the least. This lease strikes me as being another "tenant-centric" lease... similar to CoCo Reef. Most definitely of tremendous benefit to the developer/owners but of very little to the people and economy of Bermuda.
IRC Sandys pay $15 million over 8 years for 17 acres and a 240 year "lease"? Sounds like one sweetheart deal to me! 240 years is hardly a lease at all, more like we have sold them the land for a mere $15 million.
It's one thing to make concessions in order to spur tourism development that is desperately needed but this lease stinks and the senate should send it back until it is of benefit to Bermuda and all her peoples... not just a select few.
IRC Sandys pay $15 million over 8 years for 17 acres and a 240 year "lease"? Sounds like one sweetheart deal to me! 240 years is hardly a lease at all, more like we have sold them the land for a mere $15 million.
It's one thing to make concessions in order to spur tourism development that is desperately needed but this lease stinks and the senate should send it back until it is of benefit to Bermuda and all her peoples... not just a select few.
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