Comments on: Overseas Students: Why Can’t We Vote Online?

By: Jai

Jai — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 19:30:35 +0000

Students choose education first. Elections are every four years and not on their agenda of tasks from applying to colleges, applying for loans, scholarships, to preparing for a one to four or more years overseas: CAN, US, UK, etc Are you really interested in voting for or against the present Govt? Independents, OBA, PLP the vote is yours or not!

By: daisy liddell

daisy liddell — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 03:02:48 +0000

To these students, I just hope you will get what you desire about this online voting thing. Speaking up and standing on what you believe is right is your right. So don’t lose hope.

By: queens

queens — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:07:57 +0000

“you should have petitioned while you were in high school” – You do realize that the voting age in Bermuda is 18, right?…an age where most students are out of high school. I would hazard a guess that whilst many high-school students hear a bit about local politics they don’t follow it to the degree that many who post on local blogs do… And I think it’s safe to assume that even less know/care about the administrative side to actually voting in an election that comes around once every 4/5 years. Why, therefore, do you find it reasonable to tell these girls that they should have “petitioned while you were in high school”? Why didn’t you petition?

Can anybody tell me why people constantly attack the messengers (or when the message was delivered) and not take to heart the actual messaeg itself? Who cares that absentee voting can’t take place for this election? It’s something that all right-thinking individuals know should be in place so why not let the debate happen as to how best to go about implementing a system? We always get side-tracked and lose sight of the end goal… VOTER DEMOCRACY FOR ALL

By: Student overseas Fl

Student overseas Fl — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 16:32:58 +0000

If that is the case why not call it earlier to make it apparent they didn’t want students to vote.

By: Student overseas Fl

Student overseas Fl — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 16:24:47 +0000

2003 election was in the summer College students were home, 2007 college students could have been home, this year yet again college students could be home. It’s a leap year don’t blame Gov for the fact that your school is in school so late. I knew we were going to have a Christmas Election over a year ago if it didn’t happen in the summertime. If you knew that the election was coming and you were going away to school you should have petitioned while you were in high school…Did you go to high in Bermuda?

I will not be able to vote in this election because I will be on vacation with family as I Graduate in December, but if I was going to be home I would have voted in this election because my school tries to ensure we have a week off before Christmas.

By: Pastor Syl Hayward

Pastor Syl Hayward — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:21:07 +0000

Actually, the way I heard it explained, @ sure, was that academics would be taught in the mornings and afternoons would be utilized for phys.ed., art and/or music, job training, civic activities and the like, which would actually free up the academic teachers even more, rather than give them longer hours. I don’t know all the ins and outs, but there are people who do. Sounded like an excellent plan to me. It keeps the kids off the street in the afternoons, has them doing some constructive, takes the onus off the parents for finding after school care, and other benefits.

By: Mad Dawg

Mad Dawg — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 10:28:54 +0000

Scratch fast ferries. They reduced the operating speed of those two years ago to save fuel. And besides, they are rusting away through lack if funds to maintain them.

By: Mad Dawg

Mad Dawg — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 10:21:32 +0000

He’s written extensive articles to advocate making sure murderers, rapists, pedophiles, and armed robbers get to vote.

Could you please link us to any articles he has published advocating making sure students can vote?

By: Mad Dawg

Mad Dawg — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 10:19:14 +0000

But technology like it is now did not exist. 14 years ago there were no ipads, smartphones, etc. Online voting would have still left people disenfranchised then, but it wouldn’t now.

But you knew that. Why not give up making excuses and admit it’s a problem.

By: Mad Dawg

Mad Dawg — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 10:15:20 +0000

Students are disenfranchised. Pure and simple.

Why?

By: Mad Dawg

Mad Dawg — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 10:08:53 +0000

The opposition sit in the house and are quiet? Hilarious.
They did bring up the issue. The government ignored it and have stepped on another land mine. Nothing new.

By: Formidable Deviant

Formidable Deviant — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 00:32:28 +0000

Horrible, stinking, ____ Government. Welcome to a one party state – call the UN! If you vote PLP on 17th, take a long hard look at yourself. Call yourself Bermudian? Shame on you.

By: sure.

sure. — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 00:04:19 +0000

EXTEND school days. exactly what I said miss. and YOU tried to negate that…glad you cleared that one up…so what does that mean to you??? if you consider this, what does this initiate indicate??

By: sure.

sure. — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 00:02:41 +0000

“don’t worry our busy little minds with what the OBA has planned” uh ok…and people are supposed to confidently vote for the OBA?? why not worry about them. DO TELL. David Burt discussed the economic plan. plp.bm

By: sure.

sure. — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 23:52:01 +0000

useless.

By: Mad Dawg

Mad Dawg — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 23:48:40 +0000

Could but didn’t in 14 years. And still blaming the UBP by the sound of it.

By: Pastor Syl Hayward

Pastor Syl Hayward — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 21:55:14 +0000

Dagnabit!!!!! Stop trying to pass the buck!!
Yes, we the then PLP, as Opposition, DID care that the UBP didn’t do it and they promised to do something about when they became the Government. WE did nothing. It came up again on subsequent elections WHILE the PLP were the Goverment, on numerous occasions. THEY (note the change in possession – follows my change in attachment to the current administration) DID NOTHING!!! Why do people have to jump up and down and scream in order for the right things to happen.

You know you are wrong, PLP. Just say sorry, it slipped off the radar, or we were afraid they might not vote for us. Either would be closer to the truth than blaming the UBP, the Opposition, the students, the electorate, in fact, every body else except taking responsibility for something you know you should have taken care of 14 years ago.

By: dthtoo/

dthtoo/ — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 21:40:02 +0000

Quit ya belly-aching about the PLP this and that you folks. I am here to deliver a special message. The message is: They’ve WON! CONGRATULATIONS PLP ON ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL WIN. Now we can have some peace and quiet.

By: Pastor Syl Hayward

Pastor Syl Hayward — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 21:36:42 +0000

There are other ways than online voting to address absentee ballots. Most 1st world countries do it.

By: Pastor Syl Hayward

Pastor Syl Hayward — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 21:35:03 +0000

I don’t see where the OBA is taking credit for this initiative. They congratulate the students, but that isn’t taking credit, at least not in my book.

Also, given most students are a part of the age of technology, they probably took as a matter of course that they would be able to vote. In fact, given that the PLP complained loudly when they were the Opposition about this very issue, and promised they would rectify the situation when they became the Government, all of us should be excused for thinking it was handled.

By: Pastor Syl Hayward

Pastor Syl Hayward — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 21:27:48 +0000

@ come Correct: It would be wonderful if that system were in place, but it isn’t, at least not yet, despite YEARS of saying they would get to it, including complaining vociferously about the lack when they were the Opposition. Promises, promises, promises.SMH

By: Whiny Whiny

Whiny Whiny — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 20:25:16 +0000

Why didn’t the opposition push the issue. Why? they sit in the house and are quiet. They also knew it was a problem, I have never been afforded the opportunity to vote while I was away. I do agree with absentee voting it should have been brought up before, it’s a bit too late.

By: queens

queens — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:59:08 +0000

Your point? It doesn’t take away from the fact that the PLP have FAILED TO FIX THE PROBLEM… Why haven’t they??

By: Come Correct

Come Correct — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:58:10 +0000

You’re wasting precious finger strength, no one wants to hear the truth anymore. The truth hurts but clearly not enough to change peoples views. The old timers used to say “nuffin like licks”, well apparently Bermudians do.

By: queens

queens — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:57:53 +0000

One person not being afforded the right to vote simply for being off-island at the time of the election is too many. Don’t you agree?

By: iNi

iNi — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:56:20 +0000

To quote yourself: “im sorry i didn’t realize I was writing a dissertation. excuse my error.” A spade is always a spade, even if I can’t describe to you what a spade actually is…

By: navin johnson

navin johnson — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:45:24 +0000

and hopefully your families mentioned that there were jobs for everyone and the country was relatively debt free with a bright future…compared to today the days of the former party were the Good Old Days……

By: Come Correct

Come Correct — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:30:52 +0000

For real though, legit question…*crickets*

By: Verbal Kint

Verbal Kint — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:20:37 +0000

We have heard from the PLP faithful what the UBP did. We have heard them ask “Why wait so late.” We have heard them tell us that it is too risky to allow online voting. We have heard a litany of arguments from the PLP faithful. What we have not heard is how a party that spent so much political capital in seeking the franchise for everyone, feels now about the RIGHT of all of its citizens to vote. I am proud of the people involved in this initiative. I am sorry that they are learning the lesson that once you stand up for something here, you will be villified for doing so. I am appalled that anyone would question the motives of people who will stand up for the free exercise of their rights. No matter what color you are or what party you are, you should stand up behind these people and make a fist and shout “Vote”. Otherwise, it may be your right that is in jeopardy next time.

By: street wise

street wise — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:19:57 +0000

“… our families have educated us on all the foolishness the other party had done in their time in office.”

The “other party” you are referring to has finally become defunct. The Swan boys will be running as Independents.

The OBO is a new Party, that has never been “in office,” with a few experienced ex-UBP members as experienced candidates – about the same number of ex-UBP members as the plp have. So stop yer noise!

No one is buying the idea that the OBA is the UBP in disguise. The One Bermuda Alliance has scores of new, young, educated members & candidates of ALL colours, ages and persuasions, who have nothing to do with the UBP. Check out their website: oba.bm.

The divisive plp party cannot say that… it’s the same ol’ same ol’ race card for them. And it is SO OLD!

The plp: No plans. No ideas. No solutions. No future.

By: xxx

xxx — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:14:21 +0000

Murders: UP. Tourists: DOWN. Gun crimes: UP. Employment: DOWN. Politicians salary: UP. GDP: DOWN. Size of the civil service: UP. Debt: UP. But boy, those PLPers have been great! We have loaner vehicles and fast ferries! Plus, Beyonce was here!!

By: and?

and? — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:08:28 +0000

Thanks PLP for doing nothing!

By: and?

and? — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:07:02 +0000

You’re reaching pretty far with the ‘UBP did it too’ argument… The PLP are the current administation, correct? Therefore, when something like this hasn’t been implemented people will rightfully look to them for reasons why. It doesn’t matter why the UBP didn’t implement it as they are no longer in power and essentially out of business. The UBP got voted out for forgetting about a large portion of our population. And it looks as if the PLP are doing the same when it comes to this…

By: and?

and? — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:03:30 +0000

Because the right to vote is seen as a universal and fundamental human right? What if somebody who has lived overseas for 20 years decides they want to move back in 2 years? Should they not be allowed to vote in this election? Who gets to define what ‘residing temporarily overseas’ is, and for how long it means? When we bring in arbitrary numbers with respect to basic human rights we inevitably end up disenfranchising people. Let all Bermudian’s vote; they would vote if they were living on island so what’s the big deal? It’s not a simple concept to wrap your head around…

By: sure.

sure. — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:01:47 +0000

im sorry i didn’t realize I was writing a dissertation. excuse my error.

and there’s quite a few OBA supporters who seem to give baseless information and mock the PLP supporters.

to add to such humor, i think its funny alot of OBA supporters also discredit the PLP as having done absolutely nothing. sad when one can not even admit that the PLP has done great things for our country..

By: queens

queens — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 18:56:18 +0000

Fuss, noise, whatever you want to call it it didn’t have to happen if there was absentee voting procedures in place. Simple! Comprende? Then the election could be called at any time of year and ALL Bermudians would be afforded the opportunity to vote. Isn’t that what we all deserve?