Opinion: Famous Responds To Sylvan Richards
[Opinion column written by Chris Famous]
“I think I always knew in my heart that the time I had as a Minister was going to be limited,“ OBA MP Sylvan Richards Bernews Dec 19, 2013
My purpose of writing today, is to speak to attacks on free speech. On Friday February 7, 2014 and then on Friday March 7th, 2014 two opinion pieces were written in Bernews by OBA MP Sylvan Richards.
In these opinion pieces, MP Richards complains bitterly about PLP parliamentary representatives having opinion pieces published in the website Caribbeannewsnow.com.
Caribbean Connections
Elected, and appointed officials of the PLP, have a sworn duty to protect the interest of Bermudians, and Bermuda. Part of that responsibility is to enlighten the Bermudian, and Caribbean public to all matters pertaining to the region. It is in fact enshrined into the PLP Constitution for over 50 years.
‘To cooperate with organizations within the British Commonwealth with a view to promoting the purposes of the Party, and more particularly to take common action with such organizations in the Caribbean region for the promotion of a higher standard of social and economic life for the population of the respective countries of the region as a whole.”
Selling out Bermudians
Currently the OBA is attempting to embark on forcing Commercial Immigration and other relaxations of Immigration rules onto Bermudians. In their seeming quest to expand their voter base, the OBA is potentially looking to allow foreign nationals to gain ability to;
- Purchase Bermudian status
- Purchase Bermudian property
- Open and control businesses in Bermuda
- Have the right to vote in Bermuda.
Bermudians have a democratic right to defend their ability to
- To be fully employed in Bermuda
- Open Businesses in Bermuda
- Purchase property in Bermuda
- Vote, without fear of gerrymandering by non-Bermudians
The truth is an offense but not a sin
What is most telling, is that the OBA cannot say that anything we have written was untrue. Basically, their main concern was that their attempts to force legislation counterproductive to the development of Bermudians, has been exposed on a regional level.
In contrast to the OBA, the PLP has stood side by side with Bermudians on the following issues;
- Abolishment of Term Limits
- Lamb Foggo closure
- Right to hold a referendum
- Attacks on the union
- Raising of taxes on Seniors
- Attempts to privatize government workers jobs
ABCs
Last night I personally witnessed MP Sylvan Richards unable to answer the most basic questions posed to him about a bill he just read in the HOA. Every question asked of him, he had to turn to his parliamentary and political boss, Minister Fahy, and others in order to find the answer.
I would strongly suggest that this ex minister stick to learning about the ABCs this ministry, before he finds himself removed from that position as well.
Thank you.
- Chris Famous
Like they say opinions are like ***holes, everybody has one!
The saying goes, and i quote..”Opinions are like @$$holes. Everyone has one, and most of them stink.”
What we the public must acknowledge is that all Media online is available for the world to see. This means RG, Bernews and other Bermuda online news
Or articles can be read by just about anyone, also our comments. So this easily makes Richard’s argument insignificant and void.
Some great points made by Mr. Famous.
How much they pay you Mr. Famouss.
Even you as a senior level BELCO employee must have time to his own.
Say high to Betty.
Opinions are like A********.everybody has one!
“It is in fact enshrined into the PLP Constitution for over 50 years … To cooperate with organizations within the British Commonwealth with a view to promoting the purposes of the Party”
Thank you for reminding us and noting that at it’s very core, the PLP will always put party before country. After all, it’s been in your “Constitution for over 50 years.”
Kudos Mr Famous. This leaves no doubt. PLP – party before country since 1998.
So this guy gets paid for nothing, and de O.B.A./ubp supporters cry down Govt. workers and this guy gets paid twice as much and knows less.
Famous states that PLP elected and appointed officials have a sworn duty to protect the interest of Bermudians and Bermuda. Much of their actions refute this. The ill management of taxpayers funds has deeply hurt the ordinary Bermudian, and has benefitted only a favoured few.
A good example, amongst many, is the huge expenses incurred in the court cases (incl The Privy Council) where the PLP tried to prevent Bermudians from finding out what happened to their money in the Housing Corporation scandal. The judgement at all stages was that the peoples’ right to know outweighed the other factors in the case. This was really a case of the PLP against the people of Bermuda; with the people having to pay the court costs!
Just want to be sure I understand how this is protecting the interests of Bermuda and/or Bermudians. After all
“It is in fact enshrined into the PLP Constitution for over 50 years … To cooperate with organizations within the British Commonwealth with a view to promoting the purposes of the Party”
What value is there in publishing the letters/opinion pieces to the carribean news now website? What is the objective and how does it help Bermudians?
Well?
It helps the Party. After all the PLP constitution makes it clear.
“… To cooperate with organizations within the British Commonwealth with a view to promoting the purposes of the Party”
“… to enlighten the … Caribbean public to all matters pertaining to the region.” Yeah… like they rally give a care about Bermuda. This is entirely about the plp Party, as usual. Party before people. Everyone can see that.
Wonder how that corruption investigation is coming along? Is it true that plp member phones are being tapped??
First off, we’re not in the region….or even close.
Some of us are still waiting for Caribbean folk to have similar articles printed in the Bermuda media.
However, it isn’t likely as they for the most part, are more concerned with moving their countries foward than engaging in useless mudslinging in our media, by a bunch of sore losers!
Come on Chris , Nobody takes Sylvan Richards seriously . I mean look at that dude , would you trust him with anything of value ?
Should we trust YOU, who posts misinformation and ridiculous personal attacks while hiding behind the hood of a fake name?
Right.
“Anything of value”? How about trying to add something of value to the discourse?
I know Sylvan personally and the one thing I can say is that he is a person of integrity and yes he can be trusted.
The PLP and Mr. famous have a lot opinions ever since they have been opposition! Right Betty Trump opps Mr. Famous? Ya just a mouth piece i have de PLP tell u jump off a cliff u would!
Mr. Famous, the PLP party and especially the leadership seem to learn nothing and forget nothing. The policies you list are precisely the ones that got us into this mess in the first place. The battles you fight are yesterday’s and they are meaningless in a a Global economy – nobody cares. I do not agree with many of the OBA’s ideas but at least their Government is open to new ones.
I do think that one of the reasons many investors are hesitant to invest here, especially locals who if their savings were invested rather than deposited would create many good jobs, is uncertainty. Business no longer trusts Government and is therefore no longer willing to commit to long term investment – frankly after all the undermining and sneaky, nasty, greedy, shady dealings of the Brown years especially, sadly as a born Bermudian, this is just about the last place I would stake my future and wealth. The fact is that both local and international business people have no trust whatsoever in your party and are paranoid that you will get in next time, hence no investment. Members like you need to change this from the grass roots up.
The OBA are actually regressive in their economic policies
IB is a maturing field and the ratings agencies have cited diversification as a way forward
The OBA are staking our future on IB alone
They are
Anti online gaming
Anti blue economy
AON re is now opening offices in Gilbralta
The same place that has online gaming
There is more likely to be money laundering attached to casino gaming
But hey don’t let these facts cloud the issue
I work for Aon. Aon Re doesn’t exist, the old Aon and Aon Benfield teams never became Aon Re. Also it is entirely appropriate that Aon (not Aon Re) has an office in Gibraltar (note spelling) given that Gib is a growing captive venue.
But hey, don’t let the facts cloud the issue
Failsafe, how dare you confuse the issue with facts?
and you still have the main points to challenge which you did not. Ok, so he got aon re wrong, what does that prove? They are still opening offices there so really where did you prove him wrong again?
“I think I always knew in my heart that the time I had as a Minister was going to be limited,“ OBA MP Sylvan Richards Bernews Dec 19,2014
Famous appears to not only have connections with the Caribbean, but also with the future.
Edited!
All his monies are in St. Kitts.
Thanks for taking the time to read
The facts remain anything posted online is read world wide
JetGate
Tapegate
PlateGate
All now globally known
The OBA are their own worst enemy
Nah… that’d be hypocritical, lying, racist demagogues like you.
Bermuda’s worst enemy, too.
You need to find a woman or a man to spend time with. Bernews has you cracked up! You have some serious issues going on in that tea cup brain of yours.
*sigh*
And here’s another ridiculous coward, taking pokes from behind the hood.
You have no idea what you’re talking about. You’re ridiculous.
While you’re starting the “gate”….how about
PLP gate
Pay to play gate
Berkley gate
cedar gate
TCD gate
Maxcem gate
uiger gate
Dame Lois Gate
BHC Gate
Dockyard Gate
Spice Hill Gate
Bazarian Gate
Roban Resignation Gate
And the list goes on….
ALL globally known!!
The PLP OWN the keys to the effin’ GATE!!!! STFU already….
And the $60m Grandatlantic Gate. Total waste if money, still costing us.
And you are yours, I follow Spurs but I understand that Wenger is a good manager, I like The Beatles, but I know that Mozart is wonderful even though I never listen, you only support the PLP, you recognize only them, and that is not what politics is all about, blind devotion gets us nowhere, and that’s what you have which is why you will never be taken seriously.
That’s BS…..you think people around the globe are coming and searching out Bermuda news….what a joke.
BTW – why haven’t you been sending letters to the U.K. press?
Bermudians, and that means all Onions, short, tall, red, black, white, yellow, slim, fat, NLP ones (remember them), PLP, UBP, OBA, BDP (1968 election) have always known that we are the centre of the universe and the Chosen ones. Understand that and all the rest follows very easily, in fact it even starts to make so much sense that you start believing it too after a while.
What was the point of this article?
Shameless PLP electioneering years before it is even needed.
Mr Famous, you would support anything as long as it carried a PLP banner, when in truth this country hasn’t forgotten what a mess the PLP made of Bermuda.
#nerverforget
Chris,
For me to look at your article with acceptance, I would like you to add a few areas to it – particularly to the section where you defend the PLP’s position of standing “side by side with Bermudians”.
Was the PLP standing “side by side with Bermudians”:
•When in spent $1.3 Billion plus the $200 million or so that Minister Cox (not the COG) managed to save while Minister of Finance. Some local economists defend a Keynesian approach to address some or our economic issues – but this level of debt has remove all possibilities for the present government to do so
•When it “gave away” COCO REEF Resort. Does the Bermuda College still uses the facility to train the few but committed Bermudians who want to participate in the Tourism Industry? Has the College or the Government received any money from “renting” the facility thus far?
•When it allowed the “Grand Atlantic” to be built, according to experts, next to a “decaying” cliff. According to public opinion, ugly and “unsellable”.
•When it brought in the Uighurs without any public or political consultation. Do the work permit rules apply to these gentlemen as for any other work permit holder? What are the future implications of this decision with regards to Bermudian Status? PANDORA’S BOX!!!
•When it allowed the overruns at Berkeley, Dame Lois Browne Evans, and TCD buildings. For the amount of money spent it could at least found a better location for the TCD building to avoid flooding
•When it imploded the resort in St. George’s without a secured plan for the development of the property
• When it allowed what happened in Smith’s – have you read “A Grave Error” by the Ombudsman
• When it constantly changed Ministers of Education
• When it addressed public concerns/questions as “Plantation Questions”
•When it allowed the “COG” comment when in fact the “COG” may have signed the checks
In order to move forward successfully, the PLP needs to come clean with these and many other issues. The PLP should not continue to use the “we were judged on December 2012” excuse for evading these questions.
And do you still really believe that the “PLP has stood side by side with Bermudians” on the aforementioned issues. . .
Cofusing the issue with facts.
How about Beyoncé gate and the MILLIONS spent on freakin “music ” festivals that got ABSOLUTELY no tourists here!
Rather than pull apart everything that the New Government has done or is about to do please tell me one thing that the PLP has done to help Bermuda? Either past or with the New PLP? Yep thought so “nadda”!!
Plus the PLP had the best music festivals just saying. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BFp2YFKFfj4
the elected and appointed PLP Officials during the 14 year reign of fiscal terror did not protect the interest of ALL Bermudians only a select few…despite the deluge of articles and opinion pieces by Mr Famous the truth cannot be hidden ….the PLP has put Bermuda on the brink with failed policy after failed policy. The OBA gloves are coming off and the resulting investigation will quiet even the most ardent PLP follower…..all else by Famous/Betty/Bettty is a diversion…..
Thank you “It’s about time” for:
While you’re starting the “gate”….how about
PLP gate
Pay to play gate
Berkley gate
cedar gate
TCD gate
Maxcem gate
uiger gate
Dame Lois Gate
BHC Gate
Dockyard Gate
Spice Hill Gate
Bazarian Gate
Roban Resignation Gate
And the list goes on….
ALL globally known!!
The PLP OWN the keys to the effin’ GATE!!!! STFU already….
Famous is a paid spin Doctor lacking any objectivity or apparent critical thinking!
THE PLP GATE is coming…interesting to see how he will try and spin the FACTS!
I have no idea how old CF is, but apparently he only learned to read and write after the last election.
LOL way funny
Default excuse of OBA failures is to lets go back in history.
History did not start in 1998
So you all really want to go back in history?
So. Do you want to compare track records or not. The PLP screwed up. Admit it.
No…history certainly did not start in 1998…but the systematic destruction of a once thriving economy through greed and incompetence CERTAINLY did!!!
You are seriously mistaken if you think the PLP gets to wipe the slate clean of all their S**T just because they were booted out of governance!! You don’t get a “free pass” mate…you must reap what you sow!
And YES, YES, YES….let’s go back in history…start with the most recent and work your way back…point by point….and let’s see how far you get….
What you fail to acknowledge is the fact that in order to compare ANYTHING you MUST go back in history!! It’s not an excuse…it’s FACT!…something you seem to have trouble comprehending…
Sure. Why not?
(And the default excuse for the PLP was “Let’s go back in history”, too… let’s be honest.)
You article is based on history, so whats your point?
It’s peculiar how history must be remembered and held onto in certain areas and not in others.
Tommy,s bie, you are a trouble maker. You see only the bad things because after 14 years, you are used to it.
Okay childred:
Hatred and Bias aside would any one of you like to discuss these issues openy…no more PLP talk they are the opposition right now – the OBA is at the helm so the ball is in their courts (get it?)- actually you don’t.
Please discuss the OBA plans (their own admissions here) to allow foreign nationals to: (and before you loyalist you go denying I have had private discussions with party members and affiliates admitting such)-they believe this is a good thing for the “economy” but cannot find the argument to suggest that it is a good thing for “Bermuda”
Purchase Bermudian status
Purchase Bermudian property
Open and control businesses in Bermuda
Have the right to vote in Bermuda.
Is it wrong for the PLP to fight for the right of Bermudians to:
To be fully employed in Bermuda
Open Businesses in Bermuda
Purchase property in Bermuda
Vote, without fear of gerrymandering by non-Bermudians
In what other country does the native populace freely open its borders to this type of economic dispacement?
And what of these issues?:
Abolishment of Term Limits
Lamb Foggo closure
Right to hold a referendum
Attacks on the union
Raising of taxes on Seniors
Attempts to privatize government workers jobs
Are they to be ignored? Hyperbole? Please – lets have an honest discord here…no more PLP did this in the past talk ok? What say you to these real issues?