Senator Marc Bean: Full Text of Apology
Senator Marc Bean spoke in the senate yesterday and apologized for recent statements he made concerning BEST protesters. Opposition leader Kim Swan had called upon the PLP senator to apologize, with Premier Dr. Ewart Brown responding that “The leader of the Opposition does not have the moral authority to ask me to reprimand anyone.”
After apologizing to “any person who considered my remarks as offensive to them personally or otherwise” Senator Bean stated that he recognized that within BEST most participants are genuine in their efforts to protect Bermuda’s environment.
Full text of Senator Bean’s comments below:
I can confirm that what has been reported in the RG is correct, however, that is not the full content of what I said. In fact, my statement regarding B.E.S.T, was framed in the context of praising environmental groups such as Greenrock. In so doing, I declared my interest as a lover of nature, a defender of the Environment, and a supporter of those persons or groups who share the same feelings. I cited Greenrock as an organization who is worthy of note. They are not selective in their protest regarding environmental issues, and, thankfully, they are constructive in their criticism of Government decisions and/or policies. Such an approach fosters a healthy relationship with Government and the people, and, as a result, Greenrock has been effective in ensuring that all of us remain sensitive to God’s creation.
This is in contrast to BEST (or maybe just Mr. Hayward), who are perceived, as a Special Political Interest Group, that use the Environment as a veil for their SELECTIVE protest against the Government. This perception comes from my knowledge of development projects that should have caused concern for BEST, as they caused concern for myself, yet, BEST was silent.
The question I posed was, Why? Why protest for example, over Southlands and the Warwick Long-Bay concession, but not the development at the Reefs Hotel, which, for the record, I find to be first-class in terms of Bermuda’s Tourism product? More importantly, why has there been no protest regarding the violent gun-crime in Bermuda? After all, as the former chairman of the Sustainable Development Roundtable, Mr. Hayward would recognize the fact that Sustainable Development, which includes the Environment as a key area, is not about places and things per se…., Sustainable Development is about People! What I find perplexing is that there are some people in Bermuda who have more concern for the “birds, the bees, and the trees”, then they have for their fellow human beings!
That selective silence reveals a lack of integrity, and an ulterior, selfish motive, hence, my description of their activities as a muppet/puppet show (implying that, like a puppet show, the actors are being controlled from behind the scenes). In the end, this type of behavior is a disservice to the ideal of True Stewardship to the Environment.
Let me make it clear, I support the preservation of Southlands, and also support the land swap to ensure that all benefit, (Environment, Tourism, Investors, and the People of Bermuda.) But, I do not see favorably on any person or group, that “pimps or prostitutes” any genuine issue (environment, crime, etc) to further their selfish motives, as it dilutes the vital energy of those who are genuinely concerned.
In relation to what some may consider offensive, I have used such terms, on occasion, to describe the behaviour of my colleagues and leadership, if their behaviour warrants it. Any active member of the PLP can verify this fact, that I am non-partial, and hold no bias, yet I am never hesitant to “call it as I see it”! This applies to all, extending from the Premier to the”man on the street”. Likewise, in so doing, I submit myself to the scrutiny and criticism of all, as I’m open to growth. This is not childish name calling, as in his typical reactionary manner, the Opposition Leader and Mr. Hayward has implied, but rather, it is language that even a child can understand, and is a simple description of other’s public behaviour.
For example, last week in the Senate, I described the Board and Management of Butterfield Bank as acting like “Las Vegas Gamblers”, and that the shareholders, whose hard-earned wealth has been severely reduced because of greed, should be angry. Last year, I described some of my own colleagues as being “snakes in the grass”, a term from the neighborhood that is used for persons who, by their deception, are willing to destroy the group for their own self-interest.
In fact, just two weeks ago, we saw a continuation of this behaviour by virtue of the “anonymous MP’s” who chose to attempt to discredit the Minister of Finance via the RG, when two days prior, these same persons(whoever they are), had the opportunity to question her in Caucus, yet they, and cowardly so, remained silent! The reason for this behavior you may ask? In a nut-shell, somebody wants to be the next Premier, but they do not possess the willingness, ability, or reputation to challenge for the position, based on merit. Instead, they would rather act; you guessed it, as “snakes in the grass”!
While this behaviour is normal in politics and organizations throughout Bermuda, never-the-less, I view it as deplorable.
In conclusion, since I have attempted to bring clarity to my statement in the Senate, please allow me to apologize to any person who considered my remarks as offensive to them personally or otherwise, as I recognize that within BEST, Greenrock, and other groups, most participants are genuine in their efforts to protect Bermuda’s environment. If such language, as printed on the front page of the RG, is deemed to be negative, and not contributing to our islands progress, then I will reflect on my words, and govern myself accordingly. For those whom my words may have awakened their conscience, well, as Bob Marley once said, “who the cap fits, let them wear it”!
As a public figure and political leader, my responsibility, to all the people of Bermuda, is to do what’s right, and not what I like. I expect the same of others.
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Category: All, Environment, Politics
