Debut: One Bermuda Alliance Senators
[Updated with video] This morning [June 1] the new One Bermuda Alliance [OBA] Senators made their first appearance in the Senate. On May 18 the Governor, acting on the advice of the new Leader of the Opposition John Barritt, appointed Michael Dunkley, Craig Cannonier, and Dr Katherine Michelmore to the Senate. All three OBA Senators are pictured below this morning.
The decision effectively removed UBP Senators Jeanne Atherden and Suzann Roberts Holshouser. Deputy OBA leader and newly appointed Senator Craig Cannonier is the former leader of the Bermuda Democratic Alliance [BDA], while Senator Michelmore is the former Deputy Leader of the BDA.
Senator Craig Cannonier serves as the Shadow Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, Senator Dr. Kathy Michelmore is the Shadow Minister for Health, while Senator Dunkley serves as the Shadow Minister for National Security, the same position he held with the UBP.
Update 2:30pm: Senator Cannonier and Senator Michelmore spoke with us briefly after the Senate:
The UBP is alive and well as long as Dunkley is leading the Senate.
Else for Cannonier – I am soo disappointed in him.
I think the PLP strategy of painting the OBA as the UBP will fall short of the mark and it will cost them at the polls. It is very much viewed as more divisive rhetoric to a Country that is very tired of it. The PLP has no room to criticize the UBP to a thinking electorate, after their abismal performance record. People want a change and at the moment, I believe that many people are willing to give the OBA a try. Why are you disappointed in Cannonier?, out of interest.
I dont think its a PLP strategy…it is what it is.
They are the same individuals are they not?
I am disappointed in Mr Cannonier because I didn’t think that after leading the BDA (which was a supposedly different Party altogether), and criticizing the UBP, he would acquiesce so easily and now be smiley face with the UBP. It seems to me that he has sold out on principle. There were people who joined the BDA that are aghast at what has happened. Then there are others who are just anti-PLP so whether the opposition is the UBA, BDA, OBA etc they will join any alternative group to the PLP. All of these are peoples’ entitled choices, but let’s stop trying to fool people.
There are many former UBP- True. There are also many who had no affiliation to the UBP and in that sense I don’t think that it is accurate or fair to label them the same thing. Given your line of thinking about Mr. Cannonier, how do you classify/rationalize the acceptance of Wayne Furbert and Jahmal Simmons into the graces of the PLP? Wayne Furbert was the former Opposition leader and a vocal critic of the PLP well. People change their views and opinions all the time. Or is this only acceptable when someone moves from any other party to the PLP? I don’t think anyone is trying to fool anyone here. You can’t mix two different political parties (one of whom attracted people who were not previously involved with any party) and call the new organization the same thing because SOME of the people are the same. That is disingenuous. I am interested in hearing your thoughts on Wayne Furbert.
All a plan by the UBP! You see, one by one they will cross the floor to the PLP until they are all in. Before you realize it, the PLP will be the new UBP.
ALL of the MPs are the same.
That is disingenuous. SMH by your thinking all opposition is anti PLP that’s why of course they question the PLP and do not generally take their word as gospel right? It’s not like the PLP have ever deceived the public before………….
LOL
SMH, what you’re suggesting is the exact opposite of what actually happened. Cannonier did not “sell out to the UBP” as you put it. He went his own way and started something new.
Of course, that’s a bit of an inconvenient truth for you died-in-the-wool plp people.
It’s time for change.
Crazytalk,
Did he really?
SMH, You offer no answer to my questions / point? Interesting.
SMH – if I take 7 cats and call them dogs, are they still not cats?
Cannonier helped to destroy the UBP cuz it needed to be destroyed. If you looked at the new OBA its constitution and message it is little more than the BDA. The BDA did not have the time to wait for the UBP to die a slow death. Bermuda does not have this luxury. In time Cannonier and the new faces you will be seeing in the OBA will affect positive change for Bermuda. Hold tight…and remember Rome was not built in a day.
You had it right the first time ‘Shake My Hand’……..
I knew what you wrote. And you were correct and it’s all “relevant”.
Too bad our comments overlap. But……Detz lief……
My cat is staying out of this hissing and pissing scratching fight.
Best of luck too them.
A great day to all.
SMH do you mean John Barritt? Dunkley’s not the leader.
@Relevant
SMH is making reference to Senator Dunkley being the leader of the Senate for the Opposition – - not the leader of the Opposition party – two separate items.
I meant Dunkley is the UBP/OBA Leader of the Senate…
Barritt is the leader of the party, until either Dunkley or Cannonier gets selected as leader…and then Barritt will resign so they can have a safe seat…
BDA dropped the ball on this one. I’ll admit they had me supporting them. Bermuda was looking for a change and people felt BDA was it. I am now hoping PLP will get it together under the Cox administration. OBA and their handling of their ‘own’ former associates, from the UBP & BDA, has raised a lot of concern to many of us in the public. If you can just leave your ‘own’ behind, what chance do I have as a voter. BDA YOU SHOULD HAVE STAYED THE COURSE, until the next election. Former BDA leader – your inabilty to F.O.C.U.S. – Follow One Course Until Successful shows very weak leadership skills.
You are full of it.
Why are they full of it? OBA is full of it!
The problem that the OBA faces is that they have surplus of a selection of people who have true depth of ability for the Senate & don’t have to use the Senate as a place for political payback for The Blind Faithful or as a nursery school for Lower House hopefuls.
Things are pretty desperate when you have to use a convicted felon or somebody who admits that they have an aversion towards gays to fill Senate seats.
Jeanne Atherden & Suzanne Roberts are a real loss. Hopefully they will be seen somewhere else sometime soon.
Thats the thing – these senate appointments are absolute payback and the BDA faction is calling the shots.
I am sure the leader Mr barritt was directed to appoint the former BDA leader and Deputy Leader to the Senate. And Mr Dunkley had to go to the Senate as the de facto UBP Leader.
How unfortunate for Ms Atherden and Ms Holshouser to be discarded like yesterday’s news.
But in reality if both Ms. Houlhouser and Ms. Atherden remained in their Senate positions you would decry that there is no change and that it is nothing but the same old UBP. Now you want to pretend that they are some sort of loss in your eyes and you regret them losing their positions. Make up your mind…
Damned if you do and damned if yuo don’t….
@SMH, No answer for me?
Are you talking about members of the OBA when you write “convicted felon or somebody who admits that they have an aversion towards gays to fill Senate seats.”
I think he’s talking about you for rthis part “who admits that they have an aversion towards gays to fill Senate seats.”
LOL
I’m sorry but I just can’t help myself. Thhis ‘Get Paid’ to play just irks me.
Furbert et al just want a bloody paycheck, big time. Deal with it or get use to more of the same.
The old saying “Blood is thicker than water” comes to mind but irony is the blacker the berry…..the sweeter the cherry.
Unfortunately, that is the rule of thumb in the demise of Bermuda.
Now go blame it all on the Yoo Bee Pee…………………………………
Who does OBA think they are fooling? These two will not help swing the necessary votes. After all these years, The House N$$/er Play is still being used. They are dark enough for Blacks to accept but light enough as to not make Whites too uncomfortable. Can these two not see they are PUPPETS? FYI OBA – we the people of Bermuda are not dumb!!!
I don’t care if these people were green! It’s all about Bermuda and not just about black and white. How has the PLP improved your life?
Bermuda will Not vote in OBA!!! How will OBA improve your life, honestly? You and I know you are not suffering.
Do you really think that NO whites suffer financially?
Do you honestly think that all whites live in big houses and really don’t have to work?
Do you really?
I know they don’t. Don’t be silly.
I apologize but do you men that you know that absolutely no whites suffer financially?
All people can suffer financially. Are you trying to be silly?
Nope, not silly. Just needed calrification on your original post to “Justin.”
That’s all…
To be honest I’m not quite sure how the OBA will change my life, because they have not come out with any clear policies. However, they do seem to want to put more power in the hands of the people and I believe that is a good thing. For example, they want to have fixed term elections.
I’m sure I’m not alone when I say this, but Bermuda is in desperate need of change. Therefore, I believe we should simply sit back, listen and then make up our minds instead of beating them down before giving them a chance.
Your turn.
Do me a favor, scroll up and read “Former OBA Supporter” input on this thread. I agree with what they have to say on the concerns on the OBA.
You mean “Former BDA Supporter”? I’ve read it and I completely disagree. I believe Craig saw that the BDA would not do well at the next election by the results of the recent by-election, and there was a great risk of the BDA and UBP splitting the vote. Consequently, by splitting the vote between the UBP and BDA would have resulted in losing more seats to the PLP. Asking Craig to stay the course would be like telling the captain of a ship to steer the ship straight into the rocks. Craig done the best thing for his party, their supporters and Bermuda.
I have to wonder if you truly wonder what you wanted more – seeing the BDA stay afloat or giving the PLP more seats in Parliament?
No one knows how the election would have went, so I don’t think comparing that to a captain that can see the rocks as a good comparison. I hate to think that the idea of losing would scare Craig because that really would be sad. And by ‘Former BDA Supporter’ comments, it seems atleast one of their supporters thinks different and I doubt they are the only that feel let down by Craig. If they feel the OBA can pull the next election means BDA needed UBP’s voters. Thus my point that OBA is really trying to walk that high wire and Craig is not the New Sir John Swan.
If a person comes 3rd place in a 5k run do you think they have a better chance at winning a 10k run? Politicians are there to win – nothing less.
Of course the BDA needed UBP voters as well as PLP voters and independents to win an election. However in the by-election they only split the UBP vote which would have been disastrous in a general election. Your guess is as good as mine why the BDA didn’t appeal to PLP supporters or independents.
Why can’t Craig be the next John Swan or even better?
You are obviously not a runner. If you run 5k and not win does not mean you can not 10k, endurance and stamina is an amazing thing. Craig can not ever come close to Sir John Swan. You too have realized BDA should have stuck to the wickets, the runs ‘votes’ would have come.
You obviously have no foresight. The whole point was that the results of the by-election was an indication of how a general election would have played out.
I strongly believe the BDA could not have won a single seat in a general election. I also believe the BDA and UBP would have split votes and that would have led to the PLP taking more seats. How on earth you can still believe the BDA could have stayed the course is beyond me. I guess we’ll have to agree to disagee.
Rolfe is that you? Where you been? hanging out with Ewart a Black Panther reunion? There is a lack of intelligence in Bermuda, they voted for less jobs, poor education and higher crime! But at least uncle cracker ain’t in charge. We would have the plantations back up and running just like the old days in the cotton fields of Alabama. Hold on wait? We don’t live in America we live in Bermuda, were there ever large plantations, how long has slavery been abolished. People like you make me sick, you hold us back in so many ways. As soon as we get rid of the likes of you a better world for all. I hate racism and you are clearly a racist.
Agreed.
You hate racism, Slavery was abolished and I am clearly racist? Mate Bermuda is one big plantation. I hold us back in so many ways? Are you serious? Lack of intelligence would be to vote OBA. You know full well the PLP is not solely responsible for our social ills. People are quick to run down Rolfe, Dr. Brown and Dr. Hudson. As they say “Pilgrims get Slaughtered and Settlers Prosper!” Mate I am no racist, but racism is still here.
Can you elaborate as to how BDA is one big plantation? Any sort of rationalilty behind such a claim? Or just more hate mongering?
See you like playing with words, silly rabbit. The use of BDA and not Bda was good. Once again you have tried to switch up what I have said. Bermuda is not Bermuda Democratic Alliance
You can’t call someone a house n*gger in one breath and say but I am not racist.
Just a tad contradictory…but I am sure you will justify it in your head as legitimate hatred and bigotry. Go you…
House N%/ger Play was my statement. You know I have not called anyone a House N%/ger. Pay attention to what I have said!
I see now…
So basically no black Opposition politicians will be taken seriously and considered to be no ttruly black and any white politician that isn’t part of the PLP are inherently evil?
Did I get that one right?
You know you are funny right? White people are not evil and blacks on the ‘opposition’ can be taken seriously. In order to win the election in Bermuda you need to appeal to the majority, which happens to be Black. My statement is that these two are puppets. And the people of Bermuda can and do see that.
Puppets in what, a White conspiracy to build a plantation on this Island? I don’t get it, do you think the sole purpose of the opposition is to suppress the Black Man? Again this is Bermuda, not some hidden KKK organization that masks themselves as the former UBP and somehow convinces black members to act as puppets. We’re living in a different time now. I understand the legacy of institutionalized racism but at the same time there is no reason to use that legacy to convince people that any white person of black person involved in an organization together with white people are ultimately out to make black people’s lives worse. It makes no economic or social sense in this day and age. It is about the country as a whole moving forward, so people of all colors have jobs and an education. If the PLP win the next election without a dramatic change in personnel and attitude then we will be in a big social and economic crisis within the next 10 years.
When was the last time a white person was openly and outwardly racist directly to you or anyone else in this blog by that matter? I am not talking about the system, because the system when you break it down is about education. No matter what color you are, if you have a good education you will be able to get ahead in life. Presently we as an island do not afford that opportunity to our young people. The education system is simply not good enough, so anyone who has made it out of the public school system and got ahead, big up yourself because you deserve it! You are a racist because you call someone a house N! It is racist; when you are saying that anyone who supports a party that also has white people in it should be labeled in a derogatory way. That is racist, racist against white people and those black people you label. Racism is still here in the form of ranting people like yourself, who would rather blame institutionalized racism than looking at the bigger picture which is the worldwide rat race we all compete in! People are rich and poor in this country adn others of all colors and creeds. The more opportunities we can give normal people through good governance, education and social harmony is the way to make Bermuda a better place. Not calling perfectly hard working and respectful individuals, “House Ni!!ers”!
You too need to pay attention. My state was House N%$ger Play, I have not called anyone a House N%$ger.
So by your logic any white person that is involved with making a decision on this Island in conjunction with a Black person means that the Black person is the result of a ‘House N play!’ So where does that put Zane Desilva, is he a House Cracker?
Let’s be remininded on who ruined the EDUCATION System – the UBP.. don’t forget that. That was the first major financial problem the PLP inherited when they came into power – The Berkeley Institue was forced to build to accomidate the increased influx in enrollment due to the “Central School” concept. Had things remained in place and perhaps improvements made with the curriculum – the financial problems this country are facing may not be so great. Bermuda had a great reputation in the US for the caliber of student it produced – now you still have some – but not as much from the public system – I still don’t get why they changed something that didn’t need to be fixed. And if you look closely – it’s a 99% Black student population – the Private Schools made a killing off of the UBP changing the education system.
Cedarbridge was and still is a first class facility. Now it’s the UBP’s fault that kids in a 21 square mile island can’t get along? Please.
The PLP, if they believed the Central School concept was wrong could have changed it immediately in 1998. Instead they duplicated, and therefore confirmed, the Central School concept even after the PLP had already been in power for years. If the PLP thought the Central School concept was wrong why didn’t they change it from the moment they took power, and why are they still continuing the same system?
Interestingly, I’m prety sure that when Jennifer Smith was shadow education minister she was the one who pushed for reform. The UBP reformed and this is the result. Now people are calling for the education system to go back to the old system where we had technical schools. How ironic?
As much as people try to blame the UBP for everything that has gone wrong, they can’t. The PLP has been in power for over 12 years people! At this point the PLP needs to start taking ownership for their screw ups.
`The Berkeley Institue was forced to build to accomidate the increased influx in enrollment due to the “Central School” concept.`
The Berkley was nothing more than a scam to get their hands on taxpayers money and make it dissappear into their pockets ..
Same as the Housing Corp
Same as the Dockyard Pier
Same as the New Courthouse
Same as the TCD centre .
Any more examples needed ? This is what we got when we voted for change.. We just got a bunch of people who had spent the last 40 years figuring out how to steal the money ! !
And the proof is the shape we’re now in … Plain as the nose on your face.
Rockfish, I don’t disagree. Cedar Bridge was a bad idea and I whole heartedly would love to bring back the old style parish type schools. But simply blaming the matter on the UBP who have been out of power for some time now is not enough for me I am afraid. The PLP should have seen the writing on the wall and reformed our education system to meet the standards required to give normal Bermudian children the best platform to succeed in today’s modern environment. I think we have take n steps backward, the department of education bleeds inefficiency and we need better teachers. The government for too long have treated this area as just another place to give people jobs. We need better teachers and they don’t need to be Bermudian because I truly feel on an Island of 60,000 you will never get the teaching quality required to raise us to the next level.
Bermyman most Bermudaians agree with you….Rolf is one sick puppy ,and we are sick of rhetoric…but our Premier wants to keep him on the payroll.
Why do you gauge a black politicians effectiveness by how uncomfortable they make whites feel?
Are your standards of governance that low?
Are you serious? You and I both now this is about appeal.
I am having a difficult time interpreting your posts.
Could you please elaborate on the one above?
Are you saying that black voters find that black politicians that can rhetorically attack and make whites uncomfortable more attractive then ones that seek unity amongst the races? That is the way it seems. And if that is the case in this day of age, then it makes me sad to live in such a society…
Why the sarcasm? I am talking about the OBA.
People make me laugh. Does it really make a difference where these people come from? I believe, after speaking with some of them personally, that they all have Bermuda’s best interest at heart. So instead of bashing them because they came from the UBP or the BDA, examine these people at an individual level. It’s attitudes and feelings like this that have Bermuda in the mess it is in today. Instead of voting on emotion why don’t people vote on the issues themselves? The OBA has already come out and told people to join the party so that there are new faces. How can people expect to see new people if nobody is prepared to step up and do something? At least these people are stepping up to the plate. All people want to do is criticise about who came from what party – basically it’s a black vs white debate. That’s simplistic. Why can’t we take it to the next level and debate about policy, what the parties’ platforms are and what they can do to make Bermuda a better place?
Wish Bernews had a thumbs up feature. That’s the best response I’ve heard on these posts.
I feel what you are saying, but why was the BDA dissolved then? Why didn’t they push their platforms as the BDA? I am sorry but I have nothing for the way they went about forming the OBA and if that does not sound alarms in your head, then that is a problem.
The BDA would have died in the next election anyway. Before they merged the only representation they had were MP’s who got elected as UBP representatives. I’m assuming after the results theby-election they contested they knew their current MPs might not get elected under their new BDA banner. If that were to happen they would have had zero representation in Parliament, and they effectively would have have no voice or say in anything. Inevitably, that would have been the demise of the BDA. Of course they won’t say it publicly, but that’s why I think they merged. Together they are a stronger opposition than if they were apart. I respect that you supported the BDA, and I did too, but I believe they done what they did for the best interest of Bermuda.
They should have gone for it. Does a farmer plant one seed? No they plant many, because some may not grow. So you plant one seed, it doesn’t grow, you give up farming. What they did was in the best interest of a few and not Bermuda. So what if we would have lost, how many elections did the PLP lose before 1998? This was about change and that does not happen over night. I would have stuck by them for 40 years if I had to. UBP was on it’s way out and they just had to stay the course and press on. They lost one battle and walked away from the war and left soldiers behind. I am sorry but this makes me ill to know that I truly believed in them. It would not have been the demise of the BDA, it would have been the start of change for Bermuda. True Leaders, Know You Can Not Win Them All!!!
Bermuda is over $1b in debt, the education system is failing, crime is skyrocketing, international businesses are downsizing or leaving, tourism has hit rock bottom, etc… Bermuda simply cannot wait 40 years for change. Plus, how was the BDA supposed to effect change with the great possibility of having no representation in Parliament?
Do you have a crystal ball? How is it BDA was a loss cause but the same people are heading up OBA and now have a chance to win the next election? Come on, tell me you don’t believe that. There are no quick fixes for these ills. BDA tried to go the direction of least resistance and they showed they were not willing to dig in, so they feel they will just inherit UBP’s voters. UBP voters should be concerned to as they were played as well. WE BACKED BDA or UBP and they just turned their backs on us and did as they pleased, so what would happen if they won.
No, I don’t have a crystal ball but empirical evidence from the by-election shows they did worse than the UBP. That is obviously cause for concern. If the ship is heading towards the rocks then it is a wise choice to steer away from the rocks. That’s what the merger between the BDA and the UBP has done for both parties, because both parties were heading towards the rocks by staying apart. For this reason I believe that neither the UBP or the BDA MP’s have sold out to their voters.
Actually, the BDA members are not heading up the OBA. John Barritt (A former UBP MP) is the interim leader until they have a leadership contest. Heck, the next OBA leader could be you! The old leaders of the BDA have been appointed to the senate, and the former BDA MP’s are sitting as OBA MP’s (nothing more, nothing less). I’m happy that a person like Craig has been appointed to the senate, because he is a new face and it will give him valuable experience. Isn’t new faces what people want? Before when Craig was leading the BDA he was relegated to sitting in the visitors section in parliament. In my opinion, this is definitely a plus for him.
The more I talk about the merger, the more I like it…
The BDA had to respect the polls which said Bermuda has no time for a third party. Hey “former BDA supporter” where the hell were you when times got tough?
Don’t be stupid they would have lost more seats to the PLP for sure further weakening the opposition to the point of obscurity thus creating a one party system were what ever the PLP dreamed up would have been rail road through the house. We would have gone independent even if you or the public wanted to or not and the PLP ministers would then be able to show that they a really are the UBP ver.2 and set them selves up for life at our detriment collectively. Tell me this is a strong opposition good for the country you know the answer it’s in our history after all and for those that keep blaming the UBP for the education failing apart have you ever heard of collective responsibility in the house meaning that all of parliament is responsible for that f up. You can’t use that excuse only when it suits the PLP people it always applies. I still would like to know the true votes on that day it changed did the PLP vote no in unison or did some vote for the “new” system if so why if not why did they not take it to the streets like a real peoples opposition. Face it we have been had by all these parties the only way to keep so power is to vote for the other every some many years so they can’t get to cozy.
LOL
Be careful what you ask for ? You know what your got PLP ! But you do not know what you may get with the OBA(OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION). They have yet really revealed their true colours. As most are the UBP members, and overnight converted a name change to OBA, I not sure there will really be much difference. As a rose is still a rose. Oh for your folks concerned about earnings of MPs !!! there is no reward in being a government minister especially the earnings. You can never become rich of the wage of a minister. The job is really a thankless one, as you have to give a lot of your personal time up and be willing to do for people of the country 24/7. Often some of the work is thankless work with little praise….but lots of criticism.
If your husband physically abused you everyday would you say “at least I know what I have” or would you divorce?
Good one Justin!!! The Island is in a BIG mess. It just needs to be cleaned up by SOMEONE. May THE BEST TEAM win!!!
The only way for us to keep power from the elite politicians is to vote them out ever so many years.
She would ask if he thought he was hitting her hard enough and then suggest he hit her harder. Truely a special girl.
LOL
Justin, look forward to your debate on the issues of the country on a higher level of discourse. The attempt to make a comparison between an abusive relationship and politics is an extremely poor one. As there is no correlations between the two variables. Hope that fair examination of issues can be done with out negative undertones.
I will humb1y accept your debate. Please lead by example instead of making comments like these: But you do not know what you may get with the OBA(OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION). In case you didn’t already know, OBA stand for One Bermuda Alliance… Plus, how is that comment adding anything meaningful to the topic at hand?
Also, I’ll put my question another way. If you believe the PLP keeps failing the electorate, don’t you think it may be time for a change?
As to the debate, which topic should we discuss first? Crime, education, economy, tourism or international business?
You start off the debate.
Thankless job???? You obviously do not work in government!!! And as far as I am concerned this comment is dubiously biased. A thankless job. Perhaps you need to reflect and consider the number of Ministerial changes in both the Ministry of Education & the Ministry of Public Works (Works & Engineering). Let me be very clear about a few things, criticism for any job is welcomed when completion or exeuction of the proposed tasks that Ministers set before themselves.
Furthermore, there are a handful of Ministers who actually rise to the occassion and complete the tasks set ahead of them. Try being an employee/Trainee and watch how many times Ministers/PS’s change their policy (which are subject to change because it isn’t legislated) or being in a government run agency with no legislation unable to carry out the roles set before them as mandated by your Ministers!! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN LIVING?? GOVERNMENT WORKERS ARE ASKING MINISTERS TO TAKE PAY CUTS BECAUSE OF THE MONEY THEY MAKE AND I HARDLY THINK 6 FIGURE SALARIES ARE NO REWARD. Here’s a fact:
Prior to Paula Cox becoming the full-time leader of the country, she (is) was employed by ACE (where she recieved a 6 figure salary), and still received a salary in the capacity of her role as part-time Minister. It was Ewart Brown as the former leader who suggested an increase to her salary at the time. Don’t get it twisted no right-thinking individual would leave a high-paying full-time job (with no real ties) and take a pay cut to work for government in a full-time capacity. CONSIDER YOUR COMMENTS BEFORE POSTING THEM…. Clearly you are beyond special.
And Justin– My hats off to you bro, for telling it like it is!!! You are thorough!
“In some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty. ”
— Martin Luther King Jr.
And that adds what to your posts. Martin L. King Jr. was a great man do you think that by involing his wisdom that your comments should be seen in the same vein as his?
LOL you have note show that you have an open nature due to the above comments. Say what you want to really say instead of hiding your mind behind someone elses.
The problem in Bermuda is that most of us want change from the status quo of party politics. The new OBA party to some people represents in some form the change people are looking for. However , the OBA will not bring the true change the people in our communities want. We have to understand that politics is a game to have control of power and democracy is an illusion for the people to participate in the game.
The OBA will not bring REAL change!!
We have to understand that the role of government is to GOVERN. Government has the responsibility to GOVERN (watch over) the direction and the affairs of a state, country, island, community, etc. So, what are the affairs of this island? Well, I am glad you asked. The affairs of this island has never been the agenda of the working class or the poor Bermudian. The affairs of this island has and will always be the agenda of the rich, privileged, powerful, and international business. This has been true under a UBP government and it remains true under this current government. If the OBA does manage to become government what do you think they would GOVERN. They would continue to GOVERN the affairs of the rich, privileged, powerful , and international business. This is not change.
The BDA and UBP merger.
The BDA and the UBP merger is like mixing HIV blood with clean blood during a blood transfusion. The clean blood will eventually become tainted with HIV. This analogy is what is taking place with this merger . The mixing of the former members of the UBP that has racism in their blood, that has the rich and privileged agenda in their blood has tainted the blood of the BDA. As a result we don’t have a “new” party , we still have the BDA, once a fresh or uncontaminated party, that has now has become tainted with the ways (the blood) of the UBP . Once it is in your system it’s nearly impossible to remove it.
How to bring about REAL change?
I will give my thoughts on that later. Here is a preview and hint. Real change is not relying on our government or political parties to do for us what we have the power has an island/community to do for ourselves. Civil rights movements caused governments in the west to change from their racist segregation systems. These governments which had to intentions of moving away from such a system was forced to change by a movement of a people. The only way real change will come about is through a movement to stop making a covenant with our politicians and to start making a covenant with each other and God!! I can explain more but I am not going to at this time.
Peace Groups in Bermuda.
How can we obtain peace with so many different peace groups doing their own agenda and individual events. There is strength in numbers people. The true show of strength is the number of people that participate in a single movement like the Million Man March. We cannot have 200 people show up to one event under one peace group and then 200 people showing up for a different event held under a separate peace group. We need the multiple peace groups under one direction, with one goal in order to be effective. Will you will be more responsive to a group of 200 people or a group of 2,000 people marching outside your door? No one is paying these small peace groups any mind with the 50 or so followers. Let’s have one movement people. It’s funny how we are even divisive while trying to bring peace.
Wow! I endorse you to run as the next president of the United States. This is the most awe inspiring comment that I’ve ever read, on Bernews.
You mean Premier right? The president at least has to be a US citizen, we are talking about Bermuda right?
LOL
Thanks for the endorsement.