How’s my comprehension skills and grasp of the English language. In that statement?

“If this opinion he wrote came off racist to you, you are a joke and guilty of racism”
Where did I say his essay came off as racist? I said that HE is racist. Do your research, this is something that he does not deny. I can guarantee that your beloved DB read your post and judging by your comprehension skills and grasp of the English language, he would dismiss you as uneducated and would be privately embarrassed to have you supporting him. Enjoy the kool-aid!

I don’t know where you get your stats ether because most people I talk to feel he was one of the hardest working straight up politicians there were. You don’t have to agree with him but he always spoke what he felt. I love this piece from him and look forward to hearing more from him. If this opinion he wrote came off racist to you, you are a joke and guilty of racism because you feel attacked by the slightest mention of race even when it is relevant to the topic. Burch will be back and I for one am happy.

Everything is an election ploy to some of you people is that the OBA’s MO? Everything that comes from the PLP or someone affiliated with them is to be branded an election ploy to distract from what is being said or done? It won’t work so give it up.

Great write up Col. Burch. Go Somerset!!!

He is entitled to his opinion, but that’s all it is – an opinion.

I read Colonel Burch’s comments about Gordon Brown with some alarm. Gordon Brown was the Prime Minister of the UK and led the UK Labour government. I believe that Colonel Burch should highlight that the state of politics in the UK allowed for a country like Bermuda, with its Bermudian Progressive Labour Party government, to be “thrown under the bus” by a British Labour government. In some way, this reveals just how unsavoury politics can be, since the Labour government in the UK was arguably prepared to abandon its ideology and burn bridges with an affiliated political entity.

I visited Edinburgh with the Bermuda Regiment Band and Corps of Drums in 2003, and while I was there, I felt very proud to be a Bermudian musician who could say “I performed in the Edinburgh Tattoo”!

My pride was twofold. Not only did I feel proud of being a Bermudian musician in the Edinburgh Tattoo, I was also proud because my deceased Scottish father originally came from Edinburgh. I also felt very proud of my Scottish ancestry because of the Edinburgh Tattoo.

There are some interesting parallels between Bermuda and Scotland. Both countries are classified as British, and both have coalitions which feel that Independence is necessary. I am not going to fault Colonel Burch, his opinion is his own, and he feels that Bermuda should be independent.

If the majority of Bermudian voters are opposed to Independence, I have to believe that they will make their feelings known to their representatives, and unless the representatives intend to commit political suicide, they will heed their constituents’ wishes.

I think that a young Bermudian looking for an opportunity to gain international experience so that they can establish a strong career at home in Bermuda views Independence as an impediment to their international career development.

My opinion is that we have more pressing matters than Independence to contend with here in Bermuda at this time, and unless real progress is taken on our economic situation, the social decay in our country, and finding a way for our entire Bermudian community to heal the many wounds and injuries which have been manifested by this social decay, “Quo Fata Ferunt” will be an extremely unhappy motto for Bermudians in the future.

In closing, I would like to invite all of the people of Bermuda to march the Cup with Somerset Cricket Club when we reclaim it next week. I truly hope that we can all celebrate the Emancipation of our Cup!

How will independence correct the abundance of social issues that we’re faced with today?

Aren’t there more important issues than the arbitrary issue of independence?

What does it do for US, the people of Bermuda?

None of that makes him right though. His public tantrums have been disgraceful, the use of the term “house n**ger”, his rants about whites, ex-pats, the idiot legislation he sponsored are just a handful of examples. His support of Ewart Brown should make him hang his head in shame as should his contribution to the damage caused to Bermuda by the PLP.

He is absolutely dead wrong about Independence.

Col has always written brillant opionion pieces as well. He often began his night time-talk show by reading an opionion he wrote.

Well written COL, a brillant piece on independence and where we as a country currently are.

Reply

That was what they MIGHT have been saying 35 years ago. What they’re saying now
(now that they’re paying attention and ‘understand our situation’ a bit better) is that Bermuda can not go independant under this government.

The fact that this was penned by an intelligent SOMERSET fan is also evident.

My thoughts… the 21st Century Version of emancipation and independence, especially in these economic times, show more adult children staying at home longer and/or returning because independence is a hard state to bring to fruition when not connected to the right people, or in the right place, or educated in the right concepts. Is this the right time for Bermuda to be independent, considering the facts and the timing…, not in my humble opinion.

The comment, “Personally, I’m not sure which Jamaicans they asked because that’s not my experience with that country” holds true for Bermuda also. I wonder who is being polled when the PLP government is lavished with such praise and confidence for future governing ability… cause it does not resonate with any Bermudians I meet. Many of those polls appear to be, again, unsophisticated and uneducated in the political arena when it comes to the full consequences of certain actions.

This generation of Bermudians is not being “defensive and insular”, they are, in fact, doing exactly what you state. The younger generation is taking advantage of the ability to spread their wings and determine a greater future that might one day benefit Bermuda. The advantages of the UK passport, lower cost education, and, if necessary, although not recommended, the welfare system that offers the possibility of better opportunities outside of a 21 mile zone, says that the act of self-determination is well and kicking, moving many people forward rather than standing still as so many on the Island are doing… “self-hating” and such…

On a lighter note… it’s obvious that all of the statements in the article are flawed because of the last two words… If St. George had been the patron saint… all would be well… The cup will be staying in St. George this year…

You have a role to play, unseating the current “Aristocracy” within the PLP.

Please come back from out the wilderness if only for 6 months to help the PLP find itself again as we are bored with the pomp, pagentry and 15 letter words (and 30 minute sentences) we have had to endure since October 2010.

I expect many in Bermuda may be tired of the verbose new News.

At the very least get back a talk show Col.

Even your Critics like to listen to your honest opinion.

Yours truly
soon to be dismissed (if they find me)
School Teacher

The argument for Independence is not rational, not factual, nor does it make any sort of sense. While the “feel good” factor will resonate with some, the reality is that Bermuda has gone backwards in the “PLP years” and is further from Independence than it ever was. The bitterness carried by people of Col. Burch’s generation isn’t relevant anymore, it’s not felt by younger people and the desire to perpetuate that bitterness by many in the PLP is the only political tool available to them.

We need to remember that Col. Burch has been an (unelected) integral part of the PLP’s failure to move Bermuda forward over the last 13 years. Idiotic xenophobic and inward looking immigration and land policy laws, a billion $ debt, spiralling crime, reduced tourism, business leaving Bermuda rapidly (something the Col said would never happen), poor ethics, questionable practices (perhaps even corruption) and the failure to tackle problems in education. There is more. Burch has been in the middle of this failure. He’s partly responsible. For him to say Bermuda is more ready than ever to be Independent is frankly offensive.

Not that that would bother him, he’s made a career out of being offensive.

Goslings Grey Rum will be served along with fresh Ginger root and Jamaican Bannana Jerky……I need a rum……………..