My current view is that Conscription should end and not for any of the sentiments expressed above regarding enforced labour, slavery and the like. I think this country would benefit from an organization that is made up up Volunteers, people who want to be there, who regard Service to their Community as an ideal and a worth mission. The Bermuda Regiment could be renamed to Bermuda Regiment of Volunteers.

I believe the United States have a program such as the National Guard, surely something similar could be implemented here. I can think of many projects the BRV could be involved in that would facilitate learning, training and service – all in one fell swoop such as: Maintenance of the Seniors’ Rest Homes, Homes for Humanity (something that is really affordable – not 1/2 million dollar homes), Hurricane and Disaster Relief, and many more initiatives in addition to the current activities. I would reduce the length of time from 3 years to 1 year. Volunteers would be welcomed to stay longer if desired.

I believe some educational scholarships require X amount of Volunteer hours as does the International IB programs and some college entrance requirements. It makes sense to me to implement something like this to engage younger people and instill a sense of pride and service to their Country.

It’s time to be creative Bermuda.

BAD fail to release that given these times, bugets are tight and spending is low (well supposed to be low but thats another conversation). Like i said before, its not about race nor sex, its about money. And for NOW, conscript is cheaper. All other suggestions cost money to employee full time people or volunteers. If your government had their way, they would probably get rid of the regiment completely but like i said before, we HAVE to have one.

So to the BAD members, why can’t you just serve your time in one of the other services, Police Reserve, Sea Cadets, St. Johns, or even a Fire Man?

•Mexico – $3 per day in U.S. Funds!
•Bangladesh $0.13 per hour in U.S. Funds
•China – $0.44 per hour in U.S. Funds
••Haiti – $0.49 per hour in U.S. Funds
•Honduras – $1.31 per hour in U.S. Funds
•Vietnam – $0.26 per hour in U.S. Funds

That’s just a few of the countries that have slave workers that do get paid. Damn people make comments without even knowing what they’re talking about.

Child “carpet slaves” in India

Why is it that every time a black person in this country even mentions race or racial discrimination they are immediately accused of “playing the race card”?

I was brought up by my late white grandmother and my white mother and I’m a typical black Bermudian playing the race card to get my way? How stupid!

What we are doing is apealing to that most marginalized and maligned group and asking them to support our cause by not voting.How could that possibly be misconstrued as “playng the race card’? It goes without saying that young white men can join the anti-vote campaign if they so desire.

If I have inadvertently suggested otherwise for that I apologize.

As usual with our detractors they refuse to deal with the substance of our arguments opting instead to “muddy the waters”. Cleancut. Do you support forced labor? Yes or no? Cleancut. Do you endorse the abuse that goes on at Wrawick camp? Yes or no.

Also, because of that silence the powers that be keep insisting that it is only a very small minority that vehemently oppose conscription. As a further consequence that gives the politicians an out which they gladly take.

Remember the saying,”All that’s necessary for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing.”

I will note that any pride I might have felt for serving my country has been lost by being forced against my will to serve in an awful environment. Had I volunteered, I would definitely have withdrawn my services as I have not learned anything or contributed anything worthwhile in my time there. No, I do not believe parades are worthwhile, that is my opinion. The work has absolutely no meaning or purpose in my view. It is bad enough there is conscription, but it is even worse when you are forced to waste night after night and weekend after weekend doing tasks which have no real positive end result. If we are attacked by another country, a few hundred rifles will do nothing. The best approach, as BAD are doing, is to fight with our mouths. I estimate that at least 75% of my time at Warwick Camp has been spent sitting/standing around doing nothing, with no guidance or organization. That is a waste of tax payer’s dollars, even though I am the recipient of them, and it’s a waste of my time.

BAD, I do not agree with all of the actions you are taking but I do agree in principle with your cause. I think you should organize a protest march. Advertise it well and I believe you will see a large turnout, I will be there for one. Best of luck with your fight, but as others have stated, I don’t think it’s worthwhile asking persons not to vote.

Perhaps when you have children you’ll understand how I feel. If you don’t then think if somebody referred to your mother using such an insult.

As far as the status quo prevailing in Bermuda that is not true as history shows. If it was then blacks would still be in chains, women would still be denied the vote and whites would be required to attend church whether they wanted to or not.

Yes change is hard but when it comes to human rights the cost is indeed worth it you would have to agree.

Hopefully that clarifies things.

You may feel differently and statisitics and numbers may tell us otherwise however this is something the whole of the islands young male population are affected by and is one situation where there is no excuse not to unify and cast away our differences…

p.s. I did my time, a few trips and it is nothing but a glorified bachelor party out there, or has been in years gone by.

RIOT-yeah right! If we were on the brink of civil unrest the British army could be here in less than a day, a whole plane full or several planes of professional and well trained soldiers.

ps: lets keep teaching our 18yr olds weapons training !! Seems to be doing the just the trick and really helping society.

You’ve only discovered the world of blogging and comment boards in Bermuda very recently by the sound of it .

So before you accuse someone of getting terrible legal advice please take the time to find out exactly what arguments they made.

Independence…. the same thing that the PLP govt wants was a victim of an attempted boycott. perhaps we would be independent today if people DIDN’T boycott.

JAH works in mysterious ways. wasn’t there a hurricane or something on that day as well that was attributed to the alck of turnout?

I remember voting on that issue…….

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News Update:

Race Card as defined by me:

something that BERMUDIAN-AFRICANS and BERMUDIAN-ANGLO SAXONS, etc use when all else fails. Similar to “benny” in euchre game of cards but also akin to a low blow in boxing, or diving in a Chelsea vs Man U game.

something that you don’t really hear elsewhere (like most of our cousins to the south West Indies). they have classism maybe BUT can be described like this – “all ah we ah won black white purple an green; whether black, chiney or indian – we ah won”

only in Bermuda can u have a passionate cry for freedom clouded by the race card

End Conscription for Dummies (think I’d be able to sell a few books?)

There is no reason for Bermuda to have a military or conscription. We are not at war, and I doubt we will ever see a day when the U.S. or the U.K. will ever want or need to really on our soldiers.

You really think these bie’s will stick to the discipline and respect they learn? Of course not. They simply go there, do their time (just like prison) and when they get out, they go right back to their old ways. All the regiment is good for in this day and age is teach potential criminals how to better organize and handle a weapon.

If you want to use the excuse that young men need discipline, why is it that they (the regiment) call you until you’re in your 30′s? If I’m 28 and already have a family, good career and support my community, then what makes you think I need to go to the regiment?