Video: OBA Press Conference
The One Bermuda Alliance held a press conference yesterday [Nov.18], responding to questions about their reply to the Throne Speech.
During the OBA’s formal response to the Throne Speech, the Opposition had said while there was much to praise in the broad thrust of Government’s legislative agenda for 2012, the overriding question remains whether Bermuda’s Government will follow through on its promises.
“It’s a relevant question Mr. Speaker, because this Government has disappointed many,” he said. “The gap between its initial promise and its record is significant and telling. This is a Government that became too comfortable in power.”
Opposition Leader Craig Cannonier spoke first, then Bob Richards replied to questions about the economy.
Asked about the possibility of an increase in the debt ceiling, Mr Richards said, “I expect that, there is no other way. I expect that to happen in February. As a matter of fact, I would not be surprised if it happens before February.”
Shadow Minister of Government Estates & Information Cole Simons responded to questions about Walter Roban’s recent resignation saying, “With good governance, one should lead by example.
“The reality is we have to be particularly careful that we don’t have different rules for this country, rules for the people and rules for people in public places.
“Now the current Minister…obviously he resigns…did he resign or was he asked to resign, is the real issue. We believe on our side a few other people should resign and do the right thing, because he should not be left carrying the bag by himself,” said Mr Simons.
Answering a question on education, Shadow Minister of Education Dr. Grant Gibbons said, “You have had a slew of different Ministers, you’ve had change at the civil service level, but I don’t think you have had a consistent approach and a plan that they have been able to stick through.
“You need a consistent leadership and you need a plan that you follow through on, and it simply hasn’t happened.”
11-minute video of press conference:
8 out of 10 the OLD UBP…just a change of name and address!!
Funny ding is dey smarter den all de PLP combined. Jokes on u
smarter very questionable??? Cannonier – did you listen to the throne reply – won’t win any awards there????Cole Simmons???? Donte Hunte????? Sean Crockwell???? (recall he was convicted for taking drugs across de street) Bob Richards, ask Bob Stewart who he worked for at Shell???? Louise Jackson can dance; Pamplin can bark; Gibbons is nervously smart indeed; Moniz devilish smart as he speaks out about christains, yea they are smart alright. lmao
While you’re at it, talk about how Dr. Brown and his friends raped this country.
Brown isn’t there anymore. You can only use that argument for so long fella.
But many can use the old “UBP did it” for 13 years and that’s okay? But we can’t hold a leader responsible for the country that was there making decisions just over a year ago? No sorry. If people can spout off crap like “the UBP did it” then we will hold and talk about Doc Brown for the next 13 years too. You can’t have it both ways. It’s called hypocrite.
You mean UBP did it for 30 plus years. I know what you mean. But to be fair, 30 years is a lot longer than Browns short stint.
Knowing what I know now….I would rather 8 out of 10 UBP than the governement we have had since they were voted out. By the way, if the UBP is so bad, then why has the PLP courted many from the OLD UBP?
Cuz PLP have nothing from within.
Knowing what I know, I would never vote for them because of how much they raped and piliged this country for 30 years!!!!
UBP isn’t there anymore. You can only use that argument for so long fella.
LMAO!!! You got me!!!! Was wondering if someoen caught that!! But they are still there.
Politics in Bermuda is becoming like bad sitcom!!!!! One almost has to laugh at it all, not because it is funny, but at the fact that these “actors” are actually entertaining some people.and that goes for both sides, or all three sides as is stated in the article.
I wonder how many people heard Craig Cannonier…on T.V. the other night, he had a problew with pronouncing the word “beaurocracy” and thank God Pat Pamplin was near to help him with this word !!!!
So he had a problem with one word. Nobody is perfect. By the way if you are so critical of someone speaking publically where are your negative comments when Mr. BIU makes his press statements.
I thought nobody was perfect?
And you had a problem spelling problem. Your point?
Had a problem spelling problem as well as bureaucracy.Really butchered the latter.
The OBA speech and responses were more UBP than the UBP
Well that’s fine by me, the PLP have been more Mickey Mouse than PLP of late.
yea but disney is not suffering eh? So I will stick with Mickey Mouse
I love Mickey Mouse!!
Stop your pathetic attempts to keep UBP alive. In fact your attempts only prove you have nothing to say. Just keep bending over and take PLP.
LMAO!!! Take body!!!! Ya think me easy!!!
OBA if you are trying to come across as a ‘new party’ please shake the old baggage. It looks as if UBP has two new members
MP’s cannot quit and be replaced. There has only been 2 by-elections since the last general election. Change will happen. And that scares PLP to no end.
Change does not scare the PLP! Change your pathetaic strategy and get rid of these UBPers!!
Have you looked at the PLP lines up lately …looking more like the UBP every week. People that live in glass houses should not throw stones.
actually only 1- cannonier is the only legit member of the oba
@ LOL, your PLP (Pathetic Little Party) is ruining the Island, can’t you see this????
It sure is.
Well done Craig, ‘a breath of fresh air’, ( no punn intended )! Excellent. A very positive vibe!
So….. it took the UBP 40+ years to self destruct, fizzle and become extinct and not to be outdone, now it appears the PLP are in hot pursuit, mimicking a similar performance of scandals, hickups and alienating themselves from the people, tourists and big busines, on a much grander scale.
Possibly, the two party system needs to be shelved in the annals of history with the dinosaurs.
A golden opportunity exists for the OBA to amalgamate with the ‘near to be extinct’ PLP, as they did such a great job amalgamating and re-branding with the dormant UBP.
‘One party’, of intelligent, gifted, enlightened men and women, young and seasoned, black and white, for the collective benefit of ‘one island’, in spite of our differences and opinions. A ‘win-win’ scenario, no more ‘divide and conquer’, after all, ‘united we stand and divided we fall’.
The new name could be, One United Progressive National Liberal Alliance of Bermuda, or, One United Progressive Democratic Alliance of Bermuda, or, One United Progressive Bermudian Alliance.
If we can get men on the moon, we can do this too…. it’s so crazy and preposterous it just might work, seriously folks…. consider Bill Gates and his crazy idea, look where it took him !
We do have the collective intelligence, talent and potential required to accomplish such an awesome feat !
Time will tell…… time to vote…..
Judging by the pics above, the UBP is very much alive. It’s funny how the pics above make it look like all the UBP cronies can’t wait to get rid of CC? They are crowding him out already. LOL
Paula is plenty more afraid than CC.
How do you know that?? Can you read minds???
Craig Cannonier can never be premier.
The guy says more ums than the Um Um show.
He’s a bit clueless if you ask me.
@ get real – get real bra. at least ya boy speakin…so much for paula cox, she aink sed sh*t!
Paula is trying to save her a$$
Well if we’re being frank about it, Paula always sounds like she swallowed a Therausus. I saw her speak last week. She used the phrase “less red tape and more red carpet” several times. That’s what she does…. gets a buzz phrase and uses it once every three minutes. Like the phrase “resetting the dial”, that she over-used when she first became premier. And a couple of years ago she kept saying we had a “Goldilocks economy. Not too hot, not too cold” (She turned out to be wrong about that, much as she liked to say it ad nausium).
Yeah, because we’ve been blessed with great orators for the last 13 years!!
bwwhahaha.
I BME am not racist but can not seem to avoid it living in Bermuda I understand how family,race and wealth plays it part in which political party you will support. We all have a choice to pick and support any of the three political parties or maybe an independent.With that said I do not understand why whites votes UBP/OBA and most blacks PLP. you noticed i said most blacks votes PLP because we know its a few that still sit on santa lap wishing they was white. Let me tell you slavery is over and the OBA/UBP keep talking about change collaborations tell what did they do for 35 years in power to help us. If you are so blind to see that the cards have been stacked for years. I am so glad i am old enough to remember the UPB in its prime and dont be fooled by John Swan and his smile because the only the cares about is his pocket and his Waterfront dream. I understand the challege that come with change so i agree with most whites and as a black man i will continue to take my chances with PLP no matter what ploy they come up with to capture my vote NEVER EVER WILL I VOTE FOR A PARTY THAT HAS DIVEDED THIS COUNTRY A LONG TIME AGO AND CONTINUE TO TODAY, BOB RICHARDS WAS TAUGHT WELL BY HIS FATHER SO THE HOUSE SERVANT KNOWS ANY DIFFERENT. I DONT HIDE MY FELINGS BEHIND ANY NICKNAME SHOW YOUR FACE LET’S TALK ABOUT THE REAL ISSUES OF THIS COUNTRY DIVIDE.
blah blah blah, your just another old black man thats pissed off that nobody extended an olive branch out to you. Money isn’t everything old man, power in Bermuda just makes you a target and finally your dreams of the PLP are distorted by the fact that you can’t let go of the past and a few nasty white folk that took white privalage too far.
Get over that, there will always be people with more money than you……need l say more?
yes hiding behind a name as l am young and have things to loose…
“i will continue to take my chances with PLP no matter what ploy they come up with to capture my vote”
Well, that’s pretty dumb. You deserve all you get.
Nathan, I couldn’t agree more but most of us like suzanne houlshouser who works for Dunkley can’t afford to put our names, when she got a little ubp promotion the dunk cut her hours at least that whats she shared with us? so most of us hide because we are afraid of the OBA mps who are bosses making our lives and livelihood impossible. Sorry we can’t afford not to work. They are shutting us up by holding our jobs hostage.
Den wat about ya boy dat spoke up bout EB…said 1 comment den was off de island de next day!? talkin bout intimidation…two way street bra. both r jus as bad!
Still that situation pales in comparison to all the jobs lost under the UBP/OBA flag.
Notice how no-one denies UBP/OBA association when it is mentioned?! Hmmmmmm
Nathan, you are spot on!
we are afraid of putting our names because the OBA MPs boss can get threatening and we are not independently financial stable. As pass a pass ubp senator what happened to her when she joined and opened up?
correction, ask a past ubp senator what happened to her? she worked for one of the OBA mp and got treated badly, hours cut etc. What’s new? They are not in power as of yet, but perhaps the taste of it is near and they are already, you know the deal. speak up.
Sad day if the OBA ever become government, we may just have to leave because of the injustices we won’t be able to control.
We won’t miss you.
Seriously, it is absolutely lame to suggest that people have lost their jobs for declaring opposition to the OBA. I could make the same allegations against the PLP, but without facts it would sound just as lame.
What we do know about is the physical intimidation by the plp prior to the last election, but that’s well-known.
Nathan, OBA mps/ bosses are threatening some with their jobs.
Everyone’s jobs are under threat as long as the PLP remain with their incompetence, corruption, poor ethics and stupidity.
Took them them 13 years, but they did it in the end they destroyed Bermuda.
To somehow resurrect a thinly veiled “plantation argument”, because that’s all you have to offer, is beyond stupid. I’m surprised you can walk and breathe at the same time.
It was never buried in the first place. but I got where you was goign with it. Still, it was and is a big issue that we all try to sweep under the rug.
What color are those OBA (One Bad Ass Party) employers?
so very true.
There has never been a time in Bermuda’s history were a Coalition Government would be considered . The times have changed , so we are slow to respond , AGAIN . Now only the best and brightest need apply .
Very, very clear from the commentary on this board that this country is totally f_d no matter who wins the next election.
If we ever doubted how far apart we are racially one only need tune in to this and what is found in the RG for a snippet of what is really discussed in the privacy of our homes and country & community clubs..
Feel the love my azz…..
We’re not far apart racially , we’re far apart in our perceptions of reality and our political literacy.
You live in an altered universe if you believe that…
Looks like to me that the OBA will be the next government. Also looks like PLP loyalists are running scared and will say and use any tactic to try and keep power! Ain’t gonna work this time! Please Leave Politics!!! Altogether….
Far from a done deal.. watch!
You sound like a typical OBA’er. Your only defense is that PLP’ers are running scared. Come on guys, get a new line. Or you use the old Koolaide line. Getting a bit old if you think you can scare the masses into thinking your truths are facts when they are just opinions.
What will you say if PLP win?? HA! What will PLP say if OBA win??
The plot thinkens!!
Gibbons – UBP check
Simons – UBP check
Hunt – UBP check
Jackson – UBP check
Pamplin – UBP check
Richards – UBP check
Moniz – UBP check
Crockwell – UBP check
But I guess having the BDA cannonier out front means they are a new crew. LOL.
PLP/DOA
Darius Tucker – UBP/PLP check
Wayne Furbert – UBP/PLP check
PLP more UBP everyday.
PLP/BIU
Pepper,
Cannonier didn’t have a problem with pronouncing the word he drew a blank – had a senior moment. I was not impressed with his delivery at all. He was embarrassing. A five year old would have done better than he.
You would have soiled your pants.
Yes the “cannon” did have a senior moment and I’m sure it was a little embarrassing. However at least he is understood when he speaks. When Paula speaks people are like what the heck is “the Cog” talking about. Also he doesn’t need to steal and claim other people’s sayings and phases and calling it is own. Oh I forgot it’s PLP stealing again!
These old muppets ain’t going get elected
What is really different about this picture??? Nothing !! Not very much the same UBP/OBA cabinet,, same players, same elected cabinet members, same Ministers, only Craig who is working to gain the Black Swing Middle Class vote. I not sure if his mention of his personal story on racism was to (1) to share that he has an understanding of race (2) to gain the black votes (3) to help the UBP/OBA supporters and members understand how racism has contributed to where we are today. But how do the OBA/UBP members/Supporters deal with this, as Craig must be a racist. Because whenever any member/supporters of the PLP discuss the issue of racist/colorblindness they are often labeled as a “racist” by the OBA/UBP. This must be difficult for them to deal with. Nevertheless, the real problem with Craig’s mention of race is that he fails to provide a concrete plan as to how the OBA/UBP will deal with it. Or is this just famous words to appeal to the Black vote?
Looks like Craig has copied a script right of the pages of Rolf, Eva and others that talks on the subject to of Race. Even more interesting @ Realist Voter, is that they call persons like Rolf, Eva, and others who only provide real historical information on the issues of Race, nothing more than big bad Racist. However, they have said the same thing as Craig on the subject matter and, are all labels as “Racist”. Now Craig talks about race, and so does this make him a “Racist”?
Let’s face it, this must be difficult for some of those White OBA/UBP supporters, who always attempt to keep race out of the discussion and debate. Just mention colour, and the first thing they say; no need to mention colour, or PLP love to play the race card or why is it important to mention race, after all this is not required, why can you not have a conversation without mentioning colour? This is why Craig speech on Racist almost appears to be full of insincerity, and pretense and two-faced. It does make one ask is Craig is playing the race-card game of appealing to get the votes of the Black Swing Middle Class Voter?
Gosh you plp’ers are always trying to make something up!
I am in shock at how nasty these posts are! Do we need to threaten each other over politics?
Anyway, I want to toss a question out there. I have asked some friends and honestly they stare at me like deer in a headlight.
What is it white people can do for you to make you feel better? Give me something concrete. Do I apoligise to each black person I meet? I am serious about this. To my knowledge, I have never hurt anyone. I am too young to have been involved in slavery, my ancestors were working class people as am I. My parents worked two jobs all my life, I worked two jobs to raise and educate my children. I made what I hope are good choices and yes, I have done ok. Now tell me what I need to do to make my fellow Bermudians of color feel better? For the last ten years or more I have been hearing that we need to make things right. That we need to acknowledge what was done in the past to move on. So do you want a advertising campaign that says we are sorry some screwed up people treated you badly based on skin color? Then who is going to apoligise to my parents who were treated badly becasue they were immigrants from Europe? I really want to know this, and I am not being sarcastic.
If I can make one person let the past go but doing something today, right now, please tell me. Then maybe we can grow as a community, together. Let’s vote based on issues not on history. Not every polition in any party is out to get anyone. Some really want to serve, some are hugely talented and smart. We need the best people to help us turn ourselves back into the Jewel of the Atlantic.
You need to look at at from a different point of view. Think of it this way, When the Nazi’s took the Jew’s into slavery until they were finally released, this was marked as the greatest Holicost of all time. No one would dare ask the questions you just have to a Jew because of the heated arguements and just plain disrespect it would show them. Now apply that same logic to the en-slavement of the black people from Africa and what do you get? Its ok to ask silly questions and tell blacks to get over it right? Why? Did you know that black peoples en-slavement was far worse than that of the Jews, the Native Americans, or even the great Mayan Empire. But they are told to get over it, its in the past, or that had nothing to do with me. It was so bad that records were unable to be kept becasue of the sheer vast amounts of blacks being taken legally (strange I know) and illegally across the waters. But we are told to get over it. You and others may never understand until your race has had the privilage of experiencing a little of this. Actually wait……………you have been feeling a little bit of it for the past 13 years. Not nice is it, to know your at the bottom.
There was so much more I could have said, and been a bit more discriptive, but typing is a pain in the arse right now. So i decided to highlight certain important parts. I hope you all get the jist of what I was trying to say. If not, well I could divulge a bit more after the irate comments come in from certain individuals.
That is more of the same and I just want to know what I can do now, today. I get that terrible crimes were committed, not defending this at all. I guess I have been hurtful with my lack of understanding but I do not feel I am at the bottom of anything. Sadder still to me is that is your reaction to an honest question….
I am not telling you to get over it, I am asking how can I, me, help you move on. I have read lots of history so yes I do know these things you have pointed out- all horrible and sad that we can do this to each other. But what now is my question? If we go back through history we will see since the beginning of time, man (and woman)have done horrible things to each other. My ancestors were made to starve by the British, they were not “equals”, were raped and beaten and left to go hungry, they didnt’ get over it they went around it and moved on. I don’t hate all British people – you have to move on or the hate eats you up. God willing, no race will ever have to have this happen to them again. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.
As for my Jewish friends and colleagues, well I doubt you really know any or you wouldn’t say this. They too will never forget, but they have moved on.
As you feel so passsionately about this topic, I would like to know if you would tell me what I can do, as a white person, what can I do.
“until your race has had the privilage of experiencing a little of this. Actually wait……………you have been feeling a little bit of it for the past 13 years. Not nice is it, to know your at the bottom.”
I think that says it all really. To bad social acceptance in most of the world has changed and the type of things that occurred to those people of the past (again in most of the world) is not acceptable any more. Can’t take it any more could also look at it like this if these things did not happen to the Jews they might not have found the strength to be what they are today. Blacks might not be the most successful people in the world after all those that have made it did it in spite of incredible odds and are held to the highest of standards (ie look at the most well known blacks they are world wide names easily recognizable by all races). Whites would have not been the most dominant of the world (think of the spark the great crusades).
LOL imagine if we relied on each others strengths as a unified people where would any limit hold us…………
@ Bernews
My above comment so bad that it’s been 24 hours to clear you moderation I understand your working hard but Can’t take it any more’s comment was posted much later than mine.
LOL guess whites opions are at the bottom of the list lol………..
To be honest, there is nothing you can do. I applaud your determination and will to end the conflict, but there is nothing you can do.
Blacks as a whole need to come together first. We need to develop our own higher thought levels so we can move forward as a race. What I failed to mention before was what these other races have in common, and thats unity. Blacks are so divided in this world one would think that there are different races of blacks when there isn’t. You see, we have been brainwashed and led so far astray (not just because of whites but because of other blacks as well) that we have no clue as how to move forward. Once we pull together and realise that we must stop blaming others for the past and move on as a whole, then our race can and will move forward. Until this happens though, people in the black race will always have this backwards way of thinking. Sad thing is, our own fellow blacks in high positions in life are holding the keys and continue to keep a large portion of our race in this down position. Smae can be said about a few whites in similar high positions in life that still feel blacks are inferior. However, we are all a single race of men and women.
Think Independence Day the movie. The aleins came adn wanted to kill all humans, not just blacks or whites or reds or greens, all humans. Which is what we all are, THE HUMAN RACE!!!
Good dialogue young lady. Let’s see what answers you get! I’ll like to use your questions on Forum.. Tks
Also how can you be contacted?
I have a hotmail acccount – Ladyscribbler@hotmail.com
@Lady Scribbler, that was well written and asked the most pertinent questions. I do not feel that you needed to look at the situation in any other way. I noticed that Can’t take it anymore never gave you answer! I think a lot of people are feeling as you do. Thank you for your input. Hopefully it will give others pause to think
“While growing up, I was disturbed by the glaring economic disparity between blacks and whites. Looking at the Bermuda skyline you could not name a handful of great buildings owned by black men in a country with a majority black population. I felt uneasy walking in certain neighborhoods that were known to be for whites only, and was fearful I would be told to leave. I was apprehensive entering banks for loans, fearing white men would deny me because of my skin color. I knew many others felt this way but were smiling through the storms.
Stories of strong black men who had their mortgages pulled were not uncommon.”
OBA Party Leader
Now look at the make up of OBA even one particular person in the Photo above. He is talking about their family’s. I wonder what they have to say about it.