Just as Bermuda posted the best tourism results in years, if not decades, the government shoots equality and Bermuda in the foot by legislating away a right granted to same sex couples via the Supreme Court of Bermuda on May 5th 2017.

We were on the cusp of being a tolerant and just society. Indeed even Walton Brown Jnr said said last year:
“My honourable friend said that if we allow same sex unions or gay marriage it will have far reaching implications…yes, it will…it would lead to a more just society,” Opposition MP Walton Brown said in the House of Assembly.

For the sake of justice and equality and indeed Bermuda’s reputation and Bermuda Tourism, I hope the pending legal challenge will be successful.
We are launching a crowd funding appeal in our legal fight for this important human rights issue.
http://www.samelovebermuda.com/lawsuit.html

BUT the Premier just dragged Bermuda into the dark days of discrimination with the reversal of Same Sex Marriage.
This has hurt Bermuda globally. When you take away equality don’t expect everyone to come rushing to our shores.
The Premier should have been BOLD an accepted the ruling of May 5th 2017 of Charles-Etta Simmons – that would have been the right and just thing to do. There was nothing BOLD at all about trampling on the rights of a minority.
Now Bermuda faces world wide fallout coupled with a legal battle to boot.
Wish you were BOLD Mr. Premier with Marriage Equality.

Sadly, the negative feedback in the global press and social media has meant that hotels have lost business. One hotel just lost a $ 2 million dollar group booking. That is just one booking. There are many others. Then there is the cruise ship issue….

Just as Bermuda had posted its best tourism numbers in years, the PLP trampled on the rights of a minority by reversing same sex marriage and giving them 2nd class domestic partnerships. Indeed they reversed those rights with legislation – how cynical and repugnant.
The cost in loss of reputation, tourism visitors and Equality and Justice for the #LGBTQ community is huge.
It didn’t need to be.
The Premier Burt has been called BOLD for his Budget and reversing the 60/40 rule, sadly he is the opposite of that in his governments treatment of the LGBT community.

By the way,BIG motorcycles overheat at low speed I guess tht applies to big trucks and busses also.
Now you know why the police motorcycles have to drive quite fast on occasion.

Lastly, Burt speaks of helping Bermudian “entrepreneurs” but an entrepreneur who doesn’t have control of his business is a minority investor. In fact, he is supporting foreign entrepreneurs.

Not Wise At All!!!!

Friends and Family returns.

Also, because Bermuda’s electricity is generated by burning oil a lot of modern cars are just as efficient as electric in terms of air pollution.

Now you are going to give them 60 % .

I do not call that progressive,that to me is 60 % control of prices and labor across the board.

At one time i could sell my house to a non Bermudian , they thook that awat except for the rich folks who can have a real estate field day.

Also do you all not know that” A LENDER OWNES YOU.”

COME ON !

Diferent strokes for different folks down at TT. !

We seniors built this island now you want to give it away .

Any major policy change such as this should clearly provide transparency around the pros and cons of this change (qualitative, quantitative – business and social).

I would expect at minimum that ALL potential impacts to be discussed publicly before such a major change is made. Particularly (and not all):

- how does this really help Bermuda?
- how does this really help the average Bermudian?
- how will this impact the ability of Bermudians to be able to progress to top jobs and/or own their own business?
- how will this impact on the ability to control our economy?
- what are the job growth prospects? Is their potential for job leakage – move costs to lower cost centers?

A great point in case is I don’t see banks (particularly those sold to foreign entities) always acting in the best interest of Bermuda Inc.? Bank of Bermuda used to hire 1000′s of Bermudians, how many do they hire now? How many jobs have been lost to drive better profitability? They don’t appear to want to service ALL Bermuda retail customers?

Let’s be adults and lay all facts on the table so we can make an informed assessment (not just someone’s opinion). It’s just not good enough to say 60/40 has lived its time, particularly in light of the nationalist movement we’re seeing worldwide! If globalization is very disruptive for major countries, to not foresee or discuss its impacts on a country this small is malpractice!

Everybody has an opinion, but I’d like to see the facts so folks can draw their own opinions…

Smiths

Yet Mr Burt acknowledges in the same breath that it will “face opposition from both sides of the political spectrum”, which really translates into “opposition from within”. For this to reach potential means challenging the entrenched nationalist, protectionist and outright xenophobic perceptions that his party has long promoted and exploited within its support base. Right there between the lines is a call for a paradigm shift in position on immigration and residency policy; reversing, or at least calming, public opinion on an emotional issue stoked furiously for political gain in recent years. There are currently serving Cabinet members whose opinions of public record don’t reconcile with this whatsoever. The Premier and Finance Minister will have his work cut out for him to make this work.

Provided that any opportunities are afforded to ALL Bermudians on a level playing field, I applaud Mr. Burt for a bold move and hope it results in much needed economic stimulus.

Good riddance.

Well done Mr Premier.

As well eliminating the restriction on motorcycle cc’s would lower the cost of motorcycles. Most people I think, want value for money those who can afford more expensive bikes will buy them via direct importation themselves or dealers will bring them in at a competitive price. Hence motorcycle prices will decrease. As for those who protest cc’s kill people “no” irresponsible riding kills. Slamming into a wall at 30mph can kill you just as fast as 50mph.