Hashtag: #JonathanStarlingColumns
Opinion: Starling On Fixed-Term Elections
[Opinion column written by Jonathan Starling] Among the political reforms proposed by the OBA during the 2012 general election – and political reforms that I supported and included in my own election platform – was the call for fixed-term elections. Specifically, the OBA called for fixed-term elections on a five-year cycle. Despite almost a year... Read more of this article
Opinion: Jonathan Starling On Right Of Recall
[Opinion column written by Jonathan Starling] Time for the ‘Right of Recall’ Vote… In the 2012 General Election the OBA promised a series of sweeping political reforms, including fixed-term elections, absentee voting and the right-of-recall. Despite some mention last summer of a committee, headed by Minister Fahy, developing these proposals we’ve... Read more of this article
Opinion: Starling On Remembering Tiananmen
[Opinion column written by Jonathan Starling] I was almost exactly ten years old when the events of Tiananmen reached their tragic end, twenty-five years ago. I have vague recollections of CBS reporting’s from that time, of the iconic ‘tank man’ blocking a column of tanks from advancing on the demonstrators, of the anguished look on the faces... Read more of this article
Opinion: We Need Action, Not Empty Rhetoric
[Opinion column written by Jonathan Starling] Late last night we witnessed a sad and unprecedented moment in Bermuda’s history, where a Premier was forced to resign as a result of a scandal of his own making. This is sad for Bermuda because many had such high hopes for this now disgraced Premier and the rhetoric of ‘change’, of ‘transparency... Read more of this article
Opinion: Public Health Approach To Drug Use
[Opinion column written by Jonathan Starling] Recently the media reported that a video was circulating on social media about an individual licking and kissing a dead cat. While the media [quite rightly] didn’t show the video, it basically shows a male carrying a dead cat, by the tail, placing it on the ground, just off a major road, and, to the goading... Read more of this article
Opinion: Starling On International Worker’s Day
[Opinion column written by Jonathan Starling] May Day, also known as International Worker’s Day, is a public holiday in over 80 countries, and has been celebrated as such since 1891. May Day, as International Worker’s Day, originated from the brutal police repression of workers striking for labour reforms in the late 19th Century, specifically for... Read more of this article
Opinion: Ethical Question Of Dolphins & Captivity
[Opinion column written by Jonathan Starling] Recently there’s been a lot of discussion in Bermuda on the issue of keeping dolphins in captivity; this appears to have been the unintended result of Dolphin Quest announcing the births of two baby dolphins amongst their captive population. A Role for Aquariums & Zoos To be upfront, I was formerly... Read more of this article
Opinion Column: “Think Global, Act Local”
[Opinion column written by Jonathan Starling] The announcement that Gibbons Company will be carrying GAP products has been welcomed by many in the community that follow fashion trends. However, it is important that we recall the saying ‘think global, act local’ when we look at this announcement. Far too often it is too easy to think only in terms... Read more of this article
Opinion: A Reply To MP Sousa On Film Crew
[Opinion column written by Jonathan Starling] I doubt I’m the only one having trouble following the rationale put forward by, first Minister Fahy and now the OBA backbencher, MP Sousa. Essentially they seem to be arguing that denying the film crew permission to film on island was the right thing to do in order to defend Bermuda’s ‘reputational... Read more of this article
Opinion: ‘Double Jeopardy’ Needs More Reform
[Opinion column written by Jonathan Starling] The recent debacle over the barring of a Canadian film-crew from filming on the island has helped to shed light on the need for further legal reforms in Bermuda. In particular, it’s time to take another look at the issue of ‘double jeopardy’ – where individuals cannot be tried for the same offence... Read more of this article
Opinion: Equality For Women Is Progress For All
[Opinion column written by Jonathan Starling] Today, March 8th, is International Women’s Day, and has the theme of ‘equality for women is progress for all’ as the official UN theme for 2014. International Women’s Day emerged out of the labour struggles and socialist movement of over a century ago, and has been adopted by the United Nations as... Read more of this article
Opinion Column On A National Science Strategy
[Opinion column written by Jonathan Starling] We Need A National Science Strategy In the most recent Throne Speech the Government made reference to a number of key ‘national’ strategies, such as a proposed National Agriculture Strategy and a National Gender Policy. These are welcome initiatives, and in many ways long overdue. What was conspicuously... Read more of this article
