So, it’s time for the Love Festival, Dr. Brown’s annual Valentine’s bacchanal. Most of us just buy flowers or chocolate for their spouse. Yes, the role of Bermuda’s Department of Tourism has changed massively over the past 10 years. It has gone from being a booster for Bermuda’s tourism providers, to attempting to be the [...]
Entries from February 13th, 2008
Minnow Bait
February 11th, 2008 · 1 Comment · Bermuda Politics
Bermuda has spent many millions to boost our cricket teams on the world stage, only to become famous for Sluggo and this. This will once again ignite questions about the record financial investment by Government in a men’s squad who have been overwhelmed in virtually every single match, whether it be first-class games, one-day internationals [...]
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Keep Your Eye on the Ball
February 11th, 2008 · No Comments · Bermuda Politics
Mirroring comments made by others in the sector, an article published by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services notes that other jurisdictions are heavily competing with Bermuda for the lucrative insurance sector. Although Bermuda remains an important player, insurers are also choosing Dublin, Dubai, Zurich, and Luxembourg. Certainly these locations allow the insurers to be closer [...]
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Bermuda Traffic Demerits
February 11th, 2008 · 3 Comments · Bermuda Politics
Late last year, Bermuda instituted a “points system” for driving offenses.It was a good move – and a long time in the coming. Curiously, there has been little in the way of explanation by Government or in the media regarding how the system works.Here are some details, taken from the Traffic Offenses (Penalties) Amendment Act [...]
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Replying to the Throne
February 8th, 2008 · No Comments · Bermuda Politics
The UBP has given their reply to the throne speech in which Kim Swan lays out their mission statement. It is notably populist: We speak for nearly half the country, and so we will approach this time in Opposition with a commitment to them and to all citizens, including those who are looking for an [...]
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Irresponsible
February 8th, 2008 · No Comments · Transport
So why did Government fold like a cheap tent over the BIU’s threats regarding the firing of the drunk ferry pilot? Well, it turns out that Marine & Ports has no alcohol and drugs policy, unlike the bus drivers of the Public Transportation Board who have been covered by one for more than a decade. [...]
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Education Reform
February 8th, 2008 · 1 Comment · Bermuda Politics
So the Ministry of Education is starting to outline the changes that will be made to improve accountability in the public school system. The announcement seems rushed, with the Ministry’s consultant Henry Johnson notably absent. Hopefully more details will come soon. The changes include positive steps like the end of social promotion, the publication of [...]
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Government by Leak
February 8th, 2008 · No Comments · Bermuda Politics
When government functions in secret, it becomes tempting to make decisions that would never be adopted in the full light of public scrutiny. And inevitably, someone on the inside – perhaps knowing that the process was incorrect or having a personal agenda – will leak the documents. This causes either embarrassment for the Government or [...]
Sunshine
February 7th, 2008 · 1 Comment · Transparency
Many jurisdictions take transparency so seriously that they have both freedom of information laws that cover data in the possession of Government and open meeting laws that require all deliberations of public bodies to be announced in advance and be open to the public. There are so many examples at the city, state, country, and [...]
Piling On
February 6th, 2008 · No Comments · Bermuda Politics
The Corporation of Hamilton’s recent missteps have attracted disapproving coverage by the press. Even Bermuda’s compliant media were surprised when the Corporation announced that it intends to tear down Number One Shed “because it needs rewiring.” Come on, let’s be honest Suthy! We all know it’s being ripped down to force a public commitment to [...]
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