Great news that a new business hotel will be built in Hamilton; the Corporation of Hamilton has been pursuing this development for many years. As usual, the good news is mixed with some questions. Why wasn’t the Corporation – the champion of the project and the landlord – present at the announcement yesterday? What is [...]
Entries from June 30th, 2009
Trying It On For Size
June 29th, 2009 · Comments Off · Bermuda Politics
Ewartville, capital of the Republic of Bermudistan. Kind of rolls off the tongue doesn’t it? And, they could auction off naming rights for (the colonial vestige previously known as) St. George’s. Cuz that’s probably the only way they will fund the Park Hyatt promised for the East End anytime soon.
Tags:City Hall
What is the Lobbyist’s Role?
June 26th, 2009 · Comments Off · Bermuda Politics
The London Times (see RG coverage) is reporting that a Washington lobbyist was involved in Dr. Brown’s controversial acceptance of the Uighurs without the knowledge of his own Cabinet, nor approval from the British Government as required by our Constitution. This would appear to be confirmed by the lobbyist’s presence in a photo with the [...]
Tags:Guantanamo·Uighurs
PATI still alive
June 26th, 2009 · Comments Off · Transparency
I am glad to see something is still happening on Bermuda’s freedom of information effort. After so many years of lipservice, it’s time to get this on the legislative agenda. GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands (GIS) — Bermudian government officials reviewed Cayman’s experiences with Freedom of Information (FOI) during an official visit last week. The country’s [...]
Tags:cayman·Cayman Islands·FOIA·PATI
Powerplay
June 25th, 2009 · Comments Off · Bermuda Politics
Now that he’s been made King, the power plays begin in earnest. The Corporations of Hamilton and St George have been informed that Government intends to try and take them over. “In its Throne Speech of 2008, the Government of Bermuda undertook to reform Bermuda’s municipalities; in considering the best means to do so, Cabinet [...]
Same Playbook
June 25th, 2009 · Comments Off · Islands
You have to wonder if King Ewart and Iron Mike are using the same playbook. It’s all so familiar. From the sitting of the Turk’s rump Parliament yesterday: At one point Misick compared Governor Wetherell to a known racist, finally saying the Governor himself was a racist dictator. The Speaker told the former premier he [...]
Tags:Turks & Caicos
Bookman’s Perspective
June 25th, 2009 · Comments Off · Bermuda Politics
There’s a glowing piece of puffery floating around the Internet, positioning Dr. Brown as a great humanitarian and “natural born leader”. Mr. Bookman seems to know a lot about Bermuda’s Premier. The oddity is that no-one in Bermuda seems to know much about Mr. Bookman. Indeed, the piece sounds like paid PR. What’s the connection? [...]
Tags:Spin Doctor
Cayman Governor is a Blogger
June 24th, 2009 · 1 Comment · Islands
The Governor of the Cayman Islands has a blog. Imagine that. This is an area in which both Bermuda’s Governor and the Opposition are dragging: getting their word out to the public in a timely and compelling manner. The PLP have been effective at grassroots communication – but have gone totally over the top [...]
Tags:cayman
It’s the Governance, Stupid!
June 23rd, 2009 · Comments Off · Bermuda Politics, Business
I am neither fish nor fowl. I am apparently not Bermudian enough to make the Premier’s Christmas card list, nor Establishment enough to be invited to the Bermuda First think tank. Nevertheless, some things are plain to me and I believe will be reflected in the Bermuda First report which is supposed to be delivered [...]
Tags:Bermuda First
Dirty Tricks Brigade
June 23rd, 2009 · Comments Off · Bermuda Politics
Bermuda’s dirty tricks brigade is at it again. This afternoon a package containing a “strange-smelling powder” was delivered to a local company, causing the Hazmat team to be called out and Front Street to be closed for nearly two hours. As it happens, an individual prominent in the recent protests against Dr. Brown’s leadership actions [...]
Tags:Politricks