Vexed Bermoothes

Blustery Opinions From Bermuda

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Entries from November 30th, 2009

Santa Bump and Grind

November 30th, 2009 · No Comments · Accountability

Santa Claus visited Hamilton this weekend, with big crowds of families and Christmas cheer. I think his eyes popped out at the sheer numbers of glittering majorettes who were clamouring to escort him around the city streets.  I think he was also surprised by the dance moves as well, which were (cough), shall we say [...]

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Deadline for PATI Input

November 30th, 2009 · No Comments · Accountability, Transparency

This afternoon is the deadline for public input to the PATI “public access to information” bill.  I encourage you to make a submission, no matter how brief.  The PATI bill may be found here: Bermuda PATI Draft law [pdf] Bermuda PATI Consultation Handbook [pdf] Submissions should be directed to The Cabinet Secretary at pati@gov.bm. The [...]

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HRH

November 25th, 2009 · Comments Off · Bermuda Politics

The Queen is in Bermuda this week and has been met with large and cheerful crowds at the various public functions.  I suspect that this outpouring of love is partly driven by the Queen’s history and dignity – but also a response to the current leadership’s resentful efforts to rewrite Bermuda’s history. The coverage of [...]

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Taste of Own Meds

November 23rd, 2009 · No Comments · Business

The international press is reporting that the new EU president, as one of his first moves, intends to launch new taxes that will provide tax revenues directly into Brussels’ pockets instead of having it filter through national tax systems. The UK conservatives are spluttering with rage: “Any kind of harmonised tax system will remove control [...]

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The Doc-Yard

November 18th, 2009 · 1 Comment · Development, Tourism

Next time you go up to Dockyard, lie down on that big ole dock and give it a hug.  Why, you say?  Why should I kiss that wharf that’s bigger than Warwick? Because at its $60 million pricetag, it cost every single Bermudian about $1,250 in long term debt.  You better kiss that dock ‘cuz [...]

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Musical Chairs

November 17th, 2009 · Comments Off · Bermuda Politics

Membership in Dr. Brown’s Cabinet shifts like the tides.  At this stage, only a handful of PLP MPs have not served on Cabinet. With the latest revelation about the Southside shooting, rumours are hot that Zane DeSilva might get at least a temporary turn at Sports & Environment. I’ll leave it up to you to [...]

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Shooting Gallery

November 16th, 2009 · Comments Off · Bermuda Politics

The gang related shooting at Southside this weekend crossed the rubicon in several ways.  First, it raised shootouts in Bermuda to a weekly occurrence.  Secondly, it happened in a crowd of “normal citizens” in a public place. Every level of Bermuda’s leadership – from the politicians to the clergy to every family head – must [...]

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Yes, Minister

November 12th, 2009 · No Comments · Bermuda Politics

The Premier today appointed Zane DeSilva to Cabinet.  He will be a Minister without Portfolio, swelling Cabinet to 11 people. Why does Bermuda need a new Minister without Portfolio? Presumably solely because Dr. Brown needs an extra vote on Cabinet to make sure things go his way. In my view, Ministers should be paid more [...]

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Imprudent

November 12th, 2009 · No Comments · Development

The Royal Gazette has been excerpting sections from a new book by Don Grearson about the closure of the US bases in Bermuda.  Mr. Grearson worked for the Bermuda Land Development Company, the Bermuda Government entity that assumed responsibility for the old baselands. One of the book sections talks about a meeting held with The [...]

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Catfight

November 9th, 2009 · Comments Off · Bermuda Politics

I hope it is not true that the Bermuda Government has refused to grant the bda.bm url to the Bermuda Democratic Alliance.  That would smack of petty interference with the first breath of fresh air in Bermuda’s political life in decades.  The BDA will need to learn aggression to build respect, as the two political [...]

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