Used car salesmen know that, when trying to sell a clunker, they need to spin a big tale. Catch the dreams of your buyer, so they don’t notice the faded upholstery and blown clutch. And that my friends is your Throne Speech. We are used to Throne Speeches not quite delivering. For example the past [...]
Entries from November 9th, 2009
Royal Visit
November 9th, 2009 · Comments Off · Bermuda Politics
The English press has picked up on the mixed signals coming from the PLP on the Queen’s visit later this month. It’s as if her presence is an embarrassment to the government. Granted, the UK media loves to get in a froth over any perceived slight to “special relationships” but they have a point. Very [...]
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2009 Throne Speech
November 6th, 2009 · Comments Off · Bermuda Politics
Live posting from the opening of Parliament. It’s running late and disorganised. There’s a small group protesting the lack of transportation options for physically challenged. MPs slowly filtering in, I guess to maximize their moment of glory. Excuse my typing. In 12 months since last speech, paradigm shifts. Bermuda not immune to global issues, and [...]
Tags:Throne Speech
Mouthpiece
November 5th, 2009 · Comments Off · Bermuda Politics, Media
At the public forum on Freedom of the Press last night, the Bermuda Human Rights Commission (HRC) revealed that it had consulted with the UN Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay in May after our Premier instructed his press secretary to reduce contact with The Royal Gazette. The UN Commissioner was quoted by HRC Chairwoman Venous [...]
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Democracy Needs Education
November 4th, 2009 · Comments Off · Education
A reader points out that – while we need to reform our education for the practical reason that children in our community deserve it, and our country needs those children to be able to achieve and earn – we also need better education to protect our democracy. The New York Times reports that Basically no [...]
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32 Suggestions
November 3rd, 2009 · 1 Comment · Bermuda Politics
The Bermuda First report was unveiled today (curiously not by releasing it to the public over the internet). It has 32 suggestions that, taken together, suggest that our Government should start, you know, working. The suggestions are: To ensure the continued vitality of Bermuda’s international business sector, Bermuda should: (1) better anticipate and influence policy [...]
Tags:Bermuda First·Reform
Bermuda Music Festival
November 3rd, 2009 · Comments Off · Tourism
The Spin Doctor says “The Bermuda Music Festival is an event designed to entice visitors to our shores. The talent line-up for this year’s Bermuda Music Festival gave a spectacular performance, leaving the audience wanting more, while paying tribute to one of music’s living legends, Quincy Jones. This was a music festival to remember. ” [...]
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Mincy Report
November 3rd, 2009 · Comments Off · Bermuda Politics, Education
The long-awaited report by Ronald Mincy of Columbia University has been released. A Study of Employment, Earnings, and Educational Gaps between Young Black Bermudian Males and their Same-Age Peers (pdf, 1 Mb) At 233 pages, it is worth skimming, and then reading again properly. This subject tends to be clouded by staccato emotion and political [...]
Tags:race
Pointing Fingers
November 1st, 2009 · Comments Off · Business
The Tax Justice Network will publish on Monday an index of the countries most to blame for promoting international financial secrecy. The goal of the index is to highlight the harm allegedly done by tax havens. Unfortunately, Bermuda is seventh on the list (PDF) with Cayman coming in fourth. Interestingly, the other top ten jurisdictions [...]
Tags:G20