Global Voices » Bermuda

Bermuda: “Constant Circus”

Janine Mendes-Franco — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:16:52 +0000

“The Premier is saying that she will pass more good governance laws. That’s positive,” says Vexed Bermoothes. But he still can't help but wonder: “You need laws to control the actions of your own inner circle? Seriously?”

Bermuda: Re-Registering to Vote

Janine Mendes-Franco — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:46:50 +0000

Respice Finem contends that the proposal for voter re-registration “seems a not very subtle attempt to take away the vote of working class people.”

Bermuda: Lack of Political Dialogue

Janine Mendes-Franco — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:18:04 +0000

politics.bm thinks that tIt speaks volumes about the PLP's interest in informed dialogue that two brief fact based and civil comments that I posted on their Facebook page were deleted and I was removed from the page entirely…not all comments were deleted. Only those that didn't echo the official line.”

Bermuda: Wishing for Change

Janine Mendes-Franco — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:27:43 +0000

“This year will be an eventful one. We will have our elections as will our American friends. The power of the people to make progressive change was demonstrated with fervor last year and this year shows no sign of abating”: Respice Finem hopes for change in 2012.

Bermuda: Race, Politics & Society

Janine Mendes-Franco — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:23:40 +0000

Catch-a-fire says that when it comes to race, “there are few issues which are as controversial or fundamental in understanding Bermudian politics and society.”

Bermuda: rethinking ties with Britain?

Nicholas Laughlin — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 19:21:01 +0000

The British government is reviewing its relationship with its overseas territories, writes Catch a Fire, and inviting Bermudans to share their perspectives. “I think we need a new Constitutional Convention to modernise and reform our relationship with the UK … and I would like each Overseas Territory to have a representative (an MP) in Westminster.”

Bermuda: a blog break?

Nicholas Laughlin — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:34:49 +0000

Is Bermuda’s blogosphere “taking a general break from blogging”? “Many of the newer blogs that set up in the last year or two seem to have generally been abandoned,” writes Catch a Fire, but he suggests that with a general election on the horizon Bermudan bloggers are likely to pick up pace once more.

Bermuda: military mess?

Nicholas Laughlin — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:38:09 +0000

The United States maintained a military base in Bermuda for 50 years, finally departing in 1995. Who should clean up the pollution that got left behind, asks Catch a Fire? “The Americans … shouldn’t need to be told what to do…. They have no right to come and pollute our island and walk away.”

Bermuda: The UK's Vision

Janine Mendes-Franco — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:01:21 +0000

Respice Finem comments on the UK's current review of its relationship with its overseas territories, which includes getting feedback, within the confines of its vision, from the colonies themselves: “By limiting the review to that which is consistent with its vision, the UK has demonstrated it is not seriously interested in having an honest dialogue about the future relations with its territories.”

Bermuda: Polling Season

Janine Mendes-Franco — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:42:48 +0000

Politics.bm reports that the governing party is conducting “a robo-poll…testing whether the Premier should go to the polls right after Christmas” and quips: “A better question would have been which politician will you let kiss your ass under the mistletoe? That would sum up the mood of the country better.”

Bermuda: Public Debate about Crime Reduction Methods?

Janine Mendes-Franco — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:24:52 +0000

Respice Finem examines the sensitive issue of the Bermuda police's “stop and search” policy as part of their crime reduction arsenal, saying that the concern of “those advocating caution…is that in our quest to significantly reduce crime…we do not sacrifice the liberties so many fought for for so long.”

Bermuda: “Occupy” Movement at its End

Janine Mendes-Franco — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:44:54 +0000

Respice Finem comments on the de-occupation of Wall Street, here.

Bermuda, St. Lucia: Slavery Footprint & Slave Trade Memorial

Janine Mendes-Franco — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:30:12 +0000

Breezeblog links to “a website that tracks the forced and unpaid labour that goes into producing the things we take for granted” and makes the point that “being aware of the impression left by your slavery footprint may be the most important of all”, while Caribbean Book Blog notes that “[those] charged with erecting a permanent monument at the United Nations to honour the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade have launched an international competition for the design of the structure.”

Bermuda: The Challenges of Buying Local

Janine Mendes-Franco — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 18:56:01 +0000

When it comes to buying local, BeachLime says: “Customer service in many of the places here is a pure joke. Local businesses need to adapt - better customer service across the board…”

Bermuda: Noise Pollution

Janine Mendes-Franco — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:30:53 +0000

BeachLime laments that complaints about noise pollution are “doomed to go in one ear and out the other.”