The Ahad-O-Meter
Isn’t that Terry Lister a nice man? Not wanting the 70% of our schoolchildren who recently failed their BSSC exams to worry about their future, I thought it was very considerate of him to reassure them that they can still come and work for him in the Department of Education. At least, as long as they say they passed their exams on their CV, and as long as they’re sure to do a good job when they arrive.
Me, though, I’m a nasty piece of work. I come from a cold country where it rains all the time, where well-meaning individuals who tell little white lies in order to earn enough to eat are fired from their jobs and tossed into the street. And those who bring such cases to public attention are not dismissed as vindictive old crones with a pet peeve, but principled guardians of the public interest.
So I bring you the Ahad-O-Meter – an occasionally-updated indicator of the number of days that have passed since the Bermuda Sun broke the story about Mr. Abdallah Ahad’s questionable credentials, and the amount of taxpayers’ money he has received while the investigation into them drags interminably on.
Where will the Ahad-O-Meter stand before the issue is resolved and Mr. Ahad is finally fired or acquitted? Place your bets...
Postscript: I'm aware that my monetary figure differs from that published in the Bermuda Sun on Friday. I'm not sure how they calculated their figure, but mine is based on 1/365 of Mr. Ahad's $81,000 salary for each day of the investigation. If Meredith Ebbin is reading this I'd be interested to know where the discrepancy arises.
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what about the cost to the Professor ahad victimized and got fired? a lifetime of work and dedication to Bermuda College ,a lost career and pension,and a ruined reputation......Oh! he's white?....never mind
Posted by Sal on 27.07.04 at 03:01
This whole situation is beyond ridiculous.
How can Mr. Lister lie the way he did when he told us months ago that it would be 2 weeks before a decision would be made.
Now he is going to allow this man to remain in his position and get paid a ludicrous sum of money he is [allegedly] not qualified to earn?
Anytime an employee is found to have lied on his/her resume in business it is a fireable offense. No explanation is needed. He/she lied...they are out.
This guy is being allowed to remain working? What a fine example for other blacks on this island to follow.
Posted by ace on 27.07.04 at 09:19
Indeed, a bad example for any of us to follow... The issue is that the Government is implying that a fake diploma is as good as one from a top school. It's a joke.
There is no accountability in Government -- overstaffed, under motivated, and without goals. And I'm not only talking about Cabinet!
Posted by Xando on 27.07.04 at 09:36
* Lister should be fired for not firing Ahad.
* Ahad should be fired for having fake credentials.
* Somebody in the college should be fired for not vetting Ahad's credentials.
* Ahad's lying about his credentials does not necessarily mean that he was lying about O'Connell. Two other people were in the same room, both of them accepted the discipline and neither of them have denied the allegation. Honest people can sometimes lie, and dishonest people can sometimes tell the truth - sucks don't it?
PS: I wonder if there is a potential lawsuit on behalf of students against the Bermuda College? I wouldn't be too happy knowing that my professor did not have the credentials he professed to have.
Posted by Fornicator on 27.07.04 at 10:11
Well, we need the whole truth to come out about what exactly was said.
I have been told that O'Connell used the term "grease monkeys" to describe the students taking a mechanics course. Grease monkey is merely a slang for a mechanic, but this was taken out of context and deemed to be a racial comment.
IF this is what was said is it still justification? Sure two people heard it and verified that is what was said...but is it a fireable offense?
I have heard Dr. Orenduf say, in a speech he gave recently, that the firing was an internal Bermuda College matter and that it was justified...BUT if that is the case WHY won't the full facts about what was said be released? We are all speculating....what are the FACTS?
Currently we know that Amed put down Harvard as his alma mater on his application. He merely attended a course there for a few days. He was dishonest on this fact. What else has he lied about? Frankly it doesn't matter...catch one lie and he should be fired. Period.
If they want to check on this guys credentials then give me the list. I guarentee you within a few days I will have the answers. Taking well over a month to do this is almost crimminal in and of itself.
Posted by ace on 27.07.04 at 10:28
"Grease monkey is merely a slang for a mechanic, but this was taken out of context and deemed to be a racial comment."
The statement could also have been nested amongst other racist statements in the conversation and actually taken on a dual meaning. O'Connell deserves a public hearing, and I'm sure that he could make a counterclaim at the Human Rights Commission to force a hearing should he really want one. Relying on Ahad's absence of credibility to gain reinstatement would not be right - especially when the two other professors accepted the punishment and haven't publically disagreed with Ahad's version of the conversation.
Posted by Fornicator on 27.07.04 at 11:20
Right...but you yourself say "could have been". I want to know the facts.
Who are these other two professors? Are they friends of Ahad's? Do they have an agenda in all of this?
None of us know. I'd very much like to though and feel it is my right.
Posted by ace on 27.07.04 at 11:47
It's public knowledge that the two other professors in the room having the conversation with O'Connell were both white and I believe expatriate. They have accepted their punishment, and have not come forward to disagree with Ahad's version of events. All of which means that they either protected their own ass, want to avoid publicity or actually agree with what Ahad claims was said by O'Connell. Orenduff has stated that college's position is supported by the other two professors.
Like I said, O'Connell can take this to the HRC if he honestly feels that he has been victimised.
Anyone find it peculiar that the one thing that hasn't been in the press is the actual allegation/transcript? Even O'Connell hasn't publicly refuted specific statements that Ahad claims he made.
Posted by Fornicator on 27.07.04 at 12:24
Contracts for people like me?? Has anyone realized which companies are working on the following Govt. Projects? Just drive by the folling work sites and have a look see.
The Bus Terminal - Washington ST
The Dock Yard Long Arm
The New Dock Yard Marina
If these contractors look like me....WOW its great to be blind!!!!
Posted by far left on 27.07.04 at 13:55
Well, I guess I missed that...my paper delivery can be sporadic at times.
What punnishment did these guys get?
You're right...I want to see a copy of this transcript. Why can't I get that?
Posted by ace on 27.07.04 at 14:18
I think they got some kind of suspension, but I could be wrong. As for the transcript, I think the College is right in saying that it is a private matter - they've dealt with it under their rules of discipline, so end of story. If O'Connell doesn't like that, then he can make it a civil matter and take college to court for unfair dismissal, to the HRC for discrimination or to the PSC (which I think he did do, but I can't recall where that stands). Hell, worse case scenario he takes the transcript to the papers and refutes the comments. That's what I'd do to clear my name. Put it on record that he actually denies specific statements.
Far Left - As Jake pointed out in another thread, whites have done quite well under the PLP. The "people who look like me" position is far more a goal than a hard and fast pracice of reverse discrimination.
Posted by Fornicator on 27.07.04 at 15:00
No such thing as reverse discriminiation or racism.
It is just discrimination or racism.
Posted by ace on 27.07.04 at 15:39
Several teachers in the system,one an IT teacher told me, they don't see or know what ahad does for $80,000/yr,and besides the IT curriculum and framework was set up way before he was hired.
The message from lister and the plp cabinet is very clear,a white man with 25 years service at Bermuda college can be fired and ruined on the slur of a black muslim,who is then rewarded with a $80,000/yr job that he lied about and has no credentials for.
There have been many,many BIU and other black civil servents re-enstated after theft,violence,drug abuse,drunk convictions sleeping on the job,racial abuse and other crimes.
It would not matter if O'Connell took it to HRC,or civil court,no white person can ever get justice in the "new PLP "bermuda.
Posted by Sal on 28.07.04 at 00:29
I do not think the PLP should be blamed for the firing of Dr. O'Connell since he was fired by the college and not the PLP.
However it is a mark to the PLP's reputation that they have not had his matter investigated fully. Have you ever sat in Dr. O'Connell's class? I have. A one of his former students, I can say that he is a first class Professor who gave the same energy to one student that he gave to an entire classroom.
He is also an intellectual in a society that I continue to maintain can be very anti intellectual. His real credentials hold him in far better stead than some complete faker who claims a Harvard credential - which is hard to come by, and often abused by those unwilling to make the required sacrifice.
In a fair hearing, Ahad's credential claims would demonstrate his lack of credibility, and make it unsafe to rely on his testimony - particularly where another man's life work was at stake.
I continue to hope that Dr. O'Connell will be given the opportunity to give his side of the story.
And personally, I hate the fact that a private conversation between adults can be recorded and used to publicly castigate them. We all hold views that are better not expressed - what if the authorities could have access to every conversation you had had - some with the benefit of later years, with regret - it would be completely unfair.
Dr. O'Connell deserves better. Ahad should be tossed out on his ear.
As for your comment Sal that no white person can ever get justice under the PLP - that is ridiculous in the extreme. But I believe that people who hold such irrational views have more to investigate in their own moral/racial compass.
But hey, if you can, why not substantiate your claim? Detail all the acts of hatred for white people under the PLP. Be sure to include all the millions of dollars that are paid under Government contracts to them as well, as I am sure the weight of all that cash can be seen to be oppressive.
Posted by jake on 28.07.04 at 08:53
Terry Lister is a CA, previously a partner in a big 4 firm. In that role, would he have allowed someone who lied about their academic background or credentials to stay on the job? Would it not undermine him in the eyes of his clients?
The public, who are Government's clients, should expect the same. Lister and his Ministry are too constipated to make a decision, so he responds with bluster and evasion instead.
Ultimately he undermines himself, and erodes the faith of working class families that their children are getting a fair shake in the public education system.
Posted by Tiger Bay on 28.07.04 at 09:09
Sal,
If these were medieval times, I would personally pay for the chance of flogging Lister, the PLP Cabinet and The Board of Education's hiring staff, for letting Ahad end up and stay in the public education system. His apparent BS credentials are a far more critical problem than the O'Connell situation IMO. More to the point, what you call a slur has been backed up by two other professors who accepted punishment for their role in the conversation.
For as much as I'd want to stay in Bermuda, it would be extraordinary that the two non-Bermudian professors would turn on O'Connell. Why would they support Ahad's "false" version of the conversation? Worse case scenario the three of them fight Ahad's "lie" to the teeth. But this did not happen, so the question would have to be did they just fold, or is the conversation really worth O'Connell's firing? We haven't even heard a rumour of them folding, so I'm not at all inclined to write this up as a case of racial bias.
Just ask yourself, if you were in O'Connell's shoes and felt you were innocent, exactly what would you do about it? I can think of half a dozen things that I'd be doing to prove my innocence, and O'Connell has done none of these things yet. Why hasn't he attempted to sue the College? Why not move for a HRC case? Why not publically challenge the transcript? Why not go for slander against Ahad? The list goes on...
Discrediting Ahad on his education credentials does not invalidate the College's case for firing O'Connell. Not based on all that has been seen thus far. This could have been anyone who overheard the conversation, and O'Connell would still have plenty to answer for - especially given the delicate responsibility a professor has in society.
Posted by Fornicator on 28.07.04 at 11:44
Fornicator,
You have placed a high value on the manner in which Dr. O'Connell has sought to clear his name, and drawn the conclusion that his lack of a legal suit means that his case has less than significant value. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Firstly, retaining legal counsel to fight an instituion is costly. Whether through the HRC or the courts it can be a daunting proposition.
Secondly, he is (rightly) discharging his avenues informally, urging the Union - his representative - and the College - his employer of 25 years to do the right thing and give him an open hearing. This has not been done thusfar.
It is no acceptable answer to say that the other two have pleaded "guilty" to the allegations made. Perhaps their comments warranted such a plea. It does not, by that fact, mean than Dr. O'Connell is equally culpable for their words or actions. He is responsible solely for his own.
Perhaps the fact that he as a long term resident was not in fear of work permit retribution, or as a long term member of staff expected a better response to his version of events means that he is conducting his campaign in his way. It does not invalidate his cry of innocence at all.
What is disgusting is that a man's career can be destroyed on the words of a demonstrated lier of arguably unsound judgment.
I am black. Dr. O'Connell was one of the few people at the College who gave sound guidance in the pursuit of education for its own sake. If he were a racist, why would he encourage a black man to learn more? Why would he teach me epistemology and metaphysics, philosophy and logic? Why higher mathematics?
Why support my educational exploits for YEARS?
Do you expect me to believe that education in Bermuda is better off without this man, and with someone who can mislead others into believing he has attained a standard that he has not, not merely for social gain, but for financial gain as well?
That is the type of mindset that has us in the hole today. I reject it.
Posted by jake on 28.07.04 at 15:49
Jake: Well said. As a fellow ex-student of Dr. O'Connell's (Philospohy), I am mystified as to how anybody could seriously accuse him of being a racist. Anyone who has been around him could tell you that he's somewhat eccentric (in the best sense of the word, though), but racist? No way. I always found him to be an extraordinarily pleasant and kindly man. How sad it is that the College has behaved this way.
Posted by loki on 28.07.04 at 16:27
Wow Jake. Well said mate.
I didn't know Dr. O'Connell and can only comment on what I read in the paper. This is the first I have heard from students (loki included) who knew him.
Posted by ace on 28.07.04 at 16:50
Jake,
I have not claimed that O'Connell's case has less than significant value simply because he has not exercised the legal options to defend himself. I'm saying that on the combination of...
1. His failure to address the specific contents of the transcript
2. Neither of the witnessess have publically challenged Ahad's transcript, and according to the College President, the witnesses actually concur with Ahad's version of events
3. O'Connell is hardly putting up a fight for such a serious attack on his character. If someone has lied about you, and thus ended your 25yr career, I'd expect much more than what I've seen from O'Connell.
...all this says to me that this is not a case that should be dismissed purely because Ahad has no credibility at all, or because O'Connell has a track record of being the opposite of that which has been alleged.
One thing I do know quite well is that latent racism can lie dormant until just the right thing causes it to come to the surface. All it takes is the right circumstances for venom to come pouring out of the least likely mouths. I've seen it happen to myself, and I've seen this in many other people who you'd least expect to utter something of that nature. Everyone is racist on some level - that is the society that we live in. I'm not saying that O'Connell is guilty, especially given Ahad's credibility. But I'm also not naive enough to think that he is incapable of racism. He's human, and Bermuda College has a massive race rift that is bound to bring the worst out of people. Even for someone like O'Connell.
Posted by Fornicator on 02.08.04 at 09:49