Brannongate
I'm still deciding what to think about Premier Alex Scott's careless admission that he is "getting tired of listening to, and taking crap from people who look and sound like [white local activist Tony] Brannon."
To put the Premier's comments in context, here is the email that Tony Brannon sent to Mr. Scott and Tourism Minister Dr. Ewart Brown that precipitated the current firestorm.
From: TonyB <tony@bermuda.com>
To: Ewart Brown <efbrown@ibl.bm>; Scott, Alexander <ascott@gov.bm>
Sent: Sat Sep 24 15:52:16 2005
Subject: FW: [BermudaFreeSpeechForum] Where is the Plan?????????????
WHERE IS THE PLAN ????????????
WHERE ARE THE CASINOS ????
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE ABOUT MORGAN"S POINT ?
WHATS the DEAL at CLUB MED ?
WHAT ABOUT the TIME SHARE ACT ?
WHY DIDN"T YOU CALL KERZNER or TRUMP to redevelop Morgan's Point.....and get some REAL POP & SIZZLE here instead of a lot of micro bull_ _ _ _ !
THE BAHAMAS was once on it's knees and went through all the RACE issues....Political gamesmanship and evening the score, whilst politicians got rich...ONLY to see the island and its people languish.....
Bermuda must NOT fall into the BAHAMIAN trap of 30 years ago
BERMUDA MUST REVIVE TOURISM.....
YOU SIR must get the Business of Tourism managed right.....
You Sir must separate Church & State OR we will all be in trouble....
Alex & Ewart....Give the HOTELS an even playing field with the CRUISE SHIPS...
GIVE the PUBLIC what they want.
Real fun, service, entertainment, casinos
Right now you are sinking as Jennifer did with David Allen's mismanagement of Tourism.
The only way out is to privatize Tourism and give the Tourism Authority all the help it needs to achieve success.....
BERMUDA is watching you guys closely....and we Bermudians will NOT REST until we see Tourism succeed again.
TB
And here, again, is the Premier's response:
From: Scott, Alexander [mailto:ascott@gov.bm]
Sent: Saturday, September 24, 2005 4:10 PM
To: tony@bermuda.com
Subject: Re: [BermudaFreeSpeechForum] Where is the Plan?????????????
Madama Director,
FYI.Mr Brannon,
In regard to the Freedom of Speech in Bermuda, Mr Brannon you exercise it and abuse it everyday ..............
PS. Madame Director: you can now climb down off the ceiling - I did not send the above ....... I just got it out of my system by sending it to you and to you alone.
However, I am getting tired of listening to, and taking crap from people who look and sound like Brannon.P
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
I'll be posting more on this later, once I've had chance to think things through.
Archives By Date
Scott is showing his true "colours" as a true racist. If a white person said this (never mind a White Premier) he would be absolutely castigated and rightly so.
The PLP must take swift action and remove Scott. Failing that the country will slip faster and faster into utter anarchy.
Disgusting Scott, absolutely disgusting.
Posted by Colourblind Bermudian on 30.09.05 at 19:23
I don't see anything racist about Tony's remarks.
An appropriate remark by P would be:
However, I am getting tired of listening to, and taking crap from Brannon.
However he choses to include people who "look and sound like Brannon"
This is a racist statement.
Posted by shipstones on 30.09.05 at 19:25
People on this website have been accused of being racist because they say:
However, I am getting tired of listening to, and taking crap from the PLP.
This is not racist but:
However, I am getting tired of listening to, and taking crap from people who look and sound like the PLP.
Posted by shipstones on 30.09.05 at 19:28
Seems to me a certain ex-employee of the Bermuda College had to resign over a similar incident. Good for the goose...
Posted by hadenuff on 30.09.05 at 19:29
It says "BermudaFreeSpeechForum". Did Brannon forward someone's message from there, or is he one of the regular posters? Didn't you guys say that people on that website are hardcore racists? Tick, tick, tick, tick...
Posted by Bud on 30.09.05 at 19:35
If the PLP uses a Blackberry, does UBP use a Whiteberry?
All kidding aside, Tony Brannon is an obnoxious lout for ripping off such an email to both Alex Scott and Ewart Brown. He must have got his gumption up by his visit to a Limey in Bermuda recently. Just because one can access people's via email accounts doesn't mean you cannot be respectful. He could have written a proper formal letter to them and cc'd a copy it to the paper.
Still, it doesn't warrant making excuses for Alex Scott's response. He may be frustrated but he's way off base to act it out.
Posted by SmokingGun on 30.09.05 at 19:39
Bud,
Are you saying Tony Brannon is hardcore racist because he posts an e-mail on Bermudafreespeechforum or that people that look like Tony Brannon are all racist because tony brannon writes regularly on Bermudafreespeechforum?
Posted by shipstones on 30.09.05 at 19:45
Personally, I have absolutely no problem with Brannon leaking the email. But Brannon did make something of an accusation with his Bahamas comment. Of greater importance is that the post does seem to originate from a vile, racist forum. If the P knows about what comes out of freespeechforum then...
Posted by Bud on 30.09.05 at 19:46
Bud
Tony had attached the following message from Bermuda Free Speech to his email:
Posted by Phil on 30.09.05 at 19:47
Smoking gun,
From watching Tony on TV in a Tourism Forum and listening to his remarks previously in articles and letters, it seems he is the one who is frustrated and at breaking point and thus resorting to such e-mails.
Posted by shipstones on 30.09.05 at 19:49
"Are you saying Tony Brannon is hardcore racist because he posts an e-mail on Bermudafreespeechforum or that people that look like Tony Brannon are all racist because tony brannon writes regularly on Bermudafreespeechforum?"
I'm saying that by Brannon associating himself with bfs, he has connected himself to a group of people who are supposed to be hardcore biggots. Does Brannon post there? Maybe under an alias? Pandora's box is about to swing wide open.
Posted by Bud on 30.09.05 at 19:49
Just for the rcord I have NEVER ever posted anything on BDa Free Speech ever...
Only a few times at Limey,,,
The Premier owes an apology to me....and I and others have every right to continue to BASH the awful PLP Tourism record....
Posted by Tony B on 30.09.05 at 19:51
Limey,
"Tony had attached the following message from Bermuda Free Speech to his email:"
If this forum is as bad as everyone says they are, then merely forwarding a message from there makes this more complex. Brannon's Bahamas comment + bigot forum = ?
Posted by Bud on 30.09.05 at 19:53
And another thing...I always sign my name....I never hide from anything or anybody.
Tony Brannon
Posted by Tony B on 30.09.05 at 19:53
Bud your game is up! You now have to deal with the truth not rumour mongering!!!!
Posted by shipstones on 30.09.05 at 19:56
Further more Bud, could you tell us what was out of place in Bahamas comment?
Posted by shipstones on 30.09.05 at 19:57
"I'm saying that by Brannon associating himself with bfs, he has connected himself to a group of people who are supposed to be hardcore biggots. Does Brannon post there? Maybe under an alias? Pandora's box is about to swing wide open."
OK - it's offical: I won't be responding to Bud anymore. I've never seen anything quite this intellectually dishonest on this blog.
"
The Premier owes an apology to me....and I and others have every right to continue to BASH the awful PLP Tourism record...."
Indeed, Tony. The Premier has exposed himself to be the racist scumbag that many of us supposed him to be. He DOES owe you an apology. He also owes an apology to every single white Bermudian in this country. If he had a thread of decency in him, he resign. The fact that he won't (call me psychic, if you will) says all you need to know about him.
Posted by loki on 30.09.05 at 19:59
"Just for the rcord I have NEVER ever posted anything on BDa Free Speech ever..."
With all due respect, Mr. Brannon, forwarding email/threads/messages from a forum that is known to be extremely racist, was a really dumb idea. Why don't you quote from Klan Watch while you're at it? If that forum is anywhere as bad as Loki says, and if the Premier is aware of bfs, then you being a member doesn't exactly help your position. Neither does claiming that you've never posted there. It's kind of like saying, "Well I attended lynchings, but I never set the bodies on fire."
Posted by Bud on 30.09.05 at 19:59
"...a group of people who are supposed to be hardcore biggots..."
I've never been there. Is there any truth in this? That Bermudafreespeechforum are racist?
Posted by Uncle Elvis on 30.09.05 at 20:02
So, Bud, let me get this straight.
You think that there's a justification for the Premier to make racist comments?
You there's a justification for ANYONE making racist comments?
Bud. Here's the thing. Racism is wrong. Not sure if you missed the memo, but it is.
I've commented on this before, in the other forum here. It doesn't matter WHAT Tony wrote in his email. It's completely irrelevant.
NOTHING justifies responding with a racist comment.
Nothing.
Posted by Uncle Elvis on 30.09.05 at 20:07
Bud = Alex
Its Gotta be true!!!
Posted by Bud - WISER on 30.09.05 at 20:08
I am sick of hearing about the deceit of the Bermuda government. It is cheating it's voters and alienating its residents. The Premier has revealed a disgusting hand. I expect news of his removal from the party and the government immediately. He is not fit to run any government and nor should he.
Will someone take action to finally save this country from its own demise ?
Posted by hadenuff on 30.09.05 at 20:08
Shipstones, I imagine you are absolutely right, but it serves Tony no purpose to be so "eloquent" via such a medium. We are all frustrated with our leaders and we do make comments on web-sites etc. about them as if they are our school mates. I'm sure you will agree that when you send something to them directly it should be done with some degree of respect. After all they do hold a position and even if you may not respect their actions and deeds the position deserves respect accordingly.
I've worked for Tony in the past and I've seem him get hot headed on occasion but generally he could be a fun guy and he's certainly a talented musician. I'd have been careful about sending that kind of email off to pols anyway. One never knows if someone might want to use it against you or feel they were being set up.
Posted by SmokingGun on 30.09.05 at 20:09
"You there's..." should be "You think there's..."
Posted by Uncle Elvis on 30.09.05 at 20:09
Point taken smokinggun
Posted by shipstones on 30.09.05 at 20:13
"You think that there's a justification for the Premier to make racist comments?
You there's a justification for ANYONE making racist comments?"
Last time I'm gonna say it for you, Elvis, so please don't ask me for a 10th time. I don't think it is a racist comment if he is sick of taking crap from bigots. Anyone here would get the thumbs up from me for saying, "I'm sick and tired of those black guys talking that white devil stuff."
Posted by Bud on 30.09.05 at 20:15
The "P" needs to hear more from Tony and them that look like him I think!
I think its time they got more emails/letters like this one. We are past the respect point I think. We should thank Tony for helping to expose this to Bermuda. Now "P" has exposed himself for what he is.
Posted by Bud - WISER on 30.09.05 at 20:16
Jesus you are a hypocrite. Never mind. You are so blind in your adoration of the PLP that you can't even see this for what it is.
We just can't get through to you.
Enjoy your fantasy world.
Posted by Uncle Elvis on 30.09.05 at 20:17
Bud....
Just what does a bigot look like? hmmmm?
Posted by Bud - WISER on 30.09.05 at 20:18
Bud said: "I'm saying that by Brannon associating himself with bfs, he has connected himself to a group of people who are supposed to be hardcore biggots. Does Brannon post there? Maybe under an alias? Pandora's box is about to swing wide open."
Wasn't he trying to associate yourself with the forum too? Wasn't he begging for the link? He wants to connect himself to hardcore biggots? Doesn't he post under an alias here?
Connect the dots....You just implied that you're a hardcore biggot....sweet justice.
Posted by sleepy on 30.09.05 at 20:19
I guess a tanned, white guy with chisled features, a twinkle in his eye and big mane of golden hair.
Posted by SmokingGun on 30.09.05 at 20:20
"Jesus you are a hypocrite. Never mind. You are so blind in your adoration of the PLP that you can't even see this for what it is.
We just can't get through to you.
Enjoy your fantasy world."
It's actually beyond offensive, and has moved into the realm of village idiot. Talk about doing ANYTHING, saying ANYTHING to justify the racist musings of our lovable Premier. Unbelievable. As I said previously, Elvis, I'm not even going to respond to this jackass. Thank God for the likes of Jake, Onion and Guilden, asd I don't believe for a second that they'd make such ridiculous statements as Bud has. OK - I need a Martini: such rank stupidity and lemming-like behaviour must not go untoasted.
Posted by loki on 30.09.05 at 20:23
Raise one for me, lokes
Posted by Uncle Elvis on 30.09.05 at 20:25
We're sick and tired of you Bud, again, not because you are black but because your head is up your ass!
If you see anybody else with his head up his ass it goes for him too and I don't care whether he's black or looks like Tony Brannon!
Posted by shipstones on 30.09.05 at 20:27
"I guess a tanned, white guy with chisled features, a twinkle in his eye and big mane of golden hair".
Smoking ...Are you talking about Tony B or Siegfried (of Siegfried & Roy fame)
Posted by Two Cents on 30.09.05 at 20:28
Bud
" ....I don't think it is a racist comment if he is sick of taking crap from bigots."
Do you think that is what "P" meant?!!
"...people who look and sound like Brannon."
Look at it any way you like.... his meaning was clear.
(And whats up with signing with a "P"?)
Posted by Bud - WISER on 30.09.05 at 20:29
I think its all Black up there Shipstones ...It is the one place you can find True Equality in Bermuda!
Posted by Big Bad Wolf ^..^ on 30.09.05 at 20:30
Two Cents a TIGER ended that whole show!
Posted by Big Bad Wolf ^..^ on 30.09.05 at 20:31
Not up Buds ass.... he won't see the colour anyway.... his eyes are closed!
Posted by Bud - WISER on 30.09.05 at 20:32
I have to admit, attaching a story from that site was not bright and Bud's arguments, no matter how weak, will probably end up being the justifcation for "P"'s comment.
(By the way, in the film A Clockwork Orange Alex referred to his parents as "P" & "M". Could Dr. Brown be "M"? Or, maybe it's a James Bond thing, and somehwhere deep inside Alaska Hall there is a "Q" devising secret niffty Holy AME Handgrandes disguised as BIC pens?
......Deep thoughts...by ace)
Anyway, it's going to be really interesting to see how this plays out....unless of course the whole thing goes quiet and both sides realise it will be a lose/lose situation if it blows up.
Not seeing it on the news tonight is likewise very interesting.
Posted by ace on 30.09.05 at 20:33
I thought in the next Bond Film...maybe with scenes set in Bermuda....Q is out!
Posted by Big Bad Wolf ^..^ on 30.09.05 at 20:36
First thing they will probably do is change their e-mail addresses!
Posted by shipstones on 30.09.05 at 20:37
If Alex was white - he'd be ------- using a Whiteberry I guess.
Posted by Wickering Banker : - ) ----: on 30.09.05 at 20:39
Heh. Old Dennis Miller Joke, Redux.
"How many guys like Bud does it take to screw in a lightbulb?"
(You notice the use of the phrase "guys like..." not "guys that look like..." Notice that?)
None! 'cuz they're perpetually in the dark.
Posted by Uncle Elvis on 30.09.05 at 20:41
Two Cents, Tony always seemed to get on well with the felines so to speak. ;)
Posted by SmokingGun on 30.09.05 at 20:43
Limey, I can't believe you used 'Gate'? I thought you had better judgment!
Posted by sleepy on 30.09.05 at 20:44
Perhaps 'P' HAS had enough 'crap' and is determined to bring bfs into the sunlight of public scrutiny, conveniently discrediting Tony Brannon in the process. . .
One thing's for sure, no-one will be able to sweep race back under the carpet now.
Posted by Turtle on 30.09.05 at 21:14
So.. Mr. Brannon has gained a reputation, an 'appearance, and a 'sound' that don't go down well with the Premier and some others on this website it would seem. And while we are all choking on the smoke and seeing distorted images in the premier's mirror who is looking seriously at the real issues raised by Mr. Brannon?
Look at the facts folks, this government has proven one thing to date when it comes to tourism and a whole lot of other issues that will affect the future of this country and its people....its complete and utter impotence at grasping and dealing with these issues.
The frustration in Mr. Brannon's message to Dr. Brown was clear and is shared by many. Our good Premier and his colleages would do well to heed this message and get serious about some very serious issues.
Posted by Bald Eagle on 30.09.05 at 21:33
Well now that our Premier has made a total ass of himself and given his declining popularity, he should resign and make way for .......Ewart Brown??????
Posted by Rincewind on 30.09.05 at 22:39
what is this "BermudaFreeSpeechForum" ? until tonight I have never heard of it.
Posted by Rincewind on 30.09.05 at 22:41