Still here

Anyone reading yesterday's copies of the Bermuda Sun or Mid Ocean News could be forgiven for thinking that I've either died or gone back to the UK.

In their reviews of the year, Larry Burchall noted that, "In Bermuda we’ve lost ‘Limey-in-Bermuda’ and Trimingham’s and Smith’s", while Alvin Williams said that Bermudian politics had become too hot for me and I had gone home.

While I have no plans to resume my Royal Gazette column at this time (even assuming that Bill Zuill would have me back), I'd like to reassure Messrs. Burchall and Williams that Bermuda has not lost me, nor have I become overwhelmed by its politics. I continue to write about the same subjects as I did in my columns, only now I do so here rather than in the newspaper.

I understand that some people may consider this a retrograde step. In terms of direct influence, perhaps it is. I'm sure that fewer people read this blog than read my articles in the Gazette.

However, I find conversations more interesting than monologues. Lecturing to people from the pulpit of page 4, which in itself offers no effective means for having those conversations, is less effective than writing in a blog, which does. Newspaper columnists may be held in higher regard than mere bloggers, but we all trade in opinion, and it's what you say that really matters, not where you say it.

That's why, when I felt I had to choose one above the other, I chose the blog.

Merry Christmas to all and thanks for your support and your brickbats throughout the year. I'm looking forward to more of the same in 2006.

Comments

[Full Fullish on 24.12.05 at 10:59]

Hey Phil,
Same to you and your family! I trust your folks have been enjoying the scenery. Looks like it's shaping up to be a traditional Bermudian Christmas, with clear skies and sunshine!

[SmokingGun on 24.12.05 at 11:43]

Limey.
May I just say that even if you had left you would have already given a great gift to Bermuda for Christmas. Your web-site is good for Bermuda, it is provocative, thoughtful, engaging and above all an equal forum for all Bermudians to participate, read and make use of.

As far as the printed press, might I suggest a monthly piece of satire for 2006? You are quite good at it and we all need a good thought provoking laugh once and a while.

Best wishes to you and your family for the holidays and to everyone else on ALIB.

Cheers.

[RedOnion on 24.12.05 at 11:50]

Phil, it's a bitch when you are the last to find out that you had left Bermuda.

Just goes to show how easily people make assumptions.

Merry Christmas to you and yours, and keep up the good work.

[Adjustah on 24.12.05 at 11:58]

Here's to another great year, Phil.

Happy Heineken!

[Martin on 24.12.05 at 12:08]

Oh - you are still here?

Just shows - you can't believe all you read in the RG.

Have a Happy Christmas and a great 2006.

[jake on 24.12.05 at 13:22]

I for one am happy that you chose the blog over the rag.

This is a more honest forum. Here you are challenged, and your challengers are also confronted.

I think the Royal Gazette tainted your message anyway with the constant re-editing and changing of sentences.

I look forward to future discussions.

Have a safe and happy new Year.

[Uncle Elvis on 24.12.05 at 16:26]

You know what Mark Twain said...

Merry Christmas to you and yours, Phil.
Don't forget, I expect to meet yer mother next week!

[Nash on 24.12.05 at 17:57]

Thanks for keeping the blog going Phil. I find it is the best way to keep in touch with what is going on in Bermuda now that I no longer live there and the forum for debate it provides is clearly filling a void. Debate and the understanding this facilitates are vital when tensions arise in a community as uniquely structured as Bermuda. Your Blog has probably contributed more than you realise.

Best wishes for 2006.

[Bill Cook on 24.12.05 at 18:20]

Happy to know that rumours of your demise have been greatly exaggerated Phil (thats Gerry Adams job !!)

A MERRY CHRISTMAS TO US ONE AND ALL.

[Big Bad Wolf ^..^ on 24.12.05 at 20:15]

Happy Xmas from da ^..^ ^..^ ^..^ family.Have a great New Year! Thanks for all the Blogging!!

[OnDeWata __/)__ on 24.12.05 at 21:09]

Glad to hear such 'notable Bermudian voices' like Larry & Alvin still DON'T have Internet access!!!

Peace to ya Phil

[Raptor on 28.12.05 at 08:48]

OnDeWata, I wouldn't be surprised if Larry & Alvin DO have internet access. I think that with Phil no longer writing the RG column, they are taking that change as a victory for themselves--as though they've driven him away. I bet they would love to leave the impression that the blog is closed down or defeated too. I think Phil has only so much time in the day--job, Mandy, blog--and made a good choice.

Phil, are you going to write to the Mid Ocean and Bermuda Sun to correct the impressions Larry & Alvin have put out?

Thanks for a great year of blogging. Hope you had a Merry Christmas, and hope the New Year is healthy, happy, and full of life for one and all!

[Phil on 29.12.05 at 13:54]

Raptor - Yes, I've sent letters to both papers.

[SmokingGun on 29.12.05 at 18:54]

I just cut this from Bermuda Free Speech. Limey, at least they know you're still here.

Date: Thu Dec 29, 2005 11:35 am
Subject: The Open Mouth, Insert Foot - the 2005 Awards

#3 Tony Brannon and his nemisis Alex in Wonderland Scott
#2 Colonel handbag Burch's "Niggergate"
#1 Limey and his wankers,for trashing this forum and labelling us
"white supremacists"

"Bloggers are not journalists, nor are they held to the standards that
real-world television stations and newspapers are held to. Bloggers
make things up,as Ceola Wilson,and Brian Darby, the gossip columists posing as reporters are notorious for."

- "From: "Sal"

Note to self for New Years resolution....

1. Stop making things up.
2. Cut back on the wanking.....

[Phil on 31.12.05 at 14:10]

jake

I think the Royal Gazette tainted your message anyway with the constant re-editing and changing of sentences.

There was only one instance where the Gazette changed my column in a significant way; apart from that, I have no criticisms of the way they edited my work. After the fuss I made about that one incident on here, Bill Zuill subsequently always consulted me about any changes.

[Bill Cook on 31.12.05 at 17:41]

"ATH BHLIAIN FOOI M HAISE DHUIT " PHIL !

Heartfelt from Gerry to you and yours for 2006

( And me too )

[Mum on 01.01.06 at 16:27]

Uncle Elvis - I was so looking forward to meeting you too and everyone else. Sorry I was not allowed to come!!!

Limeys Mum

[Uncle Elvis on 01.01.06 at 21:44]

And I, you, Milady Limey's Mum! *grin*
Next time, I hope!