Lunch at the House

Just a reminder of the pro-democracy rally that will be taking place at the House of Assembly at 12.15pm today, to protest the failure of MPs to debate Renee Webb's proposed addition of sexual orientation to the Human Rights Act last week. Hope to see you there.

Comments

[Sleepy on 02.06.06 at 11:37]

What would be really funny is if MPs took a working lunch for a change.

That would inflame things. Heh, heh.

[Adjustah on 02.06.06 at 12:02]

Or all locked themselves in the bathroom...

[Zoom on 02.06.06 at 12:10]

Or stayed in the closet.

[Lisa on 02.06.06 at 13:31]

Great turn out although I didn't see a single person eating lunch. LOL. However, I did see quite a few activists devouring several very defensive MPs.

[SmokingGun on 02.06.06 at 13:36]

I wonder how long it's going to take Limey to give us the spiel along with some photos (?).
5 4 3 2 1..... ;-)

[SmokingGun on 02.06.06 at 13:37]

BTW - Thanks Lisa for the heads up and also for showing up.

[Canuck in Bermuda on 02.06.06 at 13:40]

Unfortunately I got there a bit late to be up near the action. I did get quite the earful on the way out though... this was a racist action of whites against the PLP, funny how there's no colour here! (there was) Oh, also: "why are you defending a bunch of people who all they do is get drunk and have orgies"

Anything interesting actually come of this? I saw P come and go

[Amin Swan on 02.06.06 at 13:47]

Yes - please give us folks not in Bermuda the low down...How many people? Mixed Crowd? Pictures?

[Lisa on 02.06.06 at 13:48]

Canuck - who said those things to you? People in the street?

This is exactly why we need more demonstrations like this - to raise awareness not just amongst our MPs but the general public.

People who say such things are clearly ignorant.

I am sure lots of what went on will appear on the news. There were reporters and video cameras all over the place and several MPs did interviews including Dale Butler, Paula Cox and Nelson Bascombe.... from what I could see anyway.

I would guess that about 300 people showed up.

[Canuck in Bermuda on 02.06.06 at 13:53]

Lisa,

Just people around the gates on the way out and a little further on down the street. I suppose "quite the earful" might have been a bit much - not confrontational but definitely what we'd call flamebait if it was on here.

[Rossini on 02.06.06 at 13:55]

Saw you all up at the House.....trying to figure out why that crowd was so familiar. I know I recognised them from somewhere.....I remember now...its the same crowd that was calling for Renee's head when she sought to empower people who look like like her. Just what will you all do with Wayne "I represent the bible belt" Furbert now ?! This is just priceless entertainment.

[Canuck in Bermuda on 02.06.06 at 14:01]

Lisa, see above (Rossini)

I dunno about you Rossini but I prefer to support/oppose ideas rather than people. There are plenty of people I like and respect whose idea I will oppose if I think it's wrong, just like there are people I don't like and don't trust whose ideas I will support if I think they're good ones.

[Full Fullish on 02.06.06 at 14:02]

Rossini - Quite the shit stirrer aren't you? This issue(s) is more important than just one persons views. It was a stance against our MP's inaction in the House of Assembly. It was also to do with a particular groups rights.

As for Wayne Furbert, many people don't see eye to eye with him on this, just as many people didn't see eye to eye on Renee's comments. That doesn't mean that we are going to hold onto something stupid that they did for life.

So why didn't you come up and join the crowd? To affraid to make your voice heard, except behind the shelter of your keyboard?

[Full Fullish on 02.06.06 at 14:05]

Oh and it was a good turn out. Just wish more of a cross section of the community showed up. I also wish that more MP's came out, those who did (Barrit, Butler, Nelson), while I didn't agree with what went on, at least they had the courage to take it on the chin, unlike the rest of them.....

Having a chat with one MP though, We as Bermudians need to make our voices heard more often and preferably not after the fact....

[Rossini on 02.06.06 at 14:11]

Fullish I live to stir the pot ! This high road you all are on...what crap..ideas and not people...give me a break...sell that to someone who's buying...remember that next time your favourite people in the government say something you agree with...lest you forget, Renee Webb is a government MP and was a Minister for 6 years. talk about amnesia.

[SmokingGun on 02.06.06 at 14:13]

Rossini - thanks for showing up and being counted. Every "body" counts. I'll look for your picture in tomorrow's paper. ;-)

[Bubba on 02.06.06 at 14:13]

Rossini,

How does it feel to know that a number of MP's and former party leaders of 'your' plp are gay? Im guessing you are against the addition of this amendment but you dont have to look very far to see that the people you laugh at are leading this island...I could care less personally but i want to hear what you have to say on this..
Adios mi amiga

[Canuck in Bermuda on 02.06.06 at 14:19]

Rossini,

No amnesia... I wasn't here! I didn't even know what a PLP or a UBP was until 3 or 4 months ago. Now that I know, I pretty much don't care.

[m on 02.06.06 at 14:23]

don't feed the troll (rossini)

[Full Fullish on 02.06.06 at 14:25]

If you're saying that speaking up for a better democracy and MP's who stand for something either for or against, or that I'm speaking up for rights for not only a select few groups, but rights for all, a high road, then yeah, I'm happily skipping down a high road.

[Canuck in Bermuda on 02.06.06 at 14:28]

We're skipping down the high road now? Dang... soon we'll be skipping all over the island! Come to think of it, that'd be an interesting twist on this one...

[KHD on 02.06.06 at 14:34]

Full Fullish - Just wish more of a cross section of the community showed up.

And one day we will truly be blind and see that there is no such thing as a cross section, just people.

[Rossini on 02.06.06 at 14:38]

Actually, I have no difficulty with the amendment. Add it at will. What I do have a problem with is the selective call for bi-partisanship which was masquerading out side the House today. The only thing uniting those present was this sole issue. The majority of people present were UBP supporters and they were mostly white. The problem I have is that when the furore of this issue dies down, those present today will leave bi-partisan land and return to hatred of the government Renee Webb represents. This kind of fairweather politics is precisely why their position can be ignored by politicians and mor eimportantly this government. What was the threat to the government from the group assembled today....that they would vote for the UBP...no manure sherlock ! How can you as a group be taken seriously if you're a single issue, once every 5 years group ?! The church won because the church engages politicians regularly...the church let them know that a satchel of votes was in their back pocket and that they would dole it out to whosoever supported their position. Just what could that group of UBP, white supporters of the erractic, non-resident Ms. Webb provide for a government on the cusp of an election ? NOTHING ! If you can deliver a block of votes then you might get some attention. Right now both sides know that by next week you'll all be back to your normal battle lines....duh.

[jsmith on 02.06.06 at 14:40]

Troll much?

[SmokingGun on 02.06.06 at 14:46]

"The majority of people present were UBP supporters and they were mostly white." - Rossini

As opposed to black supporters of the PLP? I do not think it wise to dumb down your own people. The fact that some may choose to be led blindly down the garden path doesn't mean we all are.

You seem to forget one little thing: The rally was just as much a condemnation of the UBP as it was the PLP. Bermudian's with half a brain want to make sure all our leaders are using theirs.

[Rossini on 02.06.06 at 14:48]

yeah smonking I got that...read carefully...its tomorrow when this wears off that I'm focussed on. You're not telling me that that crowd is ready to move to Distric 4 so they can all vote for Renee ? If the Premier calls an election tomorrow that crowd is voting as they have always done.....amendment or no amendment...

[The Right Reverend Uncle Elvis on 02.06.06 at 14:51]

Um... Rossini, this is exactly what today was about. A very small step, but a step, towards becoming a "vote block" of our own.

Also, although, I'm sure you see this as an anti-PLP rally, there were people verbally smacking down UBP members as well.

Yes, I disagree with much of what Ms. Webb has said over the years. However, she's right in this one. Maybe you think it's hypocritical of me to support her on this because I disagree with other stuff she's done.
I don't see it that way. I see it as supporting the Legislation.

I get the feeling that you would do the opposite, should a UBP member put forth something you support. That's why YOU play party politics and I don't.

Have a lovely day.

[ondetable on 02.06.06 at 14:52]

One would hope that if an election was called tomorrow, the crowd would basing their votes on more issues than just this amendment. If the crowd bases their votes on the inaction of both sides of the House, then there will be a lot more no-shows at the next election.

[sandgrownan on 02.06.06 at 15:04]

One man shouted from the Parliament Street " that we don't support no fags, we're behind you Premier."

[sandgrownan on 02.06.06 at 15:05]

Got to say though, Wayne Furbert looked very uncomfortable and appeared to be extremely defensive.

[Tiger Bay on 02.06.06 at 15:16]

He should be.

[The Right Reverend Uncle Elvis on 02.06.06 at 15:16]

One thing I did notice...

They're all so LEETLE!

Like... TINY, tiny people... it's weird.

[The Right Reverend Uncle Elvis on 02.06.06 at 15:20]

sandles, you were there? You shoulda said hi!

[Full Fullish on 02.06.06 at 15:21]

One man shouted from the Parliament Street " that we don't support no fags, we're behind you Premier."

He obvously doesn't support an education either, pity I didn't hear that, I would have loved to shout that back to him! ;)

[Full Fullish on 02.06.06 at 15:22]

Got to say though, Wayne Furbert looked very uncomfortable and appeared to be extremely defensive.

Where was he?!?

[Craig on 02.06.06 at 15:23]

Unfortunately - like it or not - Rossini does have a point.

I attended the rally - and was disappointed to observe the cross section of voters. Most of the politicians I observed did not appear to be under any real pressure. The exceptions seemed to be the Premier who apparently felt he needed to be escorted by a uniformed member of the Bermuda Regiment and the Leader of the Opposition who did not appear comfortable in the crowd!

I wasn't able to hear most of the speeches - perhaps the media will carry some of the content without putting their spin on it.

Did anyone actually hear the speeches (note - the next time anyone organises such an event - please give consideration to providing a megaphone for the speeches!) and have any unbiased comments?

Did we get any indication that the issue will be be debated in the House? If not - what is an appropriate next action? If we don't collectively follow up on this - we are all as guilty as the politicians that spent last week Friday running to the bathroom.

One last one for Rossini. I agree with Elvis on the principle that one can support a politician on an issue yet disagree with them on another. I have criticised Renee in the past for some of her positions - yet was impressed that she has raised this particular matter to the fore. She was given a personal cheer twice when she came out - probably one of the few times in recent history that any of Bermuda's politicians on either side of the house can say the same. I wonder why... Perhaps it is because those who were there had some respect for the individual and her stance on this matter. I'd love to say the same about other politicians - I'm sorry to say that I don't at this time.

[Zoom on 02.06.06 at 15:24]

I don't think he was in the closet. So he must have been in the bathroom.

[SmokingGun on 02.06.06 at 15:27]

"One man shouted from the Parliament Street " that we don't support no fags, we're behind you Premier."

Too which Alex got a little nervous and looked to see who exactly was behind him.... ;-)

[Smarty on 02.06.06 at 15:28]

One man shouted from the Parliament Street " that we don't support no fags, we're behind you Premier."

Posted by sandgrownan on 02.06.06 at 15:04

Idiots like that should not have a say in how this country is run. They are brainless and just plain stupid. People like that make me cringe...Bermuda should be better than that...ugh...what an assh**e

[sandgrownan on 02.06.06 at 15:33]

Full Fullish - I wanted to beat him to within an inch of his miserable existance.
Elvis - I spent some of the time tryingf to figure out who the LIB posters were!
Full Fullish - Wayne was on the side of the building facing Front street but curiously away from the "action". He still got "nailed" (so to speak) by several people.

And what was with Ewarts suit? there should be a law against that!

[SmokingGun on 02.06.06 at 15:44]

"And what was with Ewarts suit? there should be a law against that!"

jeeesh - d'ya forget your camera phone again? ;-)

[Amin Swan on 02.06.06 at 15:48]

One man shouted from the Parliament Street " that we don't support no fags, we're behind you Premier."

Posted by sandgrownan on 02.06.06 at 15:04

What this fool doesn't realize is that he DOES support "fags" only if he knew how many he voted into office....I agree what an ignorant ass hole.

[charles on 02.06.06 at 15:58]

maybe you can help me on this but was this so called rally more about the legislation or the fact that the MP's did not have the balls to take a stand and be counted?

As much as the legislation was important was it not FAR more important that the MP's hear from the public that they cannot simply ignore what the people put before them?

[ondetable on 02.06.06 at 16:08]

charles, that's exactly what the rally was about (MPs not standing and being counted). UBP and PLP MPs were getting verbally confronted by people at the rally for not speaking. Dale Butler took a lot of heat and he defended himself with an obviously rehearsed, emotional and repetitive speech. I saw Barritt also take some heat by protestors. Paula Cox at least engaged people in honest constructive discussion. Dunkley was telling someone how Bermuda has to grow up and support issues like the amendment, but no comment on the non-action of the House. It would have been a little relieving to hear just one politician (esp Butler) express some REGRET for how things went down last Friday.

[silencedogood on 02.06.06 at 16:14]

Saw you all up at the House.....

Posted by Rossini on 02.06.06 at 13:55

No shit? Didn't realize Burch would attend.

[The Right Reverend Uncle Elvis on 02.06.06 at 16:17]

"Idiots like that should not have a say in how this country is run"

I disagree. This hateful and hate-filled bigot has just as much right as you or I to have his say and have his vote.

The problem is that the bigots seem to be better organized that we are...

[Tiggy on 02.06.06 at 16:18]

Can someone (Renee) just put the amendment before the house again, or once it's a dead deal, it's a dead deal? I'm not sure how this works.

I think from the public's outrage of last week's event, the MPs would want to at least put it back on and discuss it - that's the major issue here. Otherwise, no-one will have faith in either party..

[Turtle on 02.06.06 at 16:23]

Rossini,

Just curious - what makes you think the majority of those at the demonstration today were UBP voters? You can't always tell a person's political orientation by looking at them.

[ondetable on 02.06.06 at 16:24]

Tiggy, Barritt was asked this today. He said "not in this session".

[Tiggy on 02.06.06 at 16:26]

Thank you, Ondetable. Just curious, by their choice or by legal doctrine?