Ten questions for Ewart Brown

According to today’s Bermuda Sun, Ewart Brown is expected to give interviews on his vision for Bermuda next week.

Bermuda’s journalists are a mostly spineless lot. They usually shy away from asking politicians anything that might make them feel uncomfortable and let them get away with spin and obfuscation when they do. Nevertheless, here are some of the questions that I hope a courageous interviewer will ask (and press hard for a straightforward answer, if necessary):

1. How much has the Government paid airlines in subsidies in the last 12 months?

2. Why was the Renaissance consortium dropped from negotiations over Club Med?

3. Will you hold a referendum on the issue of independence, and if so, when?

4. What do you understand by the term “black empowerment”? What policies would you implement to bring it about?

5. As Premier, would you continue to refuse to answer questions that, in your opinion, would not be asked of a white politician?

6. Do you support the addition of sexual orientation to the Human Rights Act?

7. Do you support the construction of the new hospital in the Botanical Gardens?

8. Are your details in the Bermuda Legislature Register of Interests complete and up-to-date? If not, why?

9. What is your position on freedom of information legislation? Would you include details of MP’s expenses in the information that the public would have access to? If so, how do you reconcile this with your reluctance to reveal the cost of your recent stay at the Burj al-Arab hotel in Dubai?

10. Do you understand why some people view you as untrustworthy?
    

Alternatively, Dr. Brown, I invite you to respond to these questions here. I promise that I will moderate the thread fairly, not edit any of your comments, and remove any ad hominem attacks made by other commenters.

If anyone has any other questions that they’d like to have answered, please add them in the comments. Even if Dr. Brown declines to answer them here, maybe an aspiring Jeremy Paxman in the mainstream media will pick them up.

» Christian Dunleavy is also calling on the press to be more persistent with their questioning of Dr. Brown. He also lists some questions he would like to have answered.

Comments

[Yet Another Limey on 13.10.06 at 17:20]

You must admit 4 & 5 are very plantation like.

PS Can we have another poll (for registered voters), if Paula Cox did stand and win would you switch your vote to PLP?
:Yes
:No
:I already vote PLP

Because when it comes down to it I doubt most voters on this site would change even if Michael Dunkley won.

[SmokingGun on 13.10.06 at 18:35]

All very reasonable questions Limey and a good starting point.

A few questions I might add would be:

In light of how GlobalHue, KJA Development etc. received contracts with little to no competitive bidding activity will you as Premier continue with the same policies?

As there are some very expensive capital developments coming online, as Premier will you demand that major construction/supply contracts go to publicly owned companies?

Oh yes and: Who has been getting the tickets for the Miami Heat games?

[Why ask why? on 13.10.06 at 20:42]

"Do you understand why some people view you as untrustworthy?"

This stream of mostly myopic and in some cases insulting, questions should flat out be ignored.

Fiscal policy, crime, education, housing, international business, sustainable development... naaaaah let's park those big issues to the side and talk about gay rights, botanical garden and his bill at Burj al-Arab.

Just ignore this lot, Doc. The only way they'd vote for you is if you ran for the UBP. As a matter of fact, you'd get elected without having to change a thing if you simply ran for the Opposition.

[Alex Jones on 13.10.06 at 20:49]

I would like to know if he agrees with Brother Burgess that Coldwell Banker is responsible for increases in real estate prices.

This is a question which cuts straight to his level of understanding of economics and markets which should stand as a reasonable indiciator of his ability to analyse policy initiatives in this regard.

[Phil on 13.10.06 at 21:28]

Why ask why?

Thanks for your constructive contribution to the debate.

What questions would you ask Dr. Brown?

[pompous G Windbag Jnr III on 13.10.06 at 21:46]

Why etc

We presumably know the answer to those "questions" as the dodgy doc has been a member of the cabinet and I'm certain he wouldn't be so self serving as to ignore collective responsiblity....

These questions are valid - although he could evade the one about airline subsidy as subsidy takes so many indirect forms.

[SmokingGun on 13.10.06 at 21:55]

why ask why - you raise a good point and the topics you mention are very deserving of answering but alas it just goes to show that having seen just how the PLP has operated for the past 8 years and how Dr. Brown has operated it comes down to the simple fact that he's on shaky ground with regard to integrity and trust. People are always going to want to know the underlying character of their leader first and foremost. If he all of a sudden comes out with some fantastic schemes that address all the issues you mention then what is that going to say about both him and the PLP?

[2 Gear Cyrus on 13.10.06 at 23:04]

Dr. Brown: Do you see this as your one chance to be 'P' since comparatively few are likely to believe your party's 'crap' a third time?

[Exterminate...... on 13.10.06 at 23:39]

Quote from Bda Sun today:

Seal of approval: Dr. Ewart Brown receives a loving endorsement for his leadership bid from his wife Wanda.

Well, that's good enough for me then !!!!!

[Robina on 13.10.06 at 23:54]

Wish that I could get a bloody airline subsidy!
Robina. The Limey in NH!

[ayo Johnson on 14.10.06 at 00:20]

"Bermuda’s journalists are a mostly spineless lot"

Explain.

[Here Comes the War on 14.10.06 at 01:37]

Ayo, because there is never any investigative journalism. It's all just for the headline of the day and then it's all forgotten about.

Sure, there's the odd benign editorial that questions this and that but I cant think of one 'journalist' that pushes the points and raises the issues being asked by the public.

It amazes me no end the issues that get promulgated on this website - the issues that there are many valid points both for and against - but nobody gets put in the chair and grilled.

George Galloway interview, anyone?

BDA journalists are spineless indeed. Ayo, I know you are an intelligent guy, I'm sure your colleages are too so why is no-one pushing these issues. I mean really pushing them. Or do I know the answer to that question...

[Phil on 14.10.06 at 02:23]

Ayo

"Bermuda’s journalists are a mostly spineless lot"

Explain.

Re-read my second paragraph.

For examples, see any interview by Bryan Darby or this RG interview with Ewart Brown earlier this year.

Contrast with any Jeremy Paxman (Newsnight) or John Humphries (Radio 4 Today programme) interview in the UK.

[loki on 14.10.06 at 06:47]

"Contrast with any Jeremy Paxman (Newsnight) or John Humphries (Radio 4 Today programme) interview in the UK."

Did you threaten to overrule him?

[Why ask why? on 14.10.06 at 09:30]

"you raise a good point and the topics you mention are very deserving of answering but alas it just goes to show that having seen just how the PLP has operated for the past 8 years and how Dr. Brown has operated it comes down to the simple fact that he's on shaky ground with regard to integrity and trust."

The question of trustworthiness could be asked of any politician. Take Bic Mac Burgess and Double-size Swan. Both of those guys were exploiting their positions, Swan has flip-flopped so many times (conveniently around the time he was trying to market Atlantis) that he must have written the manual.

Brown's "we had to deceive you" comment is being used as nothing more than politically-biased bait. How many times did we hear that there was no leadership issues in the UBP?

Will Brown be afforded the same amount of scrutiny? Would he be receiving these questions if he walked across the floor to join the UBP? Hell no - the UBP would welcome Brown with open arms!!! You are all acting like this is the first opportunist to ever walk into Parliament - well shit, at least he gets some things done, unlike so many of the incompetents on both sides of the floor.

First question for the doc should be what does he plan to do about the growing culture of violence and lack of ambition/performance in the education system. Policing should be joined to this.

Second question should be where does he stand on sustainable development as it pertains to the poor, housing and immigration.

Third question should be how does he plan to overhaul the broader public service as it is in major need of a revolution.

[bermudianabroad on 14.10.06 at 10:04]

"Bermuda’s journalists are a mostly spineless lot"

I believe they do ask the tough questions – again and again and again. A few mates have worked in the RG over the last decade though never for more than a year or two. They argue that it is the public’s fault that Bermudian journalists (of which I believe there are only one or two in the news section because Bermudians don't want the job) and expats working at the RG, MO and Bda Sun try very hard and succeed in asking tough questions. But they never get their calls returned or any answers.

If a politician is unwilling to answer several emails, several phone calls and refuses to comment on an issue - by using the plantation line or simply saying I am not going to comment on that - what can the journalist do?

Furthermore, if the Bermudian public allows their politicians to get away with that then a journalist's core argument – public interest- doesn’t hold much water.

If the public actually cared and they would say it is unacceptable for elected men and women to refuse to answer questions about their jobs, roles and views then they wouldn’t get away with it.

If Bermudians actually required their politicians to have a back bone, be held accountable, and say what they believe then the politicians would have to say something.

At the moment those are not requirements in the Bermudian political scene so the journalists ask and get nothing, and ask again and get nothing and then realize ‘well hang about here no one else cares so why am I banging my head against the computer till all hours every night?’

You spoke of Jeremy Paxman and John Humphries and their amazing interviews but you forget that the British public holds their politicians, monarchy and celebrities more accountable than most other nations. They expect more than Bermudians so politicians have to deliver more and be open and that gives journalists the ability to get answers.

Can you just imagine the faces on P or Dr Brown if someone was hard hitting? What would they do, get up simply walk out and then hold a press conference saying the RG/MO is illustrating their racial agenda again.

I read this site often and the amount of frustration with the local political scene is evident. Can you imagine how much more frustrating it is if it’s your job to deal with and dissect the scene? To call them spineless is unfair and myopic.

[ayo Johnson on 14.10.06 at 10:07]

"BDA journalists are spineless indeed. Ayo, I know you are an intelligent guy, I'm sure your colleages are too so why is no-one pushing these issues"

I'm not intelligent, and not a journalist - which is why i was asking for clarification.

[Turtle on 14.10.06 at 10:28]

I second the qestions WhyAskWhy is asking. I too want to know more about not only where Dr. Brown stands on important issues but what he would do differently from the present Premier.

I'd also like to know how Dr. Brown would address the disparity between the the education level of many young people and the education level required by large sectors of our economy.

And I'd also like to know whether Dr. Brown has any views on changes to our present system of government. In particular I am interested in his ideas on the subject of fixed terms between elections.

After that I would like answers to all Limey's questions, except for 5 and 10, which aren't relevant as far as I'm concerned. The others either address Dr. Brown's stance on current affairs (3, 4, 6, 7 & 9) or address questions about his effectiveness (1 & 2). Question 8 should be answered by every MP in the House - no need to single out Dr. Brown.

Many of the comments on this and the other related thread have focused solely on Dr. Brown's perceived bad points. The real issue is how he plans to face the challenge of governing this tiny overstretched island so that we can have a decent quality of life for ALL.

[Martin on 14.10.06 at 11:17]

I can't quite grasp what Ewart means when he talks of taking Bermuda to the next level.

Did we reach the last level? If so, what was it all about...fast ferries?

Anyone advise?

[SmokingGun on 14.10.06 at 11:53]

Why ask why? - first of all I agree with the same questions you have raised and would like answered. Second of all I totally disagree with you in the no-one would question the UBP or it's members if they handled their affairs the same way as Dr. Brown.

If it were my decision I'd be pushing hard for a third party right about now and the first thing I'd do would be to call up BermudianaBroad and let her ask any damn question she wants and answer her with honest and timely responses. And I'd make sure all my colleagues gave clear and careful consideration to making sure they left nothing out either. And if other people refuse to answer questions then I'd start doing the asking as well.

Screw apathy. We need unity.

[Rev. Goat(the bigot) on 14.10.06 at 12:54]

Will he continue to support the belief that blacks are suppressed adding to their persecution complexes and the"self fulfilling prophecy"?

Will he be positive and demonstrate the ability of blacks to be successful with himself being a fine example and role model?

Will he show statesmanship, resist the temptation and teach by example?

[The Right Reverend Uncle Elvis on 14.10.06 at 14:15]

Rev. Goat, your last sentence is one that I've been thinking about quite a bit lately.

When ARE we going to see statesmen? When are we going to get a strong leader that does what he's supposed to and actually try to do good for ALL of the citizens of this country and not just the ones that voted for him?

Isn't that what a good leader is?

[Bald Eagle on 14.10.06 at 16:45]

I'm with you Turtle, questions 5 and 10 are irrelevant and Limey would have been wise to miss them out.
As Bermudianabroad infers, Bermudians are simply not tuned to asking questions of their politicians, so get what they deserve. If the Doc is perceived to be getting away with some shady deals then like anyone in his position he will continue to do so until cornered and facing demands for some straight answers.
When did we last see a down to earth prime time TV or 'town hall' style interview with hard hitting questions? or a public face off between the leaders of the two main parties?
The political scene here just seems so pasty and lacking in guts.
We'll just have to sit and wait for answers to Limey's questions.....but don't hold your breath!

[Tony Brannon on 14.10.06 at 16:59]

My comments to The Bermuda Sun...
Posted: Friday, October 13, 2006
Posted by: Tony B

Ewart Brown....may get things done...HE SPENDS tax payer dollars like there is no tomorrow...anyone can look good buying off JET BLUE...paying for nice ferries out of the public purse...BUT when I have emailed him personally on issues to praise or offer suggestions...he will engage in a response....BUT here is the clincher....whenever I have bought up RACE issues he avoids them like the plague...For instance I once emailed him and suggested he reach out to the Whites of Bermuda.....That he should offer an olive branch to mend the old wounds.... He really wants to keep OLD WOUNDS open and sore...He even wants them to fester even more, in my opinion. His speach at the DIASPORA event recently was a disgrace....and we all know he tells the black people of Bermuda that if they vote for the UBP they will be voting themselves back on the plantation. This is nasty, racist stuff.... Any person seeking the Premiership of Bermuda should be above all this race baiting and stiring up of old wounds.... Look I was born in 1951...I had nothing to do with slavery.... If I was german, I would have had nothing to do with NAZIism... If there was ever a case for using the words GET OVER IT..it is on race, slavery etc So I say if Brown continues on the current tack...of basically anti white rants, getting even for the past etc...we are ALL in toruble. Indeed it may well be that sooner rather than later we may all be subjects of Dr. Ewart Brown's 21st Century plantation.... Brown has done great things...again by spending OTHER PEOPLES MONEY...But he has let me and Bermuda down with his attitude to white people. He could be Bermuda's first dictator ! Beware of the wolf in sheeps clothing...

[Mister Interlocketer on 14.10.06 at 17:38]

Please add the following to your list of questions for Ewart:

What are UK & Europe tourism number for 2006?

Did the German travel agents send enough tourists to cover the marketing expense by Tourism including the Hot Pink Sports car giveaway?

Did Tourism mis-calculated the number of tourists who arrived on TNT's $49 Special by counting the number of arrivals and departures as two persons when it is actually only one person, coming and going? There were not enough flights to account for Tourism's total.

Will you provide an accounting of the funds from your DC fund raiser and 'THE' charity?

Large sums have been spent on "Bermuda Banners" at Miami Heat games. Can you provide figures that will substantiate these expenditures?

Did Tourism provide an all-expense paid trip for two to Bermuda as a prize for a Toronto chocolate company's birthday or anniversary party? What was the expected ROI?

What happened to the marketing of "Bermuda Shorts" that Tourism spent hunderds of thousands of dollars on for fashion shows? Was there ever an ROI calculation on that white elephant of an idea?

Who is responsible for the daily review of Tourism's website?

List six of your accomplishments during your tenure as Tourism Minister, that can be backed up by actual dollar figures.

Limey...Good luck with Ewart even rendering a reply to your offer.

[Phil on 14.10.06 at 17:43]

Bald Eagle and Turtle

Question 5 is about accountability. Question 10 is about trustworthiness. These are my two biggest problems with Dr. Brown.

I'd like an answer to question 5 because I think it is completely inappropriate for the leader of a country to use race to dodge legitimate questions about his performance.

I'd like an answer to question 10 because I'd like to see whether Dr. Brown is humble enough to admit he has an image problem in this area. It's also an opportunity for him to explain why the concerns that have been raised about his trustworthiness are overstated.

[Raptor on 14.10.06 at 18:07]

Bermudianabroad makes some very good points. It’s interesting to hear what her mates have said about their journalism challenges in Bermuda. The politicians don’t respond…and nothing bad happens to them. And the public doesn’t seem to do anything about it. Others’ suggestions on changing the voting system have a lot of merit—make politicians directly accountable to the people and toughen up the laws for accountability. Right now these politicians are just playing their own games. Voters are people who serve them.

I’ve written to the Premier, but I’ve never had a response. But I’ve written to a couple of editors at the RG, and I’ve never had responses from them either. I’ve had that experience in Bermuda more than any other place! Maybe it’s a Bermuda thing. Don’t answer, don’t write back—it will all go away, and we’ll do what we were doing before.

I think we’ve already seen that even if a journalist or citizen is hard-hitting, the response will just revert to racism. Seems safe, always flies. Bermudianabroad is right on that too—just claim the RG/MO have a racial agenda if you don't want to answer a question.

I do not think a lot of the voters see what a slippery slope this is. It will be very interesting to see what Dr. Brown says, but I don't have my hopes up on accountability. Power and accountability don't seem to share a stage very well.

[Tony B on 14.10.06 at 18:11]

Absolutely SPOT ON Limey...

He dodges RACE QUESTIONS like the plague...
Since it appears, in many ways, that his mentor is none other than The Charmer "Louis Farrakhan"...then if one does an Internet search on what he (Farrakhan) thinks of white people...therein lies our answer.

I hope this is not the case....but all indicators point so...

This is not the type of leader Bermuda needs if this in fact is the case....

The last thing I read in the press when asked about race issues...he siad he would address that at ELECTION time...

NO Dr. BROWN...ADDRESS THEM NOW...Or withdraw your bid for PLP leadership immediately.

Brown has lost much ground in the white community because of his stance on RACE...Such a shame !

[Tony B on 14.10.06 at 18:20]

Ooops I forgot to add :
Brown has lost much ground in the white community because of his stance on RACE...Such a shame !

Should have read: Brown has lost much ground in the white and black community ( YES the Blacks who VOTE UBP) because of his stance on race...

Mind you The Col (Our 4th TOURISM MAESTRO since 1998) is also guilty of stirring the race pot...Remember his famous HOUSE NIGGERS comments...

Of course he supports the SCOTT camp...and then there is RENEE with her "People who look like me" stuff...sticking up for Paula Cox...

Anyway you look at it..The PLP, in all its factions, seems hell bent on perpetuating a DIVIDE with us Bermy's....

GET OVER IT PLP

[wyrdsister on 14.10.06 at 20:24]

Where are our usual PLP supporters, I would like to hear their oppinions on all of this.

[a thursday wart on 14.10.06 at 20:52]

I'm a member of the UBP. If Ewart were to cross the floor and be accepted I'd turn in my membership card immediately.

He's unethical. Plain and simple.

[Slowhand on 14.10.06 at 22:01]

The important thing to note is that the questions Limey posts above are what HE would like to know (and coincidently many other people too) If you have your own questions... put them in list forms and we'll all see if yours get answers. What you CANNOT do is bitch and complain, moan and groan about another persons concerns. (well... you can, and you are doing a grand job of it, but you SHOULDN'T)

[Phil on 14.10.06 at 22:04]

Why ask why

Stop trying to change the subject. This is about Dr. Brown, not the UBP.

[Tony B on 14.10.06 at 22:51]

Another fair question of the good doc:

How many $$$$ were spent on THE SUMMER SERIES ?

Who got what $$$$ WHAT was the ROI ????

Ticket sales for the Music Festival generated how much compared to expenses ?

My guess is that EXPENSES were triple what INCOME was.....

Can auditor general Mr Larry Denis have some numbers so we can see some openess and honest accounting here ??

In the Entertainment world a promoter goes broke on that basis (expenses exceeding income).....But the good old TAXPAYERS not only paid to get into see the Dockyard shows...but their tax dollars will pick up the other Million or Two to make up the short fall. If expenses were close to 2 million then we Bermudians paid another $ 33 each...YEP 60,000 x $ 33 !

The whole Bermuda music scene is broke period.

Dr. Brown has seen fit to allow Cruise Ships to allow full blown entertainment in port - he is making life tough for us local entertainers.
He says he will let market forces decide what happens?

I am floored by this. OK then open up the shops and casinos onboard DOC...let the market forces prevail even further to destroy what is left of Bermuda retail, and with the Casinos open people will have another reason to stay on board.

Our ON ISLAND BUSINESSES need to be protected and nurtured friend.

Whilst the Doc has romanced the Cruise Lines and we will see 350,000 cruisers in 2007....the people visiting our hotels will have little to do! Not much entertainment, unless it is TAX PAYER funded one-off events hosted at Fairmont or at one of his chosen few spots such as Horseshoe Bay or SNORKEL PARK.
Doc Brown has done nothing to empower THE PEOPLE IN THIS BUSINESS AT ALL.

Their has been a total neglect of dealing with the HAYWARD ENTERTAINMENT REPORT. I guess I can say though that the 2 reports done in the past 25 years, of which I contributed to both, have ended up on a shelf. A waste of everyones time.

The Minister of Tourism should have allowed MARKET FORCES to prevail and let HOTELS have CASINOS so as to compete againgst the CRUISE SHIPS on a level footing. Right now the hotels operate with both hands tied behind their backs. They sell off their land or knock down rooms and replace them with FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP or CONDOS.....

HOTELS are not a money making business like they used to be. The Doc though gets a GET OUT OF JAIL card on this however since the CABINET are against gaming because of fear of losing the CHURCH VOTE.....Such BS....
Give Hotels casino licenses and breaks on taxes to those who hire local entertainers year round.

As for what the good DOC really thinks though of Bermudian entertainers he personally told me and another associate that Bermudians are not that good!
That Bermudian entertainers are ONLY COPYCATS and in fact we are not even good copycats.....

I wonder what Shine Hayward and the local musicians will think of this ???

Dr. Brown has put on loads of FOREIGN ENTERTAINMENT this year.....and threw in a few crumbs to the locals...DO NOT BE FOOLED BERMUDA!
Dr. Brown has not done anything to create any sustainability in the Bermuda Entertainment scene. Both his Father and mine must be rolling over in their graves.

SUCH a PITY.

[Jake on 15.10.06 at 08:28]

Tony,

I think you are a campaign manager for Dr. Brown. Your comments help to solidify his support where it matters - with the delegates. I'm glad your focus has shifted from Alex Scott, because it really is time for the next generation of leaders.

I doubt Dr. Brown will spend time answering your questions, plantation or otherwise. This is not a channel for the people he needs to focus on right now: the members of the PLP and their delegates.

Here's a little insight into the issues he faces internally:

Will you lead us to a victory at the next election?

Will you be fair on the appointment of women in key positions?

Can we expect to see improvement in the education levels, and will free education still have any meaning?

Will you keep the international business community happy so we can all continue to prosper?

Will you ensure that poor children and children from public schools get the same opportunities as wealthy kids?

Will you build more monuments that represent our shared racial history so that the black story is told as well?

Will you lead Bermuda in the way you have demonstrated with tourism - and represent both blacks and whites to the betterment of Bermuda? (I believe you will, by the way)

I wish him every success in the contest with Alex Scott.

[Why ask why? on 15.10.06 at 08:47]

Limey

"Stop trying to change the subject. This is about Dr. Brown, not the UBP."

It's not specifically about the National of Islam either, but I don't see you deleting Tony B's asinine Farrakhan comments.

Many of the questions you are asking of Brown are directly related to my criticism of UBP supporters, and thus why I would support Brown. The hypocrisy displayed by UBP supporters when it comes to shady UBP members is absolutely incredible! Reading Tony B's comments has led this thread into one big plantation moment.

"I wish him every success in the contest with Alex Scott."

I hope Alex and all his incompetents get stroked to the boundary. Six runs!

[ken on 15.10.06 at 08:59]

Wyrdsister,

I will be brief. I am a PLP supporter, but i feel that this entire thread and the majority of the questions posed by Limey and also the insane rantings of Tony B prove to me that there is no point in even dignifying the thread with more than this response.

[Billy Ray Zundapp on 15.10.06 at 09:32]

As much as I dislike Ewart and think he is a racist bastard, he has to be more effective than Alex who is the most boring, uninspiring "P" I've ever seen.

[Tony b on 15.10.06 at 09:40]

Jake....

Ok....Here is the deal.

Ewart has been fairly successful in that he has "gotten some things done".
Fast Ferries....they are great. Any good government is supposed to provide good quality public transportation. Almost all the people I speak to would concur that he hit a home run here.

Tourism:
Well the PLP had mismanaged this SO BADLY...remember David Allen...????
His CRUISE & STAY fiasco, his 100 day turn around...Allowing the ships to have their own entertainment on board whilst in port - which Brown so far has refused to reverse?

Basically he, Allen, was a bumbling fool.
Then came RENEE WEBB. She had a public forum at # 1 shed...and then proceeded to do nothing...THE WAY FORWARD never happened....

Then came EWART BROWN....who in many ways has done some things we all cried out for.

Increased airlift...JET BLUE...etc etc...

But whilst he has done some good....What is the cost? Fair questions from Limey, myself and others.

What has he paid the airlines for guarantees?

His unwillingness to create a TOURISM AUTHORITY and take the other major sector of Bermuda business (the other being International Business, which runs itself)out of the hands of Political control with open management - who are accountable for running the DOT as a business - makes one wonder how many dollars are wasted, manipulated, kicked back to mates etc. We all know he loves to say, "This is the way I play".
Ewart has the infamous PAY to PLAY scandal to answer for, that Paula Cox was unwilling to investigate ????
Brown hasn't helped himslef here.

Ewart has made no secret that it is his turn.

There will be a PLP dogfight over this. Grassroots supporters have told me there is NO WAY Brown will win. We'll see soon enuff !

Brown says "Use me or lose me".

What Bermuda needs is a leader with humility, decency, honesty, transparency.

The EGO and Power that intoxicate many in the political arena makes many an onlooker vomit.

The trappings: fancy cars, multi million dollar mansions (paid for by the people), silk suits, first class travel, pray that we don't soon have private jets, spending silly amounts of the PEOPLES MONEY to show boat is sickening.

Bermuda needs a smart hoenst leader. A leader who will be accountable to the people. A leader who CARES WHAT WE THINK. A leader who is not about getting even with the past (A past long long gone). A leader who unites the races not divides us.

In my opinion Scott ain't the man. Nor was the Dame a worthy leader either.
Brown will fight to win here...and if he does ask yourselves just one question:

Given the track record of secrecy, the unwillingness to disclose all the details, "Does Bermuda want to see the Taxpayer Cash spent at an even higher burn rate" ?

If so Brown is your man. He will do it his way.

I simply want a person who runs Bermuda to do it for ALL of us: honestly with decency, humility and transparency whilst managing the public purse in an open and timely accountable manner.

Oh I guess we have to decide that at the Next Election !!!

P.S To Why ask Why.....
Alex and the incompetents.....a good name for a band...but you are right my friend on that one. After the 11 million Scotty gave to cricket, being "stroked to the boundary" is indeed humorous :)

[Tony B on 15.10.06 at 09:48]

Ken:

Insanity....
Yes as my pal Julian Hall says to any and all who will listen....and I concur

"The Asylum (Bermuda) is indeed being run by the inmates".

Good luck Ken

[Can't Complain (I Can - & I Frequently do) on 15.10.06 at 20:18]

Saw 'P' this aft' at the RBYC giving some speech. I think he is about 14 minutes & 55 seconds............

Retirement can't be that far away.

[BBW ^..^ on 15.10.06 at 20:47]

Less talk!! everybody back to cutting sugar cane ^..^ Two months and we can all howl again! And Yeah Sonia for Mayor!

[Lost in Flatts on 16.10.06 at 05:38]

I think the most relavent comment on this thread is from Jake. A lot of people seem to forget who Doc Brown's audience is. Tony B can point out his various failings til the cows come home, Limey can question his ethics, but in the end, neither of those two people are likely to vote him back in, so what does it matter?

The issues that he has to address are those that are going to get him the PLP leadership, and then get them reelected. Does it matter that he makes wide, sweeping, clearly racist (though not by Ms. Hodgson's definition) statements? No, the majority vote don't care. Does the majority care about the ROI of all his various tourism investments? No, because he's good at spin and all we see our benefits and no costs. Does he have any incentive to curb his generally offensive behaviour towards the white community? Nope, they're not going to vote him in regardless.

Bottom line is, he is a politician, not a statesman as someone mentioned above. He is interested in power for 5 years at a time, and all the perks he can get with that. His motives are simple, and none of the concerns on this board matter to him. What should worry his supporters is that this complete disregard for the minority, perhaps even a spitefulness towards the minority, is reminiscent of many other historical situations, and none of them turned out to well.

[Raptor on 16.10.06 at 09:15]

That's right, Lost in Flatts. The Bermuda Sun poll now has Dr. Brown getting 83% of the votes for P's 17%. Those aren't delegates, of course, but the numbers say a lot.

[ian on 16.10.06 at 17:26]

If the people of Bermuda are too damn lazy and/or ignorant to demand any accountability from their government, then why shouldn't the govt (Dr. Brown) milk them for everything they can? If journalists can't/won't take them to task, if the public is satisified with the "plantation question" bullsh*t, then Dr. Brown is truly a man of the people and will continue to charm and buy his votes from what is presumably a very easily lead majority of the population.

I bet Limey really doesn't expect the (f)lying Dr to answer his questions - but again, why should he? As long as a majority of voting Bermudians are satisfied with being kept in the dark about where their monies go, then it remains in Doc Brown's best political interests to rant about the racist white media outlets and "plantation questions". Hell, if I were black I'd be hightailing on down to BDA to try and get on the gravy train with 'em. Ignorant voters mean freebies at the Burj al Arab - nice perk if you can fool a nation!

[Phil on 16.10.06 at 17:37]

Ian

If any PLP politician has the guts to answer questions on here, it's Dr. Brown. He's more willing to engage with the media than anyone else on the Government benches, even if his answers are sometimes less than satisfactory.

[SmokingGun on 16.10.06 at 17:55]

ian - you have to wonder. Unless of course there are far too many skeletons in everyone's closets that no-one wants to dig too deep.
It's ridiculous that an elected politician can get away with making incendiary racial comments and when asked what he means he simply tells people to take a hike. And he wants to run the whole show?

Get on board the gravy train
Won't cost you a nickel or dime
Feel no pain with all the gain
Yes sirree, it's payback time.

A little for you and a lot for me
Just to keep you in my pocket see
Don't worry none, I promise you son
There's plenty more where that came from.

Ask no questions I'll tell no lies
Besides I've got me a bag full of alibis
Forget about trust, forget about truth
I know what's good for me and you.

[jake on 16.10.06 at 17:59]

Ian,

I'm not too lazy to tell you that the people of Bermuda simply don't respond to arrogant rantings like yours.

Unless we are following your direction like sheep we are insulted in the following terms:

(1) We don't care about fiscal responsibility

(2) We are voting on racial lines

(3) We are voting with emotion and not logic

(4) We are easily fooled by baubles and spin

I suspect it's impossible for you to conceive that perhaps we simply disagree.

Pity for you. It's why the UBP will remain in the Opposition, and why there is a Brown candidacy in the first place.

Welcome to a world created by you.

[StacyAnn on 16.10.06 at 18:25]

Dr. Brown, Do you think it is helpful to the party to keep changing leaders within? If so how do you see it helping?

What is it that you would like to accomplish that you can not by holding the post of second in charge of this country? Is it worth essentially demolishing any unity the party might of had?

What are some catch phrases you will use if, as Premier, you lose the PLP leadership in the next general election?

Just Curious

[ian on 16.10.06 at 19:18]

jake:

It's rather amusing that you find my comments "arrogant". Consider, as a non-resident of Bermuda, that I have nothing to gain or lose in the UBP/PLP contest(s). More importantly, I have the benefit of "neutrality" in examining the Bermuda political scene (unless of course like so many in Bermuda you automatically assume that white = racist = UBP). From my perspective, it is not arrogant to state that the people of Bermuda are "challenged" when it comes to fiscal responsibilty, race relations, and more. The conduct of your senior politicians is in line with the conduct of political figures in non-democratic third-world nations. There is little or no legislated fiscal responsibility or transparency with your government - so how can you claim to be fiscally responsible? Can you file a Freedom of Information request to see the good Dr's receipts from Dubai? It's your money he's spending! If race is not a (the) key factor in your recent and coming elections, then why do the PLP insist on playing the "race card" at every opportunity? Your Col. Burch would be forced from office in my country for his highly offensive, racist, and juvenile comments. I suggest that you are offended at my comments because there is a degree of truth to them. Simply put, the PLP and Doc Brown are appealing to the lesser educated, black majority in Bermuda. They do this the only way they (and anyone) can - by inflaming racial tensions through inflammatory rhetoric. They even use this an an excuse to avoid real questions about their record and agenda (the so-called "plantation questions"). This segment of the population (like any "lower income", lesser-educated, black or white segement in any nation) is susceptible to "baubles and spin" - and a politician who will do what it takes to get elected knows it and uses it. "Style over substance" is the norm in Bermuda - that I know for a fact from firsthand experience. If the electorate was responsible as you claim - they would be marching in the streets demanding answers and real solutions to the problems that plague Bermuda. I only hope that they wake up before the gravy train dries up.