broadside from former AG

There was a scathing and damning indictment of Attorney General Kim Wilson in a letter in today’s Gazette from former AG, now PLP backbencher, Phil Perinchief. Basically, he accuses Wilson of allowing her political role as Minister of Justice to interfere in her more neutral one of AG in which capacity, he says, she acts as legal advisor both to the Government and the Governor. Last week Wilson said Premier Ewart Brown’s decision to allow four Guantánamo detainees to resettle on the Island was a lawful one.

Unfortunately the letter doesn’t appear on the Gazette website so I can’t link to it and I’m too lazy/busy to retype the whole thing but it’s worth picking up a print version to read. Here’s just an excerpt:

I am appalled, disappointed and hugely embarrassed for the current AG in respect of her remarks on the ‘lawfulness’ of the Premier’s actions. These remarks are, in my view, misleading, erroneous and an unfortunate blight upon the office of the Attorney General … ask yourselves readers if the Premier has acted UNCONSTITIONALLY and UNLAWFULLY in this matter. And please, do not be blinded by the ‘red herring’, apples and oranges accusation that you answer is ‘unhumanitarian’. I believe that if you keep the facts straight then you will conclude as I have done: Guilty, Mr. Premier, on ALL counts.”

Welcome to JEWEL

As mentioned in a previous post, PLP blogger Jonathan Starling and former PLP Senator Davida Morris have now launched a welcome new blog, Bermuda JEWEL.

According to the site, Bermuda JEWEL is a political organisation, not a party,  with the aim of “involving the citizens of Bermuda in the process of Government, with the aim of achieving economic, social and ecological justice and democracy”. JEWEL itself stands for Joint Endeavor for Welfare, Education & Liberation.

“This name indicates the aims and objectives of the organisation – welfare, education and liberation of Bermudian citizens. The founders of JEWEL come from the Progressive Labour Party, both members and supporters. It is our contention that the PLP has lost its committment to economic, social and ecological justice and democracy. We feel that it is no longer possible to advocate effectively for these goals within the PLP – radical critique and free discussion has been stifled within the Party, and that is a threat to the long-term benefit of our people.”

Sounds like a breath of fresh air to me. Good luck and welcome to the blogosphere, guys!

FOOTNOTE: Sad to see that the provacative and always entertaining Vexed Bermoothes is calling it a day – at least for now. He said on his/her blog today:

… after more than 750 posts, far too many of which are focussed on the constant circus surrounding Ewart Brown, with the ensuing pressures, I am taking a break from active blogging.

Come back soon, Vexed!

masters pieces

As a former sports editor and a magazine editor in love with great photography, I’ve been really impressed this past week with the work Alex Masters has been doing, shooting the Island Games in Aland for The Royal Gazette and the Bermuda Sun. His shots have been far above the normal run-of-the-mill sports action shots – not bad at all for someone who by his own admission, “as far as sports are concerned, I don’t think I could be any less experienced,” and is far more at home shooting weddings, fashion shoots and concerts.  You can see more on Flickr or on Alex’s photoblog.

Thriller – the 64-track a’cappella mix

An astonishing piece of work by French artist François Macré.

more about " Thriller – the 64-track a’cappella mix", posted with vodpod

u2 go over the top

check out this vid on U2’s amazing new stage set …

power play

Today’s Royal Gazette says Government’s plan to take over the corporations of Hamilton and St. George’s is a potentially dangerous concentration of power:

Government’s decision to close down the corporations of Hamilton and St. George’s has all the hallmarks of the Brown administration.

Ignoring submissions from the public, taking decisions in private without consultation and putting up an unresearched justification for shutting down the corporations is increasingly typical of how Premier Ewart Brown’s administration does business.

read the full article

Amidst the good news about a St. Regis Hotel being planned for the Par-la-Ville site in Hamilton, the Corporation’s notable absence from yesterday’s press conference, whether planned or not, spoke volumes. The Corporation, which owns the land and has been working with developers on the project, says they were not invited; the developers say it was miscommunication; and of course it was nothing to do with the Government.

‘l’ of a mistake

Wonderful misprint in today’s Royal Gazette: a story about a new monument to commemorate the 1959 Theatre Boycott was headlined, “Theatre boycott recalled 50 years later with new pubic square, sculpture , and a special film showing”. Embarrased editors corrected the typo for the online edition. I was rather relieved to read that they were showing Errol Williams’ When Voices Rise documentary about the boycott, and not something a little more risque … !

singing around the world

cool video from the Playing For Change project. More info at http://playingforchange.com

more about “song around the world “, posted with vodpod

The protest continues …

Two videos from today’s protest. In the top one, co-organiser Erica Rance-Cariah addresses the crowd of about 1,000 outside the House of Assembly. She called on protesters and those not present to “do their part” by pressuring their MPs and constituency organisations to force out Premier Dr. Ewart Brown.  Below, former UBP MP Grace Bell leads the crowd in a heartfelt prayer.

more about “The protest continues …“, posted with vodpod

mapping michael

Cool map charting Michael Jackson's considerable influence to hip-hop.