2/5/2010 11:52:00 AM Premature political obituary of Dr. Brown ignored his triumphs
Rolfe Commissiong, guest columnist
Well Larry Burchall finally did it. He wrote the Premier's political obituary - for perhaps the second or third time over the last two years. And he refused to wait until the man had actually left the office, as he is slated to do in October.
Larry - being Larry however - was determined to not let a small detail like that get in the way. He was just bursting at the seams to deliver to the Bermudian people, his ultimate 'I told you so' column.
Some people may be surprised to know this but I kind of like Larry. He can be intellectually fastidious, a trait not easily found in Bermuda, and strong in his opinions. I just happen to think that with respect to the current Premier, Dr. Ewart Brown, that Larry tends to lose it and allows his sundry resentments toward the man to cloud his judgment and thus his objectivity.
I have always found Larry an interesting character; in his column of January 13, he asserted that the Premier, is firmly fixated on the 1960s, a notion with which I disagree. To me, Larry appears to reflect a certain black Bermudian cultural type that in some ways is a throwback to the 1950s.
When I was growing up in Bermuda during the 1950s and 60s there were some black Bermudians whose carefully cultivated personas rendered them 'more English than the English'. Certainly Larry fits into that category. How he manages to speak with such a strong English accent after spending a relatively short time in the U.K., is beyond my understanding.
He is not alone in those affectations, though. Other black Bermudians who share the same trait can be found at the higher reaches of the civil service and on both sides of the political aisle.
But they represent such a small minority within the black community of today and do not have the political and cultural sway that they may have had, say, 40 years ago. A significant point that Larry and others like him seem manifestly unwilling to accept.
Another feature of this particular black Bermudian type, both then and now, was their hostility and sense of superiority - to the U.S and in particular, black Americans.
Larry makes no bones about expressing that sense of superiority and his animus toward Dr. Brown, who he and those of his ilk would consider too black American, culturally and politically. Of course, the obverse of that would be to assert that in their eyes one of the biggest sins of the current Premier is that he is simply not 'English' enough.
In a previous column for example where he celebrated the Queen's recent visit, Larry went into a rapture more appropriate for the second coming of Christ. He conveyed that the visit of Her Majesty only once again confirmed how the British connection to Bermuda was still strong and dominant.
I sometime wonder if Larry actually does live in Bermuda or resides in a quaint English village near Dorset. Today's Bermuda has not been that British - other than constitutionally - since the 1950s.
At least culturally, Bermuda, in 2010, has two dominant strains, and neither of them is British. The first, which will really kill him to know, is North American and the other is Caribbean or, as we used to say, West Indian.
Caribbean ancestry
And while the Premier's accent can betray that North American influence, one should not forget that his Caribbean or Jamaican ancestry has also played as big a part - or even a larger one - in who he is today, along with his extensive Bermudian connections.
With respect to those influences, and more to the point, Ewart Brown is no different than a majority of Bermudians, both black and white.
Larry ended part one of his misbegotten litany of woe by almost poetically summing up the Premier's tenure with the following: "Dreams dashed. Hopes gone. Disappointment all round. A now obvious mistake."
He concludes by plaintively asking, "Who will follow?"
Yes indeed, who will follow? The smart money, of course, is on the current Finance Minister Paula Cox, whom Larry also unfairly attacked and disparaged, more recently.
But no matter who follows, their predecessor will leave them with a number of signal achievements that seem likely to benefit them and the party for years to come. And here I am not only referencing policy and legislative achievements, such as a tuition free Bermuda College, free child care and a host of other initiatives that were advanced under his leadership, including the Bermuda Race Relations Initiative's Big Conversation.
From a purely political standpoint, Ewart Brown's greatest gift to his immediate successor is the fact that the combined political opposition now lies in ruins - something he promised during the December 2007 election, lest we forget.
Even the vaunted tea party-like, largely white protest group which Larry fronted during its final days during the tumult over the Uyghar's last summer is no more. Gone the way of the dinosaur.
Most importantly, the party which had stood resolutely opposed to the PLP over the last 40 years, the UBP; and which of late, had largely defined itself by its opposition to one man, Ewart Brown, is now in its death throes. Split in two.
Recent polling indicates that all the new Bermuda Democratic Alliance has done has divided the white vote into two, with neither Opposition party garnering any significant black support.
It seems that despite all of the efforts to fracture PLP support by their obsession with one man, the combined Opposition, have only precipitated their own demise.
Yet Ewart Brown remains and will leave office on his own terms in October, as he promised to do almost four years ago - another inconvenient truth that Larry apparently chose to ignore, along with many others.
Finally, Ewart Brown has demonstrated his commitment to Bermuda in the context of the world which exists today; not the world of yesteryear that in some respects exists only in Larry's somewhat fertile, pseudo-British imagination.
Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Comment by:
Josseline Philip
“Sad”, I agree with you, it has hurt every day of my life for many years because I got to live this personally before many. What people feel and observe now, I have felt and experienced for years in and around Bermuda for years. But you see, the pseudo-self-proclaimed intellectuals, who for some wrote big empty books and newspaper articles or those who
invaded the columns of some newspapers with their bilious hatred, or aired their verbal diarrhoea on TVs and radios, educating and feeding the masses with that vitriolic hatred, are to blame. People with no heart who have no love for others. I do not wish them to die too soon. May they live still long, long, long enough to see a younger generation prove to them that there is a better way than keeping trusting people in the dark by forcing their ignorant malice into their brains and precisely brainwash them. Many people went into politics, not to serve the people but to try and make their pockets bulkier. Like you “Sad”, I really hope that Bermuda goes back and thrives from the beautiful friendly place I instantly loved at my first visit in August 1981, the same month my sister-in-law got married and I got to observe people's friendliness and loving manners to its peak then. Josseline
Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Comment by:
letariatpro
It would appear my response to this ridiculous column has been censored. Guess we know where the Sun's bread is buttered.
Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Comment by:
letariatpro
LOL, Rolfe being true to form, not once did he dispute any fact that Larry laid out, not once did he offer any contrary evidence. Just a tirade on Larry''s person. Attack the messenger seems to be the de-facto Brownite motto. I think I''d like to give that a try; Rolfe and LaVerne will be singing Brown''s praises as Rome burns down around them [...] And for the hefty wage he is paid to be Dr. Brown''s ''consultant on race'' he must step up every time Brown needs defending! [...]
I invite all those who voted PLP in the last election to ask themselves, are they better off after 4 years of Brown? If they are, then ask themselves, are they a friend or family member of Dr. Brown. I''d be interesting to see what the majority of the answers are.
Posted: Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Comment by:
Bruce McClarron / Arizona
Did I read that headline correctly?...TRIUMPHS - What triumphs??? The only thing that Ewart Brown actually excels at, is constantly flying here, there and everywhere, for endless "Photo Ops" endeavoring to satisfy his massive EGO and image of self-importance...Naturally, always on the Bermudian Tax payer's $$$!!
He also excels at misleading people - including his own PLP comrades with his overblown rhetoric...And we all remember those promises of complete transparency in all his and government's dealings!!
I am at a total loss as to why Bermudians have remained so complacent, during the last 4 yrs! Yes, I know you had a 'March on Parliament' over the Uyghurs scandal...But you should have done far more, to emphasize your
total displeasure with this man! Americans by the millions are now also totally 'sick & tired' of Barack Obama...So they have had many 'Tea Party' rallies across the country, vociferously making their point!! They are making a big difference on the political landscape - they are taking THEIR country back!!
At the end of the day...The only thing Ewart Brown will be rightly remembered for - was his very 'Lavish Lifestyle' at the expense of Bermuda!
Incidentally, Mr. Commissiong - Larry Burchall possesses two very important personal traits, that elude your master (Brown)...Those are - Character & Integrity!!
Posted: Monday, February 08, 2010
Comment by:
Brian
A blatant attack on the character of the messenger without dealing with the issues at hand. Do we have to go in our time machine back to the 50's and 60's to mount an attack. Must we completely forget 2010 and everything that has happened in the last 10 years? The PLP is working from the vantage point of the past and have no view of the present. The whole thing seems to be about revenge and race. Did some one come from England, America or the West Indies? Dwelling in the past will just send us back. Lets deal with today's problems, gun crime, unemployment, a growing national debt, shrinking international business, the death of tourism....
Posted: Monday, February 08, 2010
Comment by:
Josseline Philip
Martin Morris, I personally witnessed very closely such violently anti-British, fervent pro-independence person crawl on all fours and adopt the Pavlov's dog attitude-tongue hanging out, just to get the "medal" pinned by the Queen-... OBE! Obtain the ULTIMATE REWARD but misleading Bermudians and claim to be rejecting anything British. Such people do not have any concrete greater achievements to show for. The Queen's medals allows such them to parade in style, give them a fake aura. They can stick a “title” next to their surname so that their signature does not appear too naked. I hope that Mr. Burchall will not STOOP down so low as to even pay attention to or answer in ANYWAY to that attempt at misplacing the REAL DEBATE, an attempt which must be taken as an initial opening to a post-October political campaign for "a- thought-of-God-given- gift”, to some fervent Bermudian, if not to the forgotten majority. An attempt which is an insult to the intelligence of Bermudians. Josseline
Posted: Monday, February 08, 2010
Comment by:
sad
It makes me so sad to see all the hate in these comments and in this column itself (and many others). Bermuda will never be the same to as much hate exists in the hearts of too many of our community. Its so terrbile to see what Bermuda has become and what a horrible direction its heading in. There will never be togetherness in our comunity if our leaders and supposed 'bright minds' spread such malice - on BOTH sides of the community and the house of assembly. I for one look forward to when most of the people who spread this hate are dead and buried so the real healing can begin. Half the time its like a bunch of children bickering on the play ground.
Posted: Monday, February 08, 2010
Comment by:
robin hamill
Once again we see the political tactic of attacking the individual rather than debate the merits or otherwise of his argument. RC's piece seeks to undermine LB's credibility rather than address the argument LB promotes using race and polarization as tools of self-serving propaganda.
Bermuda used to be the most civilized place on Earth, but we have degenerated to such a degree that we cannot have open, honest and critical debate for the betterment of our country.
The fate of our beautiful country is at stake. We need to come together and reject the politics of polarization. Too much is at stake for us not to unite to do what is right for the country; namely concentrate on goals we share in common...execllent education for our young people, economic opportunity for all, and safety in our community. We can get there through high-integrity, accountable and results-driven leadership built on the foundation of unity.
Posted: Monday, February 08, 2010
Comment by:
Justin
"I liked the letter, I am no fan of Larry Burchall's opinion pieces. I think more people should pay attention to what Rolfe says, he is right on alot of things." And this type of attitude is exactly why the divisions in BDA will remain as wide as ever. Also, Mr. Din what exactly is Rolfe so right about all the time? What things are you referring to? If you like that letter so much you are part of the problem as well. So please tell me why you don't like Larry's articles? Is it because he doesn't say nice things about the PLP all the time? or is it because he presents not so positive FACTS (which none of you PLP stalwarts/zealots ever address) to the public? Which one is it? Or are you insinuating that he is lying? If so prove it, or you nothing but a sheep as well...in the meantime please tell us why Larry is wrong (despite the evidence that he provides to justify his argument) and why Rolfe (who simply attacks the messenger and disregards teh irrefutable evidence) is right?
Posted: Monday, February 08, 2010
Comment by:
Put up or shut up Laverne #2
"But someone people would rather be misled by Larry Burchall because he "speaks proper English". So why don't you enlighten us plebs as to real state of affairs. BDA is so tire of your cowardice. You rant at anyone who criticizes the PLP and claim they are "misleading." But yet with all your supposed knowledge you have not refuted evidence put forward nor have you told us the "real" situation or facts. You are a coward just like your mate Rolfe. Neither of you have ever dispute dthe facts put forward by individuals such as Larry. Attack, attack and attack is the exten of your intellecctual capabilities I am convinced now.
