As a PLP supporter I have a lot to cheer about

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 24: I have made it a practice not to reply to personal insults. Bear with me while I make an exception and address a statement by Bryant Trew.

 ‘PLP cheerleader spreads divisive rhetoric’ — headline, Bermuda Sun, Oct. 17.

 Mr Trew speaks negatively of a Facebook page Bermuda Election 2012. He quotes that BE12 “has done more damage to the credibility and reputation of the PLP than any other single public source anywhere.”

This private page has both PLP and OBA supporters debating politics and social topics. The vast majority on there are OBA supporters or definitively non PLP supporters.

Nevertheless, most of the OBA supporters posting on BE12, post there because their own page is somewhat stagnant with constant negativity towards the PLP.

 Persons posting on BE12 have become more than cyber debaters. My inbox shows that OBA supporters and PLP supporters see beyond the rhetoric. I cannot count on my hands how many ‘OBA friends’ I now have because of BE12.

Inevitably, things can get heated at times, and yes I have had to delete comments from both PLP and OBA supporters. Our overall mantra is “Issues over individuals”.

 PLP cheerleader, huh? As a PLP supporter I have a lot to cheer about;

• Future Care;

• Perimeter Lane;

• Harborview Village;

• Loughlands;

• Heritage Wharf;

• Home ownership increase for Bermudians from 50-65% since 1998;

• Sylvia Richardson Rest Home;

• New hospital;

• Permanent Resident Certificates for long term residents;

• Fast ferries;

• Rescue of Butterfield Bank.

I can go on and on, but don’t want shake my pom poms too much.

 Mr Trew fails to address the central issue of my initial column. The need for all of us, as Bermudians to start involving ourselves with the youth of Bermuda.

The OBA has thrown about numbers of shooting victims as mere statistics in press releases and video adverts. Can you recall the OBA ever taking a continuous bi-partisan approach to this or any major issue?

Perhaps Mr Trew did not get the memo I sent to the OBA months ago about a bi-partisan approach to troubled youth. Ask OBA candidate Anthony Francis if I got a response.

Perhaps he didn’t get the Memo I sent to Craig Cannonier, asking the OBA to address the divisive, toxic talk on Bernews and RG comment sections. Ask Senator Dunkley if I got a response.

Perhaps he didn’t get the memo that OBA candidate Jeff Sousa and I were together at Carifta. He should check with Jeff about our observations.

Amongst the people

Perhaps he didn’t get the Memo that it was an OBA candidate that stated “the Government knows who is doing the shootings and does nothing”.

When Mr Trew is ready to talk man to man with me, I will be out amongst the people of Bermuda. All day, every day, the PLP way.

 Mr Trew, if I am a divisive person, why do I daily approve OBA members wishing to join BE12? If I was divisive, why was I invited to have a column in this paper? I seriously doubt the Bermuda Sun wish to have a rabble-rouser taking up their ink.

“Let them talk. Keep them talking. We’re going to keep them talking. We got a lot more coming” — Garnett Silk

For someone claiming to be a non-supporter, you are extremely defensive of the OBA. Why so much anger mate? ‘Back of town’ we say you are what you eat so get your weight up and your hate down.

 As for the Cheerleader line, dude don’t you know male cheerleaders get all the female cheerleaders?