Letter: Divisive criticism of the OBA is a roadblock to progress

FRIDAY, OCT. 19: Dear Sir,

Christopher Famous has written in the Bermuda Sun about a statement made by a spokesman for the OBA and published in the daily paper, to the effect that “The Government needs to shift people’s attentions away from the fact it has led Bermuda into a world of unemployment, shootings and debt, with no end in sight.”

From that, he deduces that in our hunger for power, we have become insensitive to both the victims of shootings and the families of the victims. He suggests that perhaps that is because the OBA has “a totally different support base of voters…their views of life will differ from ours.”

It gets worse. He says “The support base of the OBA flatly rejected even supporting Bermudian athletes during Carifta.  The same support base does not take part in 24th of May Parade. Nor do they socialize with us any other time.”

I was stunned when I read that.

First, I was myself at the Carifta Games ceremonies and the 24th of May Parade as were my brother Craig Cannonier, the Leader of the OBA, and several other OBA candidates, all of us there out of personal interest, and to show our support.

Second, I have great difficulty with the intent of what he is saying.

He claims that supporters of the OBA are different from supporters of the PLP.  Supporters of the PLP are better than supporters of the OBA because they have sympathy for shooting victims and their families.  They are better because they support Bermudian Carifta athletes. They are better because they go to the 24th of May Parade.  Supporters of the OBA, he says, don’t even want to socialize with supporters of the PLP. 

That is ridiculous – and transparently so. Mr Famous is undoubtedly making those claims because he is desperate to find a way of criticizing the OBA.

But in doing so, he is an agent of division… he is advancing the kind of ideas that are roadblocks on the way to putting our divided past behind us. 

We face serious issues in Bermuda.  The economy is in a desperate state.  Businesses are closing.  People are unemployed and underemployed.  Many don’t know how to provide for their families.  Serious crime and murders are making people afraid of going out at night.  Our education system is not turning out enough graduates who are properly equipped to fill more than basic roles in the workforce. Tourism is not doing well. International business is shrinking.

Tears are being shed, Mr Famous.  Many people are having a really hard time with this slowdown.

I am sure you are as concerned about the good of Bermuda as anyone else in the country.

But you do nothing for the good of Bermuda when you make these kinds of false and juvenile accusations under the guise of debating the issues. 

We are soon going to decide by way of an election who should run the country. This is a serious matter, and I think all our fellow Bermudians take it seriously.

It’s a great pity that article after article, you express thoughts that indicate you don’t.

Gaylynne Cannonier

One Bermuda Alliance
candidate in St David’s