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One of the most despicable aspects of Bermuda's history is the intimidation that kept many of us and our parents from daring to question much less challenge the injustices that were being meted out, politically, economically, socially-you name it. We all have friends and family who lost jobs, had loans called in, were dismissed from government boards, and blacklisted - merely for speaking out.

Most of us thought that with the rise of the PLP to the status of government, the behaviours of which so many in the PLP were victims would be on their way out. Not so. In fact, it would seem that intimidation and retribution have become, if not more prevalent, certainly more overt.

People inside and outside the PLP have tasted the lash of intimidation and retribution. Insiders who challenge the prevailing wisdom - for the moment, the whims of Premier Brown - are shouted down, warned that they will be passed over for appointments, and even threatened with expulsion from the party.

People outside the party who have felt the lash of intimidation and/or retribution include vulnerable employees, foreign workers, issue campaigners and anyone who dares to speak out.

Much of the intimidation is subtle or done in private, though some do come to light, like the immediate firing of Dr. Catherine Wakely for writing her opinion in a letter to the editor on the closing of the 'Indigent' Clinic.

The most vocal defender of Dr. Wakely's dismissal has been PLP unofficial spokesperson and now potential PLP election candidate LaVerne Furbert.

Ms Furbert has gone so far as to bring the PLP's message of fear and intimidation out front and direct. Writing to one of the political blogs last December, on Christmas Day ironically, Ms Furbert issued the following bait-and-threat to another blogger she obviously thought was foreign:

"By the way, if you had the courage to post under your real name, I may be able to do something about having your right to work here withdrawn..."

With that kind of overt intimidation issued, in writing, to a public forum, it is clear that fear-mongering has been taken to the next level. I can understand why people are fearful of speaking out lest they lose their job or scholarship or opportunity to bid on a contract. I can empathize when they are threatened with being booted off a board or committee. I can no longer chastise the Royal Gazette editor for allowing letter-writers to use pseudonyms.

While Ms Furbert may be the most blatant intimidator, she is not alone. Premier Brown issued threatening words to another MP across the aisle in Parliament. PLP press secretary Scott Simmons has been known to make remarks or gestures that have been felt to be intimidating.

PLP Race consultant Rolf Commissiong has the habit of pretending to fire a pistol at dissenters, a gesture that ranks almost as high as intimating arsenic in food. These are but a few examples.

I can anticipate a chorus of denials and defenses claiming that a) such intimidation never occurs, or b) is a figment of the imagination of those who perceive it, or c) is justified if it does occur. We've heard all that before.

Those who practice intimidation and retribution would do well to remember the adage (if I can paraphrase), "threaten not, lest ye be threatened".

Whoever issues threats are themselves likely to perceive threats all around them. Those who practice intimidation will most need fences or guards or the safety of the clique to feel secure.

It is disappointing for those of us empathetic to what the PLP originally stood for to watch those once oppressed become the oppressors. No good can come of it.[[In-content Ad]]

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