Checked out of political news

Sad to say, everything in Bermuda gets politicized. Terms like 'working together' or 'common goals' are mere rhetoric... specifically the type that only gets utilized in press conferences.

Everything is so freaking divisive, and I think the ruling party is the main instigator of this, as of late. Every single issue that is critical of the ruling party, is met with an attack of some sort, usually outright but sometimes more subtly. Yes, I get it, it's an election year, but all this "resetting the dial" talk has proven to be a load of baloney.

I can't speak for the majority of residents, but I would rather read about solutions and dialogue instead of attacking anybody who disagrees with any particular government policy. That said, my vote is still undecided but leaning towards a tin can. Seriously.

It's time for another service disruption, sorry public (yeah right)

The most powerful person in Bermuda isn't the Premier. It's not even the former Premier. It's the chief of the BIU.

It seems as though he's calling for some 'important' meeting that all members must attend, practically every month, without any regard for the people that need certain services.

And in true Bermudian tradition, when the meeting is called for at 10am, groups like the public transportation staff, they stop working at 9:15,... or earlier.

When challenged on why they're suspending service so early, the supervisor, a gruff bearded fellow (former driver, they must've promoted him) rudely replied with "It was on the news. Back by 12." That was his only message, repeated often. No suggestions of alternatives. No suggestions of calling taxis or minibuses. And these were mainly senior citizens and mothers with small children at the bus depot at this time, that he's treating with such disdain. "It was all over the news."

A lovely promotion for customer service, I dare say. Throw in some 'Buy Bermuda', too.

Well, I suppose the supervisor fella already "got his", so check ya later, old-timers.

UK Overseas Territories - good reading

A little while back, Catch-A-Fire pointed out a site devoted to discussing the concerns of UK Overseas Territories, hosted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the UK.

I've just now gotten to read it and encourage any Bermudian who stumbles across here to give it a peek as well. There are posts that are quite relevant to Bermuda and it's interesting to see several parallels with the Cayman Islands, for example.

Improving cricket in Bermuda

We need to find a way to get Garry Sobers to Bermuda more often.

Despite every cricketer of significance saying that 'open' cricket is a better development tool for players than the wham-bam-slam 20/20 format currently popular, Bermuda seems to hem and haw at the concept, which is so simple, Geico's already running ads on it.

Seriously though, playing cricket over longer periods is a good thing, despite what many current local players seem to think. The BCB need to find some way to encourage participation in two- or three-day competition, even if it's added monetary awards for participation.

Hopefully the new executives there will heed the wise words of Sir Garfield and others - and if it's something that can also be included at the youth/school levels, then all the better.

Another view of the Bermuda blogosphere

Catch-A-Fire has taken my occasional musings of the local blogosphere to a new level, with a specific focus on political and social blogging (as would be expected, after all, the majority of well-known Bermuda blogs are political in nature; there aren't any sports blogs anymore, and personal blogs remain pretty much anonymous).

When the established online newspapers allowed commentary on articles, they became the de facto blog and forum alternatives for much of the online community - to the point that many people mis-label themselves as bloggers when they comment on article threads. That said, we still don't know if the collective posters represent Bermuda as a whole or a distinct subset (or as some suspect, paid operatives meant to skew discussion deliberately).

All in all, more is good, however. More voices means more ideas get thrown out there. Just have to know which voices are malicious and tune them out appropriately.

A calypso for November

I do wish I had the calypsonian skills of a Mighty Gabby, Red Plastic Bag or the like, to apply this in an actual melody:

Bermuda's politicians remain a big joke
Embarassment ever abounds
When you think they may do something right
They turn, and then let you down

They say they helping out storeowners
By tax relief and breaks
But the duty hike on returning passenger loads
Just exposes them as fakes

We say, where's the hope,
Where's the compassion,
Where's the unity
Where's the smarts,
Where's the logic,
Where's the honesty

The powers that be, using big words
To let us know it's okay
They're in control, all will be well,
Tomorrow will be a better day

Crime is up, employment down
Education in disarray
But the political people in charge of these
Point their fingers, shift the blame away

We say, where's the hope,
Where's the compassion,
Where's the unity
Where's the smarts,
Where's the logic,
Where's the accountability

If smart people point out issues
The messenger, instead, gets attacked
The issue at hand gets put aside
Politicians succeed, that's that

Do more with less, that's the common refrain
During this very trying time
Unless you are a paid MP
Recession proof! the bottom line

We say, where's the hope,
Where's the compassion,
Where's the unity
Where's the smarts,
Where's the logic,
Where's the damn honesty

[Repeat chorus]

Oh, and Happy Independence Day, Barbados. 45 and still going strong.

Buy Bermuda? No.

Here's the problem. Local businesses and Government want to beat us over the head with the fact that spending money overseas instead of locally will hurt Bermudians.

We get that. It's pretty obvious.

But here's the problem. When I read statements like "Concerned about creating good paying jobs in Bermuda? Buy Bermuda.", here's the thought that comes to my mind:

Why should I be responsible for subsidizing people who think working in a retail position entails sitting at their cash register all day, ignoring customers unless they're practically begging for assistance?

Customer service in many of the places here is a pure joke. I do not want to be subsidizing the salaries of people who think it's more important to chat with their buddies, worry about whatever Rick Dees has on the radio than to lower themselves to greet a prospective customer or ask if there's something they're looking for? And for the record, if Sports Locker goes out of business anytime soon, I sure won't lose any sleep over it.

Local businesses need to adapt - better customer service across the board, flexibility in opening hours (9-5 weekdays? WTH?), advertise via mediums like websites *with prices of items, please* (yep, it's the P-Tech blog post all over again).

Many of us would prefer to spend locally vs overseas, however neither local businesses nor government should be dictating to the public what to do with their hard-earned money.