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Burch gets off “Scott” free May 17, 2006

Senator Burch

I actually had to read it twice. The HRC not only said that Mr. Burch’s use of the term house n***er, on a public broadcast was not only ok, but it also scolded Patricia Gordon-Pamplin for bringing it up as a complaint.

Great, that’s one hell of a message that the HRC is sending to the community. Their excuse was “The comments in question, however insulting or distasteful, do not, in the view of the HRC, cross the threshold of illegality as laid out in the (Human Rights) Act.”

Ok from the Human Rights Act itself:

    8A (1) No person shall, with intent to excite or promote ill will or
    hostility against any section of the public distinguished by colour, race or
    ethnic or national origins—

    (a) publish or display before the public, or cause to be published
    or displayed before the public, written matter
    which is threatening, abusive or insulting; or

    (b) use in any public place or at any public meeting words
    which are threatening, abusive or insulting,
    being matter or words likely to excite or promote ill will or hostility
    against that section on grounds of colour, race or ethnic or national origins.

I’m sorry, but I’m calling BULLSHIT on this judgment! Burch’s comments created nothing but ill-will in the general public. Bermuda has been buzzing about it since. That comment was a derogatory comment which directly insults a group of people based upon not only their race, but also their political views. If the Human Rights Act doesn’t guard against this, then it is utterly useless. The HRC has proven themselves to be a toothless organisation, who bends in the slightest breeze originating from the collective assholes of the PLP leadership. (Hey if Burch can use his terminology, then so can I!)

I’m not at all surprised by the outcome, more so the outcome was expected, especially since they attempted to keep the verdict private, but that doesn’t mean that I’m not enraged by it. There was always that little bit of hope that the HRC may do the right thing, I guess it was a pipe dream.

I am truly disgusted as to how select PLP members carry on, I am truly disgusted by the HRC turning a blind eye to this, and I am also truly disgusted as to how good governance gets kicked in the teeth for political motivation.

I think it’s time that “We the People” take a stance against this, as not only our government, but also our various public vehicles (Ie: The HRC) are displaying a manner of sheer contempt for the public. I for one have had enough.

Maybe we should take our complaints to the Governor. I feel this particular matter is in total defiance of the Human Rights Act. Various members have attempted to go through the right channels, only to be turned either away or down. The situation is unacceptable and there is obviously no way to correct it. Something needs to be done about this!

UPDATE: The Royal Gazette has a fantastic editorial on this.

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