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Welcome to Progressive Minds

Tue, 06/23/2009 - 00:55 — admin

To all of you who first heard about this website from The Royal Gazette, welcome! We're glad you're here. Please, have a look around, register an account and speak your mind!

www.progressiveminds.bm is a website owned and operated by the PLP. Though this site was originally created for what was then the recognised “youth wing” of the PLP, since 2008 this has not been the purpose of this site.

This website is a very unique place. Most political parties shun criticism. At Progressive Minds, criticism and open dialogue is embraced. This is an open forum that allows anyone with an internet connection to come to this site, create an account and comment on approved posts.

If you are a regular poster or if this is the first time to this site, you will see that the criticism that this site practices censorship is an empty claim. Please take your time (though it may take your entire workday :-) to read all of the comments on this website. There are those who support the actions of the PLP and there are those that oppose the actions of the PLP, but all the comments of users are posted and since 2008 have not been moderated or censored.

It is unusual for a political party to provide an open platform where both it's proponents and critics are given the right to speak. We've taken the unusual step of allowing opponents and supporters alike to participate in the dialogue because we believe that in the marketplace of ideas, the PLP's ideas will prevail. We believe our record speaks for itself.

The PLP strongly believes in the right of Bermudians to speak freely. We encourage supporters and opponents alike to create their own websites and to use existing social networks to speak their mind. On the Internet, everyone's voice can be heard. But, unlike the United Bermuda Party, which does not sponsor a forum that allows the people to freely comment, the PLP is has created a community website that allows both their supporters and critics to speak. It's perplexing that the party that has done far more to embrace free speech on the internet is the one being criticised while the one that doesn't operate an open online forum isn't. I trust our friends at the Royal Gazette are working that story now.

As today’s Royal Gazette article proves, such an open forum has its risks for a political party. There are some who wish to use this party owned space to call for the replacement of the elected leadership of the party on the front page of this website. This is where we draw the line. There are many places on the internet that will put such posts on their home page, but this website is not one of them. While we welcome our critics with open arms, as can be seen by the numerous pro/anti plp comments by both members and non-members all must accept the fact that this site is owned and operated by the PLP.

The past two weeks have been an interesting time in Bermuda Politics. We’ve seen refugees, protests, marathon all night debates, and no-confidence motions. Users of local blogs, forums and facebook have all been busy discussing the issues surrounding local politics and this, I believe, is the sign of a healthy democracy.

As this site is an open site, and given today’s media attention, I expect that there will be the expected criticism of this blog post and plenty of comments. Please feel free to comment, but I ask that you keep it respectful so that we can continue to maintain this open forum.

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Tue, 06/23/2009 - 09:27 — 32n64w

Clarification

I applaud the PLP for supporting an online forum for the discussion of issues and hope the same approach can be taken with plp.bm as well. Nonetheless your remarks above that:

“criticism that this site practices censorship is an empty claim”

“all the comments of users are posted and since 2008 have not been moderated or censored”

“We've taken the unusual step of allowing opponents and supporters alike to participate in the dialogue”

… appear to be contrary with recent experiences. On two occasions last week I tried creating content that primarily included two sections from the Bermuda Constitution Order 1968 (copied verbatim) to initiate discussion:

1. Regarding the “tenure of the office of the Premier”; and

2. The four specific areas that fall under the auspices of the “Governor’s special responsibilities.”

I readily admit that I highlighted those areas which I felt were of relative importance, however, I don’t expressly recall demanding the Premier’s removal. Given this why did the administrators refuse to permit its publishing if they believe “criticism and open dialogue is embraced”?

Also, if “this is an open forum that allows anyone with an internet connection to come to this site, create an account and comment on approved posts” how do you reconcile the concept of requiring approved posts before discussion can commence with claims that this site does not practice censorship and “welcome our critics with open arms”?

If “the PLP strongly believes in the right of Bermudians to speak freely” should this same courtesy not be extended to all taxpaying Bermuda residents as well?

Finally if everyone “must accept the fact that this site is owned and operated by the PLP” why is GMD Consulting (the site’s registrant) listed as the owner of record? While it’s generally known that GMD has received a number of direct and indirect government contracts (TCD for example), are they not in fact an independent legal entity from the Progressive Labour Party, the registered owner of plp.bm?

Tue, 06/23/2009 - 10:28 — admin

Clarifications

The comments are completely open and not censored. In blogging parlance, comments are defined as replies to blog posts.

This is a blog and not a forum. The only difference between a 'blog' and a 'forum' is that the latter allows anyone to create blog posts or topics. Regardless of whether you support the PLP or not, you are more than welcome to comment on any blog post.

As I said before, it's perplexing that the party that has done far more to embrace free speech on the internet is the one being criticised while the one that doesn't operate an open online forum isn't.

Tue, 06/23/2009 - 10:35 — David Burt

Thanks for pointing that out

When i set up the site for Progressive Minds a few years back i registered it and hosted if for them. I do however thank you for pointing out that my company does still "own" the record. We'll take the steps to modify that.

As per your post last week, i'm not sure why reposting 2 sections of the constiution without any 'thesis' is relevant. You just reposted the sub-sections wihtout any comment as to what you were getting at. If you want to argue about foreign affairs -v- immigration, questions and notes, i think you should do that. As you can see there was a lot of discussion on the board about that, but for an actual blog post, I think it helps to make a thesis or an arguement.

Just my 2 cents. Thanks for your participation.

Wed, 06/24/2009 - 09:20 — 32n64w

Thesis

Hi David,

The "thesis" is/was effectively the highlighted sections of the Constitution juxtaposed against the actions of the Premier.

Tue, 06/23/2009 - 09:53 — beachryan

Wow

For all those first time readers, I can save you some time. This is how discussion works on here (or has done for the past few months since the PLP PAID TWO FOREIGN CONSULTANTS TO IMPERSONATE YOUNG BERMUDIANS DURING THE LAST ELECTION ON HERE - sorry, I still find that ridiculous):

1. Rocksolid posts a factually incorrect, spin-filled interpretation of some news event to suit the PLP agenda, often verbatim from the equally spun out plp.bm (but I'm okay with that as it's supposed to be biased)
2. The rest of the internet disagree, and try to point out the bias.
3. Rocksolid attempts to dodge actually answering questions by bringing up otherwise irrelevant points.
4. The posters become frustrated.
5. Rocksolid resorts to race as the fundamental problem.

Seriously, if you want good discussion, look elsewhere. Have heard Jonny and D. Morris are setting up something, hopefully that will be up soon.

Tue, 06/23/2009 - 10:40 — David Burt

Thanks

Beachryan,

Thanks for participating. To correct the record many local and overseas consultants worked on both sides during the 2007 election. The plp had numerous content contributors both overseas and local, paid and unpaid, that's what election machinery is about. I think its unfair to say they were impersonating bermudians, but you are welcome to your opinion.

I do agree that the conversation on here at may times has been wanting, but that is the nature of the Bermuda Blogosphere with this PLP site. As you've seen i wish Jonny and Davida the best and I hope that you continue to participate.

Tue, 06/23/2009 - 10:26 — bermyhouse

Moving over

I will be moving over to Bermuda Jewel once that gets up and running as the only post I tried to put up was never posted on this site so obviously there is no freedom of speech here.

Tue, 06/23/2009 - 10:36 — David Burt

Best to you

No worries, Enjoy. I wish the new site the best. Just continue to participate and make your voice heard.

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