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Renaissance Man
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« on: November 13, 2008, 08:57:03 PM » |
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From the RG================================================= Guest workers will be issued with ID cards as Government cracks down on illegal workers, Labour Minister David Burch announced today. Sen. Burch said the move would help Ministry staff investigate complaints of people working without work permits, particularly in the construction industry. He told a press conference this afternoon: “Today I wish to announce that ID cards for guest workers are planned as part of the overall upgrade and automation of the Immigration Department systems. “This is not designed as a Gestapo tactic but just as one is issued an ID card when you qualify to vote, when you reach the age of 65 and deemed a special citizen and to indicate that you have the ability to operate a vehicle, we will be issuing ID cards when you are issued a work permit. “This card will greatly assist the Compliance Department when they are out in the field investigating complaints that have been received of persons working without a work permit or persons working outside their job category. “During investigations, when approached by members of the Compliance section, guest workers can readily produce their ID card and prove that they are working within the parameters of their work permit. “This ID card will feature a photo of the individual, their name, employer, job category and ID number. “The objective is to ensure that every qualified Bermudian is employed prior to the issuing of a work permit.” For the full story, see tomorrow’s Royal Gazette. ================================================= OK, seems a little OTT to say the least. I love the bit about "not designed as a gestapo tactic", even if that's what springs to mind. Perhaps the "Scarlet Letter". Shame there's no ladies here to pose as Hester Prynne. |
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“Never try to reason the prejudice out of a man. It was not reasoned into him, and cannot be reasoned out.”
Sydney Smith
“To see what is right, and not to do it, is want of courage or of principle.”
Confucius
"No matter how many times you re-invent the wheel, it will still be round."
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Mysty
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« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2008, 10:03:14 PM » |
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As I mentioned elsewhere... to me it's nothing more than a "Green Card" similar to what they use in the States. No big deal....  |
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Has the Bermuda dream turned into a nightmare?
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TheAverage1
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« Reply #2 on: November 14, 2008, 06:22:09 AM » |
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I don't have a problem with the concept. I have a huge problem with 2 things associated with this announcement. Problem #1. The Messenger  (see problem #2.) Problem #2. Not even halfway through his second sentence and concept is being aligned with the nazi party. I know he says that it's not intended to be 'gestapo like', however, the very fact that he mentions it makes me think that it, in fact, will be used in a similar manner.  Isn't there some sort of recongnised condition when individuals, when unable to articulate or reason a concept, will bring up hitler or the nazi party. I'm sure someone has identified it in this forum before. The concept of an ID card is sound...... when it's viewed and managed properly. Given this fruitloop gumbymint's proven track record of disdain for Ex-Pats, I do not see this as being handled or managed as fairly/impartially as a US Green Card. It just looks like another stick to beat IB away with. What ever happened to the concept of 'Carrot or Stick'? It seems to have been replace with 'Stick or Bigger Stick'.  |
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"Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak."
"Sometimes I wonder....'Why is that frisbee getting bigger?'.... and then it hits me."
"Handle every stressful situation like a dog. If you can't eat it or hump it, piss on it and walk away"
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Blankman
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« Reply #3 on: November 14, 2008, 09:00:27 AM » |
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Isn't there some sort of recongnised condition when individuals, when unable to articulate or reason a concept, will bring up hitler or the nazi party. I'm sure someone has identified it in this forum before. It's called Godwin's Law and says: As a Usenet discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches one. In this case the discussion hasn't even started and the spectre has been raised. The concept of an ID card is sound...... when it's viewed and managed properly. If it were simply being used as a more convenient alternative to the existing paper documents I'd agree. However, the tone of the announcement suggests that the authorities will be able to demand the worker in question produce the card on the spot if challenged. I don't know what that means to any Bermudian that doesn't look or sound like a "real" Bermudian. Does that mean that everyone, Bermudian or expat, will have to carry proof that they have a right to work here with them at all times or risk running afoul of the racial purity authorities Immigration? |
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“But I don’t want to go among mad people,” Alice remarked.
“Oh, you can’t help that,” said the Cat: “We’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.”
“How do you know I’m mad?” said Alice.
“You must be,” said the Cat, “otherwise you wouldn’t have come here.” — Lewis Carroll
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TheAverage1
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« Reply #4 on: November 14, 2008, 09:32:26 AM » |
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Thanks Blanks. WF for validating it.
Mr. & Mrs Everyday Bermuda, you may get used to hearing, "SHOW US YOUR PAPERS".
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« Last Edit: November 14, 2008, 09:55:10 AM by TheAverage1 »
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"Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak."
"Sometimes I wonder....'Why is that frisbee getting bigger?'.... and then it hits me."
"Handle every stressful situation like a dog. If you can't eat it or hump it, piss on it and walk away"
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TheAverage1
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« Reply #5 on: November 14, 2008, 10:14:22 AM » |
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I just gave this a bit more thought. Supposing gumbymint suspected that these cards are being forged. What's stopping them from requesting a tattoo or some other permanent mark (oh, I dunno, maybe a microchip) being placed on the individual? Nothing too complicated. A simple bar-code would do. I wonder if that idea was floated around within the hallowed chambers of fruitloop gumbymint?  Hang on, I think I may have just found a second use for the TCD tracking thingys dotted around the island. What better way to keep track of those Ex-Pat types. Implant them with a microchip and let the technology do the policing.  |
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"Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak."
"Sometimes I wonder....'Why is that frisbee getting bigger?'.... and then it hits me."
"Handle every stressful situation like a dog. If you can't eat it or hump it, piss on it and walk away"
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SevenT
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« Reply #6 on: November 14, 2008, 10:24:14 AM » |
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It's totally unnecessary and unworkable as far as I can see... just look at the problems the British are having (and have been having) for the last 20 years trying to get this concept off the ground - and what for? It is going to cost millions - not just to get it started but also to maintain the system... who is going to police the system and what's the point? Anyone who is determined enough (or stupid enough) to want to work in Bermuda will get a forgery or not even bother! Now perhaps my old memory is failing me here but haven't the Americans had ID cards for many, many years now? Oh yes of course they have - that's why their labour market is so free of illegal migrant workers from Mexico, China, the Philippines, Africa etc etc etc... Pretty effective those ID cards... almost as good as the work permits you have to flash at Bermuda "International" airport before you can even get out of the customs shed... As per PLP usual this is yet another piece of ill thought-out (perhaps that should be 'ill-thought out') proposed legislation... It's very easy to err on the paranoid about the government's motivation for even mentioning it at this stage - have they done any of those feasibility studies that they are so in love with yet? - and come to the correct conclusion that this is just another example of racist, piss and wind, bluster... But wait! What was the telling phrase that Senator Burch used? Ah yes he said "the move would help Ministry staff investigate complaints of people working without work permits, particularly in the construction industry." Wow! The construction industry eh? I wonder why Senile Birch singled that one out? Could it be that someone in government has certain links with the construction industry that might provide a hidden agenda for the announcement? Hah! No need for transparency legislation with this bunch of amateurs... you can read them like a book! They couldn't find their arses with both hands in a shit storm! 7T   |
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TheAverage1
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« Reply #7 on: November 14, 2008, 11:15:00 AM » |
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But first, in order to locate one's arse, one must be able to differentiate between one's arse and one's elbow. At this stage, it would appear, fruitloop gumbymint has not been able to determine the difference between their arses and their elbows. |
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"Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak."
"Sometimes I wonder....'Why is that frisbee getting bigger?'.... and then it hits me."
"Handle every stressful situation like a dog. If you can't eat it or hump it, piss on it and walk away"
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TheAverage1
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« Reply #8 on: November 14, 2008, 11:19:32 AM » |
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And the smug grim is all telling.  |
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"Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak."
"Sometimes I wonder....'Why is that frisbee getting bigger?'.... and then it hits me."
"Handle every stressful situation like a dog. If you can't eat it or hump it, piss on it and walk away"
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SevenT
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« Reply #9 on: November 14, 2008, 12:24:00 PM » |
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And the smug grim is all telling. Oh yeah... HE knows where his arse is and it looks like he's just found him again! 7T  |
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Mysty
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« Reply #10 on: November 14, 2008, 02:06:12 PM » |
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Has the Bermuda dream turned into a nightmare?
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Blankman
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« Reply #11 on: November 14, 2008, 02:31:31 PM » |
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Yeah... how is "Immigration Enforcement" (has a nice ring to it) gonna differentiate between Bermudians and Guest Workers...?? Easy. Does the individual look like a "real" Bermudian? If not, ask for their ID and if they claim they're Bermudian/SoB/PRC either (1) take their word for it, (2) send them home for ID [of course if they're illegals what are the chances of them coming back], or (3) put them in custody until they can produce acceptable proof of their status [which means that you could be jailed simply for not looking like a "real" Bermudian, or sounding like one, or for simply annoying the Compliance officer].  |
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“But I don’t want to go among mad people,” Alice remarked.
“Oh, you can’t help that,” said the Cat: “We’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.”
“How do you know I’m mad?” said Alice.
“You must be,” said the Cat, “otherwise you wouldn’t have come here.” — Lewis Carroll
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Renaissance Man
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« Reply #12 on: November 14, 2008, 03:59:33 PM » |
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Kudoa to Blankman, SevenT, and TA1 for getting what I was trying to point out with the flaws in this proposed system. Hell, you all even managed to sway Mysty!  At the very least, let's not prove Godwin's Law, but it it probably more analogous to the Israeli ID card system, or the one from the old apartheid days of South Africa. Blanks is spot on with the "real" Bermudian tag (must have learned that from his acegirl Palin  ). The next thing that's coming is using the window-tint sensoer at TCD to guage your melanin content and thus "Bermudian-ness". Hell, I'll probably be OK, but my wife and daughter are paler, so what happens then? I think it's just going to give more scope for harassment. Remember, this lot has gone into churches on Sundays and arrested priests who were covering for ill ones! Tough times ahead. |
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“Never try to reason the prejudice out of a man. It was not reasoned into him, and cannot be reasoned out.”
Sydney Smith
“To see what is right, and not to do it, is want of courage or of principle.”
Confucius
"No matter how many times you re-invent the wheel, it will still be round."
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Mysty
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« Reply #13 on: November 14, 2008, 04:54:12 PM » |
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"this lot has gone into churches on Sundays and arrested priests who were covering for ill ones!" That is HEARTLESS!!
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Has the Bermuda dream turned into a nightmare?
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SevenT
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« Reply #14 on: November 14, 2008, 10:13:26 PM » |
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