Politics.bm

Blind faith

The more he speaks, the more it unravels.

Today's gem from the Andre Curtis Faith Based Tourism debacle is this:

Referring to the planned events, Mr. Curtis said: "I want Bermuda to come out and enjoy. I'm offering a service and it's my prayer that they come out. I can't make tourists come out. I think they (the events' speakers) are good people and they speak well."

Obvious question alert: Why is the Department of Tourism spending money on events for "Bermuda to come out and enjoy"? That ain't tourism, other than for the west-enders who don't like to leave the country or the east enders who don't like to cross the bridge.

Check out the description of the belatedly announced events on the Department's website - the ones that have any details are geared to Bermudians not tourists:

Amalgamated Services of Bermuda Churches

A multi-denominational Faith-Based approach to declare the solidarity of the Kingdom of God for the betterment of Bermuda as a whole. This year's theme for the 2nd annual event is "That we would be one". Mission: This is a God given, non-partisan vehicle, designed to amalgamate all believers in God, to infiltrate, and to impact all strata of our society with the Kingdom of God:

* Unifying through corporate prayer and worship;
* Raising and maintaining the standards of God in the land;
* Surrounding the leadership of this nation with the spiritual support, covering and guidance, on continual bases.

A Nation At Risk "Raising The Standard for the Next Generation"

CITY OF REFUGEE MINISTRIES is hosting this Conference of Cultural and Spiritual awakening for the community. Mission: To engage the Nation of Bermuda, in examining its present and future risks which has the ability to erode Bermuda's global integrity. Featuring renowned speakers from across North America and being held @ the Fairmont Hamilton Princess. Join us for the open service Wednesday, October 31, 2007 @ 7:00 p.m.

Taking it to the Next Level

The AME Churches of Bermuda presents "Taking it to the Next Level" Crusade on the Rock. Featuring Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant to be held at the Fairmont Southampton.

Gospel Concert CeCe Winans along with Local Artists

Bermuda Faith-Based Tourism is hosting two evenings of live performances by Bermudian Artists and the awesome talent of CeCe Winans. Come and be uplifted and get your Praise on. Show times are at 7:00 p.m. each evening @ the Fairmont Southampton.

Sort of like my desire to know how many tourists attend the Music Festival versus locals and how much the Department spends on the event? Do we spend more than we generate in tourism dollars? I think we just might.

If we're honest, the Music Festival is the Department of Tourism entertaining locals, and if a few tourists come along then so be it. I wrote about this almost a year ago to the day, when the Department of Tourism announced Movies on the Beach.

But back to these faith based events. This requires more than faith, it needs blind faith. This is a total debacle. This has nothing to do with tourism. I think Wayne Furbert has it half right in pegging this as a taxpayer funded thank you to the Premier's campaign manager.

He's missing the fact that it's also a misuse of the tourism budget to court the church vote.