First, The Royal Gazette broke with Bob Richards and now former UBP Premier and committed PLP critic Sir John Swan is breaking with Mr. Richards. Mr. Richards claims that the Green Card-like programme announced by Minister Burch last week "smacks of Nazism," and Sir John couldn't disagree more. Sir John:

The issuance of identification documentation is a customary practice in other democratic jurisdictions. For example, Green Cards and Social Security Cards in the United States and the Residential Certificate in Bermuda which are all wallet size ID cards...

When entering the airport arrivals hall, there are three areas: one for Bermudians, one for Long Term Residents and Guest Workers and one for Visitors. Is this discrimination?

A Bermudian must have a stamp in their passport to satisfy Immigration that they are Bermudian or they are detained for not having the proper identification. Is this discrimination or responsibility?

A Permanent Resident has to travel with their original Permanent Residents Certificate (copies are not acceptable). Is this discrimination?

A Guest Worker has to travel with their Employee copy of their work permit which states their category of employment and the basis of their landing permit. Is this discrimination?

Visitors are required to fill out a landing form where they have to disclose where they are staying, their length of stay and the purpose of their visit. Is this discrimination? These landing forms are standard practice to enter many countries Bermudians travel to. Is that discrimination? ...

In order to protect Bermudians and their livelihoods and do it in an efficient manner, Government requires a method that allows the appropriate authority to determine the right of the employee to work in their area of employment...

The introduction of ID cards for Guest Workers would not prove to be offensive but convenient to both Guest Workers and the Department of Immigration.

Bob Richards made highly inappropriate and insulting remarks. Kim Swan defended Mr. Richards and his remarks. It shows how out of touch and out of line Kim and Bob are when even a UBP stalwart like Sir John Swan and a pro-UBP paper like The Royal Gazette call them to task.