Singing M&M?s praises

May 31, 2005

Dear Sir,

I am writing to your in praise of one Hamilton Merchant, namely M&M International Limited on Church Street. Just over two years ago we returned home. Since then we have purchased a number of electrical items from these good folks, this has included TV?s, a microwave oven, toaster oven, digital camera and a Hewlett Packard printer. The salesmen are always helpful, and service follow up, so often a problem, is first class. Our microwave ran into a problem, following their technician looking at it, they replaced it with out any fuss. When we purchased the printer, I had a problem printing from our digital camera. A member of their staff came to my home and sorted the problem out for me.

Recently, through my own fault, I placed an ink cartridge in it in the wrong slot. I had purchased the cartridge at a computer store, as M&M were out of them at that time. Thinking that they had sold me the wrong cartridge, I took the printer back to the computer store. Their technician pointed out that I had permanently damaged the printer and would need to purchase a new one. (He promptly produced a flyer for a model costing much more, for me to consider).

Dismayed, I went into M&M told them of the problem and they said: ?Leave it with us, we will see what we can do?. They have called me to tell me that it is repaired and at no cost! Good service should be advertised and M&M deserve full praise.

REVD. DON MOORE

Advice to stop burglars

May 25, 2005

Dear Sir,

If you think that if you lock your doors and windows, close the shutters tight you will not be broken into, think again. This is a false sense of security. Thieves are getting into securely locked homes by using a crow bar or a lead pipe to pry open wooden and metal shutters. They are removing air conditioner units and they are scoping out your home during broad daylight. Do not have false hopes that because you locked your home you will not be the victim of a robbery.

Hiding your jewellery is not enough. The thief will find it! This is what they do for a living. If you have valuables keep them in a safe. What we mean by valuables is gold, watches and diamonds. Do not keep your passports, official documents or photos in the same safe as your jewellery. Put your photos in a separate safe. Bolt the safe to the wall or to the floor. Make it difficult if not impossible for the thief to remove it from your home.

If you do not have a safe, it is strongly suggested that you consider putting your jewellery in a bank safe deposit box. Get it out of your home for safe keeping. The cost is minimal compared to cost of being the victim of a crime. There is no reimbursement for sentimental value for goods that are stolen. If you currently have a safe in your home, it is probably wiser today to put your valuables in a safe-deposit box.

The most important thing you can do is to be observant. Report any suspicious activity or person(s) in your neighbourhood. It is suspected that these culprits scope out your home as early as 8.30 a.m. If you work, change your routine little, confuse the burglar. They are watching and they know when you come and when you go. They are using cell phones to communicate to each other while one is robbing the home and the other is on the outside acting as accomplice. Sometimes they are on foot, others have transportation. It is well orchestrated.

If you work and can go home during the day to show that there is activity at your home, this is a good idea. Most of all don?t assume since you have locked your doors and windows that you will not be the victim of a burglary. We have given you all the tools to avoid the heartache of losing sentimental valuables. What we have given you are tools that you can use to stop this crime spree.

BURGLARY VICTIM

Devonshire

Do your homework

May 31, 2005

Dear Sir,

I would like to express my opinion on certain issues confronting the Bermuda community. It appears to me that there is a double standard in this country concerning certain individuals, whether it is their economic status, racial or ?who you know? status. The Bromby case versus Mr. Talbot, the Martyn case in which he fraudulently acquired status, the housing situation concerning the young lady who was ridiculed for having too many children ? she didn?t know what to do stigma ? versus the other lady who sought assistance and received it from Financial Assistance to pay her back rent, even though she received an eviction notice.

I find it quite ironic that a the time Bermuda is discussing the issue of Independence that certain things are being swept under the carpet. I wonder how many others received Bermuda status by fraudulent means or acquired property as well by these means, or how many people are residing her illegally, they just seem to be arriving at a very high rate. Bermuda has become very overcrowded, people, cars, noise pollution. Also why are foreigners allowed to have six or seven of them living in a housing unit to pay the high rents when Bermudians are told the lease only stipulates that one or two people must live there?

Also foreign workers employed in the hotels are allowed to stay in the dormitories ? why not Bermudians? The voting citizens of this country, yes I said citizens, must pay close attention to these issues and consider what it means to be about Nation building time ? your troubles are going to increase if you don?t do your homework on these issues as well as the issues of Independence.

CYNTHIA WOODS

City of Hamilton

Low Riders do much good

May 25, 2005

Dear Sir,

Recently Mr. Dale Butler made a statement concerning the Low Riders Bike Club riding to be noticed. Before he made the statement he should of found out some history of what the Low Riders stand for. It?s more than riding a bike up and down our roads. Mr. Butler once you have spoken the words, they cannot be taken back. I learned that lesson a long time ago. It does not really matter what some people say words can hurt. I have special friends who are faithful and dedicated club members and a brother who rides with them.

The club does a lot of community fund-raising for various charities and they were a special blessing after the hurricane in 2003 and did special tributes to those we lost and they spread the news to ride slow and safe on our roads. Mr. Butler you now know all of this, too bad you did not know before you made the statement. I pray you have learned a valuable lesson. You see Mr. Butler with all the education we have and positions one holds we still have a lot to learn.

I?m sure your apologies was accepted by some or all of the low riders. Remember you can be forgiven but that statement will not be forgotten. God Bless the Low Riders and all they have done and will endeavour to do for this community. Indeed you are role models. Your sign during the parade said it all, and I pray all who read it including me will think twice fore speeding and riding carelessly. Keep on Low Riders, you may ride low but you are high riders.

ROBIN L. HARFORD

Paget

Editors Note: Mr. Butler recently apologised to the Low Riders for his comments.

What would you do?

June 2, 2005

Dear Sir,

?Wise men say and not without reason, that whoever wishes to foretell the future must consult the past. For human events ever resemble those of preceding times.? It is purported that Nero fiddled while Rome burned and it would seem that history is once again repeating itself. The PLP government seems to be literally and figuratively ?fiddling? away while Bermuda burns. The country is being sold off plot by plot: building permits are being granted much like the Popes of old granted absolutions and free passage to heaven: status and permanent residency certificates are being handed out like advertising leaflets on street corners.

And this Government continues to float along mouthing pretty phrases such as ?sustainable development?, ?social agenda? and to producing pretty pamphlets and large poster portraits. It appears to me that this Government had no plan when they took over the government in a wave of popular support. The people had become tired of the greedy, self-serving old government. They wanted a change and they certainly got it!

Nature abhors a vacuum and in the vacuum which followed the PLP?s assuming the reins of government, the country sunk into a state of anarchy. Every man for himself and the devil could take the hindmost. It was the wild, wild west with an Island flavour. Prices of real estate began to skyrocket! Houses appeared almost overnight, on the top of hills, in the bottoms of valleys! House renovations quadrupled! The Bermudian population increased rapidly as did the non-Bermudian population. Cars increased, not only in numbers but in sizes. Traffic accidents increased dramatically! And the PLP fiddled away and wondered why, as they wrestled with such weighty problems as what names should they give the schools?

If I sound bitter it is because I see a great opportunity squandered away. A biblical expression talks about the fact that ?to whom much is given, much is expected?. I gave much credit to the PLP and I expected much more that a mess of pottage.

As I sit and reflect on the state of my country I become less critical and ask myself these questions: What if I were elected to government on a wave of popular support? And what if I realise that people are fickle and I could lose my seat at any general election? And what if the total economy was controlled by the Opposition ? all the media and means of production. And what if I had very few marketable skills? What Would I Do? I feel terrible sense of foreboding, much like the Romans must have felt while watching helplessly as their city was destroyed. The country needs time to breathe! Place a temporary moratorium on development and work permits and review the situation!

GATHA?S SON

Paget

Do not return to segregation

May 28, 2005

Dear Sir,

Ayo Johnson?s rather amazing experience (The Royal Gazette, May 26) may say something about all of the rest of us collectively. That bouncer and his manager is probably quite aware of all those black folks who complain: ?I am sick and tired of hearing about black and white,? and/or ?Why doesn?t that woman shut up about racism?? Then there is his primary constituency, the white community. They probably know, even better, that many of their customers would welcome any reinforcement to our current unofficial social segregation, which is probably why not even one of Ayo?s ?friends? protested. Then there is our Government. Despite the rhetoric of ?those who look like me? and the very valiant efforts of CURE and Ms Myra Virgil and her staff, this issue of racism and its consequence, or penalty, to openly reverting back to our traditional patterns of imposed segregation, not even the withdrawal of a liquor licence. All of us seem to be far too comfortable in continuing to accept and carrying forward our racist past.

EVA N. HODGSON

Bailey?s Bay

Independent from what?

June 2, 2005

Dear Sir,

As a Bermudian I have been very interested in reading in your newspaper all things regarding the issue of Independence. What a joke. The Premier (and Dr. Brown and their cronies) want Bermuda to sever ties to the UK. Their arguments are very liquid. Sure, Alex Scott would like to be King of Bermuda ? and maybe that could happen if we became Independent. Is that what Bermudians want? I think not.

I have read that as an independent island it would cost more than $1,000,000 just to be a member of the United Nations. God knows how much money it would cost to open embassies in a number of countries. How would Independence benefit any Bermudians? We are independent now. We are self governing. And we have ties to the UK. A number of topics regarding independence ? pro or con ? have been in the papers and on the news. There are some things ? although not likely ? but possible that have not been mentioned. I will give you two examples.

Suppose Bermuda became independent and a tsunami hit the island. Who would help us? Even more scary (and more likely) suppose Bermuda became independent and Fidel Castro decided to make Bermuda a part of Cuba. He would only have to send one boat of troops to take over the island. I don?t think the Bermuda Regiment is in any way equipped to fight the Cuban military. Mr. Premier, I was born on this island. You will never be king. Independence for Bermuda is nothing but a stupid idea. Independent from what? We are self-governing. What is wrong with the status quo? Why change it?

GREG FALZONE

Warwick

Pro referendum voter

May 26, 2005

Dear Sir,

Mr. Walton Brown states that 36 percent of the voters gave labour a 60-seat majority which provides them with a mandate to govern. True. However fewer than 36 percent of the voters today are not in favour of Independence! This is so obvious by the many Letters to the Editor and numerous phone calls to the radio talk shows. I have spoken to many PLP supporters who although loyal to the party, are totally opposed to independence without a referendum.

Is the PLP suggesting that black and white PLP and UBP supporters do not have enough smarts and common sense to decide for themselves? The PLP has always advocated ?Bermuda for Bermudians?, well let us Bermudians, all us Bermudians, decide yes or no to Independence! PLP you may rule and govern Bermuda but you do not rule, govern or control our minds. Thank you Mr. Editor for valuable space.

EDDIE MONIZ

Paget

An experiment

May 28, 2005

Dear Sir,

Take an average size fish bowl, fill it with water and add one gold fish. Continue adding gold fish until the tank becomes over crowded and then observe the fish behaviour. Do this with other creatures such as crabs, frogs, spiders, lemmings, etc. using an appropriate container. Observe the creatures behaviour.

What has this to do with traffic control? Well in Bermuda we have limited space and a finite number of paved roads. We cannot increase the number of roads nor can we practically increase the size of the Island. But we can continue to increase the number of people, (whether through the granting of work permits, tourism or natural births), as well as the size and number of vehicles on the roads.

Test: Observe the human behaviour and compare it to that of other creatures. Moral: Bermuda cannot continue to increase the motor vehicles and population on a finite piece of real estate without increasing the incidences of accidents, road rage and human conflicts. Even the Lemmings know this. They commit suicide.

C. CRICHLOW

City of Hamilton