A correction

Dear Sir:

When you printed the letter " 'Soon' never comes", you unfortunately mangled the following sentence, by inserting the word 'not' where I have placed an asterisk. "Hearing this, they can accept, because they lack the required knowledge to understand, that simply injecting stem cells into an area of damage will (*) allow the stem cells to replace the damaged tissue."

You can see that the sentence is transformed completely, and its intent destroyed. The point being made is that patients are convinced that just injecting stem cells into an area of damage WILL allow the stem cells to replace the damaged tissue. This belief is completely wrong. It is because the public is easily led in this way that regulatory bodies are needed, to monitor such claims and ensure that there is valid research available to support the claims. To date there is no published research to support the use of stem cells to treat many of the diseases for which treatment is being offered.

DIOGENES II

Devonshire

Seatbelts are restrictive

October 25, 2007

Dear Sir,

It seems now as if we can't even adjust our seat belts with out coming under police suspicion. It's a sad state of affairs when an officer would stoop that low just because (I suspect) his quota is low. That person should have called his bluff faced him in Court and dared him to really prove he saw his seat belt not to be in place.

Where was the police vehicle (if one)? What colour was the defendants shirt/coat? How visible was the interior of the defendant's car. All those relevant questions needed to be answered to prove him the liar he is. Over the years, lots of us (myself included) have been innocently dragged into Court and pled guilty because it was 'hopeless' to do otherwise. Let me tell you, that's not true. If more of us would stand up for our rights, the Court system would be so congested, the police would think twice about trying a stunt like that.

The last time it happened to me, I took it all the way to Justice Sir James R. Astwood who wanted to know what the police were even talking about. So it took me two years to get my fine back, big deal, I knew I was innocent. Any one with half a brain could see that; but then again, that's probably half the problem. I'm a reasonable person and I drive responsibly and I expect, like all of us, to be left alone unless really guilty of an offence. You all know where I stand on 35 kph. Anyone going that slow promptly (or as soon as I can) goes where he belongs, behind me! And if there's a speed merchant sitting on my bumper, a quick tap on the breaks will tell him he needs to pass or back off.

I've found that a seat belt is very restrictive when manoeuvring in close quarters (such as parking) or exiting a side street etc., so I don't usually fasten my belt until I'm into third gear. That practice, though by the letter of the law is illegal, works. If one needs to quickly turn or lean forward to see in order to prevent an accident, a seat belt will definitely give you a problem. So it is reasonable to expect drivers to adjust the strap on occasion.

Some police officers really need to get over them selves. The lack of public support should have told them that, generations ago. It really proves the point that people (police included) take advantage of you with your permission.

C.K. SIMONS

Sandys

Election must be coming

October 24, 2007

Dear Sir,

I read Walton Browns Opinion in todays paper and I saw the interview with him last night. There must be an election coming because Walton and the gang are now trying to tell everyone what wonderfully unbiased, racially sensitive people they are. Amazingly, Wally and the PLP are 'doing their part' to bring us all together so we can live in harmony forever and ever, Amen.

I have one suggestion for Mr. Brown:

Since you own your own, private polling company, I dare you to poll 500 white people and ask them two questions: (1) Do you believe that Walton Brown, Rolfe Commissioning, Doc Brown, David Burch, Derrick Burgess and Wayne Perinchief are really committed to racial harmony in Bermuda?

(2) Do you believe that the aforementioned people are using the topic of race for political purposes and as a purely divisive, not inclusive, tool?

I would bet the ranch that 98% of white people (I'm excluding Zane and Jane) will answer: No and Yes, respectively.

Sir, another letter writer the other day remarked that what the PLP was doing with race was fairly close to what they say the UBP did with it for years – used it as a way to exclude a group of people and divide the community. My problem, and the problem I will bet that most white people (and probably a lot of black people) have with this is that you didn't like what the whites did to you but you seem to think that two wrongs might make a right and so you are going to do the same thing to them. And furthermore, paraphrasing Wayne Perinchief, you think this is all OK because the Civil Service, the Government and the majority of the people are black!

I don't argue with the fact that segregation existed; my point is that doing the same thing in reverse, solves nothing — and trying to tell supposedly intelligent Bermudians that it's all OK, is hypocritical and an insult to most of our plebeian brains.

Clemens

Southampton

No surprise at Rolfe

October 20, 2007

Dear Sir,

I am in no way surprised by the language used in Rolfe Commissiong's e-mail to a member of the public as stated in today's Royal Gazette. I personally have been a victim of Rolfe Commissiong's profanity. Two years ago he left a message on an acquaintance telephone saying, and I quote how it was told to me by my acquaintance: "You and that effing bitch Pat Ferguson have betrayed the black race!" End quote. And that tirade was because I belong to Bermudians for Referendum, a group that believes in true and direct democracy for all Bermudians!

Rolfe Commissiong in the past has also accused me on Shirley Dill's radio talk show of fighting the white man's cause, and in response to that remark, I informed the listeners that I do not fight any white man's cause, nor do I fight any black man's cause! My fight is for a Bermudian cause, black and white. This is about survival, and we are not going to survive by spewing hate toward others.

It is obvious that Rolfe Commissiong has some deep-rooted racial problems, and that is, if you don't think on the same lines as he does, you are a traitor to the black race. I guess Dr. Eva Hodgson was right when she said that slavery has affected some people in the most horrendous way, otherwise, how could one person be so bitter and miserable? He reminds me of some ignorant, old bigoted, Ku Klux Klanner spouting off his venom against blacks and Jews. Maybe he should start his own group and name it the Blax Klax Klaxxers! It would be ignorant bigotry in reverse.

Unfortunately, principles, respect, integrity, and leadership have all been thrown to the wind. In some areas profanity rules the day, and there are some people who cannot express themselves without the use of it. Nowadays you have mothers and fathers using profanity to their children, and the children in turn using profanity to their parents. Whose fault is this? In many cases I blame the parents for not stopping it in the beginning and for the educational system not putting stricter rules and regulations in place way back then.

People need guide lines and our children need guidelines. If these vitally important lessons are not instilled in our children, you get what is the obvious. When you have profane parents, you end up with profane children. Without rules and regulations, you end up with an unruly and disrespectful society. And last but not least! If you have profane leaders who do not lead by example, what more can you expect? For example: "Why won't the PLP Cabinet Ministers take the drug test? The only one that I know who willingly took the drug test was Minister Butler, and that is not good enough as he is only one out of many!

Pat Ferguson

Warwick

A card of thanks

October 12, 2007

Dear Sir,

The Committee of Management of the Lady Cubitt Compassionate Association (LCCA) extend its thanks to the numerous members of the community who donated so generously to our Annual Tag Day on September 21, 2007. Special thanks to our "Taggers" — the many volunteers from the service organisations, individuals, friends, with a special mention to the students of Mount Saint Agnes Academy who helped throughout the day with the counting of the proceeds.

A total amount of $14,872.70 was collected from this event. These funds are utilised in our General Assistance programme for the benefit of the less fortunate members of the community, particularly the elderly and young children. The LCCA has continued to carry out the ideals and philosophy that was initiated by Lady Cubitt in 1932. Sincere thanks to everyone for their assistance this year as we celebrate our 75th anniversary.

LADY GIBBONS, CHAIRPERSON

Annual Tag Day Committee