February 8, 2003

Dear Sir,

Just recently I happened upon two young people, both around age 15, whose conversation went thus: "Hey bye, I haven't seen you at all over the holidays. Have you been abroad?"

"No, I've been working."

"Working! Why?"

Idle hands, idle minds and here we sit, idly asking each other what went wrong.

February 7, 2003

Dear Sir,

So, the Human Rights Commission has figured out how they could avoid agreeing that Derrick Burgess called Larry Dennis a racist - this is great stuff!

I think the average Bermudian - black or white - knows full well that Derrick called Larry a racist, but what we have here is that Derrick is a member of the PLP and we can't have friends making life difficult for friends... especially when Larry is in the middle.

Mr. Editor, if what Ayo Johnson wrote is correct, the whole basis for the Human Rights position is that Derrick didn't call him a racist "in the workplace" and Larry "isn't a section of the public".

You have got to be joking... you mean to tell me that this Act doesn't apply unless you act racist "in the workplace"? If that's the case, it's a joke.

So, we have an Act that supposedly provides a remedy for racist acts but if I call somebody racial bad things on Reid Street or in St. George's or on my boat or on the bus - it doesn't count... give me a break!

The other thing is almost as laughable - Larry Dennis isn't a section of the public. Well, if one person is not a section of the public, how many people do you have to be 'a section'? Three? Seven? Ten? 16? 209? He may not be a big section but he is, undoubtedly a section. Hey, following this logic - if I want to say racial nasties and make it count I have to now go out and get 'a section', what a pain in the neck!

February 3, 2003

Dear Sir,

I watched in horror as Tekle Mallory's parents had to endure the same fate as Rebecca Middleton's family and friends, not knowing who really killed their children and seeing people walk out of court with out being convicted for it.

In both cases, I believe someone knew something about what really happened on the nights in question but it all became a mystery when a court case came up.

I agree with Ms Wellman when she said our young black men are seemly being left out of the fold, we need to ask ourselves what we are doing differently with our boys than our girls.

We also need to look at our justice system and lobby our politicians to make them more accountable. The laws on the books are antiquated. If we don't start to seriously look at whats happening on this Island, it's going to be too late to turn back and that will be a sad day.

We need to take our heads out of the sand. We keep saying there are no gangs on the Island - just groups of boys gathering. Then you see on TV gang-like activity and read about gun shots being fired and people being shot at.

When are we really going to call it what it is? Drugs are being sold on the Island and this is playing a big role on what is happening. In our day-to-day lives, Police are driving right past known drug spots - for example Court Street - and ignoring the person or persons selling.

This Island will not begin to heal until we learn to deal with the ills of it (seriously)

January 30, 2003

Dear Sir,

I do apologise for the lateness of this card but I wanted to express our sincere appreciation for the picture that appeared on Page 5 of your December 24 edition. Many members and friends of Emmanuel Methodist church felt an extra blessing on Christmas to see a photo of the top of our tower being painted.

So from all of us at Emmanuel, please receive our thanks and best wishes for a wonderful year. We love your paper!

Blessings to you in Christ's name.

27 January 2003

Dear Sir,

Once again, Labour and Home Affairs Minister Terry Lister stated in that we have three Bermudian ENT surgeons on the Island. This is misleading as this statement is incorrect.

Dr. Bruce Lattyak and Dr. Robert Vallis are Bermudians. Dr. Wesley Miller is a Jamaican who is married to a Jamaican who has Bermudian status. If the marriage should last tomorrow, Dr. Miller would also have to cease to practise according to the Immigration policy.

Dear Sir,

The B.P.H.A. is writing to ask for volunteers to drive the handicapped bus. A CS Licence is required.

Volunteers are needed for one hour in the mornings on Thursday and Friday, and one hour in the evenings on Thursday and Friday.

Please contact Mr. Willard S Fox at 293-5035 days, and 293-8148 nights

Thank you.

January 17, 2003

Dear Sir,

I'm appealing for Bermuda Track and Field Association to be more considerate of area residents who live along race routes.

Example, residents of Frog Lane were held hostage in their homes, not able to drive to or from their residences during the race. In the past, residents whom showed ID license of proof of address were allowed through. It was a serious lack of communications on the part of the BTFA and Police. Residents of the area have always communicated with the authorities of organisations who hold major events in the area, such as the highly respected World Rugby Classic, the Bermuda Day Heritage Day Parade Committee and BFA and others.

It is very unfair that one who wants to leave home can't. When the race is on its only one way in from Palmetto Road and at this junction annoyed residents were prevented from getting home in their vehicles.

So Mrs. Robin Simmons next year please communicate with Police on behalf of residents because next the residents will stand firm and will be exercising our human rights.

Thank you Mr. Editor

January 29, 2003

Dear Sir,

In dated January 28, 2003, Christian Dunleavy claims: "The PLP is not about economic empowerment for black Bermudians at all".

He tries to justify this charge by noting "PLP Senator, Calvin Smith eloquently articulated his party's hypocrisy on race during a Senate session when he said to UBP Senators Swan and Santucci 'You used to be black once'."

It is true that I made a statement resembling the Dunleavy quote during the Budget debate of 2002, almost a year ago. My comment was made in response to the refusal of the UBP Senators' to support legislation designed to increase financial assistance to the poor and disadvantaged.

I could not understand then - nor now - how any black person could be so indifferent to the needs of Bermuda's poor, who happen to be overwhelmingly black, hence my comment.

Mr. Dunleavy's criticisms raise other issues. Firstly why does he place such importance on the fact that I was attempting to persuade the Opposition members to my point of view? Does he not realise that the attempt to persuade other politicians to your point of view is what Parliamentary debates are all about? I only wish that the UBP and Independent Senators were as easy to convince, as Mr. Dunleavy seems to think is the case.

Secondly, the PLP has shown through its application of the Hotel Concessions Act that it is concerned fundamentally with enacting legislation, which it believes to be in the best interests of Bermuda. The major hotels that have sought assistance through the Act are certainly not black owned and in some cases are outspokenly UBP.

Remember the complaint of Mr. David Dodwell to the recently deceased Minister of Tourism that he had not received his concession? The last I heard, the owner of the Reefs, Mr. David Dodwell, was very white and very, very UBP.

Mr. Dunleavy, Bermuda has enough serious problems with which to deal with rather than to waste your time and that of everyone else dealing with issues that are based on little more than malicious gossip.