The worker's paradise

June 1, 2003

Dear Sir,

So much is being said these days about Cuba and the human rights issue, but we seem to have overlooked the worst case of the abuse of human rights, which is taking place under the American flag at Guant?namo Bay. Here there are over 600 prisoners held in appalling conditions, including children, without a trial, and not allowed to have lawyers.

These people are suspected terrorists, and according to the law of the land, they are innocent until proved guilty. This is such a shocking state of affairs that it is not surprising that so many have tried to commit suicide. Why is there not an outcry against the injustice of this state of affairs?

The Bush administration pledged to rid the world of weapons of mass destruction, and it is now quite obvious that the reason we went to war against Iraq was unfounded, and they simply do not have the weapons they have been accused of hiding. The biggest cache of WOD's in the world is in the United States, should they not have set an example and destroyed their massive reserves? Certainly no one approves of Castro's heavy hand on his people and their lack of freedom, but there are other things in Cuba to be taken into consideration.

It is very pleasant to be in a country and have no fear of being attacked or burgled, it is also very pleasant to drive in a Chevy from the 60's and find it in good working order. It is also nice to see children playing and improvising toys, instead of being glued to the TV. No one in Cuba goes hungry or homeless, as they did before the revolution.

Remember the case of Elian, the boy found floating off the coast of Florida in a rubber ring? When his father came to fetch him he insisted on taking the boy home, saying it was a better place to bring up a child, and this in spite of the fact that he was offered money and security to stay in America. He also knew that the boy would get better education, and excellent medical care, at no cost.

Local people admit that things are improving slowly in Cuba and private enterprise, such as the opening of restaurants etc. is beginning to flourish. There is also a thriving market, and music wherever you go, one certainly does not get the impression that the people are suffering the lack of freedom cannot be overlooked, but this should not blind us to other things.

I know that it is important that we do all we can to keep on the right side of our great neighbour to the West, but we should not lose all sense of right and wrong. As for sending our old buses down there, what is the alternative; shell we put them overboard and add even more to the pollution of our marine environment? If we are going to export the buses anyway, why not help the people out in this modest way?

It certainly won't make any difference to Castro, one way or the other. For purely selfish reasons let us hope that things stay as they are, and Cuba stays on the embargo list. It will be too bad for tourism in Bermuda if Cuba opens up to the American market, it is a fun place to visit with wonderful local entertainment, and the price is right. Bermuda would suffer very much from the competition. May I also suggest that anyone who plans to go there, goes not, before it gets spoiled.

Why Cuba

May 28, 2003

Dear Sir,

Recently, your paper reported that Bermuda would soon become a member of Caricom. It has also been reported that we would become an associate member of the organisation. I am not at all surprised therefore to see just how much we have embraced the Caribbean by establishing partnership with those countries within the organisation. Congratulations to Mr. Smith on his election as an executive of the `Association of the Caribbean Commissioners of Police'. Undoubtedly, we are well on our way.

Concerning Cuba, I am not blessed (or cursed) with a mind for politics. I did question however, why Bermuda would choose to do business with a communist country. The concept is certainly contradictory to the idea of freedom, but, then again, there is Caricom. On July 19, 2002, at a Caricom/Cuba luncheon seminar (second meeting of the Cuba-Caricom Entrepreneurial Committee) the topic of discussion was: Financing and Facilitating the Movement of Caribbean Goods and Services In And Out of Cuba.

On December 8, 2002, following a meeting with Cuban President, Fidel Castro, Heads of Caricom adopted a policy referred to as the Declaration of Havana. In the declaration, Caricom called for the immediate lifting of the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed on Cuba. Referring to a "long standing tradition of respect for human rights and freedom", Ministers noted that some `hemispheric' states called for a resolution on Support for Democratic Freedoms in Cuba.

In short, the declaration calls for Cuba to be included in the rapidly forming Organisation of American States, which is being formed in accordance with the UN Charter on Hemispheric Integration; a community "from which no country is excluded". On December 15, 2002, Professor Norman Girvan, Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States, in an article from the Guyana Chronical, explained how Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Guyana had "simultaneously established full diplomatic relations with Cuba" in 1972. Cuba is now considered "an integral member of the Caribbean Community."

Girvan further stated that tin the year 2000, a Cuba-Caricom Trade and Economic Cooperation agreement had been negotiated, which was signed on July 5, 2000. Along with hemispheric integration is the aim to create a free-trade zone in the northern hemisphere by the year 2005, which must include Cuba. If Caricom considers Cuba to be an "integral member of the Caribbean community", what other reason is there that can explain Bermuda's business dealings with the communist nation (all of a sudden)?

It appears that this is not of our own initiative. It sounds more like a call to obey foreign policy. I am fully persuaded that for us `ig'nant' members of society, we will know only whut we's s'pose too know.

What happened to Whitney?

June 2, 2003

Dear Sir,

While it has been a few weeks, I was interested to hear Senator David Burch accuse the former UBP Government of "child abuse" in reference to them not having brought Berkeley Institute up to the standard of CedarBridge prior to November 1998. While I believe the fact of the matter is that the Berkeley Board was equally responsible for the delays, that is not the point of my letter. I am writing to highlight a situation which has undeniably been created under the current PLP Government, one that is perhaps worse than that which the Senator accuses the UBP of creating.

I refer to Whitney Middle School, which just happens to be the only middle school in the system which has not had any upgrades whatsoever, apart from an Assembly Hall more than ten years ago. To make matters worse, there are no plans which the parents (nor I believe, the Principal) of the school are aware of.

So, with five Middle Schools in the system, all but one, have had major building projects carried out, costing several million dollars. Sandys Middle School is so satisfied with their upgrades that they are now fund raising for a 25 metre pool - it must be nice! So what is the problem?

Whitney is completely inaccessible to physically disabled students such that these students, moving up from Primary schools in their district, are forced to go to Dellwood, leaving behind their friends and familiar surroundings. Really, do these children need yet another challenge in life?

There is no functional skills programme in place for learning disabled children nor is there a functional skills teacher or purpose built room. Other schools have these facilities and teachers in place.

The physical plant at the school is completely inadequate for networking computers. Cabling and electrical power are particular problems due to the state of the school .

The number of computers available to students is totally inadequate with no funding on the horizon as far as the school is aware to increase the number.

The number of books available to students is completely inadequate.

The general condition of the school is in disrepair due to age and the difficulty of maintaining it.

It should be noted that Sandys is also a Government aided school and was one of the first schools to be upgraded. The Sandys Board of Governors are most certainly doing a great job for their students and faculty, having had the benefit of a Government funded capital upgrade plan (the pool being the exception).

Can I ask why 370 students in the system, their teachers and parents, are not receiving the same educational advantages as those in other schools? Certainly, students from Whitney will be at a particular disadvantage when they move to the Senior level, competing with students who have come from an educational environment which is significantly more advanced.

It was particularly interesting to note that only a day or so after his comments in the Senate, the Senator announced that he plans to run in Smith's at the next general election. Perhaps, during his next round of canvassing, he should stop by Whitney to speak with their Board to discuss a few things. Being the Housing Minister, he should be all too aware of what happens when yours is made of glass.