Abide by it or abolish it

November 20, 2006

Dear Sir,

Here we go again! The Caymans have tiered and continuous term limits, Finland and several other EU countries, despite an open market economy, have employment restrictions and limits. Most Governments have a form of term limits and foreign-worker employment policies tied into their immigration regulations. Even the UN has employment term limits. I?m not going to arguing whether term limits are good or bad, but what I would like to emphasise is that we as Bermudians have to determine when success by way of financial gain is sufficient to continue to sacrifice a healthy environment, a healthy infrastructure and a healthy social structure. Term limits and sustainable development are directly related.

I just wish my weak Government would just stand up and argue for term-limits and defend their position. We don?t need one of our new Senators saying that, ?it?s something that we are committed to?, and then go on to say that ?we are willing to discuss and investigate further?. OK, discuss (again) and defend your position, but what has to be investigated further? It?s the law. Abide by it or abolish it. It?s that simple. We forget that not all expatriates like and want to stay in Bermuda for six years. So, can someone tell me what percentage of expatriate workers stay in Bermuda for at least six years and what percentage work in international business? Lastly, experienced people can be replaced with experienced people. Remember, despite Mr. Ezekiel?s and Mr. Law?s argument, most professional expats in Bermuda don?t and should not have to be trained... if their resumes match their skill sets!

According to the 2000 Bermuda Census, of the 17,663 foreign born people in Bermuda, 4,854 had Bermudian status. Of the remaining 12,129, 6,559 had been in Bermuda for five years or longer. It was not possible to determine how many of that group were spouses of Bermudians who did not hold Bermudian status.

We should be embarrassed

December 2, 2006

Dear Sir,

Friday, December 1 was certainly the lowest point in the history of the House of Assembly that I can remember. One of my colleagues, Dr. Gibbons, was subjected to a barrage of attacks from what could only be described as a deranged Premier. The reprobate mentality that was exhibited in the House of Friday by the leader of this country would have excited only a few cackling idiots who might have a feeding frenzy from this type of gutter filth. No right-thinking, self-respecting person, irrespective of their political persuasion, could condone that level of venomous vomit.

The Premier apparently believes that he has licence to spend the public money or to engage in whatever unethical behaviour he so chooses, and to mask his deeds with threats of physical violence in order to silence his critics. None of his rantings were supported by fact, but that has become the hallmark of the Premier ? a master of deception.

He also spoke of the Opposition comment of the former premier being a political eunuch. What the Premier should understand is that if a eunuch has been made of the former Premier, it is he, Premier Brown, who should take full responsibility for carrying out that dastardly act. Premier Brown totally castrated the former Premier Scott, and unlike historical days when individuals were led to the castration station knowing their fate, Premier Brown totally emasculated Alex Scott by stealth.

I, for one, as a proud member of the United Bermuda Party will continue to highlight those issues that go against the principles that right-thinking people in this country hold dear ? those of respect and concern for our fellow Bermudians. If Premier Brown, or for that matter, Minister Derrick Burgess who accuses me of being the maidservant for the white master, believe that my concern is misguided because it is not only concern for blacks, they will get used to it. My concern is for every Bermudian, irrespective of ethnicity or status.

The attitude shown by the Premier might have had more relevance in the sixties (from whence he pulled out the whole forest, not just a chip, to place on his shoulder), but as our society has developed, Premier Brown unfortunately remained in the sixties, waiting for the opportunity to pounce on society with his stale, outmoded and outdated rantings that were the basis of his idiotic rambling on Friday night. Bermuda should be truly embarrassed. We have a Premier who might possess charisma, but not one ounce of class.

End daylight saving time

November 22, 2006

Dear Sir,

This business of putting the clocks back in the winter, when we need the extra hour of daylight more than ever, does not make sense. It is light at 6.30 in the morning, and dangerously dusky at 5.30 in the evening, when half the traffic has its headlights on, and the other half is still thinking about it. It is seriously dark at 6 p.m., when most people finally get home. We are a little island in the middle of the sea, and our time schedule is strictly our own. We are one hour ahead of the Eastern seaboard, five hours ahead of California, four hours behind England and five hours behind Scandinavia.

If we decided to keep summer time all year round it would not make any difference to our contacts with the rest of the World. Actually, we would be on the same time as New York for part of the year. Why not give it a try? I am sure that if there were a referendum on this, it would pass with flying colours. Most people I have spoken to about this all say it would be great to have an extra hour of daylight at night, when we all really need it.

Reform campaign financing

December 4, 2006

Dear Sir,

The recent news surrounding the topic of fund raising for political parties has caused some unfortunate headlines from heated debates in our Parliament. One cannot fault Opposition member Dr. Grant Gibbons for raising questions about the way the Government has approached funding for the PLP, and one can partly sympathise with Dr. Ewart Brown?s rebuke of the Opposition for bringing his wife into the debate. A dutiful husband must certainly defend his wife?s honour ? that goes without question. The method of his rebuke and the words chosen during the debate in Parliament is another story!

Unfortunately this problem will forever remain in Bermuda unless we have a major overhaul of the system used for funding political parties. Having been active in raising funds for the United Bermuda Party I can say first hand that the job is a difficult one. Voters in the community are becoming quite tired of having to dig into their pockets to support the finances of their chosen party when the cost of living continues to grind away at their disposable income. Businesses too find it difficult to support political parties with most now opting to support both parties for equal amounts, and rightly so. And one cannot help but think that a ?donation? from any company, whether local or international, would carry a ?wink & a nod? understanding that their next round of work permits will come through the immigration process without a hitch. The perception ? whether real or imagined ? of ?I?ll scratch your back if you scratch mine? must stop.

I think it?s time for all political party funding to cease. As a solution, both parties will receive $1 million each per year from the Bermuda taxpayer via the Consolidated Fund. In order to ensure some level of protection for the taxpayer, a political party will only qualify for such a stipend if it has the support of at least 20 percent of the voting public at elections. A political party should be able to operate on a yearly budget of $500,000 which would allow the party to staff and operate its headquarters and carry out some polling during the year. Over the five year election cycle the party would be able to reserve approximately $2.5 million which should be sufficient funds to run an election campaign. The parties will also have to present annual accounts to the Charities commission to ensure total transparency. No other party fundraising will be permitted.

If Bermuda adopted the above solution (or something similar that ensured the same result) we would never have to worry about possible ?conflicts? or ?pay to play? scenarios affecting the Government and Opposition of the day. And that is something about which we could be so very proud.

A note of thanks

November 14, 2006

Dear Sir,

Please allow us to use your valuable space to officially thank the following businesses and organisations that made significant donations to the Somerset Primary School PTA for the purposes of planning a back-to-school barbeque. The event was a great success which encouraged school and family camaraderie and both adults and children thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Recognition must be granted to: Orbis Ltd., Cambridge Beaches, Winsor Garden, Barritts, Dunkley?s Dairy, Mt. Zion AME Church, Sandys Boat Club, Medical House Ltd., Butterfield & Vallis , Hunts, Royal Naval field, and the Parks Department. The Somerset Primary School PTA is extremely appreciative of the generosity displayed by these businesses and we are delighted that so many persons continue to be committed to community events.

For intelligent debate

November 24, 2006

Dear Sir,

I read Dale Butler?s comment regarding marijuana being a gateway drug. I know he is a lot smarter than that so I must assume that it was off the top of his head without much, if any, thought. That myth has been debunked ages ago. If it is permissible, I am including a site that Dale, or anyone else who is interested, might find useful in forming an opinion, based on facts, and to get information to better prepare them for useful and intelligent debate. Site: www.jackherer.com/chapters.html.

Delays were inevitable

November 30, 2006

Dear Sir,

Please allow me a moment to pay my compliments to Broadway Bistro for their brilliant PR stunt the other day. I was thrilled to sit in traffic for an hour and a half on the way into Hamilton, while hearing on the radio that the reason for the delay was that they were handing out free food. Props to Carol Marshall on 106.1, who let us know that she wasn?t entirely convinced that this was news we wanted to hear. Imagine my utter devastation when I finally entered East Broadway, to discover that all the croissants were gone.

I see in the paper today that they had at least one very attractive young lady helping them out with their stunt. This is probably what saved them from being lynched by an angry mob. After all, it?s not her fault that her bosses are thick, is it? Most of us can identify with that on some level. When all else fails, put a pretty girl out front. Basic rule of marketing, A+ on that at least. I can guarantee that not only will I not be taking advantage of their Christmas Specials & New Year?s Menu, but that I won?t be eating there at all, ever.

We have enough traffic problems as it is without restricting the main access to Hamilton for over an hour and causing delays and snarls all the way back to Southampton. I was actually relieved that they were gone by the time I arrived, so that I didn?t have to worry about leaping out of my car in a state of advanced road rage. At least they had the presence of mind to apologise in the article today. Just a marketing tip here, folks ? if you have to apologise for your advertising, it probably wasn?t particularly well thought out.

Put hospital on North Shore

October 27, 2006

Dear Sir,

Reference site for a new hospital I suggest that it would be good to use the Government House Property on the North shore and Black Watch Pass area. The patients? rooms could face the ocean and the working area could be behind.

Who pays the costs?

November 15, 2006

Dear Sir,

Whilst I suspect the new Minister of Health believes he has made a magnanimous gesture by promising not to build the new hospital in the Botanical Gardens, one should ?be aware of Ministers bearing gifts?. The attempt to camouflage what has been one of the single largest errors in judgment, and there have been many, by giving back to the people what they already own is the moniker of this Government. Where else but in Bermuda can you have the same Government: make a decision to form a committee; fund a report; produce a seven volume report; make a decision based on the report; hold a series of different public meetings; reverse the decision; start the process all over again.

The people should expect and receive from this ?new? Government a complete report on the costs to date of this debacle. We should also be told who, if any, will pay the price for the complete waste of the peoples? time, our resources and monies. A gift won?t cut it.

Violence begins early

November 24, 2006

Dear Sir,

I was shopping in a grocery store last night. As I walked down an aisle, I passed a mother and about 12 year old child. I noticed she was talking in a stern manner while cocking her fist and raising her arm. As I walked by I heard her say: ?If you don?t stop it I am going to punch you in your face.? I guess we know where the violence starts and why today?s youth think violence is acceptable.

Leave moles alone

November 29, 2006

Dear Sir,

Moles Wanted. The recent announcement from Speaker of the House, Stanley Lowe, that the ?mole? that leaked sensitive information regarding improper use of Bermuda College finances, was to be found, to me, sounds like it?s all about punishment and revenge and has nothing to do with fixing the real problem. And from what we see, there is more than one problem to be fixed. It?s also another thing to just quit debating an issue because you might be too wrapped up in getting that revenge. Don?t hunt the ?mole?. Fix the problem. It?s not that hard to understand.

Where is my mail?

November 24, 2006

Dear Sir,

Where is my mail?

Thanks for the donations

October 3, 2006

Dear Sir,

Appreciation for all good wishes at the 75th birthday party held for the Reverend Dr. Charles A. Swan a hearty thank you! Donations with a total of over six thousand dollars were distributed, as suggested, to the scholarship fund of Grace Methodist church, and the work of the Sunshine League. Thank you.