August 9, 2003

Dear Sir,

Please allow me a bit of space in your newspaper to commend Canon Thomas Nesbitt's bold stand against the ordination of gay priest V. Gene Robinson as a Bishop in the Episcopalian church. When one considers the "spiritual wickedness" that exists in "high places" in this Country one can only admire this meek and humble man's courage. As most of us expected he received severe criticism from the Rainbow Alliance but I admit to being shocked and dismayed to read Rev. Graeme Carruth's difference of opinion.

In recent months we have seen not only the ordination of a gay Bishop but also the endorsement and promotion of a gay/lesbian high school in New York, the repeal of sodomy laws in America by the Supreme Court and same sex marriages in Canada as the gay/lesbian agenda moves full steam ahead.

But then this should come as no surprise because the Bible in Luke 17:28 does say "…as it was in the days of Lot…" I was disappointed that Canon Nesbitt failed to garner public support from other members of the clergy. It was an opportunity missed, as I believe this controversy presented a great chance for the church to take a stand on this whole issue.

RECMAN

Devonshire

Dumb politics

August 8, 2003

Dear Sir,

Whether one agrees with the Rebel 11 contention that Ms Jennifer Smith had to go or not, practising deceit towards the Bermudian voter is bad politics. It can't be good politics or intelligent politics.

If you think about it, Mr. Editor, the very things that the Rebel 11 complained about and had disdain for, arrogance, deceit, aloofness, ironically they now stand accused of. No matter how one may look at it, Mr. Editor, about the dumbest thing a politician can do, is not turn out for their own election victory celebration. No matter how one may look at it, Mr. Editor, about the dumbest thing a politician can say to their supporters is that: "I deceived you for your own good."

However, after 350 years with no political power, no financial power, no legal authority and a lost cultural identity, the statute of limitations for forgiveness for black Bermudians' political clumsiness has nowhere run out. Bearing in mind historical implications and influences, political maturity commands me to forgive the Rebel 11 for what they have done, Mr. Editor, but let me make it perfectly clear, Mr. Editor, I could never condone what they have done. Bermudians deserve better and we must demand it.

DR. AMENEMHET TAMERRY

Pembroke

Mind-boggling headline

August 11, 2003

Dear Sir,

I happened to catch a glimpse of the "Worker's Voice" of August 1, 2003, and couldn't help laughing at the lead-in to the headline, which read "After a butt-kicking PLP victory" ... (in the previous month's General Election).

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that the PLP won the 1998 election 26-14, giving a majority of 12 seats. They then re-drew the constituency boundaries in an obvious attempt to retain power indefinitely, and reduced the number of seats from 40 to 36. They then won the 2003 election by 22 seats to 14, giving a reduced majority of 8 seats; and were less than 100 votes away from actually having an equally divided House of 18 seats each; and the then-Premier and the Tourism Minister both held on to their seats by a mere eight votes apiece.

I think the expression "Pyrrhic victory" may be more appropriate than "butt-kicking victory" here. Let's just review those figures. The PLP wins four seats less than they did in the previous election, and are within less than 100 votes of losing four more, and they lose their leader within a few days of the election. And this is "a butt-kicking PLP victory"? I wonder what the WV's headline would have been if the PLP had actually lost the election? The mind boggles!

DAVIE KERR

St. George's

Police own worst enemy

August 10, 2003

Dear Sir,

All the time in the news I hear about police being attacked by citizens in some cruel and violent way, and making the person look mean and was just waiting for the chance. But after some personal experiences myself in public with police and other people of law, they talk to others as if they were pieces of dirt under their shoe.

Cup Match, I was swimming at a beach and the area was packed with vehicles and there was nowhere to park and the walking distance was long so I had to park my bike close to a gate.When I came back I noticed that my bike along with about 20 others had been ticketed. None of the bikes were in the way of the gate and enough space was given for larger vehicles to travel towards it.I had seen the police officer still writing tickets and I approached him in a respectful way.

I asked him about the tickets and could he understand that the reason we are so close to the entrance is because its a holiday and everyone was out enjoying themselves and there was no where else to park. He began to talk really loud at me and wouldn't give me any other chance of talking in my defence, and then he rode off. Now if I screamed back at him then I would have been in the wrong and things could have gotten worse, but I just looked at him and shook my head and the tourist looked at me in the same surprised way.

So after looking at something like this then I can say that most police officers deserve what ever they get because not everyone is able to take something like that and turn the other cheek.So when scenes like this happen and a person of the law is attacked, then both sides should be told.

Mr. B

Warwick

Move the 'Sherratts'

August 4, 2003

Dear Sir,

Only days after a spate of Letters to the Editor highlighting the notorious concrete flower pots known around town as "Sherratts", there appeared an article quoting the Corporation of Hamilton Secretary as saying those offending post had been (indeed hastily) moved on upper Queen Street and that the remainder would soon also be gone! Three months have now gone by. We are waiting and watching. Six "Sherratts " are still parked on lower Queen Street taking up valuable parking spaces.

Another summer and another year is going by with more and more parking spaces being taken away from the long suffering public rather than being increased.

Meanwhile a long-time respected retailer is going out of business. Does the Corporation not see the connection? Residents need to be able to park in Hamilton in order to support Bermuda businesses.

DESPERATELY SEEKING PARKING

Southampton

August 9, 2003

Dear Sir,

I wish to offer my heartfelt thank you to Madam Ex-Premier Jennifer Smith

I am quite impressed and proud of her accomplishments: A woman who dedicated the prime of her life to her country; a woman not needing a man to validate her. As Premier, she will be historically remembered for leading the PLP to victory twice. Also during her leadership the institution of one man, one vote, one constituency came about. I thank you for your dedication.

Man, oh man! People who would not normally talk or even think about politics, thanks to you, ex-Premier Smith are now asking questions or are showing some concern.

Your lifestyle - well you're a Bermudian - very special - though. Unfortunately people can make or break you. One thing. You are for real and have always been for real. "You have not changed since you first appeared in 1970 - something which is more than I can say for a lot of the 'Oreo cookies" put forward by the Opposition. I ask myself if you would have been a man would you have found yourself in this same position - Oh well! you are not a man!

Stand tall. Ex-Premier Jennifer Smith - you are a legend! I pray to God that you will avail yourself to your Party because of the knowledge and experience that you hold. Thank you for shaking them up - the result - togetherness to hopefully carry out our platform. I wish you all the best in your future endeavours and with your constituency No. 1.

I challenge all Bermudians to take this election as a personal victory and be very proud of our country. Please stop littering! Start encouraging our youth to be PROUD! To study more so that they can gain back so many positions now held by the foreigners. Let's take that 'Nestle plunge'. Let's stop being so critical of others until we can walk a mile in the other person's shoes. Over the next four years let's see if there could be noticeable changes. Those of you who were discouraged and did not vote - get off your hind legs and voice your opinions, the challenges are just now starting. Please do your part!

MS K.A. LANDY

Devonshire