April 15, 2005

Dear Sir,

I just opened your paper today and read the letter written by Dr. Eva Hodgson and I would like to comment. What she says is true: "The culture of devaluing Bermudians that is so prevalent among Bermudians". This devaluing of ourselves is ridiculous, although it is not the devaluing of oneself that I am challenging, it is the Bermudians who actually "bad mouth " Bermuda and Bermudians in the company of "guest workers". No wonder these people don't integrate into Bermuda. No wonder right off the bat, quite soon after arriving in Bermuda, expats learn of these negative attitudes and take them on themselves. No wonder we have these divisions towards expats and vice versa. It almost feels like we are forgetting or, dare I say it, trying to forget who we are or where we are from. Don't you know negativity just breeds more negativity. Bermuda is Bermuda and I personally feel that if you don't like it, then I believe you should look elsewhere for what you want. That goes for Bermudians and non-Bermudians. It sounds a bit "meatheadish" but to be honest it's the best option I could think of. I suggest those Bermudians should really embrace Bermuda for what it is. It's not New York or Las Vegas. (Thank God for that. I couldn't think of any other "civilised" city that displays the worst in human behaviour and exploitation) or London. Then build something for yourself. It doesn't matter what it is, just create it. Contribute. Bermuda is an incredibly unique place and Bermudians are incredibly unique people. So don't you forget it!

MILTON RAPOSO

Smith's

Gruesome sentence

April 18, 2005

Dear Sir,

I am writing about two articles in The Royal Gazette today concerning the Cooper twins.

First, I was appalled to read a gruesome sentence by one of your reporters on the front page regarding the generations of insects/flies on a corpse!

Then I came to your editorial titled "Graphic images". There it was stated that: "A good deal of consideration needs to be given to the feelings of the family, friends, and neighbours of the victims." I don't know if either of you are parents, but if so, would you like gory details to be published about your kin? You need to go back and reread your last sentence. I'll remind you of it! "If there is a lesson to be learned, it is that it is always worth taking a little extra time with stories that are as sensitive as this one before airing or publishing them."

KAREN CAMARA

Smith's Parish

Editor's Note: The editorial began by stating that it is always risky to throw stones when you live in a glass house, and this letter proves the point. However, the editorial also said that consideration for the family needs to be balanced against the responsibility to show reality, and by extension, to report the news.

In the case the writer cited, the reference to insects/flies was used in the context that forensic examiners use this evidence to determine the time and the cause of death. It was a general description of what forensic pathologists do and it was far from graphic.

Still, as the editorial said, these decisions are always tough calls, and we welcome comments from readers on the issue, both for and against. Finally, both the Editor of this newspaper and the reporter who wrote the story are parents.

'A tremendous success'

April 19, 2005

Dear Sir,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many people who assisted in making this year's Careers Fair a tremendous success. This was indeed a community event with broad support from a large number of individuals and organisations. We estimate that more than 2,500 students and visitors attended the event at the Bermuda College last Friday to see nearly 70 different career opportunities, displayed in 80 booths, covering a wide range of career choices. The Bermuda College provided the perfect venue for the fair and the College staff was extremely helpful and enthusiastic about hosting the event. Though the Fair was spread over the entire length of the campus in five separate locations, the College students and staff graciously welcomed their guests.

While it will take a few days for the data to be collected from the exit interviews, the feedback we have received so far has been very encouraging. Many of the business participants who attended and manned the booths commented on behaviour and interest shown by the hundreds of middle and high school students who visited the fair. It was refreshing to see how engaged and interested the students where. The business participants were outstanding in their presentations which were interactive and extremely interesting.

I would also like to thank the many community partners who worked for weeks in planning the event. The Career Fair task force was comprised of some 25 individuals representing several organisations. This group included representatives from B-TEC, The Careers Centre, The Department of Education, The National Training Board, The Bermuda College, The Bermuda Small Business Association, The ACE Foundation, The XL Foundation, The Bank of Bermuda, Butterfield Bank and others.

Finally I would like to mention the significant financial support that The ACE Foundation received from the Bermuda Government, The National Training Board and the business community for this project. This was indeed a community sponsored event and once again, on behalf of The ACE Foundation, I would like to thank everyone for their support.

RALPH RICHARDSON

Executive Director

The ACE Foundation