To the moron on the bike

February 19, 2003

Dear Sir,

I am sitting here having lunch and my blood is still boiling from something I saw on my way to work this morning. I thought it would pass and my disgust would eventually subside. However, I'm still seething and I need to put pen to paper.

I was driving on Harbour Road at around 7.35 a.m. Tuesday, February 18, when I was overtaken on a blind corner by a young male riding a motorcycle.

If anything at all was travelling in the opposite direction, there was no way he could have avoided hitting the oncoming vehicle. No possible way. He took an unnecessary risk and could very easily have been struck head on. Another tragedy that could have easily been avoided with a small amount of maturity and responsibility in making a sensible decision.

Now, let me admit that ordinarily, I would have dismissed this incident as must another stupid, reckless young man taking his own life in his hands by riding irresponsibly. However, on the back of this complete idiot's bike was a little child, no older than four or five years old.

In fact, the rider had to reach back and balance the child with one hand while trying to manoeuvre through traffic with the other. I was so irritated that I wanted to flag down the bike behind me and borrow it so that I could catch up to this simpleton and let him know how stupid he was. I wish I could have, because he kept right on overtaking everything in sight.

The reason I have written this letter is to appeal to that child's mother, in fact anyone at all who knows the child, to never, ever let that moron take that child anywhere on his bike again. And I don't care what he tells you.

He wasn't man enough to consider that child's safety, so I doubt very much if he is man enough to tell you the truth about his irresponsible conduct on the bike this morning. Please don't let us hear about yet another accident that could have been avoided due to some careless, idiotic, young person who someone, somewhere will make an excuse for after the tragedy.

It's time our youth were held accountable.

War on the home front

February 17, 2003

Dear Sir,

I wish to comment on the rally held last Saturday against the United States going to war, (which) was positive and I congratulate the persons involved. Hence, war comes in all shapes and forms.

There is a war going on in Bermuda, but rallies and demonstrations are not done against this form of war here in Bermuda. Lawlessness, lack of parenting, unemployment. Lack of housing, increase in crime, drugs etc.

The spirits and souls of some Bermudians are at war every day, they wake up in the country of their birth and are deprived of economic involvement - no job - no bank account - zero assets.

Applying for a job is a burdensome task, to receive rejection letters from Government is very depressing and so the war begins; the disgruntled Bermudian is waging a war against a foreigner who has a pay cheque and money to spend and he has none.

I read with interest an article featuring Baghdad where there was shown a couple in their house, (very comfortable living quarters), whilst Bermudians are homeless and living in substandard conditions, not getting value for their money and being evicted.

The Bible says there will be wars and rumours of wars. The Temptations sang about War and what it is good for - absolutely noting, and another musical great sang give me love, give me love, give me peace on earth, give me hope, help me cope with this heavy load. There is a saying that all is fair in love and war.

Well, in all fairness, if we are to have peace in Bermuda we need to help our brothers and sisters cope with their heavy load.