A note of thanks

January 20, 2010

Dear Sir,

On behalf of the management and staff of the MarketPlaces and The Lions Clubs of Bermuda, we would like to publicly thank the Bermuda community for 21 years of giving to this worthwhile project, "Share the Christmas Spirit".

A special thanks to the Marketplaces for the use of all their premises for the tag day that was held on Saturday, November 28, 2009. We raised a total of $3,124.00. We did approximately 360 food hampers. Without your donations this would not have being possible. At this time when so many persons are finding things difficult, our hope is that there was a little relief to those that received the food hampers during the past festive season.

As zone chairperson of the Lions Clubs of Bermuda I am personally taking this opportunity to say thanks to Mr. Scott Carswell, President, Mrs. Natalie Rego, Mrs. A. Waite and Mr. Joseph Cheeseman all from the MarketPlace, Lion Gerry Waldron, Mr. Roger Pacheco, and his dedicated staff for their delivery daily of fresh vegetables, all those preschools, primary schools, high schools that gave, TS (Bermuda) Sea Cadets, Mr. Lional Raynor, Bermuda Housing Corp., Athletic Club, Europa Imports, Lions, friends who not only packed the hampers, but delivered them.

My prayer for all is that God will continue to give you good health and a blessed New Year.

LION DESSIE WALDRON, ZC

The Lions Clubs of Bermuda

Six education questions

January 16, 2010

Dear Sir,

Once again the Department of Education has elected to make drastic changes without the opinion of the Bermuda public. Haven't they learnt by now that the public should be asked their opinion? Every parent has a right to be concerned and to be asked how they feel. So what is to happen with these teachers that will lose their jobs? They too have commitments and family. and what of the children?

They will most likely lose old friends, change uniforms, learn new routes to schools. And many of them may find it hard to adapt and make new friends. Let's not speak of the new expenses to parents. And don't forget the added stress to the commuters. the last time the Department of Education changed the school system, everything became chaotic. I guess that doesn't matter to the department because if it did, then they would talk to the public first! This is what I see will happen again:

1. Larger classes — meaning less attention for the children that may need it.

2. Teachers will lose their jobs.

3. More expense for parents.

4. Fewer buses for commuters

5. More behavioural problems again.

6. More stress for parents, students, teachers and commuters.

While I do agree that you need more and better programmes I don agree with the new changes that you wish to implement.

On what country are you trying to model your education system after this time? Are you going to help these families adapt to these changes? i.e. with new uniforms.

What will be the new names of the schools?

How much will it cost the people of Bermuda this time? Why now? Is the change really necessary? How will it benefit our children? When will the public know?

Please, Minister James, answer all of these questions. I'm looking forward in reading or hearing your answers as soon as possible.

LAVITA WILLIAMS

Pembroke

A deliberate attempt

January 6, 2010

Dear Sir,

I was horrified, very annoyed, but not at all surprised by your brief article on P8 of Tuesday's Royal Gazette. re: the proposed march by Muslims through the streets of Wootton Bassett in England, to protest about the killing of Muslims in the present Middle East conflicts. This is a deliberate racial and religious insult aimed at British forces generally, and in particular to their dead whose funerals regularly pass through the town.

For the uninformed, perhaps I can enlighten them on the situation that is developing not only in the UK and other Western European countries, but in many different parts of the world. I served in the army in predominantly Muslim countries, and subsequently whilst working for the government. I became interested in the religion of Islam, studied its inception and true history, and read the modern Quoran (Koran) more than once.

The whole true history of the great Prophet Muhammad is interesting, to say the least, and the spreading of the religion, against the Prophet's own tribe originally, was fairly predictable under the prevailing circumstances in that area.

The original Suras (Verses) of the Koran were written in a basic Arabic dialect and were greatly extended and enhanced later by Abu Bakr and other scholars. (the original were instructions from Allah via Gabrial). Like the Holy Bible, for example, the Koran has probably lost and gained much in translation to different languages; but much of it, strangely, echoes the Jewish Old Testament.

The vast majority of practicing Muslims throughout the world have no conception of the true history and growth of the Islamic faith. On which I can't herein elaborate.

For example, in Western Europe the Imams are poorly trained and educated, cannot speak or read Arabic properly, in which the Koran should be taught, and are able to choose the Suras on which they preach — hence the growth of radicalism!

This makes the spread of the Muslim faith worldwide a great threat to world stability. It is rather ironic, but if it hadn't been for two major defeats of the Muslims, one in Western, one in Eastern Europe, both in the Middle Ages; the whole of Europe would have probably been forced to become Muslim. In this day and age, the Muslims do not need to spread their religion by coercion, as in the past; because successive governments have allowed them to infiltrate societies by migration and stupid legislation.

In the UK, the situation re Muslims is becoming alarming, to say the least.

There is still a continuing influx of Muslims due to lax immigration laws; not only from the Indian sub-continent; but also from so-called asylam-seekers from other places. In the UK this may be exacerbated by the generous social security system; but has inevitably led to practical and economic strains on all aspects of public facilities, e.g. the SS, the NHS and education to which most immigrants do not contribute.

The large and ever-growing Muslim population does not want to integrate into existing communities and intermarriage is out of the question.

Consequently, large areas have become virtual ghettos and Muslims have become increasingly militant. It is true that some aspects of Sharia Law have already been introduced in some areas and freedom of speech by the erstwhile indigenous population has been curtailed.

Here in I have mainly referred to England; but this spread of Islam is affecting many areas, which is a threat to World stability. The pragmatic effect is overpopulation but many observers believe that the spread of Islam is not just economically-oriented; but a deliberate attempt at world domination. Will the ultimate effect be Global Holy Wars? Or should we all bow down to Medina?

A REALIST

Hamilton Parish

Thanks for your generosity

January 4, 2010

Dear Sir,

On behalf of The Coalition for the Protection of Children, I would like to thank all of the companies and individuals who donated gifts and volunteered time to assist us with our annual "Toys for Tots" campaign. Additionally, we wish to publicly acknowledge Kim Webb and Stephanie Robinson of Coldwell Banker who organised, collected toys and made sure that the programme ran smoothly from start to finish. It is no exaggeration to say that the "Toys for Tots" drive could not have happened without the help of these two consummate professionals.

They both volunteered considerable time and effort to make sure that hundreds of needy children had a Merry Christmas. The year 2009 was a particularly difficult for low-income families.

The declining economy combined with increasing prices made it harder for the poor to stretch their meagre budgets, especially during the holidays. However, thanks to the generosity of the community we were able to provide over 1000 gifts to underprivileged children ensuring a joyful season for them. Again, thank you for your support and we wish you all the best in 2010.

SHEELAGH COOPER

Chairperson

The Coalition for the– Protection of Children

Prospect says thanks

January 12, 2010

Dear Sir,

Please allow me on behalf of the Prospect Primary School PTA to thank the following contributors of these fine various establishments who assisted our school in our Christmas fund-raiser. The event was a very success. the following are MarketPlace, Fairmont Hamilton Princess, Garden Market, Hunts Fine Food, Pink Beach Hotel, Arnolds fine Foods, Lilieth Bailey and her Kiwanis Club, John Barritt & Son Ltd.(Mr. Kennedy), White & Sons (Sgt. Major Reginald Pearman RT) Lobster Pot (Eddy Mgr.), Red Carpet (Chris Mgr.), Dunkleys Diary (Sen. Michael Dunkley) Again on behalf of Prospect Primary School PTA, Thank You.

TERRY D. FLOOD

Public Relations Officer

Prospect Primary School PTA