We don't mention that...

February 9, 2003

Dear Sir

Please ask the US Consul General why the US does not do anything to make Israel comply with the UN resolutions.

CURIOUS

Southampton

Target practise in the Holy City

The following mass e-mail was sent to the Bishop of Bermuda, the Rt. Rev. Ewen Ratteray recently from the Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem.

Dear Friends

"I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war! Psalm 120 v. 7" Salaam and grace in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ and blessed greetings to you from Jerusalem.

I want to thank you for your many e-mails, telephone calls and faxes in support of the people of S. Philip's Episcopal Church and Ahli Arab Hospital. Your support truly makes a difference to us, and is greatly appreciated.

I want to further update you on the specifics of the missile fired at the St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Gaza. It was an American made TOW missile. It can be watched after firing, and directed more precisely through a remote control guidance device.

The missile itself weights 24.5 kilograms, and the explosive component is 2.8 kilograms (a little over six pounds). It has a capacity to pierce 60 cm of steel and penetrate 120 of cement. Needless to say, it is not surprising that it punched a metre and a half hole in the marble adjacent to the altar.

Many of you asked why this has happened to our Church, our hospital and our people. Many of you have further asked us if it could have been a mistake. I am absolutely certain this was not a mistake. As I said before, this was a guided missile.

St. Philip's is in the centre of the walled Ahli Arab Hospital compound, surrounded by large Red Cross and Anglican flags. I fear that we are being targeted.

Israeli Brigadier-General Tzvika Fogel told Reuters that helicopters had fired five missiles at a suspected Palestinian weapons factory. But he said two of the missiles malfunctioned and one landed "in the vicinity" of St. Philip's.

The vicinity of St. Philips translates into a missile through the centre of the roof, missing the altar by less than a metre. The foundry destroyed by this attack was slightly less than a kilometre away.

The truth is simply that this was an attack on our ministry. In spite of this statement, we have had no official contact from the Israeli military admitting to the attack, and offering an apology. I have been told by many of our Diocesan family and friends that we were target for taking too loud a stand for peace and justice. That our ministry of peace and reconciliation, of witnessing the truth of our circumstances, calls the attention of those who fight against peace.

Thank you for your support, and for your voice in condemnation of this attack. Know that this comes with my prayers and best wishes.

"Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 Corinthians 4:1" In Christ,

The Rt. Rev. Riah Abu El-Assal

Jerusalem

Get our priorities straight

January 10, 2002

Dear Sir,

At the risk of being tarred, feathered for stating obvious, the disenchantment of the middle/poor so called "class", with leaders they installed in power began not in 2000s, but much further back...

It was unfair then as it is now to expect one person (man or woman) of accomplishing a total change in the "system". The disenchantment therefore extends to the so called "street Parliamentarians", who once in Government never got out and proved to be, if not more craven than their predecessors, at least at par with them.

One gets the impression that these people were/are there merely for what they can get even if they sanctimoniously used/use race as their rallying cry. Not much has changed.

It also should be obvious that there's no need for the Premier to exert extra effort to conduct a dialogue with the middle/poor among us, even if she denies copying some of the former poor excuses we have had as leaders.

I believe that I am able to speak on behalf of many of my age (50's), who like myself, aren't impressed or interested in either a charismatic leader or so called statistic-based leader. What would have been "heavenly went", a real person with a real vision, one who could get us all to rally around the flag because of their vision being an image of a country that can hold its head high and not someone who is trying to please every Tom, Dick & Harry.

Now my impression maybe wrong, but the problem is I have yet to read or hear a sensible programme spelling out what this administration plans to do to get us out of the economic dilemma/quagmire we are in.

If we are subsidising Government Senators and others officials in Government with free gasoline cars and overseas travel, aside from other perks, then why can't subsidised transport electrics and as well as other staples that are essential to many citizens who aren't eligible due to various reasons to receive welfare.

Even if there were a coup what guarantees are there that the new leader will not be cut from the same pattern? Come now, its the same system that produced the present set of "self seeking" incompetent.

Unfortunately our leaders are not about to institute reforms in "the system" simply because they are its greatest beneficiaries.

The time for speeches, especially politically oriented ones, is over. I don't think the people care one-way or another whether the leader is charismatic or not... just get the priorities straight. As we used to say "The same ol? 2&6".

FOOD 4 THOUGHT

St. George's

Honouring their memory

January 15, 2003

Dear Sir,

Listening to the talk show or the peoples show on ZBM 1340, on Monday afternoon, concerning a (plaque) to be erected somewhere on the Island in memory to all of those that have lost their lives at sea, I would love to see it made out of ruff gravel, with everyones name upon it.

I thought it was a great idea, and I say hats of to the powers that be, for something that all Bermudians - and tourists alike - will be proud of. I would love to see it erected at Fort Scaur where it over looks the Great Sound.

I would also like to see a few chapters from the book of Psalms, chapter 77. vs 16. Chapter 107, vs 23-26 written at the bottom of the plaque. I hope it is made large enough. If they can't write them all then I would like to see these chapters written.

GEORGE

Somerset

GPS is not almighty

Dear Sir,

Please permit me to reply to comments made by the Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown of the recent robbery and violence on a taxi driver at Palmetto Road, Devonshire, along Ridge Pass.

He stated the controversial GPS System would have brought assistance quicker in the attack. These comments were false.

When this driver's incident took place he immediately informed the dispatcher of his emergency, she immediately put out a base call for any drivers in the area to go to assist the driver. A few drivers arrived long before the Police did. As Bermuda is aware. There are far more taxis on the road and the Police, with the GPS system, will not appear instantly out of the trunk of a taxi.

So please Mr. Dr. Brown, take a break in trying to give Bermuda the false impression that GPS is the glorious almighty problem solver. Thank you Mr. Editor for allowing me to reply.

TAXI DRIVER

Devonshire

Keeping our fingers crossed

February 5, 2003

Dear Sir,

On reading today's Royal Gazette, 'Amaral has big plans for White Sands Hotel', I do hope this does not mean a non-Bermuda look, like we have to pass in Flatts.

CONCERNED RESIDENT

Paget