Amendment benefits all

January 26, 2010

Dear Sir,

As one of several advocates for the prohibition of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, I find it interesting that there are some in the community who consider this campaign part of a "gay rights agenda", as recently suggested by Rolfe Commissiong. First, let me confess: I don't even know what a "gay rights agenda" is. Banning sexual orientation discrimination through an amendment of the Human Rights Act does not amount to giving extra, or special rights to gay people, if that is what is meant by a "gay rights agenda". Nor would it amount to legalising same sex marriage. As such, the amendment would not even amount to giving "equal" rights to gay people.

It would simply mean protection from sexual orientation discrimination in areas such as employment, housing and the supply of goods, facilities and services – for all residents whether gay, straight or bisexual. And it would mean the availability of an accessible legal recourse for those who believe they have been the victims of such discrimination. This is what I and my fellow campaigners have spent the last several years educating ourselves and others about. It is, of course, true that the proposed amendment will probably be of most immediate impact and interest to members of the gay community, since they are the ones most likely to face such discrimination in today's society.

As for the idea that religious values drive opposition to the proposed amendment, I shall leave it to our religious leaders to debate whether the principle of non-discrimination, and its application as is being proposed here, is incompatible with such values. We would be especially interested in the argument of any religious leader who would condone the denial of housing, employment or goods and services simply on the basis of one's sexual orientation. (Email: info@twowordsandacomma.com.) It is worth noting, too, that freedom to practise one's religion is guaranteed by the Bermuda Constitution, the supreme law of the land, and that the Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the ground of one's religious beliefs. For more information on the Two Words campaign, go to www.twowordsandacomma.com

AYO JOHNSON

Two Words and a Comma

What's wrong with retail

January 22, 2010

Dear Sir,

Another plea by Kristi Grayston asking Bermuda residents to "Buy Bermuda" with no comment other than there must be some benefit to Bermuda. I have no argument with Mrs. Grayston and I also see the benefits to Bermuda when a dollar is spent here versus in the US. I do have a problem with her reduction of the issue to such a simplistic position ... no matter what, buy Bermuda and benefit Bermuda. To be fair, I do think she understands the reality of the bigger problem.

She nor anyone else is ever going to stop Bermudians from travelling overseas to shop 'til they drop. Retailers in Bermuda continue to try and sell this idea that we are competitive with US prices ... possibly one store on Fifth Avenue sells a shirt for the same price or higher than it sells for in Bermuda. What about all those discounters, outlets, and online services to say nothing of the incredible selection available, and you usually get a fairly cost effective trip in the bargain, plus even an old man like me loves wandering through King of Prussia Mall. Generally speaking, I am shocked that there is a clothing retailer left in Bermuda!

Kristi is probably right – most cannot survive unless Bermudians prop them up. Bermuda retailers –not all but a lot – are amazing. They go into business on a whim, with no real business plan, no real idea whether they have enough capital or even if anyone other than themselves is actually interested in buying what they want to sell.

I'm clearly no expert but buying clothing in Bermuda is a thing of the past, there are simply too many better options for the vast majority of us. What I might suggest is that many of the more successful new ventures seem to be "service oriented" versus "product" driven. The younger generation and even the older generation will always appreciate good service and new service-type enterprise. I really think that, instead of asking Bermudians to prop up poorly developed business ventures ... it might be time to think of offering services that they actually want and, maybe, even need!

LOOKING FOR DECENT BOXER SHORTS

Southampton

Donations help patients

January 20, 2010

Dear Sir,

The Resident Family Council (Continuing Care Programme) wishes to express or sincere thanks to all who helped make our November 13 and November 14, 2009 Tag Day a success. The collaborative effects of our volunteers, family members and residents enabled us to achieve some of our goals.

We are very grateful to business establishments for making their premises available for us to tag.

We are very grateful from the continued support of the general public for our Tag Day. The proceeds from the tag day will help towards purchase of new air conditioning units in the residents' rooms. Founded in 2001, The Resident Family Council, a registered Charity was formed to foster effective communications between the patients, their families and hospital staff at Continuing Care of King Edward VII Hospital and to assist in fund-raising to facilitate the well being of the patients (residents)

AMMERJEAN RAYNOR

Chairperson

The Resident Family Council

Thanks for the support

January 20, 2010

Dear Sir,

Project Change: Bermuda would like to thank the community of Bermuda for its generosity our recent fund-raiser. "Hooray for Bollywood II" held at the Bermuda Aquarium on December 19, 2009 was a huge success. The proceeds of the event – $5,048 will be used to fund our humanitarian medical mission to Burundi, Africa scheduled for May, 2010. Please visit www.projectchangebermuda.org if you wish to volunteer or view ongoing projects.

C.L. JOHNSON, MD, MSc, FACS

Chairman, Project Change: Bermuda

October may be too late

January 22, 2010

Dear Sir,

I decided to take a walk around the City today at 11.30 a.m. to get some fresh air and as we were so slow. As I walked along Front Street, Reid Street and then Church street I noticed all the sales still going on. I also noticed many of the shops were empty. There are even empty shops on Front Street. (Can you believe that!) The other thing I noticed was the many taxis waiting for a fare. I spoke to one operator who said he knew of some operators who won't make it to summer. One taxi operator has taken on a job and has left the taxi home, because it is financially imprudent to drive during the day, as there were little to no fares to pick up.

Have you driven to St. George's lately? This historical town looks more like a ghost town. Retail and restaurants closed. I work in the hospitality industry and there is a very depressing feeling in the air. Many people are afraid of losing their jobs. Employers are not replacing staff that are leaving. This will affect the level of service. But what can they do? There are going to be some closures this year, I'm very sure of this. Our Government has overspent millions on what appears to me as giving it to a select few. Bermudians know very well what's going on, but seem to turn a blind eye to this situation. Your paper reports on this overspending, with a clear understanding of the facts. Two week later we seem to forget.

The government can easily offer one very well-to-do Bermudian $25 million for an overpriced building, but can't seem to put that money where it needs to be spent. Like on our failing education system, on housing for our people, on equipping our police with the tools to help fight the crime which has now gotten out of hand. At what point do we say enough is enough?! When our beautiful country become a third world country, when our dollar has to be reduced (like our neighbours to the south), when we see Bermudians losing their homes because they have no job to pay their million dollar mortgage, when we see more shootings in the streets? Our government has put us in to debt to the cost of close to $1 billion. Is this enough? Many Bermudians are just waiting until October. But my fellow Bermudians October may be too late!

WALTER SIMMONS

Pembroke

Quick fix laws

January 23, 2010

Dear Sir,

I am writing with respect to your article published on Friday regarding the impending parental liability law. The intention of such a law is seemingly admirable draws much scrutiny. Such a law, if passed would ultimately trample upon certain comforts available under the Bermuda Constitution and signal government's unwillingness to tackle the root cause of youth crimes but instead divest that responsibility to parents, thus deriving punishment for parenthood. Such a law would ultimately contravene the following parts of the Bermuda Constitution:

Fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual:

1. Freedom of Movement

2. Freedom of Association

"Parental responsibility laws are a 'quick-fix' approach to juvenile crime that fails to address the underlying problems" (American Civil Liberties Union, cited in Michigan parents convicted..., 1996). A progressive society cannot support penalising parents for the actions of their children. Rather, society should assist parents in need. While it is important to address young offenders in the context of family (Polauck, 1993), "mandating parental involvement can be ineffective or counterproductive" (Cahn, 1996, p. 440). The real issue is the lack of parenting skills, resources and community support. Parenting skills programmes, readily accessible day care and access to social programmes are just some of the many things society could be doing to help parents. The Government would be wise to invest in adequate housing for low income families, quality kindergarten programmes, support for single parent families, community centres and child care (Polauck, 1993). Thus, the court is not the proper milieu for addressing parenting problems; the problem is a social issue, not a legal one.

MAT NKRUMAH

Pembroke

Deplorable offer

January 23, 2010

Dear Sir,

I do not know whether the B-737 aircraft that American has agreed to lease to the Bermuda Government is an a freighter or a combi or a regular with only cargo capacity in the cargo holds. If it is the latter case, then the people of Haiti would be better served if the $10,000 cost of the seat was spent on additional supplies rather then on some egotistical Government or business person having a picture taken with some Haitian official, while people are suffering and dying. I sometimes wonder what world these politicians live, as their behaviour and ideas seems to suggest to me that they are not quite in tune with everyone else. The space that these seats occupy could be filled with additional supplies and stay within the operational restrictions of that type of aircraft. To have some fat person, both materially and physically, occupy vital space just to satiate their enormous ego is deplorable.

BILL NEARON

Pembroke West