There is an alternative

May 16, 2010

Dear Sir,

The issue of legalised gambling in Bermuda is lining up on two fronts: hoteliers in Bermuda claiming that a casino or something similar is needed as the only way to resuscitate their industry; and members of the public who either want or do not want legalised gambling in Bermuda, the former because they see gambling as an "amenity" to be enjoyed, the latter because they see it as either socially unacceptable or undesirable for the image or identity of Bermuda. I take issue primarily with the hoteliers who see gambling as the only way to generate new revenue for the Bermuda tourist industry, along the paradigm "Monaco model" or otherwise.

If Bermuda hoteliers and others who support the introduction of gambling in Bermuda (such as the Premier) think gambling is the only way forward for the industry, I can only conclude that there is a huge lack of imagination, creativity and original thinking amongst those individuals. It suggests, moreover, a kind of lazy mentality whereby one single conventional entertainment option, namely, gambling, is proposed and then held up as the one and only way for Bermuda's tourism "product" to evolve and become more profitable. Suggestions that a "Monaco model" or whatever style of gambling would be appropriate for Bermuda consolidate the view, by a kind of sophistry, that some kind of gaming facility is an absolute necessity if the industry is to prosper, the only argument being what kind of facility that should be. This is an absurd and illogical proposition. Absurd, because there are myriad other kinds of entertainment that could spin money for the Bermuda tourist industry: strip clubs, pole dancing, lap dancing, fast food chains and amusement arcades, to name a few. How many of those options would be "appropriate" for Bermuda? And that leads to why the pro-gambling position for Bermuda is illogical: because it is not about what might revive the tourist industry's prosperity, but what is an appropriate way of achieving that objective.

It seems impossible for hoteliers (and others in the pro-gambling camp) to see that there is an alternative to the proposition that Bermuda must look elsewhere to borrow other concepts of entertainment or tourist attractions for introduction into Bermuda. The alternative, I suggest, is just to look around them, at home, to build on the resources Bermuda has in abundance to create a genuinely unique and indigenous concept of a Bermuda tourism model. I suggest that a truly Bermudian concept of tourism, created by and for the local industry, would be, first, of far greater value than dusting off rather conventional, borrowed concepts for the sake of making a quick buck, and secondly, that it would benefit not just the hotel or tourism industry but the entire community of Bermuda, because it would involve all the people of Bermuda as primary and not just incidental factors in its success.

The real question, then, is whether or not the people of Bermuda want gambling to be incorporated into the identity of Bermuda that is, after all, their home. And after gambling, what then (cf. "myriad other kinds of entertainment", above)? What is appropriate for Bermuda tourism must absolutely must be acceptable to all the people of Bermuda and what they want their community of Bermuda to be. Gambling is not a matter for corporate suits and bean-counters and politicians to decide. It is an intrinsic question of what the people want as an introduced part of their community. (And just remember the pernicious consequences of all those species of flora and fauna introduced into Bermuda over the years for what, originally, were thought to be beneficial purposes.)

It has to be for the people of Bermuda not the hoteliers or the politicians or other institutional vested interests to determine and legitimise a "Bermuda concept" of tourism by their acceptance of and contribution to it, in terms of being an integral part of it. It is the people of Bermuda who should have the greatest vested interest in making Bermuda tourism successful. The tourism "product" of Bermuda is not and can never be limited to its hotels and guesthouses and entertainment so on: it is the heritage, the historical connections, the natural environment, the culture, the people and the character of Bermuda that make Bermuda a unique attraction.

Putting more of "Bermuda" in Bermuda tourism will keep visitors returning to the island for generations, but it will keep the future of Bermuda's tourism prosperity in the power and interest of those whose lives depend upon it most, namely, the people of Bermuda, now and for their future generations.

GRAHAM FAIELLA

London, UK

Turn this situation around

May 18, 2010

Dear Sir,

Once again the dictatorial mindset of Dr. Ewart Brown rears its ugly head with his plans for a Media Council in Bermuda and you don't even have to ask, "What is he thinking" because if you have any sense at all, you'll know. How in the world can he call this an "independent media council" which would consist of a majority of members appointed on his recommendation? If the sitting PLP members of the House allow this to go through, than they are exactly like he is parasitic dictators sucking the blood out of the public funds.

When Lucy Dalglish, executive director of the US-based Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, said: "Excuse me, but is this a joke? There are so many problems with this proposed legislation it makes my head swim" she was right! And if the average Joe Bloke Bermudian can't see this, then God help us! When is this man and his madness going to be stopped? What will it take to turn this drastic situation around? Do we continue to sit back and wait for someone "else" to do the dirty work? Or do we take the bull by the horns by standing up and taking our Island back before we are all making a $5 local call from hell because that is where Dr. Brown has taken us.

PAT FERGUSON

Warwick

Too many to honour

May 16, 2010

Dear Sir,

Dame Lois Browne-Evans again- National Heroes Day Nominee again. This is totally unfair. There are so many other heroes out there that deserve to be honoured. I would like to nominate a few of my heroes for consideration: Jack Lightbourn for the Beautiful shell collection he has left for Bermudians and visitors to enjoy. Ann Cartwright DeCouto for the fish pot ban saving our fish for future generations. Sir John Swan for his wonderful years being our Premier- a Premier who treated all the same and still greats me like a long-lost friend (though we only know each other by face).

Teddy Tucker for the shipwrecks he's found in the waters around Bermuda and the treasures and artefacts that he has left for us to enjoy and the knowledge he has given so that future generations can understand how it was in those early years of sailing the oceans. Dr. Ed Schultz for being the "best" doctor in Bermuda to know him is to know he cares about everyone no matter what colour or what kind of injury your health is his utmost concern and his care of you is exemplary.

Judy Clee for all the volunteer work she does educating Bermudians and visitors on whale watching trips and volunteering with the aquarium and various dive projects she is totally remarkable and so knowledgeable! Mike Hayward of the Explorer for knowing where to find the whales during whale watching season and being knowledgeable enough to educate us all and for not chasing the whales when at sea observing them. Dr. David Saul for not leaving Bermuda with a huge debt like the PLP have. William (Bill) Gillies for the restoration work he does on broken artefacts found at sea and for his wealth of knowledge that too few appreciate.

The late Elspeth Gibson her husband brought the first Steel Band to Bermuda and for all her work in various aspects of Tourism though an American Bermuda was her second home and she did so much for Bermuda — just ask anyone about her! Alan Paris who sailed around the world alone. That alone is a reason to be nominated as a National Hero, yet his accomplishment has been so down played. Bermuda did not want to buy his boat or set up any display at our museum about his trip. Mr. Paris educated and kept in touch with all the schoolchildren in Bermuda while he was sailing. He did in his own way give something back to Bermuda like all the above have done and are still doing these are the real heroes! Now that I have given you a small list of remarkable people it would be nice to see someone else get the nomination and I don't think they should have to be dead to get nominated.

UNHAPPY

Devonshire

Don't bury the problem

May 17, 2010

Dear Sir,

In response to "Take crime off Page 1", as a long time visitor I can say, leave this news on the front page! Only by The Royal Gazette keeping the problem out in front will it be dealt with. Do you really want your visitors conned into coming to your beautiful island which is currently under assault? No! Address this problem with the help of a bright focused light and return your paradise to what it was. No major problem is better addressed by shuffling it into the back pages.

JAMES A. TOLLEFSON

Middletown, Rhode Island