September 10 , 2002

Dear Sir,

I am currently compiling an anthology of historical writing about Bermuda from the time of its discovery to the present.

The book will encompass all aspects of Bermuda's development economic, political and social and will draw on all types of material, for example, original historical documents, published work, government publications, fiction that relates to the colony and journalism about Bermuda.

The anthology will appeal to the general reader interested in Bermuda's past but will also, it is hoped, be of use in schools.

The book will be divided into chronological and thematic sections.

All entries will be introduced (e.g. by biographical sketches) and set in broad context.

It is also hoped that all entries will be drawn from sources that are available to the general reader (i.e. in a library, archive or location open for further public inquiry).

Naturally, I welcome suggestions of original documents, excerpts from published works or any other written account of Bermuda's heritage (e.g. speech, petition) that might significantly reflect on the colony's emergence as a community.

Please tell me why you feel the document is important and indicate where it can be obtained.

All suggestions will be acknowledged.

Duncan McDowall

Professor of History

Carleton University

Ottawa, Ontario

CANADA K1S 5B6

fax 1-613-520-2819

duncanmcdowall@hotmail.com

August 23, 2002

Dear Sir,

A friend of mine once told me how the prisoners in his country are treated.

He went on to explain how each prisoner had to wake up at 5 a.m. and go out into the fields and cultivate the banana trees.

Bananas were only food he had to eat.

Bananas for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

No visits, just work, work, work.

To me this is punishment.

I told my friend how the prisoners are treated here.

When I got through telling him about prison life in Bermuda, his reply was: “That is not punishment, it's the good life.

It costs the Bermudian taxpayer $40,000 a year to house and feed one prisoner.

Who is being punished, the taxpayer who at most times happens to be the victim?

Many times you see the accused and convicted man as he is being led away to the “paddy wagon” in hand cuffs, his laughing and waving all the way to prison.

Why?

Because he knows where he's going and the wonderful life he will be experiencing at the expense of the taxpayer.

A good life - no real punishment, which is why the crime rate is increasing rather than decreasing.

REHABILITATION IS A JOKE

Hamilton Parish

September 12, 2002

Dear Sir,

In today's paper is an article concerning a CedarBridge student sent home for wearing the ‘wrong kind' of black shoes.

I can certainly sympathise with that mother.

My son attends CedarBridge also.

I sent him to school on Tuesday in full school uniform - or so I thought.

Imagine my surprise when he was sent home being told that the hem on his school pants were ‘too thin.'

I'm still trying to figure that one out - can someone at CedarBridge please explain?

We as parents try to be supportive of our school, but the administration makes it very difficult when they run the school like a military camp.

I can certainly understand the need for discipline, but this Gestapo-like attitude goes too far.

One of the definitions of uniform is ‘an outfit that distinguishes the wearer as belonging to a particular group'.

You should be able to look at a CedarBridge student and see that they attend that school.

Therefore, missing ties, wrong-coloured shoes or pants - that I can understand.

The wrong style of shoe, and hems that are ‘too thin' - gimme a break!

It's not an exact science - you will never get the kids to be an exact clone of each other.

If that's the case the school should give us a list of approved places to make our purchases, including allowed brand names for shoes and bags, and a list of approved seamstresses to make alterations.

If this sounds ridiculous, maybe the administration will realise how ridiculous they seem to us.

Our kids are in school to learn and to be safe.

Maybe if the school took some of that energy they use in worrying about inconsequential things and actually placed it on teaching, our kids would get somewhere.

Hello, Mrs. Richards - are you listening?

BAFFLED PARENT

City of Hamilton

September 14, 2002

Dear Sir,

May I use your column to ask a question of the Bermudian public?

It is with a profound sense of stupefaction that I have to ask this question.

Has the judicial system in Bermuda lost all touch with common sense?

Daily we see reports in the local media of tourists being arrested, dragged through our courts, reprimanded and punished for possession of miniscule amounts of marijuana that were never intended for import into Bermuda.

This same nonsensical judicial system then gives probation to an admitted smuggler of heroin, cocaine and ecstasy!

I dare say that common sense seems to not be so common in Bermuda's laughable judicial system.

Bermuda claims to want to be in the tourism business yet we treat tourists caught with a couple of joints like miscreants.

These tourists will go home and tell all of their relatives and friends about their treatment and of Bermuda's Draconian marijuana laws.

How will the Department of Tourism fight all of this negative publicity?

In the rest of the world, authorities are lightening up on marijuana, but not in Bermuda.

We might as well kiss tourism good-bye if we don't rein in this misguided judicial enthusiasm in the prosecution (persecution) of marijuana possession charges.

The government of these islands need to get this situation under control before what little that is left of our tourism business is destroyed.

My bit of advice to the judiciary would be, go easy on soft drugs and tough on hard drugs.

SPANISH POINT VOTER

Pembroke

September 18, 2002

Dear Sir,

Hilary Soares' compassionate articles, calling for the Hospice to be out back on track, reflects Hilary's continuing commitment to loving and professionally trained care for each dying person.

Your editorial endorsement of Hilary's reasoning, as well as recognition of the Bermuda Hospitals Board difficult decisions regarding allocation of available trained personnel, is very much appreciated.

JAMES HUMPHREYS

Paget

September 18, 2002

Dear Sir,

I enjoyed reading the letter from Ross Eldridge to you on September 18.

It was very interesting and thought provoking.

I am however puzzled to see Boy George honoured as one of 100 greatest Britons.

How a six foot Irishman who wears lipstick qualified is a puzzle to this 5'8” Irishman who does not wear lipstick (except on his collar in the good old days).

If the Brits can make it official they are welcome to him.

If the talented MR. SHORTO does turn teacher let us hope he does so with more EQUANIMITY and BALANCE than he goes to the Middle East crises.

BILL COOK

Paget

September 10, 2002

Dear Sir,

Tony Blair's support for George Bush is muddying the waters.

His idealogical reasons are nothing to do with and are disguising the basic truths of the awful situation the world is in and is caused by the United States.

It is quite clear to me that the terrorists, freedom fighters in another language, ore trying to repulse this insistent attempt of America to Americanize the world.

Their insidious influences and sweeping materialism is anathema to much of the world unable to stop the strata of American society which is oblivious to the profound resentment they are causing.

Americans may think they stand taller and see further (Madeline Albright), but they are too young a nation to know what makes the old world tick.

The US way of life is not the envy of the world - most people would love more material comfort and security, but not at the cost of their values and relationships to the national world.

That the US has subjugated to its own wealth, and a nation of too many shallow, too powerful, self absorbed people is the result.

George Bush needs Iraq because he cannot face his own and his countries hollowness.

Tony Blair should be more careful.

A SHERWALL

Warwick

Thank you patrons

September 12, 2002

Dear Sir,

As chairman for the Committee of the 25 For Handicapped Children's Bargain Box, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our patrons who contribute so much to help with the needs of disabled children in our community.

Community involvement is celebrated in many different ways.

One of the most important contributions from the community comes to The Bargain Box, through donations of articles of all sorts that we sell to help raise funds to assist our children.

Many members of our community have been extremely generous in their donations and the committee is most grateful.

I would like to take this moment to ask members of the community to refrain from giving any electrical or electronic appliances, as we have found that the majority of these articles are non-functioning.

This creates a large quantity of refuse.

As a result, it costs The Bargain Box unnecessary funds to dispose of these articles.

This, in turn, counteracts our initiative to raise necessary funds that could otherwise be used to assist our disabled community.

Also, as a result of pilfering and vandalism of donation bags left at the front door, I would also request that bags of donations be left only at the back of the building when the gates are open.

Again, we would like to thank everyone for helping the Committee of 25 For Handicapped Children with our most treasured goal, our children.

BEA STOTT

The Bargain Box

Leave Childwatch alone

September 13, 2002

Dear Sir,

I am writing in reply to the letter by Margaret Dyer Foster who takes “bad aim” at the fathers of Childwatch, and their fight for children to be given equal access to both parents if willing and able.

When there are parents who don't wish to spend time with their children, it goes against common sense to attempt to attack the work of Childwatch, and the fathers that do desire involvement.

So obvious is the discrimination that a Government Minister has openly stated that the system is biased.

Most women agree [Mrs. Forster apart] that the system is in need of total overhaul in order for fathers to be encouraged in to the role of parent and not continually told they are no good.

When you tell people they are of no value, they often become what is expected of them, nothing.

Mrs. Forster signs her name and claims grandchildren, I too have grandchildren, but the big difference is I am prevented from seeing my grandchildren because of a mother now separated from my son [because of her infidelity you claim woman don't seem to have a problem with] and won't comply with court orders preventing the child having access to our side of the family.

I thank Childwatch for fighting for grandmothers in Bermuda so that they might enjoy their later years and, the children free from the ownership brand of mothershood that so many are allowed to get away with.

To Mrs. Forster I say enjoy your grandchildren, because I can't even see mine.

The next time you hug your grandchild think of me, and give a hug from me too.

You might want to consider other's before you damn people for fighting the discrimination, from which you don't suffer.

I would sign my name but, in the world I live in Mrs. Forster it would result in retaliation and being punished by a mother with holding child visits 24/7.

CHILD HOSTAGE RIGHT HERE IN BDA.

Pembroke