Politicians are different

July 26, 2009

Dear Sir,

One day a florist went to a barber for a haircut. After the cut, he asked about his bill, and the barber replied: "I cannot accept money from you, I'm doing community service this week." The florist was pleased and left the shop. When the barber went to open the shop the next morning, there was a "thank you" card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door. Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the barber again replied: "I cannot accept money from you, I'm doing community service this week." The cop was happy and left the shop. The next morning, when the barber went to open up, there was a "thank you" card and a dozen doughnuts waiting for him at the door.

Then, a Member of Parliament came in for a haircut, and when he went to pay his bill, the barber again replied: "I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week." The MP was very happy and left the shop. The next morning when the barber went to open up, there were a dozen MPs lined up, waiting for a free haircut. And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between the citizens of our country and the politicians who run it.

PETER BROMBY SR.

Paget

A heavy load to carry

July 29, 2009

Dear Sir,

A recent publication by the Department of Statistics reported that in 2008 the Bermuda public debt was seven percent of GDP, whilst the debt of others, such as the US (around 70 percent) was much higher. By implication this is not something we should be worried about even if, as was reported, the debt climbs to 10 percent of GDP at the end of 2009, or around $9,900 per resident. Note resident! but not all residents are Bermudian; indeed, of the approximately 62,000 resident population about 25 percent, or just over 15,000 are non-residents and are unlikely to bear the burden of interest payments or debt repayment in the years ahead.

Alas, the reported debt is but a fraction of the real debt. When you add what is owing to (or missing from), government sponsored pension funds the total amount of Bermuda Government debt should be alarming – at least to a five-year-old. The figures read as follows:

$ MILLION.

1. Government debt per 2009 budget 539

2. Deficit on Legislators' pension fund 10

3. Deficit on Civil Servants' pension fund 760

4. Deficit on Social Security Fund 1,774

5. Total Government Debt 3,083

Bad as this is, there is more red ink. As at March 31, 2008 the amount invested in foreign equities in the Legislators' and Civil Servants' pension funds came to $1.024 billion. Assuming a conservative loss in market value of 30 percent or so, there is a further $300 million debt to add to the $3.083 billion stated above.

Greybeards like me should not be worried, but children between five and 18 should be, not because there is no Santa Claus, but because they are the ones who will be shouldering the costs of the current government reckless spending. I say current because in 1990, government debt was next to zero.

Robbing the younger generation of around $3.4 billion is not something to be proud of, and where do you find pride in government these days – certainly not in the Cabinet Building.

The cost per Bermudian head is around $72,000 each ($3.4 billion divided by the Bermudian population of 47,000). That is some load to carry for a five-year old going to school.

Heavy? The current government thinks it all free! If it does cost real money, let's pass the debt along to our kids. We gotta get ours first. Let them find a way to pay our expenses. In the meantime, keep them dumb by messing up the educational system.

ROBERT STEWART

Smith's parish

Signs of the times

August 5, 2009

Dear Sir,

Over the past few years, there has been a proliferation of flyers, posters and adverts plastered all over our beautiful island. Even more annoying is the human advertising along the East Broadway and Trimingham Round a-bout, done mostly by Digicel! When is this going to stop? Not only is it distracting to the motoring public, it can be dangerous trying to read posters or signs while driving. Further, not everyone is interested in their functions. They should target their own clientele through legal avenues.

Now, scattered all over Bermuda are stand-up placard signs on sidewalks announcing the Mary J. Blige Concert. The latter is inconsiderate of those walkers or people who may have difficulty seeing at night, or are accustom to the sidewalks being unobstructed. Some of these signs are tattered and weather damaged and most are out of date., with some taped over each other. The offenders don't even come back to take them down! The Belco pole at the traffic stop in Paget looks terrible.

And, you wonder why we have all these illegal activities? It's because people are allowed to break the law and nothing is done about it! While this may be a small issue, it is a part of a bigger problem; the blatant disregard for our laws, perpetuated by those people who know better! This is an offence, so when are the Police going to do something? It's not like they can't find the offenders. Their names and phone numbers are on the advert. If the promoters want to advertise, then pay or place them in establishments who permit this type of stuff!

What is so amazing is that you've only heard people call in to the talk shows, but there is no action from the Police, the Parks Department, Belco, Greenrock, the Environment Ministry (oops, Government is also an offender) or KBB.

Just in case no one seems to know this Law, I have enclosed the "Prohibited Advertisements Act" for all those cheap Promoters and Organizations to read. We don't want your signs all around Bermuda, do your business elsewhere.

Title 20 Laws of Bermuda Item 9 1989 Revision 5

"Prohibited Advertisements Act"

Illuminated and other signs visible from street; sky- signs

3 (1) No person shall-

(a) erect upon, or fix to, or exhibit above, any land, any advertisement supported on or attached to, any post, pole, standard, framework or other support which;

(b) use or exhibit any kite, balloon, parachute or other similar device, employed wholly or in part for the purpose of any advertisement or announcement, over any land or street; or

(c) exhibit any flashing or illuminated sign which is, or any part of which, or the support of which, is visible against the sky from some point in any street or public way;

Removal of prohibited advertisements

9 (1) Any magistrate may on the complaint of any person issue a summons requiring the owner or occupier of any land upon or over which any advertisement prohibited by this Act is placed or exhibited to appear before him and to show cause why he should not take down or remove such advertisement, and on failure of any person so summoned to appear or to show cause as aforesaid, the magistrate may order such owner or occupier as aforesaid to take down or remove such advertisement within a specified time.

(2) In the event of his failure to comply with such order such owner or occupier commits an offence against this Act:

MS TROTT

Sandys

Deception …

July 28, 2009

Dear Sir,

This letter is intended to encourage of the youth and those that enforce Godly living. There's a verse in the Bible which states "Jesus loves all the little children" no matter what ethnic background they come from. This love lasts through out all generations and no generation is or will be excluded from Gods will for mankind. Even though we are all born into sin (the world) it doesn't mean that we have to continue to accept the worlds so called generation gap as an excuse for not serving God. Worldly standards and achievements aren't worth a thing if they aren't focused on Gods love and mercy. If you don't honour your mother and father your days will become filled with turmoil and on the other hand parents shouldn't provoke their children, but instead raise them in the way they should go. At all times we must love our neighbour as we love ourselves and hate the evil that one does and not the person for doing them. We are living in a time of deception so don't believe anything that you hear or see until you take the time out to study the Bible and compare Gods teachings to that of the worlds evil undermining deceptions. Last but not least we are created in God's image so don't allow any ones perception of the way you look give you complexes about any part of your body that doesn't seem to be accepted by this evil societies standards.

DESAI MARDEL JONES

Sandys

Is it his-story or her-story?

July 28, 2009

Dear Sir,

I hope I don't get whiplash after I stop shaking my head from the Media's updated version of who made the inscription in 1543 at Spanish Rock. It's said that within the last century the inscription was probably the result of a Portuguese vessel wrecked on the reefs on the way back from Santo Domingo. It's also said that it will be exactly 400 years ago this coming July that the English naval hero Sir George Somers and his men deliberately drove the Sea Venture onto Bermuda's reefs, landing the island's first 150 residents – and one dog – on our shores. You may be asking, what's the big deal and my answer would be absolutely nothing, because I really don't care. I just enjoy making a point and shaking up my surroundings. I've had the privilege to attend a couple of Quiz competitions at the Hamilton Princess and the winners may have to be reviewed due to this updated piece of his-story. How many other updates will affect your story and our student's history lessons? There is a life giving piece of history that will never change and that's Gods will for mankind. Let's come together and help our fellow man in the present, and stop trying to predict the future from your unsure past.

DESAI MARDEL JONES

Sandys

P.s. 1503 or 1511 — Spanish captain, Juan de Bermudez, spots the Islands which are eventually named after him. How can you possible show how unsure you are about dates in history? Maybe you should start off with a guest between two dates rather than a period of dates. It would make you at least sound convincing.

Mark of disrespect

July 30, 2009

Dear Sir,

St. George's has to be congratulated on the spectacular series of events that took place on our 400th anniversary, but there was one outstanding omission – our Premier was absent. I think that it is in extremely bad taste for the leader of our country to plan to be away during this historical event; in fact it is a slap in the face to all Bermudians and a mark of the highest disrespect. To make matters worse, the deputy premier was away also. According to Page 2 of Wednesday's Gazette, a Government spokesman told the Times that the timing of his trip abroad "was just a coincidence". Is our Premier so involved with his own agenda that had not noticed that this important event was planned for July 29, the day our Island was discovered 400 years ago? The Governor, Sir Richard Gozney, and our American Consul General were both there for the celebrations, and we had greetings from the Queen. I can quite understand that a woman of 83 feels that she cannot make the journey to be here to celebrate the occasion in the scorching summer heat, but she did send good wishes, which is more than can be said of our Premier.

E. RABEN

Paget

Conflicting appointments

July 30, 2009

Dear Sir,

I have a small amount of empathy for blacks who find it difficult to celebrate Bermuda 400 years, but only a little. It will, of course be seen as celebrating 400 years of white history, as many have not yet learned how to use history correctly, i.e. to learn from it, rather than allowing it to shape their every waking day instead.

So, the Premier had other things to do in his diary rather than head up the country at these events. It cannot be that he suddenly realised he had conflicting diary entries – after all, we have known for 400 years that this day would come. Ah, choices, choices – such a difficult one to make.

And all of this too, having just read Dr Hodgson's six thoughts towards "going forward", and me thinking we could give it a go. There again, maybe there should have been a Point 7 in her list? What about a basic human need like showing respect towards each other?

Without it, I don't see how Points 1-6 will get off the ground somehow.

SMITH'S