Good for Greaves

October 13, 2006

Dear Sir,

My wife and I visited your beautiful country last May aboard the cruise ship and we must say we fell in love with Bermuda.

Of course neither one of us would be inclined to beat the stuffing as ( Mr. Justice Greaves stated so well ) out of another fellow human being especially in a foreign country. Not a smart idea. But after reading your story it would seem the jerks that did this are definitely the type who would. They and the father have listened too long to our media and our school systems and believe you can do whatever you want as long as you say you?re sorry. Yes sir, that?s all you have to do here in America ... we eat apologies up so much now. Too many Americans just don?t think you should have to take any responsibility for your actions. I was so glad to read that in Bermuda you guys do! That you actually are punished for crimes. Wow!

Mr. Justice Greaves sounds like a man I would love to get to know and would love to have here in America. Think we can talk him into that? When he said: ?Did these men not know at the time they decided to assault a man that they were the sole providers of the household, that they had young children and if they got into trouble they could lose their job? Is that not a consideration that any right-thinking man would make??

I felt a tear come to my eye! We actually had a judge here in the states that would not sentence a child molester to prison because he was to short! Too short? So keep up the good work, keep Bermuda safe, clean and beautiful as it always has been and keep out or jail those ugly Americans! We will be back to you Bermuda for a Dark and Stormy soon!

Ugly Americans

October 19, 2006

Dear Sir,

I cannot say how much I support and agree with your justice system regarding the Donovan/Pontieri case. Actually, I envy your country?s fairness. These ?ugly Americans? are an embarrassment to me and my country.

Just this past May, we visited Bermuda for the fifth time, and I am thrilled to say we will again sail to your beautiful country in just a few days time!LESLIE ANN KILIAN

New York City

Don?t come to my door

October 14, 2006

Dear Sir,

My husband and I have been frequent visitors to Bermuda, and we read the Internet version of on a regular basis.

We have been following the story of the beating of Christopher Emanuel, and were pleased that the conviction of his attackers was upheld. One of the reasons we like to come to Bermuda is because we feel safe on your island. Bermudians are gracious and friendly people, and the brutal behaviour that Mr. Pontieri and Mr. Donovan displayed should not be tolerated in Bermuda (or anywhere else for that matter.)

If Mr. Donovan?s father wants to mount a one man campaign to boycott Bermuda because ?this is the way Bermudians treat tourists?, he?d better not knock on my door. Hopefully, I?ll be snorkelling at Horseshoe Bay when he drops by.

I am embarrassed

October 13, 2006

Dear Sir,

I heartily applaud Mr. Justice Greaves and his steadfastness in the punishment of this horrible behaviour.

I personally am embarrassed that these two men call themselves Americans. One can only hope that a few others will learn from the punishment rendered though sadly I doubt many will. It?s bad enough to have to deal with this type of person residing at home but it is absolutely horrific when these people leave their homes for other parts of the world and represent their country in such a bad light.

I sincerely hope the people of Bermuda realise that all Americans are not that way and that many of us feel that your sentence was fitting, if not even generous, with these two thugs. And as for the father, well we can see that the ?apple doesn?t fall far from the tree?.

Don?t come back

October 14, 2006

Dear Sir,

Please allow me the space to respond to Mr. Donovan Sr. in his threat to Bermuda in defence of his son Michael Donovan Jr. who with his friend Joseph Pontieri broke Bermuda law by causing grievous bodily harm to one Christopher Emanuel.

Sir, your son was a visitor to the Island of Bermuda and as such he is expected, no, it is incumbent upon him, to behave in a manor that shows respect and consideration toward one?s host. Bermuda is not the streets of New Jersey or New York where that display of arrogance and anger would have resulted in his arrest on the charge of aggravated battery.

The intent of your assult was to cause ?serious bodily injury?. That, Mr. Donovan, constitutes felony battery 3rd degree punishable by up to five years imprisonment.

Of course your Daddy Donovan Sr would have got you a lawyer and we would have had a plea deal. By your actions Mr. Donovan Sr., it explains the actions of your son. The fruit does not fall far from the tree.

In closing I would hope that Donovan and Pontieri after doing their well earned sentence leave Bermuda with instructions never to return to Bermuda, they will not be welcome. Mr. Donovan Sr., Bermudians are a polite and graceful people, as is their Island. I, sir, have been Americanised, so from me to you: ?You are not welcome back either.?