March 27, 2003

Dear Sir,

I am seven years old and I am getting worried because ducks are crossing Lighthouse road from the Southampton Princess golf course.

So I would like to suggest that a sign be put up that says something like "slow, duck crossing." That way no one would run over them.

March 27, 2003

Dear Sir,

As Master of the tall ship I would like to give thanks for all the support we have received during our recent visit to Bermuda. is owned and operated by a US based organisation called the Jubilee Sailing Trust.

The JST aims to promote the integration between able-bodied and physically disabled people through the adventure of tall ship sailing. We are world leaders in our field - no other organisation has purpose designed and built tall ships, the and that are accessible to people with mixed physical abilities and no other organisation promotes integration in such a way. Integration of not only physical ability but of age, gender, culture and background.

The experience for crew members of living and working alongside one another builds up confidence and leads to a greater understanding of mutual abilities, needs, qualities, frustrations and interests which can help to break down the barriers of ignorance so often found in society at large.

The support we received in Bermuda was wonderful and we are most grateful to everyone who made our visit so welcoming and enjoyable. We had a very warm reception; great numbers of people were most interested in what the Jubilee Sailing Trust does for people, and it was particularly nice to see some Bermudians, both disabled and able bodied who had sailed in the over the past years or who had helped in the construction of the in England in 1999.

I would particularly like to mention the work done and the services provided by Brian Billings and the Chairman of the Bermuda Sailors' Home, Reverend David Addington, Manager Mr. Carson Bean and Manuel DePonte for organising transportation. And to Malcolm Kirkland of the Bermuda Sloop Foundation for his support and shared interest in sail training. I would also like to thank PCO Sean Pitcher of HM Customs, Scott Simmons and the watch keepers Martin Williams and Danny Little. At Harbour Radio, Mr. Lambert and all those involved at the Corporation of Hamilton for Dock facilities and security - Francis Richardson, Dockyard Superintendent and his engineering and electrical people. David Simmonds, Harbour Master and Barry Coupland and Keith Battersbee Director of Marine and Ports and Pilot Warden.

We had a wonderful time on the beautiful island of Bermuda and are very much looking forward to coming back next year.

March 28, 2003

Dear Sir,

Good day. In response to the declaring of UBP's Mark Pettingill as a candidate in Warwick North East, I was delighted to receive that news.

While no one in their right mind would suggest that PLP's Candidate Mr. Dale Butler has not served the constituency, it is to no avail.

The communication between Mr. Butler and the hierarchy of the PLP party is strained to say the least. While his intentions are honourable, if they are not supported by the leader of the PLP, it ends up being a Mexican stand-off, no one is benefiting.

We know that if Mr. Pettingill is the successful candidate, things will be done because Mr. Gibbons supports all of his candidates.

It is clear the he that he believes that it is alright to agree to disagree without fear of repercussions.

My hat of to the United Bermuda Party for staying true to the course.

My hope for the future is a United Bermuda Party Government, reason being they in the long run believe in a Bermuda for all.

There was a time I felt the PLP felt that way, they have proven that to be fallacy.

April 3, 2003

Dear Sir,

Please allow me a few lines to respond to Mr. George Gail's letter to you dated April 3. You are correct. Mr. Gail, when you say that Iraq isn't the only country that has weapons of mass destruction. You are right again in saying that America used them against Japan. What you don't know is why Harry Truman decided to use his weapons on Japan.

Those two bombs killed about 320,000 Japanese. As horrific as that is, the bombs actually saved lives. For the Allies to do a land invasion of Japan, they estimated 1.5 million casualties and probably 2-4 times that many Japanese casualties. Japan, at the time still had about a million men in arms and if you know anything about the Second World War, the Japanese usually fought until death. So to do a land invasion would have possibly killed or injured six million people.

I assume you are against the war and that is understandable. No one wants war, least of all the Americans. They really have nothing to gain from this, except young Americans coming home in body bags and a huge financial cost to boot.

After 9-11, things changed. America is very concerned that if a terrorist group gets hold of a major weapon, it will make 9-11 look like a picnic. I don't mean to diminish that horrendous act, but the numbers with a major chemical weapon could be catastrophic. Who's willing to take that chance?

America has helped give Bermudians a life free from tyranny and repression, with a roof over our heads and food on our tables. Think about it?

March 18, 2003

Dear Sir,

"Noise". It has the same etymological roots as "nausea".

Our very language has intertwined quietude with well-being. Surely, such a basic need must become a legal right to Bermudians just as the American constitution insures the right to 'deomestic tranquility' to its citizens. In this time of increasing violence, and even war, it's good to remember that truly civilised people have always treasured peace. The expression is not 'peace and noise', but 'peace and quite'. Once a year, we send our cards, the main sentiment of which is the desire for peace on Earth. It seems that good will towards men follows.

As a tourist destination, Bermuda's allure used to lie in her unspoilt beauty and tranquility. Peace was our bread and butter. So was quiet.

I remember the laws put into place to guard these precious resources being strictly enforced. For instance, 40 years ago, if a bike made too much noise, it was confiscated. Boys would be boys, and many of them came to school on foot till they could bail out their bikes. But on some level, we had a dim understanding that we were receiving our just deserts when we disobeyed the law and we suffered no ham on that account.

Why should today's kids (many of the grown men) be treated differently? The only effect would be in undermine their sense of community and their respect for the law. Of course they can have their pastimes - if they are not crimes. To go roaring around on scramblers and to play with model powerboats or cars in nature reserves is against the law. To condone such behaviour is like saying that anyone can enter a church and leap over the pews with boom boxes blaring. The reasons for prohibiting such behaviour in a church are self-evidence, perhaps not even governed by law.

We built churches in which to praise God, "the Creator of Earth" - a creation we have been systematically destroying until only the smallest pockets of it are left. For God's sake, let these vestiges remain a place of communion and solitude, a nursery for art and poetry, where families stroll and picnic, where nature lovers listen for a rustle in the leaves or what the wildlife that has stopped to rest after a thousand mile journey (as part of the true world-wide web!), and where curious children can develop a sense of wonder and worship.

Our humanity grew and blossomed out of the glory of this planet, certainly not from our own creation of the two-stroke engine (though sometimes I wonder). We must, MUST, stay in touch with our roots or else - as a four year-old could tell you - not just the blossom, but the whole tree soon dies.

In the meantime, the boys must pursue their pastimes in the proper designated areas.

April 3, 2003

Dear Sir,

After all the hoopla and excitement which surrounded the passing of the Children Amendment Act 2002, which removes the stigma associated with "illegitimate" children and which recognises that a mother and father are equally entitled to custody of their children, what one Earth has happened to it? No one seems to know.

My understanding is that it has been passed, it received the Royal assent on December 30, 2002 and it is now awaiting to be officially gazetted. Why is this process taking many months when the course of people's lives in Bermuda so heavily depend on its very important contents?

Please tell me that it is not gathering dust on some bureaucrat's desk with the risk of losing its opportunity to become an operative law in this very important election year.