A deliberate ploy

October 25

Dear Sir,

I have finally figured it out. The reason that education is where it is today is because the PLP Government had every intention of putting it there and has every intention of keeping it there.

Why? So that when the public read and listen to the complete and utter garbage like this little gem, from our ruler in todays paper…

"Colonies, don't usually display national pride, independent countries do. National pride works in nations, until we get there we are not going to see the full expression of the Bermudian" … that they actually believe it!!

I along with Dr. Brown have witnessed the 'full expression of the Bermudian' during times of triumph like when the National Cricket Team returned from the World Cup; I along with Dr. Brown have witnessed the 'full expression of the Bermudian' in the wake of devastating natural disasters like Emily and Fabian; I along with Dr. Brown have witnessed the 'full expression of the Bermudian' in times of grief such as during the funeral of Dame Lois Brown Evans.

I along with Dr. Brown have witnessed the 'full expression of the Bermudian' on the world stage at the concert of Collie Budz. It would appear that although Dr. Brown has witnessed these events it is HE, and not my fellow Bermudians, who have failed to understand and comprehend the 'full expression of the Bermudian' and what it means to be Bermudian.

One has only to look at how Dr. Brown engages and entertains outside entities and foreigners, on Bermudian issues, to understand the lack of respect and understanding he has for being Bermudian.

In a recent news article he's telling a Bahamian conference of how Bermuda is ready to lead the way and ensure that an African Diaspora Heritage Trail moved from words to actions – great but we've heard no word from him of this here?

In September Dr. Brown engages Americans at a Washington DC conference about supporting independence for Bermuda – he's said nothing to Bermudians about debating the issue here. Further to this, every time he or his cabinet addresses the public on a problem lately it seems as if they're 'bringing in' someone from overseas to tell Bermudians what our problems are and how to fix them (and giving them lots of cash to do so).

Earlier in the year Dr. Brown was given a ruling by four Bermudian judges – but this pro independence leader runs to England looking for foreign judges to overturn these Bermudian judges rulings. It is very clear that Dr. Brown does not see the 'full expression of the Bermudian' because he is too busy looking elsewhere.

The PLP were handed a wonderful opportunity in 1998 to bring together every segment of this community to work together and instill National Pride in every Bermudian regardless of our colour, creed or religious beliefs; those who didn't conform would have been in the minority and left out of the social progress of this country.

Dr. Brown's ignorance of the Bermudian people has only furthered the divisions of the community by fostering an 'us against them' mentality in those who are easily bullied and manipulated.

I fully believe that Dr. Brown will force independence upon Bermuda as part of his 'scores to settle' policy and he has zero regard for whoever gets in the way of his agenda. This will do nothing except divide the country and it's people by causing instability and upheaval.

He preaches an 'it may get better approach' to independence but offers no reasoning or arguments except that 'it worked for (a resource rich) America 200 years ago' - laughable. Whatever happened to hoping for the best but preparing for the worst? What happens if it all goes wrong? What happens if IB and tourists leave and we have no money to feed ourselves, cloth ourselves, travel etc in the fashion we've grown accustomed?

There have been no logical and concrete reasonings and approaches to independence. The issue of Independence for this country and it's people is bigger than National Pride. National Pride can easily be achieved with a leader who can unite, educate and socially empower it's people to come together as one to be participants on the world stage from our small corner of it.

The issue of Indepenence is also bigger than any one man and his ego – surprising, I know but this is the 'full expression of the Bermudian'... see it yet?

EXPRESSED MYSELF

Hamilton

Frustrated parent

October 25

Dear Sir,

Thank you for allowing me space in your paper.

I have a 15-year-old daughter who has Dyslexia. She has been unable to get the help needed through our local school.

To spend four years in school and still she'd be unable to graduate! It's a pretty sad situation when you look at all the children who are failing in the system. If a child is being somewhat disruptive, not finishing homework or who just does not want to go to school, that child most likely has some sort of Learning Difficulty.

Our children are not getting screened early enough, and in some cases even when they do have Physo-educational Assessments they are not getting the help that they ACTUALLY need. I've gotten to the point that the only help for her is a school overseas, only this is at a cost of $32,000. a year!

I've been to the Ministry of Education a number of times, not to mention the phone calls, in order to get help. They say that they are not required to help!

She is 15, in grade 10 reading at grade 5, year after year she was sent to the next level, had some help but by no means was there enough. Most of these children are not lazy-they need HELP!!

In the US if a school is proven unable to help, funds are made available for that child to attend a special school. In the UK there are many options in the school system. At an Educational Forum a few weeks ago it was said that $19,000 was spent on each child per year to educate them, so with my child and MANY others no longer in the system-where is "their" money?

If it is proven that a child needs special help, then that money should be made available...wishful thinking I suppose! On the other hand, with so many children no longer in the public school system, it should be much better with all the (extra) money. Why in a country like Bermuda is the system so bad, they say that it is "law" that a child attends school until the age of 16, but in many cases are coming out without any real knowledge or even skills to work with? It seems as if they are set up to fail!

I and many others would like to see a scholarship fund set up so that children with learning difficulties can go to school. Would it not be a great investment for any large company in Bermuda, to think that in the end we'd have so many more skilled Bermudians in the workforce? Just an ordinary Mother, fighting for what I thought was rightfully my child's ... her Education!

I must say a heartfelt thanks to all the people who have come forward to help get my daughter off to school, we have been truly blessed by them-but unfortunately to date there are not enough funds. If anyone wishes to help, with funding or information I'd be extremely grateful. wendyl[AT]northrock.bm

WENDY

St David's

Ride a bus instead

October 27

Dear Sir,

For the information of C.K. Simons, who submitted a letter about the dangers of wearing seat belts, I would like to make a couple points.

Firstly, contrary to his belief, Police do not work according to quotas! That has been a myth perpetuated by disgruntled people who have been ticketed for what they perceive as minor offences. Another good myth is the elusive Christmas bonus - bah humbug.

Secondly, he equates his disagreement with a ticket he was issued and subsequent trial as 'standing up' for his rights. It is everyones right to go to court and plead not guilty and have a Magistrate or Judge decide on ones case. Taking advantage of ones rights would be a more appropriate description of what he did.

Thirdly, the misguided reasoning behind him not fastening his seat belt until he reaches third gear is quite laughable. He should confirm that he is talking about driving a normal car in Bermuda with a normal lap and shoulder belt. The difficulties he describes would make one think he is strapped into a Formula 1 car wearing a 5 point harness with a HANS device and full helmet. If in fact C.K. Simons finds it that difficult and 'dangerous' to drive whilst wearing a seat belt, perhaps he should ride a bike or enjoy public transportation.

SEAN MORRIS

Paget

About White privilege

October 26

Dear Sir,

Let's try to clear up some confusion when it comes to "white privilege".

Yes, persons of Portuguese extraction were discriminated against in Bermuda. However, this discrimination was based on nationality or class, not race. The animosity between the Portuguese and the English is well documented in history, as is the English/French, English/German, English/Irish conflicts.

So consider this: If two people felt discriminated against in Bermuda, one black and one Portuguese, and they both left Bermuda and emmigrated to Alabama, would they both receive equal treatment? What about Canada, England, France, Germany, South Africa, Nigeria, or any other country in this world?

White privilege extends beyond the borders of Bermuda. The world devalues people who are of African extraction and to close one's eyes to the privileged position of whites throughout the world is dishonest. This is in no way meant to demean the Portuguese contributions to Bermuda, only to set the record straight.

One may hide one's nationality, i.e. change one's name or accent, but it is somewhat difficult to change one's colour although many blacks have tried, and with a modicum of success.

And so, let us pray.

GATHA'S SON

Paget

Racial mudslinging

October 26

Dear Sir,

As an electioneering tool we are being treated to racial mudslinging. These words bear repeating.

"When you call yourself an Indian or a Muslim or a Christian or a European, or anything else, you are being violent. Do you see why it is violent? It is because you are separating yourself from the rest of mankind. When you separate yourself by belief, by nationality, by tradition, it breeds violence. So a man who is seeking to understand violence does not belong to any country, to any religion, to any political party or partial system; he is concerned with the total understanding of mankind.

~ J. Krishnamurthi

Oh that Bermuda could be set on the path of the total understanding of mankind, instead of backward looking and cheap party politics.

HOPING

Hamilton