Gazette did its job

September 24, 2009

Dear Sir,

The PLP works very hard to position The Royal Gazette as being the media wing of the UBP. Perversely, the UBP used to mete out the same disdain. This allows the parties to pretend that any critical reporting is just political posturing.

But a cold analysis shows the deceit in this approach. To survive, the media needs to sell news, not ideology. The public wants facts so they can make their own decisions. They won't plonk their dollar down to buy spin.

In fact, I would suggest The Royal Gazette has shaken the UBP through its reporting on the scale of the dissent and impasse, leading to the breakaway of several MPs and organisers into a new group, and hints from others that they wish to stand as independents.

That's hardly the behaviour of a "combined opposition" mouthpiece. It was pretty brutal treatment. And exactly the role that a free press should play. By revealing the facts, the media caused action. It broke the spin, and forced our so-called leaders to have to ponder what the community really wants in terms of leadership. It showed the reform that should have started in 1998.

So, thank you Bermuda media. May you long have an inquisitive mind, a measured voice, and few friends in power.

VOX

Paget

Advertising over-steps

September 29, 2009

Dear Sir,

Is it just me, or does anyone else out there feel it's inherently wrong for a person who sounds like a teenager to be voicing Arnold's grocery stores' radio ad, joyfully eulogising great bargains on "beer, wine, liquor and cigarettes"?

And on the subject of ads … why is Digicel allowed to assault our senses with staff antics along East Broadway during morning drive-ins? I thought we had restrictions on this type of over-the-top advertising in Bermuda. Outdoor public-service announcements using signage and people-props are one thing; surely shameless corporate promotion is another…?

JUST ASKING …

Paget

Bribery corrupts totally

September 26, 2009

Dear Sir,

The dangers of bribery are very real and very destructive, and has all sorts of evil fingers that ripple out and infect a wide area. I would have thought it needs to be taken very seriously by the judicial system.

For bribery to succeed, it is a temptation by the devil and embraced; for it to fail is a glimpse into man's innermost conscience of decency and denial, and they should inherit, The Kingdom of Heaven! A very dramatic statement, but bribery is the first seed that rots the whole and destroys the very essence of man's honour, a mysterious emotion that all men are born with, but sadly forsake.

Once bribery establishes a foot in the door, all things get corrupted, decent men, women, judges, Police, politicians, all are put to the fire. We have seen it in history and we see it again today.

Guard it with your life, for there is no greater reward than to deny corruption a place.

DIANA WILLIAMS

Pembroke

Premier, speak to us

September 30, 2009

Dear Sir,

I read with interest Dr. Brown's empassioned speech at Howard University recently upon his receiving an Honorary Law Doctorate. Without mentioning how someone who blatantly sidesteps the law whenever it clashes with his personal agenda is worthy of such an honour, which is a topic for another day (well I guess I just did mention it, didn't I), did Howard get the memo on the Uighur situation? Oh right, act of God, gotcha. I just wrote a personal note to myself: "Self, smuggling in former Guantanamo Bay citizens behind the backs of Bermudian citizens and Britain puts you on course to receive Honorary Law doctorate. End note." In all sincerity though, I commend the good doctor for an excellent delivery. Words of wisdom to be sure for Howard students to follow their dreams.

Moving on, I'm just curious, Mr. Premier, if at any point in time you intend to address the citizens of Bermuda on the issues of housing, race and increased crime with that same passion? Do you think your words of wisdom would be beneficial to Bermudian students, in the wilderness that is the Bermuda educational system? Just imagine how much better off we would be, if we had a Premier who delivered messages to our community with the same fervor.

Just a thought.....

RGP

Warwick

Thanks, ferry drivers

September 25, 2009

Dear Sir,

I wish to thank the ferry drivers.

It has been years now that I have been hoping the fast ferries would slow down in the harbour. Every time I wanted to get on my boat I had to look, check and listen for the next coming ferry or risk my life, and damage to my boat, trying to get on or off my boat from the wake they produce.

In the last month or so you drivers have slowed down for some reason and made my life so much easier, thank you.

I wish to make a suggestion to the marine authorities. Perhaps it would be a good idea now to have all boats do no more then ten knots in the harbour after dark. From Two Rock, Head of the Lane, Timlins Narrows and Belmont channels.

I live on the harbour and every night, boats go by without lights on. I find it amazing that we have not had more accidents. Why is everyone going so fast? If you do ten knots in the harbour, you can get anywhere in a very short time.

Please people make sure that your lights are working well when you go out on your boats at night.

GO SLOW

Pembroke

Questions for Premier

September 29, 2009

I read with interest Sen. Walton Brown's comments that he believes the demise of the UBP would be bad for Bermuda. I totally agree with him. We have already seen what a divided and ineffective opposition has done for the country. Now our elected officials do whatever they please without any or little consideration for the electorate.

Sen. Brown, could you ask your cousin the Premier the following questions:

Could he possibly allow some of the bigger government contracts to go to some of the smaller firms and maybe even some that acknowledge union representation?

Ask him why he did not attend Cup Match and the Labour Day March?

Ask him graciously if he could possibly give up his chef and one or two of his bodyguards as we are all trying to economise?

Ask him if he could possibly help the homeless by allocating a larger grant to the Salvation Army?

Ask him if he could assign smaller ships to Hamilton and St. George's on a more regular basis?

Ask him if he could make GPS optional for taxis?

Ask him if he could cut his travel expenses to a more reasonable level?

Ask him if he could spend a little more time on island ?

Ask him if he could keep a close eye on improving the public education system?

Ask him if he could increase the number of seniors enrolled in FutureCare?

Ask him if, after seeing the way the Gitmo Four got carte blanche entry into Bermuda, does it mean that all immigration applications will be handled in a similar manner?

Ask him if he is going to employ similar tactics in presenting bills to the House of Assembly, as he did with the Gaming Bill?

Ask him if he will meet regularly with the Governor to discuss ways to tackle the rising violent crime ?

Finally, on a personal request, if the Premier decides to go back to the Playboy Mansion, could he have a lottery so that I could have a chance to see first-hand how the taxpayers' money is being spent.

WINNING TICKET

Smith's