[naviga:h3]Wishing the new party luck[/naviga:h3]

September 19, 2009

Dear Sir,

Opposition Leader Kim Swan recently stated that the UBP will "bounce back" ... Someone please tell him that the UBP ball is deflated – has been for a long time! All the air is gone! In my childhood, I never could get any bounce out of a ball that was airless, unless it was solid rubber. Let's face it, there is nothing solid about the UBP anymore! But this is not going to be an easy task and I think this initial "Band of Six" know that! But, they also realise that the remnants of the old DUBP (Dis-United Bermuda Party) are basically Dead In The Water! They also can plainly see that the PLP have lost a lot of support as well for very obvious reasons!

In fact, I believe 40 to 50 percent of Bermudians are extremely dissatisfied with both existing parties! So the question begs ... can a new, and I mean new, party, attract the right set of Bermudians – white, black, young and mature (I don't like to use Old) who have "The Right Stuff", are ethical, transparent and diligent, most importantly are prepared to give it their all and put Bermuda first and foremost.

Remember the old JFK quote: "Ask not what your country can do for you ... but what you can do for your country." There are a lot of missing pieces to the puzzle. Who is the leader going to be? Hopefully, someone who commands a lot of respect in the community from all "walks of Life"! Is there a charismatic and ethical "Diamond In The Rough" waiting to be found? Then, there is the party platform ... and the New Vision going forward etc. I wish them lots of luck in putting this all together ... I am an optimist, I think it can be done.

BRUCE MCCLARRON

Arizona

Not good for Bermuda

September 20, 2009

Dear Sir,

Let's talk about race and divide! We did have a huge divide prior to the 1960s, and it took a lot of work on race relations on both sides to eradicate it as much as possible. Bermuda and much the rest of the world have been dealing with race relations forever; many trying to better the relationships and increase equality of those discriminated against. In our beautiful Bermuda, we were making good progress … up until, and through the Alex Scott term. Then we got the great Ewart Brown heading the PLP and our Island … what happened?

Race relations and politics went backward some 40 years. Why? Because Ewart Brown needs to inflame and manipulate as many black people in Bermuda as he can. He needs to keep that divide. Race is an extremely strong emotion and if he can keep people of colour festering in the past he will control them as completely as any drug or dictator in history.

Even more importantly, he doesn't have to work on any solutions, and he doesn't have to actually do really anything for those he is supposed to represent. He can spend where and what he wants on his buddies, he can throw tidbits like festivals to the hordes, kind of like Marie Antoinette's idea of throwing her peasants cake, and no one, not his party, not his people, not the business sector, nor the "mother country" have the backbone or the conscience or the strength or the sincerity to stop this mess he is creating.

Bermuda in the past, should have been a model for the success of race relations. The biggest problem Bermuda has today is not the PLP or the UBP. It is in fact Ewart Brown …If you remove him, I strongly believe Bermuda will be a much better place. We will instantly remove the chaos he has instigated, and the racial stigma he wants, not to mention we would remove our purse from his greedy little fingers.

This Island could bring dignity and trust back for the Bermuda people and its inhabitants. Yes, we do tend to vote party, but I believe if Ewart Brown was removed, many white people would vote PLP. Many black people, believe, or are made to believe, that whites are totally put out by the black PLP government. Even though I cannot speak for an entire race, I can tell you, without doubt that most white people don't care what political party is in power. PLP in the past have been no worse and no better, in some cases, than the UBP.

For the last time…. We do not have a problem with the PLP or race, we have grave concern about Ewart Brown. He is simply not good for our island ... In fact … Ewart Brown (and a few others) will always be a part of the problem. They will never be a part of the solution!

YELLOW SHIRT

Paget

Hair follies

September 21, 2009

Dear Sir,

I noticed the three breakaway UBP MPs all had their heads shaven. Perhaps a new name for their party could be the BBP, the Bermuda Bald Party?

FACTUM EST

Paget

Historical note

September 18, 2009

Dear Sir,

was pleased to see the letter to the Editor by Mr. Alan L. Gordon on September 17, entitled "Minister Scott is a Hero". I do not wish to detract from the heroic work of my good friend the Hon. Michael Scott. He is one of the hardest working and sincerest Ministers in Government. I was however surprised that the original heroes of Bermuda Telecommunications were not mentioned, and perhaps Mr. Gordon is too young to know.

It was almost 20 years ago that the then Minister of Telecommunications, Dr. John Stubbs and his Technical Advisor/Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ted Pitman, travelled to Switzerland to seek slots in the Satellite Orbit from the International Telecommunications Commission. Their knowledge and negotiation skills were successful in getting two slots for Bermuda. As we now know, the Isle of Man was successful in getting one of those slots from us a few years ago. I know the Hon. Michael Scott will continue the good work that Dr. Stubbs and Mr. Ted Pitman started.

Dr. C. R. TERCEIRA

Somerset

For a few pieces of silver

September 20, 2009

Dear Sir,

I have just read your article on the increase of gun incidents. Who are these people? How did these weapons get on to the Island? Where is your water patrols? What is happening at the airport that these aren't being found? It is time for Bermuda to hunker down and get tough. List the "no bail, just jail" crimes and stick to what it says it is. No visitors except for their lawyer! One gun on the Island can do just as much damage as a bag of drugs, or perhaps more! When the drugs are gone the gun is still looking for victims.

You have sold several pieces of your heritage – the Bank of Bermuda – how do you like the expats now? The land! Flying in all you see are white roof tops – no green. How do you expect to breathe if you continue to cut down all the trees? I cried when I flew in on my last visit. I cannot believe the "powers that be" forsake all that is supposed to be held sacred just for a few pieces of silver! Shame on you!

MARGARET BRADY

Ontario

Gotcha!

September 16, 2009

Dear Sir,

A question for the driver of the bike who hit my car this afternoon on Front Street at the Bank of Bermuda, only to drive off. How hard do you think it is to find out who you are when I have your licence plate number?

HIT AND RUN

Southampton

Serving petty harassment

September 16, 2009

Dear Sir,

In a country where a grey haired man is shot in his own house, and a 17-year-old boy is murdered on Elbow Beach, Mikaela Pearman's article on the Roads Policing Unit, (September 15) gave us more insight than she probably intended. "There were 14 police bikes, a few cars, two paddy wagons and a truck. And Reserve Police joined the unit.

" 'Zero tolerance,' said the Inspector."

And for what? Seat belts. A personal safety issue to be sure, but a public threat? Speeding yes, but the three bikes doing 75 kph all got away, as did the guy who just sped past the roadblock. As usual, it's the bad guys they can't catch.

And the poor sucker who was stopped for too much tint? The Inspector was ready to impound his car on the spot. The Police periodically whine that they need the public's support in catching criminals. Perhaps if they took off their flak jackets, put away their guns, and joined us at Happy Hour rather than serving up petty harassment, we might be willing to talk to them.

DR BOB

Devonshire

Only time will tell...

September 17, 2009

Dear Sir,

I rolled my eyes when I read in today's paper that the Police have completed their security assessment of the four Uighurs. Most will agree that this a moot point 98 days after they arrived in the middle of the night. The next time we try to win Brownie points we should make sure that the appropriate people, including those charged with public safety, get the necessary information before, not after the fact. Of course security assessment was only one of the issues that were not resolved before their arrival. Only time will tell how we deal with the outstanding issues, including the possibility (or lack of due to current Immigration laws) of a permanent home for these four gentlemen.

KENT SMITH

St. George's