Circuses are cruel

December 13, 2002

Dear Sir,

I am appalled that the Government is to allow a circus with performing animals to visit the Island. I assume it is the Government who must give a licence for such to perform.

Due to the nature of our Island, the journey to reach here must be very stressful, even before enduring more performances. Consider that fear of punishment drives these exotic animals to perform their tricks. Consider the living conditions of the animals and what goes on behind the scenes.

Wild animals do not belong in circuses. They do not perform "tricks" in the wild and are forced into doing so in most circuses fearing punishment as the alternative.

It is particularly disturbing when in the past few years, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has cited the Tarzan Zerbini circus for failure to provide veterinary care and medical records and failure to maintain transport vehicles.

Many modern circuses have abolished animal acts and still provide family fun and entertainment.

Seeing animals perform tricks in captivity is neither educational nor inspirational for children. We need to promote the healthy incorporation of animals into family life, not more animals kept in cages. I urge readers to boycott going to see the circus and giving these cruel people more money.

ANIMAL LOVER

Warwick

Where's the plan?

December 16, 2002

Dear Sir,

In your editorial of December 14, 2002 you identify that the closing of Fair Haven's residential treatment programme signalled that Bermuda is not serious about drug and alcohol treatment. I disagree. Every Bermuda resident affected by alcohol and drug abuse is dependent upon the National Drug Commission to do the job they have been empowered to perform since 1993. The NDC has the mandate to write a National Plan, enforce standards of care by programmes and hold people and programmes accountable.

The question is how serious is the NDC? I understand that representatives of the Fair Haven board went to the chairman of the NDC in late November and presented a proposal that would leverage the underutilised resources of long term women's residential treatment and expand community alcohol and dug treatment services. This expansion plan included a reduction in the number of residential beds available to reflect the low number of women currently seeking residential treatment. The plan included the development of an intensive outpatient programme for both men and women, a quality assessment and case management service, recovery housing, addiction education and intervention services combined with aftercare and a family support programme.

Fair Haven offered to adapt their services utilising the abundant skills of their executive director . Unfortunately, the proposal was rejected. That essentially put Bermuda's women's residential treatment programme out of business and Bermuda has lost a very experienced and capable addiction programme manager.

I support the Fair Haven Board's decision to take the high road and close services rather than limp along and provide false hope under a non-existent National Plan and the absence of enforced standards of care for Bermuda residents suffering from alcohol and drug addiction. It demonstrates they are serious.

RECOVERY ON THE ROCK

Paget

Vicious cycle of bills

December 15, 2002

Dear Sir,

I write this letter just to reiterate the comments from "Mr. Staying A. Float" of St. George's, in his letter to the Editor dated December 4, 2002.

He is absolutely right. Low income housing is a definite must and getting tough is not necessarily the right approach as we do not have affordable housing in Bermuda. I have tried to get housing allowance but have been told that I generate too much income. I can't see this, so maybe Mr. Editor you can help me since I don't agree with the folks after at BHC.

After deductions my take home pay is approximately $2,300 per month, $1,400 of which I must give to my landlord who is there to collect on the first of the month without fail, thus never giving me a chance to fall into arrears. $431 goes towards my car payments, some may say well sell the car, I can't do this because my children have several after school activities that I have to collect them from, I have to go to the Laundromat, the grocery store and get to work thus setting this expense as a necessity because it would be absolutely futile to spend money that I don't have getting a taxi to and fro. After paying Mr. Belco $175 per month and Mr. Telco $125 per month I have approximately $169 left to feed and clothe my children and myself for the month, as well as pay for gas for my car and any other miscellaneous bills or expenses that I might have, i.e. outings at my children's school, donations of baked goods for school, etc.

I am left with absolutely nothing by the third of each month and anxiously await the first of the next month with my fingers crossed hoping that nothing happens in between, where that vicious pay out cycle begins all over again.

Mr. Editor, let me also mention that due to lack of funds I now find myself in debt. I have applied to the bank for a consolidated loan but have run against a stone wall and have been turned down because my accounts that I want to settle are seriously overdue. Let me also mention that at one time I was in a long term relationship and had assistance to cover everything and was never in debt.

My debt has not occurred because I want the biggest or best of everything as Mrs. Dora Whitecross, manager at BCA stated in today's article of the Royal Gazette as to why Bermudians find themselves in debt, nor has it occurred because I have a "who gives a damn attitude" towards paying my bills. Debt, just like being a single parent, occurs due to various factors. We can find ourselves in these situations due to death or divorce - not necessarily by choice!

I know that this letter will probably generate lot's of responses, both negative and positive but know this, Mr. Editor I live a very simple life, I haven't travelled for well over 5 years, and God knows I could do with a break from all the stress and sleepless nights that I have been having staying awake each night wondering how I can" rob Peter to pay Paul!" and now Christmas is approaching, what do I do, will my children and I have turkey or will we have soup and sandwiches? There definitely will be no Christmas tree or bright lights adorning my household this year.

I have absolutely nothing in the bank, I also know what it is like to go hungry just to make sure my children are fed, and I challenge anyone not to judge me until they have walked a mile in my shoes. Right now I am caught between a rock and a hard place, but each day I go to work with a smile on my face and deal with my co-workers and students who would never dream of the difficulties that I am going through because I don't take my problems with me where ever I go.

I am a firm believer that the Lord never gives us more than we can handle and I know that once I get over this little test that I am being put through everything will be back to the way it used to be. But for now I can that even though my house may not have that much in the way of material things I come from a household that is full of love and that is what keeps me going from day to day.

DOWN BUT NOT OUT

Warwick

Prejudiced for Bermuda

December 15, 2002

Dear Sir,

Congratulations PLP!

Well, Bermuda is finally beginning to embrace Caribbean culture! We now have drug wars, gang violence, gun problems and, Mr. DeVent, Bermudians and others living here seem to have "got attitude", just like you wanted!

Why is the PLP joining Caricom? I don't understand what advantage Bermuda has if we join a group of countries that, for the most part, are mired in a third world status. Why do you feel the need to impress those countries that have absolutely no influence on a global stage? Bermuda should be trying to impress the US, Britain and the EU. You can call me racist or prejudiced, and I would agree. I am prejudiced for Bermuda. Bermuda should take care of it's own problems first, and should not be trying to get involved with countries that are run by drug lords! What is the PLP thinking!?

IC

City of Hamilton

P.s. If the PLP wants to save money (a reason they quoted for joining Caricom), instead of spending nearly $400,000 on travel, why don't they just sleep at a motel when visiting the US? It's around $20 a night, plus you get breakfast!