Leading by example

November 3, 2007

Dear Sir,

We have heard a lot recently about who is best equipped and able to run the Island and lead us forward. It seems to me that leadership is best demonstrated by example.Illegal drugs are the scourge of our society and a root cause of many crimes and shattered families. It is significant that the UBP candidates, all of them, are routinely subject to surprise testing for any drugs and have always come up "clean". The tests are carried out by an independent agency, without warning, on a frequent basis and none of the candidates have ever resulted positive. They all volunteered to be tested in the first place as an open declaration of their determination to have a drug-free society.It is significant that the PLP, in spite of several invitations to do so, have repeatedly refused to join the scheme and to be tested themselves. What do they have to hide?WALK THE WALKSmith's Parish

Who is a tourist?

December 3, 2007

Dear Sir,

From Rome to Mecca, Portugal to Jerusalem, Sandys to St. David's, religious destinations call to pilgrims and spiritual leaders alike. So, during this silly season, each time I read or hear about 'Faith Based Tourism', I wonder when did Bermuda became a religious destination and what would the Lord do? Would the Lord take over the Ministry of Tourism post in Bermuda, give it to the facilitator of FBT and also make him head of marketing, or would the Lord be wise enough to know that if in 11 months, 1,500 people visited Bermuda because of the facilitator's faith motivated and inspired initiatives, he is surely guaranteed the job.So naturally, he is either a marketing genius and can bring a tourist to Bermuda at a lower cost per visitor without having to travel first-class overseas or hire a multinational advertising firm or go to China or Dubai, while the Ministry of Tourism spends several times as much per visitor. So let's thank the FBT facilitator who is moved like Jesus to do the Lord's work for Christians or whomever attends a FBT event. Maybe those fake Christians can go to the wailing wall at Berkeley or go climb Mount Parliament to confirm their faith. If not, we should use the three strikes rule. If a local attends a FBT event three times, are they automatically are considered a tourist?

SAM

Warwick

A note of thanks

Dear Sir,I write to thank you for your continued support in publicising homoeopathic medicine and other forms of effective healing here and abroad. As you will be aware, I was recently interviewed by a reporter and I spoke about the wonderful experience I had in Ghana, and that as a result, the clinic there has hired me on a full-time basis. Clearly this could not have been made possible without the generous donations of many, many Bermudians; some who made their donation in person and others anonymously. Regrettably, yesterday's article did not carry my total appreciation for the donations that have been received so far, and I feet that is very important to express. The funds will be used to maintain vehicles and other necessities that will allow us to travel to remote villages to practise medicine. A big 'thank you' to everyone that has made this possible and please look out for my updates; hopefully carried in the RG. Gratefully Yours,

MEL DUPRES

Bring back 977 service

December 3, 2007

Dear Sir,

We all know that, because of the reinsurance and financial industries, Bermuda is a world class business and hi-tech centre. However, there are several things which I find make this an incongruous perception:1. The local television channels present no local news from Friday night until Monday night, even when sporting events finish and there is time for local news. Lately we haven't even been able to find radio news on 89.1. Bermuda residents certainly deserve to be kept informed. 2. We lost our very popular weather report on 977 with no explanation. Tuning in to the TV for weather reports is very unsatisfactory for many of us. When you are in a hurry you always seem to be left watching the weather forecast from two days ago before getting to the present weather. And you must stop what you were doing and stand in front of the TV because there is no sound explanation. The same holds true with regard to going on the Internet (which many people don't have).I assume the telephone service was stopped to save money but perhaps someone would like to tell the public the reason and, if it is financial, just how much money has been saved. Is there any chance that the 977 service could be brought back? I know I'm not the only one who misses it.

LYNN DOYLES

Southampton

PLP need to be Opposition

December 2, 2007

Dear Sir,

Bermudians, please vote for your future and not from your past. Racism is destroying our island! It has been on the rise for the past several years propagated through scare tactics from our PLP leaders. How ironic that the PLP are accusing Sir John Swan of the very same methods when their whole campaign is based on fear of the dreaded white man. The UBP on the other hand, is basing their campaign on unity. Many young black men and women supporting the UBP have braved the criticism and ridicule which Jane Corriea is crying about to the press. These UBP supporters have been enduring it for years and have still managed to hold their course. The new UBP deserves a chance to form the next government and if they don't do a good job, they can just as easily be voted out again in the next election.The corruption, which everyone knows is going on, is so blatant that it is ruining our island and it's reputation. Our leaders should be accountable at every turn and demonstrate that they are never acting above the law. What hope is there for our children and grandchildren if this generation can't find people to govern our country with honesty and integrity and to humbly serve our island and ALL it's people? The PLP would do well to spend time in Opposition as they are very fragmented and there is so much internal fighting they really need some time to refocus. In closing, does anyone really think that the black (or multi-racial) members of the UBP would condone going backwards in time? Clearly it is time to give the new UBP a chance.

PAT HAYCOCK

Pembroke

Mothers must stand up

Dear Sir,

Before I begin let me just state to those whom it (sadly) matters; I am an educated Bermudian mother of two, and am of mixed racial background so I bare no racial allegiance to any particular party. My vote is based on the issues that matter to me most as a mother first, a woman second and a Bermudian third. I do not vote on emotion, although I grow more weary every day with the present Government but this is based on nothing less than my own educated reasoning.Firstly, when someone says something about you that is not true, would the Premier have us teach our children to turn around and spit venom at them with nasty words and expect others to rally around them in support? Or should we be teaching our children that if someone says something that is untrue about them, and it matters to them, then prove them wrong. If it doesn't matter to them and they are confident in who they are and what they stand for (a mother's wish for her child) then walk away and let your mature behaviour speak for itself. I believe it's called " take the high road." Mr. Premier we are waiting for the proof or that walk along the high road.Secondly, I appeal to all mothers out there. On December 18th, before you cast your vote, think about your children and the struggles you are facing to raise them. The Government would have us believe they are there to serve Bermudians first. Well, we are the ones expected to raise these Bermudians into healthy, productive citizens. Have our struggles been any less under their leadership? What have they offered to ease our burden? I don't need to hear about more "promises" of affordable housing for those who qualify under the BHC guidelines (although I support the cause). What about the rest of us who don't quite make that poverty level grade but are struggling nonetheless? The ones who are forced to choose between home ownership and private education. Where is the Bermuda where it should be every Bermudians' right to own an affordable house (without claiming complete poverty) and for our children to have access to affordable, good education? It's taken nine years for this Government to publicly recognise that we have a problem with our education system. Are you kidding me? I don't have time to wait another nine years for them to make a change. My child is entering the system now. Also where is the relief for mothers, who like me, spend over $300 on healthy, fresh groceries a week so as not to raise obese, unhealthy children likely to add to the increasing rate of diabetics on this island? We are trying to look after ours but who is looking after us? Lastly, mothers our issues aren't about race and are goal isn't to see this island divided along racial lines. We want our children to play together and grow together. We want and need a better Bermuda for our children and their children. We need to vote for those who are too young to vote but for whom our votes will affect the most. If we haven't been given what we need by the present Government then it is our duty, as providers for our children and caretakers of this island; their home, to give someone else a chance to make it better. Mothers and future mothers, on December 18 I implore you to stand up and be counted we owe it to our children; we owe it to ourselves and we owe it to Bermuda. Sincerely

FIONA (ROBERTS) LINESSandys

Thanks for support

November 25, 2007

Dear Sir,

We would like to thank all the kind people who donated to the Bermuda War Veterans Association on November 19 at Lindo's, Devonshire. Many thanks to Lindo's for their support.

BBILL & PEGGY ADAMS

Hamilton Parish

Vote UBP

December 1, 2007

Dear Sir,bodyletters

I refer to Mr. Wendell Hollis' letter of November 26. As he seems to be familiar with Joni Mitchell's music, he must know that she also sings:$"Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got till it's gone, they paved paradise and put up a parking lot."I guess in Bermuda's case paradise will be paved with Government cement.The singer/song writer James Blunt sings that "We all need a pantomime to remind us what is real." It is time to bring this pantomime to an end. On December 18 save paradise; vote UBP.

DAVID J DOYLE

Hamilton South

Keep it clean

December 2, 2007

Dear Sir,bodyletters

Recently I received an e-mail from Ewart Brown. I am not a supporter of the PLP and wonder how my e-mail address happened to appear on their list. I found the content most disturbing, insulting, and divisive. I would think if Dr. Brown wants to talk of 'long knives' that he should keep this for the Operating Room. Please lets keep nasty rhetoric out of all campaigning and have the run-up to the election clean, with honesty prevailing. May the best Party win.

STAUNCH UBP SUPPORTER

City of Hamilton

Frittering away the pursebodynoindent:

December 21, 2007

Dear Sir, bodyletters

In January this year a crew from Works and Engineering began replacing the fence which borders the Belmont Golf Course and Middle Road, they spent best part of a weekend putting in the upright posts and that was as far as they got! This weekend, almost one year later and just 17 days away from a General Election we have had a crew working much of Saturday and part of Sunday, presumably being paid lots of overtime in an attempt to complete the job. Just another small example of the way this government chooses to fritter away the public purse and no doubt an attempt to score "Brownie Points" in Constituency 26.

S. GARLAND

Warwick

Brown should show vision

December 1, 2007

Dear Sir,bodyletters

More than ten years ago, I chased a number of UBP members of parliament, party officers and administrators, suggesting to them that they promise to make Dale Butler the Minister of Education. But, they would let him sit in the PLP. I did the same before their second defeat a few years ago. Dale was, and still is, the best educator in Bermuda with no insult to Randy Horton. Would he have been a spy in the Cabinet? Should the Cabinet meet in secret, or have secrets?Bermuda will not produce many rocket scientists in the next one thousand years should it (as was the Third Reich and the British Empire) last that long. The "Race politics" played in Bermuda lessens our chance of having able members of parliament. I do not believe that the best from both sides could field a "Full Team".What were the PLPdoing, after finally gaining 'power', which should read 'responsibility', with Jennifer Smith holding the Minister of Education portfolio and then giving it to Paula Cox. What was the matter with Dale Butler the overwhelming choice of the community!Too large a part of the black community are semi-dysfunctional look at the performance of the young black male! Their dysfunction is a legacy of our past it is environmental, not genetic think about that! Education, and including parenting, is our only choice, and it cannot become a game of blame. Mr. Editor, you printed my letter inMay, 2007, after the UBP criticised the PLPon education. The PLPhas had nine years to deal with education the white community had 390 years and could not get it right.The Hon. Dr. Brown should show some of the vision he is capable of, and make Education (and Tourism, by the way) a bipartisan initiative it cannot be a 'political football'. You perhaps remember when BillClinton put a Republican in his Cabinet now that was vision! Dr. Brown show the community your talent.bodynoindent:

SANDERS FRITH-BROWN

Warwick

A clarification

Dear Sir,

You may remember about a week ago I wrote a letter entitled "Shut out of Facebook". Over the past week it has somehow made its way around the island on e-mail. Ifeel that Ineed to write this letter to make my views very clear and succinct.I first would like to address a letter which was submitted to IThe Royal Gazette$ on November 29th, 2007, entitled "Teach Economics". Let me first state to the Warwick supporter that my views in no way reflect my education at Saltus Grammar School. I was simply making it known what school I attended, as Ifelt Bermuda should know. It was stated that I should go to my school's administration and ask my Headmaster how International Business has helped his school and other schools in Bermuda. I do not deny that International Business has helped to boost Bermuda's economy, nor do I ignore the amount of jobs that it has offered to qualified Bermudians. If you correctly read my letter you would have seen that I said International Business was the best thing for Bermuda, but in disparity it was the worst. Meaning that InternationalBusiness has certainly helped Bermuda positively, but it has also attracted a couple of problems such as housing and transportation. There it is clear and simple.Secondly, I was told that maybe Saltus should offer an Economics course. I was very offended by this. To you, Warwick supporter, maybe you should visit my school's administration office and find out for yourself what courses are offered. You would be enlightened to know that Saltus does in fact offer an Economics course. Imyself am actually enrolled in the APEconomics course, and am very aware of how International Business has boosted Bermuda's economy. Lastly, I have over heard many comments about how articulate and well written the letter was. I have even heard some say that there is no way a teen could have written a letter of this calibre. To those who feel this way, I say to you look harder at our youth of Bermuda. Despite what some may think, we are a very complex and educated group of people, passionate in all that we do. We are the future, and you need not worry because you are in good hands.bodynoindent:

CONCERNED TEEN

Hamilton Parish