Cut the illogical thinking

Dear Sir,

Ref.: "Use of Statistics" — Letter to the Editor in The Royal Gazette, of Saturday, March 22, 2008 by Michael Hardy.

The writer, Michael Hardy of Smith's stated, in part . . . "I understand that your point of view is born out of personal experiences and a thorough knowledge of the persecution of blacks by whites."

My question with respect to the above quotation is: Mr. Hardy, will you please give us readers a brief summary of the specific details (or even some of the specific details) which led you to your stated "understanding" and, presumed acceptance of Dr. Hodgson's . . ." thorough knowledge of the persecution of blacks by whites"?

Mr. Hardy, your readers have been led by you to believe that you "understand". In the event that you do, it should not be difficult for you to recall several reliable examples from your memory. (If you cannot, then I will have little choice but to conclude that your stated "understanding" is merely 'pandering' and not "understanding" at all; with the result that regrettably, readers may mislead themselves into believing, once again, another bit of urban local myth. We all would be so much better off if we were to spend more time, effort, thought and talk on ways and means to raise positive thought to the highest possible levels in our mutual Bermudian interests.)

Next, you say . . ."I agree there are still too few executives and owners of Bermuda businesses. That needs to be addressed:.

Does it really need to be addressed? I wonder who "Addressed it" for Mr. Wendell Brown who owns and runs The Bermuda General Agency *BGA), The Phoenix Group of Stores, Brown & Co., Sunshine Gas Ltd., etc.?

Come on, cut the illogical thinking. Let us get real! To become successful, one usually, but not always, needs a good education, intelligence, a good to exceptional work-ethic and a lot of drive and ambition.

What is needed is belief fostered by oneself and others. What is not needed is reinforcement of negative thoughts by those whose agenda is only themselves. For example, 'I am being held back by white people and, perhaps by others', etc. They do not need that sort of 'tripe'; more of the same is often read and heard on a daily basis. Much of it deserves to be challenged but is not often challenged. As a result, before we know what has happened, it then often becomes "the truth". This leads to a negative downward spiral which risks setting us all, especially those who most need to be encouraged, off in a self-destructive direction so that, in the end, we all may suffer needlessly.

The truth is that every single one of us has, or can and will be held to find, opportunities to better himself or herself in Bermuda. No other place that I am aware of offers the opportunities to be found here for us all.

Success is a "no excuses" goal! Thoughts of "persecution" are very strong deterrents and impediments to the achieving of success and, needless to say, to appointments to Boards of Directors, to Corporate Promotion and to the favourable outcome of Job Applications, etc.

In fairness, your letter contained much which is of value but, how about clearing up some of the unclear thinking of yourself and some others? It would contribute greatly to encouraging people on a greater personal success. That is the way I see it.

AESOP

Pembroke

Who's next

March 17, 2008

Dear Sir,

It comes as no surprise to learn that now that Mr. Jim Butterfield is no longer a shareholder in the cement company and the new owners are in place that WEDCO has decided it is no longer necessary to take down the existing silos. There is much that has been said and much more that could be said about this whole affair. However I would like to make one or two observations.

Mr. Butterfield and the previous shareholders were very aware that a stable price of cement was vital to our island, and it is my understanding despite the distance from the suppliers the company was able, through prudent management, to keep the price under that of most islands in the Caribbean. Will the new owners be able and willing to do the same?

Secondly I am most surprised that generally speaking the Business Community did not come to the aid of Mr. Butterfield and his fellow shareholders, who were so obviously singled-out for unusual harassment and unjust treatment. The silence has been deafening. So how come the silos are now no longer a problem? How come the shares have not been opened up for a public offering? Etc. etc. And so it goes on.

Well all I can do is quote the following poem which has been quoted before on a number of occasions:-

They came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.

Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak for me.

Watch out my fellow Bermudians, next time it could be you.

MRS. R. DESILVA

City of Hamilton

All the traits

March 27, 2008

Dear Sir,

On January 5, 2005 I wrote a letter to The Royal Gazette as follows:

"When military juntas, dictatorships, or totalitarian regimes take over power they target certain parts of the democratic structure in order to retain absolute control and deny the people their rights.

The key objectives are: a) control of the armed forces; b) control of the police forces; c) control of the legal system; d) control of the media: e) corrupting the electoral process."

Although it does not seem to matter to the electorate in Bermuda, Ewart Brown, or his 'yes' men, have demonstrated all of the above traits and have moved to take absolute control of the police force, legal system, media, and the electoral process. Coupled with that we have sitting Ministers who encourage members of the public 'to run people off the island' and then lie and say that is not what they meant.

Sitting, unelected, a Minister who, using Mugabe tactics, run a perfectly legitimate business into the ground so as to force the owner out and pass it onto favoured clients at a knock down price. No wonder Ewart Brown needs the bully boy brigade to protect him. R.I.P. democracy in Bermuda.

PHIL CRACKNELL