Ban the visors

June 17, 2010

Dear Sir,

How do Police and Government expect people to identify the gunmen when they are wearing visors on their helmets?

Nobody is going to be able to identify them because you can't see them. They should have been banned a long time ago! Almost all of the firearms fatalities involve gunmen with these visors on. Please ban them immediately or the shooting will continue and no one will face a court of law for these crimes.

My condolences to all of the families who have been affected by this spate of gun violence. The people of Bermuda mourn with you.

TIRED OF GUN VIOLENCE

Pembroke

Postcode mystery

June 11, 2010

Dear Sir,

Can anyone tell me where I live?

I had a call yesterday from an office in Hamilton to advise me that important documents they mailed to me had been returned due to "incorrect postcode".

I confirmed with them that the code in question was the one I understood was mine, thanks to the telephone directory pages marked "Page sponsored by the Bermuda Post Office".

I called my local post office and questioned the postmistress as to my correct postcode. She told me rather crossly that she did not know what my postcode was and suggested that I call back at a later time and address (no pun intended) the question to a mailman.

I decided instead to call Post Office HQ in Hamilton. A very jolly chap laughed merrily and assured me that he could not indeed advise me of my postcode. When I explained that I had lifted the code from the telephone directory he laughed heartily and assured me that those codes were incorrect!

Well, I guess that explains why my handsome new mailbox has stood empty these past months.

LOST IN LIMBO

St. George's

Against the draft

June 18, 2010

Dear Sir:

For some time I have been following the ongoing military draft issue in Bermuda without making any public comments. Recent developments have compelled me to air my views.

Let me preface my comments by stating that I am not against serving in the military, having volunteered to serve in the Bermuda Militia Artillery and the Bermuda Regiment in the '60s and '70s. I know and have seen or experienced first hand the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Examples of the good are the lessons taught or reinforced in self-discipline, timekeeping, neatness of dress, teamwork and development of leadership skills. Examples of the bad and the ugly are encouragement to drink alcoholic beverages (sometimes to excess), and the use of vulgarities and profanity, mainly by Non-Commissioned Officers in the discharge of their duties.

I have read and understand the position of the Privy Council in denying the appeal of Bermudians Against the Draft (BAD). Although there appeared to be sympathy for BAD's case, it was obvious the determination was that no Bermuda laws were broken. The question is, "Where do we go from here?"

The abolition of National Service took place in the UK in 1960. Bermuda is still an Overseas British Territory and is therefore subject to certain decisions and directives from the UK. An example is the position that the Bermuda Government faced in 1999 – either abolish Capital Punishment or an Order in Council would be made.

I am against the military draft in Bermuda in no uncertain terms. In my view, any law or policy that forces young men, or anyone for that matter, to alter their lives against their will for a minimum of three years, and for pay that amounts to a small gratuity, is wrong and could be classed as modern day slavery.

In these so called enlightened times, when a lot of attention is paid to human rights and equal rights, why is it that the UK does not issue the same ultimatum to Bermuda to end the draft as they did for Capital Punishment?

CHARLES H. JEFFERS

City of Hamilton

Remove the flyposters

June 11, 2010

Dear Sir,

It is now June 11, 2010 and I wonder just how long the latest "Docksider" advertising will be left on display on our utility poles?

As can be seen the Fairmont Southampton had an event on November 28 last year and their promotional flyers are still advertising this event, like the one underneath it that may have been from February 2009. I have no idea on the legality of this form of advertising in Bermuda but it lowers the tone of the Island to that of the inner city where utility poles are papered with generations of flyers glued, taped and stapled in place

Do the owners and managers of the Princess and other venues support this mess in pursuit of a few precious dollars? I know times are bad but desecrating our roadsides with your posters that are a year or more out of date is unforgivable. Ever heard of the press or television for advertising?

The Princess should hire the hustle truck team to clean the posters and their fixings off of every single utility pole in Bermuda and where the promoters of other flyers can still be read, they too should help to pay for the clean up.

As for Government, if there isn't one already in place, they should enact some law to make the promoters of these events pay for the complete removal of flyers and their fixings within 48 hours of an event's completion or pay $25 per pole for the hustle truck to do it for them.

FOR A CLEANER BERMUDA AGAIN

Pembroke

Tourism finished? No way!

June 11, 2010

Dear Sir,

To the wonderful people of Bermuda, to read comments that "tourism is finished" is so very wrong. Any realistic assessment of Bermuda would tell one and all that you have an island destination with awesome potential!

To think that building an Atlantis on Bermuda is a developer's dream and a no-go zone for families like my own that recognise Bermuda for the unique place that it is.

For me Bermuda is a relaxation zone,a special place to come and as young people say, simply chill.

Your wonderful people are just that! Wonderful. Charming and they exude a caring sentiment that we must never Hilton-ise or Ritz Carlton-ise. Why? Because given mutual respect, the Bermudian people are what will define Bermuda as a special place!

To spoil your tranquil shores with glass menageries and gaming tables is insanity. Market what you have and market it well.

Bermuda, you are a special and cherished refuge in the storm that is life for those of us on Wall Street, K Street, the Merchandise Mart and the rest of the nonsense.

That being said, you are also the "connected place" where busy people can spend two hours in your awesome water and close a deal on a patio overlooking Harrington Sound or the South Shore!

Bermuda must redefine tourism, and that being done, Bermuda will thrive long into the future.

Bermuda is "destination perfect"; easy to get to, easy to understand. And a pleasure to enjoy!

My apologies for being biased. I discovered Bermuda in 1968 at 12 and still remember the Breakers Beach Club, and today, years later, relish every lasting moment my family enjoy at The Reefs (26+ visits) and equally enjoy the great atmosphere at the Hog Penny and your fantastic Aquarium in Flatts when it rains. I could go on and on.

And to those who say "tourism is finished", I must very respectfully say that the best days for Bermuda are ahead!

And to the great people of Bermuda who read this simple letter, my deepest debt is to each and every one of you who have formulated my views of your nation.

To long passed Dorothy, at the bar at the Breakers Beach Club in 1968, to JJ at the door of the Reefs long ago to young David Dodwell and Stacy at the Reefs to Mr. Simmons and the fantastic guys who drive taxis on Island, each of you represent both the past and future of an island, a place a destination that is perfect.

May God bless everyone in Bermuda.

Tourism finished? No Way!

With the greatest respect,

THE LONG FAMILY

Washington DC