Putting children first

August 10, 2002

Dear Sir,

Having read the letter by "ducking stool" who suggested that children's interviews be video taped when the interview concerns accusations made either to protect, or as in many cases to abuse the child by falsely alleging that another parent or party is behaving in an improper manner. With the aim to remove that person from the child's life. I forward these points for consideration?

1. Ducking Stool states that the social workers who conduct interviews are biased in favour of the mother. This being the case, there should be in place an approved process including a list of questions. This would end the practice of wording questions in a manner set out to produce a particular answer.

Is it in the best interest of our children, for any child to, following an interview to tell their father that "the lady only wrote down what I said about you"? This type of discrimination perpetrated against any caring father is child abuse, and clearly the interviewer should be prosecuted for discrimination and for child abuse.

2. Children should not, as is the case, be taken to and from interviews by either parent as this pressures the child to please one party, or to be prepared as what to say or, even to be threatened. This is abuse.

3. No body! as in no body should have the power to remove a child from the love, care, affection and nurturing of any parent who is willing, able and has proved him or herself to be an assist to the raising of a child. Only in proven cases where a child's welfare would be jeopardised should a child be prevented from daily access from either parent.

To put an end to the numerous malicious false allegations, and to save thousands of tax dollars and police/caseworkers hours, all those found making false statements should be prosecuted and required to complete a course on the effects abusing children via false claims.

When a judge, caseworker, lawyer or parent makes recommendations or decisions to remove a child from the care and control of a good caring parent they are contravening the Convention of the Rights of a Child. This convention has been adopted by our Honourable Premier and the Government of Bermuda.

I quote from article 9: You [the child should not be separated from your parents unless it is for your own good.

From article 18: Both of your parents should be involved in bringing you up and they should do what is best for you.

EDDIE FISHER

Sandys Parish

Praise for a kind man

August 8, 2002

Dear Sir,

Would you please, allow me a little space in your newspaper to express my appreciation to a very kind young man:

A bus operator named Mr. A. W. Burchall. About two weeks ago I had the privilege of boarding Mr. Burchall's bus. Being an elderly person, it always takes a little longer for me to board. I do apologise, but Mr. Burchall will always lend a hand to make me comfortable.

Mr. Burchall is also very pleasant to our visitors, as you know, the tourist always has lots of questions....

They are answered in such a pleasant manner and Mr. Burchall always says to all his passengers 'Have a Good Day! There are still some very kind and polite people in this Island.

Mr. Burchall, I hope that you will always try your hardest to be kind and helpful. It is always a pleasure to be driving with you. Keep up the excellent work.

MRS. R. SMITH

What a waste of money

August 13, 2002

Dear Sir,

In times when we should all be showing fiscal restraint (watching those purse strings) could the management of the Bermuda Fire Service explain to this taxpayer the justification for the huge, and I mean huge, air-conditioned, tinted-window, pickup truck M2466 (painted white, so obviously not an emergency vehicle) other than a need to spend their appropriation before the end of the financial year. I notice the extra-width for the wide tires and presume that the vehicle has four wheel drive so that it may easily tackle the prairies. Maybe it is needed to traverse the Empire someone is building. (Maybe it's supposed to carry our secret service detail...my apologies to the Fire Service if that's the case).

TAXPAYER

Flatts

Artist should get the chop

August 10, 2002

Dear Sir,

Isn't it about time that the smart guy who calls himself a painter and really botched up (well that ain't the word I really want to use but), that tree at the junction of Serpentine Road and Pitts Bay Road be required to take that damn thing and put it in his own back yard. Who the hell told him that we residents of Pembroke West want to look at that thing everyday when we travel to and from work.

Enough is Enough.....Some art just can't be appreciated no matter where it is or who the painter is. Damn thing is so bright during the day and night that I ain't seen a tree frog a cockroach or a lizard on it since.

TREE FROG/LIZARD/COCKROACH

SYMPATHIZER

Pembroke

People are our best asset

August 12, 2002

Dear Sir,

I came around the corner on Middle Road at 35 kilometres per hour. The white truck behind me was, thankfully, not following too close. I realised my moped was wobbling (perhaps I was enjoying the scenery too much) and I was not going to make the next turn. I hit the wall. "xo#!!" was all I could think until golden eyes surrounded by golden skin and filled with concern filled my vision. "Excuse my language, I don't usually talk this way" I said. He helped me to stand. His companion, a broad shouldered capable young man directed traffic around me to prevent further disaster. Someone told my husband up ahead that his wife had crashed.

I remembered most the kindness and genuine goodness in the eyes of the two young men who stopped to help me. They had a first aid kit ready and they insisted I put antisceptic on my wounds. A taxi stopped and the driver took me to the hospital. I want so much to tell their mothers that they have raised fine young men and they should be proud of them today. They stopped today to pick a middle aged matron off the road and demonstrated gentleness and protectiveness and genuine caring. The taxi driver was so nice, he refused to let me pay him as he let me off at the ER. "It's my good deed for the day" he said.

In the Emergency Department I encountered efficient and extremely kind ladies who checked me in. A young and very competent physician confirmed by examination that I had not broken any bones. I commented to him how exceedingly kind everyone I'd met in Bermuda was. He reacted with an expression of whimsical surprise and asked me if we were discussing the same Bermuda. "Humph" I thought, "there is something interesting here, his perception is different then mine". Nurse Luke cleaned my wounds while I practiced my breathing to quell the stinging (they work for all kinds of pain besides childbirth), and we exchanged medical jokes. The outpatient coordinator made sure I had a taxi and gave me a hug goodby.

Bermuda, your treasure is your young men who stop to help a bothersome tourist off the road with gentleness and kindness. It is the families who raise sons like this. It is your daughters who work in the ER, the shops, and all the other jobs people toil at day in and out. Please don't ever think your treasure is your real estate or your business deals. It is your people.

God Bless You.

MARY TOTMAN MD

San Jose

Barn bathroom off limits

August 14, 2002

Dear Sir,

I am writing to you in regards to the new Barn in Devonshire that belongs to the Hospital Board.

It has been of great improvement compared to the old one and I would also like to add that it has air conditioning - which is great - a children's area to play and draw, also a lot of room to breathe might I add.

But there is one thing that really does not seem right; the fact that there is no bathroom that one can use. Or maybe I should rephrase that there is a bathroom, but only the staff are allowed to use it.

Last Saturday I went there with my children like I do every Saturday, and my daughter wanted to use the bathroom, but when I asked I was told no. It is not as if we go there every week and ask to use the bathroom but I feel it is pretty unfair that being a regular customer of theirs - and spending money each week there for a good cause might I add.

It would be interesting to know whose rule is it not to allow customers to use the bathroom, or have the staff made their own rule? One of the helpers understood my daughter's request but when she tried to ask for the key, she had just the same luck as myself. I feel young children especially should not been told they cannot use the bathroom, as in their little minds they may just look at that the wrong way. Also if an accident did occur, who would they ask to clean it up? The parent of course.

CONCERNED BARN SHOPPER

St. Davids.

Seeking a solution

August 14, 2002

Dear Sir,

Some years ago during some poorly forecast very heavy rain showers like those we have had lately I read an article which may explain them.

The theory is that these spells are produced by the enormous bonfires that consume the refuse from land clearance schemes in Central and South America. These fires can be so huge that they generate enough heat to carry particles of ash far above the earth where they reach and are carried by the prevailing winds which often blow in a northeasterly direction.

Eventually the ash cools and its particles become the cores around which rain drops form. When these get heavy enough they fall to earth in great rain storms.

The article was accompanied by a map showing a plume of rainy weather beginning in the Bermuda area and widening s it approaches Europe to cover much of Britain, France, Germany and Northern Italy.

Would any of your readers be able to confirm or deny that our present rain storms could have been produced in this way? Unless they are well understood they would be hard to forecast. Perhaps satellite surveillance could do it?

BARBARA HUNTER

Paget

I know I'm no coward

August 19 2002

Dear Sir,

Observer in a recent letter suggest that I be appointed Minister of Education because, "...after all he knows everything..." However, Observer must know that my outsized ego would consider the Minister of Education post a severe letdown.

Even he would have to agree that someone of my abilities deserves nothing less than the Premiership itself.

On a serious note, I must confess that there is at least one thing that I do not know and that is the identity of Observer.

Perhaps, like Observer, my life would have been a whole lot easier, if I, like him, offered my public comments under the unwashed cloak of anonymity; but on the other hand, I have never considered cowardice a virtue and I do not intend to start now!

ROLFE PATTON COMMISSIONG

City of Hamilton