It's time to evolve

August 30, 2007

Dear Sir,

I am so sick of black this and white that. I was wondering if the people of mixed race (half of the Cabinet?) in Bermuda decided to categorise them selves as their other half, namely white, who would scream louder, "black" or "white"?) Both sets of screamers would be guilty of racial supremacy!

It is time we stop this foolish system of racial categories and realize that we are all members of the same species and that a thin layer of skin is not as important as the content of our character.

I am reminded of the urban myth of the young Jamaican man who confessed to be confused as to his identity.

He said:

In Jamaica I'm red

In the US I'm black

In Haiti I'm white

In Brazil I'm brown

What am I?

The distrust and disrespect the groups of humans have for each other in Bermuda is perpetuated by party politics in this little hamlet. Shakespeare wrote of feuds in Romeo and Juliet, and let us not forget those awful Hatfields and Mc Coys. Stupid pointless behavior. It is in the interest of the dividers to fan the flames of racism as sadly people think this is the way to win votes.

The Caribbean is moving towards integration but we cling to racism here, in the misguided belief that this way of thinking appeals to the young. The young live in a better world, with integrated schools, integrated cinemas and with many different coloured friends and these bitter old politicians continue to beat the same stale old drum. We cannot return to the past, we cannot predict the future but we must create the best possible today for ourselves and our fellow citizens.

Nelson Mandela forgave apartheid, George Wallace sought the black vote, why are we incapable of personal growth in Bermuda?

Come on Bermuda, evolve!

NOT EBONY, NOT IVORY, HUMAN

Pembroke

Why Police morale is low

August 29, 2007

Dear Sir,

a) Morale Problems Within the Police Service

b) Community Action Teams (CATs)

I am writing with regard to the above two subjects. Firstly concerning an article in the Mid Ocean News on August 17 entitled "Staff Demoralised by Police Changes" which had been brought about mainly by reducing staffing levels in Narcotics and CID. This was countered by comments in The Royal Gazette dated August 21 by Superintendent DeSilva who goes at length to say the low morale issue is form a minority of officers. I would suggest that if a properly conducted survey were to be carried out within the Police Department on the problems which affect morale, Supt. DeSilva would be in for a shock!

Secondly, I think it is fair to say that the major problems facing the Police today are drugs, burglary/theft, gang violence, anti-social behaviour — all of which are drug related, major disregard for the rules of the road by certain road users, and the list goes on. I cannot see what impact the CAT patrols will have on the crime/drug problems — will groups of Police officers patrolling in vans be in a position to solve burglaries or thefts or the cutting down on major drug importation through our ports and open shore line?

Of course there should be arrest for possession of minor amounts of drugs, drinking in public places, etc. Supt. DeSilva in his own words promised "This will mean more officers will be available to key locations at times such as in Hamilton on Friday and Saturday evenings, when there is increased activity around the bars and nightclubs." However, I am sure all the victims of crime in Bermuda, from Somerset to St. George's, who have been burgled, robbed or assaulted (most of the culprits are drug users), will be happy to know that the pool of Detectives, both CID and Narcotics, has been reduced in order to help fill CATs to make things safe around bars and nightclubs! I do hope however that the CATs find some time in their 12 hour shift to issue the odd ticket to drivers of loud vehicles and drivers who ignore every sign — stop sign, no overtaking sign, no parking sign, etc. Perhaps the Superintendent might produce some statistics in three months' time for the public's perusal.

Finally, I would say it is ridiculous to reduce the manpower of two of the most important departments in the Police Service. These are the officers who carry out all the major investigations, enquiries and interviews, complete the files and normally end up with their case in Supreme Court. Most of them have received overseas training and have many years of experience behind them. To stick this type of Officer in a van for 12 hours whilst the crime rate soars is farcical.

RETIRED POLICE OFFICER

Sandys

Remarkable similarities

August 30, 2007

Dear Sir,

St. George's Deputy Mayor Bascome needs to relax in regards to the Canadian Consular warning about Bermuda. It has nothing to do with the Rebecca Middleton tragedy and everything to do with Canada's current government depending on American sources.

Please find the American Consular travel warning in regards to Bermuda. The two advisories could mistakenly be perceived as being written by the same person, if we didn't know the Canadian warning was plagiarised:

CRIME: Bermuda has a moderate but growing crime rate. Examples of common crimes include theft of unattended baggage and items from rental motorbikes, purse snatching (often perpetrated against pedestrians by thieves riding motorbikes), mugging, and theft from hotel rooms. Valuables left in hotel rooms (occupied and unoccupied) or left unattended in public areas are vulnerable to theft.

The Consulate regularly receives reports of thefts of money, valuables, and passports and advises that travelers keep their hotel windows and doors locked at all times.

Criminals often target transportation systems and popular tourist attractions.

Travellers should exercise caution when walking after dark or visiting out-of-the-way places on the island, as they can be vulnerable to theft and sexual assault, and because narrow and dark roadways can contribute to accidents.

There have been incidents of sexual assault and acquaintance rape, and the use of "date rape" drugs such as Rohypnol has been reported in the media and confirmed by local authorities; one local advocacy group reports an increase in reporting the use of these drugs and accompanying sexual assault.

Travellers should also note an increase in gang presence in Bermuda and should take regular precautions to avoid confrontation.

The back streets of Hamilton are often the setting for nighttime assaults, particularly after the bars close.

RAYMOND TRAFFORD

Elora, Ontario

Keep Bermuda beautiful

August 23, 2007

Dear Sir,

Recently, on my drive to Hamilton from the west end, I have noticed that many of the poles are littered with advertising for various shows upcoming (and past).

Maybe promoters of these functions are not aware that there is a law in place which prohibits this form of advertising (see Laws of Bermuda online, Title 20, Item 9). There is also a $720 fine for a continuing offence and a further fine of $144 for every day during which the offence continues.

I have a few problems with the placement of such posters, apart from the legality aspect: — they are unsightly, as this is not a vision common to Bermuda; they are inconvenient (not too many people are going to stop their vehicle in the middle of the road to see what it says); you never see them go up and it seems that no one comes back to take them down, so they become weather-worn, ripped and faded. If they are eventually removed (probably by someone putting up a new one), the bands of masking tape remain. Not a very pleasant sight. I happened to travel to the east end recently and witnessed the same thing.

There are various other avenues for the convenient placement of advertising material (and not on my car windshield, I might add!). I hope that any promoter currently engaging in this practice will stop and Keep Bermuda Beautiful. I would also encourage a social responsibility announcement be made so that everyone is aware of the rules surrounding advertising on the island.

TRYING TO KBB

Warwick

Infrastructure meltdown

August 30,2007

Dear Sir,

The infrastructure of Bermuda is going through a severe meltdown. Our roadways are turning into obstacle courses with potholes the size of the Grand Canyon, appearing after any serious rain. Roadsigns are hidden by overgrown hedges, and when not hidden, they have been hit by these huge trucks and turned to face the wrong direction. Surely someone in W&E must see all of this but nothing is ever done about it.

A supervisor at the refuse facility a few weeks ago asked for us to make sure that refuse was in place 7.30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays. Why should you put the refuse in place when it is not collected until the following evening ,if then? The people of Bermuda deserve better service than this, and the Minister in charge of this service should be looking at the problem and finding the fix.

It seems that with each successive Postmaster General, the postal delivery service slows down. Therefore when the next person takes this post we will have no delivery at all. When a letter from Papua New Guinea arrives before one posted in Devonshire to a Hamilton P.O.Box, then we have a problem. If only all of the energy being expended by those V.I.P.s, all fighting to get in line for Tiger Woods, could be diverted to more pressing problems, we would be better served.

BILL NEARON

Pembroke