Why get into that position

May 8, 2008

Dear Sir,

I read the letter of G. Faiella in today's Royal Gazette regarding the article on April 28, 2008 by Mr. Reginald Burrows with interest. I accept his point that we are in considerably better condition to go it alone than other British Overseas Territories, but he fails to point out the main reasons why this country should not pursue Independence.

Firstly, International Business funds our financial budget more than any other industry at the moment, and they have made it abundantly clear that recourse with the laws and regulations of Great Britain and the European Market makes them feel comfortable. This way they can appeal to a higher order if they should need it. Why jeopardise this vital part of our economy?

Secondly, Bermudians love to travel, and we have been told that if we become Independent we will have to sacrifice our freedom to travel without special visas. At the moment our Bermuda passports take us to Europe and the US without problems, but according to an article in the London Sunday Times, travel regulations for foreigners wishing to enter the country are being made even more stringent.

Only those with British or European connections will be allowed to hold EU passports. It is more than likely that with no greater power behind us, we will lose our visa-free access to the United States, and the pre-customs clearance, which is a priceless privilege. It would also deprive our young people of higher education and work in Europe and the UK. Why put ourselves in this position?

Thirdly, there is the danger that our currency will be devalued. Remember what happened in Jamaica when they went independent, their money is now worth one tenth of what it was worth before. We should never forget that as long as the Queen's face is on our dollar bills it is worth something. I am not sure how the financial world would react to seeing our Premier's face on our currency. We are extremely lucky at the moment that our Bermuda dollar is tied to the US dollar. Long may it last.

Fourthly, we have been told that independence would enable government to replace our Auditor General with a government employee. Imagine Bermuda without the checks and balances that an independent auditor is responsible for. His work has been made difficult enough by this government as it is. Since the fear of independence is always simmering in the background, I enclose a letter from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office assuring us that Britain has no intention of imposing independence against the will of the people. May good sense prevail on this vitally important matter.

E. RABEN

Paget

We're not being pampered

May 15, 2008

Dear Sir,

Re: Margot Cox's Letter, I would just like to start off by saying that it is not appreciated that our parents were referred to as "whining". Our parents are trying very hard to change these exam times, to better suit our needs, for as we see it, it is very unhealthy to be up at such an hour, trying to write an exam that will stay with us for the rest of our lives. We are not allowed to resit most of our exams, and the majority of my year group, find it very hard to be concentrating at such an early hour; therefore, it could severely effect our grades. Also, it does not have to be this way.

There is a simple solution to this problem. the exam board needs to keep their students in the exam room until the given time period is up, instead of just letting them out when they are finished, which could be as soon as half an hour. We are not allowed to do this, so why should they? This would solve the problem. And also, the Asians do not even come into this curriculum. So please, before you criticise not only us, but our parents also, I think you should do your research.

If they also have a problem with their times, then maybe their parent teacher associations should get together and express their concern, as I would think they are. Right now, we are referring to our exams, in Bermuda, not in Asia, therefore; maybe if we could get our times changed, they would be able to do the same.

Yes, we "youngsters" are tough, however, we do not want to have our grades at risk, just because of the time we have to do our tests. We are not used to waking up so early, and we now have to change our sleep routine because of our GCSE's, which is quite hard at 15/16 years old. the exam board clearly is not keeping us in consideration when enforcing these new rules.

I would just like to say that you are not the student, who has to sit these exams, so please do not criticise us until you are. A good friend of mine lives on an island in St. Davids, would you be willing to wake up at around 3.30 or 4 a.m. to make her breakfast, take her on a boat, and then shuttle her to school every morning? Or would you be willing to offer up your house for a group of students to stay in? Because I noticed that was not mentioned. We are not being "pampered" as you call it. Our parents are only expressing their concern for us, and our grades which are now in jeopardy because of this silly change in regulations.

CHANTEL BARNSHAW

Warwick

P.s. Would you put the future of student's studies ahead of a story about birds? I would hope so.

Drug test all MPs

Dear Sir,

I read in today's issue of the Royal Gazette that Mr. Dale Butler, the Minister of Culture and Social Rehabilitation has launched a new anti-drug campaign. He is quoted as follows: "Our campaign entitled 'Stand Up' calls for each person in the community to stand up and be accountable for the successful reduction in the supply and demand for drugs on our Island." May I suggest that he kicks off his campaign by persuading his Parliamentary colleagues on the Government side of the House to 'Stand Up' and adopt a policy of random drug testing for all of its members as the Opposition has been doing for years.

A CONCERNED BERMUDIAN

Flatts

Seven aphorisms

May 13, 2008

Dear Sir,

1) He that is wicked, let him stay wicked for he shall be dragged by the power of the under tow and pulled away to the deep.

2) He who fills his head with other people's words will find no place, where he may put his own.

3) No man should bear false witness with lying words, nor lend his tongue to the support of the perjury of another

4) A stone thrown in anger, never kills a bird. For it is hateful to God.

5) A bad neighbour sees only what enters the house, not what goes from it.

6) Those who try to damage the character of another damages their own.

7) He who tells the truth is not well liked but he that is consistent of lying, to some is loved like a brother, they too are liars.

There are quite a few people that know just where I am coming from.

GEORGE BREMAR

Sandys

An act of pure self defence

May 17, 2008

Dear Sir,

I am appalled at the harsh sentence handed down to Andrina Smith for acting – in my opinion – in self-defence against an abusive man. It is quite clear to me that she had no intention of killing him, but after the brutal attack by this monster that left her bleeding and in pain, it is not surprising that she grabbed the first thing that came to hand to ward off her attacker.

It would have been impossible for her to aim a deliberate blow to his neck if she plunged the knife through a door, as alleged. She obviously could not see him, so how can this be a pre-meditated murder? In my opinion, this was an act of pure self defence against a very abusive man, and this time he did not get away with it. With an unjust eight-year sentence, what will become of the children? We have no one convicted for the murder of the Middleton girl walking free in the streets of Bermuda, and yet this woman acting in self-defence is given an eight-year prison term. I find it hard to believe that a jury of just Bermudians would come up with a guilty verdict without prompting. Where is the justice?

E. RABEN

Paget

Editor's Note: Ms Smith was convicted of manslaughter, not murder, which would have carried a longer sentence. Manslaughter is defined as the unintentional, but not accidental killing of a person. In addition, juries do not pass sentences on people convicted of crimes in Bermuda; judges do.

Do you believe justice was carried out in the Andrina Smith case?

Write to letters@royalgazette.bm with your opinion.

Will they lower prices?

May 21, 2008

Dear Sir,

Lindo's are certainly on the right track with their proposal about doing away with the brown bags, which is reminiscent of a number of years ago in the UK when everyone had to take their own carrier bag with them when they went to the store, but being of a somewhat cynical frame of mind the thought struck me that when they have eventually run out of the existing bags and therefor will be saving thousands of dollars by not having to buy any more, will they be lowering the prices on their food items?. Of course, this question is asked with "Tongue in cheek".

SEEING IT AS IT IS

Pembroke