January 19, 2004

Dear Sir,

Recently I had the unpleasant experience of having to explain why a Pitbull puppy was killed by the dog warden to a group of five- to ten-year-olds.

The kids had a lot of input as to what he could have did with the puppy instead of ending his life, which upset them and me deeply. Yes, we need a solution to the illegal breeding but why must the unfortunate animals already born have to die?

I am sure someone (family) would give those puppies or puppy a loving home. Pitbulls have been singled out unfairly. Yes, they could be vicious with training but so can a fox-terrier or Pomeranian.

I have a female, spayed Pitbull myself that doesn't have a vicious bone in her body in fact she's a real scaredy-cat (dog). Her only problem is her fanatical licking that's quite annoying. It's not the breed of dogs that are vicious it's the humans responsible for them. If anyone should be put to sleep, it should be them.

Mr. Cox's one regret

January 20, 2004

Dear Sir,

I too, wish to add my tribute to the many tributes being paid to the Honourable C. Eugene Cox, CBE, JP, MP Minister of Finance, our fallen hero.

Mr. Editor, to the PLP family Mr. Cox was our revered leader, our stable secure father figure, our calm, wise, fools rush in where the brave do not go, elder and our consummate PLP statesman. Roddy Burchall, chairman of the PLP, once said that Minister Cox never drove a GP. At first, I thought that this was a minor point. But no, Mr. Editor, that comment speaks volumes, that comment speaks mountains about the humility, common sense and lead by example genius of our finance man.

Mr. Editor, plenty has been said and written about Minister Cox's respected qualities, his integrity, his courage, his fairness, his honesty, his punctuality, his gentlemanlike character, his wisdom, his humility, his maturity, his loyalty, his steadfastness, his resoluteness, his Christly character etc., but not enough is said and written about the fact that as a black man with strong African features living in a racist Bermuda how difficult it must have been for him to firstly cultivate and then maintain those wonderful qualities throughout his entire personal and political life.

Do we truly realise how much he sacrificed and suffered for his people Mr. Editor? Not enough is said and written bout the fact that as a black man with black skin, kinky hair, big lips and broad nose how he not only fought against white supremacy and the white males' domination in Bermuda at the same time he had to prove to the uppity light-skinned black people that intellectually, culturally, socially and morally he was as good as they were.

Not enough is said about the fact that as an African man with strong African facial features how he fought unceasingly for his African people to liberate them from the shackles of British colonialism.

Perhaps the only real tragedy of Mr. Cox's life is the fact that although he "fought the good fight" he still died in a neo-colonialist British colony. His coffin should have never been draped in the Union Jack. His coffin should only have been draped with our own independent flag. Mr. Editor we must make sure, we must see to it that not one more of our valiant PLP leaders dies in this neo-colonialist British colony, or that their coffins are ever draped again in the Union Jack.

It is imperative Mr. Editor, that we actively, collectively and unceasingly work towards obtaining our own independence and our own flag. Not only as a tribute to Mr. Cox but as a tribute to all of our fallen heroes. Onward to independence Mr. Editor, so that all of our souls may finally rest in peace, onwards to our own independence Bermuda!

Soon come. Minister Cox, soon come...

In other words ...

January 13, 2004

Dear Sir,

I take great delight in paraphrasing Dr. Amenemhet Tamerry's recent letter regarding the appointment of Richard Ground as Bermuda's Chief Justice and his desire for a divorce from Britain. With a few variations:

"Mr. Alex Scott and his politicians misled the Bermuda public by politicising the idea that Britain had no right to be involved in the selection of a new Chief Justice of Bermuda. Then, Mr. Editor, Mr. Scott and his politicians had the audacity to politicise the idea that Britain was acting illegally, so tell me, Mr. Editor, what makes you think that Mr. Scott and his politicians would not mislead the Bermuda government as to the real reason why the BHC case has not come to court yet?

Finally, Mr. Editor, what makes you think that Mr. Scott and his politicians would not mislead the Bermudian public as to the real reason why the Berkeley School project is well behind schedule and that the cost overruns must be way beyond the $70m tender price. Mr. Editor they accomplished this by undemocratic means by dictatorially politicising the awarding of one of their own contracts, the Berkeley School project, to an unqualified contractor whose tender was more expensive than a qualified contractor.

Mr. Editor I am outraged, every Bermudian should be.

It appears to me Mr. Editor that the only way that we the Bermudian people can protect ourselves from this continuous PLP mistreatment and disrespect is by finally filing for divorce from the PLP once and for all, on the grounds that the PLP has been unfaithful.

Mr. Editor we know that to be true on numerous occasions, therefore, Mr. Editor I am instructing our Bermudian lawyers to file the necessary papers for divorce immediately so that we can finally be free of the PLP. Free to become the successful, independent and truthful nation that we are supposed to be."

Why I want to leave

January 6, 2004

Dear Sir,

I would like to thank "Have faith In Jehovah" for their reply to my letter "Get me outta here", "Have faith" tells me to rethink my words as regarding where I would find a country that is drug-free, crime-free, etc. I think 'Have Faith' misunderstood the gist of what I was saying, or, maybe I just did not explain myself properly.

I am not that naive to think that places that are 100 percent safe and perfect exist, but the problem that I have is that we in Bermuda seem not to properly address these matters, and instead worry about other more trivial things. Unless it has something to do with the almighty dollar, who cares? Every time we look a new law is passed looking at new ways to squeeze more money out of people who are already struggling and suffering. Look at the new seatbelt law. Besides the fact that God gave all of us something called 'free will' i.e. common sense, the government instead is looking at this, in my opinion, as a money making venture. If someone disobeys, why not set up a driving school and order that people attend and get educated about road safety ? if our welfare is really a heart? No, instead lets fine people two thousand bucks, and fatten the Government coffers.

Look at how many men appeared for mention in the courts yesterday. How many young men are in prison, sitting on the wall, selling drugs etc. For a tiny island such as ours? It's downright scary. In Bermuda these days, just looking at someone the wrong way can get you cut up. A friend of mine accidentally stepped on a guy's foot at a club, and he went ballistic and threatened to kill her! What's wrong with some of the young people in this country? Why so much frustration and hate?

You talk about problems overseas. Yes, they exist, but I would rather take my chances there than here. At least in the States you stand a chance to get something in life. I recently came back from looking at homes in the US. I saw 4,000-square-foot homes with a garage and pool for $250,000! What can $250,000 get me in my own country ? not even a piece of land! I travelled over a large area., and saw no wall-sitting or gang-banging ? just respectful people going about their lives.

In some places, the public schools are graded. If the school gets a failing grade, you can get vouchers from the government to send your children to private school ? can you imagine that happening here? No, because we keep burying our heads in the sand. To avoid accountability for the school system, the powers-that-be choose to blame parents ? if the kids fail, it must be their fault. You also talked about racism, and about how it is more blatant in some places overseas. So, you think it's better that people here keep their racism hidden ? do you think that makes it less dangerous, or that it won't affect anyone that way? Better the enemy that you can see, then at least you know where you stand!

Generous Bermuda

January 13, 2004

Dear Sir,

The Lions and Lioness Clubs were once again amazed at the generous response to their annual Share the Christmas Spirit project and would like to take this opportunity of thanking everyone who participated by donating food in the bins at the MarketPlace stores and students and parents donating grocery items through their schools.

Students from CedarBridge Academy did a magnificent job of covering our hamper boxes with Christmas wrap in a very short time and at very short notice. Well done guys!!

We held our annual in-store tag day on Saturday, November 29, and this brought in a total of $3,144.04. Special mention to Warwick Academy Leo Club who tagged one store for a whole day. Many thanks.

Our grateful thanks to all local businesses who contributed in any way, i.e. wrapping paper donation, advertising and food donations.

We were able to make up and deliver over 375 hampers to needy recipients this past Christmas season and we thank everyone for Sharing the Christmas Spirit.