January 12, 2009

HERE are a few thoughts in response to Sceptic's letter regarding Michael Winfield (Mid-Ocean News, January 9).

From the first sentence, I was puzzled as to what "Sceptic" thinks a campaign manager does. Words like "hatchet man" surely blur and slur the edges and take one's eye off the ball and onto something far more subjective and vitriolic. Loyalty to one's boss is, in my mind, a prerequisite for any employee. The rest of a very long and bitchy paragraph goes to prove my point that M. Winfield was a passionate and loyal supporter of John Swan and the United Bermuda Party, nothing more or less if you take out the venom.

M. Winfield's plans to try and put together a consortium to turn the Bermudiana Hotel into a business centre seems to be perfectly within his right as a free man.

Could it be that in those non-political years, he was growing alongside the rest of Bermuda, in wisdom and broader vision; something we should all aspire to do as we get older.

I was under the impression that it is our right to change our mind as often as we please and that if we don't exercise this right we become dangerously stuck in outmoded attitudes, fearful of change.

I think one of the most insightful and useful ways to bring people together is that they sit round a table without old baggage or at least with an eye to what that baggage contains.

Until we know that we are prejudiced we don't stand a chance at being intelligent about race or any other thing. In my limited knowledge of the "Big Conversation", it is to create a place for recycling the rubbish, (judgemental, prejudiced attitudes) and learning in the process. To quote Obama, it represents "The Audacity of Hope".

Oversimplified? I don't think so. Becoming self-aware can be quite a painful and windy route, much aided, however, by being surrounded by others on the same journey. Sceptic has shown his/her dark side so if he/she dares, would be the perfect example of what is needed in that recycle bin! Does this person dare to be just another human being, warts and all, to be humble?

Wasn't that what Scrooge learned in the end? What an unfortunate comparison Sceptic; have you listened to the ghosts of your Christmases Past?

If I was M. Winfield, I would be most astonished by Sceptic's assumption that I was an opportunist, in other words, had no motive other than self-promotion with no care for anyone else.

It can't be easy to commit to anything in public; "no-name's" nasty letter is proof of this, and for Michael Winfield to be prepared to open himself to Bermuda in what he sees as a positive, broadening and enlightening process, isn't in my mind opportunism, it is brave.

And unlike "Sceptic" he has put his name on something honourable.

My suggestion to Mr./Mrs Sceptic is to take a good long look in the mirror and if that fails, read his own article every morning and every night until he/she dares to face the bigot lurking there, only then would he/she be ready to assist change in Bermuda.

WENDY RODLEY

Somerset

January 12, 2009

HERE we go again! It's the new court building this time. Legitimate questions are asked about the spending of taxpayer's money and who is benefiting.

Dr. Brown seems not to like these questions and labels them as "Plantation Questions". Does he have something to hide as he should be happy to give an honest answer?

I am amazed that every thinking person in Bermuda is not extremely concerned about how wisely and honestly the tax dollar is being spent (especially after the scandals of Berkeley, The Housing Corporation and the Faith Based Tourism). Perhaps after the recession has begun to bite and the less wealthy are suffering, ordinary people will demand these answers. Obviously it would be better if we got the answers now.

DISGUSTED PLP SUPPORTER

January 10, 2009

I NOTED the words used by Dr. Ewart Brown when giving a reason for not holding a referendum on Independence for the island "I WOULD LOSE" .

This seems to say that the issue is all about Dr. Brown and not about the people of Bermuda.

Dr. Brown obviously is aware that the vast majority of the people on the island are against Independence because they know that it would only benefit greedy politicians. If Dr. Brown really believes that he will be able to brainwash a stupid population to vote for Independence, then he is insulting our wonderful smart people.

He stated that he found it was amazing that young people were so against Independence. Simple really! They have the most to lose!

Perhaps he should be less vain and selfish by holding a referendum to let the people decide. The talk of Independence is unsettling to International Business and a resolution is needed very soon.

CONCERNED VOTER