Disillusioned with BIC

March 24, 2005

Dear Sir,

I must add my voice to Peter Forster's letter copied to you and published in your March 23 edition.

First, the venues for the meetings scheduled from March 24 to the 31 are totally inappropriate if the real objective is to have an independent body obtain the views of a cross section of Bermuda's peoples.

It is fair to have the workingman included but not to the point of the exclusion of those who feel uncomfortable attending a meeting at a workingman's club. Also and probably more important is that it would appear most inappropriate to hold meetings at venues where alcohol is served.

Surely a government appointed body would take better care and consideration in making their choices for these venues. Lastly this commission's advertisement in today's paper invites us to visit their web site: www.bermudaindependencecommission.bm. This site is not available on the web at the time of writing so the commission was also getting into false advertising.

I am getting more and more disillusioned with BIC who I thought originally was intended for all but clearly they have been given their mandate and are doing what they can to ensure that what is perceived is a general bent for independence when in reality, if they were to conduct their affairs in an admirable way would find that the general opinion is quite the reverse!

It is a very emotional topic and we are owed the right to self determination with one man one vote in a referendum.

W. H. (COTTY) OUTERBRIDGE

City of Hamilton

Editor's Note: The website is now operating.

Disgusted by homophobia

March 18, 2005

Dear Sir,

On Sunday, March 13, my partner and I, both male, took a bus ride around this beautiful island.

We were seated on the bus admiring the picturesque views and behaving in an appropriate manner for any couple on a public vehicle. Suddenly from the back of the bus came a volley of homophobic abuse toward ourselves. The language was disgusting, the F-word and the popular “faggot” term were clearly audible to all on the bus. This continued until the two people - a young Bermudian man and woman - alighted from the bus. From the outside of the bus further various threats of violence were directed to my partner and I. The reaction of the other passengers and the driver varied from, completely ignoring the foul language, to smiling and thus silently advocating this behaviour.

I have travelled many times on public transport here in Bermuda and have seen people be admonished and told off for issuing profanities, thus I thought that it was unacceptable behaviour. Unfortunately I now know that threats to gay couples seem to be an accepted part of Bermudian culture. Shame on you all. Have you learned nothing from the days of racism? My partner and I felt completely isolated and threatened on this horrible trip.

CHARLES AND JACK

Hamilton Parish

Preserve Island heritage

March 28, 2005

Dear Sir,

While reading The Royal Gazette, as I often do, I see that my mother and I are not the only long-term visitors who see the unfortunate changes that Bermuda is undergoing. I echo Tom Coyle's opinion (March 23) that closing the Trimingham/Smith's stores is like an ‘end to an era' but I also see other changes to the island.

I have been enjoying your beautiful island since the early 1970s as a little girl. Now in my mid-30s, I still visit the island every year but can see that foreigners are having a negative impact on Bermuda - ranging from residency to retail. Bermuda has always been a proud island and the people of Bermuda are very proud, as they should be, of this paradise. But with foreign retail infiltrating (at a rapid pace) and crime increasing from those that do not share in Bermuda's pride, I see the Island losing its tourism niche. I urge the Government of Bermuda to re-examine its laws and/or policies on allowing foreigners to enter, reside, and destroy Bermuda's heritage and reputation.

I recognise that times must change and that Bermuda is in need of foreign dollars but I am hopeful that the decision makers also recognise the importance of preserving Bermuda's proud heritage while obtaining those foreign dollars. Thank you for your time and have a Bermudaful Day!

JUANITA SHARPER

Glenolden, Pennsylvania

Turn down the volume!

March 23, 2005

Dear Sir,

Bottom Line! Too much loud music,noise etc. plus young children = a high chance that child could go deaf.

If a so-called adult feels it's necessary to over-rev their car or play really loud music (which is really unnecessary) think about the child before you start. This letter isn't to bring down anybody but,to make them think more (hopefully).

THINK ABOUT THE CHILD FIRST

Pembroke

Chained to the Rock

March 22, 2005

Dear Sir,

Years ago, before Bermudians were accorded British Passports with the ability to live and work anywhere in the Euro Zone, letters to the editor were frequently captioned “Chained to the Rock”.

Should Mr. Scott prevail in his quest for independence without a referendum British Passports and the attendant benefits will be rescinded and I fear we will once again see letters so captioned.

PAGET XPAT

Mis-education system

March 28, 2005

Dear Sir,

When reading the full-page advertisement containing the speech (entitled “Educating Our parents: One Family at a Time”) of the Minister of Education in today's Royal Gazette, I was initially impressed by the number of programmes and initiatives spearheaded by the “caring” Ministry of Education despite the fact that they were described in that hideous touchy-feely therapeutic language so common on TV shows.

It was not until I put down my rose-coloured spectacles that I realised the Minister was speaking about our current system of mis-education. Only a few weeks ago, the Press were lamenting that the Ministry had produced a large of number of children who had spent around ten years in public school but had not managed to read, count, or have a rudimentary understanding of such basics as history and geography.

This was also the same Minister who, about one year ago, had tried to prevent children from attending St George's Primary School because it had been too successful in educating its charges compared to other schools in the area. I might also mention that the Bermuda College fired Dr O'Connell a successful teacher of mathematics for 29 years, and promoted a fraudster to run computer education for the Island.

It really is astonishing that huge sums of public money are spent on self-congratulatory advertisements boosting the egos of a Ministry that for many years has failed too many young Bermudians.

It is appropriate to mention that many public school teachers and officials send their own children to private school. Unfortunately, I do not have the figures to hand as the Ministry of Education does not keep such a tally, although it is reasonable to expect that they should and that such figures should be made available to the public who pay their salaries - and the cost of full-page advertisements.

ROBERT STEWART

Smith's Parish

That's the way to travel!

March 28, 2005

Dear Sir,

The majority of us here in Bermuda will never have the chance to fly on a private jet. The only way that I can see it happening, is to be accused of a firearm offence, leave the island and then be returned in a private jet all paid for by the Government. Then you have the luxury of being housed in the most elaborate maximum security facility, no work to perform, and three squares a day.

I do hope that the Commissioner is able to strike another one of deals with the private jet company, in order that the Jamaican officers that travelled with this gentleman, are not traumatised by having to get home on a commercial carrier.

BILL NEARON

Pembroke

Finding a scapegoat

March 28, 2005

Dear Sir,

In his Bermuda Sun column on March 21, Stuart Hayward attributes the breakdown in social order to overcrowding.

Bermuda has a population density of 3,000 people per square mile. Hong Kong has a population density of 17,500 per square mile, almost three times denser than Bermuda. Yet there is little social unrest in Hong Kong.

I see no connection whatsoever between the population density and the torching of the buses on the weekend. Isn't it time we accepted responsibility for our problems instead of always looking for a scapegoat?

PAGET XPAT

Apology for error

March 29, 2005

Dear Sir,

An article written by me appeared in The Royal Gazette on March 27, 2005, entitled “The truth shall set you free”, in which I stated that three priests were considered for St. Mark's Parish - Reverends William Hayward, Donald Moore and Carl Williams.

I wish to correct that statement in that three names were submitted, but only two names - Reverends William Hayward and Donald Moore, were considered and interviewed. It was suggested that the Rev. Carl Williams withdraw his name and he did so. In pursuit of the whole truth, I apologise for the error.

ARNOLD T. HOLLIS

Archdeacon Emeritus

Anglican Church of Bermuda