May 18, 2006

Dear Sir,

I think all of the board members in the Human Rights Commission should resign in shame. To allow Sen. Burch to get away with using the term "house n......" on his radio show is nothing short of criminal.

I was utterly appalled when I learned that he had actually used such a derogatory and demeaning term and honestly thought he would deny ever having said it, but no such denial was made. Burch is obviously quite proud of this disgusting terminology made towards a black person. It is reprehensible. Then, in my naivete, I thought the Human Rights Commission would make a strong statement letting Senator Burch know that his wording is definitely not acceptable. Another shock! The Human Rights Commission board members felt that was nothing illegal about his statement and furthermore (without actually naming her) went on to chastise Mrs. Gordon Pamplin for daring to actually make a complaint. What on earth is going on here?

I urge all of the PLP supporters, PLP Ministers and Cabinet Members to please speak out against this violation. If you remain quiet, one can only surmise that your agree with Sen. Burch.

What I would like the Human Rights Commission board members to answer is what you would do if a white person used the same derogatory term to a black person. Remember what happened to the general manager of the Elbow Beach Hotel who was supposed to have said (although he categorically denied it) "the next thing they'll be doing is frying chicken on the steps". Because he is supposed to have made that comment, he was dragged into a Tribunal and was eventually forced to leave Bermuda. It seems that Sen. Burch has been congratulated by the HRC for his choice of words.

The HRC should be disbanded immediately ? it is a toothless body and a waste of time and money.

May 31, 2006

Dear Sir,

So the self-serving, group that call themselves a Government have ousted Larry Dennis into an office with no computer lines, no telephone and no space. Doesn't that beat all!

To Larry Dennis, I say "hang in there". Don't quit and then have the Government put their own toadie in place. We have their lackeys on the Human Rights Commission, The Broadcasting Commission the Independence Commission and on and on we go.

We are, without a shadow of a doubt, becoming a dictatorship. Once you put "your people" in key positions the rest is yours.

Thank God we have people like Larry Dennis, Chief Justice Ground, (remember they tried to prevent his appointment to put their own person in) and our Governor.

I would urge each and every one of your readers to write, call, do whatever, to stop this madness. This country has never, in all its long history, been so ill served.

Friday, May 26 was a disgrace to this country when a discrimination act was thrown out because the mealy mouthed politicians didn't want to lose any votes and then they threw out Larry Dennis' office. Where is the integrity? Sadly, it is non-existent.

June 4, 2006

Dear Sir,

With respect to the current debate, or for that matter lack thereof, with regard to giving everyone in Bermuda equal rights, I have two things to say.

First, to the so called Christians, ask yourselves and I mean really think about it, what would Jesus do?

To the UBP who sat and waited for the other side to blink, shame on you.

TIM PATTON

Warwick North East

(Dale Butler's patch)

May 25, 2006

Dear Sir,

While walking down Reid Street yesterday, a Bermuda Pest Control truck pulls up beside me into a parking space. A man smiles and says "morning". I smile and keep walking. I walked no more than 15 feet when I heard a man's voice, I turn to see the same truck with the man hanging out the window.

I could've use pest control on this guy! So this "gentleman" keeps talking to me, as I am clearly ignoring him, saying such charming words as, "Hey sweetie.

You're looking good, come over here and give me a minute of your time...please?" Seriously? This man was in his late thirties -probably married, although I don't see how - and I'm in my early twenties?this was wrong on many levels.

I did nothing to provoke this man and by wearing a long sleeved jacket and pants I hardly believe I was "asking for" this type of attention.

This isn't the first time that I have been harassed just by walking down the street. If it's not a man in his truck, then it's a man wearing his construction hat yelling from a building or a man driving next to me on his bike.

I don't know about the rest of the women on this island, but I am sick of it!

There a hundreds of ways to tell me that I look nice that don't involve whistling, grunting or yelling. I'm busy and I don't have time to "holla back" at you.

It is really pathetic if these men expect some sort of reaction or appreciation for their behaviour. I would have thought, especially in Bermuda, that these men were brought up to show respect towards women.

Some advice to these men: Next time you whistle at me, I'll rip your lips off your face.

HAD ENOUGH IN PAGET

May 31, 2006

Dear Sir,

It is now more than a decade since I left Bermuda, though I still read the lmost daily for nostalgia, if nothing else.However, it does strike me reading today's edition that successive Bermuda governments of different parties have done absolutely nothing to address problems related to shortage of housing, nor is it possible for private enterprise to build large amounts of housing without the help of government.

I know a lot of this has to do with preserving the environment, green spaces, etc. which is absolutely as it should be. Nothing has changed from the way it was 25 years ago.

Guest workers creating pressure on the housing stock? Yes, but then government is issuing work permits and businesses are hiring. Clearly many Bermudian landlords benefit hugely from the presence of guest workers, but the people who are hardest hit are the lower income Bermudians, who really seem to be devoid of political representation these days. Guest workers sharing accommodations?

Yes, of course, because they seek to save or send home money with the hope of a better future for themselves or their families.

Here in Florida I rent apartments to Mexican men, who live three or four to an apartment. But guess what? The rent is always paid on time. Will one of the political parties ever develop a serious housing plan? Don't bet on it.

JONATHAN MASON

Florida