Planning disaster

June 17, 2004

Dear Sir,

Bermuda, wake up! Turn to page 97 of the May/June issue of The Bottom Line magazine and see what cute, quaint little Reid Street East is going to look like when the foreign developers get finished with it. Surprise! Another ugly, New York style, sunlight-blocking monstrosity designed for the use and enjoyment of the rich and famous. “Stonehaven”, huh? Well it is definitely STONE but it surely is not a HAVEN. That is, unless rich, foreign businessmen have now become an endangered species (I wish!). Congratulations, Planning Department. You sneaked another disaster past the people when we weren't paying attention. Take lots of pictures of your lovely Island people, because one day soon you will be explaining to your grandchildren what it USED to look like.

DISGUSTED

Pembroke

Severe repercussions

June 17, 2004

Dear Sir,

Calvin Smith and his friends do not understand that if Bermuda becomes independent, it does not matter whether it is through election or referendum. I was told over a year ago by a senior insurance executive that if Bermuda went independent, the insurers would be gone in a flash.

A few months ago there was a report in the Press that insurers were already moving some operations to Dublin. Bermuda will be as impoverished as Caricom, and the Bermuda dollar virtually worthless, and real estate prices will collapse. Tourism is dead in Bermuda and there is no other source of income for Bermudians. Bermuda has no natural resources, and was an uninhabited Island until the Brits needed a naval base.

Whatever excuses and promises are given by the present Government mean nothing, since their credibility is worthless, and that is well known internationally. The situation is not helped by alleged statements that if the white population does not get on board, there will be racial violence. None of this is missed by frightened money.

BUSINESSMAN

Hamilton Parish

Magnificent Maestro

June 11, 2004

Your best Bermuda story of the week (June 6-12) was about Fred (Maestro) Ming, who was finally written a cookbook. Twenty-five years ago, I signed up for a course on International Cookery, to my surprise our International teacher was a Bermudian, surprise turned to admiration in the first lesson, it was a wonderful education to listen and watch Mr. Ming - the teacher, the artist.

Mr. Ming I shall be buying four cookbooks, three for Christmas presents and one for my own collection.

D. ARRISON

Devonshire

Sad state of affairs

June 17, 2004

Dear Sir,

What a campaign this Government is waging before our very eyes and in broad daylight.

I liken it to a “Scorched Easter” policy which will leave nothing worth having to the next generation.

An army of politicians who are riding roughshod over all the decent honourable practices and tenets that this lovely little Island has been so well known for, ransacking the peoples' purse, with in many cases, criminal intent. An army that closes ranks when discovered or threatened by the various authority's investigating misdeeds. An army not willing or wishing to be tested for drugs - one wonders why? The transparency is for all to see - how long, how long will it be before we vote a vote of ‘No Confidence'. Hopefully saving this beautiful Island before it is too late.

DIANA WILLIAMS

Act of cowardice

June 17, 2004

Dear Sir,

Firstly, my profound sympathies to both the victims and perpetrators of the most recent public gay bashing on our Island. Secondly, to the parents of the 15-year-old “thug”, it is blatantly obvious from your son's participation in this disgusting display of cowardice, and his apparent lack of remorse, that he does not share his mother's morals, strength of character and fortitude.

Thirdly, as his primary caregivers and educators, had you no prior indication that his value system has gone awry somewhere during his brief existence on this earth? Unfortunately, it does justice to neither your son, nor other potential victims, for you to suggest that you have no idea, nor understand why he has chosen to act out in such a disgraceful, primitive, but all too common manner.

Lastly, to the perpetrators, you will inevitably meet, if you have not already, many gays in your lifetimes, and I assure you that you will not be able to succeed in beating them all to the ground. God loves you, so do I, and will pray for your enlightenment.

DISGUSTED IN DEVONSHIRE