December 12, 2005

Dear Sir,

During this Holiday season of love and reconciliation let?s toast Ms Renee Webb for possessing the fortitude to proceed with a Private Member?s Bill that seeks to amend Bermuda?s Human Right?s Act to include ?sexual orientation? as a protected category. The Progressive Labour Party claim to be of the people and for the people ? gay and lesbian Bermudians are your people! We share a pew with you on Sundays and your workspace on Mondays. We can be seen working on the corner and in the top floor corner office. We are family! We form lasting partnerships and raise children and walk dogs and grocery shop on Wednesdays so that we get our five percent discount! We have always existed! And we will continue to live and love and laugh within this community.

We all have a sexual orientation be it; heterosexual, bisexual, homosexual or asexual. However the proposed amendment is most crucial for those of us typically ?othered? by the dominant Bermudian culture. Gay and lesbian Bermudians are fired or not hired and evicted from their homes because of their true or perceived sexual orientation.

Protection from discrimination is afforded gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gendered citizens of England, Canada, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Wales and Uruguay. This list is not exhaustive.

We would like to think as Bermudians that we are progressive and affluent people, able to compete and flourish in every way. The amendment of the Human Rights Act is a golden opportunity for us to lead the way for the Caribbean and liberate us from a tradition of suspicion and insecurity. A vote to accept this amendment will indicate that the government of Bermuda is interested in moving towards a better Bermuda in which all of its citizens have equal value.

NIKKI BOWERS

The Bermuda Rainbow Alliance

Debate the issue

December 14, 2005

Dear Sir,

I really wonder what purpose the upcoming debate in regard to the amendments to the Human Rights Act will serve. I hope that it will give the MPs the opportunity to acknowledge that the inclusion of the protection against discrimination based on the grounds of ?sexual orientation? is so long overdue that red-faced awkward laughter ensues in the realisation that the matter is so incredibly simple to decide.

However, realistic as I am, I can only imagine that the debate will be reduced to superfluous arguments from those that do not know any better and silence from those that do.

If Dale Butler proceeds with his Human Rights Act amendments (concerning workplace harassment) to be debated by the Progressive Labour Party caucus this week, the proposed Private Member?s Bill to include ?sexual orientation? will not be allowed to be debated on the floor on Friday and the Bill cannot be tabled until the next meeting of the House in February. (Two debates on the same issue cannot be scheduled for the same sitting.) However, Renee Webb has assured that even if her bill which is ready, cannot be tabled for Friday, that she has waited long enough and is going to push the issue herself with said Bill next year.

The Human Rights Act 1981 consolidated at Bermuda Laws Online (www.fortknox.bm) begins as follows: ?WHEREAS recognition of the inherent dignity of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the World ? AND WHEREAS it is expedient to make better provision to affirm these rights and freedoms and to protect the rights of all members of the community ??

Note above where the Human Rights Act states that the recognition of dignity should be provided for all members of the human family and that provisions should be made to affirm these rights for all members of the Community. How is it, that in 2005, decades after the recognition of the needs for these universal rights in Bermuda, homosexuals still can be discriminated against legally? If gay people are not considered human nor part of the community then the government better identify a proposed new species and stop expecting them to work and pay taxes!

I have heard the negative argument Mr. Editor that ?including sexual orientation in the Act will create ?special rights? for gays?. This is so farcical as to border on the embarrassingly ignorant.

Those already included under the Act are those persons of different races, places of origin, colour, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, family status (whether born into wedlock or not) religion, political beliefs or pregnancy status.

It seems that there are precious few that are not protected under the Act, the most glaring omission being those discriminated against on the grounds of sexual orientation.

No one is fighting for gay rights here, simply the government?s recognition that gay people have inalienable human rights as well as everyone else and for affirmation of this through the legislative process. By omitting ?sexual orientation?, there is an affirmation that some people are not deserving of human rights!

It would seem obvious that the only other reason for omitting a specific minority is to identify those groups that do not need protection.

Even though it may seem that there is not a strong public outcry for such amendments to be made, consider that person A who does make such a proclamation of support can not only be ostracised socially but they could be legally discriminated against.

Ironic? Another comparison: surely a landlord should not be able to refuse a lease to person B based on their sexuality any more than he could do so based on skin colour, disability or any other protected category! To make a public complaint however, a gay person has to realise that regardless of their right to speak their mind ? in doing so they could not only lose their apartment but lose their job in the process.

Perpetuating the stereotype that homosexuality is wrong by continually denying the provision of anti-discrimination legislation will only continue to breed ignorance.

As Socrates definitively put it, ?The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance?. We all know that knowledge is power but precious few are willing to step up and take the challenge because of the legal and other subtle discrimination that does occur.

Mr. Editor, I am not na?ve. The issue of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation will not be made obsolete by the proposed amendments. However, they will provide a platform from which ignorance can be met head on, without the fear of indirect legalised retribution.

So whether the issue gets debated this week or during the next sitting in February, all MPs, of both political parties should indeed be encouraged to vote through the amendments to provide a concrete position that in Bermuda, no discrimination, at any level is acceptable.

After all, striving for an equal Bermuda is a good thing - for everyone.

ADRIAN L. BEASLEY

Warwick

Grossly disrespectful

December 14, 2005

Dear Sir,

As I take a much needed break from the hustle and bustle of policing, I initially congratulate Mr. Jackson and Mrs. Young on their appointments, however I am extremely concerned and disappointed at the proposed appointment of a foreign Assistant Commissioner, one who is supposed to have this great ability to readily crack the ever increasing drug problems in Bermuda.

Firstly the rationale is insulting to the current administration of Narcotics, and a gross disrespect to the abilities of Superintendents White and Liverpool. However, simply put, what the Governor and Government are saying to the current administration of Narcotics: ?You have done nothing during your six years as Commanding Officer of Narcotics.?

Notwithstanding that during that period, the division and HM Customs seized $324 million worth of drugs. I can now get a better appreciation of the Apostle Paul?s statement when he was bound with thongs, he said: ?Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman?? You see, Paul was a Roman citizen being mistreated by a foreign national who by the way, had to purchase his citizenship.That?s why I?m somewhat disappointed in the Hon. Mr. Perinchief?s endorsement of the proposed appointment. My, don?t we have short memories.

During the past six years, Narcotics Division has gotten by on sheer guts and determination. Little or no equipment afforded us, little or no support from the Senior Management, in fact you can count with one hand the amount of visits that the outgoing Commissioner made to the division. There was never a focus on the drug problems in this country, but major support to the Community Beat Policing and the Police Support Unit, but yet we constantly heard that drugs create the major criminal and social behavioural problems in the country.

I do applaud any efforts of the Government to thwart the efforts of the so called Mr. Big, but I?m afraid that the new minister has been sleeping through the revolution of drugs and drug involvement since his days in the service.

Everybody can be a Mr. Big overnight. One successful shipment can enlarge one?s financial territory.

But who am I, like Paul, I?m only a Bermudian.

I?ve paid my dues without even a thank you, but you know what, ?God and my staff knows of my contribution and that?s all that matters?.

George and Roseanda, good luck and remember, you can make it, but only through the leading of the Lord. The Bible says, ?Many are the plans in a man?s heart but it?s the Lord?s purpose that prevails.?

SUPT. LARRY SMITH

Conceit and disloyalty

December 8, 2005

Dear Sir,

The comments by narcotics chief Larry Smith in regards to retiring Commissioner of Police Jonathan Smith are disturbing at the very least and, at the most, justification for the claim by Commissioner Smith that ? senior officers were unaccountable and living in a time warp ?. If it walks and talks like a dinosaur then it most likely is a dinosaur ! By his very own admission Larry Smith says, ? I will not serve under any more commissioners who have less experience and less service than myself. ?

All this displays is conceit and disloyalty towards an organisation in which he has sworn to serve and protect the good citizens of Bermuda and which, I should not have to remind an officer of his great service and experience, includes following lawful orders and being loyal to the organisation.

In this new millennium, with all the challenges facing any police service, we need leaders who can think outside of the proverbial box and who can explore and adopt new paradigms.

Mere tenure, longevity, or supporting the status quo is not sufficient to deal with today?s policing problems in Bermuda. Because a person is younger than those he or she leads does not mean that person is less competent or unworthy of such a position. If that were the case, we would not have such great stateswomen as Condoleezza Rice taking an active part in running the most powerful nation in the world.

In case you were wondering, I too consider myself as having significant police ? experience ?, ? service? and ? ability ? being a currently serving police officer with over 38 years service, who has been fortunate to serve on four police departments in three countries, including Bermuda. And, yes, Larry, like you my time has come and gone. Time to make way for the ? new school. ?

To Mr. Larry Smith and any other senior police officers of similar thinking, I would like to say, ? Have faith in your duly appointed interview panel to do their job and select the best candidate for Bermuda whether that be male or female, young or old ! ?

ANDREW LAVERY

Devonshire

Mr.Postmaster, explain

December 5, 2005

This was sent to the Postmaster General and copied to the Royal Gazette

Dear Sir,

On September 21, 2005, I came into the General Post Office in Hamilton and mailed a birthday card to my son who lives in Canada via Air Mail.

My son?s birthday was the first week in October and when I spoke to him on his birthday, he never mentioned receiving his card.

I did not mention anything to him until a few weeks later and he informed me that he had not received a card from me for his birthday.

I have just returned from visiting him in Canada and to date he has not received my birthday card. I have made several inquiries to the Post Office in Hamilton and have been informed that there is no way they can trace this piece of mail.

Mr. Postmaster, this is unacceptable, since we are living in the age of modern technology.

This was only a birthday card but it could have been a cheque etc. to an overseas company.

I do not feel comfortable using the Bermuda Post Office if once an item is mailed it disappears.

Can you please explain any steps the Bermuda Post Office is taking to solve this problem?

MISSING MAIL

Sandys

Appalled by language

November 21, 2005

Dear Sir,

I was appalled to hear and read that words such as ?black buffoon?, ?house niggers? and ?crap? were recently used in Bermuda?s Parliamentary Chambers (in the Senate and the House of Assembly).

In the 14 years that I was Clerk to the Legislature I never heard such flagrant, racist and insulting remarks used during meetings of our Parliament.

In fact in the Bermuda Parliament?s nearly 400 year history I doubt that such words have ever been used in its Chambers.

The dignity of our Parliament must be preserved and visitors to our country and the local radio audience must not be subjected to tirades from its members.

What a shocking example this behaviour is to the youth of our Island.

Let us hope that there is no recurrence of this disgraceful behaviour.

JOHN T. GILBERT

Paget

Stop promoting gangsters

December 3, 2005

Dear Sir,

With all due respect, this is not the first time The Royal Gazette has obliged a gang member by virtue of front page coverage a vehicle to display gang affiliation and membership.

It was not enough that you displayed gang graffiti in support of cold blooded killer Stanley ?Tookie? Williams co-founder of the Crips, you also allowed the gang member to flash his gang sign. By virtue of allowing this gang sign to be flashed in the paper, Folks/Crips, People/Bloods will now seek and want some form of exposure.

Gangs develop sophisticated ways of communicating and representing their membership to rivals and to fellow members (colours, graffiti, tats etc). You gave them (Crips) the greatest exposure they could want. In your business you gave them a free ad. You can bet,that article has reached affiliates in the US all points south and to the head PUNK himself Stanley (Tookie) Williams. Could be Danny Glover sent him a copy.

I might suggest that the newspapers of Bermuda do their part in an effort to eradicate these punks, gangs, by not affording them the exposure they so crave and want. I would hope that the graffiti in honour of Williams is erased or painted over.

Any and all graffiti must be erased. Gang graffiti if left unchecked can be dangerous in many ways.

MICHAEL PITTS

Inverness, Florida

A message to the young

December 3, 2005

Dear Sir,

Even though I didn't see the 'Dejon Simmons' story, I still remember seeing the newspaper that showed the aftermath.

Personally I feel that one day of that special presentation isn't long enough.

It should be on many more days and if not in that presentation, then at least a brief commercial showing what could easily happen to you if you make that same mistake.

His message to youths should be broadcast a lot and hopefully fewer people will ride bikes recklessly.

TOUCHED

Pembroke