Disrespectful attire

July 13, 2006

Dear Sir,

What was he thinking? I cringe for all Americans residing in Bermuda whenever I see ?Baseball Cap? on our television. I am sure everyone must know to whom I am referring.

I watched with delight last night as the grateful Bermudian school graduates received educational scholarships to attend universities overseas from ABIC at a luncheon in their honour.

The greater majority of the Bermudian young men were attired in jacket and ties for the presentation of their awards ? but low and behold the US Consul General addressed the students wearing an orange open necked shirt and no tie ? and yes, you guessed, a big white baseball hat.

Please will someone educate this representative of the President of the United States of America that in Bermuda we are not an ignorant community on a little island 800 miles off the US mainland and we all have manners. I felt his attire was disrespectful to our young students.

Our male politicians and our male Senate members are dressed in jacket and ties when they are in the House ? and some even in suits ? an excellent example which is seemingly being followed by our young Bermudian students.

System is not working

June 21, 2006

Dear Sir,

Political reform. These two words are almost unheard of in Parliaments around the world, but are two words that have been used on a continuous basis by the United Bermuda Party over the last few years, and with good reason. There have been more than enough instances demonstrating the need for political reform in Bermuda, with the most important being the total and utter lack of accountability of Government members (the Colonel immediately springs to mind). Although this topic is not one that is particularly exciting due to the fact that the very thought of parliamentary procedures and political reform puts most people to seep, it is still one that is of major importance to Bermuda?s future. Bermudians must face the truth ? the reason many people refuse to get involved in politics or even vote, is due to the cynicism that exists within our Island community regarding politicians generally.

Mr. Editor, too often people think that all politicians are out for themselves and merely seek to be elected to line their own pockets and go on personal ?power trips?. This feeling seems to have been exacerbated under the PLP administration, aptly demonstrated by the massive pay hikes the Government recently voted for themselves, an enormous travel budget, rampant mismanagement and the continued push for Independence despite polls consistently suggesting it is not wanted to name but a few. If nothing else political gamesmanship was exposed from 11 a.m. on June 16 th to 6.20 a.m. on June 17, 2006 where the members of the House ?debated? (I use this term generously since on occasions the bleating of the Government members was hardly a debate) a PLP motion on the Government?s supposed successes over the past seven years. This is proof enough that it is high time for reform.

Mr. Editor, what can we, as Bermudians, do to stop the rot and get more people both young and old interested in politics? How can we change the view that politics is not just a ?game? of baiting and knee jerks? How can the Government of the Day be held more accountable when scandals arise such as ?Pay to Play?, the Stonington lease and Berkeley? Mr. Editor, believe it or not there are solutions to prevent such travesties as listed above including, fixed terms for government (rather than the current system of a government calling an election when they believe they are popular), referendums on important issues such as Independence being a necessity, televising ?debates? in the House and Senate, public Government Board meetings (such as the Development Applications Board) with decisions and reasons for such decisions arising from Government bodies (such as the Human Rights Commission) being published on time, fixed hours in the House, a Ministerial Code of Conduct (with teeth), an independent speaker of the House and perhaps even the recalling of failing MPs following receipt of a certain number of signatures on a petition. All of these proposals have been tried and tested in other jurisdictions and therefore all of them require serious consideration.

Mr. Editor, at the moment the system is failing the very people it is supposed to serve ? the people of Bermuda. In turn this is creating apathy amongst the people of Bermuda. It is high time the people of this country voiced their concerns to the Government and demanded more accountability from those that represent them. Merely holding one rally in support of a human rights issue, introduced by a glory seeking, disenchanted, ex-government Minister is not good enough. If the people want change and reform they had better start speaking up and speaking up now. One thing is for sure the proposed Government Television Station is not going to help.

Question of survival

June 27, 2006

Dear Sir,

Now that the ?House? has seen fit not to pass Ms Webb?s (private members) bill, and the protest demonstration went off without a hitch, I can speak.

Human society has always sought to establish norms by which we establish our laws, morals and codes of conduct. The norm regarding sexuality is not something that has been very easy to define, given that we are all individually unique in that regard. It has been scientifically established that we are Gender is established at conception. Initially (as embryos), we are neither one (gender) nor the other, but we (or at least should know) where we?re going. The gestation process is such that the uterine environment dictates how definitively our gender (and indeed all of our future physical and physiological well-being) is established. And things go (sometimes horribly) wrong. As a result of these anomalies, human sexuality ranges from as completely heterosexual as one gets to the opposite extreme. Of course there are some of us who are squarely in the middle. Bisexuals.

As one of the few species that copulates for fun, human beings run counter to the grand scheme of things, whereas, sex is (essentially) used to procreate. That fact being established, we can look forward to enjoying sex whenever we want. We can even have sex ourselves. Lots of us will deny that they do, but who do they think they?re kidding?

When the Stubbs bill was passed, I wondered where the whole sexuality business was going. Last year, when passing through San Francisco, I found out first hand; right in my face. Along the streets are very large posters flaunting same sex couples that have married. Inasmuch as such couples cannot procreate naturally, that state of affairs could be considered to be outside the norm. Yes? I have no problem with anyone?s sexuality, normal or otherwise, but do not ever expect me to condone anyone who takes his or her homosexual behaviour out of the bedroom. As an aside, if the ?queen of Bermuda? wants to be a woman, why doesn?t he get that useless appendage removed and fabricate some appropriate parts and get on with (his?) her life. A good dose of female hormones wouldn?t hurt either.

Moving on. The word discrimination implies unfair/unwarranted separation and refusal to be associated with someone. Given that human society naturally gravitates to what is considered (at the time) ?normal?, why would any one (who is not) spill the proverbial beans on what they are, to subject themselves to possible scorn. Imagine, prior to desegregation a black person who could pass for white, telling the manager of a ?fine restaurant? what he was? Instant ejection from the premises!

In the same context of paedophiles not being given jobs in kindergarten, we must tread the fine line between discrimination and falling prey to homosexuals victimising or corrupting someone who is vulnerable. Also, if a person is homophobic, they should not be compelled to be associated with objects of their disdain.

In the ?House?, where members were given the freedom to vote with their consciences, the same should have applied to whether or not they even spoke at all. For my money, it?s a case of what you don?t say, can?t be held against you. It appears I was wrong. Sad! As has been said by many, Bermudans are, by and large, a tolerant people and as a rule, a person?s sexual persuasion is hardly ever a problem. The problem arises where opposite sexual persuasions clash in public or the work place. I have found out after the fact, that certain persons, whom I know, are a ?certain way?. Well surprise, surprise. I would have never have known! Kudos to those of us who present a fa?ade of normalcy when they themselves are not necessarily so.

So, what do we do? The Human Rights Commission is in place to dissuade us from practising discrimination. Let it be on a case-by-case basis. Aspiring to conform to world standards is admirable to a degree, but why follow the ?world? down the path to certain damnation when we don?t have to? Homosexuality is not anything new, and it?s not going to go away any time soon. We as a society, having not let it bother us up until now, really do not need to let it cause strife in our community. Homosexuality in private is perfectly legal; leave it at that! When men can give birth and women can become fathers, we can reassess the situation.

One the subject of same sex marriages, we need to be aware of the implications of the word marriage. We use the word in a variety of contexts and in every case; the connotation is a combining of two entities. I?m mentioning this because I suppose, one day it will be a major public issue here. Again, sad. Aspiring to use the term marriage (in a same sex union) is really no more than rubbing our noses in it. What we should do is legally afford partners the same rights as legitimately married couples, but call it a Civil Union.

In polite conversation where people query my position on the subject, I try to tread the fine line between the legal, moral and practical aspects of the situation. In my view it?s a case of ?But for the grace of God???? Abnormal behaviour is universally frowned upon, no question; let?s keep it that way.

Evolutionary laws dictate that behaviour that benefits a species will cause it to thrive and the reverse is also true.