February 25, 2003

Dear Sir,

What I'd like to know is where are the weapons of mass destruction? If Saddam Hussein is so evil, why hasn't he used his weapons of mass destruction? How many more Iraqi children need to be burned, killed, and orphaned before this insane war ends?

President Bush, Rumsfeld, and Tony Blair are nothing but liars, liars, liars! They are sacrificing our young men and women for no good reason. If president Bush and Rumsfeld believe so much in this war, why doesn't Bush send his twin daughters and Rumsfeld, his son?

March 14, 2003

Dear Sir,

It is virtually impossible to buy marijuana in Bermuda today, but one can buy crack or heroin 24 hours a day.

Something is very wrong.

March 19, 2003

Dear Sir,

So much is happening so fast, it's enough to make your head spin. I am pleased that the marijuana issue is finally atracting some serious thought and debate. I'm also happy to see so many supporters become bold enough to publicly support their point of view. It's a lot easier to do now a days because "everybody is talking about it".

It has certainly become the tallk of the town. I sincerely hope that Dale Butler will continue on beyond the front page of the Bermuda Sun. Let the debates begin, to be followed by a vote.

There's a lot of talk about decriminalising marijuana, and while this would make a huge difference in the lives of many, it will not benefit everybody. Marijuana must be legalised and industrialised. The lion's share of the industry's huge profits must end up in the Government's purse, whether it be through taxes, licenses or whatever.

There is no doubt that marijuana as an industry would bring immense wealth to this little Island, and I believe that a national interest must be taken in the industry.

A government with lots of money can do lots of nice things for its people. Like paying for their children's education from pre-school through college. Wouldn't that be nice? We've got a bunch of kids going to school right now that will graduate with a high school diploma, which will only jmake them eligible to approach the lowest rung on the ladder. In this day and age a bachelors degree is considered minimum standard in almost every industry for only average jobs.

Many young Bermudians will not have a fair chance when competing for just the average jobs because their families cannot afford to send them to college. And you must go to college to attain a bachelors degree. The maijuana industry can support free education for all.

How about all of you baby boomers out there who will be retiring in five years or so. Actually, if you're ten years away, and haven't put away a nest egg, you should still be worried. You won't even be close to living the lifestyles you have become accustomed to. Not on what pensions are today, and things don't seem to be getting any better.

Many of you are going to be shaking hands with poverty while the young workers are taxed into the poorhouse to provide your pittance. Give your children, grandchildren, and great grands a break. A wealthy Government can afford higher pensions. The marijuana industry can support adequate pensions.

The marijuana industry will attract tens of thousands of new custonmers with hundreds of thousands of dollars in new money creating more employment. Tourism will dramatically increase and merchants will start to make some money again. Bermuda will be a winner. Bermuda will be a leader. Bermuda will be alive again. Bermuda will be once again "another world".

All of this and much more is possible just by legalising and industrialising a mild little plant that relaxes the mind, promotes a great night's sleep, and leaves one with a clear head in the morning.

How many of you can say that about the stuff that is currently legal? No matter your personal views on this issue it must be clear to you that the benefits of such an industry for outstrip the possibilities of any harm to our society. Think about its folks!

March 20, 2003

This was sent to Renee Webb, Ministry of Tourism, and copied to

Dear Sir,

On March 6, the 7 p.m. American Airlines flight from JFK Airport to Bermuda - with close to 100 pasengers on board - sat on the tarmac for almost three hours waiting for 13 connecting passengers from Miami to arrive and board. By the time the flight arrived at 1.30 a.m., everyone except for the first dozen passengers were stranded at the airport as everyone from taxi drivers to the airport band had gone home.

When I arrived at my hotel, the keys were left for me on the front desk. My morning schedule was shot and I ended the next day with a huge headache. I spoke with the pilot and chief of crew of that flight and they both agreed that the airline's dispatcher acted inexplicably.

This flight is chronically late and the behaviour of American Airlines toward this route borders on the abusive by a monopolist without fear of penalty. The airline has the only evening flight into Bermuda from New York, making it the only realistic flight for business commutors.

Skyhigh prices are charged (the flight to London from New York costs less than half the flight to Bermuda); the flight is now beverage-only service, and the airline consistently puts a low priority on getting business travelers into Bermuda in time for a decent night's rest before the next morning's business.

The plane that flies out of New York comes from St. Maarten during rush hour, meaning in practice that often close to departure time the plane is not even at the gate. There is no reason for them to care - once it arrives, the plane sits in Bermuda till 7 a.m. the next morning.

Everyone in the industry knows that this once-prestigious flight has become an ogre to be avoided, yet a necessary evil. As far as I know, the airline is not fined for breaking the airport curfew when it makes decisions such as these for its own economic benefit.

True, there was snow that day in New York, but the aircraft was poised to leave the gate 45 minutes late and passengers had been told to shut off their phones and prepare for pushback. The additional delay had nothing to do with the weather and everything to do with the airline's desire not to have to deal with 13 connecting passengers whom the airline would have had to overnight.

Needless to say, there were no offers of compensation or even apologies for the delay to the other 100 passengers whose time was wasted and schedules disrupted.

I've been urged to wire this letter by taxi drivers, airport workers and hotel desk clerks, because it seems that everyone is aware of the problem but feels that nothing will be done about it unless someone puts the problem where everyone can see it.

IVAN S. CIMENT

New York City

March 19, 2003

Dear Sir

So Lois Browne Evans thinks Tim Marshall is "dopey"! Hey, Lois, in a million years you couldn't even come close to Tim Marshall's level of intellect, integrity and commitment to Bermuda.

You may be sitting on your little throne today but to anyone who's ever heard you use the Queen's English and watched you criticise the 'colonial power' and then turn around and accept a title - we know who the dope is.