Confused by debate

August 7, 2005

Dear Sir,

This Independence debate is a strange thing. I really don't understand it at all.

Is Independence just about money?

Is there such a thing as enough Independence? Ask the British who faced ancient Rome or Germany, or the Americans who fought the British and Bermudians who supplied the Americans with British gunpowder. (Fact)

I've read the papers, listened to those opposed to and for Independence, but still do not understand it.

I mean, if Bermuda has enough Independence, then why is there a housing, traffic or education problem? If Bermudians truly have enough Independence, then why are they asking for affordable housing, independent people buy at market prices without Government help. Traffic should not be problem, just leave your car at home, education can be had by putting your children in the school of your choice, here or somewhere else.

I wonder how many people live in their parents' home because renting or owning their own place cost them more?

I wonder how many non-Bermudians working and living here will give up their Independence to become a 'British Overseas Territories Citizen' just like you and I.

I ask myself, if the exempted companies got a better 'deal' somewhere else will they stay here or leave?

I wonder, if Bermuda was about to be invaded, who would stop an invasion or even fight for this Island. There are no British or US troops based here and our own armed forces are in place and train to defend us from ourselves. (Fact)

I'll like to give my opinion on a few issues facing this island and its people in relation to Independence. First, there is no way to have your cake and eat it, cause once it's gone, it's gone. This is Bermuda, for those who believe Bermuda 'Is another World'.

1: Money, it speaks for itself. Here, money talks, everything else walks. If you have money you are somebody, if you don't, then you are a walking wallet.

2: Housing, if the bank says you can afford a house, you can buy one. If not, then you save more. Asking the Government for housing is not "affordable", its subsidised housing. And why would "Bermudians with enough independence" need subsidised housing? And where do you think the Government is going to raise the cash?

3: Traffic, no one should have a problem with leaving their motor vehicles at home, including bikes and trucks. Enough Independence should allow vehicle owners do their thing on public transportation.

4: If the government (both UBP & PLP) are the cause of this Island's internal problems, then the answer is simple, dissolve the government and return control of Bermuda (really it's a British Dependent Territory) to the Governor. Recent poll of International companies states that British oversight is the top reason they are here. The UBP nor Bermudian workers had nothing to do with their or Bermuda's success. Money can be saved by returning complete control to Britain and that should make everyone happy and, more money. (Not sure about this)

5: Defence of Bermuda. There are no troops based here that can or will defend Bermuda. Case in point, the Falkland Islands was occupied for a year or more before Britain 're-took' the islands, To Bermudians, Britain "saved the Falklands". Not true, flags do not stop bullets or prevent hostile invasion.

6: If those who consider themselves Bermudian will not defend this Island from external attack, then who will? It's not possible to prevent an invasion without locally-based troops willing to defend the island. I wonder what the International companies or its mouth piece have to say about that.

7: Water has been shipped here since the 1960s, has Britain sent water here, free of charge? Or food, or building supplies, or clothing, all cost an arm and leg.

8: If after all these years, the government and people of this island are not ready for independence, then why, why, are the political parties wasting our money and time?

I'm not for, nor against, independence, until there are enough facts presented, not just what 'people know', and Bermudians know it all. Shame they don't know that they are not 'Bermudians', but are really British Dependent Territories Citizens. (Look at your passport)

Me, I am who I am. I have no reason to want to be anything but what I am, I would like to be a Bermudian, but my passport says, 'British Dependent Territories Citizen'. If that's enough for 50 percent-plus of you, then please call it a day and stop this nonsense. The future is what we, Bermudians make it, and Independence or dependence has nothing to do with it.

Think about it. Get the facts, then, make up your mind.

My take on this island's problems is that if the solution does not affect me, it's a good solution. Ask anyone.

Switch off the radios

August 11, 2005

Dear Sir,

I would like to suggest to the Department of Transportation that if they really want to do everything to encourage more use of the ferry and buses that there be no radios on while the vehicles are in service.

If there is only one customer (which I highly doubt) who does not appreciate a radio being on while travelling, that person must be afforded his/her right to object. Anyone who wishes to hear the radio can preserve their right by travelling with walkman type equipment.

I do not travel by ferry on a regular basis but I know that many others choose it for the more enjoyable options that it offers. If I used the ferry to get to and from work each day I'd use the time to meditate, read or enjoy the opportunity to gather up what stress release the ocean has to offer. We all need more of that.

If one has to put up with unwanted music or news then I don't think this is much encouragement to choose the ferry. This is an opportunity to have an asset that everyone can enjoy; make a choice that respects the needs of all passengers.

Award our idiots

August 12, 2005

Dear Sir,

At an extraordinary meeting of the CDEC Group think tank held on April 1, 2005, it was agreed that awards be presented to Bermudian individuals and or organisations in Bermuda which exhibited the greatest examples of blatant idiocy during a test period. The Public will be asked to assist by sending in their candidates.

The Awards are to be given in the following categories:

(1) Economic Award ? economic analyses which make no sense and are just plain FULLISH. The plaque for this award will feature a guru on top of a mountain contemplating questions of cosmic importance.

(2) Public Statement Award ? statements by persons which are really FULLISH. The plaque for this will be and open mouthed bass s(fish)

(3) Flop and Fizzle Award ? initiatives which are unbelievably FULLISH. The plaque for this bomb will be an elephant in labour producing a mouse.

(4) Avarice Award ? person or organisation with incredible FULLISH greed. The plaque for this award will feature as many buildings as possible crammed on an inch of space

(5) Inflated Ego Award ? person or organisation exhibiting an inflated sense of their own importance. The plaque for this award will be blank.

(6) General Award ? any FULLISHNESS which does not fit a category. No plaque will be given just and honorary mention. The winners will be announced in September.

Parking solution

August 9, 2005

Dear Sir,

"Disgusted yet again" made some good points in his letter under the above heading (August 8, 2005) but, apart from getting rid of the present Government, he did not come up with a practical solution.

So why do we really need another very expensive blot on landscape? There are, after all, fewer MPs than there were before the last General Election. Have our elected representatives gone soft all of a sudden to the extent that they are incapable of finding a parking space and having to walk a hundred yards or so? But then I suppose they would have the inconvenience of having to move their car every hour and, worse still, pay for the privilege on their meagre (so called) Parliamentary salaries!

A friend of mine suggested giving MPs Diplomatic Privileges but just think what a can of worms that would open up ? talk about hands in the cookie jar! No ? why not reserve the requisite number of spaces on the streets surrounding "the Hill" for which Government should pay a moderate annual fee?

A thought. How many spaces are actually needed? With the amount of travelling our MPs seem to do these days, I cannot believe that the "House" is full on more than a handful of occasions in the Parliamentary year ? bearing in mind they only meet once a week anyway!

Incidentally what will happen to the additional spaces when for the greater part of the year, the House is not sitting? Freebies for the General Public?

COPPERKNICKERS

Paget

Watch out, Ashfield

Dear Sir,

Ashfield better watch out for his job, Terry thinks he's Minister of Works and Engineering, trying to solve education issues with bricks and mortar again. Maybe that explains the blockheads he's turning out. I'm not ready for a $140M pre-school fiasco.

JONATHAN DYER

Hamilton Parish

The invisible MP

August 2, 2005

Dear Sir,

It is with shock and disbelief that I read Mr. Glenn Blakeney's comments in today's

So, he believes (as quoted in your newspaper) "the people will speak. I've been diligent and working on behalf of my constituency and the country."

Well, I am sure the 'people' in Prospect will be speaking very loudly and very clearly at the next election. Unfortunately it may not be what he wants to hear.

He should have considered this when he failed to publicly stand with these constituents against the BHC housing plans. Instead he has been the invisible MP.

End this cruelty

July 27, 2005

Dear Sir,

I have visited friends on your beautiful island for about the last ten years. This year I was there in June and July and I found it extremely upsetting to see the carriage horses having to work in the hottest part of the day, and in such congested traffic conditions.

It cannot be right to treat these horses in such a cruel manner. I understand that the drivers have to earn a living but surely it is not necessary to work horses in the hottest part of the day.

I would have thought it would not only be kinder to the horses but more pleasant for their passengers to restrict the rides to after 6 o'clock in the evening, at lest by that time of day it will be cooler, and the traffic congestion will be much reduced.

Surely the appropriate City department should bring in restrictions, if the drivers themselves can't agree not to work their horses when it is too hot for them to work. When they are not working they should also have proper shelter and an adequate supply of drinking water.

I have so many happy memories of Bermuda but those of these poor horses sweating as they pull their carriages along the busy streets is one I don't wish to remember. I hope by my visit things will have changed and the conditions of these carriage horses improved greatly.

The price of an ego

August 11, 2005

Dear Sir,

Too bad MPs don't lead by example and carpool, we could have 27 fewer cars on the road, only requiring nine parking bays and we could have built a house with the $350,000 they spent on the new parking lot. I know it's not practical, they'd probably get four butts to a car but the egos wouldn't all fit.