October 15, 2006

Dear Sir,

I would like to make an observation on comments made in your newspaper on Saturday October, 2006, in the article "United by Faith defends service". The article says, "Earlier in the day Bermuda Human Rights Alliance (BHRA ) voiced concerns about service and defended the proposed amendment to the Human Rights Acts.... It is about protecting everyone, whether gay or not, against discrimination based on their sexual orientation in certain specified aspects of their every day life."

Mr. Editor, can a Leopard change its spots or a Zebra its stripes? It seems that neither can homosexuals change their agenda. In British Columbia, Canada a high school teacher Mr. Kempling was charged with "conduct unbecoming a College member," because he wrote letters to newspapers after not getting any response from people in authority, concerning material that homosexuals were asking teachers to share (pornographic information) with their students.

He was found guilty and suspended from teaching for five months without pay. Mr. Kempling called this decision, and its subsequent affirmance by B.C. Supreme Court, "a serious blow to free speech... and religion... It means that teachers who happen to be Christians or who belong to other religions proscribing homosexuality may not comment publicly on the issue".

In Ontario Canada in 1996 Scott Brockie , the owner and operator of a Toronto print shop, received a letter from the Ontario Human Rights Commission, ordering him, before even granting him a hearing, to pay $5,000 and apologise to a complainant organisation charging him with discrimination based on sexual orientation, an offence contrary to the provisions of the Ontario Human Rights Code. Two weeks earlier Mr. Brockie had refused a printing job brought in by Ray Billinger and the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives to print letterheads and envelopes for the organisation because providing service to a gay advocacy group violated his religious conscience.

In Saskatchewan Canada 1997 three homosexual men filed complaints with the Human Rights Board alleging that an advertisement run by the largest newspaper in the province discriminated against them. Hugh Owens had taken out an add in the paper advertising bumper stickers for sale that displayed on the left Bible references to homosexuals, in the middle an equals sign, and on the right a picture of two stick figures holding hands with a circle and a slash through the centre. The Board found them guilty of offending the homosexuals, but said the free speech protection of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms did not protect Owens.

There are some critics of the Human Rights Commissions across Canada. One has said that the commissions are like instruments of tyranny: while another has suggested that the commissions is the closest thing Ontario has ever had to its own Gestapo; another referred to them as "our version of the Inquisition" because their "ham-fisted totalitarianism (has made) .... 'offensive' in Canada synonymous with 'illegal'."

Hitler said "if you tell a big lie, tell it often, and repeat it boldly enough; people will begin to believe it ? and the bigger the lie the better." Also. In "The Overhauling of Straight America," homosexual activists Marshall Kirk and Erastes Pill describe several strategies that homosexuals can use to push their way onto centre stage. For example:

* Talk about gays and gayness as loudly and often as possible.

* Portray gays as victims, not as aggressive challengers.

* Give protectors as just cause.

* Make gays look good. Make the victims look bad.

Mr. Editor in my humble opinion the amendment to our Human Rights Act on the basis of discrimination to get equal rights for sexual orientation is a lie or at least deception. The homosexuals are trying to make themselves look like victims by saying they are being discriminated against. What the homosexual is really looking for is special rights and to shut down free speech for religious people. If this amendment is passed then Pandora's Box will be opened up to the homosexual. There will be no limit to the demands that will be coming in the future. Example:

* We are discriminated against because we can't get married like heterosexuals.

* Our homosexual, lesbian, bisexual and transgender children are being discriminated against because they are not being taught diversity so there needs to be special locker rooms to protect the homosexual, lesbian bisexual and transgender children, and classes taught by homosexuals.

* Our homosexual, lesbian and bisexual are being discriminated against because they can't express themselves sexually because of the oppressive laws, therefore we want to remove, or reduce the age of sexual consent laws (England has reduced from 21 to 16 years and is looking at 14; Canada has reduced to 14 and sodomy is legal at this age; and in South Africa they are trying to eliminate sexual restraint all together).

Mr. Editor you may say never in Bermuda, but by passing this amendment to the Human Rights Act the doors will open to immorality in our society like we have not seen or imagined before. Thank you for printing this letter.

A real disservice

October 18, 2006

Dear Sir,

On October 16th, 2006, the HSBC Bank of Bermuda changed. They have changed all the account numbers, deposit forms, ATM transactions etc., We have been issued with new ATM cards which now hold more information on them then we or anyone who steals your card needs to know, including your very precious signature.

Why? The HSBC Bank of Bermuda sent all account holders an information kit, but no explanation as to why this has been done. Since this new system has been in place, only three days now, it is worse than ever if you have to stand in line for drafts, commercial deposits, regular deposits, credit card payments etc., at least an hour, at the Par-la-Ville branch. Just to make one simple transaction takes that long because the tellers are just getting used to the system, don't know how much training they had and there are more forms than ever that have to be printed and signed. I'm sure the customers will agree that the new bank system is just so that the bank makes more money. For instance, when you go to get a draft, each draft ordered has to be accompanied by a separate check. Each you write costs 50 cents. You do the maths.

As far as the new ATM cards are concerned, I have a real problem with my account number being on the card. A thief can now go anywhere on the island, that accepts ATM cards for payment, and use my card to purchase. Have you ever seen a retailer compare signatures? I haven't. They can now have your account number if they wish to withdraw from your account. All they have to do is copy your signature. Before you say, call the bank and complain, I tried that, no one has returned my call from a week ago. That's customer service for you.

The tellers now have to put up with customers who argue with them, and still they smile the HSBC Bank of Bermuda should award their people for their patience and the customers should be given a crisp $100 bill when they leave the bank for their loss of time at work and the parking ticket, which is now on their car because they had to wait so long to get served. Mr. Editor, I know we live in a time of change, changes will always occur, but to me the HSBC Bank of Bermuda has done a real disservice to the community with all these stupid unnecessary changes, believe me the Bank of N.T. Butterfield is looking better and better everyday.

New political dimension

November 2, 2006

Dear Sir,

I am a Bermudian ? it's still a democracy for the next few weeks ? and I still have the right to say what I want. Before I start I have come to a conclusion saying: "Bermudians need to spend time in other countries for longer than a vacation where mommy and daddy or their girlfriend aren't there to do everything for them. They need to be in areas where all they see are mountains, trees, and no one to help them get out of it besides for themselves ? they need to see heads being blown off ? they need to be in the same group of people trying to get something to eat with little available. They need to be where no one is caring for them; realising that they are responsible for stepping up to the plate in order to make it to the next day". Until then: this will still remain to be the easiest country to talk into anything.

I hope Bermuda is happy with the political situation they have put themselves in but I am upset with the island. This is the only place where people can average two plane trips for a year for two weeks or longer ? and not know the price for a gallon of gas; pay top dollar in court because they don't want to lose their license on the road; spend over $300 a week on groceries; have the ability to have over $200 every week in their pocket to go out and party; have phones, cars, bikes, and multiple accessories and still have more finances to spend. This is a spoiled island and that cannot be denied.

I say all of that because people here don't see obvious things in front of them until their hit in the face. If I were a bad person: I would love to be the leader of this island. It's full of people who will simply accept things regardless of how negative things are as long as that person still has a job or it doesn't affect their social standings. Once something finally slaps, they run behind every other reason for the present failure except for the truth and they will stick to it (it's like talking to a bunch robots with horse blinders on who are programmed to think one way).

Bermudians have still consistently kept a party in that focuses on one thing: "one colour dominance". It's more of an "it's our time now" situation and despite the negative things that we as blacks went though in the past; trying to continue that division will keep us at a "Stop Sign" and even put us "Back in Reverse". Back in the day UBP associated with the same ideas but "guess what doubters", this is a new era and UBP has been out long enough for you to stop running behind them every time something is wrong. There are plenty of people reading this and may even say: "I don't know what happened back in the day" and that's true, "I don't know and nor do I want my future relations knowing either". Critics need to close their mouths for a minute ? sit back by themselves and not with a congregation ? and except facts.

Whether we realise it or not, we need a new party on the island. One which isn't rich and hasn't been poor but those who understand the comfortable life where things can go up and down and people are looked at by character and not colour. I have talked to numerous people around the Island and they can all stand up and give their negative thought on this terrible group of leaders that are in control presently. It's when these people are faced in front of their pairs that all those negative quotes go quiet and those strong spoken citizens blend in with the crowd. I dare anyone who cares about this island ? not bias due to colour ? not afraid of facing society ? and are tired of nothing being accomplished besides for this Island going down to write me at my address so we can converse.

Totally unacceptable

October 17, 2006

Dear Sir,

As the owner of a very busy guest house, I find the mail service deplorable. My present service is no more than once a week, which is unacceptable. It is so poor that a postal worker from the Paget Post Office took her own personal time to deliver my accumulation of mail/mil, which was most appreciated. I have the best postman, Larry, who has provided excellent service for many years. I understand that one day mail is delivered to Paget East and one day to Paget West. Should it rain I must personally go to pick up mail at the post office.

this has affected my business as this mail contains deposits from future guests. These guests cannot understand why their letters, containing deposits, have not been acknowledged and I must explain that the mail service leaves much to be desired. As a taxpayer, who pays for this public service, living in the 21st Century, I find this system not only stressful but totally unacceptable. I am requesting that something be done to rectify this terrible situation.

Cater to the mellow crowd

October 31, 2006

Dear Sir,

We face a problem every year when it comes to the end of the summer. This problem is keeping the bad drugs, heroin, crack, cocaine, etc. on the streets and taking the marijuana off the streets. In doing so, you increase the violence among the people in Bermuda. Most people that would usually stay home and chill (smoke) are now going into bars and trying to drink because there is a shortage. This in turn causes fights, gang violence and unnecessary problems. Why not cater to the "Mellow Crowd"? We are not bad people. Obviously us "smokers" can not hold our alcohol. Please look at my opinion logically instead of discriminating before you really consider all the evidence over the past five years.

Bureaucracy runing wild?

November 1, 2006

Dear Sir,

I have today been faced with what many might consider the ultimate in farcical requests from the Bermuda Department of Immigration. I am a born Bermudian, of some considerable number of generations. My son, the next generation, was born in Bermuda, lives in Bermuda and recently married a non-Bermudian bride, in Bermuda. He holds a Bermuda Passport and serves in the Bermuda Regiment. Anyone would think that he could be considered Bermudian. His wife applied to the Department of Immigration for a "Spousal Certificate" only to be told that she cannot have it as her husband (my son) is not Bermudian.

In order to prove to the Department of Immigration that he is Bermudian, he is required to provide a notarized copy of his Bermuda Passport (issued by the Department of Immigration) and a notarized copy of his Birth Certificate (issued by the Bermuda Registrar General). Both of these documents are Bermuda Government issue, so why must they be notarized, at great expense? They can be checked easy enough.

He must also produce a notarized copy of his mother's Status Certificate (again issued by the Department of Immigration) as well as a notarized copy of my Marriage Certificate. What my marriage certificate has to do with his being Bermudian, I don't know, as I am sure that there are lots of Bermudians running around who are children of unwed parents. His Birth Certificate lists both his parents, both of whom are Bermudian.

In order to expedite things and to not stir up too much trouble, we will comply with these asinine requests, but it begs the question Has Government run wild? Have they forgotten who their customers are or are they just being incompetent or a pain? Another matter. Has anyone noticed that to apply for the renewal of a work permit requires that you complete a 12 page form? It boggles the mind! I need say no more.

Over and above

November 1, 2006

Dear Sir,

I would like to offer a rebuttal to "watching and waiting" that appeared in your paper on November 1st, pertaining to the UBP MP's donating to charities. While I cannot speak for the majority of UBP MP's there is one in particular that I can opine on and that would be Mr. Michael Dunkley JP MP. As Treasurer of Knowledge Quest, I can tell you that Mr. Dunkley and his family have consistently provided annual funding to our organisation since its inception in 2001 and just two weeks ago, Mr. Dunkley forwarded a check to our charity representing his salary increase as an MP. This is over and above his normal annual contribution.

For those of you that are unaware of Knowledge Quest, we are a registered charity in Bermuda (#631) and its mission is to encourage and foster college or university education for aspiring young Bermudians of limited financial means. It is the belief of the organisers of Knowledge Quest that greater knowledge and advanced education will have a positive impact on the future of the islands of Bermuda. We currently are financially supporting 21 Bermudians who are seeking to attain a Bachelors or Masters Degree.