Hold your head up, girl

April 26, 2004

Dear Sir,

Every once in a while we come up against our own annoying habits we can't seem to beat. Smoking, overeating, biting your nails, overspending, you name it, it can get the best of us.

For some women it's falling into the arms of a man and believing that this time everything will be okay. I don't know Ms Diane McQueen personally, but that could be the habit she fights with. And I don't assume that due to her choices she is completely irresponsible and therefore a bad mother. She is brave and courageous. She put aside pride and risked her reputation to do what she had to do as a mother and asked this Island for help.

Despite the nasty e-mails, letters, and comments she got what she needed. She has a roof over head and her children. They will grow up knowing how hard she fought for them and possibly learn from her mistakes. And why should the tax payers help? Because none of us know the future. I seriously doubt this is the first or last time a home has been bought and the new owners has asked the tenants to move out. It could have been you and your children.

I do agree that mistakes happen and it will be hard for the mother and children, but I know of two women who made the same choices when they were younger. They each raised four children on their own, and all of their children are adults who respect and love their mothers for the sacrifices they made.

So to Ms McQueen, hold your head up girl. You're not the first person to make this mistake nor will you be the last. You do what you have to do, people will talk and it will hurt, but what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger. So don't be ashamed, there are some of us on this island who are praying for you.

And to the rest of you, I'm not afraid to say what I have to say and sign my name.

ADWINA THOMPSON

Devonshire

BIC meeting: clarification

4 May 2005

Dear Sir,

I read with interest, and yet with some concern, the article in last Friday's Royal Gazette (29 April) reporting the Bermuda Independence Commission's (BIC's) meeting the previous day at the Bermuda College. The article contains some comments attributed to BIC members which I believe require some clarification.

On the issue of Bermudians continuing to retain British passports in the event that Bermuda becomes independent, the Governor has placed on record the UK's policy (his letter of 16 February to the Chairman of the BIC - from which I quote:

The details would be a matter for negotiation, following which the nationality consequences of independence would be dealt with in an Act of the United Kingdom Parliament. I can, however, say that I have no reason to suppose that they would be materially different from the arrangements made at the time of independence of many of our other former Territories. The main elements of these were that British nationality was withdrawn from the majority of those acquiring citizenship of the new state, but that provision was made for its retention where the person concerned had a residual connection - for example through a parent or grandparent - with either the United Kingdom or a remaining Overseas Territory.

In light of this, while I endorse the sentiment that we all need to ensure that our respective passport arrangements are always up-to-date, it must be apparent that being urged to apply now for British passports (in anticipation of possible independence - as this article appears to suggest) would make no difference to the final position of the UK Parliament on this matter.

So far as I am aware, it is not possible for any country - be it an independent state or overseas Territory - to join the United Nations as an associate member. This status does not exist. It would, of course, be possible, with UK approval, for Bermuda to join a regional UN body - for example the UN Economic Commission for Latin America, and the Caribbean (ECLAC) as an associate member - if she wished to do so. Similarly, again with the agreement of the UK, associate membership of ECOSOC - the UN's Economic, Social and Cultural organisation - may also be a possibility for Bermuda.

The article also reports one of the BIC member's as saying that Britain is ‘'prepared to let Bermuda decide whether to vote on sovereignty by a general election or a referendum''; and that ‘'Should a general election be held and the results be close England may intervene and require that a referendum be held before the matter is taken in the House of Commons.''

These comments describe a British stance somewhat wide of the mark: in particular, British Ministers have never officially commented on their likely policy response in the event that the subject of independence were put to the people of Bermuda in a general election. It may help to clarify the British Government's current position on this issue, if I quote from a letter of 10 February to the Premier from FCO Minister, Bill Rammell:

As the grant of independence by the UK requires the prior approval of Parliament, the UK Government need to be satisfied that, if a territory moves to independence, it does so on the basis of the clearly and constitutionally expressed wish of its people. The move to independence is a fundamental step. Increasingly in the UK, major constitutional issues of this kind are being put to a referendum. At this time, the presumption of the UK Government is that a referendum would be the way of testing opinion in those territories where independence is an option. But a final decision on whether to go the referendum route, and what form the referendum might take, would need to be determined by the UK on a case by case basis, reflecting the uniqueness and individual characteristics of each territory.

The key point to appreciate is that it is ultimately for the British Government, not Bermuda, to decide how it is satisfied that a decision (to move towards Independence) is the “clear and constitutionally expressed will of the people”.

In placing the above points on record, I am very conscious that responsibility for the content of this article rests with the journalist/sub-editor and not necessarily the members of the BIC.

The Governor's letter to the BIC, plus Bill Rammell's letter to the Premier (both referred to above) can be found on the Government House website.

NICK CARTER

Acting Governor

Appalled by leniency

April 30, 2005

Dear Sir,

I was appalled to read the story pertaining to the court proceedings and sentencing regarding “Drunk driver who caused serious accident escape jail sentence”.

I am certain that there are many Bermudians who, like me, are constantly appalled at the lenient sentences handed down by our lily-livered magistrates and judges, aided and abetted by defence lawyers, whose main interest in a case appears to be the amount of the fee that they can charge.

In this case, the drunk gets a “slap-on-the-wrist” suspended sentence, and a ban on drinking at bars for a year. No mention of a suspension of driving privileges. The order to make a $5,000 reparation payment (probably at a minimal monthly sum) is an insult to the victim, whose life has been ruined for years, if not for ever. Does the victim's pain and suffering, both mental and physical, mean anything at all to the court? Apparently not, and so once again, the perpetrator of the offence gets off almost scot-free, and the victim will suffer in oblivion.

We all enjoy a great “justice” system!

CYNICAL CITIZEN

Warwick

Must address issues

April 26, 2005

Dear Sir,

In an effort to see Government and Opposition work on another imperative social agenda, may I suggest we address the following:

1. Improvement in our policing and Police Force whether by quality or quantity, it starts here.

2. Taking the mayhem and laughter out of the Magistrates Court and creating an aura of respect for the Courts.

3. Streamlining the judiciary to come into the 22nd Century.

4. Take the “D” for Depressing out of the DDP and turn it into “D” for Dauntless.

Failure to do so will create low cost housing islandwide, job opportunities for everyone (but no one able to pay), open roads and empty flights to and from Bermuda.

Should we decide not to address these issues we will be neither Dependent nor Independent - it won't matter. We must as I see it, stop flirting with the consequences of collapse and address issues that impact all of us. It's open season again to punch out our visitors and we whine that the United States has put us on the “Not so safe” list!

TOM BUTTERFIELD

A big thank you

April 26, 2005

Dear Sir,

We would like to take the opportunity to thank the Ross “Blackie” Talbot Charity for selecting Masterworks as one of the three recipients of this year's Golf Classic.

Having now seen the profile and impact, I am certain that if “Blackie” Talbot were alive today, he'd be most proud of the fellowship, camaraderie and community spirit of goodwill. The REAL Bermuda. Clem Talbot and all those involved have created a model upon which we should all fashion and function in our daily lives. We salute you and will embrace through our own programmes this diversity and energy.

Thanks too for the competitive nature of selling raffle tickets, and congratulations to ‘De Boys Day Out' and the Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association.

TOM BUTTERFIELD