Powellised Minister

May 27, 2006

Dear Sir,

If the Hon. Dale Butler isn?t careful, ?P? & Company will do to him what the Bush administration did to Colin Powell.

DISAPPOINTED IN PAGET

Disrespecting God

May 26, 2006

Dear Sir,

What Renee Webb said in today?s news was a disrespect to God. I?m not trying to put you down by my words nor am I trying to start any conflicts. Considering what happened to Sodom & Gomorrah, it should?ve told her that if those people were destroyed because of their uncleanliness then, what do you think will happen to those people of today who choose to live their lives like those people in Sodom & Gomorrah did?

If you read 1 Cor.6:9,it clearly says: ?What! Do YOU not know that unrighteous persons will not inherit God?s kingdom? Do not be misled. Neither fornicators, nor idolators, nor adulterers, nor men kept for unnatural purposes,nor men who lie with men, nor thieves,nor greedy persons,nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit God?s kingdom?.There?s still time for you to change your ugly thought regarding that stupid right and repent.

REMEMBER THE SCRIPTURE

Pembroke

A Parliament of wimps

May 28, 2006

Dear Sir,

I am writing in reference to the events, or lack thereof, which occurred in Friday?s Parliamentary sitting. I am overwhelmed with the lack of leadership that both the PLP and the UBP displayed in the House. The whole sequence of events was obviously conspired and in my opinion it represents that our Government is not concerned about the basic human rights of its citizens; but more concerned about votes.

The large amount of recent media coverage given to Renee?s Webb?s Human Rights Act amendment is evidence that adding sexual orientation to the Human Rights Act is an important issue to the general public; for both those in favour and against the amendment.

Therefore, why didn?t anybody speak up about the issue and debate it, other than Nelson Bascome? Such an issue should have never been dismissed without discussion. At this point the only Members of Parliament I have respect for are Renee Webb and Nelson Bascome, as they are the only two people who had the guts to speak about this controversial issue. Furthermore, why did the Minister responsible for the Human Rights Act leave the room to use the toilet just before the issue was to be voted on? Especially considering that he has publicly announced that he is in favour of the amendment. Could it be that he was under pressure from his House colleagues?

When an issue this important is on the table for discussion, our country?s decision makers, and leaders, should not be silent on the topic. Regardless of whether they are in favour or against it, members of both the Government and the Opposition should have stood up and stated their position on discrimination, rather than hiding behind a voice vote. As for the UBP, when an issue on Human Rights is being discussed, you do not wait to see what the present Government would say on the topic; you stand up and speak. This was supposed to be a vote of conscience, not a party decision.

As for the influence that the Church had on this outcome, I can only speculate. I do respect those within the religious community, and they have every right to have their moral and belief systems. However, in a secular society, with a secular government, one has the freedom of religion and the freedom to choose their own moral and belief system. The religious community is protected under the Human Rights Act, so what right do they have to discriminate against another group? Furthermore, most religions have not had the best track record throughout history when it comes to Human Rights.

At the end of the day people are forgetting that this is not an issue about homosexuality. It is an issue about the equal rights of everyone and having the proper legislation in place to protect people from discrimination on any basis. Right now there is a major hole in Bermuda?s Human Rights legislation.

SAD AND DISHEARTENED

Pembroke

Christians come together

May 31, 2006

Dear Sir,

Saints, it?s time to come out of the religious closet! Things happen when we pray! Situations change when we as Christians come together in one accord!

On Friday, May 26, 2006, there was an exceptional ?coming together? of Ministers, lay people and prayer warriors, who in solidarity against the proposed controversial amendment being presented in the House of Assembly, bombarded Heaven in prayer, and as a result the amendment did not come to fruition.

We are admonished to pray for those in authority, and we must also realise that we are not wrestling against ?flesh and blood?, but against the spirit that?s operating in the individual(s).

We must stand up as Children of God for what we believe without fear of repercussions. The enemy is not afraid of the fight, neither should we.

This is not the end of it. We cannot become complacent and think it?s all over and go back to sleep.

We must be heard on every social issue which tries to negate ?what God says?. We must be the social conscience that God expects us to be!

PASTOR RONALD C. E. SMITH AND CONGREGATION OF THE FIRST CHURCH OF GOD

Angle Street, Hamilton

Clear message sent

May 31, 2006

Dear Sir,

What a sad day for Bermuda. Renee Webb was quoted as saying: ?Bermuda is not a theocracy.?

I?m sorry to say that I believe that it is ? how could you not see it? The notion that allowing basic human rights to people based on sexual orientation would lead to same-sex marriages is nothing but a smokescreen. The opinion that homosexuality is wrong is spearheaded by the church; who believe, contrary to what science has leaned towards and is continuing to, that homosexuality is a lifestyle. A choice. Who would choose to be ostracised, hated, discriminated against, shunned?

The message is clear ? homosexuals, transsexuals and trans-gendered people are not welcome in Bermuda. You might as well pack up and leave today or stay in the closet and keep your ?lifestyle? to yourself.

Both sides of the house were presented with an opportunity to vote for all people to be awarded the rights they deserve - have always deserved - and nothing was done. Not even a debate or a discussion occurred, clearly due to a fear of losing the political support of the churches. No churches, no votes.

How very, very sad.

STRAIGHT BUT NOT NARROW

City of Hamilton

Good for Mark Anderson

May 25, 2006

Dear Sir,

I was disappointed to hear that the Government of Bermuda banned Mark Anderson from the Bermuda Day Parade and delighted when I read in today?s paper that he joined in anyway. I wonder how we can exclude any Bermudian from the parade while last year we all watched an American marching band make it?s way through the streets of Hamilton. I was just wondering, what part of Bermuda?s heritage did they represent?

DARLENE OUTERBRIDGE

St. George?s

Follow the policy

May 31, 2006

Dear Sir,

Oh dear me! Here we have the petulant David Burch with his knickers all in a twist because his tiny little plan to get back at the Auditor General has backfired, exposing his truly stupid scheme to match office space with numbers of employees.

He says, and you can imagine him stamping his foot in a huff: ?He?s going to have a whole lot of company from a lot of other people in Government because the same process is going to apply to them?. And just take them that!

Now Mr. Editor, can you believe what will happen when this ignoring of the differing needs for filing cabinets and office equipment hits, for example, the Archives? With two or three employees there must be an acre of document storage.

Mr. Burch?s reaction to that will doubtless be: ?Well! You know I?ve had this policy in place since April and you just should have done something! You?ve had plenty of time! You just know you have! Now you and your silly papers will be out in the street with the annoying Mr. Dennis. So there!

SO THERE!

St. George?s