Rush hour madness

November 4, 2003

Dear Sir,

Every afternoon at four 4 o'clock, the man from Works and Engineering puts out the orange bollards to change the traffic flow to two lanes coming out of town.

The problem is that almost every day, the construction firm building on the waterside has still got the lane closed off for construction delivery purposes.

We then have a situation where there is no lane open for traffic travelling into town. These vehicles are forced into the middle lane, which by then has traffic on it coming from Front Street.

Do we have to wait until there is a serious accident or could someone from Works and Engineering or whoever deals with such issues ensure that the "bollard man" does his thing only after ensuring that the lane into Hamilton is open. This is not rocket science!

A frightening message

November 3, 2003

Dear Sir,

A mandatory reporting policy should require any agency that comes into regular contact with children to report all suspected cases of abuse to an investigative authority. In order to be effective, it should carry substantial penalties for non-compliance. It should also be public knowledge that such a policy exists. Most definitely the Public Prosecutions Department should be aware of it and be prepared to act on it without fear or favour.

If this is not the case, and I am presuming that such a policy does not exist based on the text of the report on page 7 of today's , then we are failing in our duty to protect our children. Whether or not it is our intent, we are sending a message to perpetrators that they can act with virtual impunity. We are also sending a message to survivors of molestation and assault, along with their parents, that they cannot depend on the law for justice and that their safety and well-being are not among our priorities.

The RAPE Crisis Centre (not the Women's Resource Centre) along with the Coalition for the Protection of Children was vocal in support of the institution of such a policy as far back as 15 years ago. We were also requesting screens in court for all survivors of sexual assault and video taped testimonies from children, as well as expert witnesses in the form of psychological advocates, to prevent just such a travesty of justice as was reported to have taken place during the recent trial of an eight year old (phrasing deliberate) for daring to report molestation by a trusted guardian ? his teacher.

Traditionally, Bermuda has been slow when it comes to legislative reform, but the consequences of inaction in this arena have a serious impact on our society. A survey conducted by the RAPE Crisis Centre (The Women's Resource Centre) in 1987-88 indicated that the incidence of sexual abuse, especially before the age of 16, was high for both males and females. During, the same time period, then Sergeant Gertrude Barker reported that almost without exception, incarcerated sex offenders were acknowledging that they themselves have experienced early childhood sexual abuse. It has also been noted, both here and in the States, that there is an extremely high proportion of survivors of sexual abuse and molestation among the clientele of substance abuse treatment agencies.

The relationship between childhood sexual abuse and subsequent sexual precocity (premature knowledge of sex and early sexual acting-out) has also been documented. Other responses to early sexual abuse that have also been well documented include aggression, violence, disrespect for authority, and general mistrust, all of which get passed down from generation to generation unless psychological counselling and support are provided to stop the cycle.

This is not a plea for sympathy or leniency for criminals or drug addicts, nor a prediction regarding the future of that courageous child, but a request for recognition that many of those who undergo sexual trauma in childhood grow up to perpetuate the abuse by abusing others and/or themselves, and that this has a negative influence on society. It is difficult not to see at least a partial connection between childhood sexual abuse and the increasingly early sexual activity of our young people, the mounting incidence of teen pregnancy, the increase in violent behaviour and the escalating intensity of that behaviour, along with the rise in drug and alcohol related problems this island is presently experiencing.

Children are vulnerable to abuse because they have no power. They are dependent on adults-parents, schools and the justice system to empower them. A headmistress who did not follow through on reporting a suspected crime against a child in her care, a magistrate who allowed a child to be grilled for five hours by a lawyer who reportedly yelled derogatory remarks directly into that child's face without being called to account by the same magistrate, who also refused to allow the child's parents to be present, all acted to disempower that child, to negate and take away his voice ? trauma on top of whatever trauma he had already experienced. Collectively, they also sent a clear message to victims and perpetrators alike: "The system acts to protect the strong against the weak." That is a frightening message for us all.

Where is the justice?

Dear Sir,

Our grieving family has been left in shock and disbelief over the handling of the case involving Tyaisha Cox (the little girl who was knocked down out side Purvis School over the summer and eventually taken off life support).

We were shocked to learn that the woman (a white foreigner) who knocked down our beloved Tyaisha may not face any criminal prosecution. This information was first conveyed to us by a prominent local attorney. To make matters worst when we checked with the police we were basically told the same thing. However, the police did add that there was no law on the books in reference to pedestrians being knocked down and killed.

We were also shocked to learn that the woman (a white foreigner) was allowed to leave the jurisdiction and return. We thought that she should at least be on police bail and have to surrender her travel documents while the 'so called' investigation was on going.... NOT.

We are not prejudiced against race or nationality, but could somebody please tell us where is the justice here.

World view is foggy

November 4, 2003

Dear Sir,

I am writing in response to Bill Cook's letter of October 27 (appearing in your October 30 edition). I appreciate your allowing me the opportunity to educate Mr. Cook about history, geopolitics and sociology because it is obvious that he is sadly misinformed about all these disciplines.

First, what underlies Mr. Cook's analysis is the view that all Jews must think alike. It is apparent that he is not familiar with the vigourous debate within the Jewish community about virtually every issue or event inside and outside the Jewish milieu. It would be edifying to know if Mr. Cook believes that all Christians and all Muslims are subject to this same herd mentality or is this a failing that is exclusive to Jews?

Second, to say that Israel can act without impunity is as laughable as it is disingenuous. No country in the world is subject to more criticism and more censure than Israel, witness the never-ending stream of UN resolutions and rebukes from countries whose own practices and histories make Israel seem virginal by comparison. What Mr. Cook really means is that nothing Israel does is acceptable to him because he doesn't respect Israel's right to exist. If he did accept that basic fact, he would also have to concede that Israel has the right to defend itself.

Third, I doubt very much that Mr. Cook has studied any Middle Eastern history because if he had, he would not be able to discuss the conditions in refugee camps without noting that: i) no other refugee group in world history has been refused integration by the country of refuge in the way that Palestinians have been (not a single Arab country has permitted the Palestinians to become legal residents or to work or have access to meaningful assistance of any kind): ii) the Palestinian's neighbours, especially Syria and Jordan, have slaughtered Palestinians in far, far greater numbers than have the Israelis: iii) the Palestinians have received sufficient foreign aid, mostly from the EEC and the US, to take care of their community's needs but the larceny of the Palestinians' own leadership has meant the aid is not going to the people who need it, and (iv) Palestinians have had a number of opportunities to reach a peace agreement with the Israelis but their leadership has always chosen the path of violence.

I do share Mr. Cook's empathy with the plight of the Palestinians, but to assign 100 percent of the blame for this situation on Jews (note that Mr. Cook cannot distinguish between Jews and Israel) is simply ludicrous.

As for the matter of nuclear capabilities, the jury is still out on that one. If Israel does possess nuclear weapons, however, perhaps that is the only thing that has prevented its Arab neighbours from carrying out their repeated threats to destroy Israel.

Finally, we must address Mr. Cook's statement that there is a Zionist cabal somehow influencing American foreign policy.

This is the same sort of nonsense that the Germans used in the 1930s to justify their subsequent campaign of genocide and Mr. Cook should be ashamed of himself. Yes, there are Jews in senior positions in the White House and other branches of the US government. But there are also a significant number of Muslims in similar situations. Does Mr. Cook believe that all American Muslims have their first loyalty to Al Qaeda? Or how about Condoleeza Rice, Colin Powell, Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld? They are arguably the four most influential policy-makers in the US administration and they are all Christians. Does that make them part of a Christian plot to seize control of American foreign policy?

And to prove the existence of this Zionist conspiracy, Mr. Cook cites an opinion piece in Reuters which hardly confirms anything other than the fact that someone else shares Mr. Cook's foggy world view. That doesn't make either of them right. It just means that Mr. Cook is not alone in his misconceptions and prejudices.

Mr. Cook, the American government supports the state of Israel not because a Jewish 'mafia' has controlled successive US administrations. It's because the American people believe defending the only democracy in the Middle East is the right thing to do.

Let me end by saying that I am a former resident of Bermuda and a former leader of the Island's Jewish community. This is why I try to stay in touch with events in Bermuda and I am saddened that the nations' pre-eminent newspaper would allow such racist drivel to find its way into your editorial pages.