September 17, 2003

Dear Sir,

I am a Bermudian living off the Island.

The latest action by the BIU is appalling and reminds me why, after many requests to return to the Island and use my expertise to help with the developing, and obviously developed, social problems, I remain in the United States.

Bermuda has become a microcosm of everything which assaults the US today. Belligerent children and teens who are beginning, themselves, to have children and will further the problem as parents because they never, themselves, learned the rules of life.

Gang warfare. Selfish ways - striking when the Island is trying to pull itself back together. It is simply disgusting. Anything that can be done to educate the self-aggrandising is wasted because they are just that. I am dismayed at what my home has become.

There was a time when Bermuda was genteel - to the point that I read an article in the early 80s in the London Daily Telegraph that it was not uncommon for a Bermudian to stop a tourist on the street and ask how his/her holiday was progressing. Would this ever happen today?

Where is my country is heading, (because) where it already seems to be now is horrifying. Take the worst of every problem found in the inner cities of America and you will find it magnified in Bermuda; drugs, gangs, murder.

The pervasive and prevailing attitude is rotten to the core and is threatening the very existence of civilisation there. Bermuda is headed towards anarchy. When the old ways are being labelled anachronistic, I ask with what are they being replaced? Selfishness, avarice, covetousness are the ways du jour, it seems.

Bermuda is filled with people unwilling to look at themselves, at their own actions. Simply too difficult to do, it is far easier to hide in a glass of ‘Dark and Stormy'. Go on as if everything will be all right. It won't.

As a collective consciousness, Bermudians have long found themselves bound in the mother of all complexes (sticking one's head in the proverbial sand) and are so far removed from awareness of themselves, and honesty with themselves, that there is little hope anymore. Save the very few.

In this time of trouble, Alex Scott and his government have been admirable in rebuilding the infrastructure. It is an excellent - perhaps the only (and last) - opportunity to also rebuild the community of Bermuda.

To stem the seemingly inexorable flow of the river of inhumanity which is rising in what once was, and could again be, the pearl of the Atlantic: Bermuda.

DEEPLY SADDENED

Florida

September 17, 2003

Dear Sir,

There is a well-known truism, ‘A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed'.

This Island has just come through a devastating category three hurricane; many in our community are suffering hardship and financial loss.

It astounds me that neither the so-called ‘mother country' the United Kingdom or our neighbours and new partners to the south, Caricom, have come forth with any offers of financial assistance. Britain was willing to supply us with manpower, some blankets and a helicopter while I have not heard so much as a coconut being offered from Caricom. I do not believe Bermuda should take this lightly, perhaps we need to take a closer look at who are friends really are.

On a related note, most Bermudians will remember that the first contact we had with the outside world after the storm had passed was a low flying US coast guard plane. What a comforting sight that was.

In my heart I saluted them and thought God Bless America. This little Island is very fortunate to have as our nearest neighbour the most powerful nation on the topside of the Earth and even more fortunate to count her as a friend. Sometimes we ought to contemplate this.

Sincerely

RECMAN

Devonshire

September 16,2003

Dear Sir,

As I looked over at the bridge today,I stood there thinking that Fabian took a lot from us, not only our worldly possessions, but four lives, never giving us a chance to say goodbye.

Not too long ago we lost three precious others to the roads. There hasn't been a day that I haven't thought of you, or the family and friends that were left behind. May your hearts lighten in knowing they're still with someone who loves them.

I was amazed to see how quickly we all pulled together as a community. We may have fallen, but we got up and proudly dusted ourselves off. It was wonderful to see neighbours, some of whom I haven't seen in months, on trucks loading and picking up debris. Smiling and chatting among themselves as they tarped their roofs. Others opened their homes to those without water and electricity.

It's truly the most amazing feeling, spiritually,to see how strong a community we still are. The help (Thank You!) offered from overseas that we humbly turned down, our pride in standing on our own. Slowly but surely we're recovering.

Be very proud of the work carried out by the Regiment, Police, Parks, Works and Engineering and other emergency crews, Telco and especially Belco. Long after night fell, dinner plates packed away, even some of us in our beds, your trucks we're still moving up and down the torn streets of Bermuda.Your dedication and commitment to this Island is truly commendable.

You all should be very proud, as often your work goes by unrewarded. Seeing what I've seen these past few days has made me very proud to be Bermudian.

FULL HEART

Southampton

September 18, 2003

Dear Sir,

How frustrating, disappointing, disgusting and pathetic that the Island is now subject to the selfish actions of the BIU! Shame on you, BIU!

Perhaps all of our disheartened family members and friends who have lost their jobs - especially those in the hospitality industry - due to Fabian should be given your jobs - since you don't seem to care ...and I am sure they would love the security of an income.

Perhaps all of our family and friends who have had to incur additional expenses for cabs and minibuses to get to work and their children to school should save their bills and claim reimbursement from the BIU.

Perhaps our cruise ship visitors stranded in Dockyard should seek compensation from the BIU for a holiday spoiled. I did not work for almost two weeks because of Fabian in order to help my community get back on track. If I do not work I do not have an income ....but it was more important to assist with the Dockyard cleanup, the school clean-up and helping care for friends' and families' children so they could do their jobs and clean up their homes.

My sister is still homeless due to the complete loss of her roof - but she and her husband were at their jobs 6 a.m. the morning after!

We have just had our cruise ships returned - and I work adjacent to the Visitors Service Bureau in Dockyard - the ladies there are exhausted and stressed from trying to assist the passengers.

One passenger has just informed me that she is dining at a table for nine, and none of them will ever return again. The majority of visitors will not hold sympathy when they are inconvenienced - they leave with a bad taste.

I hope you feel secure in your jobs BIU ...because I will gladly help and step in if you cannot service your own people and our visitors! I know the majority of the Island has been selfless, community spirited and hard working ...how dare the BIU undo what we have worked so hard to achieve in putting our country back together!

Thank you for allowing me to voice what so many feel.

SUNDEE FAULKNER

Sandys Parish

September 17, 2003

Dear Sir,

Let me inform the public on a few facts about CableVision:

1. Those idiots were pirating cable from the United States then had the nerve to charge us for it.

2. The so called ‘new cable boxes' are originally the same cable boxes found in the States.

3. Our so-called ‘up to 74 channels' is really some channels repeating each other: 6 & 11 share the same station, 7 & 8 and there are a few others like that.

4. There's a cable company that allows up to 99 channels (might be more, I'm not sure) and charges no more than $60. Ours charges close to $80.

5.This company shouldn't be going on strike... nah, they should be paying the people back the money that people keep paying them for the so many channels that do repeat.

KNOWING THE FACTS

Bermuda

September 17, 2003

Dear Sir,

Just noticed that we got hammered 406 to 112 in cricket by Barbados (it's enough to make me laugh). Any chance of us getting better or, is it because we're still amateurs and haven't reached professional level that we're always getting slammed?

I guess this explains why Bermuda doesn't have a basketball team, a full track and field team, pro golf players and a tennis squad. That's Bermuda for you.

NBA FANATIC

Pembroke