Analogy got it wrong

January 29, 2004

Dear Sir,

In response to Dr. Tamerry?s letter of January 8, 2004 I would like to point out that in fact a victim of abuse is generally not suffering from any kind of psychosis or psychological illness or even an inferiority complex.

They are suffering from abuse.

Offenders need treatment. Victims need safety, information and support.

Perpetuating myths about abuse are unhelpful in the extreme and if one must use an analogy to support one?s thesis, at least use a suitable one.

Excuse does not stand up

January 30, 2004

Dear Sir,

While no one should be singled out and I do agree that all should pay their parking tickets, if unlucky enough to get any, I take exception to the ?excuse? made by the Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in the article about the non-payment of parking tickets by his staff on the front page of the January 29 edition of the paper.

The DPP states that ?a ?mitigating factor? to be taken into account was the fact that those prosecutors who did receive parking tickets usually got them while carrying out their official functions?. Well guess what sir, the majority of people that come into ?town? on a daily basis, come to carry out our ?official functions? ? i.e., working for a living. It would certainly make it easier if I, along with the thousands of others working in town, were able to park much closer to our jobs (let?s say Reid Street) rather than parking at Bulls Head or even City Hall parking lots and walking in.

We all know that the Department of Public Prosecutions is no more than a two to three minute walk from Magistrates? and Supreme Courts. Please explain to me why it is necessary for the public prosecutors to park outside of these buildings? There are five pay and display parking lots within walking distance of the centre of town. One lot, on Dundonald Street, is not more than a five to six minute walk from the DPP?s offices. If one cannot get out of bed and make it into town before 8.30 a.m., I?m sure a spot can be found at one of the other four parking lots.

If the prosecutors? fines are anywhere in the vicinity of the $16,000 that was reported in your paper on 27 January, and paid off ?to the satisfaction of my office? on 28 January, it stands to reason that between $4 and $10 a day for parking won?t put a dent in the pocketbook/wallet.

Butler off the mark

January 20, 2004

Dear Sir,

This letter is in response to Dale Butler?s comment on VSB news on January 16. He denied that the PLP ever intentionally played the race card in order to gain support. Who is he trying to kid? Unless you have your head buried deeply at Horseshoe Bay it is plainly obvious that race was indeed a major card played in the PLP?s two consecutive victories. What other cards did they play? Their first victory came riding on the wave of their race-based ?emancipation? theme and they won the 2003 election even though they didn?t bother to unveil a platform until three days before the poll.

Does Mr. Butler, who implied European (white) women should wear more deodorant not remember Ewart Brown?s ?Don?t vote yourself back on the plantation? plea to Bermuda?s black majority, which became flyers on cars. Did Mr. Butler not hear the racially inflammatory commercials run by the PLP for the 2003 election, labelling their opposition as ?shysters? and the same old UBP, ?just with a darker tan?? Was Mr Butler unaware that this racist satire continued to be performed at PLP rallies even after one commercial was pulled following legal advice?

Renee Webb said: ?Whether people like it or not, politics in Bermuda is based on race because of the history of the country.? Bermuda?s historical foundations involved racism and we should all be aware that there have been significant impacts of yesterday?s injustices but let?s not lay foundations for the future with the same flaws. We can remember and appreciate the effects of our racist past without reliving it in reverse. The PLP needs to stop focusing on slavery and segregation in order to maintain their grip on power and start winning support through genuine achievements instead of fear.

I would like to see both the UBP and the PLP become more representative of Bermuda?s voting population.

When it comes to racial issues the UBP has a lot to answer for but after hearing ?Deodorant Dale? on the news I felt the need to assess, just how much truth there was to his statement. My conclusion is, none whatsoever.

Tips help to stop cancer

January 29, 2004

Dear Sir,

Yesterday?s paper showed Mr. Wayne Furbert, JP, MP, owner of the Paradiso Caf?, presenting me a cheque in the amount of $10,000 for the New Cancer Resource Centre at 46 Point Finger Road, Paget.

Through your publication, I would like to thank all patrons of The Paradiso Caf?, who over the last 15 months have so generously donated to the ?Tips for Cancer? box for The TB Cancer & Health Association, and who continue to support our organisation though all our fundraising activities. Your contributions will be recognised on our donors? wall in the new Centre.

On behalf of our Association, I extend to everyone who has not already used our facilities to visit the new exciting Centre and to enjoy our Resource library, the staff look forward to assisting you all.