August 14, 2002

Dear Sir,

"IT'S A DIFFERENT WORLD WITH THE LIGHTS OUT",

This is BELCO's new motto you know,

they sing it to all the poor people

in Spanish Point West of North Shore,

who sit without lights, fans, or fridges,

in heat reaching ninety degrees.

August 5 we were off for six hours on the 13 for seven, and more.

Today BELCO have all their trucks out, not one is in the garage.

Men are climbing up polls on their ladders to find power they hope will assuage,

those angry Spanish Point people, each one tired of all BELCO's guff.

Their excuses and lies while we sit in the dark, yes I think enough is enough!

WAITING FOR LIGHT

August 11, 2002

Dear Sir,

I now periodically read stories from your newspaper online, and I am very much reminded of my only visit to Australia in 1971.

As an American, I had the strong impression while in Australia of being in the US 20 years earlier. Australian society seemed very much like US society during my early youth.

So too, reading some of the stories in your paper remind me of similar events in this country 20 years ago. The most recent is your story about drugs being bought and sold in the prisons of Bermuda. Goodness! Our drug prohibition created that scenario in this country 20 years ago, and now, predictably, it happens in quaint Bermuda.

RICHARD SINNOTT

Fort Pierce, Florida

August 19, 2002

Dear Sir,

Last night I was watching "Sports Voice" on ZFB - T.V. I found the interview with a young disabled man both interesting and informative, and was much impressed with his courage and fortitude; despite his handicap he is making a mark in the sport of tennis, anticipating overseas tournaments.

However, the reporter doing the interview used the words "pisses" and "Goddamn", which was not only unnecessary, but in extreme poor taste. If this language is common in his private life, then so be it, that is his privilege, but in an interview aired on television and viewed by many, I thought it crude & profane - in other words, offensive. I believe this reporter owes the public an apology.

PAGET

August 21, 2002

Dear Sir,

Certainly the suffering and anger that Roshea Lewis feels over the death of her son are greater emotions than most of us can comprehend. However, the pain caused from the death of her son should not be confused with the emotion-fuelled contention that a convicted killer has no rights.

The penal system is not intended merely to take an eye for an eye, or to cut a pound of flesh; rather the intention is to rehabilitate criminals and prepare them to join society as productive and contributing members.

Certainly taxpayers would rather pay for Sharina Tuzo's education now and benefit from having a paediatrician in the future, than to further ostracise Ms Tuzo and pay for her to remain in the penal system or be on the dole for the rest of her life. My sympathy goes out to Ms. Lewis and I hope that both her and Ms. Tuzo benefit from the full education that all people, even convicted criminals, deserve.

JAMES SMITH

Toronto, Canada

August 11, 2002

Dear Sir,

I'm writing about: "Prison Drug Trade Booming" (August 9).

If you cannot keep drugs out of your prisons how do you expect to be able to keep drugs out of your country?

When you get the answer, please share it with the politicians from the former "Land of Liberty". You know, the country with fewer than five percent of the world's population, but greater than 25 percent of the world's prisoners.

KIRK MUSE

Mesa, Arizona

August 16, 2002

Dear Sir,

I'm not going to wast your time Mr. Editor, I'm going to get right to the point. The people need to vote for the PLP, Period! With regards to the predictable, routine boring and self-centred PLP leadership struggles Mr. Editor, it's trivia! Only a fool leans upon his own misunderstandings. Bermudians must vote solidly PLP!

DR. AMENEMHET TAMERRY

Pembroke

August 19, 2002

Dear Sir,

It is increasingly apparent with the public opposition to President Bush's proposed war on Iraq by none other than Brent Scowcroft, the former National Security Advisor in the first Bush administration, that Pappa Bush is not in favour of America entering into a war with Iraq, especially one in the absence of clear provocation.

As a loyal servant of Bush senior, it is highly unlikely that he would have publicly broken with the current administration without George senior's explicit blessing. While it may seem strange for the message to have been delivered in such a manner, it is not altogether uncommon amongst elite WASP (White Anglo Saxon Protestant) family circles when it comes to disagreements between father and son. I need only draw attention to the widely publicised relationship between William Cox and his father locally to illustrate my point.

What is fascinating however is that one of the prime motivating factors behind George Jr.'s almost manic desire to vanquish Iraq, has been to restore the family honour, which was tarnished in the mind of some right wing loonies in America, who have never forgiven his father for not advancing American troops to Baghdad, when then President Bush had the opportunity to do so, during the Gulf War. It all sounds rather mediaeval to me. Perhaps that is why Tony Blair, Bush Junior's favourite lackey, is so enthusiastically willing to go along.

ROLFE PATTON COMMISSIONG

City of Hamilton

August 15, 2002

Dear Sir,

Having read several articles and listened to many opinions on racial issues in Bermuda, I think residents might better understand the intent of my suggestion that black leaders are more acceptable then white leaders in our small community if they read the following:

To my knowledge, every country in the world where the majority of the population is black or white, the leader is of the same colour. For example, the United States, England, and Canada have white leaders and those in the Caribbean have black representatives. There were of course Bermudian white leaders, but that was then. Most thought, under the leadership of The Hon. Jennifer Smith, MP, JP, the PLP would finally unite the country, however their focus has been directed more towards prosperity for some instead of healing racial and social ills.

Remember when former premier, the Hon Sir. John Swan gave a speech in March 1994 at the Speaker's Dinner before the Queen in which he talked about the wind-down of the Canadian facility, the closure of the US Naval Base and finally a farewell to the Royal Navy. In part he said, "It is time to dream new dreams, to search for new ideas, to plan for the new and to do what we must to make it a reality". That, "I have a dream" speech was the icing on the cake for many residents who disagreed with his motives," To this day his search for independence has not been forgotten. Especially from those he thought were his supporters. Like Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who managed to bring together a fragmented social and union-controlled nation, the same forces that empowered her, turned their backs and removed her.

Several years ago my wife and I attended a few of the meetings held at the Bermuda College that were designed to bring the races together. Blacks in one room, whites in another and the controversial "others" in another room, caused quite a stir. We thought it was a great idea, however it fizzled out. I wonder why? Maybe the government couldn't visualise a Bermuda where colour is not a consequence. Have we seriously explored ways in coming together or are we going to remain separated by fear, and hostility as we continue to move further apart.

In reality we haven't come anywhere near resolving racial differences.

In 1968, after the riots, a Race Relations Advisory Council was set up and a senior civil servant stated "that prejudice and antagonism are growing in Bermuda, not diminishing".

Frank Manning wrote 34 years ago about a white Bermudian who told his friends over morning coffee, "It takes three black people to do the work that used to be done by a white person". And that "black means lazy and incompetent".

Today race relations have not improved. I personally find comments made about race, extremely offensive! When will this lingering attitude be eradicated?

How many times have we heard about 'the race card' when issues become heated! Politicians 'use race' if they can't win an issue. We've all heard the term, 'safe or a marginal seat' used by the media, politicians and those supposedly in the know. Obviously the term applies to the racial make up of the constituency - black or white. And yet, those who use the term are not considered to be prejudiced and they don't think they are! Let's get real! If we don't approach racism in a serious way we can't expect racial tensions to improve.

Interestingly, blind obedience is no longer acceptable but when we speak up, we are criticised! In today's political arena, freedom of expression often means being sent into the wilderness. Ask the Hon. Arthur Hodgson, who knows all about speaking out of turn. The Hon. Trevor Moniz is another example of hatchet tactics.

After being taken to task by a political journalist who disagreed with my racial observations, I did some real soul-searching. I wondered why I co-chaired the Eliza Dolittle Society - an organisation dedicated to offering solutions to the homeless and beggars on our streets. I wonder why two governments selected me to chair the Police Eastern Division Consultative Committee - a committee with a varied agenda which included ways and means of bridging the gap between the police and the public.

I also chaired the Flatts Development Committee. I could have 'gone fishing' instead of working with well over fifty people to become part of a revitalisation dream of a small village. I chaired the Visitor Industry Partnership, an organisation dedicated to improving tourism and also served on the Road Safety Council. Still having a desire to contribute more to the community, I joined Rotary, because it is a non-religious, non-governmental and open to every race, culture and creed.

When the day comes for me to go into another world my family have promised a brief six-word farewell to be inscribed on my tombstone. If I come back as a white cockroach, trying to obtain a suntan on a nearby grave I will be able to read: "He tried to make a difference".

W.A. (TOPPY) COWEN