Freedom of speech?

October 16, 2003

Dear Sir,

I am in total disagreement with the dismissal of Mr. O'Connell on the basis that he was overheard making remarks that were thought to be racially insensitive in the Bermuda College faculty lounge.

The fact that the remarks were not reported by the faculty members engaged in the conversation implies that either they did not consider the remarks racially insensitive or they were indifferent. In any event, it is clear that the remarks were not intended for the hearing of anyone except the persons at the table with him. If the "New Bermuda" is to be one in which racial remarks stated privately can leave the speaker subject to dismissal, then a serious application of this dubious principle will leave virtually all of Bermuda without jobs.

Mr. Editor, I believe that Bermudians are already too hyper-sensitive about racial comments. To endorse this undue sensitivity to the censorship of private conversation is extremely dangerous.

When I was a Senator, I was called to account on many occasions by otherwise well meaning members of the Bermuda public for reporting facts based based on the year 2000 Census. For instance one such remark was "the median income of whites is substantially higher than that for blacks".

If I and others are also to be reprimanded for opinions stated privately, we can kiss goodbye the freedom of speech that is fundamental to the preservation of democracy.

CALVIN J. M. SMITH

Pembroke

October 15, 2003

Dear Sir,

It would have seemed like sour grapes to say so before it began, but that was not a Jazz Festival that was just held in Bermuda. While the artists may have been good pop singers, or rhythm and blues singers, or, in one case, an over-popular Muzak player, there wasn't a jazz person among them.

Next year, Tourism has a choice. They can either import the same kind of people and tell the truth about them by calling it a Popular Music Festival; or they can spend the winter figuring out what jazz is, so that they can put a real Jazz Festival on next year. If jazz is what they want to do, they won't have to hire any high-priced non-Bermudian help, there are any number of people here who really know what they're talking about. And there's a choice, too: some of them look like her, some don't.

SO WHAT

St. George's

October 13, 2003

Dear Sir,

Thank you for a small space in your column and an opportunity to set the record straight regarding the coverage on the Jazz Festival by your own Vejay Steede.

While it is quite apparent that Mr. Steede has a personal axe to grind, I feel it is important for all those who did not attend, by all means, have a more accurate picture of what took place. It amazes me that Mr. Steede spent the better part of his coverage declaring to be a professional and the rest was clearly devoted to stripping down Maurita Andre' in her moment of glory.

Miss Andre' you must thank him for that, it seems as though he was clearly present that particular night for your performance. Those of us who know anything about show business will agree that there's no such thing as bad publicity!

However, in any case it was an unfair review. This is how it went... Cousin Juicy in his excitement from meeting her in person before hand and also having the opportunity to hear her demo may have went a little overboard by prematurely calling her a "legend of her time", but let's give credit to a man who has the right to critique music a little more than myself or Mr. Steede for that matter. I am sure Cousin Juicy, who has had the chance to interview anybody who is anybody on the Bermudian music circuit, saw that this young lady exudes a great potential. The back up singers' chanting of her name paved the way for the excitement to come and she entered the stage in a fabulous multi-coloured cloak (made by Dwayne Paynter). She clearly has God-given beauty. She thanked the audience before hand and proceeded with a little Baduism... She nicely cut into some very impressive tunes she had written and arranged. Each one of these tunes she set up favourably.

I had very good seats down the front, and as I looked around, the audience seemed to be in awe (Where did she come from?). She tastefully disrobed to show off an unforgettable, bright yellow Indian style costume. This gave us a chance to appreciate the fact that she can definitely sing, before she showed us the goods (good move). Just then Miss Andre' broke into a groovy Isley Brothers hit, which wooed the crowed (you know how we like to hear something familiar no matter how old).

Overall this songstress has been blessed with raw talent. Her vocal range appears to be limited, however, her ability has probably not quite been stretched yet. In essence her voice is uniquely smooth and deep with a sultry whisper. By now she was fully confident from the applause and maybe she lost herself by talking a little too much. Maurita Andre' definitely has star quality and some seated audience felt the need to give her a partial standing ovation.

As Bermudians we were shocked by her very good performance for an unheard of young Bermudian and the over-the-top attitude that Mr. Steede identified is called showmanship, a quality most local acts lack. Just singing isn't good enough at the highly competitive international level. It didn't promote most of our karaoke style acts much further than to the parochial 'Wedding Singer'. It is evident Miss Andre' does not foresee this route as an option and has set her sights on the big lights. You go girl! While I applaud her for not settling for mediocrity and flanking herself with a very talented band combination (cr?me de la cr?me of Bermuda - Mr. Steede you have to know when to call a spade a spade), I do feel she could benefit from practising a bit more modesty and remembering that the road to greatness is paved with critics and you cannot aspire to fame without the help of a few good folks behind you who believe in you.

In closing, Mr. Steede you seem like an angry, young man and maybe a quick glance at the proverbial "man in the mirror" might reflect the answer to why you have to spend good journalistic time begging for respect. Oh, and maybe someone you favour will get picked next year. Thanks for allowing me to set the record straight.

TAMMY GIBBONS

Sandys Parish

October 14, 2003

Dear Sir,

I am writing in reference to the article "Career thief remanded to Supreme Court" in today's (October 14) .

I do not know the "career thief" who is being referred to in this article but I can't help wondering whether he has the basic skill of being able to read? I am not foolish enough to think that illiteracy is the root of all crimes.

However, local research and research in many other countries, proves that repeat offenders frequently have a learning disability. (Bermuda research showed that one third of the 159 inmates tested were 'at risk') How long is it going to be before our local courts respond appropriately to this knowledge?

Following the Reading Clinic's Research Project on Literacy in Bermuda's Prisons I have been involved in conducting a Social Skills and Anger Management course. In my role as 'programme manager' I have also observed reading classes being conducted by Reading Clinic-trained tutors and have met several inmates with histories similar to Mr. Liburd. Besides a history of repeated offences many of these men share a common problem - they cannot read or their reading is at first or second grade level.

How can anyone function in our society if they are functionally illiterate? Can you imagine not being able to accurately write the alphabet, or spell the days of the week and months of the year. A few years ago all of our magistrates and judges were invited to meet with a judge from the United States to discuss ways of responding to the results of The Reading Clinic's research - only two attended! Since then, a small group of dedicated reading tutors and social skills trainers, have plodded on, at Westgate and the Co-Ed Facility, trying to make a difference in the lives of the inmates who are at high risk for learning difficulties.

The Correctional Facilities' Education Officer is very supportive of our programme and training has been provided for some of the staff and new prison officer recruits so that they have a better understanding of what we are trying to achieve.

Time and time again inmates tell us that they wouldn't be in prison if they had had an earlier opportunity to learn what we are teaching. It is very rewarding to witness an inmate's excitement when he is able to read a sentence - then a paragraph - then a whole book! Although we do not have valid research to prove that recidivism is being reduced as a direct result of our training programme, there are many indications that this is the case (as it has proven to be in Washington State where our programme originated and was used as an alternative to incarceration).

ANN DUNSTAN

Smith's Parish

October 14, 2003

Dear Sir,

I would like to reintroduce to you (with your consent) to a letter I wrote in January, 2002 and to congratulate Tony Brannon on his wonderfully insightful letter in the Mid Ocean News on October 10, 2003.

Now is the time for new ventures to plan a chance we will not get later if we stand still.

The Monte Carlo concept for Bermuda is brilliant (if we are not to fade away - as some misconceived somewhere in the Caribbean!)

Bermuda becoming the Lloyd's of London - why not? Bermuda has it all right here if we market correctly, that is, with good taste, flair and imagination and dancing, Sir John had it right.

A gambling casino - magnificently appointed with the house providing Relais Chateau standards elegant evenings to bring back the past with black tie and long gowns on special occasions. First class entertainment equal to the highest standards anywhere in the world. Tourists would flock to such an attraction as there is a dearth of things to do hue in the evening and so would the local Bermudians. A special plane leaving on a Friday afternoon just for a weekend of fun and relaxation. This would appeal to the wealthy and all who wanted a night out and wanted to gamble and enjoy all the facilities Bermuda has to offer, an area for ballroom dancing and a disco.

The possibilities are endless and would open up a futuristic bonanza beyond the wildest expectations of this lovely little Island.

Ohio all leads up to my frequent suggestion. A lottery. A lottery would be the incentive to buy a ticket (the proof of success all over the world with millions generated in prize money), but would contribute to the vital needs of the economy, whereby the services to education, health, seniors, youth, could be met, with ample left over for emergencies. The downside of a lottery is always that certain people would buy a ticket they could not afford, and place their family's welfare in danger.

We should drop all this hypocritical nonsense about no gambling. Thousands upon thousands leave this island, betting on football pools. Bingo is supported wholeheartedly by many organisations and even some of the churches.

Open up the entertainment on the Island for tourists and residence alike. There is great wealth here untapped because there is nowhere to go to spend it.

Two hours away from Bermuda. A Bermuda to become a world leader in the financial field, hospitality and tourism to inject a spark of excitement and ingenuity.

Unemployment a thing of the past, a Bermuda to be envied once more by the world, let us all get together with energy, vitality and make it happen, it is not too late.

DIANA WILLIAMS

Pembroke