Cuba will drain from us

March 23, 2004

Dear Sir,

In reply to Mr. Gilbert, a friend of mine who certainly needs to take off the myopic blinders. First the title of his letter should have read ?What does Bermuda Gain?? Because Cuba gains by the tacit acceptance of another country dealing with them. To use the word diatribe is a bit over the top and heavy handed. I was listening to Ms Jackson?s speech that evening in the House. It was rational and sound.

Now, moving onto the larger picture of the United States of America. First, let?s start with the agricultural products that are traded with Cuba. Cuba, a land very rich in agriculture, cannot feed itself. That?s a problem, isn?t it. Now if the USA didn?t assist with food then they would be accused of letting a third world country starve. I?d like to know where Mr. Gilbert gets his statistics?

Furthermore, what does Bermuda gain, that?s the more important question of the day. Does Bermuda gain from the vast experience of the Cuba government? The most repressive regime in the western hemisphere ... well certainly one of the top, if you count Venezuela which has a dictator who calls Castro his friend. I think it best to leave the drug trade problem alone, more problems unearthing that one. Trans-shipment point or not, its still a drug trade related.

The USA spends an enormous amount of money interdicting the drug trade with programmes in Columbia aimed at the source. Yes, there is great demand but maybe if other countries would provide the same type of moral and economic assistance, maybe the flow of these drugs would be reduced.

This subject would require too much space to discuss and detract from the real point: Cuba. As far as bully tactics, one needs to keep in mind the large global picture of international relations. We probably do not understand or even know what goes on behind the scenes in the diplomatic arena. Yes, indeed it is an election year. And politics will come into play on just about everything from now until November.

But if you read the Mid-Ocean News last weekend you will no doubt remember the front page where a Mr. Joe Garcia, complained about Bermuda?s growing relations with Cuba. Last I checked he wasn?t with the Bush Administration. That article did highlight, or should I say spotlight the attention, unwanted, that Bermuda is gaining.

Mr. Coleman does serve at the behest of the Bush administration and probably was speaking for the State Department. But think about it for a moment. Diplomats would prefer to work behind the scenes, unless the people they are speaking too aren?t listening or just don?t care. I would think those public comments where a used to get the attention of Bermuda, maybe the Bermuda people?

Flipping your last question: ?What economic or cultural gain does Bermuda stand to receive?? In my humble opinion probably none. I think we will lose in the long run. Cuba will suck every last bit of knowledge from us and when Castro keels over and a more open government takes over, where do you think they will start earning foreign exchange? The tourist trade is a short distance from the USA and will be a real cheap destination for a lot of people.

Fell through the cracks

March 7, 2004

Dear Sir,

Your reporter Sarah Titterton has written thoughtfully about marriages of convenience, also about the plight of Ms Winifred Dodd. As a non-status bachelor, I have some comments and questions about both. My family has owned ?The Parapet? on Scaur Hill since 1935. I was conceived here in March, 1937, born in Flint, Michigan in December, 1937, and baptised at St. James Anglican Church in Sandys in 1938. Bermuda law denies me, a long-term sometimes resident, status.

We have paid taxes, employed Bermudians, and contributed to the community in many ways, but denied the right to vote. I am a lifetime member of (and donor to) the PLP, but denied the right to vote. In 1967 I helped to bring Jamaican-born Olga Lawrence to Bermuda to work with Dr. Simon Frazer on family planning. Having married Alex Scott, she became a status Bermudian, now First Lady. But her husband?s Government denies me the right to vote. Taxation without Representation: Harrumph !

Should I consider a marriage of convenience to obtain status ? You bet! Would it be legal? Who knows? Ms Titterton writes that it?s not ?legally defined?. When Ms Titterton wrote about the ?sad departure? of Ms Dodd (9/04), my heart went out to the 84-year-old ?status? Bermudian. My home is large and I could have accommodated her in guest quarters. But I wouldn?t be allowed to charge her rent since Government won?t let me rent out extra, affordable space to the homeless.

Having consulted the religious community here, I?m told that living with her, unmarried, would be sinful in the eyes of God. What if I married her? I like older women and miss my Mom; Winnie might be a splendid hostess here at Parapet. But with all the hullabaloo about ?same sex? marriage, there?s been no debate about ?no sex? marriage. Of convenience ?

I was married for 15 years. It was the week-to-week, year-to-year. After my divorce, I had an advert in The Sun seeking a Bermuda (play)mate but none of the applicants quite met the criteria for the job. Non-Bermudians still flock here for interviews, but Government insists that there are qualified Bermudian women eligible to take the position.

As to Winnie, if she were willing, we would have to be mated for ten years before I could qualify to apply for status ? 2014. Actuaries tell me that I shouldn?t count on an 84-year-old to last that long. Oh my, what should I do? I thank for bringing these issues in focus.When I consulted with Alex and Olga, they just laughed. Likewise Randy, Terry, Walter and Dennis, all West End pals. I?m reluctant to give up my Independence but want status ! Suggestions most welcome: stewmottaol.com.

Who has dual citizenship?

March 24, 2004

Dear Sir,

A few years ago the UK allowed all Bermudians to get UK passports. With our Government talking about Independence, I would like to know how many Government MPs hold passports other than Bermuda ones? Which Government MPs have passports from the UK, US, Jamaica etc.