November 21, 2005

Dear Sir,

It has to be said that Mr. "P" does have a way with words, the latest being that Independence is a "natural progression" for Bermuda. At the risk of stirring up an irrelevant correspondence on the meanings of "natural" and "progression", "natural" as an adjective has no bearing on anything other than "Nature" ? unless there was some thought of the word as a noun, meaning a "half-witted person". As for "progression" there is no really meaningful definition and we need to look to the simple word "progress" which is a "move forward or expand, advance or develop, especially to a "better state".

Are we being guaranteed a "better state" or is this another bit of political emotionalism? Any businessman worth his salt will tell you that emotion plays a very small, if any, part in major decisions and no one (certainly not BIC) has given any satisfactory, practical reason for cutting ties with the United Kingdom; something that the 40-year olds and under clearly do not want. They, after all, are our future not those who cannot get beyond the past.

On a recent visit to Kingston, Jamaica on a conference I was amazed at the feeling that Bermuda and Cayman had got it right and those who have become independent have got it wrong ? there was plenty of evidence to show why Jamaicans feel that way. Incidentally the Chinese are making great inroads into the Jamaican economy and already own the cement factory ? watch out Wedco! Many countries that have cut the ties with their colonial masters and have considerable natural resource have failed economies (e.g. Zimbabwe). Bermuda has no natural resource and perhaps rather than "natural progression", Independence would put us in a state of "unnatural regression".

November 19, 2005

Dear Sir,

Dr. Ware-Cieters identifies the most likely source of the H5N1 strain of avian flu reaching Bermuda as "migrating, infected birds landing in Bermuda and having close contact with local birds of any species" and an effective measure against this of "the careful monitoring of migrating birds landing or blown off course to Bermuda, to determine their point of origin". While I am not an ornithologist, I must question the practicality of both monitoring the thousands of birds entering Bermuda's air space every night and day and asking them where they came from.

If H5N1 does reach Bermuda, humans are more likely to come into contact with it from birds that have less fear of us, such as pigeons and chickens, than from more timid species, such as bluebirds and cardinals. (I can't recall reading a "Letter to the Editor" from a dog-walker being chased and pecked by a Cahow.) Thus the professional culling now of pigeons and feral chickens might be the best way to limit human contact with H5N1 if it does reach our shores. I certainly did not mean to be a fear-mongerer. For that, you'll have to wait until my next letter detailing how we must exterminate all rats and cockroaches before the bubonic plague wreaks havoc in our community.

November 17, 2005

Dear Sir,

The front page of the November 16 edition of the Bermuda Sun featured a handcuffed young gentleman who had been arrested for a machete attack on a woman, expressing himself to the press through gestures of un-mistakable meaning. However, in case any onlookers (or readers) might have difficulty with the gesticulations, the gentleman clarified his position verbally as shown on page four, in a most articulate manner. Communications skills and behavioural skills are usually learned at home. Perhaps then the Sun or The Royal Gazette should give proper credit to his parents by including their photos and identities in any follow up article.

November 21, 2005

Dear Sir,

I wonder if any of the retailers in Hamilton have ever considered giving a customer a 75 cent Parking Voucher for say each $250 spent in a store in the weeks leading up to Christmas? Alternatively, how about the Corporation of Hamilton giving shoppers a few "park free for an hour" passes for the month leading up to Christmas? Many people would love to "Shop, Explore then Shop Some More" but the cost of frequent forays into Hamilton can become very expensive. I am sure many of us would spend more time exploring and shopping in Hamilton if we got a break on parking from time to time. I am also sure I am not the only person who feels somewhat cheated when I have to spend 75 cents or $1 an hour each time I am in Hamilton just browsing or exploring for Christmas gifts. Many people like to spend considerable time seeking out the 'perfect' gift ? so how about giving us a break on parking costs whilst we do our exploring!

November 22, 2005

Dear Sir,

I would like to clarify a couple of points regarding yesterday's letter on the usage of flags by Dr. Harris. The writer, Warwick Lizard, suggested that it was illegal to fly a flag at night. However, the Summary Offences Act, 1926 does not include such an offence. It is however flag etiquette that a flag should be struck (lowered) during time of darkness, unless it is suitably lit. Where Dr. Harris did commit an offence under the Act was in his flying of the flag of the United States of America on Sunday afternoon, without flying a suitable British "Union Flag" or "flag of one of Her Majesty's Dominions" of similar or larger size at the same height or higher than the US flag. I note that this has since been rectified.