October 24, 2005

Dear Sir,

I was fortunate enough to attend the Bermuda Tattoo on Friday night. The bands were wonderful and it was great to see the Light Infantry again.

However, the organisers offended me greatly by not opening the evening with the National anthem. That was a huge oversight and I am ashamed that the officials were so rude in not opening the evening with "God Save the Queen." People I know who went Saturday night said, that the night was not opened by the national anthem.

Governed by self interest

October 24, 2005

Dear Sir,

Finally Diogenes has hit the nail on the head, and has expressed exactly what I've been saying all along ? that the PLP leadership want Independence so they can establish themselves as a dictatorship. 'P' and his followers are only interested in themselves.

I'm positive their finances will be safely put away somewhere so that when the Bermuda dollar devalues, their coffers will be safe ... and Diogenes said it all, we are definitely on a fast track to poverty, isolation and misery.

Also I've got a running bet with my friends that a certain politician will put his digs on Government House once we attain independence. I can see it now, a huge sign will be affixed to its front announcing for all to see "I have arrived"... I'll leave it up to the readers to figure out who it is.

Confused and suspicious

October 25, 2005

Dear Sir,

I am confused and I am sure that others are as well !

First, Premier Scott emphatically said Independence via election only ? no to a referendum.

Then, he said election and referendum on the same day.

Now, he says elect the PLP to a third term in 2008 and then the PLP promises to hold a referendum on Independence!

Does anyone else find all this a little on the suspicious side or is it just me? But then again, why should I be so surprised! The PLP Government have chopped and changed so many times over the past 7 years on just about every issue that they have touched. What's just one more!

CONFUSED BERMUDIAN VOTER

Hamilton Parish

Saving time and lives

October 20, 2005

Dear Sir,

I was travelling toward the west-end a few days ago, when I suddenly heard sirens blaring behind me. I stopped to allow the ambulance to pass, all the while, praying no one had been killed. Shortly thereafter, I passed the scene the ambulance had responded to. Thankfully, the person was not seriously hurt. If they had been, the time they waited until the ambulance arrived could have meant the difference between life and death.

This is not meant to attack the paramedics. I know they do their job wonderfully, because they have responded when I was in distress. However, their timeliness is sometimes affected because they are dispatched only from the hospital in Paget. Thereafter, they proceed to wind their way through traffic and Bermuda's narrow roads ? sometimes to the extremities of the island. After reaching the scene, they often must race all the way back to the hospital in order to save the victim. This idea may have been considered when I wasn't paying attention or may presently be under consideration; if so, please forgive me.

Here is my suggestion. Bermuda may benefit from paramedic stations set up in diverse locations around the island (at least in St. David's or St. George and Sandy's). This will minimise the waiting time for those who need immediate medical attention ? and may even save a life. I envision small stations ? just a lot outside to park an ambulance or two, an area for supplies, and a place where the paramedics can wait in comfort until they are dispatched. Just an idea. Thanks for hearing me out.

WINNAE WALES

Devonshire

Editor's Note: The Bermuda Fire Service's trained emergency medical technicians respond to calls in the West End from the Port Royal fire station.

Proud of our traditions

October 22, 2005

Dear Sir,

I feel compelled to write following my attending the Bermuda Tattoo at the Royal Naval Dockyard and what a wonderful performance. I would also comment on the excellent letter in theon October 21 from " Informed", relating to Bermuda's past history.

The second paragraph written in the Tattoo's programme from our Premier's message states: "I cannot think of a more fitting venue for the Tattoo than the Royal Naval Dockyard, which represents some of the best of our treasured military and cultural traditions." So why on earth would we want to break ties with Great Britain and seek Independence ?

Dear idiot driver ...

Thursday, October 20, 2005

Dear Sir,

To the idiot driver driving a white car who nearly killed me this morning about 11:30 am on Harbour Road. Consider yourself lucky I was on a motor cycle and not in my car (as was my original intention) as I was able to pull over tightly against the wall, otherwise you would be facing manslaughter charges if you were still alive.

Travelling east next to Lower Ferry (the narrowest part of Harbour Road) to overtake a line of vehicles there, you are either on a death wish, drugged, drunk or just plain stupid. If anyone of those vehicles overtaken have this persons car number I just wish they would report it.

What a wet performance!

October 24, 2005

Dear Sir,

I would like to say that Donnie McClurkin did not do the people justice. If you're looking for the excuse that it was raining, me and hundreds ? maybe thousands ? of others were standing in the rain, receiving the message in song. While getting very wet. (The equipment was covered up, sang a bit, so now what).

Oh the rain. For Mr. Donnie McClurkin to end his concert with us, knowing we were accepting the conditions (at four songs) had been truly a sign of defeat due to rain. Considering that the people were not even leaving. Wow, my, my, my, I was astonished. I thought he was committed, come what may. He clearly has shown us for the most part, that he believes God's work can only be done in certain conditions. I was taken aback, so were the group of friends I came with, (our mouths just hung open). You all would need to come better than that, especially if in the scheme of things, your plan is to win souls for the Lord. For as I saw it, that type of behaviour (reaction) was no different from that which it is said worldly people do, in their time of discomfort (forget all others and do for self.)

I remember when Mr. Louis Farrakhan came here to Bermuda, my family and I had went to see such a man (curious of course) and it was pouring hard for the whole time he spoke (about two hours) but that did not stop him nor did it move the people. Ms Pattie LaBelle (a professed Christian) came here some years back before this last visit. It was pouring down rain for her concert too, but out of respect for her fans, she said, I will give you my best, By the way, she had her own equipment to which they had to secure to continue and continue they did.

Oh lo and behold. reports torrential downpours failed to dampen the spirit of the spectators at the Bermuda Tattoo, which completed their performance with a bang. Rain and all. Which by the way was the same night? Now tell me what's wrong with this picture. Is there any faith amongst you?

You too Pastor Lamb, shame on you! With your thank you, and good night, statement. Ha! Your other guest performed in the rain, what's with that, we were wet then, and knew we would probably get soaked to the bone, during the main attraction, but we were willing. And as you know, ready, for no one was leaving.

In the future since your entertainers are no different from most entertainers in the world, which the church assumes, react on conditions, like rain or otherwise, for the multitudes sake Organisers, do put your main attraction first when conditions look dim. Because when the weather is not sharp. we are not paying to come to your events. Furthermore, by the time we reached my car, which took about five minutes, the rain had eased for about an hour. We sure missed a lot!

Seems like the church could learn a lot about love, from folks who are seemingly, supposedly of the world.

A monstrous proposal

October 24, 2005

Dear Sir,

Could the Bank of Bermuda really be proposing to build such a monstrosity on Front Street? It will fit into the surroundings about as well as their existing Front Street building, which of course is not at all. It actually looks like the architects used the same design template and are obviously just trying to maximise floor area. And how gracious of them to retain a portion of the Trimingham's building for speciality retail use! Exactly how big is that portion? What sense does it make for the tourism product to use up two more prime Front Street and Reid Street sites for retail banking? Perhaps it is just do outdo Butterfield Bank.

And now they seek to fast track the application! Whoah! Development Applications Board, let's see what you are made of. Unfortunately, on past performance, I think I already know. Anybody beginning to doubt the wisdom of the HSBC buy out yet?