Docksiders bystanders were just as cowardlyJuly 10, 2006Dear Sir,I also join the many in the condemnation of the cowardly act of violence against Mr. Rui Medeiros that happened at Docksiders during the World Cup final. But the saddest part of it was the reluctance of any number of men, and there must have been many, who stood by without doing anything while another human being was beaten close to death in their presence.

Unlike what happened at Wellington Oval, where thugs were wielding machetes, swords, knives and pieces of lumber made anyone close to the melee taking place very reluctant to intervene could be understood, and that is why I feel that the very large male presence at Docksiders at the time were just as cowardly as the attackers who must be identified, arrested and convicted to the fullest extent of the law.

I like many Bermudians, black and white, wish Mr. Medeiros a full and speedy recovery.

FOR LAW AND ORDER

City of HamiltonKeep pressing for justiceJuly 14, 2006Dear Sir,I just can’t believe what I am reading in today’s Royal Gazette (July 13, 2006) concerning the statement made by Attorney General Larry Mussenden and his justification of the system used to investigate the botched murder case of Becky Middleton and proclaiming that it was a system that worked, when I and a vast majority of Bermudians from all walks of life who followed the case from day one have concluded without a doubt, that the system failed miserably not only the Middleton family but the family of the late Pepe Dill, whose death, due to irresponsible medical attention could have been prevented.

The Middleton and the Dill families should not rest until the perpetrators of these crimes are brought to the proper justice which they deserve. There are too many loopholes in our justice system that allow criminals to walk free, loopholes that are evident to any good defence lawyer that he or she can use against the prosecution to get their client off.

I urge the Middleton and the Dill families to unite, begin an Island-wide petition gathering, (Cup Match would be an ideal time to kick start it at Somerset Cricket Club) present it to Government and if there is no response from Government, present it to the International Court of Law.

Just don’t give up, keep pressing until justice is served.

In Memory of Becky and Pepe. May you Rest in Peace.

SEEKING JUSTICE

City of HamiltonP.s. If you are wondering who this writer is, I happen to be black and compassionate and may I add colour-blind in the pursuit of Justice.Shame on us for turning a blind eyeJuly 24, 2006Dear Sir,As appalling as the headlines were in my Royal Gazette <$>on the above date “Shot Dead” I think that we now have to take honest stock of WHY?

We must surely accept the blame for the behaviour of some of these youths. Did we see that the educational system was of the highest standard? Did we let youngsters graduate from class when they could not speak or write a grammatical sentence?

Did we check on the teacher’s credentials, check their references and evaluate results on a yearly basis? Or did we lower the standard so that it looked good at graduation?

We wonder why we have youths running amok in our streets, feeling hopeless, despairing and a deep sense of rage and anger, which is the dangerous product of yesterday’s neglect.

I am not saying that a lot of these children wanted to stay in school, but a teacher who is a really dedicated teacher, stimulates and excites the student to want to learn. But what kind of teacher goes on strike, ignoring the horrendous inconvenience and danger to the children, who were left stranded, and the parents worried sick.

What kind of teacher does that?

And ignores the provisional law that clearly states a certain time must be given as a warning, before a strike?

A poor example to their students.

That kind of teacher, or bus driver, should come into my department at the hospital with a heart attack, and hear me say “Sorry, I’m on strike”!

The responsibility for our behaviour has many ripples. The biggest ripple is the one we are seeing today — Vicious Violence.

We are perhaps too late for the present law breakers, they will have to be dealt with to secure the peace of Bermuda, but with compassion, because we never came to the wicket for them and did our duty, and made sure that they got a good education to prepare them for the world they now find themselves in.

Shame on us for turning a blind eye.

Shame on the Government and the teachers who threw away their key to an education. Let us not repeat this tragic scenario. Start them early and guide them through to maturity and fulfilment, and let’s not forget the pride, that comes with achievement.

DIANA WILLIAMS Snr

Pembroke