Proud to be British

April 17, 2008

Dear Sir,

I am writing to express my dismay at the Government's plan to end the celebration of the Queen's Birthday. We elected you Dr. Brown, but when will you learn that we are proud to be British and Bermudian, and we want to stay that way? This is a poorly veiled step toward something we just don't want, and everyone sees through it.

I am also proud of the Petition opposing this, and that it has been signed in such great numbers. To have had close to 3,000 signatures (and growing) amongst a population of 66,000 evidences just how badly the Government have misjudged public opinion. Do the right thing Dr. Brown – put your hand up, admit it as a mistake and enjoy your day off in June with the rest of us.

EDWIN ON THE ROCK

We need more than Barack

April 18, 2008

Dear Sir,

This is in response to Wayne Furbert's article in The Royal Gazette, on April 17, 2008, stating the United Bermuda Party (UBP) should disband. I totally disagree with this motion of disbanding – what they should do, is pull on their word "United" and act on it.

The UBP, as we know, was in power some 30 years, and during that 30 years of power, that meant the PLP were the opposition, but did they disband in those 30 years? No! So because there are some problems within the UBP now, that is no reason for them to take their marbles and go home because the game is not going to their liking.

During the 30-year reign of the UBP, there were many things that were not right. They had fallen out of touch with the people; they we're not listening, complacency had set in etc., and I, like many others, black and white, were frustrated with the party, consequently, many of the frustrated ones voted PLP because they promised change.

We voted for change in equal opportunities; level playing fields; an honest Government; openness; truthfulness, better health care for our seniors; affordable housing; decent education for our children; a stable and safe society where one can walk the streets without being hit over the head and robbed by some druggie trying to pay for their next fix; to be able as a female to lie in your bed and not be attacked by some low life in the middle of the night. There were so many changes that we voted for in 1998. But, what did we get?

We didn't get equal opportunities we got favouritism. We didn't get level playing fields; we got goal post being moved all over the fields. We didn't get openness we got closed shops. We voted for an honest Government and we got a Government that has been surrounded in talk of corruption and deceitfulness in the highest order.

In other words, what we got was just a drop in the bucket of the above. I agreed with quite a few things Mr. Furbert had to say, but for him to say disband the UBP is utter nonsense. Does he think by the folding of the UBP, with half of the members going to whatever group this disbanding gives birth to will help? I don't think so because they will still have the label "UBP"! Why not just fix what is already there? By disbanding, this will only give the ruling party more manure for their fields to nourish the seeds of division and all the other disruptive elements that go along with it.

Take a look around you and see what is happening to this island. We have blacks killing and almost killing blacks on a seemingly regular basis. Law and order has gone down the drain. Too many people have no respect for themselves or others. We have lost the sophistication that we once had. People in general could care less about the next person, and all of the above has gotten worse in the past few years, due to the fact some feel this is their country now and they can do whatever they like. Disband the UBP and it will get worse still!

Bermuda needs to get on track, and I feel the UBP has the right initiative to correct the above, but they need to sort out their differences and get on with the business of helping to save this island from total insanity. The UBP need to do some house cleaning. They have to get rid of the "wannabes" (I want to be this or I want to be that). A few '"wannabes" have already left the party, but it looks like a few more need to go. They need to rebuild the party so that it appeals to all segments of the community, and not just a few. As I have stated before. We do not need a "white" party, and we do not need a "black" party, we need a Bermuda People's Party, a party for all people and not just a few.

I am sure the UBP are aware that if they disband, there is another group just licking their lips, waiting for their demise so that they can get a piece of the pie also! And, if the UBP disbands, how long will it take for another party to get going? It will take months or even years to become established, and in the mean time, it will be a free for all for Government to do whatever they want.

Another thing. There are people out there who think that Bermuda belongs exclusively to them! Where is the world do they get that idea? Look around! We are not an all black island — we are not an all-white island — neither are we an all-Portuguese island — we're an island of many people and colours with our facial and biological make-up changing daily; so for anyone to think that they own Bermuda exclusively, I am afraid that this type of thinking is completely off the wall! This is the thinking of ignorance!

What was it Trevor Moniz said? "Bermuda needs a Barack Obama?" Well, from where I sit, Bermuda not only needs a Barack Obama, for good measure, it needs his brother and a few cousins too! And while on the subject of Obama, Bermuda on a whole should read his speech on Reverend Wright. There are some sections in that speech where you would think Barack Obama was talking about Bermuda. The following is a part of that speech:

"The profound mistake of Reverend Wright's sermons is not that he spoke about racism in our society. It's that he spoke as if our society was static; as if no progress has been made; as if this country — a country that has made it possible for one of his own members to run for the highest office in the land and build a coalition of white and black, Latino and Asian, rich and poor, young and old — is still irrevocably bound to a tragic past. But what we know — what we have seen — is that America can change.

"That is the true genius of this nation. What we have already achieved gives us hope — the audacity to hope — for what we can and must achieve tomorrow."

All you have to do is just make a few changes in the quote, and it applies to Bermuda! Regarding Reverend Wright, his remarks echoed the PLP's campaign in last December's election You know Mr. Editor, now that I think of it, Bermuda could have had a Barack Obama, but that's another letter!

PAT FERGUSON

Warwick

P.s. If anyone would like a copy of Barack Obama's speech on Reverend Wright, e-mail me at patf@northrock.bm and I will gladly send them a copy.

A thoughtless decision

April 12, 2008

Dear Sir,

I would think the delay in hearing any more about Dr. Fay's Health Clinic could be that the Health Minister has inadvertently opened a Pandora's Box. If there is going to be an investigation into this clinic then that would mean that all clinics must come under the same ruling. We have been most anxious for months now, to hear what the Stem Cell Clinic requirements are under Dr. Brown. One would think with such a new and complicated advanced procedure, it would come under a worldwide all-encompassing strict regulatory body with supervision ... and transparency of course!

Speaking of clinics, let us talk about the closure of the Medical Clinic at the Hospital

1. We need to know who are the ten doctors, their names and where they are situated i.e. addresses, so one can choose as Dr. Brown promised.

2. With the possibility that these patients do not have a telephone, or have access to a car, is the journey to the various treatment that the are going to need be provided by a shuttle at no cost?

3. What about purchasing medications, if they have to go to the pharmacy, how will they get there?

4. Lab tests, X rays, Physio, Counselling, is that all in one place or does the patient have to travel to the Hospital to obtain these treatments?

5. Are they being offered regular physical check ups and follow ups and how would they get the results of tests without a phone, would they have to rely on the post lady!? and does each visit cost $5?

I only belabour all the above as all these were offered free at the clinic all under one roof, and to talk about an assumption of loss of pride and humiliation was nothing but a vapid excuse and nonsense. Now, if you want an example of loss of pride and humiliation if all and every facility mentioned above is not available you have the perfect example above.

Not all the patients are well enough to understand. Where are they all now? Withdrawn,? Intimidated to not complain? Confused? Most definitely.

No words of mine can speak to the thoughtless decision to close the Clinic with so little planning and preparation. The lack of compassion and understanding of what it would mean to these patients, a place where they felt comfortable wanted and welcome, a place which provided a social outlet for a cup of tea and nurses who cared

We should all remember "There for the grace of God go I ".

So where are these doctors now that we were promised? I would like to make an appointment, a reply in this newspaper will not only help me but will help many who don't know where to go or who to go to, and I don't want to be told I have to make enquiries through the Government, as I want to feel independent and proud!

DIANA WILLIAMS

Pembroke