Double standards

April 10, 2008

Dear Sir,

I am writing in response to Ms. Lynne Winfield's claims that black people simply cannot be racist. Her justification for such a comment was "By definition blacks cannot be racist because as a group, even though there is a black political party in power now, as a group that do not have the power of the whites have over blacks."

I just want her to clarify how she would classify the increasingly visible hatred being demonstrated from some black Bermudians towards white Bermudians, since it cannot be deemed racism. I am a 25-year- old Bermudian with Portuguese ancestry, and have noticed this ever increasing trend amongst the Bermudian population.

For instance, just the other day my younger sister decided to get some exercise after her work out at a gym and opted to walk home, which is in Smiths. As she was walking along Palmetto road she noticed a middle-aged black woman walking towards her on the same side of the street with her mouth moving a mile a minute.

Thinking that she might be warning her of an imminent danger or advising her that she might have dropped something, my sister turned off her iPod to hear what she was saying.

No sooner than after hitting the power button, she heard exactly what this hate filled human being was screaming at the top of her lungs. It went something like this, "You white trash b****, I hate all white people, you better get the f*** out of my way, I wish all white people were dead, you better cross the f*****g street you white trash before I bust your stupid white a**!"

Upon hearing this, my sister obliged with this lovely woman's suggestion and promptly crossed the street. As she did so the woman continued on with her verbal demonstration of how much she hates all members of the Caucasian race and her overwhelming feeling that none of us deserve to live, as well as that she (my sister) better cross the street cause she would've, "f**** up her up, because she is nothing but a stupid white trash b****!." Thankfully for my teenaged sister, our mother happened to be driving by and picked her up. Upon returning home my sister explained to me, through her uncontrollable tears and emotions, what she had just experienced.

Sadly, this isn't the first confrontation that I have heard of or experienced first hand myself, due to the colour of my skin. I know that is due to my skin pigment because the perpetrator(s) of these abuses make it known numerous times in their verbal or violent tirades that it has everything to do with me being a "white boy".

So Ms Winfield, my question to you is, what would my sister's experience be classified as, since according to your belief that it is only white people (please take into account that neither my sister or myself has ever carried out a malicious attack, verbal or physical, on an individual due to their different skin colour) can be racist. Please enlighten me as to how you would categorise such incidents?

DOUBLE STANDARD

Smith's

P.s. Please note that I know (as I have lived here all my life) that the actions described above can only be attributed to the minority of black Bermudians, the same way that the belief that all white Bermudians are racist is inherently wrong.

Let punishment fit crime

April 15, 2008

Dear Sir,

To those morons who illegally dump, if you have managed to get your garbage to the location of illegal dumping, why not go all the way to bright and take it to the waste disposal centre where it will cost you nothing but a little time. My opinion is that a growing number of Bermudians envision the Island as their own personal garbage can and it is up to someone else to clean up my mess. As one person said to their child, "don't pick up that piece of paper, that's why we pay someone".

Trying to appeal to residents about littering thought the written word is like trying to appeal to road users about speeding and drink driving. No one is listening. Only by harsh punishment is anything going to be accomplished. If you are caught littering of any sort, you are fined automatically, $2,000 and given 300 hours of community service in the form of working with KBB on their projects.

Let the punishment fit the crime and it is a real crime to litter this island. Do you want visitors to come here and say, Bermuda used to be a really clean island, now it's a dump? Great PR for the tourism business. The real question I have for those morons who litter is, how would you like it for me to come and dump all sorts of garbage in your yard or in your house? So what gives you the right to illegally dump? Laziness, stupidity or just plain lack of pride.

GIB

Flatts

Deja vu all over again

March 31, 2008

Dear Sir,

Spring is here and the bats are cracking. No, I'm not referring to the cricket bats. I'm referring to baseball bats. Don't despair. We won't miss out because Bermuda Cablevision offers a baseball package allowing one to see the entire season of any and all MLB teams. Wait a minute. Today is March 31, 2008. The season started on March 30 and Bermuda Cablevision does not know when their package will be available. That's the story according to their polite yet perpetually ill-informed agents who answer their phones in order to assist their customers.

"It's deja vu all over again" to quote baseball icon Yogi Bera. This is the same thing that happened last baseball season but Bermuda Cablevision was sure to charge the full price for their incomplete package. What with the many cable outages (long and short), the pixilated and frozen images that appear on many channels, the channels that just don't come in whenever it rains or when the wind blows; could it be that Bermuda Cablevision is preparing us to accept the most profoundly inadequate service so that we'll be grateful for whatever flicker of an image appears on our screens? To be fair, one of their services will always be on top form. Bermuda Cablevision will always expect and accept payment in full.

KIM

St. George's

Priorities are off kilter

April 15, 2008

Dear Sir,

"The greatest fear of a driver in getting behind a wheel is not that he will have an accident but that he will be stopped by the Police".

This was the opinion expressed by the Chairman of the Road Safety Council in Ireland where carnage on the roads is an everyday occurrence. In Bermuda such a fear is absent since the visibility of the Police on the roads is on a par with Longtails in December! Every now and again a major Police operation will be put into place with the result that everyone coming into, or leaving, Hamilton will be stopped during one of the rush hours. It will be seen on television, but it will also be seen as nothing more than a public relations exercise, or a not-so-subtle reminder of the power available but rarely used.

Recently I watched, in amazement, as a young man drove down the inside lane of a line of traffic, which was stopped at a red light, and continued on through the red light at about 60 kph. It was a Saturday afternoon on Front Street and he did so in the certain knowledge that the chances of being caught were zero! This is the main street of the capital of Bermuda and yet he was fully aware there would not be a Policeman around, the guy in the Bird Cage not due until the tourists arrive!

In the meantime there is a Policeman continually on duty outside the US Consul's office in the expectation that Osama bin Laden is on the Island! The heartfelt appeals of the medical profession, who have to deal with the death of people on the roads, or those who are left in a vegetated state, are just not hitting home, nor are regular appeals by the Police. People need to be protected from themselves for many of them are "dead men riding".

Some draconian measures need to be taken while the authorities need to stop playing lip service to the driving problems in Bermuda. You can drive your bike at 60 kph in Hamilton, go through a red light, and emit a decibel level to pain the ears, all with impunity. But park the same bike for 75 minutes in a one hour parking zone and you will be "done" by the ever-vigilant parking wardens. Somehow the priorities are off kilter!

Those "idiots", who believe they are invincible, are a danger not only to themselves but also to other innocent road users, and they need to be stopped for the good of Bermuda. Hopefully six people, who are alive today, will still be here to celebrate Christmas with their families. Unless someone starts to take some serious action those six will be killed on our roads.

JOHN R. KANE

Devonshire

Call June 12 Heroes Day

April 15, 2008

Dear Sir,

Given that the Queen's birthday is not even celebrated in England, and that many (if not most) Bermudians could give a hoot about the Queen or her birthday in the first place, why not simply call June 12 Heroes Day? It seems to me that this would be the easiest and least intrusive way to achieve an end. To my learned Government leaders, it really isn't rocket science.

SIMPLICITY

City of Hamilton

Financial relief

April 16, 2008

Dear Sir,

Economists will probably determine we are in the midst of a world-wide recession and the only thing we can do is ride out the storm. We do know with certainty that many lending houses and other giant corporations on our side of the world have either gone under or on the brink of extinction.

The real problem for us is the rising cost of living. For example the next fuel adjustment on your Belco bill is expected to rise dramatically. Gasoline for the almost 50,000 vehicles on our roads is now about $7.50 per gallon. Bear in mind oil has probably jumped about $20 from the old price.

It is not a secret we have a world-wide food shortage and you don't have to be a fortune-teller to predict soaring food prices. To our knowledge, those in authority have not expressed a concern on how they might address this situation for the people who have little and will end up with less!

Inflation has escalated at a much faster rate then most predicted and we wonder if government would consider some duty adjustments. We have no idea of the duty on food but let's say a case of pasta from the manufacturers has increased from $20 to $30 and duty is 20 percent. That means an increase from $4 to $6. The wholesaler automatically adds on a higher profit, the government makes $2 more dollars and the supermarket adds on their percentage. Having established the government will enjoy greater revenue from food, clothing, gasoline etc. creates the question: Will there be compassion, especially for those bordering on poverty?

It is also important to note there was talk about reducing duty on health food but this has not happened! Why not? In conclusion, all of this is to say our government is generating more income during inflationary times. Surely this can't be right! Can something be done to help those in need?

TOPPY AND SAUNDRA COWEN

Southampton

Let's fix it

April 16, 2008

Dear Sir,

I refer to your article in today's Royal Gazette concerning the current epidemic of illegal dumping in Bermuda. Another dumping ground appears to have materialised just out of sight of the general public in the Botanical Gardens. My husband and I were walking our dogs in the area to the south east of Camden where the Parks Department keeps mounds of soil and were appalled to see several bikes, old mattresses and appliances dumped there, it appears that this area has become a general dumping ground for those too lazy to dispose of these items in the proper manner.

DOG WALKER

Paget

What are we waiting for?

April 17, 2008

Dear Sir,

I would first start by giving thanks, and praises to God for allowing me to be here for another day. I was told as a young man growing up in Bermuda that when people help themselves to get ahead in life, other people won't hesitate to offer help if they require it (usually it's our parents that supply the help).

Was I wrongly informed? Or is this situation with Toriano Wilson not a perfect example of my teachings? For those of you who don't know, I am speaking Bermuda's record setting overseas Motorcycle Racer.

This young man has not only broken lap time records, and every time his slicks (tires) touch the track he sends home more good news. His parents have given 150 percent of love (money, support, encouragement, etc.), and I believe his father has even sold his car (to some people that's a family vehicle).

Government, what are you waiting for? Are you waiting for this family to sell every thing as a sacrifice for their son's future career? He has a Bermuda flag on his bike for crying out loud. OK take a deep breath (talking to myself).

I personally feel as though this is a new sport for Bermuda, and a good thing for tourism. If Government don't want to help then we the community of Bermuda must unite, and raise money in some form or the other to help an uprising star.

DESAI MARDEL JONES

Sandys

Keep the holiday

April 15, 2008

Dear Sir,

The latest move by the Government to remove the Queen's Birthday Celebrations from Bermuda's holiday calendar is another attempt by the Government to delete things British as the power hungry Cabinet led by the Premier strive towards their ultimate objective of taking Bermuda independent.

Not only is the move disrespectful to the Queen and by extension her appointed Governor who resides in Bermuda, it also reeks of arrogance in the extreme when one considers that every poll taken on the subject of Independence shows over two-thirds of the population against it.

What saddens me is the Government's tactic of stifling any discussion on the subject. By announcing the cancellation of the Queen's Birthday celebrations simultaneously with the announcement that Dame Lois will be the first Honouree in the National Heroes Holiday (which replaces the Queen's day), the Government is hoping no-one will be brave enough to criticise the decision for to do so could be construed as criticising Dame Lois or the idea of acknowledging our National Heroes.

The Government – or Cabinet specifically – need to grow up and put more energy into the real issues in our community such as health care, education, crime & drugs, and job training for those left behind in the new economy rather than this window dressing nonsense of conversations and holiday changes which merely drives the wedge of divisiveness further between the different elements in our community.

If indeed the Government wish to acknowledge our home grown heroes they should do so in our heritage month of May – and we don't need a special holiday for this. All that is needed is for the Government's Communications Department to publish details about the person being recognised so that the public is informed and educated about this person's contribution to our community.

And to ensure wide distribution of this information may I suggest the Government renew their RG subscription – even just for the day!

ALLAN D. MARSHALL JP

Smith's Parish

We need to know

Dear Sir,

Recently Mrs. Jennifer Caines stated that she believes if the freedom of information becomes law it would bring about a more open system of Government and that it may make some of the individuals in these high-paid jobs be more accountable for the positions they hold. I would like to know how many civil servants have been dismissed for inefficiency since November 1998. Can civil servants be dismissed or are they secure in their jobs?

We need to know what are the legal steps to dismissing a civil servant who is efficient or inept. As it appears in the case regarding Mrs. Caines' long running dispute with the Department of Planning. Mrs. Caines having spent $20,000 needs to report her lawyers to the Bar Council for that much money and Mrs. Caines accusing the planning department of disregarding her objection to a driveway encroaching her property. He did not allow Mrs. Caines to prove her case in our high court, after all no one is above the law.

RAYMOND RUSSELL

Pembroke