Be positive

April 4, 2008

Dear Sir,

I believe Aesop read something into my comment "I understand that your point of view is borne out of personal experiences and a thorough knowledge of the persecution of blacks by whites" that is not there. You suggest from this statement that I understand the point of view of Dr. Hodgson. This is not what the comment says. It clearly states that I understand where Dr. Hodgson gets her point of view from. I also empathise with her point of view. I also applaud her for sticking her neck out and trying to educate both black and white regarding the history of racism.

However I do not agree with her methods of trying to alleviate the effects of racism, particularly her broad brush condemnation of white people as "having tainted hearts with racism" and "believing whites feel blacks are irrelevant". This kind of negative, all encompassing rhetoric needs to stop and more positive messages of reconciliation need to take their place. Aesop, I think we agree on this.

Does Bermuda need to address the fact that there are still too few executives and owners of Bermuda businesses? Yes! I don't believe the new workforce legislation is the way to go, but as you say, a good education, intelligence, a good to exceptional work-ethic and a lot of drive and ambition are key factors in addressing this situation. I believe International Business is addressing these needs with scholarships, charitable donations, support of schools and providing tutors for specific courses at the BII.

My point regarding the review of detailed information and statistics which should be gathered by immigration during the work permit process is that it is a more appropriate place to start to see where the problem lies. Whether it's a lack of motivation, appropriate education or experience, all these factors could be gleaned and quantified from such a review. Going back to your theme of positive enforcement of the idea that great opportunities exist in Bermuda rather than negative reinforcement of thoughts of persecution is much more likely to bear fruit. At the same time specific examples of racism in today's society must not be swept under the carpet. They should be exposed and dealt with appropriately by condemnation and enforcement of the law.

MICHAEL HARDY

Smith's Parish

Ban cellphone riding

April 2, 2008

Dear Sir,

I remember Dwayne Caines and his brother from Bermuda Institute and always figured when they graduated they would be intelligent. This letter goes to Sen. Caines though.

You mentioned in the Bermuda Sun regarding the recent road deaths. The thing you should highlight is the fact that if the Road Safety Council really cared about the public, cellphone driving iPod riding, cellphone riding even, text messaging while riding would all go down as against the law as well. They don't seem to care and probably it's because some members drive this way.

Sadly I've even seen some cops on a cellphone driving this way as well. I understand people these days aren't open for agreement yet, these are people's lives you're dealing with. People probably don't even know if the person driving was on a cell phone and yet, he or she isn't even honest enough to admit their guilt.

So, until the Road Safety Council wises up and realises cellphone driving and all those others need to be against the law, they'll always be considered The Road Death Council. I'm sorry if this upsets you or them. People will hate this idea, however, think of how many lives you'll be saving in the process and even though you'll need to look harder to catch a cellphone driver, the cops will thank themselves in the end.

SOMETHING 2 THINK ABOUT

Pembroke

We have a right to know

April 5, 2008

Dear Sir,

I have a question to ask. If a lawyer is disbarred, can Government or any one else employ that disbarred lawyer as a legal consultant? The reason for this question concerns the story on the front page of The Royal Gazette today, which states, "A scandalously arduous ordeal", concerning Julian Hall.

In this article, it states Mr. Hall is employed by Government as a consultant to the Department of Works and Engineering. As Mr. Hall is a lawyer, and not an engineer by profession; I would like to know in what capacity is he a consultant to the Department of Works and Engineering? Is he an "engineering" consultant, or a legal consultant? This is where "A Right to Know" rears its head and comes into play, as I have the right to know if this is legal or illegal, as my tax dollars are helping to pay for Julian Hall's $119,000 per year salary.

I have another question to ask. Was the position of consultant held by Mr. Hall with the Department of Engineering, ever advertised, or, was this just another "handout" – "help my brother out" consultancy-given-gift of taxpayers' money?

Perhaps Mr. Hall could also explain how it is that he can be a consultant to that Ministry when I understand he is appealing on behalf of the Bermuda Industrial Union against an arbitration award made to that very same Ministry in the Pro-Active dispute. I am confused.

And to all of my Bermudian brothers and sisters, just keep on dozing! Ignorant stupor is a very comfortable place to be in!

PAT FERGUSON

Warwick

End double parking

April 1, 2008

Dear Sir,

Reid Street between King and Court Street is a mess any day of the week, and to make a bad situation worse there is always someone double parked, and everyone who has to change lanes is too scared to say anything to the offender, which is how things are in Bermuda today. With this mess in mind I hate to think what will happen when they demolish the Canadian Hotel and build a super new building? A bigger Mess or an April Fool's joke?

SEEING IT AS IT IS

Pembroke

The repetition won't help

April 5, 2008

Dear Sir,

Regarding the announcement about the tourism push at the New York Mets, I have to say that the number of people our advertising is expected to reach, mentioned below, at first glance is very impressive.

The Premier added: "On average SNY, the Mets TV broadcaster, brings in 350,000 to 450,000 viewers for each of its games. During the upcoming season SportNet New York will air 30-second commercials during the game, during the postgame shows, and during other SNY programming.

In addition to that, there will be rotating television spots near the concession stands, concourse signage throughout the stadium and advertising spreads in the Mets Yearbook and Mets Magazine.

In fact attendance at Shea Stadium has been climbing steadily each year since 2003. And this year is the final season at Shea Stadium, where they assure me attendance will top 4 million for the first time ever!"

However surely the vast majority of those that make up the anticipated 4 million in attendance for the games this season will be the same die-hard supporters of the NY Mets who attend every game? If it is, then I am sure watching the same advertisement time and time again eventually becomes somewhat insignificant.

JUST A THOUGHT

City of Hamilton