It doesn't compare

October 5, 2007

Dear Sir

A visitor is a visitor is a visitor. Visitors are not all the same when it comes to spending. Yes, business visitors may spend the same amount in hotels, restaurants and taxis as vacation visitors, however what about retail spending? I notice that Dr. Brown did not mention spending at retail shops at all in his rebuttal. (I would ask Dr. Brown if patients coming to his clinic to renew prescriptions pay the same for that visit as the ones coming to his clinic for a treatment like ultrasound or mammogram: after all, a patient is a patient is a patient.)

Retailers are not all greedy, capitalistic ********, as I have heard us called. Yes, our prices are high compared to shopping malls in the USA. We can't be compared to large mall outlets. We provide employment for Bermudians at Bermuda wages, not US minimum wages. Our taxes go to provide free schooling at Government schools, and to have the roads paved. (On your next overseas shopping blitz see if Walmart will pay to have Reid Street extension paved, or buy books for your child's school.)

As well as paying payroll taxes, we pay import duty on our products before we can get them released from the docks to sell them! If doctors, accountants, banks and lawyers had to pay Government a fee for every client who appeared in their places of business before they were allowed to see them, I suspect their rates would go up, and then they would be called greedy, capitalistic ******** too.

We have to pay higher rents, higher wages, and often our goods cost us more to purchase than the mall outlets in the USA (we don't have the same buying power as them). If we all shut down, where would you go to buy baby diapers in a hurry. Could you bring in milk from overseas? How about medications. Could you wait two days for the courier to get them to you?

If you receive your product from overseas and it is not what you thought it was, see how much it costs you to return it — if they allow you to. Try dealing with Home Depot — apparently they speak English when you buy from them, but when you open the box expecting to see your new microwave and find it stuffed with newspapers, they only speak Spanish.) Thank you!

RETAILER

St George's

Bring back the old system

October 5, 2007

Dear Sir,

I beg the Registrar's office to bring back annual voter registration. Ref Mr. Calvin Smith's editorial of June 7/07 that the harder it is for lower income persons to register the less they are likely to do it: how difficult is it to fill in a form and put it in the postbox? You don't even need a stamp! The present system of going on a computer to see if you are registered can't be any easier! The last timer I went to the GPO to confirm I am registered, the forms looked like a hurricane dropped them on the desk, and were basically impossible to sort through.

To register your change of address takes effort on your part, you have to go to the Registrar's Office, whereas the voter registration forms are mailed directly to you. To me it seems the old system of annual voter registration is easier, and to me makes it a more honest system, as if you don't register you don't vote. Not notifying the Registrar of your change address could be construed as something you may decide to do to make sure your party wins by staying registered in your old constituency.

Correctly registered voter

St. George's

Don't forget Darfur

Dear Sir,

I was extremely inspired to see the wonderful turnout for the Breast Cancer Walk, sponsored by BF&M yesterday afternoon. This plague is a serious one and the world has come to recognise that this is a battle that must be won. Another life lost to this horrific cancer is one too many. Let us hope that through education and early detection, we will be able to prevent this from getting any worse. It is in recognition of this problem that our world unites for this most honourable cause… a most human of causes. Such noble causes have united the world before, and shall do so again.

It is in that spirit that I would like to remind our relatively small country that United Nations Day will be held on October 24 this year. This year the world focus is shifted to human horrors of another kind, the ongoing tragedy in Darfur. While the UN has finally come to realize that genocide does in fact exist in our world and that hundreds of thousands of people are being needlessly slaughtered and millions are being displaced, we cannot lose focus on what will become a very important time in human rights. If the situation in Darfur is allowed to continue then the world as we know it will continue to say that genocide is acceptable… wherever it happens.

Just a reminder to those who can appreciate it, Adolph Hitler's vision of the world did not include Jews, and as such took drastic steps to eradicate them. After the war, the world vowed to never allow that to happen again, and yet somehow it has. The millions who have died in places like Bosnia, Rwanda and now in Darfur have all died because of their race, religion, or tribal affiliation.

Groups like Amnesty International have made it their solemn purpose to educate and lead in the cause of human rights. If we, as global citizens, can recognise that Breast Cancer kills millions, let us not then, fail to recognise those who are dying without cause. Our world is being challenged in many ways, both environmentally and politically. It is our most urgent responsibility to remember that what we do today will affect what happens tomorrow. Our children need to know that we cared enough to make a difference.

October 24th is a day the world will say "enough" to the atrocities happening in Darfur. Please, take some time and visit Amnesty International on the world wide web, or you can also visit www.enoughproject.org or www.savedarfur.org. Educating yourself may help save your life or that of a loved one when it comes to Breast Cancer. Educating ourselves in the cause of Human Rights will help save lives of those who are loved by many. If we can't save ourselves, we have no chance of saving our world.

PHILIP RAY

Truck Sales Coordinator

Rayclan Ltd.

Learn history first

September 27, 2007

Dear Sir,

In Tuesday's paper, September 25, Lifestyle, Page 14, there is an advertisement of a luncheon for Home Guard Veterans. At this point, I don't think that there are any "Home Guard" veterans left living, as the majority of the "Home Guards" were too old to join the BMA, BMI, BVRC or BVE's, or were unable to join the above-mentioned units, because they were unable to pass a physical test. As far as I am concerned, the "Home Guard" were placed around public buildings, and though they had rifles, they had no ammunition, as they had not had the proper training as the local troops had. Whoever placed this notice in the newspaper, has no idea about the local troops mentioned earlier.

There were no "Home Guard War Veterans", as they did nothing, nor had any ammunition to even protect themselves. Several friends of mine have called the "Notice" telephone number, asking questions and could get no sensible replies. I am surprised to see Lt. Col. David A. Burch's name in the Ad. Surely I would have thought that he would have read the ad, prior to publishing? Bermuda's War Veterans were "Trained Soldiers", not "Home Guards"!

SERVED FROM 1939-1946

City of Hamilton

Stop the smear tactics

September 26, 2007

Dear Sir,

This is my first letter to your paper, but I felt compelled to write having read the letter of Rendol James and his criticism of Mr. Dunkley and other United Bermuda Party candidates relating to Dame Lois. I am sick and tired of such letters and the blatant and intentional smear tactics being employed by supporters of the PLP. Firstly let me put the record straight, as others have done in this publication and in the other two newspapers, the Bermuda Sun and Mid-Ocean News.

I believe Mr. Dunkley has explained his non-appearance at the funeral of Dame Lois. He admitted that he made a mistake and should have done all he could to change his existing business engagements. He has explained himself in a letter to the constituents of Smith's North (I received a letter from Mr. Dunkley in the mail); he spoke eloquently in the House of Assembly on the contributions the Dame made to Bermuda, I understand he spoke to the family of Dame Lois immediately after her passing and he has also made very positive statements on the way in which his party believes the Dame's life should be celebrated (without removing Bermuda Day from the calendar). Frankly, if the best the supporters of the PLP can do is constantly make reference to Mr. Dunkley's non-appearance then that is pretty sad stuff. In my view the PLP supporters should be looking closer to home as to the conduct of their leader when it comes to local engagements and his conduct generally in Bermuda.

I seem to remember that Premier Brown failed to attend the Queen's Birthday and Labour Day (both of which have been on the calendar for a very long time, unlike Dame Lois' funeral). I for one was disgusted (especially since he criticised Mr. Dunkley). What a hypocrite our Premier is. The Bermuda Regiment trains hard for the Queen's birthday only to be snubbed by a man who, given his stance on Independence, is clearly vying to be the Regiment's Commander-in-Chief. His non-attendance at Labour Day was perhaps the biggest snub of all — he is the Leader of Bermuda's Labour party. What a joke!

Further the Premier makes clear his unequivocal support for Independence whilst on foreign soil, gallivants around the world as a so-called "powerhouse of foreign policy" (despite the fact foreign policy is the remit of the UK), drives around Bermuda in a convoy, espouses the necessity for a Government TV station (i.e., propaganda machine); builds a Presidential style media room and hires press secretaries and a plethora of others amounting to a mafia style presence. I find all of this nauseating — we sit and watch as Bermuda turns into the Premier's personal playground w whilst the very people the Premier relies on for support in his party are snubbed and allowed this to happen! Wake up — before it is too late. He will mislead you — as he admitted to doing in the past.

The continued use by Dr. Brown of the memory of Dame Lois as an electioneering ploy is perhaps one of the most sickening and cynical tactics I have ever seen in Bermuda — Mr. James — you and others are ruining her memory by turning her passing into a political football — Remember Dame Lois is on the record making less than flattering remarks about our Dear Leader — she saw him for what he is — a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Finally, last time I looked the United Bermuda Party candidates accurately reflected the make-up of Bermuda, with black, white and Portuguese candidates (and they are not candidates who are running as a favour to the Leader like the turncoats Correia and DeSilva). Mr. Commissiong's opportunistic rants do not persuade me.

A MEDEIROS

Devonshire

P.s. I personally saw Pat Gordon Pamplin, Cole Simons, Grant Gibbons, John Barritt and Douglas DeCouto in attendance (and my mates said others were there — I know others viewed her body and paid respects in other ways — attending the Supreme Court Special sitting among other events).

We are all God's children

October 3, 2007

Dear Sir,

I applaud our PLP government's various initiatives of affirmative action regarding giving the black majority our fair opportunity to embrace the big pie that is modern Bermuda. However, recent remarks compel me to sound a cautionary note that two wrongs never make a right — much of what we are hearing from our leaders, all of whom should know better, is nothing less than hateful reverse discrimination aimed at whipping up emotions and by extension electoral support. This is no way to head past wounds and will only lead to a sad, ignominious end for all who partake — shame on you all, especially you Mr. Premier.

I propose that alongside the various pieces of affirmative action legislation, laws protecting the rights and aspirations of minorities also be introduced. Indeed, I cannot see any way clear to a truly just society unless this issue is addressed and I am sure my various white, mixed, Asian, Gay, Muslim, Agnostic brothers and sisters will breathe a collective sigh of relief when that day comes and truly embrace the new Bermuda. In the meantime, I remind today's leadership that they ignore the simple truth that we are all God's children at their peril.

DONALD WILLIAMS

Southampton

A UBP cabinet

September 26, 2007

Dear Sir,

Please indulge me in my thoughts of Bermuda under a "new" United Bermuda Party Government:

Premier and Minister of Public Safety — Michael Dunkley

Criteria: Plagiarism — (2) copy Dr. Brown's open mike initiative; (2) try and take credit for naming the new court building after Dame Lois Browne-Evans; (3) take a picture with Tiger and try and take credit for the PGA Grand Slam; (4) make public statements that "people don't trust the police" — I'm sure that pleases a lot of criminals.

Minister of Finance — Grant Gibbons

Criteria: boring, no personal passion required.

Minister of Immigration and Pessimism — Trevor Moniz

Criteria — Ensure that all work permit holders never have to train a Bermudian; end term limits forever; and make sure that Bermudians are sufficiently discouraged from every seeking employment in a high-paying job.

Minister of Social Enablement and Youth Un-development — Gina Spence Farmer

Criteria — Make sure that every wall sitter will never have to work and every misbehaved youth can count on Government to provide a welfare cheque with an excuse as to why they are not performing.

Minister of Complaining — Louise Jackson

Criteria — just be appalled and shocked at everything.

Minister of Education — Patricia Gordon Pamplin

Criteria — Just declare that the system is worthless, but keep the money and stick with it anyway.

Minister of Tourism — David Dodwell

Criteria — Push for a tourism authority, after I get my $50,000,000 hotel renovates completed

Minister of Whining — Kim Swan

Criteria — Whine, whine, whine.

Minister of Justice — John Barritt

Criteria — Push for double jeopardy law to be eliminated so that people can be tried for the same crime over and over again.

Political Advisor — Wayne Furbert

Criteria — Just stay in denial.

DEVONSHIRE

What is blackness?

September 17, 2007

Dear Sir,

Fortunately there is a new wave of black Bermudians who are willing to discuss the un-discussable about the connection between the collapse of family networks and the rise of street violence. It is possible to be black, street-wise and a conservative supporter. Labour has long enjoyed a near monopoly on the race issue in Bermuda but has helped nobody, least of all labour voters. I have always wondered what constitutes 'blackness', we have a minority of youth workers; single parents; and church workers who need help. Why do we look at government and teachers in utter amazement or shock when they behave according to who they really are... humans who are fallible like anyone else?

RAYMOND RUSSELL

Pembroke

P.s. Still fallible human beings that are susceptible to the lust of power, greed, money and the desire to dominate and control others.