What happened?July 19, 2002

Dear Sir,I’ve noticed your page has suddenly become more political than showing letters, what’s up with that? Isn’t the Letters to the Editor page supposed to show letters?ANTI-POLITICAL

Pembroke<$>Do not blame the mothersJune 19, 2002

Dear Sir,I just read the article in the paper today of four mothers being taken to court because of their children’s poor school attendance. I find it appalling that these mothers have to miss a day of work, be fined for something that is their teenage children’s responsibility. Blame the mothers? Please! Anyone who has teenage children can tell you how difficult it is to raise children and this ‘blame the mother’ is not going to help. If this is our government’s last resort to help these children I hope they rethink this method.MRS. C.V. RAWSON

SouthamptonSharing your faith in GodJuly 17, 2002

Dear Sir,This past week, July 9 to July 16, I was blessed to go to a Catholic Youth Conference in Ohio, with many others from Bermuda, Canada, and the United States. I travelled with the Catholic Youth Ministry of Bermuda. I just want to say thank you to Karen Reynolds, and everyone else who helped to make this conference a success. It was truly a life changing experience for me, and I am 100 percent positive that I say that on behalf of many others. So thank you and keep up the great work.

Also I would like to encourage all youths 13 to 19 living in Bermuda to get involved with the Catholic Youth Ministry at St. Theresa’s Cathedral and get your self hooked up to go to this conference that has “Set Me Free”. It doesn’t matter if you are Catholic or not, but find a place where you can share your faith in God with others who share that same faith.SET FREE IN HAMILTON PARISHGet the priorities straightJuly 16, 2002

Dear Sir,“Disenchantment, Sense & Sensibility”

The following was a partial excerpt from a foreign news paper, but as I was reading, it dawned on me how politics no matter where, are the same “pile of tricks” used on the so called “common folks”. At the risk of being tarred and feathered for stating the obvious; the disenchantment of the middle/poor people with leaders they feel they installed in power began not at the last election, but much further back.

It was then as it is now unfair to expect one man/woman of accomplishing a total change in the “system”. The disenchantment therefore extends to the so called “Street Parliamentarians”, who once in power/Government never got out and proved to be, if not more craven than their predecessors, at least, at par with them. One gets the impression that these people were/are there merely for what they can get, even if they sanctimoniously use/used “race” as their rallying cry. Not much has changed.

It should be obvious that there was or is no need for the Premier to exert extra effort in order to conduct a “dialogue” with those considered of a “lesser class”, even if she denies copying some of the former poor excuses we’ve had as a “leader”. I believe I can speak for many of my age group who ain’t impressed or interested in either a charismatic leader or statistics based leader. What would of been “Heavenly Sent” was a person with a vision; one who could get us all to rally around the flag. “Their vision is a vision”, an image of a country that can hold its head high, not someone who is trying to impress every other Tom Dick and Harry.

Now I have an impression (maybe wrong), but the problem is I have yet to read or hear a sensible programme spelling out what this administration plans to do to get us out of the economic dilemma? we are in. Even if there were a coup, what guarantees are there that the new leaders will not be cut out of or from the same pattern? Come now, its the same system that produced the present set of “self seeking” incompetent reforms in “The System”; simply because they are its greatest beneficiaries. Justice and Just US. The time for speeches, especially politically oriented ones — “is over”. I don’t think the people care one way or another whether the leader is charismatic or not, just get the priorities straight. As we use to say.THE SAME OLE 2 & 6<$>Ferry Reach is for allJuly 18, 2002

Dear Sir,As the spokesperson for a group of concerned residents on Ferry Reach, I would like to mention that no one has bothered to ask for the other side to the reason last Sundays racing had to be cancelled. Mr. Roque, Power Boat Association president, has been interviewed ad nauseam, and so deserves to be answered.

The Blame. It is unfair to blame the “residents”, blame the power boaters and powerful jet skis who still hurtle at unforgivable speeds, up and down, without regard to other water users. We asked for restricted times for practice, with a Crash Boat, in an effort to reduce the danger times down from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. anytime, all the time. The practice and race times etc. agreed with Marine and Ports have not been kept to, but this time it was checked on, and someone had forgotten to get the required piece of paper. Do not blame M & P’s they are doing an efficient job.

Also, blame the owner of a red power boat who thinks it is funny to race directly at a Laser sail boat going along Ferry Reach, swerving last minute and sending a huge wake at the much smaller vessel. Funny maybe, but he will kill someone one day. Then blame the many fast boats that use the waterway as a racetrack. Blame the jet ski companys that lead tourists a breakneck speeds, we can supply details of frightening incidents. “50 years of Power Boat Racing”. We agree, surprisingly we do not wish to stop the racing but the speeds and the power of these boats has increased a little, and I cannot find a record of great big jet skis spinning about in 1952.

“Just there from 12 p.m. until 3 p.m. and we are gone”, come on guys, there are people going at serious speeds in very big boats with writing on them, when I go to church at 8.45 a.m. on Sunday. The jet skis race most weekends from early to late. Maybe you go home Chris, but the racers and would-be racers keep going. “Only Safe place to Practice”. Safe for whom? Racers are enclosed in strong heavy boats and wear helmets, of course they are safe, but is the Sunfish sailor and the kid in a kayak safe? Ferry Reach is a public<$> waterway, we all have the right to use it.

“Keep them off the Street”. Are you telling me that the children whose daddys have purchased expensive toys for them would normally “be on the street”. So children who live on Ferry Reach, by the same token, will have such a fate as they cannot swim and take out their canoes.

The Marine Police do a fantastic job, and we would like to thank them, but it is an impossibility to police an area when it is difficult to know who has been given an exemption to speed and when. Christopher Roque again has an unenviable position. He has been most courteous to us, and we realise many of the speeding crafts are not members of his association. Without clear guidelines and speed limits the situation is impossible. Anyone wanting to sign petitions of protest for the racers should be prepared to let it be on their conscience when someone is badly hurt.

Please. This is a beautiful waterway. We can all use it if it is done with courtesy and consideration.FERRY REACH RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

St. George’sDeafen yourself, not usJune 21, 2002

Dear Sir,I see nothing wrong with the helicopter at least I don’t hear it at night. What I do hear and feel is a half dozen morons driving around with their bass speaker’s, or whatever pumps up that thunderous, penetrating, vibrating boom boom boom that bounces off their tires. My bedroom is 170 feet from the road and I’m not suppose to hear more than 20’ from their car.

I was approaching a car that was stopped at a red light. Long before I got to the rear of his car I could begin feeling the vibration on my steering wheel. I had the news on my radio and by the time I got to the back of his car my radio went into a static dance. This is a constant nuisance all hours of the day and night. I have even seen police cars behind these dudes and they do nothing about it. I’m sure that the buggy drivers must go nuts because I have seen horses do a dance on these approaching vehicles.

I’m also sure I pay a lot more taxes then they do, yet we all are subjected to what they like, to hell with everyone else. How would you guys and some girls (not many) like it if I pumped up my music in your neighbourhood and awaken your family in the late hours? Maybe you can put some ear phones in your car and deafen yourself not we peace loving quite citizens. You can’t hear a siren anyway, so be sweet kind and considerate and install ear phones. I love music (any kind) but all I hear is the boom boom boom.ANOTHER BERMUDIAN

Pembroke

PS. Have some pride and keep your trash in your car until you get home. Don’t dispose of it in my hedge or anyone else’s.What is the message?July 5, 2002

Dear Sir,Where is the Justice?

I had the most unbelievable experience today. We had our house broken into in December, 2001. We had all our personal things gone through and things stolen. There were two other houses in the neighbourhood also broken into that day. And now we learned there was a fourth that was connected to the same person. The Police were very helpful, they responded as soon as they could, about five hours after we reported the break in. They were extremely busy, as crime has been on the increase. We spend quite some time going over the report that evening, the next day we had to meet the fingerprint guy. Then there was a follow-up when they recovered some of the items stolen, and then finally today the big day in court to sentence the criminal.

To his credit, he did show up and pleaded guilty, but to our horror and total amazement, 22 year old Mr. Trott, who was on a six month and a 12 month suspended sentence at the time of the next four breaking and entering convictions was given another 12 month suspended sentence! He was also found with marijuana in his procession, for which he received a fourth suspended sentence of six months!

My understanding of a suspended sentence is that when you commit another crime while on this suspension, you automatically do the time. When did this change? What is even sadder is that if you speed in your car or park too long, or in the wrong place, you have to pay the court a fine. This guy just walked out of court. No fine, no penalty, no consequence at all. What about our stolen money and property, not to mention all the other ones he has stolen from? Why shouldn’t these criminals be made to repay the victims? Why should they not have to replace the stolen items or pay the value back to the victims? Where is our protection from anyone who chooses to walk into our home? What about the tax payers’ money for the Police and court time?

What about the Police morale? They worked so hard to catch this criminal, only to see him walk out of court today with a big smile on his face. Where is their incentive to catch them? This guy had many previous convictions. He said to the judge that he is remorseful for his wrong doings and will not do it again! Right. But obviously the Magistrate believed him! What message does this send to the criminals and the youth of today? Crime does pay?FED UP

Hamilton<$>We are the same speciesJuly 11, 2002

Dear Sir,I read with interest the article in today’s (July 11) paper, titled ‘Love-it’s not all Black and White.’ I found the article interesting, however I disagree with some of the points made. One namely was that Bermuda is behind the times with regard to interracial relationships, and that Bermuda was behind the US and Canada with regard to acceptance. I can’t speak for Canada, but I feel that we are way ahead of the US on this issue — and on race issues period.

I am in an interracial marriage, and I can walk down any street in Bermuda without a second glance. However, I had been subjected to stares and double takes in the USA and even from tourists visiting here. Interracial relationships and now so common in Bermuda; it isn’t such a big deal in the community anyone. I think the majority of resistance that interracial couples endure comes from family members — particularly on the white side of the family. If it is a white man marrying a black girl (as in my case), it doesn’t seem to be as much resistance — the family may not like it, but they figure it’s his choice, and he can take care of himself. However, if it is a white girl, and a black man, the resistance seems to be ten times worse, as her family will tend to be more overprotective of her. A lot of white people buy into the stereotypes of black men, and may think that he will abuse her, etc.

I don’t know if any formal studies have been done on this, but I feel that Bermuda must have the highest incidences per capita of interracial marriages. You see it everywhere, and when you look at the logic that we have a population of 60 percent black, and 50 percent white and other, you have to have interracial marriages. Not to be funny, but there just aren’t enough white people to go around, so it stands to reason that they will marry into the black population. Also, contrary to what the article said, I feel that in Bermuda there are more instances of white men marrying black women than white women marrying black men — particularly in the Portuguese community — maybe due to the point I made about the overprotectiveness.

In closing, I want to make a point — especially to the people who claim that ‘God does not want us to intermarry’ and that blacks should only marry blacks, and whites white, etc. I 100 percent believe that God has given us his permission for the races to mix. The simple truth is that if this wasn’t His will, then it just would not occur. For example, a white cat can successfully breed with a black cat, and a white dog can successfully breed with a black dog — they are the same species. However, a dog and a cat cannot successfully breed together — it is biologically impossible — and if scientists found a way, the offspring would be horribly mutated, they are just not of the same species. In the same way, all colours and races of human beings on this planet can successfully intermarry and interbreed and produce the most beautiful children you would want to see, with no defects or mutations whatsoever.

Why, in Tuesday’s paper was a case in which a white woman successfully delivered black children after a fertility clinic mix-up-her body did not reject and expel the babies just because they were of a different race. Furthermore, we successfully transfer blood to each other based on blood type — not race. The list goes on and on. Our Maker only sees every creature as two things — either male or female, from insects to animals to humans (see Genesis 6:19-22/7:2,3,9,16). He tells us to stay to our own kind — meaning men with women, and not humans with animals and that men should not be with men or women with women. Otherwise than that, nowhere does He say blacks only stay with blacks or whites only with whites, does He? We are the same species, made in God’s image, no matter what we may look like on the outside, and it is God’s will that we all be together (Genesis 1:27,28). Now, it is up to us to get past the prejudices, and accept His will.COLOUR-BLIND

City of Hamilton<$>Care for our ownJuly 16, 2002

Dear Sir,Perspective. It is essential to put current affairs in this Colony (that’s what we are and always have been) in this slot firmly and avoid denial, myth-making, lies, deception, prejudice and ignorance. The enigma resurfaced this week with Sir John Swan being touted for a return to politics as he was supposed to be the best leader we ever had and the businessman everybody, black and white, (one of our stock national phrases) respects. This is a black person, the salt of the earth, who played the white’s game and made millions of dollars from real estate.

He effectively saved the United Bermuda Party its ugly white, plutocratic reality and created a largely black middle class veneer for this Island while our culture, sensibilities, good sense and all we held dear was sacrificed on the altar of the god of materialism. His Premiership was nothing but a holding action as Bermuda’s economic masters, the old white Bermudian former slave holding families, took this Country to international business and globalisation right after the Gulf War and their engineered recession. They aborted tourism and knew fully that waiters and construction workers would not be working in this real New Bermuda.

These people were so devoid of humanity that they could not see that apartheid was wrong and impose even symbolic sanctions/measures against South Africa and companies here doing business with them. They made us look stupid at the Commonwealth Games when Maxwell Burgess was Sports Minister having our team march on and off the field while they decided about whether or not to join the protest against South Africa. These people could not see that people getting killed and dehumanised was wrong and yet would dare to advance an opinion on, for example, CARICOM, when even white Cuba (Fidel is white and most Cubans are) and whites in Northern Europe were doing their best to help stop this inhumanity.

And our Government did was what they do when you question them, make life difficult for you. Now we have the PLP, who everybody was expecting to deliver them to a promised land or exact (just) retribution on them. The first is going to be incremental and the second is sorely missing. This current Government is going to learn that it can not serve two masters at all effectively.

How can you justify giving the Gibbons Family a bank charter for their deposit company to mutate it to Capital G Bank? Aren’t these people rich enough? Haven’t the politically inclined members of this family been the most die-hard enemies of the PLP and those it represents (or purports to)? Giving the Bank of Bermuda its 60/40 ownership exemption/permission to list on NASDAQ was wrong even considering Finance Minister Eugene Cox’s conservative nature after its Caymanian branch was sued in US Federal Court over an auto — title pyramid scheme and the Hardell racial discrimination allegations against that Bank.

We also need some form of an affirmative — action policy/monitoring system to right the wrongs of discrimination and keep everything above board in order to have real racial/social equality. My last point is that the new amendment to the Immigration Act is wrong, we should not be giving anything to these foreigners, they came here to work, while the descendants of those who were brought here fill the prisons, homeless shelters and drug treatment centres.

We must rehabilitate and care for our own black Bermudians first before we give anything away. This is what blacks voted for when they elected the PLP, not pseudo — human rights consensus politics, giving way the Country their ancestors worked for and continuing the same unjust, unfair practices we have been against since 1616.KAMATHI WARNER

St. GeorgesNothing will be doneJuly 16, 2002

Dear Sir,Not until there is a fatal motor accident involving a feral chicken will anything be done about the feral animal problem in Bermuda.HOW BIZARRE

Paget