Defending Jack Tucker

February 24, 2008

Dear Sir,

With the terrible election thankfully over one wonders at the need for further commentaries to further polarise and divide with the usual "white supremacy" accusations etc. except possibly with the predictably failed so called "big conversation".

I am referring to the long 3-part opinion piece on Sir Henry Tucker by Julian Hall.

I will be the first to recognise Mr. hall's unquestioned talented legal skills, however, how that translates into moulding one into an authority on the professional conduct, or community contributions, political or otherwise of others, I will leave to the discretion of your readers. I did not know Jack Tucker very well on a personal level other than assisting to carry him when confined to a wheelchair into buildings without wheelchair access.

My studies of his background would indicate that he more than any other could probably be termed the godfather of the post war boom in international business.

First was Shell Oil, next AIG or American International, followed later by Fred Reiss, whose International Risk Management was the forerunner or start of the massive multi-billion dollar reinsurance business, which has proven to be the lifeboat for Bermuda's continued ability to stay afloat after the hospitality industry priced itself out of competition with our competitors.

One can speculate that Bermuda would have survived without the insurance business but may be hard pressed to explain how. It is not unreasonable to assume a debt of gratitude to one who was undoubtably a superlative economist whose timing in Bermuda's history was most opportune.

On the man personally, he never appeared to be attracted to the grandiose or the superficial trappings of the egotistical or the insecure but rather appeared totally absorbed by his interest in economics and politics, except I guess by his recreational hobby of stamp collecting, which was by all accounts world acclaimed.

It became clear to me that the man was a visionary and in a very pragmatic way could see the future possibilities for Bermuda and decided, unlike future administrations, to be proactive rather than reactive as was more cost-effective.

He foresaw that the ultimate division between Bermudians would not be based on either colour, race or gender but by socioeconomic realities.

In addressing this he realised that he would have to change the mind set of the then-establishment, which was dragging its feet and resented any attempt to change with the times.

This could have been no easy task at that point in time, but he persisted with courage, realising how much was at stake for future stability. I think we are seeing now just how accurate his predictions were and that those with the best educated and developed talents would surge ahead leaving the less prepared behind.

With greater opportunity not to be confused with "entitlement", the importance of race, colour or gender will be reflected in the number of lawyers, doctors, accountants, insurance specialists etc. who are truly diverse.

Mr. Hall concludes by questioning what constitutes good governance and as this has become another catch phrase, I can only suggest what I think the majority of Bermudians would constitute good governance. I think they link governance to how government functions and operates. Government should operate by demonstrating a high standard of both ethical and moral behaviour. To ensure the trust and cooperation of the people and communicate well with full transparency and be accountable for all decisions made on behalf of the people.

As custodians of the public purse, without which no government can continue to function, they must demonstrate the highest form of fiscal responsibility, to enable the country to stay solvent and not hobbled with debts beyond its eventual capacity to repay. Mr. Hall, whose many talents are beyond question, may not compare favourably with Sir Henry in this important and complex area. I am sure others could illustrate better than I Sir Henry's many contributions, but so far they have been rather silent.

SOCRATES

Paget

Stereotyping is wrong

February 26, 2008

Dear Sir,

To Dr. Eva Hodgson:

I quote from your letter "most whites continued to believe that blacks were irrelevant to their lives and any qualified black was bound to be worth less than any unqualified white".

This statement has no place in Bermuda today as it is counter to any attempt that might be made to ensuring the blacks and whites of Bermuda become one society instead of two split by the past history of Bermuda and the lingering after effects.

There are white racists in Bermuda and there are racist practices in Bermuda. If you want to address those situations, you must address them directly to the individuals and institutions involved. Racist practices are illegal and should be dealt with under the law. I am not qualified to say how one goes about changing individual racists, but I know that painting most of the white race with this racist brush in letters like yours will not make a difference. In fact it will make matters worse and will incite individual whites to throw broad slurs back on most blacks, which I am sure you would quickly write back and say that these slurs are racist. And so the argument goes on!

The key to moving forward is that individuals look inside themselves and ensure that they treat all others as they would want others to treat them.

I do not believe your comment is accurate and is certainly not backed up by a preponderance of individual racist actions of whites. I don't think any white has said that blacks are irrelevant, however I know of one black politician that has said that all whites are irrelevant or words to the effect that he does not care about the white community.

Be specific, Dr. Hodgson, if you are going to criticise whites then please stick to specific cases of racist acts by individuals or institutions.

The UBP and PLP are split pretty much on racial lines, even though a fair number of blacks do vote UBP. That tells me that the UBP has come a long way and has to go further. It also tells me that PLP cannot attract whites as long as their individual leaders (not the whole of the PLP supporters) keep playing the race card.

MICHAEL HARDY

Smith's parish

Stop bickering

February 26, 2008

Dear Sir,

As one of the Island's more youthful citizens, I find it hard to believe that people actually resort themselves to exchanging personal attacks in a newspaper!

It seems contradictory that while this takes place between races, colours, and equal Bermudians, that these same people (mentioning no names) claim to endorse peaceful behaviour, a classic example of "do as I say, not as I do".

With many of these people having political backgrounds, it seems to me that the only decent people left on the Island are those who actually have self-esteem enough to respond "politely" to a comment made against them.

I am disgusted at the way our parties bicker back and forth from day to day... It is time for change.

COMMON COURTESY

Hamilton Parish

We need transparency

February 14, 2008

Dear Sir,

Everything that happens in Bermuda politics, has always boiled down to a racial issue!

The PLP continues to live in a time warp. You can't logically hold today's white generation responsible for past racial transgressions!

Also, regarding this transparency issue ... The PLP have swept many things 'Under-the-Carpet', at their convenience. The Bermuda Housing Corporation scandal, the Berkeley Institute scandal, etc. It was also very interesting to note how many PLP MP's had a 'no comment when asked about this transparency issue! Hardly reassuring for an optimistic society in the future!

Who do they think they are kidding? Bermudians both black and white are NOT stupid! Most of them are really quite savvy about the issues! You had all better get your act together as you move into the 21st century! We are living in a global community today! And finally, if you want to maintain your international and exempted company business position and status, you had better start implementing true transparency very quickly!

These international companies always have options on where to set-up overseas operations. Be careful what you ask for, Bermuda!

BRUCE McCLARRON

Arizona

Altered promises

February 27, 2008

Dear Sir,

I write this letter in total amazement at a statement recently made which appears to be at odds with the current Government's election platform. The statement I refer to was made during the recent Budget Speech on February 15: "There is provision in the education budget for students who graduate from our senior schools to enrol in an established programme at the Bermuda College on a tuition-free basis".

The platform the PLP ran and was elected on (see http://plp.bm/about/platform) listed as one of the major highlights the pledge "Free Bermuda College for all Bermudians". It did not contain the caveat "…provided they have graduated from a local senior school".

I would like to know the thought process that went into this announcement because it appears to be rather short-sighted. No consideration seems to be given to those persons who complete their secondary education overseas. Do home schooling programmes at the secondary level fall within the Department of Education's definition of a senior secondary school? Perhaps the assumption is that the parents of these children must be well off and as such able to afford to pay their child's way throughout college? Without knowing the exact circumstances of each and every family in Bermuda this would be a ludicrous conclusion to jump to.

Whatever the reasons behind the exclusion of those who fall within either one of the two above-mentioned categories, I don't believe they would be of sufficient merit to justify the creation of a separate group of Bermudians who would automatically be ineligible to apply for free college tuition. As a taxpayer whose tax dollars will be used to fund this initiative, I believe anyone should be eligible for free education with the only caveat being he/she must be Bermudian!

I have no issue with the condition of maintaining a passing grade placed on any recipient of free tuition as it will provide a measure of accountability, but I fail to see the relevance of graduation from a local secondary school. I would urge those persons in a position to effect change to reconsider their thinking on this point.

T. PARFITT

Devonshire