Police should be tougher

March 5, 2009

Dear Sir,

Politics in Bermuda certainly clouds good judgment and produces some schizophrenic outbursts. One week the Opposition is incensed that the Police budget has been cut and that the result will be an escalation of crime. This week Minister Burch encourages the Police to get tough and to know that the full weight of the Government is behind them. The reaction of the Opposition is to call for his resignation. Go figure.

The Minister's language was certainly colourful but most Bermudians understood exactly what he was saying. He was saying enough is enough. It is time to recognise that you cannot respond to the criminal element (now packing guns) with kid gloves, and that it is time that the Police Service acts more like a Police Force. Although the Minister's language can be interpreted in a number of ways to suit one's purpose, I think most members of the public will readily conclude that the Minister was not saying that it was appropriate for the Police to break the law to enforce the law.

Having practised criminal defence law in a former life, I can tell you that in the 1980s and 1990s the Police Force aggressively carried out their responsibilities, and they were often criticised for doing so. Public sentiment (towards the end of the UBP Government) wanted the emphasis to be on rehabilitation and greater rights for individuals who were brought into police custody. That shift mirrored attitudes in most countries, and the end result was that the Bermuda Police Force became the Bermuda Police Service and for the last ten years or so we got what we asked for, a less aggressive, less proactive, less visible police service.

In those same years the criminal element became more aggressive, more organised and more violent.

It is therefore not surprising that Bermudians are fed up and tired of living with all the evils that flow from criminal activity. Understandably, the public want a Police Force or at least a Police Service that spends less time slowing up morning traffic and more time aggressively chasing down those persons who are dealing in drugs, importing guns and making us all feel vulnerable and afraid. The Police did it in the 1980s and 1990s and they can do it again. What they need is someone at the top, like the Minister, who signals there is a new Sheriff in town.

What is not needed is a knee-jerk reaction from the Opposition which is aimed at trying to score political points rather than solving Bermuda's problems.

TIM MARSHALL

Sandys

A sick and sorry lot

March 4, 2009

Dear Sir,

I have come to the conclusion that ignorance truly is bliss! Why do I say this, you may ask? Well, I'll tell you. Since Barack Obama has been elected President of the United States, you would be surprised what has come across my computer screen. I have had pictures of President Obama depicted as a dancing chimpanzee and a dead chimpanzee. I have also had an animated "knock knock" joke sent to me with the answer when asked who's there – the door opens and there is a supposed image of Barack Obama with big ears and big teeth saying, "It's me 'n ise yo nu preziden!"

Now Mr. Editor, you know as well as I and anyone that has heard President Obama speak that this man does not speak that way, we are talking about an articulate, highly educated, highly intelligent man, and for people to find this humorous, is frightening, humiliating and insulting and clearly shows their narrow minds.

Are these people so insecure and uncomfortable with the fact that this man has the intelligence to become the President of the United States? Is their insecurity so evident because they feel they have lost their stand … that a new day has dawned? One female had the audacity to go so far as to say that Michelle Obama was ugly and had bow-legs! Can you imagine that? I cannot write my response to this person, but it proves that with some people, ignorance and racism rules their day – so I am making it clear here and now. I do not have time for bigoted and racist people – so spare me.

I was listening to Lou Dobbs on CNN this evening, and Lou Dobbs mentioned that the President was having the usual Wednesday night dinner party at the White House.

Do you know, this "newsman" went so far as to reel off some of the foods that have been served at these dinners and how expensive they were? In so many words, Lou Dobbs with this smirk on his face was saying the President should cut back on the cost of these dinners because of these harsh economic times! What would he like for the President to serve – hamburgers? Lou Dobbs is working for the wrong TV News station, he should be working for FOX TV News because he and FOX TV News are so far to the right it is mind-boggling.

President Obama has inherited an office like no other President in the history of the United States. This inheritance is the monumental mess that the Bush administration left behind for him to clean up which as we all know, is going to take a miracle, and President Obama does not look like Jesus Christ to me.

Mr. Editor, I could go on and on, but I will close here – but, I do want to say that these people who are attacking the President with their bigoted attitudes and racist remarks are a sick, sorry lot and one can only feel sympathy for them, and because the President has only been in office for 6 weeks, they really cannot fault his ability, so they attack his colour. By the way, I read something today that I think is appropriate, and I quote: "The sun dries without prejudice the garments of the rich and poor!" These are very simple words, but true.

PAT FERGUSON

Warwick