Tasers require training

April 23, 2010

Dear Sir,

The success of the Taser is solely dependent upon; 1. The training that the officers are and will be afforded. 2. The seriousness in which the Officers take the training. 3. The knowledge that this device is used in "Control and Compliance".

This device does not take the place of a regular side arm. In law enforcement in the United States this device is part of a matrix in the use of force by a law enforcement officer and is in addition to his side arm.

I remember and not with joy that when in training for the use of the Taser Gun we had to be tasered and I know how it felt.

There are rules and regulations in the use of the Taser weapon. These rules and regulations protect the Officer and the Bermuda Police Dept from litigation. Most important! This is not a toy and must not be treated (used) as such. Its use can and has escalated a situation, therefore it is of the most importance to know when to employ it, hence training, training Training!

The Bermuda Police are being issued one of the best if not the best ECDs on the market. This Taser has a dual feature. Close up contact or distance, depending on the load.

The Taser gun has become popular with Law Enforcement agencies worldwide because they allow officers to subdue a person from a distance and then ideally, capture and control the person without the loss of life or injury to the officer or the person being restrained.

It is unfortunate that Bermuda finds itself dealing with this type of response by their Police. By the same token it is unfair to expect the Bermuda Police to respond or to deal with individuals who have no respect for human life, have no respect for the laws of society and sure as hell have no respect for themselves! The old saying of "you do not bring a knife to a gun fight" is now part of life in Bermuda. Bermuda Police have the right to have all the tools necessary to combat this lawlessness on an even plain.

MICHAEL E. PITTS

Inverness, Florida

United we stand

April 24, 2010

Dear Sir,

I, unfortunately(?), agree with the implication of a letter by Paul Bullock (RG April 17) that black Bermudians are primarily responsible for the nature of our society. But that has always been true. When we were a gracious and courteous people, despite the oppressiveness of rigid segregation, we were an attractive tourist destination. Now that we have become violent and callous towards each other that impacts the entire society and determines what others think of us.

When we were united and concerned with the unjust policy of segregation and decided to rid ourselves of segregation, we were rid of public segregation within a couple of months, despite white resistance and the threat that tourists would stop coming. When we became concerned with the unjust policy of the voting of only a few and were united we got Adult Universal Suffrage in a couple of elections, despite white resistance and the threat that ignorant black voters would bring disaster.

When we formed political parties and became divided and concerned not with the injustice of so few representatives but only with the leader of the political party, it took us 30 years to get a majority of representatives in the House of Assembly and despite white promises that all the companies would leave, even they began by accepting the change.

We achieved a majority but have been totally unconcerned about the extreme injustice of the economic disparity, between the races, with all of its consequences, which has existed since 1834. We have become concerned only with enhancing the status of our political leaders and not with bringing justice to those who have suffered most from centuries of economic disparity. Is there any wonder that our society has indeed gone downhill with increasing crime and harshness in our disunity?

When we, all of us as Bermudians, consider the definitions of corruption by Jennifer Caines (RG April 22) then we all have to acknowledge that we have a very long history and tradition of centuries of corruption in our governance.

We, as blacks, must find another way to govern ourselves, a more democratic fashion so that all of those for whom we vote will be responsible for "running the country" with greater justice, and not just those few whom a leader decides to appoint to the secret "Cabinet". The fact they get paid so much more than all of the others increases the possibility for corruption which is so much a part of the history and tradition of this country. Clearly our votes are not of equal value when some of our representatives are so much more powerful than others and get paid so much more for that power. The current system is not only undemocratic but it has betrayed the entire black community which is no longer united in trying to bring justice to our most disadvantaged. Size does indeed matter (J. Barritt RG April 23) Therefore we do not have to pattern ourselves after the governments of much larger countries. Doing so has been disastrous for us as a black community that needed to concentrate, in a united fashion, on the long term impact of centuries of slavery, and particularly the long term segregation which we all experienced. Disunited we ceased to do so.

EVA N. HODGSON

Hamilton Parish

Proud of St. George's

April 23, 2010

Dear Sir,

A tip of the hat to the good people of St George's.

We advised friends arriving at Dockyard by cruise ship to take the ferry to St. George's, where we would meet them, and their trip was considerably enhanced by the always-on-form E. Michael Jones.

The Town was spotless with the planters full of bright flowers, and the pan-handlers, wall-sitters and other ne'er-do-wells must have been gracing some other venue with their presence, so it was a pleasure to walk around the deserted back streets.

Our friends left with a very favourable impression of the Town, and we felt proud to have been able to show it to them in such a good light.

Yours in deliverance,

ANDREW R. DOBLE

Hamilton Parish

Move Paget Post Office

April 22, 2010

Dear Sir,

Since postal improvements have been made, it would be beneficial to move the Paget Post Office to another location.

At present, it is very dangerous to park a vehicle with only two parking bays so close to the main road and a bus stop close by as well. Also there is no motorcycle parking.

With the shortage of parking bays some people park their cars across the main road in the entranceway of Saint Paul's churchyard and then walk across the road to the Post Office.

St. Paul's Lane always has cars parked there belonging to Post Office staff and nearby apartments on the same lane, there is no white or yellow line on this road and it is a two-way street.

If a Post Office could be built into the area of the Harmony Club which our Government recently purchased, this would solve the problem, and make everything more eco-friendly to all its users. Then our Government could turn the present Paget Post Office into a dwelling for someone.

PETER BROMBY Sr.

Paget

Goodbye, Bermuda

April 15, 2010

Dear Sir,

I return to the UK this weekend to live near my children and grandchildren.

Through the medium of your newspaper I would like to say to all those friends that I have made working and living here for the past 55 years.

Not goodbye, but just farewell. We have shared many good times together.

During the years I have witnessed many changes. This is a beautiful island and life has been good. So please do not forget the future generations so that it may continue and not be destroyed.

I will miss you all.

MONICA BERRY

Pembroke

Law breaches human rights

April 16, 2010

Dear Sir,

I'm not paying the Government. Not one penny.

Don't try and take money from me because I married someone who was not born here and we have a home, that I started paying for over 20 years ago.

My brother and I own two houses between us, what, are we expected to sell one or both?

My grandparents' houses are not for the Government to decide who lives in them, and I will not pay extra fees because of where my woman comes from or his. It ain't happening.

How did such a law pass? Are we living in a 1936 Germany or 1942 US (Both used the same reasoning that the PLP is using today) or 2010 Bermuda? I can't buy another 'piece of the rock' due to where my wife was born? What kind of BS is that?

Yah know there have got to be some UN mandated 'world' laws against this type of human rights abuse. I've included a few UN Human Rights Articles for your review.

From what I read in the paper, the PLP are limiting my opportunity to better my life and wife's life, we might as well leave and make more room for the 'real money makers'.

That ain't happening either. I spent too much time and money paying for my home.

No one is telling me who I can marry or who can live in and benefit from my (our) home. And I'm not paying anyone for my RIGHT to marry/live with whomever I choose.

Let some big time investor come, and you'll see 100 acres be fenced off in a heartbeat. Case in point: Club Med/St. George's golf course.

Let me be the first in line to get prosecuted, come and get me, ruin our 16-year marriage (I checked with the wife) and lives, plus my brother's life and his girlfriend.

Does Bermuda not have enough problems without the government creating more?

Do Bermudians have any Human Rights? Or do we have Human 'whatever the government decides we have or not have'?

I don't own a million dollar home, and I don't have a million dollars to pay a fine for having a home and a wife not born at KEMH.

Thank you for your time.

http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/

Article 2.

– Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

Article 16.

– (1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.

– (2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.

– (3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.

Article 17.

– (1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.

– (2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.

Article 30.

– Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.

BERMUDIAN HOMEOWNER MARRIED TO A NON-BERMUDIAN

St.George's

P.s. She got status a few years back. But that's not the point.

Preventive health care

April 24, 2010

Dear Sir,

I recently attended a town hall meeting sponsored by the United Bermuda Party where Mr. Gerald Simons of Argus Insurance spoke on Healthcare.

Like many, I am concerned by the increasing cost of healthcare in Bermuda. In the Argus Healthcare Newsletter 2010 (page 2), Argus notes that a significant reason for the increase in the use of medical services is the impact of unhealthy lifestyles, poor nutrition and lack of exercise. Wellness initiatives are critical components in controlling healthcare costs over the long term. Also noted in Colonial's April, 2010 Newsletter (page 6) they too speak about the growing numbers of people struggling with weight problems.

We all know we should eat better and exercise frequently and properly. To know and not to do is not to know. Not to mention that the highest form of insanity is to keep doing what we are doing and expect a different result. Fellow Bermudians and residents of Bermuda, the weather is warming up, get out and be a part of a healthier Bermuda, and let's do our part to keep our health care costs down. We don't want to see a time where self inflicted diseases are no longer covered by our insurance providers not to mention having to be on endless prescriptions to get through life!

JUDY BENEVIDES

Pembroke

Thanks for donations

April 25, 2010

Dear Sir,

Thank you to all who assisted in any way with the White Cane Tag Days held on Friday, March 12 and Saturday, March 13, 2010.

Thank you to the employers who allowed their employees time off from regular duties, business owners/managers who allowed us to tag from their premises, school teachers who organised students to tag and the students cooperating, to each and every person who offered our tags to the public and to the public for responding so generously.

Through your generosity we were blessed with a total of $14,300.

May you all be blessed during the ensuing year.

Yours in Lionism,

BETTY HOWES

Chairperson