Her 'bêtes noires'

July 2, 2009

Dear Sir,

As a professional proofreader, I was delighted to see Helle Patterson's letter in today's Royal Gazette. First, may I add to her plural/singular list: the word "data" is plural — "the data are useful", not "the data is useful". It is the plural of "datum".

Second, I'd like to submit my three personal "bêtes noires":

ENORMITY: this word means "evil" or "wickedness". "He realised the enormity of his task" is incorrect. On the other hand, "he realised the enormity of his crime" is correct. "Magnitude" would be better.

PRESENTLY: this does not mean "now" — it means "later" or "in a while". "Currently" is better.

UNIQUE: the constant overuse and misuse of this word make me cringe. I give you the Oxford English Dictionary: "of which there is only one; unequalled; having no like". "Unusual" will do nicely.

JEAN HANNANT

Pembroke

When good men do nothing

June 29, 2009

Dear Sir,

There seems to be a lot of conjecture regarding the reasons why most of the protesters are white. Here is my take, whites are the only ones who actually care enough to take positive action. Before the howls of protest reach fever pitch, a few examples. Back in the 1980s Bob Geldoff set up a worldwide fund to raise money for starving blacks in Africa. There was a charity run in Bermuda to raise funds for this cause, 95 percent of the runners were white, I know because I was one of them. A few years later my wife was looking for donations of Bibles to assist a missionary in Africa, 70 percent of the donations, of which there were a significant number, came from whites. Whites had nothing to gain from these events yet they made the effort.

We lived on South Road for a number of years where we had a good view of runs organised in support of local charities and once again the majority support for these charities were white. In more recent times the protest against building the new hospital in the Botanical Gardens was again predominantly white although the entire population benefits from this haven. The paradox is that the majority of whites have the right of residence in another country, the majority of blacks don't, so when 'El Presidente Brown' finally forces Independence the blacks will be left wondering where did all the money go. Remember the old saying "Bad things happen when good men do nothing"

PETER FORSTER

Hamilton

A small favour

June 30, 2009

Dear Sir,

All this hoo-ha about the great humanitarian work Bermuda has done by rescuing four Uighur gentlemen is a lot of nonsense. If we are saving them from something then it must mean that we are saving them from American thugs running the detention camps at Guantánamo base. But I feel sure that neither the Premier nor his Cabinet thinks the Uighurs were being ill-treated or tortured by 'American thugs'. In fact, what Bermuda has done is a small good turn to the present American administration — taking on four of the hundreds still incarcerated in a detention centre which is an embarrassment to this administration and is due to be closed down at the end of this year.

The stealth with which it was done is no credit to Dr. Brown and Col. Burch, or to the Obama administration, which apparently sought the scheme's being kept under wraps. Quite possibly it could have been achieved openly by appealing to Bermudians to help the US President out of a jam. 'Humanitarian' to me means the sort of thing the couple are doing in Ethiopia in providing free schooling out of their own funds. You carried the story on a recent front page — I wonder if the Premier felt this was a knock at him? Very likely — he has such a weird view of newspapers that one cannot help wondering what devil decided to infect his mind in this way. He is, however, the strongest leader Bermuda has seen since the days of Sir John Swan and Sir Henry 'Jack' Tucker, and I think the PLP Cabinet might as well recognise this and recommend him for a knighthood. Sir Ewart and Lady Brown would sound well. To be fair, Mr. Alex Scott should also be given a knighthood. Of course only an independent Bermuda could make Dr. Brown a Prince, but then, who knows what lies down the track?

W. S. ZUILL, SR.

Smith's

Up With People update

June 29, 2009

Dear Sir,

The cast of Up with People departed Bermuda on Sunday as we concluded our first tour of the Island in ten years. Despite highly unusual and uncooperative weather patterns, we are excited and gratified by what we have accomplished together during the past two weeks.

Mother Nature did her best to dampen our finale last evening at Snorkel Park. I know many of you planned to be in attendance for the show. Like most of the Island, we were pummeled with torrential rain and pounding winds for about an hour at 4 p.m. which proved too much for our lighting and video equipment rendering them unusable. As scattered showers continued into the evening we reluctantly made the decision to cancel the show due to overall safety considerations for the cast and audience.

But as luck would have it around 7.30 p.m. the weather cleared just as a number of host families and diehard audience members arrived. Knowing we would be out of daylight by 8.30 p.m. we made the spur-of-the-moment decision to run 45 minutes of the show. At 7.45 p.m., the cast took the stage with full sound and costumes and entertained approximately 500 people. The rundown included 'Sound of Peace' which the cast performed with children from the St. George's Prep School Choir. The cast was able to even perform with approximately 20 of our Bermudian alumni the special medley we put together for the tour including two vintage Talbot Brothers songs. It was a wonderful spontaneous experience for everyone that I am sure will be remembered by all and a true testimony to the can-do spirit Up with People and Bermuda share.

Here are a few of the highlights from the past two weeks for which we all, sponsors, UWP alumni and members of the cast can be proud:

* Five days of community service projects

* Physical Abuse Centre

* Keep Bermuda Beautiful

* Habitat for Humanity

* Lefroy House

* WindReach Recreational Facility

* Sunshine League

* Casemates Barracks

* Maritime Museum Keep

* Westgate Correctional Facility

* Meals on Wheels

* Special Preview performances

* CedarBridge Academy

* St. George's Native Festival

* Movie Night at the Arboretum

* City Hall

* Meetings with Bermuda leadership

* Governor Sir Richard Gozney

* Premier Dr. Ewart F. Brown

* Minister Col. David Burch

I am also happy to report and we have interviewed nearly two dozen young Bermudians who are interested in travelling with future casts. Two are even trying to join Cast B 2009 which begins rehearsal in just two weeks. The Bermuda legacy will continue!

While we have all left the Island there will continue to be represented here by a vigorous and energetic contingent of UWP alumni who will become our stewards in Bermuda and will maintain our new Bermuda charitable status. Thank you again to the people of Bermuda for all you have done to make this tour a remarkable success. It was wonderful to reestablish the connection and bond between Up with People and the people of Bermuda. We look forward to being back within the next two to three years.

PHIL WORCESTER

Field Marketing & Operations Manager

God's commands

June 30, 2009

Dear Sir,

This is in response to the letter dated May 29, 2009 from MAM in Sandys which was in the June 9, 2009 newspaper.

I have many friends and family who go out on Saturday mornings to preach (they also preach throughout the week). They do this to give their neighbours some encouragement from the Bible amid all the problems we see today (and there are many problems as I'm sure you're aware). They are not fanatics as you mention but they are very humble and kind hearted people who take time out of their very busy schedules to help and encourage others (maybe you should try this sometime). They are just trying to do what Jesus commanded all Christians to do and that is to preach the Word from house to house and city to city, (check your bible if you own one). Why bother the politicians? Don't you think the politicians have their hands full with all the crime, murders, thefts, etc that are happening now. Would you rather the door knockers spend their time stealing from you or disobeying the law?

Next time a 'door knocker' comes to your house just ask them (politely, if you can) to put you on the 'Do Not Call' list and they will gladly oblige. I'm sure they don't want to waste their time upsetting you. You sound like a very bitter and frustrated person who wouldn't know a positive message if it hit you on your lower rear anatomy. I do not think you were funny when you mentioned 'stoning them to death' if they break the law. Please try to get some counselling for your anger. Please don't reply to this letter as I won't waste another minute responding to your negativity and hatred. I just wanted to set the record straight regarding these kind hearted people. They are not hurting anyone by the work they are so kindly doing. You only have GOD to answer to and I'm sure that when that time comes you will not be so haughty.

FRIEND OF A DOOR KNOCKER

Warwick