Thank you Dr. Brock

September 22, 2009

Dear Sir,

I would just like to take a moment to personally thank Dr. Brock for helping to save the life of Richard Gaglio. Dr. Brock you have once again made Bermuda very very proud. On behalf of all of Richards poker buddies we are extremely grateful. As a professional paper pusher I am frequently in awe of those who perform such occupational miracles. To all the men and women who have the brains to withstand medical school and the spirit to take on such a profession I applaud you.

SUSAN THOMAS

Smith's

Decision time

September 23, 2009

Dear Sir,

Bermuda is now at a very important political juncture. The recent resignation of UBP elected MPs and party officials has moved the UBP closer to extinction, and historical UBP supporters are now faced with the defining question: "Do we continue to support the UBP or is it time to disband the party?" The answer to that question depends on whether the UBP can once again win a majority government, for there is little reason to support a party if it is not electable. In Bermuda, the demographics are such that no party can win a majority government without winning the approval of the black swing-voter. Consequently, to determine whether the UBP can ever again be elected, it is important to understand what blacks think of the UBP. I do not profess to speak for black voters, nor do I suggest that the reasoning behind each voter's electoral decision is not both varied and complex. But I do believe it imperative that white Bermudians at least attempt to look at Bermuda from a black person's perspective, and by doing so they will get a pretty good idea of a compelling fundament concept.

Bermuda's history includes centuries of an oligopoly of powerful white families that enslaved blacks, then segregated them, and then imposed racial glass ceilings that impeded their economic advancement. Just as blacks were obtaining the right to vote-a vote that would have given the black majority the collective power to govern- these powerful white families formed the UBP through which they continued to control the political and economic power in Bermuda for several more decades. To attempt to separate the UBP from the history of white oligopolistic control of the island is to pretend that the UBP was not the principle vehicle through which that control was exercised. But the simple fact is that from the date of the UBP's inception to its loss of power in 1998, the two are historically inseparable.

To now suggest, as the remaining UBP officials are doing, that "the UBP can fundamentally change" entirely misses the point. It doesn't matter whether the "old guard" steps down, or the younger members work harder, or the party changes its name. These arguments only go to further prove a complete lack of understanding of the views of black Bermudians. The problem is the UBP institution itself-what it represented in the past and how strongly that representation is indelibly etched in the minds of those who directly or indirectly suffered from racial and economic disparity. Simply put, the mere existence of the UBP is proof that the white community does not have a basic fundamental understanding of race relations in Bermuda. How can you expect blacks to vote for a party that is historically inseparable from the white oligopoly that controlled Bermuda over centuries of slavery, segregation and racial impoverishment?

Such expectation shows a failure to even attempt to see the world from a black Bermudian's perspective-and when you are trying to determine whether the UBP can garner enough black votes to win an election, the only relevant perspective is the black Bermudian's perspective. White Bermudians now have the opportunity to take a giant step toward the betterment of Bermuda. By disbanding the UBP, they will not only be sending a strong signal to black Bermudians that they truly care about race relations, but they also will be creating a political void that will permit the emergence of a new party, one that doesn't wear the yoke of yesterday's racial sins. Let the healing begin. Disband the UBP so that a new party can be created, one that Bermudians can support regardless of the colour of their skin.

CLEAN SLATE

The UBP did well

September 16, 2009

Dear Sir,

It is getting rather tedious to hear all the criticism of the UBP. If you were an outsider it sounds like the whole party was a bunch of bandits who ruined this island. This is the party which desegregated the schools, that had financial prudence with balanced budgets, they laid the groundwork for the thriving insurance industry and they built the Bermuda College, remodelled the airport, secured pre-clearance and they introduced HIP insurance. It first started with one week in May to be the Heritage month. That has now gone from strength to strength and lasts a whole month. The UBP also started the Senior Citizens Tea at Camden. The UBP hired experts like Dr. Kenneth Clarke to try and help with the racial problems. Under the "UBP realm" the Southampton Princess was built. The Sonesta Beach was built and also the hotel in St. George's. The list goes on and on. I believe these were the golden years in Bermuda.

Looking at the achievements of the PLP I can only see some wonderful ferries. I think everybody agrees with that. A new dock in the West End. Both things are positive. We will not even go into all the allegations of wrongdoings in the Government. The country has huge debts and the racial divide is as big as ever. I honestly think that is the way the Premier, Dr. Ewart Brown wants it. By this time he must have settled his scores, as he himself tells. It must be time for him to go and enjoy his golf and all his new found friends all over the world (mostly at the expense of the taxpayer) so we can settle down to a more decent and well run island for everybody.

L.L.

Kudos to Anternette

September 14, 2009

Dear Sir,

Please allow me to congratulate Mrs. Anternette Burgess-Lewis who is employed by Bermuda Government as a Recreational Therapist at The Sylvia Richardson Care Facility in St. George's. On August 13, 2009 The Department of Community and Culture Affairs presented a Seniors Seminar at the Cathedral Hall where Mrs. Anternette Burgess-Lewis was the presenter. Sixty seniors attended this seminar. Mrs. Burgess-Lewis' topic was entitled "The Benefits of Recreational Therapy in the Community". Her lecture was very interactive, informative and encouraging. For the seniors who missed this seminar, her motto for seniors is "If you don't use it, you will lose it!". This is what we as seniors need. Keep up the good work Mrs. Brugess-Lewis! You are an apple of an eye to our seniors.

BETTY SMITH

Somerset

Education is the problem

September 22, 2009

Dear Sir,

I write this letter in response to the article in the paper in regards to the government altering the Workforce Equity Bill. Now, in the event that a black or white or any Bermudian is being paid less for the simple matter of their race I agree the company should be fined. However, Mr. Commissiong admits in the article that education is partly to blame. I feel it is mainly to blame. How about the PLP actually fixing our failing education system and quitting changing the Minister of Education as quickly as people change their sheets? That might help. Fix education, fix crime and fix the economy… fix those things and you'll see that's what is dividing this Island, not race. Race is just a scapegoat for the lack of accountability Dr. Brown and his regime throw at us to confuse us. Whites, blacks, Bermudians of all colours and creeds, stop this racist bickering and unite!

ROBERT DAVIES

Devonshire

New growth industry

September 22, 2009

Dear Sir,

Recently there have been reports of several seizures of marijuana "crops" in Bermuda. I suggest we let them grow. After all, tourism is a thing of the past, international businesses are bullied and leaving, and we will need something in the future to sustain the economy. Let the harvest begin!

UP IN SMOKE

St. David's

Results tell own story

September 22, 2009

Dear Sir,

I congratulate all of the Bermuda students who did so well with their GCSE results — see today's Royal Gazette (page 6). Perhaps this article should be forwarded to Gregory Slayton, the last American Consul to work in Bermuda. He was very rude about Bermudian private education when he left Bermuda which I thought was unnecessary. Will someone forward these results to him: Warwick Academy had a 89 percent pass rate; Bermuda High School for Girls had an 85 percent pass rate and Saltus Grammar School had a 79 percent pass rate. What part of a bad education is this? Maybe he should check with the New Hampshire private school examination results and see if they are as good before he puts his own children into those schools?

BRENDA SPEARING

Smith's

Words to live by

September 22, 2009

Dear Sir,

Please allow me space to both congratulate and thank Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for putting on the 10th annual children's reading festival at Victoria Park recently. While I was unable to attend, the account of the day as published in The Royal Gazette, was extremely exciting and encouraging. Imagine 3,000 people attending and hundreds of children being introduced to reading in a fun, creative way. What a tremendous service the sorority renders to our community every year. All who helped to organise and manage this wonderful event deserves our heartfelt thanks.

Thanks to our Minister of Education, Mr. El James, also who participated and lent his support. The comment made by the President of the sorority's Bermuda Alumnae Chapter Ms Denise Riviere is something we should repeat everyday. We should paste it on our refrigerators and tell every child in a way that they absorb it and make it a part of their quest for success. She said: "In today's video game and television society, it is critical that we remind children and parents that reading is vital to the future success of our community." I believe that to be a profound instructive statement. Let us adapt it, adhere to it, keep it ever present to make Bermuda the success we know it can be. Thank you Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for your significant contribution.

QUINTON EDNESS CBE

Warwick