Stop pointing fingers

December 16, 2009

Dear Sir,

We keep hearing the community pointing the finger at the police to do something about crime, we keep hearing the Police point the finger at the community about speaking up, we keep hearing the Government blame the Governor and the Opposition blame the Government. Enough!

This is an issue that stems from faults at many levels, which has started a generation ago. Family units have broken down, and with the economy pulling parents away from parenting the children are looking for a family role which the streets are providing. Ladies and Gents, it's 10 p.m., do you know where your children are? If you answer no, you need to find out. The community has broken down and the neighbourhoods have disappeared. People don't look out for their neighbours any more and instead lock themselves in their houses and try to ignore what's happening outside. So we've now provided the gangs with an area to gather.

The longer the community does nothing, the more of a foothold the gangs get. The Police have gone from a proactive service where officers would walk the beat to a reactive one (Hence all the response teams), and deploy any community action regularly during daylight hours. The problem is that most of the issues occur at night. They say they don't have the manpower; however I believe that their deployment tactics need to be addressed and reviewed. Now we get to the Government, who have spent or overspent money on everything but the issues that really count. The police are the one thing we need to beef up on and instead we are cutting their budget. We need to hold our Government accountable in terms of how they spend the public's purse.

If anything, the Government should grant the Police a 40 percent increase in budget to allow the police to have the available manpower and tactics to put a stop to this. Seventy million dollars for a dock in Dockyard, or more funding for the police? Millions spent on a concert that hardly brought anyone to our shores, or more funding for the police? The list is endless and I believe that the people in charge need their heads examined.

This is a matter for everyone to get involved and turn this around; it's already too late for those who have been killed. It's time for Bermudians to come together and take their community back. It's time to draw the line and say this far and no further. It's time for parents to know and understand what their children are doing at night and it's time for people to watch out for their neighbours. It's time for the community to act in bravery, together, and not huddle in the dark in fear. Enough is enough!

SEAN SOARES

Member of Bermuda Democratic Alliance

PLP has lost my vote

December 18, 2009

Dear Sir,

As our beloved Island descends into chaos and mayhem as a result of the recent gun violence, the lack of a unified, confidence building response from the Progressive Labour Party stands in stark contrast to the grassroots efforts being put forth by the very electorate who put the PLP in power.

Other than the sounds of frustration being expressed by Colonel Burch, who to his credit is at least trying to do something, the response to the crisis from the remaining members of the PLP, including the Premier, has been tepid at best. I am now officially an ex-PLP member who in the past, voted for the PLP my entire adult life. No more. The relative silence emanating from our current government is deafening. As Bob Marley once said: "So soon we find out who are the real revolutionaries."

SYLVAN RICHARDS JR.

Paget

Increasingly dismayed

December 20, 2009

Dear Sir,

I am one of those lucky British Police officers fortunate enough to have served on contract over in your Country. I joined in 1988 and served for five years leaving in 1993 to return to the United Kingdom, where I still serve. Although I haven't been back to Bermuda since 1994, I still feel connected to it and I keep up to date with current events by taking advantage of the online edition of The Royal Gazette. I have become increasingly dismayed over the recent months, weeks and days about the dangerous path Bermuda appears to be heading down. We have gun crime over here in the United Kingdom and it is as hurtful here as it is anywhere.

While I was serving as a police officer in Bermuda, I was a trained firearms officer and in light of recent events I have been trying to recall what situations we were called out to deal with. In short, I can only remember being called out twice and on both occasions it turned out to be something over nothing. I learnt a lot from my time in Bermuda and a great many of those lessons have stood me in good stead back here in the United Kingdom. It is such a shame to have to read almost daily accounts of gang warfare and shootings going on, and it makes me wonder if it really is the same place that I left. As an island and as a people, you have far too much to lose to let the current chain of events continue, and I sincerely hope that as Christmas draws close that the "season of goodwill to all men" truly reaches all members of your community. I cherish my memories of my time in Bermuda and I hope that 2010 sees the return of the island that I used to know.

JOHN SWEETING

Rugby, England

We need more UK cops

December 20, 2009

Dear Sir,

How much longer is it going to take to get our island under control? Do we have to wait for an innocent person to get caught in crossfire? What has happen is that the corruption establishments that have created the monster (The monster: allowing illegal activity to go on in this small island for years and having a share in it) is out of control and now their trying to tame it.

Solution: First of all we have to do operation clean sweep in all of our establishments. The Premier of this country has to bring in uncompromising screened clean cops to this island. I suggest he has to bring them in from the United Kingdom – not the Caribbean we haven't had a good record with them.

CONCERNED BERMUDIAN

Pembroke

Without guile or concealment

December 21, 2009

Dear Sir,

Please allow me to comment on statements attributed to the Solicitor General of Bermuda Mr. Barrie McKay. The leaking of a Cabinet memo to the press about a secret deal to buy the Swan Building for $24.5 million "threatened the Democratic governance of the Island!" Also he added that "Cabinet secrecy is crucial"! Please excuse me, Mr. McKay, but the views of Ministers, it seems to me, should be or are the views of their constituents! They (Ministers) are in office to represent the people of Bermuda, not themselves. Their personal views, if they have to be expressed in secrecy, must be in conflict for what is best for Bermuda and her people. The Hon. Premier of Bermuda expresses interest in and favourability towards transparency. I would suggest, Mr. McKay, that transparency' goes hand in hand with democracy and the democratic process. Transparency, Sir, is without guile or concealment; it is open, frank and candid! Sir, I would agree that secrecy is important if Ministers were dealing with issues of war or security for the Island. Unless the Ministers are at war with the taxpayers of Bermuda then this issue is nothing more than "Let's make a deal" at the taxpayer's expense.

MICHAEL E. PITTS

Inverness, Florida

Looking for cousins

December 17, 2009

Dear Sir,

You carried a story earlier this week about the Christmas tree on display in, I believe, Washington Mall. The article mentions a Janice Bell who is involved in charitable activities at this time of year. I am carrying out family history from my home in the UK and am trying to trace a Janice Bell, who I hope may be one and the same as the person mentioned in your article. My reason? In 2001, she posted a message on RootsWeb asking for descendants of William Anderson and Charlotte Ann Whitecross who were married in Pembroke in about 1870. These are my great-grandparents and Janice Bell is also a descendant by marriage.

This has become of particular interest to us in England as my oldest son and his wife have just had a new baby who is named "Alberta" after one of William and Charlotte's daughters. We understand that the original Mary Alberta in Bermuda married Antonio Joseph Muniz in 1911. My grandfather Joseph Frederick Anderson came to England in 1901 after completing his apprenticeship at Dockyard. He always said that he came here for "his health" which we all found totally hilarious given the damp British climate. It would be great to find out if we have any distant cousins still living in Bermuda and so I would be very grateful if you could publish this letter, or indeed forward it to Janice Bell on my behalf. I look forward to receiving any information via my email address: mary.griffithsblueyonder.co.uk

DR. MARY GRIFFITHS

United Kingdom

Poison for the community

December 21, 2009

Dear Sir,

I have been thinking about the causes of the youth violence and disrespect. I think it's due in part to the angry racial rhetoric of the Premier's appointed Race Relations Consultant. Mr. Commissiong, it's always white people's fault and making blacks victims. The constant disrespect for other races and the historical Bermuda institutions has contributed to black youth frustration and anger. It may be a great political platform for Mr. Commissiong's political aspirations but it is poison for the community.

I am sure Mr. Commissiong passionately believes much of what he is saying but he is wrong. The Premier's appointed race relations advisor must go before he does more damage. Before he leaves he needs to apologise to the public for discharging a fire arm while he was robbing a bank, leaving a still terrorised lady who to this day is still suffering from that trauma. Mr. Editor, things don't just happen, we create the mess; and I call for an investigation into who and what's behind this continued polarising and politicisation of the racecard by the Premier's appointment of Mr. Commissiong.

CHARLES SPANSWICK

City of Hamilton

'Fog lights' are illegal

December 21, 2009

Dear Sir,

Anyone recovering in hospital after a crash caused by being blinded by fog lamps may care to read Bermuda's Motor Car (Construction, Equipment and Use) Regulations, specifically sections:

16(1)(d) no headlight shall be carried in such a manner that the centre of the lamp is more than four or less than two feet above a plane surface upon which the motor car is standing; and

16 (6) (a) "headlight", in relation to a motor car, means any lamp carried on the motor car capable of projecting a beam of light of an intensity exceeding 4 mean spherical candle power, and which is designed to illuminate objects at a distance from the motor car.

Doing so may not speed your recovery, but may make you wonder why TCD isn't picking up on the hundreds of cars out there breaking this law by using low-slung fog lamps, and in a country with no fog.

Yours not seeking enlightenment,

ANDREW R. DOBLE

Hamilton Parish

What did you gain?

December 18, 2009

Dear Sir,

This letter is directed at the individual who broke into our bike last night and stole my rain pants. Dude, what did you think was under the locked seat, a pot of gold? Why cause so much damage (busted seat and lock) for a cheap pair of rain pants? It didn't even rain last night so what did you do with them, wear them on your head as part of your Christmas outfit?

To my neighbours in St. George's, if you see someone walking around with a pair of old, oversized (XXL), yellow "Pro Rainer" rain pants, ignore the Christmas spirit and push him into the hedge for me.

KENT SMITH

St. George's

P.s. I should also warm you that my dog peed on those rain pants.

Seeking swine flu shot

December 21, 2009

Dear Sir,

Why is the "swine flu" shot not available in Bermuda? We were told it would be available early December.

ST GEORGE'S

Four comments

December 17, 2009

Dear Sir,

Comments on Wednesday's front page:

1. Whatever happened to freedom of the press? Bermuda Government needs a history lesson. Peter Zenger who was a famous American who in 1734 fought for freedom of the press that set the standard for today in democratic countries.

2. The four Uighurs dumped in Bermuda without permission are citizens of China and should be given Chinese passports, not British passports. "The men revealed ... that they were promised passports after a year by their lawyers in the States". "various promises were made by various people".

3. "National Museum Created" Doesn't Cabinet or Dr. Harris realise that Bermuda is not a nation? It is a self-governing British colony. Therefore, to be named correctly it could be called The Colony Museum. The same applies to The National Gallery, The National Stadium and the other Nationals we have in Bermuda.

4. Bermuda has only a 63,000 population and is only 21 square miles in size, (actually smaller then The Houston Texas Medical Center). We forget that we are "small fish in a big Pond" trying to play at being big Shots.

NANCY V

Warwick

What builds character

December 11, 2009

Dear Sir,

People have a tendency to believe that knowledge and understanding builds a better character, but not necessarily so. For there are thieves, greedy, inconsiderate and so on, and we know from the news we read and watch that these people include doctors, lawyers and especially politicians — even so called religious ministers. The only thing that builds character is correct spiritual development. Whether we acknowledge that as fact or not, it is not going to happen otherwise. Because of our attitude is not correct, we will destroy all the positive things that can happen for us regardless of what we know and understand. We cannot live forever in a community without living with it.

RAYMOND RUSSELL

Pembroke West

A card of thanks

Dear Sir,

11 Corinthians 3:5 "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;"

The Matilda Smith Williams Seniors' Residence held its annual Tag Days on Friday, November 20 and Saturday, November 21, 2009. There is a chorus we sing that says we never could have made it without God. truly, it is only because of God's blessings that we were able to raise $14,071.24. We thank Him for all whom He used to help us.

Acts 20 verse 35 says, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Therefore, we thank the volunteers who gave of their valuable time to tag for us, and the public who generously gave monetarily. We greatly appreciate their assistance and look forward to their help next year.

IANTHIA EVE (MRS.)

For and on behalf of the Board of Governors

Matilda Smith Williams Seniors Residence

Devonshire

Golf course questions

December 15, 2009

Dear Sir,

The Royal Gazette, Monday, December 7, 2009 Page 11. Headline: DeSilva defends Port Royal Golf Course Costs."

"The final cost of the project was 15.9 million, which he (DeSilva) stated was around 17 percent over the 2009 budget for the project of 13.6 million.

A change in plans added a concrete path, which Mr. DeSilva said increased the cost by one million dollars. He argued that without the path the increase in expected expenditure was 14.6 million, leaving the overrun at less than ten percent."

First, the difference between 14.6 million and the final cost of 15.9 million equals 1.3 million dollars not one million as stated.

Second, how does one pathway cost 1.3 million dollars? For that price you could build an entire house, electrical, plumbing and all. (I admit that I don't know how big the pathway is but for that price it would have to be over 3 miles long.)

Third and last, if Government needs any more pathways built, call me, I'll do it for 1.2 million.

BRIAN ROBINSON

Pembroke

P.s. I have signed my real name but just because a person uses a pseudonym it does not make their points any less valid or deserving of an answer, we are all taxpayers.

Fruitless manoeuvres

December 16, 2009

Dear Sir,

The word "allies" describes a temporary getting together of countries or individuals for a common purpose. They remain separate while in alliance and free to go their separate ways when the common purpose is achieved. To call a political party an "alliance" is inappropriate. The United Bermuda Party dissidents who have deserted their party and call themselves an "alliance" are silly for a number of reasons.

One is that they think that dissident PLP voters will not vote for the UBP even if they are dissatisfied with the PLP for the sole reason that do not like the name UBP. This has caused them to wast fruitless hours arguing about other labels such as "liberal" and "socialist" and "conservative" and "democratic" and finally coming up with the banal word "alliance".

This internecine bickering is fruitless because it underestimates the intelligence of the Bermuda voter. When an election comes each voter will be guided by the character of the candidate and the party he or she represents and not semantics.

The UBP dissidents are also silly because they are turncoats on the party under whose banner they were elected and have behaved dishonourably towards the UBP voters who elected them. The name "United Bermuda Party" is not only better than any other suggested name but also is one of which members can rightly be proud. Never has Bermuda been in greater need of an effective Opposition and the failure of the dissidents to support Kim Swan and those loyal to him is a disgrace.

WILLIAM M. COX

Devonshire

We cannot change words

December 20, 2009

Dear Sir,

I really must comment on an article that appeared recently in The Royal Gazette, referring to a young lady who couldn't decide whether or not she should lose her virginity. This state was referred to as celibacy; which is utter nonsense; but is a prime example of how the English language and vocabulary continues to be messed about. This is often done by "it's common usage" brigade. Many English words have their origin in Latin, and whilst words can be declined, etc., they have a basic meaning. Celibacy has only one meaning. It does not mean refraining from, or not having sex; but quite simply the unmarried state. (There are probably more celibate people having more sex then married people!) We know that new words and expressions enter the English language regularly; but the basic meaning of a word cannot be changed. This rot generally starts with some supposedly educated writer who misuses a word, and others copy him. I am sick of the "common usage" argument. "Pristine", for example does not mean unspoilt, etc. but something completely different, with a basic root. This problem applies to many words, and as for grammar and syntax: forget it.

R. BRACEWELL

Hamilton Parish

Bermuda is like Heaven

December 7, 2009

Dear Sir,

I am a Bermuda lover, since the moment my feet touched the pink sand just following Emily, the hurricane, in September of 1987, I yearned for a job in Mark Twain's quotable place, "You have to go through hell, to get to Heaven!" I have been travelling since I was a wee one, and this is Heaven! This summer I had a total knee replacement with a negligent physician. I almost died three times in first week of September and once in early October. Then the day before Thanksgiving, when I was delivering poinsettias to religious people who had prayed for me, morning, noon and night, I was carjacked with a six-inch knife! I have been told that I have legions of angels around me. I now know that I do! Thank God! I came to my Bermuda with my mother, sister and two sons in 1991 when Desert Storm was going on. Now many wars are going on in the world. My heart broke when I read the headlines in the December 7, 2009 The Royal Gazette. This is your heaven, and mine too, Bermudians keep it a Heaven for me, please! Do not allow Evil into yours and my Heaven!

PATRICIA GESSNER MYERS

Fairmont Southampton Princess