A paranoid aversion...

October 28, 2010

Dear Sir:

A number of years ago a prominent journalist and venerable presenter of the long-standing BBC Radio 4 "Today" programme, Brian Redhead, was accused of political bias by the then Chancellor of the Exchequer Nigel Lawson whom Redhead was interviewing at the time. Redhead replied with the suggestion that there might ensue a minute's silence in the interview "for you (Lawson) to apologise for daring to suggest that you know how I vote". I was reminded of this little contretemps when Premier Brown, in his final PLP address to the party on October 27, accused The Royal Gazette ("and others") of wishing for the demise of the party. It would be interesting but probably impossible to know what evidence or insight this now ex-Premier of such clairvoyant ability had to suggest that he knew the intent of The Royal Gazette to destroy his party.

Quite apart from the fact that any privately-owned newspaper, or indeed any private sector media organisation, has a perfectly legitimate right to take a particular political stance, The Royal Gazette has a responsibility to its readers to publish news, analysis, editorial opinions, and a wide-ranging gamut of political commentary, as well as other information of general interest to the public. That responsibility also includes perhaps most importantly holding to account publicly elected officials in government by probing their policies, asking searching questions of them, examining their public statements, and generally exposing them to a good hosing down to flush away the taurine ordure of the political barnyard and get to the truth of matters.

Generally speaking I think The Royal Gazette does a very good job of this. And generally speaking it seems equally apparent that that is the job this now ex-Premier would prefer it not do – which says much more about his paranoid aversion to uncomfortable truths than about the newspaper's honourable mission to expose them.

GRAHAM FAIELLA

London, UK

UBP & BDA: The difference

October 19, 2010

Dear Sir,

What is the difference between the BDA and the UBP? If you listen to Rolfe Commissiong the chief propagandist tor the PLP, "nothing, it's the UBP in a new party". Is what Rolfe says true, Mr. Editor? I think not. The truth is that the vast majority of voters are very unhappy and disillusioned with both the PLP and the UBP. The BDA is an attempt to address this voter discontent by starting a new political party that is still faced with PLP and UBP voters who have voted for their candidate just as their party leadership has told them. Mr. Editor, the diehard PLP and UBP voters would vote for a dog if it was nominated by the party branch as a candidate! The difference between the BDA and the UBP (and the PLP) is there are no dogs in the BDA.

CHARLES SPANSWICK

City of Hamilton

A sigh of relief

October 28, 2010

Dear Sir,

Can you hear it? The huge, collective sigh of relief emanating from Bermuda is enough to lift a battleship off its moorings. It's over. He's gone. Phew. The vacuum left by his ego will be a silent, eerie space for a while, but how sweet it will be.

Just imagine a Bermuda with no more racial insults and threats across the floor of the House, no more xenophobic and paranoid rants about "the", the "combined opposition" and "the enemy", no more attempts to muzzle the free press, no more insanely massive cost overruns on capital projects. Just imagine …

A Bermuda where black and white, old and young, male and female, employed and unemployed, can come together to find solutions to our social and economic challenges.

A Bermuda where we treat each other with respect, mindful of our history yet optimistic about our future.

A Bermuda where our children and grandchildren have a safe place in which to grow up, where quality education, jobs and opportunities abound.

A Bermuda where our tourist industry is run by professionals in the field, not by politicians whose eyes are on the next election rather than what is good for Bermuda long-term.

A Bermuda where international business is respected as the main engine of our economy, nurtured and looked upon as our key partner, not our enemy.

When the sigh subsides, can we Bermudians please come together and get back to the business of governing this beautiful country, resolving the appalling crime that is fuelled by drugs and gangsters, helping our vulnerable citizens, and figuring out a way to pay off the appalling debt left behind by the leadership of one individual who may have evened his own personal score but has put the rest of us at serious risk?

LLVING IN HOPE

Smith's Parish

A viable option

October 28, 2010

Dear Sir,

The community is well aware of the level of disenchantment and dissatisfaction with Bermuda politics and recent polls citing an increasing number of undecided voters speaks to this. One laments why the public voter does not exercise the considerable power of their vote. It is because over time – the past eight years or so, we have been disempowered as voters. We witness the high number of SDOs being granted – overstepping due process; we endure disregard for our County's laws and public accountability at the highest levels and are almost numb in disgust at the volume of contracts being awarded merely on merit of association and without a hint of transparency.

Board appointments are typically based on political affiliation and not on qualification or experience that might best serve our Country. We see the intimidation in the House against seemingly oppressed right thinkers for the benefit of self serving personal and party agendas. It has taken us many painful years and we have learnt that our vote and our opinion really counts for nothing under this Government. We have been sadly deluded and taken for granted. Let us see if we as a Country are fed up enough for change or if we will succumb to another term won through emotive racial intimidation and blindly maintain party allegiance? It is time for us to regain control of our Country and to not accept the vacuous promises and disempowering mindset of this Government and it's leadership. It is time that they are put on notice.

There is now, a viable option. Where the majority could no longer support the UBP Opposition and its ineffectiveness, inability to change and historic legacy, nor can we in good conscience support the Government that once touted itself as "the People's Party" – of and for labourers. Again I say, it has been a long and painful few years. We have followed them like lemmings – ignorant of our own decline. But now, there is a viable alternative in the Bermuda Democratic Alliance that is committed to change. It represents a hope for Bermuda and is prepared to listen to and act on the needs of the people. Prepared to be transparent and to be held accountable. Prepared to work honestly for the betterment of our Country. Let us see if the public is ready to become empowered again. Or if we will succumb to the rebranding of a new leader of a Government that will not change. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results. Well, I am tired of insanity.

TONI DANIELS

City of Hamilton

Make it Bermuda's turn

October 28, 2010

Dear Sir,

"The PLP needs all hands on deck," said Dr. Brown yesterday. Indeed! And the PLP should also be ready to abandon the sinking ship they have created! Meanwhile, every other person in Bermuda who is more interested in saving the ship than lining their own pockets or increasing their power, should be prepared to be down in the bilges plugging up the huge hole in our economy that's been created, bailing out, and repairing the damage to save the vessel that is Bermuda! Hopefully it won't be too late by the time the voting public realises they need to find a better way or be ready to "go down with the ship".

The recent reports of even more unaccounted public funds for public projects, the arrogance and flippancy of a leadership with no fear of opposition, the appalling mismanagement in the civil service and freewheeling dizzying rate of spending from the public purse without responsible checks and balances, the abysmal state of our public education (which used to be excellent), all lend credence to Mr. Lister's bottom line in his ad today in The Royal Gazette: "… In 1998, it was the Progressive Labour Party's turn. In 2010, it now has to be Bermuda's Turn!" He couldn't be more correct. Please pay attention, people of Bermuda. Stop this madness and choose responsible leadership to guide us to a better Bermuda!

D. MARTIN

Member of Bermuda Democratic Alliance (BDA)

Mascot is a good idea

October 26, 2010

Dear Sir,

I think the fire dog mascot is a cool thing for the children. Although they might not know much about fire safety at such a young age, they still get to see the mascot and shake his hand. He will even seem like a hero to some of them one day or now ... maybe.

SMART CHOICE

Devonshire

Good batch of letters

October 26, 2010

Dear Sir,

There were some very good "letters to the Editor" published on October 25. 2010. I would simply like to say "kudos" to the majority of those letter writers – I'm sure a great percentage of "Right Thinking" Bermudians would express the same sentiments ... concerning all the present day issues, that have befallen the Island during the PLP's tenure in government! What does the future hold – more of the same?

BRUCE MCCLARRON

Tucson, Arizona

Too many errors

October 28, 2010

Dear Sir,

Perhaps "The Truth Teller" might have more success in his job applications if he or she was able to write English correctly and intelligibly. If his/her "good resume" is written in similar style and with as many grammatical errors as the letter to the editor in today's Royal Gazette it is not difficult to see why his/her applications are unsuccessful.

ELSPETH BREWIN

Warwick

Missing an opportunity

October 27, 2010

Dear Sir,

I thought all had been said with regards to Premier the Hon: Dr E.F. Brown and the taxi GPS dispatch saga over the last five years. Oh, how wrong I was. After reading "The list goes on" on October 21, signed by A Supporter of Two-Way/Voice Radio, I had to put pen to paper to correct some information. To suggest that having been a public service vehicle driver for nearly 38 years gives you some understanding and know how, is clearly not so and this is clearly demonstrated in your letter I.e. service time does not equate to knowledge.

While addressing your comments, it would be fair to say taxi operators once again fail to notice an opportunity provided by the Honourable Premier of empowerment over their own business and to be self regulators over an industry that must be regulated. Shame on you and others who think like you and who have no vision for the future of the taxi industry.

Answers to your statement and comment 1-14 about GPS in Taxis:

1. Some success? Yes, with only 50 percent buying into the programme.

2. Yes, and we could do better if we all worked the system.

3. No, if the system is used as intended.

4. If you understand how it works it can.

5. A necessary expense that a business has.

6. No, name me one Taxi Company that has had its system banned in the world.

7. Yes, with immediately help for emergency.

8. Yes several dollars for the use of a satellite.

9. No, radio is not more effective.

10. No, the system has not failed all around, taxi operators have failed to use the system.

11. Absolutely no, a new Minister should bring about a Central Dispatch once and for all.

12. It can't be said as to what percentage high or low at this time, system not used.

13. No, not a distraction if used correctly.

14. So has the horse & carriage serviced the travelling public over the years.

Mr. Editor, as a taxi operator, the most important questions that should be asked by taxi operators is "How will the GPSdispatch system make them more money":

1. System dispatches trips ten times faster than traditional voice dispatch.

2. Faster dispatch of trips means more fares each business day.

3. System knows no favourites and dispatches trips to the first taxi in queue.

4. Faster, more efficient dispatch of trips and no radio noise in car means improved customer service and in turn provides more trips.

5. Data messages are displayed only in the taxi that is to receive the trip.

6. No "Scooping" or stealing of fares.

7. Zone broadcast ever 20 seconds shows where fares are waiting and no taxis are in the area. Allows drivers to "chase a fare "fit they desire, again resulting in more trips per day.

8. Driver can determine best opportunity for fares and service customers more efficient and in turn make more money.

9. System verifies that credit card is good or not within a few seconds. Accepting credit card business can result in longer trips and larger tips. Ability to accept credit cards with peace of mind.

10. Voice communication still exist for private conversations

11. Covert emergency switch for driver safety. In case of emergency, driver alerts dispatch by use of hidden button, dispatch can track whereabouts of vehicle by GPSand dispatch aid immediately (police, ambulance, fire).

In closing I must ask: What have the taxi operators contributed to the industry other than protest, complain and resist any and all changes?

D.H. FOSTINE-DESILVA

City of Hamilton

We have a right to know

October 28, 2010

Dear Sir,

I have heard Dr. Ewart Brown's words "one down, one to go" – referring to the Mid-Ocean News' closure. He might think that this is clever rhetoric, but the "press" must be given the freedom to make commentary, and be above outside influence, especially political influence. I have written to you in the past ten years, and made reference to your refusal to print what you called my "tirade" against the PLP, and in your words, when I both telephoned you and wrote to you: "I am going to give them a chance."

However, I do not believe that Dr. Brown, has the right to withdraw advertising from your company on a whim, or as retaliation for the content of your articles. Some say that the measure of freedom of speech is one's right to say/write the uncomplimentary. If this is the truth, then we, the public have the right to know. Dr. Brown does not only "shoot the messenger", but, he does not even answer any criticism, and yet, you and I, and all Bermudians pay his salary. He is accountable to us, and I want an answer. Would you keep asking the question? Would you also "profile" our newest Bermudian hero, who is obviously only doing her job, Heather Mathews. We certainly got to know Larry Dennis, and I would like to know more about our new Auditor General.

SANDERS FRITH-BROWN

Warwick

We need a shelter for youth

October 29, 2010

Dear Sir,

Our Island needs homeless shelters that offer safety, a bed, a meal and optional counselling for teenagers between 13 and 18 one for boys and one for girls. Maybe a third one for 19-year-old to 24-year-old males. Bermuda can afford it if we tighten other areas of our Government spending. I am seeing too many young people in desperate situations that they have not created themselves.

The recession is not going to lift for probably another seven months or more and we need to save our youngsters who are in these situations from falling through the cracks of society. Social Services, Hands of Love Ministry, Teen Haven, Churches, Coalition for the Protection of Children and a host of other caring organisations know who they are. Teenagers are to be found in tents, old railroad tunnels, derelict houses, parks, wooded areas and sleeping on the floors in overcrowded housing. They are at risk of sexual molestation and have drugs pushed all around them. They are the next generation lining up for Westgate and the Women's Prison if we do not intervene to help them. If all Government Members of Parliament flew regular class on airlines and didn't take entourages with them; that alone would pay for two shelters.

CHERYL POOLEY

Smith's