Nothing changes …

June 28, 2010

Dear Sir,

I have just finished reading a book entitled "73 North" by Dudley Pope. It is a true story about the Arctic Convoys supplying Russia during the Second World War. It gives the story both from the British and German perspectives. Hitler made a unilateral decision to virtually disband the German Navy, with the exception of the U Boats - against the advice of his Admirals.

On page 308, Pope states (in reference to Hitler) "Other people could be wrong; but not he. It is the all-too-common reaction found among so many men who have any authority at all: they have an inner aching uncertainty, an inner insecurity which they subconsciously feel will germinate and grow fat if they admit openly they have been mistaken. It is the inadequate husband raging at a patient wife; it is the boss faced with falling sales who blames his staff, never his own mistakes, the very man who will brook no criticism of his methods and decisions..

"Any man who surrounds himself with sycophants, who refuses to listen to ideas, comments, criticisms and suggestions freely made by men with ability, eventually has to face the fact that a mistake has been made by the only man capable of making it – himself. And almost every time he reacts in the same way. He metaphorically kicks the dog".

There is nothing new in this world!

ANTONY SIESE

City of Hamilton

You don't speak for me

June 28, 2010

Dear Sir,

I have just read with interest a letter from "Bermuda Rising" regarding recent 'racist' comments made by certain black PLP members of Parliament.

Bermuda Rising writes that these comments "are an embarrassment not only to all black Bermudians but Bermuda as a whole".

I may have missed something in this letter, but nowhere did I read where Bermuda Rising had been appointed to speak on behalf of "all" black Bermudians. Or, who had appointed them to do so.

Just for the record Bermuda Rising, I am a black Bermudian and whilst I don't necessarily condone this type of language amongst those that have been put in leadership roles, I am anything but embarrassed by it. What probably is more embarrassing to me is when people like yourself are so quick to jump on this thing you call the race card, and don't have the courage of your conviction; you find it necessary to hide behind a pen-name.

Speak for yourself in future and try Rising above the pen-name!

LESLIE E. SWAN

Pembroke

We want our rights

June 29, 2010

Dear Sir,

I have been working for one of the Island's biggest construction companies for some time. Why is it that the worker always gets the short end of the stick? Why does the non-unionised worker always get their benefits taken without any say?

Some years ago we tried to go to the Union to be unionised, but when the boss found out who the main culprits were, they were fired or threatened they would be fired. If they didn't get fired they would have an X by their name or life was made uneasy at work for them, so they would leave. We the workers cannot go to the so called Government Ministries for help, because if we did the boss would find out by time we get back to work. Especially if your boss is rubbing shoulders with the powers that be, i.e. playing golf and dinner parties.

Bonuses: I thought if you work for it, it's yours, I guess not. How would the boss feel if every job that was completed on time or before the due date for a bonus and did not get it or done the job and only got half of his money. No doubt in my mind there would be a court case. So what about the workers' bonuses? If you have worked for it, it should be yours true or false? Is there someone out there that could help us?

WORKERS WITH NO RIGHTS!

Pembroke

P.s. If the boss finds out who is writing this, I would be another unemployed worker.

Praise for TCD

June 29, 2010

Dear Sir,

I would like to thank the staff at the Testing Centre, TCD and the Devonshire Post Office for showing that the system can work well and be very efficient. I booked a motorcycle test online for Tuesday. June 15 at 2 p.m. - motorcycle passed test - paid the insurance and TCD registration fee online and asked that the new registration be mailed to our home address. Friday morning, June 18, the TCD envelope (postmarked June 16) was delivered to our home mailbox with the new motorcycle registration.

Well done and many thanks.

PAM SHAILER

Devonshire

Venting frustrations

June 29, 2010

Dear Sir,

Regarding a recent visitor's letter concerning a Bermuda taxi driver's unflattering remarks re: gang violence, I can't help but noting the following:

Perhaps this particular taxi driver as well as many other law abiding citizens are venting their frustrations towards visitors since their own government appears to do little or nothing to curb this violence.

SHEILA M. SMITH

Falmouth, Massachusetts

Outraged by decision

June 29, 2010

Dear Sir,

I am not surprised that 441 Productions was not satisfied to operate a bar on the grounds of Somerset Cricket Club during the 2010, as Bacardi International has done in the past. After all, they are a group of businessmen, and like all business people, they're into business to make money. Why just run a bar serving just some of the people who attend the game?

What I am surprised at is that this group of businessmen was able to convince the executive of Somerset Cricket Club (SCC) that they should be the ones to provide Cup Match goers with any liquid that passes their throats on July 29 and July 30. This includes beer, wine, other alcoholic beverages, sodas and juices. Additionally, these three men have been able to convince the Executive of SCC that they should be the only people in Bermuda to supply fans with the cups into which the drinks are poured and the ice to keep the drinks cold. They have also been given the monopoly to supply all the ice to keep our food cold.

I'm also surprised that the Executive of SCC would want to make it possible for the monopoly to exist. Recently, the President of the Somerset Cricket Club, told listeners on the Sherri J. radio show that the Club is now doing things differently and it's all about change. I don't think people have a problem with change, especially when change benefits the majority. As I see it, this change that the Executive of SCC is embracing will only benefit two entities - 441 Productions and the Somerset Cricket Club. It certainly will not benefit the many small and not so small businesses that have traditionally benefited from the sale of ice, soda, juice, cups and alcohol during the Cup Match holiday. It certainly will not benefit the many Bermudians who in the past have purchased the aforementioned items at wholesale prices.

Not only will this proposed change by the Executive of the SCC not benefit the greater whole, it will also inconvenience the many fans who purchase their liquid sustenance well ahead of time so that by 6 a.m. their "camps" are set up and their beer, soda, juices and champagne is on ice so that they can serve their guests early morning Mimosas. Now with the proposed changes, the Cup Match fans will have to stand in line between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. on both days of Cup Match waiting with their lists in hand so that they can be served by 441 Productions. To add insult to injury, that is, according to Mr. Scott, if there is some liquid left in the containers that were purchased from 441 Productions on the first day of Cup Match, the Cup Match goers will not be able to take the opened bottle to the game on the second day, instead, they must purchase a new bottle from 441 Productions. That's what I call smart business people!

Those of us who are familiar with the history of Cup Match should be outraged by the decision of the Somerset Cricket to stifle free enterprise and freedom of choice on the day that we celebrate freedom from the oppression of slavery.

So, Bermudians don't be surprised if 441 Productions, or another group who may seek to provide food, is able to convince St. George's Cricket Club next year that Bermudians should not be allowed to bring their own picnic lunches to the game. This group may be able to convince the Cup Match powers-that-be that it would be safer for fans to purchase boxed sandwiches.. After all, if according to Mr. Scott, the ban on fans bringing drinks onto the field is a safety issue, certainly the utensils that we use to eat our potato salad and cassava pie must also pose a threat.

I personally think that it is an outrage that Somerset Cricket Club would institute such a policy in partnership with 441 Productions. It looks to me that Somerset Cricket Club is moving backwards and 441 Productions will be smiling all the way to the bank at the expense of the thousands of Bermudians who over the 100 plus years have made Cup Match what it is today.

LAVERNE FURBERT

Hamilton Parish

P.s. By the way Mr. Scott, Cup Match is unique to Bermuda and cannot be compared to any other activity on the planet. Let's keep it that way!

Why retailers struggle

June 20, 2010

Dear Sir,

The reason retail stores are losing their grip is that many are afraid to change what they sell or try an original version that they had back in the 80s-90s era. Pirate's Port was once a popular schoolwear store in the past. Now, most children shop at Gibbons (until that girl becomes 6'0" and up that is and their arm length is now longer than the selling item length) or English Sports Shop. Why? Because they dropped an item that was popular back and tried selling something new and now, fewer people are interested. The same goes with Gibbons who once sold items for practically every school on the Island. Now they seem to focus mostly on navy blue (not sure why since they never seem to sell bigger sizes for bigger girls any more). English Sports Shop is now reigning supreme to a degree (the new navy blue cardigans aren't as popular as the 80s-90s look and sadly that version is doomed to make a return ever!) This is why, having something in the past is better off then trying something new, and failing.

SHOPPER

Devonshire