Returned to sender

September 14, 2009

Dear Sir,

I read with interest in today's edition of the young eight-year-old girl from Massachusetts who sent a message in a bottle from a cruise ship while near Bermuda. She hoped that it would catch the Gulf Stream and reach Europe. Instead the bottle washed ashore in Massachusetts, some 20 miles from her home.

Could this unfortunate young lady be the first victim of the Bermuda Post Office's strict new policies? Was the letter "Returned to Sender" due to "Insufficient Address?'

DOCKYARD LACKEY

Sandys

Shop prices too much

Dear Sir,

We are told to shop in Bermuda over and over, but the prices are gotten outlandish.

People are going to start bringing their food in themselves. The grocery owners are really robbing the average shopper.

From toothpicks, bread, can goods, meat, etc. All gone up so much. Many Seniors and others are going hungry because of the prices.

We need a Co-op in Bermuda that is run properly.

HOPE

Pembroke

P.s. A simple nightgown nearly $70.00.

Invisible Police, Premier

September 10, 2009

Dear Sir,

It's fairly clear that our so-called Police Service has become totally ineffective, leaderless and has no clue how to deal with the misery on the roads and the serious gun and gang culture that has invaded us.

Except for the odd occasion when they insist on checking that seatbelts are fastened and registrations are displayed, they are invisible on the roads; they seem to be constantly asking the public to "slow down and drive carefully" after each road death or tell them "who did it" after every gunshot, home invasion or murder.

The Premier and his bride seem to be AWOL on every official occasion.

For all you PLP voters who seem to worship the ground Doc walks on, while you were sweltering in the sun, marching in the parade or otherwise stuck here, Doc was playing golf with the pros outside of Boston, swimming at the Inkwell in Martha's Vineyard and then heading to Fenway where he basked in the glory of Fearless Promotional Leader and suggested that E. Michael, was the Town Crier of Bermuda! I guess he really does want to get rid of the Corporations ...

But I guess we're lucky to have him and the PLP ... the UBP were such terrible, incompetent tyrants ...

SAM CLEMENS

Southampton

Shame on this motorist

September 14, 2009

Dear Sir,

Beware the general public!

I am sending these words primarily to the male driver of a navy Volkswagen.

I live near the junction of Point Finger Road and South Shore Road. Twenty minutes ago, you were rude, impatient and criminally negligent.

I was travelling south on Point Finger and went into the lane to turn left (east on South Shore Road). There was a white car in the other lane waiting to turn west. It is often difficult or impossible to see what is coming from the west if the westbound car is on or near the white line.

This is an intersection that requires patience and extra caution. One cannot rely on signals from the driver in the westbound lane. Any police officer or professional driving instructor would agree. I feel certain that the law states this common sense.

You were the car behind me obviously lacking patience and concern for the welfare of the motoring public. You blasted your horn and came over to my lane (on my right), gave me the finger, yelled something and then turned left in front of my car!

I hope you are recognised and admonished. You should not be allowed to be part of the motoring public.

Except for the fact that I have three children, I would sign my name.

UPSET MOTHER

Paget

Choices, not gangs

September 15, 2009

Dear Sir,

Please permit me to respond to an article a few weeks ago involving the supposed gang members here in Bermuda. I would like to address some of the things that were discussed in that, there were excuses made for their behaviour.

First, I understand their disappointment at the fact that there are no longer trade schools here on the Island as there were before. That is a huge miss, particularly for our young men.

Having said that, it is not an excuse for everything that is happening here of late, not an excuse at all.

Life is all about choices and the choices that we make, determine what and who we are and where we are going. You are choosing to kill one another, break into people's houses, use and abuse drugs and alcohol, while there are others of your age that choose to do otherwise, like make something of themselves. And not all of them came from the best homes or even the best neighbourhoods for that matter. However, they chose to do better for themselves and their families.

Some of you are really bright people. If you put your minds to good use, you have the power to make a difference, but, again, it has to do with choice. Why not choose to put your weapons down, look for jobs in the field that you enjoy, or where you lack education, there are facilities that are more than willing and capable to help you in those areas. You blame Government for the fact that you can't get jobs here because foreigners are being placed in these jobs. Well, they wouldn't have to if you all would get off the streets and do whatever is necessary to better yourselves and claim back these jobs, again, by choice.

I believe it is absolutely ridiculous that someone living in Somerset cannot go to St. George's or even areas of Hamilton because of where they reside. Utter foolishness, simply put.

Riviera Estate hosts a block party every year for those in the neighbourhoods and those wishing to join. This year the party was invaded by misfits who decided to fight with weapons for whatever reason and didn't care who they hurt or even what they did. It was horrific. My son and many others were terribly injured and for what, because you all choose to be thugs.

I am asking you to check yourselves as you wreck yourselves and those around you. As I stated before, it is all about choice. Choose to change for the betterment of yourself, firstly and this Country.

ANGELA BROWNE

Warwick

A democratic alliance

September 15, 2009

Dear Sir,

The Bermuda Democratic Alliance (BDA) will enjoy the full support of the outgoing stalwart leaders, likewise the stalwart leaders remaining with their loyal UBP supporters, dissident members of the PLP and many uncommitted voters.

The BDA will bring a new vision in Bermuda politics and result, after the next election, in a Government of Bermuda providing equal opportunity, social justice and a clear vision of Bermuda's future.

Long live the new BDA.

OWEN H. DARRELL

Pembroke