Watch this non-event

July 22, 2008

Dear Sir,

The story that you ran regarding the many dead penguins that have recently washed ashore in Brazil has prompted expressions of concern from several people that this year we will miss the annual penguin migration at the beginning of August. Every year, hundreds of people gather at Mangrove Bay on Cup Match Sunday to watch for these majestic birds, as they fly over Bermuda's West End, riding the jet stream on their epic journey from the North Pole to the South Pole. There are worries that this year's fly past may have been jeopardised.

Sad though it is to read of the fate of the many hundreds of Antarctic and Patagonian Penguins, we do wish to reassure the public that these birds are juveniles, and are of a different species from those that fly past Bermuda. The migrating penguins that are shortly due to pass over the island, are all adult birds of the genus Aptenodytes Aeronauticus Non Tropicanus, and weather conditions non permitting, we confidently expect to non view this incredible non-spectacle on Sunday August 3 from Mangrove Bay. Your readers are encouraged to come and share this incredible non event.

GERTRUDE M. HOCKERMEISTER (Miss)

For The Bermuda Non-Audobon Society and for The Society of Non Mariners

"The Sea Shall Not Have Them.

"The sea does not want them."

It's not about discipline

July 24, 2008

Dear Sir,

In his article "The case for conscription", Al Seymour suggests that the Bermuda Regiment is essential for teaching discipline to some young Bermudian men and women. It's probably the most commonly heard argument in support of conscription, yet it's illogical and disputed by some former senior officers. If the purpose of the Regiment is to teach discipline, then surely only those who need it, male and female, should be sent there? What is the purpose of sending those whose family, schools and neighbours have already done the job? The thing is, the purpose of the Regiment is not to teach discipline.

Former Bermuda Regiment commanding officer Eugene Raynor, a supporter of conscription, recently said: "The army needs productive people in order to do what they have to do. If you are able to sort out a few on the side that's fine and that's been going on all along. It's not the role or intent for people going into the Regiment to be sorted out."

If the Regiment itself does not see teaching discipline as it's raison d'etre, how can anyone else justify its existence on that basis?

PHILLIP WELLS

St. George's

A job well done

July 2, 2008

Dear Sir,

I had the pleasure of attending the Concepts In Motion Dance Show this past weekend and all I have to say is WOW! The dancing that took place on that stage still has my husband and I mesmerised. First and for most a big thank you must go out to Lizz Pimentel, the director of the company. Thank you for putting together a first class show that had us all entertained from start to end. The training that you are providing these dancers is obviously paying off so please keep doing what you're doing.

Secondly the dancers must be commended for their remarkable dancing. The talent that these young people have really blew me away and deserves a lot of praise. There is one student in particular that I think deserves special mention though– Miss Rowntree. The piece that she choreographed was remarkable and in my opinion on my par with the international choreography. In fact, I was actually moved to tears. I hope that this young lady continues to choreograph and dance because it was a real treat to watch. Miss Rowntree and the whole Concepts cast proved that there is so much local talent on this island. Bermuda, we should be very proud of these dancers and continue to show them our support. I know that I will. Job well done to Lizz and dancers. I look forward to the next Concepts In Motion dance show.

L.M. HARRISON

Warwick

Working with us

July 24, 2008

Dear Sir,

I was reading Wednesday's July 23 Royal Gazette and was upset to read what Old Shep had said about the dog ban. Now even though he had some good points it sounded like he was just focused on the bad points. We have to remember we are trying to help and fix a problem, not erase the existence of these dogs.

Yes, countries that haven't tried the dog ban are thinking about doing it but what about the countries that have done it already? All of them have thrown out the dog ban because they see it does not work. Yes, some of these dogs were bred for fighting and guard work but if they were bred for it, it can also be bred out. It will take some time but there are kennels around the world that have started that process already. Like I said, we are trying to fix a problem. Yes I am happy with the way the boys on the hill are going about this. They are working with us not against us and I think that the rules they have set for people to own, breed, or obtain a dog is a good way to start off. So boys on the hill ...

GOOD JOB!

Paget

Worth another look

July 24, 2008

Dear Sir,

I must congratulate the Senate on turning back the proposed Dental Practitioners Amendment Act 2008. Whilst I support updating the 1950 Act, for the Amendment Act to include clauses that limit the number of staff a dentist may hire and extend control over such matters to the Dental Board boggles the mind. At best, that aspect of the Amendment Act is ill-conceived; at worst, it reeks of sour grapes and envy. Whoever among the dental fraternity thought it was a good idea (and I am pressed to dream up anybody who would), can only be thinking of how their dental practice might benefit from their colleagues' (competitors?) practices being restricted.

It is a fact that clients use the doctor/dentist/lawyer/accountant with whom they feel most comfortable and in whom they have greatest confidence. As such, it is better for the dentists who struggle, while their colleagues soar, to figure out why this is so. It's easy to do: ask a patient who refuses a follow-up appointment or a staff member who has quit — why? I don't see legislation being proposed that would restrict the hiring capacity of doctors, lawyers, accountants, architects, veterinarians, etc. So what's the difference with dentists? It is my suggestion that Minister Bascome look very carefully at the source of this odd proposal before the House debates it again. I suspect he will not find it emanates from the successful dental practitioners. I suspect, also, that he will not find any "health and safety issues due to overcrowding at a practice" (an appalling red herring!). In economic terms, dentistry is like any other business: if you are good, you will be in demand.

A. RATTERAY PRYSE

Warwick

Emulate this ordinance

July 25, 2008

Dear Sir,

Well I wish… Today's Royal Gazette reports that Lynwood, Illinois has come up (no pun intended) with an ordinance that will levy a $25 fine against anyone showing three inches or more of their underwear in public. Eugene Williams is their mayor, and I quote him, "…young men walk around town half dressed, keeping major retailers and economic development away". I feel we here in Bermuda should emulate this ordinance also.

NEED I SAY MORE?

St. George's

Let them know

July 14, 2008

Dear Sir,

100 Berkeley students have recently graduated — Wonderful! Positive news! Well done! Certain of the PLP Leadership have been letting these young people down. The examples, political and otherwise being set by some in the PLP frankly 'stink' and are a disgrace! It is sad; No positive leadership or responsibility of character being demonstrated or shown to the 100 Berkeleyites and the rest of us by a few 'rats' in that Party! Pray that the "100" will let our Government know how they feel about what is going on.

NOSTRADAMUS

Pembroke

Let us be heard

July 14, 2008

Dear Sir,

He does not have a voice. Only the ill-informed with total lack of insight is heard. Example: The white Bermudian has as big a stake as the black man. He built this island into a sophisticated financial giant. This Government does not want to hear us! Certain of the media present only the views of the ignorant black man. Then, the blind followers of this Government swallow it hook, line and sinker! In reality, the white man has equal ownership and rights and entitlement and should have a voice. What does it tell you when so many people do not want to hear what we have to offer in our mutual best interests? I did say "offer". "Offer" does not mean 'tell you what to do'! It means "offer"! Not wanting to hear, not wanting to listen tells me that the stupid-levels and the ignorance-levels have taken over from Common Sense. We agree with all of the UK Foreign Affairs Committee Report. We don not want Independence for a 21 square miles rock in the middle of nowhere. We want our voice to be heard.

WIFE OF NOSTRADAMUS

Pembroke

A matter of principle

July 18, 2008

Dear Sir,

I wish to refer to your articles in The Royal Gazette in reference to the NY Bermuda Department of Tourism office debacle. How long has Dr. Ewart Brown been the Minister for Tourism? Dr. Brown stating "The New York sale team worked hard at selling the Bermuda tourism product and the country should be extremely grateful for their service, but they were victims of a severely outdated sales model created when the level of our competition was not as h high as it is today." Then why didn't Dr. Ewart Brown or predecessors do their job and get the sales team in the NY office updated to the latest bells and whistles sales models so that the level of our competition was high.

Why not spend our hard earned tourism tax dollars there instead of doing away with a very highly productive and useful tool that Bermuda has used for decades? He and his team are outrageously lacking in doing their job in making sure that sales and marketing technology is up to speed and, if need be, to temporarily hire new staff to work in the Bermuda Department of Tourism NY office to implement new sales models so as to upgrade, this is by far a more superior move rather than outsource to a non Bermudian company that is USA-owned and knows nothing about Bermuda, it's extremely colourful history and long devoted and passionate heritage.

Plus, what happens when this non-Bermudian USA company fails to produce and we waste millions of dollars again, and you know it will happen, just recollect on other outsourced matters and the millions of dollars wasted already. Wouldn't it be better to restructure the NYC office rather than take such a drastic measure as is being suggested! As well, who is this USA company that our government is giving our sale/marketing business to, is it connected to a personal relative or friend of Dr. Ewart Brown, as seems to be the case in other reallocated business? Has anyone done any research on this company? I most certainly will.

It is a matter of principle. Not the fact that 20 Bermudians will be loosing their jobs, but the fact that Bermuda will be loosing control of their sales/marketing tourism business by giving the business and money away to another country out of Bermuda. Who better to sell and promote Bermuda other than its own people? This is utterly despicable what is being proposed and anything that the Bermuda people can do to stop it is strongly suggested. What other plans does this government have to take away employment and business away from Bermuda and it's people? Paying out millions of dollars to a non Bermuda company instead of keeping the money within our own people and our own country makes no sense at all, this is creating more hardship.

People of Bermuda, we the workers of Bermuda (and those who work overseas on our behalf) need your support to keep the NY Bermuda Department of Tourism office and other overseas offices continuing to be Bermudian owned and Bermudian staffed. Who better to represent Bermuda! What Dr. Ewart Brown and this government is proposing goes against the very grain of everything Bermuda past and present governments have worked so hard to establish and that is keeping Bermuda for Bermudians and run by Bermudians.

Click on www.politics.bm and forward to as many people as you can so we can help to get the support these Bermudians and this Bermudian company (Bermuda Department of Tourism), who represent us extremely well, get to keep their jobs and keep the NY Department of Tourism fully operational, keeping our tourism operations fully in house and fully owned and run by Bermudians.

Bermudians are very soft, gracious, complacent and trusting and if we don't speak up NOW and remain complacent, what else will be taken away from us?

BERMUDIAN IN FAVOUR OF PROTECTING OUR BUSINESSES AND JOBS

Pembroke