Arrival figures are one thing
November 24, 2009
Dear Sir,
After reading the article under today's headline, "Tourist arrivals up 12 percent", I had to read it again three times to figure out what it all meant. Every quarter we get tourist/arrival statistics that are so convoluted and confusing they are of no use to anyone. The cynic in me believes this is done on purpose to mask the truth. If this is the case, I would hope journalists or other stakeholders would help simple people like myself with tables and graphs so we get the full picture. How do September's air and sea arrivals compare to January, February, March, April, May, June, July and August? What is the trend across this period? How do these months compare to the same months in 2008?
When it comes to cruise ship passengers, how much impact has the new $70 million terminal had? It would appear these statistics are comparing 2009 (two cruise ships in Dockyard) to 2008 (one cruise ship in Dockyard). What is the actual value of the second ship? How much money did the 225,000 cruise ship passengers spend in the 3rd quarter? Before declaring any success, we should review the amount of money being spent by these visitors. Getting people to Bermuda is one thing; how much they spend in the local economy is surely more indicative of our success/failure? It is time to stop meddling with the tourist/arrival statistics. If the news is as positive as the headline suggests, there shouldn't be an issue with releasing easy to digest statistics.
KENT SMITH
St. George's
Childish behaviour
February 24, 2009
Dear Sir,
I was stunned to read in Mondays edition that our Minister for Education, El James, found the topic of improving public education so unimportant that he thought it amusing to loudly pretend to be snoring while a fellow MP was speaking on the topic in the House last Friday. Perhaps this is an example of the "lack of political will" that caused the last Chairman of the Board of Education to resign! Improving public education, Mr. James, is no joke. I hope the Premier and the new Chairman of the Board of Education take you to task for your childish behaviour.
R. KEILL
Smith's
For softer calming TV
November 19, 2009
Dear Sir,
Channel 139 is available 24 hours a day with no commercials and plays movie clips, opera, orchestral segments, ballet, dance, landscapes and cities to music, foreign countries again to music and a host of other very agreeable, easy listening, easy watching classics. Government would do well to make this channel available to everyone in Bermuda and not just to those purchasing expensive programmes. It provides the exact opposite to hip hop, reggae and other ear blasting entertainment and would expose our youth to a whole new world of softer and calming television. It would also provide inspiration to our youth to become involved in the arts. I would like to see it in every home, every school, hospital and prison in Bermuda.
ARCY DUBYA
Paget
Disappointed & disgusted
November 18, 2009
Dear Sir,
Can anyone tell me why we, the working taxpayers, continue to cover the cost for convicted murderers to appeal their convictions having paid for the initial trial costs? I also want to know why the sentences of convicted murderers are being reduced. Everyone complains that the Police are not effective; however, when murderers have been convicted from evidence produced by the Police, our esteemed judges dismiss the evidence. It is said that they have rights. What about the rights of we law abiding citizens? Do we not deserve protection? Our Ministers pontificate in the House of Assembly weekly. Why are they not discussing the amendments to some of these antiquated laws so that we the working taxpayers receive equal protection? I am disappointed and disgusted with the state of affairs in Bermuda right now.
SONDRA M. WARNER
City of Hamilton
