Deafening silence

September 15, 2008

Dear Sir,

Numerous religious institutions have vehemently argued against Harry Potter books, gay rights and gay cruises. Nothing has been said about the Premier visiting the Playboy Mansion.

HOW BIZARRE

Southampton

Gambling is not a sin

September 16, 2008

Dear Sir,

At the risk of being tarred and feathered I write in support of the letter from Beez Evans regarding casinos. If people like to gamble why should they not be allowed to do so in their own country, instead of having to fly to Vegas, Atlanta, or any number of US destinations? Gambling is not a sin, it is a game that many church going Bermudians like to play, so why are the churches so dead against it?

The crux of the matter is that thousands of dollars are leaving the country for this forbidden sport when our own Government could be benefiting from the profits and the enormous boost it would give to our flagging tourism.

Statistics have shown that less than 50 percent of the people who visit Vegas actually gamble; the others go there to enjoy the ambience and excitement and excellent shows that casinos make possible. As Bermuda is so small the casinos could be controlled by Government, and a percentage of the profits would swell Government coffers, hopefully to benefit the island's housing and education etc. needs.

It is high time that we got it together and used some common sense. Casinos are a necessary part of any successful tourist destination.

E. RABEN

Paget

Plan is just fine

September 14, 2008

Dear Sir,

I notice BEST is bemoaning the fact that there are relatively few objections to the Bermuda Plan 2008. There is a very simple reason for that; it's not much wrong with it!

I recall back in '72, my property was zoned such that it was an illegal lot given its size. There was a lot of gerrymandering going on in those days, but this time, after a delay of six years, not getting it right was not an option.

I'd lay odds that landowners have already noted with great satisfaction, that their properties have been zoned as they should be. I applaud Minister James' decision not to extend the objection period; what, doubling the statutory requirement is not good enough? Complaining just for the sake of being able to shows no intelligence at all; and for good measure take note, to print legal sized documents, you need legal sized paper. So much media time and resources wasted! Sad.

Moving on.

The "Day of Appreciation for Men" was welcome news. Thank you ladies, all we need now is three hundred and sixty four more and we'll be in business. (smile) I am sure those men who already have relationships where appreciation for them is normal, (and reciprocal) can only hope that the desired effect trickles down to those where that is not the case. Therefore I have one little truism for men; no matter how much she brow beats you, she doesn't want a wimp! There are many more I can offer, but that'll do for now.

Last week on my birthday, my lady (notice I didn't say woman-there is a difference) bought me the most useful gift. It replaces something I have that is fast becoming obsolete, and knowing that was so, beat me to the punch; now that's appreciation.

Notwithstanding she always insists that I should not buy her anything, but I know better. Part of the problem is that many men have the wrong definition of love. Women know what love is, but some men have this way of avoiding the issue and end up being (you guessed it), unappreciated!

As usual, it is very simple, the formula for love is: 'The mutual willingness to correct what is wrong with you and the (unconditional) acceptance of what is wrong with her".

Practise that, even if she falls down on the job occasionally, and you will undoubtedly be appreciated!

C.K. SIMONS

Sandys

Give Police GPS

September 16, 2008

Dear Sir,

It seems ludicrous to me that Bermuda's Police cars are not equipped with some sort of GPS technology that would allow them to properly respond to an emergency given a street address.

I recently had a situation whereby the Police could not find my home (on the corner of two major roads) because the only information they had was my house number, street name and parish. I do not fault the officers because my house number is not prominently displayed from the roadside, but surely the technology exists in Bermuda to pinpoint a house based upon a street name, number and parish.

I can go to landvaluation.bm or bermudamaps.com (both government websites) with the same information and get an exact map of any house in Bermuda.

So why is it that the sort of technology anyone can access with an Internet connection is not made available to both the dispatcher and the emergency personnel trying to respond to a life-threatening emergency situation?

SAL TUCCI

Warwicks