A tall tale

July 22, 2009

Dear Sir,

Jonathan Kent's story in July 20's Business section about the newly named Willis Tower said the building was "315 feet high and with 108 floors" and is "the tallest building in the United States". For this to be true, each floor would have to be under three feet tall, making it impossible!

I surfed the web (specifically Wikipedia) which told me that the Willis Tower is 442 metres tall (1,450 feet). I would like to kindly suggest that the facts are checked more closely before printing.

JESSE MARSHALL

Smith's

A question of respect

July 22, 2009

Dear Sir,

Renee Webb defended her friend, Claire Smith, who heavily criticised Dr Brown, but let's be clear, Renee has played the race card on many occasions as well. Dr. Hodgson's response to both Brown's leadership style and Renee's letter was crystal clear and brilliant.

But back to Claire Smith's letter; did she not think that her letter was offensive in its tone, style and content when she emailed it to ministers, irrespective of how deeply and sincerely felt by her? And, why was she so naive or lackadaisical to think that it would be received and responded to - politely? In other words, did she not think that ministers would rise to his defence?

Ms Smithe, the Government does work for us, but no-one appreciates an in-your-face, "you work for me!" attitude. Attack someone and they will attack in self-defence, politically attack and you will be attacked politically. Walter Roban has proven that he is not a part of the divide and conquer mentality.

Most puzzling to me is Ms Smith's interpretation, from her experience and in her subsequent statement, that white Bermudians are being politically marginalised. Is she seriously claiming reverse discrimination against white Bermudians by the current administration of government? Because political marginalisation has so many forms and interpretations, such as: 1) using the parliamentary structures to disenfranchise white Bermudians, otherwise known as institutional racism; 2) taking advantage of the weaken UBP opposition to throw white Bermudians (or any Bermudian for that matter) into economic chaos; or 3) stamping out the political voice of white Bermudians through name calling and labelling that cause intimidation. But only Claire Smith can tell us what this statement means to her.

Ms Webb has taken the time and energy to psychologically unmask Dr Brown, but what was the point? For in juxtaposition to Dr Brown, would it be fair to say that Renee have a self-vested interest in new laws on sexual orientation, then try to psychologically unmask her from that perspective? Because as a former minister, the public has the right to know what led her to champion such a highly controversial piece of legislation. But would she consider it to be fair, reasonable and accurate to be psychologically unmasked, especially if she made off the cuff remarks that now risk being printed in the media?

Ms Webb, you have made it difficult for fellow politicians to speak openly and frankly to each other without hesitation of reading or hearing their comments repeated in the media once a politician has left public office. Your comments hold, in tandem, unsubstantiated private opinions against a public persona that does nothing more than feed the public appetite in speculation, spin, personal interpretation, embellishment and, even outright fabrication of the truth as justification of a politician's character and/or lifestyle. No, you may not have started this type of expose, but you have given it licence or an endorsement, which is a standard that you should have risen above.

Freedom of expression is everyone's right, but many Bermudians have gone beyond the line of respectful in making their views heard.

VALIRIE MARCIA AKINSTALL

London, UK

Three's a crowd

July 22, 2009

Dear Sir,

I will be pleased if you have space for more on the subject, "On Third Party" published on July 22. This person's views express exactly what I was going to say, and I think he/she said it more completely and in a clear and concise manner. I do want to add that I have great disdain for a third or replacement party.

The United Bermuda Party has stood since its conception and should continue to stand for a United Bermuda, not a divided Bermuda as seems to be the present tendency. The UBP is not full of old people, old ideas or old guard. Many of those falsely accused of such are either no longer with us or are silenced with age, but they have children and grandchildren who have modified views and need to have room for expression and, in today's world, a means of modifying our present runaway method of government.

I admire Mr. Swan for speaking out against the movement of name change, he tells it like it is; the old name of the party is the only thing that is 'old' about the UBP, but it is a very meaningful name. Let's get behind it with old and new blood, and hope we can spot the opportunists and deserters before they get to speak for the rest of us.

WILLIAM (PETER) OUTERBRIDGE

St. George's

Jackson really was great

July 22, 2009

Dear Sir,

I agree with your letter writer named Two Cents about loosely attaching the term Great to people. (The subject was Michael Jackson).

I have the same problem with Diva. I stand to be corrected, but that title came out of the opera world, used to describe the great Maria Callas: "La Diva Assoluta". Diva wasn't bestowed by the media again until the great Aretha Franklin came on the scene. These days, it's sad to hear diva being reduced to mere popularity. The only person I see taking the mantle after Miss Ree is Mary J. Blige.

Having said that, Two Cents is wrong about Michael Jackson. He or she may have heard the music, but couldn't have listened. Or appreciated Michael's ever-evolving artistic expression like all the greats. Van Morrison, Miles Davis and Bob Dylan come immediately to mind.

How timely that Quincy Jones – another trailblazer - is heading this year's Bermuda Music Festival. He brought out Michael's genius as a songwriter with his brilliant production of "Off the Wall" and "Thriller". It was a turning point in Jackson's career. (Q also deserves credit for Sinatra's comeback with "My Way"). Michael then transformed the music video industry (MTV and all that), bringing excitement to the lacklustre musical output of the 1980s after the demise of disco.

As for Michael's dancing, here 26 years on in 2009, his moves are accepted as part of his persona. But I tell you, I'll never forget his performance on Motown's 25th Anniversary TV Special. He was electrifying. And who better than the consummate Fred Astaire to later remark to Quincy Jones that Michael was the most talented dancer he'd ever seen?

I do agree with Two Cents that great people are those who make significant contributions to mankind while enduring personal suffering.

It's also true that greatness in many people, particularly entertainers, come from (past) personal suffering. Jackson's case is classic.

As a musical artist and entertainer, Michael Jackson will surely be remembered as one of the greats.

PAMELA H. WILLCOCKS

Smith's Parish

Clean-up needed

July 22, 2009

Dear Sir,

Another wonderful sunny day, the sky is blue, the sea is clear and everything is great … until you take a look at the harbour front in Hamilton. Floating on top of the beautiful clear waters is a very large puddle of what can only be described as brown sludge. What is this dirty sludge floating on the surface for all to see, I asked myself? Talking to myself did not help, so I asked A glass bottom boat captain who sees it daily. It appears to be pollution leaking from one of the large ferries and cannot, or will not, be repaired to stop this pollution of the harbour waters.

Numerous phone calls to the police have not helped and the problem was diagnosed as algae by a water police officer! I think not, but I am sure that testing is being done immediately to confirm the officer's diagnosis and an immediate remedy being sought before permanent damage is done to the delicate ecosystem of the Bermuda waters.

For now, the advice by said officer is to take a net and drag it out yourself! Maybe we can hand out nets to all the passing tourists who stop to take a look, many hands make light work! Imagine the wonderful holiday stories they will take home with them. A trip to remember?

RELUCTANT SWIMMER

Warwick

Taking the cake

July 22, 2009

Dear Sir,

Just a thank you to the MarketPlace (Hamilton), who were asked to create a cake with the Spongebob characters from our 4-½ Year Old Son to his Mummy. The cake was formed as if the characters were under the Ocean and was perfect in every way! Keep up the good work!

VERY HAPPY

City of Hamilton