Questioning the motive

July 20, 2010

Dear Sir,

With respect to our current debate over the future of the Corporation of Hamilton, I wish to share my concerns regarding the motivation for imposing such draconian changes upon this institution.

It is argued that The Corporation of Hamilton is one of the last vestiges of limited franchise in Bermuda. To be clear, I too abhor our legacy of white supremacy. However, I do not think that the Corporation of Hamilton, especially its present members, were the authors of structural racism in Bermuda and some are actively working to understand it and make the necessary changes.

We have all had to endure the pain of our past, as much as we have benefited from the successes, despite our cultural legacy.

Let us pause to consider meaningful ways in which we can honestly redress the imbalances that were written into our social development, most importantly how we can truly improve the quality of life for all Bermudians, particularly black Bermudians, in the form of quality educational systems, health care, housing and equal access to jobs for equal pay. These are matters that I believe are very important to the people of this island and yet I have not seen as much progress in this regard as I had hoped would be accomplished under a PLP government.

By all means let's have an end to legislation, policy and procedure that smacks of white supremacy or the supremacy of any one group over another. Let's start looking at each other as equals, born into a legacy of racism, that most of us are trying very hard to overcome, mentally, emotionally and materially.

We, liberal-thinking people, want the same thing, an end to inequalities, an end to the thinking that puts one group of people over another.

Therefore, I humbly implore our Government to re-think any action that is motivated by revenge. If the objective is the re-distribution of wealth then at least make sure such wealth trickles down to those who really "have not", until I see some evidence of that, then I have to question the true motive.

DEBORAH L. JACKSON

Warwick

Saddened by exchange

July 21, 2010

Dear Sir,

After reading the article regarding the latest exchange between Sen. Burch and Mayor Gosling, I was deeply saddened. Not so much by the events which transpired, but by the fact that I was not outraged by it. I should, as most right-thinking people, be outraged by such a blatant display of disrespect, no less being displayed by someone who should be held to a higher standard! But alas, I was not outraged as unfortunately I, like most, have come to expect this sort of behaviour from our public officials. It happens so frequently and goes unchallenged that I can no longer muster the energy to be disgusted by it.

I am further saddened by the fact that a man for whom I had deep respect while serving in the Bermuda Regiment could display (or allow) such utter disregard for decency. While serving as the CO of the Regiment, Colonel Burch led by example, being firm yet fair. What type of example does this set for the people of the country, most importantly, the young people of this country? When our leaders show blatant disregard for common decency and an inability to debate differences without resorting to bullying or name-calling, should we be surprised at the growing social ills plaguing our island home?

So Mr. Editor, I should be outraged. Unfortunately, I am just saddened.

DUEANE DILL

Bermuda Democratic Alliance

Can a snake ever change?

July 15, 2010

Dear Sir,

I was going to write about Senator Burch's childish, hysterically unprofessional ranting and raving on TV when interviewed about the shredded document he sent back to the Mayor of Hamilton but, I have decided it is not worth my time. Instead, I will tell you a story about a little girl walking home through the woods.

"One day a little girl was walking home through the woods when she came upon a snake. The snake looked at her and said: "Little girl, would you pick me up put me in your pocket and carry me home?"

The little girl answered, "Oh no, I can't do that because you'll bite me!"

To which the snake replied, "Oh no I won't I promise you!"

So the little girl taking the snake at his promise picked him up and put him in her pocket.

Upon arriving at the snake's home, the little girl put her hand in her pocket to take him out and in a flash he bit her. She cried, "You promised not to bite me, you promised, you promised!"

To which the snake replied, "You knew what I was when you picked me up!"

Now I ask you, "Does that mean that a snake is a snake is a snake and will never change?"

PAT FERGUSON

Warwick

Ministers must stand up

July 16, 2010

Dear Sir,

One can only hope that history will repeat itself. Sir John Swan went down on a very unpopular and contemptuous Independence issue, later compounded by the hamburger issue.

Ewart Brown could go down on this very unpopular plan of taking over the City of Hamilton.

Now is the time for his Ministers to exercise their consciences and stand up for what will go down in the history annals as courageous or shameful.

DIANA WILLIAMS

Pembroke

A ripping idea

July 15, 2010

Dear Sir,

I read with great interest your article "Minister Burch tore up Mayor's letter because he felt 'disrespected'" in today's Royal Gazette.

Apparently he did this and returned it to the Mayor of Hamilton because he felt "disrespected" and "offended" by it. He is also quoted as saying: "I sent it back because I want that man to know and the rest of them to know that if you disrespect people that is what you will get back in return."

Here we have yet another outburst from Sen. Burch. No wonder he was unable to get elected and had to be appointed to his Ministerial position.

Personally I feel "disrespected" and "offended" by the majority of this PLP Government, with all their Uncle Tom, Sons of Slaves etc. rhetoric. I feel "disrespected" and "offended" by the outrageous debt that has been wracked up and saddled to my back and the backs of my children. It would seem they all read from the same very limited playbook.

Let's all take the good senators approach and rip up our Land Tax, Payroll tax and Customs Duty fees, stuff them in an envelope and Return Them to Sender!

CLINTON J.A. PAYNTER

St. George's

Punish cell phone drivers

July 19,2010

Dear Sir,

The time has come for Government to dish out some tough love to the operators of all vehicles that use the public highways and use their cell phones while in control of these vehicles. The answer does not lie in the issuing of tickets as there is an enormous amount of money owed already for parking tickets that no one collects.

We all know how these persons value their (RIDES) as they call them, so the answer lies in taking the (RIDES) away until the fine is paid. That's right, impound the vehicle on the spot, take it to Southside, where there are acres of space, enough to park three B747s after 9/11, so I know a few hundred cars will pose no problem. clamp the vehicles, remove the batteries and just sit back as the money pours in. If the offence calls for a stiff fine, then make it $750, which will pay for the clamping and transport of vehicle to the impound area.

This may sound harsh, but nearly every day I have to take evasive action to avoid someone who has strayed over the line because of inattention while driving. With the increase in the numbers of these too large motor vehicles, I believe it is imperative that drastic action be taken now or else build a much bigger hospital.

BILL NEARON

Pembroke