September 24, 2006

IN his latest Commentary about the Government's decision to build the new KEMH in the Botanical Gardens (Mid-Ocean News, September 15), Tim Hodgson recalls The Three Kings of Bermuda, whose greed (for power — as the title, King, suggests), spawned by a lump of ambergris, caused them to turn from co-operative to competitive behaviour. Of course, the stuff, lying as it was thousands of miles from the nearest perfumery, was really no more than a useless mass of whale vomit. But that which sparks the human need to dominate, instead of co-operate with others does, indeed, arrive in strange packages, whether shaped as land, houses, fancy cars, golden crowns or lumps of stinking rot. Tim points out that it can even be shaped like fruit — as in the case of that other Paradise lost so long ago, an apple.

Here, I would add that it can also be shaped like a banana. In Jane Goodall's study of the Chimps of Gombe, she introduced a huge bunch of said fruit — the equivalent of untold riches — into what had been a peaceful community of primates. All hell broke loose, with aggression and violence — especially on the part of the "demonic" alpha male in his bid to take the entire booty — becoming the order of the day. Yet we are taught that greed is one of the cardinal, human sins.

So my question is, did the bananas "elevate" the chimps to being human, or did the ambergris demote "the Kings" to being apes? I would venture that Bermuda is still full of primates who are no closer to God than they were 400,000 years ago.

As for P., it would not surprise me if, in his greed for power, he were looking to change the initials of his new project to KAMH (King Alex Memorial Hospital).CHICK OF THE VILLAGE, Paget

Well done, HeatherThe following was written to columnist Heather Wood and copied to the Editor of the Mid-Ocean NewsSeptember 10, 2006<$>

HEATHER, that was a great column you wrote in the Mid-Ocean News on September 8. I guess the last time we paid a visit to the beautiful Botanical Gardens was November,1962 — my last full month in Bermuda. I was stationed at the US Air Force Base, where we had 20-odd four-engine Air Refuelling Tanker Aircraft. I arrived in Bermuda on February 29, 1960 and departed on December 3, 1962. Just about every weekend while I was there the wife and I would take our two young children and visit the Botanical Gardens. It's hard to imagine but I bet it is even more beautiful now than when we were there. We lived in Shangri-la Cottage, Spanish Point. I'm sure many of the local citizens and visitors alike would be saddened to see a hospital built there. Perhaps with enough columns like yours, the Government will change their minds. PHIL SPURLIN, Biloxi, Mississipi

Don't tell us, show usSeptember 27, 2006

WHILE we're on the topic of Civil Servants and transportation, simultaneously focusing on sustainable development, this is a perfect opportunity for me to share my view on the subjects.Sustainable development is a long-term perspective about the consequences of today's activities and global co-operation to reach viable solutions. I commend the Cabinet Office for challenging their staff to find new ways they can conserve energy and operate by sustainable practices at work.

However, rather than challenging civil servants to leave their cars at home and take an environmentally friendly way to work today, my suggestion is for them to set the example by better utilising Government vehicles.

I say this because at approximately 8.45 p.m. on Sunday last, a Government vehicle overtook our vehicle heading in a westerly direction on Harrington Sound Road and we all know that Government offices are closed on weekends.

In other words, these vehicles are being used for personal transportation by some users. I always wondered if these vehicles were merely perks for some of the more senior civil servants who assume a 9-5 p.m. profile.

This is interesting because according to the latest recruitment drive with HM Customs, Trainee Customs Officers are being sought and the successful applicants MUST have their own telephone and transportation.

Why can't they car pool? And at the other end of the ladder, you have more senior Customs Officers who assume the 9-5 positions, utilising the Government vehicles for transportation to and from work on a daily basis (one particular household making use of two Government vehicles).

Why, then, is someone answering the call of duty required to have their own transportation? So once again, a challenge to Cabinet Office — if you are serious about the long-term perspective (i.e. sustainable development), rather than committing to just one day per month, order the Government vehicles that are not being used for Government business to be parked overnight in the newly- constructed House of Parliament parking lot and Cabinet grounds. This measure would utilise the parking lot at night and save the Government money on gas.

I can think of many other ways to better utilise these vehicles thus making my contribution to sustainable development. After all, it's not fair to those individuals who use their personal vehicles for Government business while not receiving a gas allowance, not to mention the astronomical cost of servicing and licensing them.

This is no malicious attempt to target anyone in particular for these individuals are only doing what's allowed by Cabinet Office . . . so Cabinet Office, don't tell us . . . show us.J. CAINES, Devonshire

Do what's palatableSeptember 27, 2006

IN a recent edition of your publication your correspondent "Observer" hit various nails squarely on the head when he wrote of the lack of competence (among other things) of our Government Ministers. I hope that he will have a "go" at the monstrous things that are being thrown at us with the Loughlands and KEMH developments, but in case he doesn't here goes:A. Taking Loughlands first, this is not just a technical abuse of power, with his Special Development Order (SDO) the Minister is acting way beyond what he should be allowed to do.

As The Royal Gazette in its September 25 editorial noted, these SDOs are beginning to sound like "diktats" pushing us towards a Third World-style of dictatorship.

The Minister has not only ignored the views of local residents — who come from various walks of life — he is flying in the face of what is reasonable.

Much has already been said and written about this project and it is not the intention to go over it all again, but in considering the second part of this letter on the "new" hospital, perhaps we may be permitted to put forward some ideas that would help:

1. To satisfy some of the needs of the rejuvenated KEMH.

2. Take some traffic off the roads.

3. Provide some accommodation for our ageing population and nursing staff.

4. To satisfy some of the misgivings / objections of local (not just Paget) residents.

B. The new KEMH.

1. Government, not the Hospitals Board, has decided in its "wisdom" to take the least palatable, from the public's point of view, of the three options.

Why? And please do not come the old acid about cost — we all know it will cost way over $500 million.

2. It is interesting that the BHB handouts contained some facts about three hospitals built recently in Canada — giving size (square footage) and cost as a whole and per unit.

But nowhere have I heard or read about the square footage of the new KEMH so it is hard to make comparisons but I cannot believe that it will be bigger than the one costing CDN$232 million and 639,100 sq. ft. — or is it?

3. According to the experts at one of the public hearings, using the present site plus Springfield would require building 13 storeys high. Pull the other one!

4. Why do we have to have all the units in one place? Even the BHB panel did not seem to object to the use of other parts of the island for the care of the elderly and the Extended Care Unit. Why not Loughlands for this purpose? It would (i) take much of the current 96 unit traffic off that road — especially in rush hour, (ii) do away with need for more schools, (iii) Please near neighbours as there would be no need to build so close to boundaries and thereby make the whole more palatable to the community at large.

5. Why has there been no mention of the vast water catchment? Is it still in use? It would be a perfect site for nurses' accommodation. Taking care of the 80 per cent expatriate workers (more traffic off the roads), administrative offices and 2-3 parking levels. Then, thought should be given to passageways under Berry Hill Road to connect with the main hospital buildings.

6. Whilst one can understand the need to replace the current hospital as quickly as possible why, after years of discussion, the need for the big hurry?

7. One has to wonder how many quotes Government has asked for or are they relying on the current team of experts? Surely they are not the only people in the world who can design and build a modern hospital. If they are, who says so, and if Government has received other bids — why not tell us, in detail?

8. Incidentally what happened to all that money that supposedly went into the Hospital Levy? Into the general "pot"?

Finally, it would be good to know who is going to run this project — the Colonel or some experienced, tough, no-nonsense project manager to ensure the work is done properly (no leaky roofs!) and in a timely manner? Certainly I know whom I would prefer. If there is a need for speed then "get on with it" but let the final decision be made on the basis of what is practicable, doable and, above all, palatable. Or is that beyond the competence and imagination of the present Government? COPERNICUS AND COPERNICA

City of Hamilton

Worthwhile supplement September 20, 2006<$>

REGARDING your report "Mangosteen: Is It Time For A Reality Check" (Mid-Ocean News, September 15), I have this to say. As the mangosteen penetrates the North American and world supplement market with astonishing rapidity, criticism in inevitable. We shouldn't be shocked by it. We do not even need to be distressed by it. It is simply the natural response to a new arrival which either threatens established interests or draws public attention. Mangosteen is doing both the above. When established interests such as other supplements or pharmaceutical drugs are threatened, we can expect severe, even vicious, criticism as territorial instincts are aroused.

This criticism will be largely an exercise in polemic with extravagant comparisons and derogatory comments made without any serious appeal to facts or objective data. Serious consumers can easily see that the emotional rhetoric used by this type of critic lacks objectivity and substance. No one takes these folks seriously.

A second type of criticism made by established commentators in the medical field deserves more attention and comment. These men, viewed as medical experts, have each, in my opinion, over the years provided valuable service by rendering complex medical issues understandable to the interested lay public.

For example, medical doctors use drugs. Drugs are intended to do only one thing in the body. Not surprisingly, doctors are sceptical of substances which fall outside this single-dimensional model that underpins their practice of medicine. Intellectual honesty matters when a well-known expert expresses an opinion. Doctors, perhaps more than other experts, have a difficult time admitting ignorance but, inevitably, when they express opinions based on inadequate information that ignorance becomes clearly evident. In my opinion, it is simply poor form for medical experts to comment at all when they haven't got the facts.

I repeat what I believe to be true about the mangosteen: "It will be bigger than Aloe Vera." When it is, these gentlemen and any other health experts will have complimentary things to say about it.

I know that the mangosteen cannot address all ills. I know that it will not resolve all health concerns but it is a worthwhile supplement with versatility and promise.

To criticise it without adequate examination is simply bad reporting on the part of these experts who don't habitually slough off important health news as insignificant but who did precisely that in the case of mangosteen.

If anyone who does not use the product but wants to comment on it, has no understanding as to how it can help them, their story or evaluation will only become their own personal opinion and nothing more.WALTER LAUER, Southampton

The Mid-Ocean News welcomes letters from our readers but we reserve the right to edit them for accuracy. Send letters by e-mail to iclifford@midoceannews.bm, by post to Mid-Ocean News, PO Box HM 536, Hamilton HMCX, or by fax to 295-9650.