A more logical rationale

April 29, 2008

Dear Sir,

Mr. Reginald Burrows, former PLP politician, makes a number of interesting and valid points in the interview with him published in The Royal Gazette on April 28. Mr Burrows, however, professes to be "at a loss to know why polls showed the public (to be) continually against" Independence for Bermuda. He says that Saint Kitts & Nevis has made "impressive" progress since it became independent in 1983. He added that Bermuda was "in a better position to go it alone" than some other countries that had gained their independence.

Bermuda has, in fact, considerably better conditions to "go it alone" than other British Overseas Territories. It has one of the highest standards of living in the world, a stable economy, a stable, well established and participatory form of democratic self-government, and relatively equable social conditions.

The more interesting, and perhaps revealing question is why the majority of the Bermuda population still do not want Independence. The first and most obvious answer to that question is that Bermuda does not need independence. It is doing very well as it is, thank you very much. As long as there is no pressing need to change the status quo, the status quo will remain as is.

A second possible explanation, related to the above, is that there is a difference between a desire for something and a need for it. There are undoubtedly people in Bermuda who would aspire (or desire) for Bermuda to be independent. That aspiration is based primarily on the desire for Bermuda to be a nation state so that it can treat with other nation states as equals, without having to go through Mother Britain. But the question is, does Bermuda need to aspire to nationhood?

What practical advantage(s) does nationhood have for the well-being of the Bermuda population? The desire for independence might be understandable on emotional (aspirational) grounds. It is questionable on more rational grounds of the logical, practical and pragmatic consequences for the everyday needs of the people.

What people in Bermuda want for themselves are primarily what people everywhere want, namely: a decent standard of living (or the free opportunity to achieve it); a good education system; affordable housing; accessible and competent health care; protection of their safety by the legal and justice system; and a transparent, responsive and responsible government. These are people's primary practical and everyday aspirations. Those aspirations are generally realised, or at least realistically achievable, in Bermuda now as a self-governing democratic community.

Will Independence bring those aspirations any closer to fulfilment? I don't think so. On the other hand the people of Bermuda might decide at some point that they want to "go it alone" simply for the reason that they no longer need, rather than want to be tied to Mother Britain by the colonial umbilical cord. That is a much more logical rationale for becoming independent than wanting independence simply for the sake of being equal on the world stage among other nation states.

G. FAIELLA

London

How much feedback?

April 29, 2008

Dear Sir,

United Bermuda Party Chairman Michael Fahy's letter to your newspaper today recommended numerous initiatives to improve road safety conditions on our roads. These points made a lot of sense, however we also feel his final political paragraph was not necessary, as every one in Bermuda is affected! He could have asked our government if the oversize motor bikes with four-stroke engines designed to reduce pollution have contributed to accidents due to additional power and speed?

Another thought. Do those SUV's that frequently cross the centre line on narrow roads cause accidents, due to their bigger than normal size cars? Is our Government concerned about trucks the size of houses taking up more space and damaging our already potholed byways? Do our buses travel at an excessive rate of speed and intimidate other drivers because of their size?

Mr. Editor, I was deputy chairman of the Road Safety Council for a few years during the UBP reign, and don't recall any recommendation made by that committee to the Minister for Transport, ever being implemented. Dare I say, very little has changed other than seat belts which doesn't apply to people in Works and Engineering trucks and others sitting in the back of vehicles completely unprotected! Do the authorities think a child on a bike in front or on the back, is safer than someone driving without a seat belt? Incidentally many parking lots will have to redraw parking bays since they cannot accommodate Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV) parked next to each other.

Is the graduated licence programme making a difference? And now we hear of a town-hall meeting scheduled for the middle of next month. How much more feedback do those in authority need to get serious about addressing appalling driving conditions? Stop talking and come out with an action plan now!

TOPPY COWEN

Southampton

A card of thanks

April 28, 2008

Dear Sir,

The board of directors of Habitat for Humanity Bermuda would like to publicly thank the American Consul General, Mr. Gregory Slayton and is family, for once again arranging the wonderful concert at the Anglican Cathedral on March 25, 2008 featuring the Harvard Krokodiloes, the Radcliffe Pitches and the Harvard Din & Tonics. Despite the rainy weather conditions, the attendance at this year's concert was larger the prior year. We raised this year a total of $2,840.47 that included a generous matching donation of $1,500 from the Consul General Mr. Slayton and his family.

The success of the concert would not have occurred without the support of the Bermudian public and the many tourists who attended this event and for that we are extremely appreciative.

We are looking forward to March 2009 when the American Consulate anticipates hosting once again these Harvard Glee Clubs in concert. Habitat is excited about the prospects of this becoming an annual spring break tradition for these two universities. Finally, Habitat would like to convey our heartfelt thanks to the hardworking Consulate staff for all their assistance in particular, Astrid Black. Bermuda, we thank you, for your continued support of our mission as we strive to 'Build Houses, Build Communities and Build Hope'.

LARRY Q. WILLIAMS

Executive Director

Get off the pity kick

April 28, 2008

Dear Sir,

I am not too pleased with Premier Brown's Government. He has been giving away my inheritance. This is in reference to the Morgans Point land which my ancestors gave to the Americans, and now they have vacated Bermuda and returned the land to me, now your Government has decided to trade two acres of Morgans Point for one acre of Southlands, it was a decision made which I feel to question, even thought it is a done deal. What bothers me is that not only does the Southlands owner get a two for one deal but Government also cleaned up the property at a cost of $20 million plus.

Who is to say that is the true price of the clean up. After all the owners are not aware of what they might find on the land later. I am asking where are they going to put the toxin waste from the clean up. Have you got a country or island willing to accept it on behalf of Bermuda? In my opinion I don't think the Government has even thought about that. I assume the waste would end up at the Government quarry in Bailey's Bay where the asbestos containers were put. Those containers are deteriorating with corrosion and are in need of repackaging for safety reasons.

Julian Hall, Julian Hall, Julian Hall. You are an intelligent black man. I was very pleased when you returned to Bermuda as lawyer and was called to the bar. It was a wonderful day. You were the answer to the late Dame Lois Brown-Evans in taking up the banner for depending Bermuda at that time, because the island was racial and you were not, but to be bankrupt twice in your short span of life as a lawyer bothers my mind.

You came on Shirley Dill's talk show one Sunday morning discussing your situation. A caller asked "why can't you work and pay off the debt? Your reply was that you could not practice law in your own country. There could have been other jobs if you intended to pay the debt. You have financially survived over the past eight years, so what has been your excuse.

After all I had a friend who was bankrupt. He managed to do odd jobs to reach his financial goals and it disciplined him to the extend that he now has a successful business today. So get off your pity kick, get humble and be an example. Lawyers today charge $30 a word to draft a legal letter. That is one way you could have been working. You were creative to get into bankruptcy, now be creative to get out. Anyhow Julian you are still my friend, hope your court case gets settled to the satisfaction of your creditors and yourself. All the best in the future.

W.S. FOX

Smith's parish

How to solve the problem

April 28, 2008

Dear Sir,

If reports of two accidents directly related to the 'guerilla marketing' exercise on Wednesday April 23, involving three vehicles in one case and four in another, are accurate the Road Safety Council should be ducking for cover. Thankfully, or should I say luckily, no one was seriously hurt, that we are aware of. Emergency services must have been 'pleased' to be bombarded by 911 callers who thought they were doing the right thing in reporting an accident(s). Although the objective is understandable the possible ramifications of such stunts must be clearly thought through.

Will this type of exercise work? Not in the least. The following recommendations are provided as food for thought:

The Police Service must be proactive in the enforcement of current traffic laws:

* Helmet Properly fastened

* Seat belt use

* angerous driving/high spped — particularly at night/early morning when there is no police toe be seen

* Running red lights — use cameras at traffic lights

* Passing on the inside

* Cutting corners on bends

* Blatant parking violations — creating risk to other drivers

* Loud noise from car stereos (and now bikes)

* Loud bikes

* Bikes with engine kits — increasing the engine cc and speed

* Introduce a ban on cell phone use (cars and bikes)

* Introduce speed cameras

* Introduce legislation to allow Police to test drunk drivers at road blocks. Give them portable breathalyzers to check alcohol levels on the spot. Positive results can be verified at the Police Station, as is the case now

* Require bars to have breathalyzers (duty free) for patrons to check their alcohol level

I agree that Project Ride should be expanded and should be mandatory, if it is not already. No certificate, no licence. However, is the Council suggesting that 15 year olds, without a license, will be allowed to undergo "on-road testing where the students will be put in real life situations?" This raises serious liability issues.

What is driving the suggestion to have all 16-18 year olds off the road after 11 p.m. and to ban towing? Are these statistics in support of these actions? How will it be enforced, there is no Police presence on t he roads now. Comprehensive statistics collected from all accidents should underpin recommendations made by the Council. Government must support the Police and the courts in an all-out initiative to 'take back our roads'.

NOT HOLDING MY BREATH

Smith's