Churchill’s example

March 26, 2007

Dear Sir,

Such a brilliant letter in your columns this morning over the pseudonym “Appalled in Warwick” that I feel obliged to let the writer know how strongly I agree with him (or her), and this is the only way of doing it. I wish he (or she) would at least let me know his identity. I promise not to disclose it, since he makes such an understandable point of his desire to remain anonymous. But surely his fears of repercussions, as described, are a little exaggerated. If nobody ever objects to the obvious dictatorial methods of our Government, how are we ever going to put a stop to them?

The important subject of the letter was the ridiculous touchiness of various official people in being annoyed by criticism, surely something to be expected by every politician, and, in fact, part of the job. How childish they are and how undignified to claim that public opinions must always be favourable, whether from a Bermudian or a visitor. Free speech is what democracy is all about. Of course there are countries which are not democracies. Are we now one of them?

A short incident I witnessed in London in the House of Commons seems relevant. Years ago our family were in the visitors gallery as guests of my brother, who at that time, was not only the youngest, but the only Bermudian Member of the House. The Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill, was on his feet sounding off about something. Everyone was nodding off, but an irritated voice woke us up —”I say Winston, do shut up an and sit down. You’re getting to be a real bore”. Our great wartime Leader hesitated a moment and then resumed his seat to thunderous applause.

JANE POCOCK

Warwick

Great respect for Wayne

March 30, 2007

Dear Sir,

Courage, character, honesty and humility are great and unusual qualities for a politician. Wayne Furbert had them all. Whilst I agree that a change in leadership was necessary, he stepped down gracefully and without malice or rancour.

Contrast this with Dr. Brown, who said if he was not elected the PLP leader, he would leave (a threat) politics.

UPS (United Parcel Service) has a slogan (the colour is brown): “What can Brown do for you?” The Premier has turned this on its head — “What can you do for Brown?” Maybe Wayne Furbert was not as flashy as Ewart but his heart was in the right place. I respect him greatly and his career is not over yet!

HARRY VIERA

Bermuda/North Carolina

Thanks for magic show

March 30, 2007

Dear Sir,My family and I would like to express our grateful thanks to the folks at the Music and Magic Festival organisers and supporters for the magic show which was held towards the end of March at City Hall which was dedicated to my late husband, Alcides de Melo, who passed away after a very short bout with cancer in August, 2006.

Alcides was an extremely dedicated fan of the magicians, having been a member of the Society of American Magicians for many years, and donated equipment to them as was mentioned in the local newspapers. It was an extremely moving experience and nice to know that people remembered him for the kind and generous spirit whom he was. That will never be forgotten.

Many thanks especially to Regina and Gilbert Daniels and O’Brian Roberts who have done so much to keep the spirit of magic alive and to those who executed the magic skills using the equipment Alcides donated and all the others who made the show a very memorable experience.

KAREN DE MELO

Page

Review clinic closure

March 30, 2007

This was sent to Premier Dr. Ewart Brown and copied to The Royal Gazette.

Dear Sir,

I have been closely following the developments concerning the clinic closure. My first impression was that you had made a decision without consulting the patients. You have the audacity of assuming that the patients are feeling undignified. Have any of them come to you and said they feel ashamed to go to the clinic? From all of the letters sent to the editor of The Royal Gazette, the reporters’ articles, and all of the responses on one of the radio talk shows, and direct conversation with me, I have yet to hear of a patient who feels it is not dignified to go to the Medical Clinic.

My impression is that it might be a financial situation or some personal thing that you feel you must do. (Perhaps that 30-year-old grudge.) In any case, you have made a statement that the Medical Clinic will be closed, and you do not have a plan. If you did, then why are all of the doctors on the island being kept in the dark? First of all, the patients were told that they would be able to go to the doctor of their choice. This is an outright lie as only six doctors had signed up. As of March 27, 2007 there are now ten doctors, still far from the “Doctor of your choice”.

You stated on March 8, 2007 that you consulted the patients through their doctors. This again is an outright lie. Prior to the Throne Speech on November 26, 2006 when you stated that the Medical Clinic would be closed in June, 2007, nobody had been consulted. No one had any idea that the clinic was going to be closed until November 26, 2006. The Medical Clinic chief, Dr. Stanley James, did not approach me on my feelings of the clinic closure until February 19, 2007, months after your announcement. So how can you say that people were consulted through their doctors, before you made your decision. You and you alone, made that decision, and dignity and finance had nothing to do with it.

The Medical Clinic is an excellent resource with three doctors and support staff of nurses, assistants, and Pink Ladies. The patients have nothing but praise for the Medical Clinic where they have a sense of comfort and trust. It is a one stop service that no other doctor’s office can provide. It is wheelchair accessible, and accepts walk-in visits. Can other doctors’ offices provide this? There is free transport if needed. Patients are offered without charge, prescriptions, medical supplies, access to X-ray and MRI equipment, and blood tests.

Only less than one year ago, the Government gave the Medical Clinic its full backing through increased resources. It realised the clinic was providing an essential service and it needed to be expanded. It increased the hours of operation and the number of doctors. Nurses were upgraded from part-time to full time.

All these years nobody has had any complaints about the clinic, and now you come along and say that the patients can be better treated at private doctors’ offices. I don’t think so Dr. Brown. There are no better facilities than the Medical Clinic at KEMH. A survey taken in 2003 showed 97 percent of patients preferred services at the Medical Clinic.

On February 19, 2007, the Acting Health Minister Philip Perinchief confirmed that the clinic would close with no further debate. Well I suggest that you have another review of the situation and to quote Col. Burch from March 13/07 re Club Med, “We are going to give the public what they want!”

Dr. Brown, I admire many of the things you are doing. Your new fast ferries, your low cost airlines, your thinking down the road 20 years and your ability to get things done.

I asked you for a bus stop to service 150 people in the area one time, and the very next day you had it installed.

I am now asking that you review this situation of closing the Medical Clinic. Most people believe it is a done deal. I don’t, because I see you as a reasonable person wanting the best for Bermudians. Dr. Brown, you and your government should be very proud of the Medical Clinic outlet and the people who work there, and you should once again give it your full backing. It is an outstanding, excellent resource comparable to nothing else on the island.

To close, I also ask that you attempt to do something to reinstate Dr. Catherine Wakely who was asked to resign by the Bermuda Hospitals Board after speaking out against the clinic closure. We as Bermudians needed to debate this situation.

RONALD PANCHAUD

St. David’s

P.s. I have signed my name, because I know you and your Immigration Department cannot send me back to the Azores.

Great letter, Dusty Lamb

March 29, 2007

Dear sir,I refer to the letter by ‘Dusty Lamb’ dated March 23, 2007 that appeared in your paper on March 29 2007.

Do us all a favour and give Dusty Lamb his or her own column. That was one of the best letters to the editor I have read in ages. Dusty Lamb understands and effectively communicated what is wrong with the PLP by directing attention away from race and critiquing their lack of success as a Progressive Labour Party. I advise anyone who missed this letter to seek it out.

Congratulations to whomever you are, Dusty Lamb. Bermuda needs more minds like yours.

GRATEFUL LAMB

City of Hamilton

Just a thought ...

March 29, 2007

Dear Sir,

If the Southlands project is to be forced on us, why doesn’t our government make the property on the shore to the east (down to the old Bermudiana Beach Club) into a public par

CURIOUS

Pembroke