Wrong name

April 20, 2007Dear Sir,“United by Hate” seems more appropriate, don’t you think?

How Christian!

DAVID A. THALER

San Francisco, California

What price dignity?

April 17, 2007

Dear Sir,

Per that full-page political advert written by Dr. McPhee and probably not submitted or paid by Dr. McPhee, he wrote that, many (protestors) believe in a welfare state and “the clinic is a product of an evil concept”.

He further states that his wife “did not wish to develop a welfare state”, then concluded by espousing the fortitudes of dignity.

Can someone please tell Dr. McPhee that 30 percent of Bermudians have been classified as poor or near poor. Regardless of why, Bermuda’s financial assistance programme was established to protect those in society who had not been given the same social, emotional, educational and financial opportunities as someone as himself.

Further, as someone who has spent so many years caring for the elderly and the less fortunate, I find his letter rather disingenuous.

Despite what is said, though not evidenced to justify the Clinic’s closure, it is a Country’s moral and social responsibility to provide social services to its people regardless of their ability to pay, hence the foundation of most tax systems.

First and foremost, Bermuda’s Westminster origins, ensures that a class structure will always remain in existence regardless of who supposedly represents its ‘people’. Hence, the ‘have and have nots’ will always exists as a result of land ownership, slavery, discrimination, education and other remnants of an unequal origin.

With this basis, our own personal forms of dignity and conditioning are developed.

So, can we not conclude that a person’s dignity is still honoured or held in high esteem if they ask their local Government for assistance or help? Can we not conclude that a person’s dignity remains despite the ‘evil origins’ of slavery, economics and a class society? Can a colony of the British Empire not be expected to give back?

Thus, needing, wanting to survive and to remain healthy is not and should never be considered as undignified. Is there a difference in dignity when walking into a public clinic by choice, compared to having to walk into a fully staffed Government office, having to complete a detailed application form and financial back ground check to receive the same discounted medical care?

Despite what Dr. McPhee suggests, there is no better utilisation of public funds than to spend on or support people who cannot afford health insurance and expensive medical care or are handicapped and afflicted.

I would have expected him to make suggestions for improvement. A national health plan. Free national health plan for seniors, for example. Suggestions that go beyond Government’s need to save $500,000 by closing the Clinic, yet spending much more to manage the administrative and supportive logistics of putting more people on financial assistance, while at the same time ensuring that medical services provided by the local medical community remains honest, not inflated, actual and accurate!! Does not the taxpayer continue to pay in the end and much more. Who benefits? Private practitioners, whose referral system of medicine benefits no one but them.

In 1963, a party platform of socially responsible programmes was drafted and adopted by the PLP. Not only did the founding members envision a socially responsible Government, but they also envisioned a PLP Government that respected the dignity and needs of its’ people. The PLP has not failed to ensure its original mandate. The Government of Bermuda is failing!

Lastly and sadly, in Dr. McPhee’s letter, he played the race card, by writing that two levels of protest exist. One, white protestors and secondly, Black allies of the White protestors. Can he clarify his comment? Does he mean that as a black man I am less informed and not smart enough or white enough to have an opinion, let alone the ability to exercise my freedom of expression and speech?

I wonder if Dr. McPhee received Government assistance to educate himself through medical school? If he did, did he feel less dignified? I doubt it. So Dr. McPhee, as you wrote, “Pity.” Unlike you, not too many people have received that promise of 40 acres and a Mule!

SAM

Warwick

Beware of long-lining

April 12, 2007

Dear Sir,

I sincerely hope that our Minister of the Environment has read this month’s (April) National Geographic magazine. There is a very informative but deeply disturbing article about the overfishing of the world’s waters.

It states that our oceans are in deep trouble and, although pointing blame at a variety of reasons, long line fishing is way up there on the list. The article main focus is on bluefin tuna, however, it highlights many other varieties of fish that are being fished to extinction.

It states that “Industrial fishing (according to one study) has wiped out perhaps 90 percent of the large predatory fish, such as swordfish, marlin and the biggest types of tuna”.

These are the very type of fish that will be caught, if long line fishing is allowed to happen in Bermuda’s waters. Long line fishing has long been known to decimate fish stocks and in a short period of time.

It is also well known that other marine animals are severely affected, with little control over what is captured and killed. What regulations will there be on what the fishermen keep and land? What regulations will there be to protect other marine animals that become the unfortunate by-catch?

It is well documented that as a result of long line fishing, massive amounts of unwanted fish and other species (marine turtles, sharks, albatrosses, marlin) are thrown back (dead) as overcatch.

Lets face it, Bermuda’s fishermen do not exactly have a stellar record when it comes to regulating their industry. If it was not for Anne Cartwright DeCouto banning fishpots and putting aside protected areas 15 or so years ago, we would have very few reef fish today.

Memories are short, but surely you remember eating filets of parrot fish and other species of undesirable fish (unbeknown to us of course — does not taste like snapper to me?) because there was nothing else left to fish.

Instead of our fishermen regulating their own industry, they overfished to the point of near decimation. The fishermen became rich, whilst they raped and pillaged our waters with little or no thought to the sustainability of their actions.

They looked upon the ocean surrounding the Island as theirs to plunder, not thinking for a minute that it belongs to all of us. Unfortunately, there are still people illegally fishing with fishpots now, proving their total lack of consideration for the people of Bermuda.

So, Madam Minister, before you give your permission to these fishermen to start commercial long lining in Bermuda’s waters, please read the National Geographic article, do some research and think long and hard as to whether or not this is sustainable or in the best interests of Bermuda.

Just type “environmental effects of long line fishing” in Google, there is plenty of information there. Instead of promoting commercial long lining, consider promoting Bermuda as a destination for sports fishing.

Recreational fishing provides more jobs and creates larger financial returns for more people, not just fishermen and will provide jobs and financial returns for generations to come, not just a few years.

“Sustainable Development” If you do give permission, will there be quotas? who will set them? Please ensure that a body of some sort effectively regulates the industry, ensures that the equipment used is the best at protecting unwanted catches and that quotas are strictly adhered to. Otherwise, left to the fishermen’s own devices, it wont be long before a swordfish or tuna caught in Bermuda’s waters will be a thing of the past, just like our reef fish were not long ago.

GONE FISHING

Paget

Having my say, at last

April 16, 2007

Dear Sir,

I would like to share my view with>The Royal Gazette, my fellow Bermudians and expatriates. Since I could not have my view heard on Sen. Burch’s talk show on HOTT 107.5 this past Sunday, April 15, 2007.

I would first like to say congratulations to the Wade Family. He has been given a great honour. I would also like to state that I am not pro- UBP or PLP!

Now down to my point. I was hung up on three times because of my point of view. Why is it that Mr. Burch would not listen to a caller? That is what his Sunday show is about, the people’s view. My question was a very legitimate one, I thought. I asked him why the PLP changed the name of our International Airport. The response that I received was that ‘I was a negative caller and didn’t know what I was talking about’.

We as a small country should all have a chance to be heard. The Government could possibly advertise their intentions a little more broadly and openly (i.e. the Internet, our nearest watering hole or the supermarket). I know that the Government can not listen to the whole public, but they can simplify this by sending out more surveys. I never once received a call on any of their controversies.

I really do think that, we the people do have a say in the name of our airport. Maybe the Government could have selected a few good men and women (who have contributed to our beautiful island) jotted them down and send them to all the schools throughout the island. Then the children of Bermuda (the future of Bermuda) could choose a name that they see fit. I’m pretty sure that they would love to know that they made a difference some how. Imagine also the sense of pride it would give them! A project to research all our great, noble men and women of Bermuda’s past and present.

ANDREW ROBERTS

St. David’s

Appropriate quotation

April 19, 2007

Dear Sir,

When I read today’s Royal GazetteToday in History with Thought for Today ;

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power- Abraham Lincoln US president (1809-1865)

I immediately thought of the Premier, Minister Derek Burgess and Donald Scott MP.

Ashley Josephs

Devonshire