Keep up the good news

April 25, 2007

Dear Sir,

Whew! I was about to give up on The Royal Gazette.

I am a Bermudian living in the States. My mother just happens to be Pat Ferguson. I bet you know who she is!

Nonetheless, I keep up with the Bermuda news by reading The Royal Gazette online and also my mother’s “call a spade a spade” opinions.

I have been so disheartened with the things that I read.

- Corruption

- Crime

- Housing

- Politics

You name it.

It has reached the point that I stopped telling people about my beautiful homeland, as I was embarrassed. It was depressing to read such negativity.

You expect to hear those things here, but Bermuda.

Today I logged on to see positive articles such as the Teen Tourism Ambassador, The Student of the year at Saltus Grammar, stories of inspiration and hope, and the youth involvement at the Agricultural Exhibition.

Please continue to find these stories and publish them. They show a country of proud, intelligent, caring and interesting people

I cannot believe that these items happen so few and far between that they cannot make the front page or at least make the online version of the paper.

I know that I would appreciate it and probably so will many more.

KAREN FERGUSON PERALTA

Bloomfield, New Jersey

We’re the biggest

April 24, 2007

Dear Sir,

I very much enjoyed Sam Strangeways’ article on Bermuda’s participation in the Virginia International Tattoo. We have fond memories of the Bermuda Islands Pipe Band taking part in the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo in 2003.

I would just like to take this opportunity to point out that The Virginia International Tattoo is not the largest in North America, that particular honour belongs to us. The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo is in fact the largest annual indoor event in the world. We are also the only Tattoo in the Commonwealth to have Royal Designation, something that was granted by Her Majesty The Queen on the occasion of her 80th birthday last year.

We have a very close working relationship with the Virginia International Tattoo. In fact many of the people working behind the scenes also work behind the scenes in Nova Scotia. However we are very proud of our status of being the world’s biggest Tattoo, with a cast and crew of around 2,000 each year, so I thought I would take this opportunity to set the record straight.

We look forward to welcoming a Bermuda contingent back to Halifax in the near future, and in the meantime, on behalf of the staff here, I would like to congratulate them on their success in Virginia, where by all accounts they were a great hit.

THOMAS GROTRIAN

Group Sales & Marketing Manager

Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo

Editor’s NoteThe claim that the Virginia Tattoo was the largest in North America was made in a Government press release. In fact, it is the largest in the United States.

Rectify this shortcoming

April 26, 2007

Dear Sir,

Last night’s unfortunate incident at the first Harbour Nights of the season is a real tragedy during what would have likely been one of the most delightful evenings. We happened to be on the scene from inside one of the nearby stores only to find emergency vehicles arriving at the flagpole stage. First to arrive was the firetruck and the firemen worked quickly and professionally. Very shortly afterwards, the first ambulance arrived, and that crew also moved quickly, calmly and professionally, followed shortly by the second ambulance with the same results — they looked really concerned, but quickly went into action.

During all this, the only persons who seemed to be directing the crowd to clear for the emergency vehicles were the Corporation Engineer, Mr. Hind, the Corporation Mayor, Mr. Madeiros, and we believe, a Corporation worker — who were all somewhat successful but out numbered. It was not until many, many minutes later that a couple of police officers arrived and some time later when an officer took to the microphone.

After a few moments delay, the persons on the stage did take control, coolly advised that Harbour Nights were cancelled and asked the crowd to disperse to let the treatment of the injured and the investigation take place. Announcements were also made by the Chamber of Commerce folks who escorted witnesses to the Chamber office for statements.

In summary, all mentioned above did an admirable job given the devastation and should be commended. We are concerned though, that even a few patrol officers, had they been on scene patrolling what was a very large crowd, would have assisted greatly in clearing the area, taking charge and doing what we would expect would be a police responsibility. We hope this shortcoming will be rectified for future Harbour Nights.

CONCERNED

City of Hamilton

Lessons of Virginia Tech

April 20, 2007

Dear Sir,

There is a real human tragedy in the Virginia Tech shootings that we should all take note of and learn from.

Bullying, teasing, ridicule, and cruel spiteful remarks make for: Isolation, Depression, Loneliness, Frustration and finally snaps to Revenge and Retribution.

It starts in the home as young as 5-6 years and then gets exhibited in the schools. They watch violence on TV and feel no pain. Children deprived and untutored in the basic emotion of compassion, teachers ignoring the signs.

What is compassion? “There for the Grace of God go I?” or “If that happened to me, how would I feel?”

Teach our children, right from the earliest ages, to be kind, thoughtful of others and loving; so if they see teasing or bullying they know that that is wrong, and tell someone so that it can be stopped.

One must wonder; where are the students who tormented this lonely young boy, Cho Seing-Hui ? Will they now understand the true meaning of compassion do you think? Where are the teachers and numerous authority’s whose hands this boy passed through? Do we not all fail if we do not practice the three L’s Look Listen and Learn, by example we must pass this out to our children.

We will never know, but, perhaps it could have taken a simple little note of kindness with an offer of “If you need someone to talk to and understand — call me.” I fully realise he rejected overtures but the very fact of that rejection should have alerted the authority’s to what a dark danger he was to himself and others.

To be “Our brothers keeper”, should be the lesson we must try to teach and learn, so that perhaps just possibly we can go a long way to help avoid these tragic events that we have seen over the years.

DIANA WILLIAMS

ZBM, you can do better!

April 11, 2007

Dear Sir,

To Bermuda Broadcasting,

Please fix it!!!!

As a loyal ZBM fan who watches the 7 p.m. news followed by the CBS news, I have to tell you that you can do better.

I have on several occasions written to you about the spelling on your TV graphics — particularly when it comes to Ministers’ names and Government departments—- no excuse for these mistakes. This seems to have improved over the last year. On other occasions — as recently as last evening — I have called your newsroom — during the broadcast — to alert you to turn up the volume so we an actually hear the news. This seems to improve for a few days and then I’m straining to hear Gary or Sangita again!!!

The last straw was your broadcasting of The Masters Golf Tournament last Sunday, April 8, it just about brought to tears. This is the best tournament of the year. The PGA sign on the screen was positioned over the leader board for part of the afternoon. Further, the picture was not clear and at times was “jumping”. (No wonder Tiger missed his putts!!). Thank goodness for Cablevision channel 22 on Sunday.

I look forward to correct spelling, better audio, and clear fairways and greens from now on.

PHIL MICKELSON FAN

Break the stranglehold

April 25, 2007

Dear Sir,

I’m sure many of us remember the vigorous and successful campaign conducted against Sir John Swan’s efforts to establish a McDonald’s franchise here in Bermuda a number of years ago. Opposition that come from his own party, the opposition, Bermuda’s restaurant establishment and the hotels.

I would like to know why wasn’t there a greater opposition when foreign based real estate agencies “Caldwell Bankers and Sotheby’s”, were allowed to operate in Bermuda and exert their influence on the real estate market. Something is very wrong here and it needs to be fixed! High real estate prices and affordable places to rent has created a real dilemma for the average hard working Bermudian, young and old alike and any foreign based real estate agency would have never been allowed to operate in Bermuda and control the real estate market.

In closing. With an election on the horizon, I will vote for any party or politician who will promote a vigorous campaign to break the stranglehold that the two here in mentioned real estate agencies have on the real estate market or any other real estate agency that joined in the fleecing of many Bermudians.

FED UP WITH THE GREED

City of Hamilton

Evil undertone detected

April 12, 2007

Dear Sir,

Can you please tell me if there is such a law in Bermuda that guarantees our freedom of Speech? Is it or is it not lawful to speak one’s mind as long as what you are saying is true and not slanderous or threatening harm to anyone?

I am truly confused. In the last few months it appears that some Bermudians are going out of their way to publicly attack those not of our origins.

This has left me fuming, who does George Scott, really think that he is, or Dennis Wainwright to try to muzzle anyone’s free right to speak. This is not the 1800’s or 1960’s

Everyone, whether black, white, purple or green have a right to speak their displeasure at anything that they perceive is affecting them.

How dare these men attempt to take that right away! There is an evil undertone taking shape in this island. We are viciously attacking expats and it is not right.

I am a black Bermudian, but I will never support anyone, no matter what colour they are, who desire to take away this basic human right.

Many foreigners have come to this island and proven to be a blessing to our economy, our social and political standing in the world.

Have we forgotten the contributions of Dr. E. F. Gordon? He was not Bermudian yet he left his mark.

What of Dr. Derik Tully, former teacher of the St. George’s Secondary School, new principal of the Clearwater Middle School. He is not from here yet he has dedicated his life to Bermuda and its youth who were blessed to come under his tutorship. He was one of my teachers, and I am very grateful for the role that he played in my life.

I don’t believe any of us could claim sole titleship to this island. Most of our ancestors originate out of the West Indies. So how dare we vilify those who have come to our shores to offer their services in one way or another?

Many Bermudians have left home to relocate to someone else’s country. How would we feel if Canadians, Americans or West Indians treated us with disdain?

To Mr. Mukuddem whether you are right or wrong I know not, but I want to strongly apologise for the anti-expat climate that is penetrating our island.

We would not survive with out you or any foreigners. We are not self sufficient as we would like to think. If the foreign ships stop bringing food or medicine to this island then what would this dot on the map do?

To every right thinking Bermudian black or white lift up your voices or pens against this tyranny. To all foreigners do not be afraid — speak out. It is your right!

So long as they are honourable law abiding people leave them alone.

DISGUSTED TRULY

Christian message lost

April 30, 2007

Dear Sir,

Whether we like it or not, Bermuda is, unofficially/officially, a Christian state, with Christian laws, Christian government, Christian morals, etc. One of the main streets in our only city is called Church Street, and it seems there are about 75 churches on that street alone. Bermudians are proud of having more churches per square mile or per-capita than anywhere on earth. Whether that’s true or not isn’t relevant — the fact that we think it is, and that we’re proud of it is what counts.

But is our Government really acting in a Christian manner? Charity is perhaps the strongest message Jesus gives to his disciples, apart from instructing them to love God with all their strength. Jesus tells his disciples that when we feed the hungry, clothe the needy, and care for the sick, we do these things unto him. Jesus tells the disciples that caring for the least of our brothers and sisters is caring for Him. (Matthew 25). If that is true, then the current rhetoric from the Premier and this Government about the “culture of entitlement” is anything but Christian.

Responding to criticism for his decision to close the medical clinic for the disadvantaged, Dr. Brown says that: “It’s important to understand what happens to people in a welfare state. ... We don’t want that and we are not going to have that in Bermuda.”

Disregarding the fact that the US is the polar opposite of a welfare state (unless you’re talking corporate welfare), this flies in the face of the Christian spirit. How different the world would be if rather than heal the lepers, Jesus had told them to motivate themselves and find a job that provided full health and dental! If, rather than heal the blind, he’d said: “Save your money and get Lasik, Jack.”

This sentiment is anything but Christian. Many people mistakenly attribute the quote: “God helps those that help themselves,” to the Bible. In fact, this was said by Benjamin Franklin, who by all accounts was not a churchgoing Christian (or even a Christian) at all. So why is this the mentality that our government, and perhaps a lot of our society, espouses, while claiming to be Christian at the same time?

The current tack Government is on flies in the face of what the Premier said in November, 2006, that “people who need help will get it.” This was said when it was announced that Government would establish a poverty line so we could see who these “truly” needy people were. (Those living in an abandoned hotel in St. George’s are not needy enough.) Why hasn’t this “official” poverty line been released? My guess is that Government will be too embarrassed to release figures that show [1/3] of Bermudians are living below that line in a nation with the world’s highest GDP/person.

So why the unchristian attitude? My guess is good ol’ fashioned greed. Bermuda is a free market wet dream, where privatisation rules. Electricity, water, and health care are privatised, and the only decent education available is privatised. Where there is money to be made, somebody should be making it, that’s the sentiment. If one of our cousins are too poor to pay for medical care, or school, or housing, then there is no money to be made from them. Helping that person costs money, and we can’t have that.

So we let them suffer. Is this the “Christian” Bermuda? Maybe it’s our take on Christianity. But Jesus’ admonition that the highest commandment is to treat our neighbours the way we would want to be treated. That message seems to have been lost on the way to the bank.

DUSTY LAMB

Pembroke