Parents support Richards

June 14, 2007

Dear Sir,

An Open Letter to the public of Bermuda: The CedarBridge Academy PTSA Executive would like to publicly acknowledge our unwavering support for our principal, Mrs. Kalmar Richards and her team, relating to the “CedarBridge Academy mould crisis”. Mrs. Richards was employed as the principal of CedarBridge Academy with the primary responsibility of providing a sound education for our students. The concern of the PTSA is to ensure that the problem of mould at CedarBridge Academy is resolved in order to provide a safe and healthy environment in which our children can be educated. It serves no purpose to make unsubstantiated accusations about Mrs. Richards which has only resulted in undermining her leadership. Mrs. Richards’ vision and leadership for the education of our children for the last eight years certainly far outweighs the fact that many critics feel she should have managed the “mould crisis” differently, and we look forward to working with her for many years to come. Yours Respectfully,

CEDARBRIDGE PTSA EXECUTIVE

Condi wasn’t briefed

June 16, 2007

Dear Sir,

I truly hope that the comment in today’s daily from US Consul General Gregory Slayton was either a gross mistake, or made tongue in cheek, regarding the visit of our esteemed leader to Washington. I quote: “From the US Government perspective, it was a positive meeting. Condi talked about the importance of the role of law and the integrity of governments, how pleased she was to see things going well in Bermuda and how much she’d like to come and visit.” We are all aware of the friendship between Greg and Ewart, but that takes the biscuit in Broadcasting Sugar. Also known as BS.

This quote alludes to comments from a high ranking politician in what has been universally described as the most unethical term of office of any US President in history. She obviously had not been briefed on what has been going on here, and is still going on. I also assume that the “visit” will be at our expense, to add to the astronomical travel expenses already amassed since the Brown regime took power. I am also surprised, and I mean this in the political sense, that Premier Brown be seen “going to bed” with a leading politician, who by all accounts will be looking for a new job in eighteen months time.

DOCKYARD LACKEY

Sandys

Fear immobilises us

May 28, 2007

Dear Sir,

It seems to me that the greatest cause of racial problems in Bermuda is fear. There are a great many white people in our country who are afraid of black people (or their own stereotypes of black people). Rather than face those fears and actually get to really know black people, they would rather just avoid black people altogether.

I do realise that it is easier said than done-especially if those fears are instilled in white people at a very young age. The fear may not even be there on a conscious level-it could be more of a subconscious, subliminal thing. I’ll use myself as an example-I am absolutely petrified of cockroaches. Not just a little scared-I am almost hysterical around them. Growing up I watched my much older sister who was terrified of cockroaches and would scream whenever she saw one. Observing this as a child, I thought ‘well, if she’s scared of them, they must be something to be scared of’ and so inherited this fear myself. Now, my own daughters are terrified of cockroaches. Even my 20-year-old son, although he would hate to admit it, is afraid of them. Why? Again, they inherited this fear from me although there is absolutely no logical reason why they should be afraid.

I have told myself over the years not to be silly-that I am much bigger than a roach and that there is no valid reason for this fear. I know that there is no comparing my fear with racism but this is only an illustration of my theory. No doubt many white people may have told themselves as well that there is nothing to fear. But if something is ingrained in you from a very young age, this is easier said than done.

Are white people like this racist? The types who tense up and hold their handbags close when a black person gets onto an elevator with them. It’s hard to say. They are not verbalizing their racism, but they are demonstrating their racism by their actions. For example, I work with a white lady. She’s a very nice lady and I like her very much, and on the surface I would not define her as racist. However, after working very closely with her over the years I have noticed that she has a fear of black men. Whenever a black, male colleague would approach her she would jump a mile and look anxious until he left. She wouldn’t react that way in the presence of white male colleagues. When a black repairman would show up to fix something in the office, she would become very tense and ask me in a panic ‘who’s that, who’s that?’. She would track his every move, asking me continually where the repairman was before she’d head to the ladies room or wherever. Also, if she did have to leave her desk, she would carry her purse around with her.

Once we had a black guy in to fix some office equipment. He was a very respectable guy, probably married with children, and came to our office often. This day, it was getting past five and I was packing up to leave. Seeing that I was about to leave and that she would be alone, she became panicked and was asking repeatedly ‘Where’s that man?’. I very innocently asked ‘what man?’ although I knew very well who she was talking about. I wanted to see if she would say ‘that black man’. She didn’t reply but just quickly packed up her stuff, urgently asking me to wait for her because she was leaving as well. Now, I really wanted to say to her ‘Not all black men are criminals, you know’ but I bit my tongue. Later, to be honest, I wished that I had. However, if I were to say something like that, it would seem like I — as the black person — was being overly sensitive and racist myself. The sad thing is that is the kind of thing that we as black people have to put up with, and it seems that if we say something, we are in the wrong.

Again, I wonder what this lady was told growing up. Also, I listen to her talking to her children and I can tell from the conversations that she is passing on some of her fears to them as well. When will it ever end? I also personally have experience with this. When I was dating my white husband, his father treated me horribly in the beginning. He just wanted me to go away, I guess. He only accepted me after my husband and I gave him his first grandchild who he immediately fell in love with. He came to me in the hospital in tears and begged my forgiveness for him treating me so horribly. He told me that it wasn’t anything personal against me, but that he was just concerned about what people would think about a black person coming into the family. ‘What people would think’ — there again we have the element of fear. Fear that people would talk or look down on him in some way.

There is a wonderful documentary I saw a few years ago called ‘Bowling for Columbine’ by a white man named Michael Moore. If people haven’t seen it, I would encourage everyone to go out and rent it. It talks about the element of fear, the fear of blacks and particularly the fear of blacks potentially multiplying, outnumbering and overpowering whites. Unfortunately, this fear was one of the precipitating factors in gun use becoming so prevalent in the United States. Now the United States has an out of control gun problem with school shootings and the like (thus the use of the name of the school Columbine in the title). All because of fear.

I once read that fear is the worse emotion that a person can have. In a state of fear people cannot think straight. Fear immobilises you. So to the white folks out there, I know that it may be hard, but at least try to get over this fear a little. No matter what the stereotypes we as black people are no different from you. We love our families just like you do, we laugh and we cry just like you do. We have the same hopes and dreams for ourselves and our families that you do. Come out and visit our churches and attend our activities. Give us a chance and get to know us and maybe you’ll find that we’re not so scary after all — unlike those nasty cockroaches!

A BLACK PERSPECTIVE

Hamilton Parish

Bring back school discipline

May 25, 2007

Dear Sir,

Why were straps, rulers, canes etc. taken out of schools? These were used to discipline rude students. I’m not saying a teacher, should go overboard on a rude student but, what’s wrong with a student getting hit on their hand by a ruler? What’s wrong with a student getting strapped on his/her legs? He/She might feel sore afterwards but at least they’ll get the point. Nowadays, students use profanity towards teachers and feel it’s a big joke to them (some even threaten to fight a teacher).Some probably have no care to learn and chances are the parents could care less as long as they’re not home. Discipline needs to be brought back to schools!

DON’T SPARE THE ROD

Pembroke

Don’t jeopardise lives

May 25, 2007

Dear Sir,

Simple Solution: Pull over to a safe area then, dial your friend, mom, dad, brother etc... This way you’re not obstructing traffic and not jeopardising your safety or anybody else’s.

‘NUFF SAID

Pembroke

P.s. I always figured that it would’ve been better if, cars came with a hands free device so that the driver can still have both hands on wheel, talk to whoever and drive. That way they have complete control of the car and not just assuming they won’t hit anybody.

A BLT leader

June 4, 2007

Dear Sir,

I’ve heard it said that the PLP is the lesser of two evils. Well let’s see the character of the leader and see if this statement is true. Remember he is supposed to be leading a transparent and democratic government for all Bermudians. These are the facts, not the accusations.

The Facts:

Pre-1998 “I have scores to settle”. Democratic? — Not.

Member of the Rebel 11 who overthrow Jennifer Smith (I am not a Jennifer Smith supporter). Democratic? — Not.

“We had to mislead you”. Democratic? — Not.

GPS. Democratic? — Not.

Refused to comply with airport security when requested to remove shoes. Transparent? Not.

I will not answer any “plantation” questions. — Transparent? — Not. By the way, what on earth is a plantation question?

“I will not challenge Alex Scott for the leadership of the PLP”. But then he did. Transparent? — Not.

Threatened — “If I don’t become leader I will resign.” then successfully manipulated the 2006 PLP Delegates’ Conference to obtain leadership from Alex Scott. Transparent? — Not. Democratic? — Not.

Alleged security breach at the airport (the box-cutter incident) to influence nation to believe it necessary for a security team and property upgrades for private residence. Transparent? Not.

Motorcade. Transparent? Not.

Closing of the Medical Clinic against the wishes of the very patients who use it. Democratic? Not!

Chastised opposition for breaking Dame Browne-Evans’ mourning period with political broadcast but then himself takes to the airways for his personal defence and then throws the nation into the centre by threatening the outgoing Governor who had already begun the process to look into the matter. Democratic? — Not.

BHC leak from Police Service used as guise to cause strife between the Crown and the nation to necessitate need for taking Bermuda into Independence. Democratic? — Not.

Instead of the PLP Leader, we have the makings of a “BLT” Leader, (Bullying, Lies and Threats.)

Is anyone really fooled by this? We should be very concerned that this person has returned to Bermuda, (his option no. 2), and is prepared to “settle scores” — his personal ones I might add, at the expense of the entire country. Do the right thing at the next election! You might not have a second chance. I supported him once. I will NOT do it again!

ONCE BITTEN — TWICE SHY

Warwick

Situation is worse now

June 1, 2007

Dear Sir,

The following is a copy of a letter sent to the Director of Financial Assistance concerning the effect of one individual’s expense with the closure of the Medical Clinic:

1. “In April I applied, through your office, to continue the assistance I had been getting from the BHB Medical Clinic and was given a temporary medical assistance card. However, I would like for you to be aware of the medical expenses I had to incur ($726.90) in less than a month. Most of the expenses have been charged out and will be payable in the coming months.”

“Additionally, I have been told by my doctor’s receptionist I should return to his office when I have $200+ cash. She said that I will also need additional medical testing. Needless to say, I will not be returning to his office until I have paid off the expenses that I have already incurred elsewhere.”

2. “I received a call to come into your office to complete an HIP form. You may not be aware that HIP is only useful for those over 65 unless you are physically in the Hospital. $455.90 or approximately 63 percent of my expenses were for medication which HIP would not cover and $377.70 or approximately 83 percent were for medication that the BHB Pharmacy did not or does not carry on stock.”

“From the standpoint of a former client of the Medical Clinic my situation is worse now because all the required medication is not provided through the Hospital Pharmacy and I know from experience that HIP does not cover medication for those under 65.”

The card proved to be useless with everyone saying that it was bogus and meaningless or they had not been instructed!

HIP TO NO MEDS

Pembroke

UBP shouldn’t be petty

May 31, 2007

Dear Sir,

I for one am sick of the debate about Clifton. Dr. Brown has said that he is going to stay in his private home. The police apparently recommended that $80,000 must be spent on making his house secure. Dr. Brown has said that when he is no longer Premier, the Government can have its extra security features back because he does not want them. So let’s get over it and move on. The UBP is trying to make an issue out of a no-brainer. What do they want? Should Dr. Brown be forced to live at Clifton even though it looks as if his house is much nicer? Let’s be real. No matter how much the UBP likes to talk about Clifton costing $2 million to renovate, we all know that Clifton is no Buckingham Palace.

So, UBP, stop being so petty because it’s making all of your people sound irrational if you consider the only alternative, which is for Dr. Brown to agree to live at Clifton and rent out his house for $25,000 a month. What would that get us? Dr. Brown would be unhappy living away from his home although he would be getting over $250,000 a year rent for his unhappiness. The Government would lose out on the $25,000 a month it can get for Clifton. But, lo and behold, the UBP would be happy and would hopefully shut up. What a stupid result! Just get over it, please. If Dr. Brown is willing to forego $250,000 a year, he should be applauded, not criticised. But it is clear the UBP would rather give u p the Clifton rent money just to spite Dr. Brown. They hate him so much they can’t be reasonable about anything the man does.

I would be happy to hear what the UBP fat cats would do if they could win an election and have their own premier. Would Dunkley or Gibbons leave their homes to move to Clifton? Before they utter another word, let us hear a promise from them that they would move to Clifton. Let’s also hear a promise from them that they would ignore police warnings for extra security measures for their homes and families. Otherwise find something else to rant and rave about since that is all the UBP seems capable of doing these days. They just nag, nag, nag all the time. Can’t we talk about real issues instead of hating on Dr. Brown 24-7? Get a life!

SHIRLEY RICHARDSON

Devonshire