Thanks for Tag Day help

June 18, 2007

Dear Sir,

Once again we use this media to express our gratitude to all the volunteers, members and non-members of Amnesty International Bermuda, who helped in our recent Tag Day on Saturday June 2. We recognise that without the help of the volunteers, our fundraising event would not have been successful, so our sincere thanks to all who volunteered for our Tag Day.

Also, our sincere thanks to the Market Place, Lindo’s, White’s, Harrington Hundreds, the Phoenix Store, and the Bank of Butterfield for allowing our volunteers to sell tags at their premises.

And finally, to the people of Bermuda, who are always so generous and supportive. We raised over $3,000; and we rely on funds raised to carry on our human rights awareness and education programmes, therefore, we are indeed very grateful to all who made it possible.

LUCY ATTRIDE-STIRLING

Executive Director

Amnesty international

Calling it up

May 24, 2007

Dear Sir,

As I see it, Louise Jackson has to be the busiest Member of Parliament in Bermuda and she must have to hire someone to answer her telephone for her. Each time you read a quote from her in your newspaper, or hear her on the television news, she talks about how many telephone calls she receives. In Monday’s

Royal Gazette <$>she is quoted as saying that several doctors have called her to complain about the Government’s decision to use Kurron Shares to serve as management consults to the Bermuda Hospitals Board.

We know that every indigent patient from the clinic at the hospital has called her to complain about the Government’s decision to close the clinic and we also know that every senior citizen in Bermuda has called her to complain about pensions and HIP benefits. We also know that every parent who has a child at CedarBridge has called her to complain about the mould. Of course CedarBridge teachers have also called her with their complaints. Mrs. Jackson’s telephone bill must be sky high with all of those people calling her to complain about various Government policies. I wonder why the Tucker’s Town resident who called The Royal Gazette and said that “trash was even piling up outside of the homes of the rich and famous” didn’t call Mrs. Jackson to make his complaint. Had she known that trash was piling up at Tucker’s Town I’m sure Mrs. Jackson would have hired a private contractor to collect the garbage from that area of Bermuda.

There has been one phone call that Mrs. Jackson has received that she has not yet made public — the one from her leader, Michael Dunkley, telling her that when he loses his bid to oust Patrice Minors from Constituency 10, he wants her to resign so that he force a by-election and take the UBP safe seat in Constituency 20. I know that Bob Richards must be disappointed with this development as I’m sure he thought he would follow in his father’s footsteps and become some type of leader in Bermuda, even if it’s the Opposition Leader. I’m sure that even if Mrs. Jackson retires from Parliament she’ll still keep her hotline open so that she can receive all of those complaints from doctors, seniors, students, teachers, the poor as well as the rich and famous.

LAVERNE FURBERT

Hamilton Parish

Return to democracy

July 1, 2007

Dear Sir,

Please at the next election, can we return the concept of Democracy to Bermuda? The basic tenet of democracy is “of the people, for the people” not as at present “of the Party to further the ambitions and aspirations of an unelected leader”. At least let us elect “politicians” . Politicians should understand that they don’t make decisions or push viewpoints when they know there is overwhelming opposition from the electorate. Two cases in point, the Free Medical Clinic, which was a personal decision without the remotest idea how the change would be made to work, and Southlands, where the decision appears to have been made once again on a purely personal whim.

Please, when you are getting ready to vote for a political candidate, make sure that you are in full agreement with his ambitions for the future of Bermuda and that he also is in accord with local issues that are close to your heart. Once we have elected these individuals we have much less influence on the direction of the country. Can we elect persons who will hold clinics and listen to their constituents during their elected term and actually represent their views and needs? No more “We don’t care what you think!”

PETER FORSTER

Pembroke

It is time to leave

June 26, 2007

Dear Sir,

Add me to the list of increasingly disenchanted Bermudians who are married to non-Bermudians. After reading the recent letter from Utterly Disappointed of Pembroke dated May 31, 2007 and discussing the subject with friends and colleagues, I realise that my wife is not alone in feeling like a stranger here and I am not alone in feeling deeply disappointed with my country because of that. Prompting my participation in this debate is what we have experienced recently. Our son was born last year and we are looking to sell our property that I purchased before we were married in order to raise the money necessary to purchase a larger home.

This seemingly simple and natural task has been strangled in red tape owing to the “misfortune” of our prospective purchasers being couples consisting of a Bermudian and non-Bermudian who have to apply for a licence to purchase property here. Having realised that this will affect us when we prepare to purchase a larger home on the Island, we now consider ourselves to be forced to purchase and eventually live in my wife’s home country. Fortunately, I will be accepted there far more easily than she will ever be here.

Sadly I will have to leave my home and my son and any future children will grow up without the wonderful memories I have of growing up in Bermuda. At least in another country they will not be forced to marry a Bermudian if they wish a fulfilling and simple life like they would if they were here. My wife has lived here for five years during which time she has participated actively and productively in the community both socially and professionally, yet marrying me has only underlined the fact that Bermuda can never be her home unless she chooses to be a second-class citizen with no rights except those allowed through her possession of a spousal letter. I love her and cannot allow her to live that way so I, too, believe it is time to leave. Maybe Utterly Disappointed and I will sit next to each other on the plane when we depart.

GOODBYE

Paget

Where is the positive news

June 24, 2007

Dear Sir,

The reality of today is, and has been the reality of many days, the predominantly negative things about crime etc.; when we consider the constant feeding of negativity on a daily basis by way of daily news. It is no great mystery why people are in many ways insecure. It appears that the Editor of The Royal Gazette, Bermuda Sun and of course, The Mid-Ocean News have a mandate to destroy Dr. Ewart Brown and the PLP leadership. The positive news, and there is plenty, finds itself hidden in the inner pages of these newspapers. This is the reality the PLP must contend with.

RAYMOND RUSSELL SNR.

Chairman

Civil Rights Coalition

Bermuda

Heads must roll

June 20, 2007

Dear Sir,

First and foremost, the Honourable Premier, Dr. Brown, must go! Bermuda has been taken to the “next level” under his short and racially charged watch of political spin, lack of accountability and injustice. Individuals have been arrested and have become nothing more than political prisoners to a Government and Police force bent on finding a so-called leak, whilst yielding to pressures to enforce their powers to cover up activity that mirrors a crime. Sorry, unethical behaviour. The Governor has to go sooner than later. He has failed in his role in the name of political stability. His failure to manage the BHC issue, will no doubt signal London that Bermuda may be his last posting. Luckily, the World Bank job may be available.

In the name of public interest, we the people have a right to know what our political and public figures do. We voted them in and should hold them accountable to manage our taxes and the apparently wide-open public purse in OUR interest, not theirs. Bermuda appears to be a society built on corruption, dishonesty and a culture of mental conditioning of its’ people based on economics, socialisation and race. As a result, we’ll become so politically dead that each election is a mirror reflection of the US presidential election. Whereas, candidates are elected based on the popular, friend or family vote and not based on values, integrity, accountability and honesty.

We’ve become so unethical and so race conscious as a society that we shout “who leaked the documents”, yet don’t say a damn thing that tax payer dollars have been misappropriated due to BHC and other activities. Have we become too wealthy, fat and comfortable enough to forget what $8 million-plus could do? How many low-income homes could be built, or how many school kids could be feed each morning, let alone how many more policemen and women can be hired.

If the free press can be gagged, if the Auditor General can be arrested, if whistle-blowers can be arrested, if the law can be used to justify injustice for political sake, who is next? The System that made the UBP and white and other black Bermuda merchants rich in the past is the same system that is making those privy to it today. Lady Bermuda is losing it way. She is moving to another level of prostitution. Another level where democracy is secondary, a democracy where truth is dismissed, and justice is only beneficial to those that can afford it or change it.

The PLP Government and Police force, despite the fact what has been done, or not done, or implied, is managing the BHC issue in a very serious manner that will have serious consequences to Bermuda’s future. Sitting PLP members of Parliament, Cabinet and those consistently-silent-no-issue-thinking backbenchers have to stand up and do the right thing. Vote the Premier out and move forward or suffer the peril of losing the next election. The objective is to win the next election. A sacrifice has to be made. Unlike the Party loyalist Mr. Scott, Dr. Brown wants to be Premier, but not Premier of Bermuda.

SAM

Warwick

Act in the people’s interests

July 3, 2007

Dear Sir,

The solution for Southlands is to pay the present owners a price which gives them a fair and just profit. Second, turn “Southlands into a public park along the lines of Regents Park and Hyde Park in London, England and Central Park in New York City. This solution will be a ‘win/win’ solution for the owners, and for present and future generations of Bermudians and visitors. All should be happy! Such an approach should give heart to those wanting a Bermudian legacy of far-sighted public-interest planning. At last, they will be getting the upper-hand of investors and politicians who seem to have placed unconscionable profit-motive ahead of the long-term best- interests of the people of Bermuda. We are nearly out of land! We are nearly out of time! Bermudians, call, and call and continue to call and, contact, and contact and continue to contact the politicians of BOTH Parties and go on and on until they have no choice but to act so as to prevent the loss of “Southlands” for all time!

WILLIAM LUSHER

Pembroke

(Former residential tenant at “Southlands”)<$>

P.s. Do not forget that another new hotel is going to be built immediately next door to the East of “Southlands” at the former Bermudiana Beach Club property. So, with the above plan, we would be getting a new hotel and a beautiful open space public park!

Edness needs reality check

June 13, 2007

Dear Sir,

It’s not dictatorship — its called a “tough stance” towards a do nothing approach to violent crime. We have a crime wave Mr. Edness, it’s gotten out of hand. The Governor is in control of the Police. He (the governor) has the upper hand and instead uses his hand only to hold on to his white helmet during local ceremonies on a windy day. I assure you most Bermudians want to see an end to this high-crime wave which is sweeping the country with no end in sight. Capital punishment and prisoners (hard core) sent to the UK for punishment and must remain in the UK after they are released. We need to send a message to other would-be criminals.

The UK Government owes us this much, because they don’t contribute to anything as a “colonial Big Brother”. The Brown administration cannot be blamed because they have no control over the police. The US Consul General — Mr. Slayton needs to lend his support to Sen. Burch. Mr. Slayton observes all the crime that goes on in Bermuda. One of Mr. Slayton’s roles is to protect the US citizens. The Bermudian people need to think. Think, Mr. Edness, is this dictatorship when a Bermudian politician (namely Mr. Burch) wants to take control of a situation which is out of control and it could mean the end of this good life as we know it?

Governor Vereker is incapable of organising a police force trained to fight crime. The cops who are here, are only here for the pay cheques, and enjoy the laid-back way of life. The high crime rate cannot be blamed by the Brown administration. It’s just a question of time when the US Consul General (namely Mr. Slayton/Margaret Pride) will waste no time informing the American people, Bermuda is now an unsafe place to travel, due to the attacks on US visitors. This will result in us no longer enjoying the good life.

Vigilante groups should be formed to protect everyone. Bermudians who become vigilant can work with the police — every Bermudian needs to help to preserve what we once had — a peaceful community. So Mr. Dunkley is this still dictatorship or is it the fact that your party will do whatever it takes to bring the PLP Government to its knees. The UBP rhetoric goes on deaf ears to most Bermudians, even some of your own supporters. Mr. Edness you need a reality check, you need to take off those rose-coloured glasses!

GEORGE BURCHER

Hamilton Parish

Fix the roads first

June 26, 2007

Dear Sir,

How is it that the government can arrange a meeting with Condoleezza Rice, manage to convince a major golf tournament to change its venue in the hopes of attracting Tiger Woods and his fans here, but yet cannot manage to fix one road; namely Devon Springs Road?

DISGUSTED DRIVER

Devonshire

Nine points to ponder

June 13, 2007

Dear Sir,

There must be a manual for prospective aspiring dictators.

1. Muzzle the Press

2. Take over the TV and Radio stations

3. Deportations for speaking the truth

4. Fear of retribution

5. Rape “The People’s” purse

6. Conspiring to mislead with lies and deception

7. Embellish personal comforts

8. Do as I say

Because of all of the above

9. Seek added protection.

DIANA WILLIAMS

Pembroke

A defence for 8-year-olds

June 26, 2007

Dear Sir,

Bermudians are getting tired of the main defence for the current corruption allegations; pointing fingers and claiming “they did it first” (I am referring to the Premier’s reference to the “40 Thieves”). It starts to sound like my brother and I when we were eight years old, and our mother was trying to decide who was going to get punished for the latest mishap. Pointing fingers is a defence for eight-year-olds— not adults.

K. SMITH

St. George’s