A sensible way to spend

October 22, 2008

Dear Sir,

Could someone please explain to us curious bystanders where "our Government's priorities" lie?

I ask this particular question at this time, when it would be better if all (the general public) paid close attention to the shenanigans that are obvious to many of us who unfortunately "see the glass as half empty and not as being half full". A long time ago, an uncle explained some of the tactics (used by many) to get ahead in life. In quoting him, he stated: "We must learn to give with one hand while simultaneously pulling hard with the other hand…"

This Government stands above all others when it comes down to spending our dollars. Here we have our Premier on television discussing how times will (without a doubt) become "tougher" and we must learn how to save where possible. Yet in the same broadcast, three of his Cabinet members are showing the destruction of an existing sports club building to make way for (that's right) another brand new complex …where are they saving dollars? (I can't tell, can you?) If the Government has dollars to erect a sports complex, why doesn't anyone see that building homes would be a more sensible thing to do with those same dollars?

RAYMOND RAY

St. George's

Who's in charge?

October 16, 2008

Dear Sir,

Just who are these people who are in charge of the Bermuda Housing Trust? When you refused to show your books to the Auditor General, something is up. I am sure that Mr. Ferguson (deceased) who built these places especially for low income seniors, would not approve. Can you trust them especially getting to the Rent Control first? Someone else should take over this organisation and throw this lot out. They are doing something wrong. They are not the ones who built these places!

SENIOR II

Devonshire

'This is not about me'

October 22, 2008

Dear Sir,

What a sad, sad place Bermuda is becoming.

There is not one word or iota of principle in any of this so-called "rebuttal" from Phil Perinchief.

Instead, we see the typical age-old retreat to ad hominem attack in a transparent attempt to shift focus by demonising those with whom we disagree. Mr Perinchief prefers simply to delight in the fact that I have had professional and personal difficulties and plays to the ugliest parts of our souls.

My article, whether you agree with it or not, was based entirely on principle. Mr. Perinchief's response, like the "Tommy Tucker singing for his supper" jibe from Alex Scott, was based on something entirely different: personal contempt, jealousy and vindictiveness. That is precisely the kind of mentality which has kept us, as a people, behind; and which threatens ultimately to destroy any hope of cohesiveness in Bermuda.

So much for "brotherhood". How ironic it is that I am the one who is being told to "grow up".

I have carefully stated my reasons for continuing to support Dr Brown. I did so knowing that I was vulnerable to this kind of "never kick a man until he is down" response. Given the substance, quality and tone of Mr Perinchief's response, it is highly doubtful that he could ever have survived the kind of ordeal that I have had to sustain for almost a decade.

Still, the grace of God is a truly wonderful thing. I am in fact neither down nor am I defenceless; and the truth is that Phil Perinchief's abuse is rather like being "gummed to death by a dead sheep" (as former UK Cabinet Minister Denis Healey would have said.) This is not about me. And it is certainly not about Phil Perinchief either. If the people of Bermuda want ultimately to be led by this kind of vindictive, petty and unprincipled mentality, I can only pray that we will survive as a society. Beyond that, there is nothing of substance in Mr. Perinchief's rebuttal that could be said to merit the dignity of any further discourse from me.

JULIAN HALL

City of Hamilton

A clarification

October 22, 2008

Dear Sir,

I was amusedly concerned as someone drew my attention to today's letter to the Editor. "Recondition our mindset": A portion of paragraph 3 states: "Compared to going to a Mets game or visiting a casino? I would say; keep on tricking Dr. Brown."

Sir, with all due respect to Dr. Brown that may have been a typo on my part. Looking at the full context of my letter, the word "tricking" just does not fit in. I do not know the Dr. to be a trickster. So to all of Dr. Brown's supporters ... hold back on the tar and feathers. What I really meant was '"Keep on trucking, Dr. Brown".

JOSHUA RICHARDSON

Pembroke

A five-year plan

October 18, 2008

Dear Sir,

Please print the following as an answer to all Bermuda's problems:

The Bermuda Plan

Bermuda has a budget of approximately one billion dollars. I propose that we approach the international companies with the following proposal:

(1) Government will form a council of 15 Gurus

(2) Each International company will be allowed to purchase a portion of the budget which would allow them to appoint a proportionate number of their members to the council.

(3) All laws affecting international business will be ruled on by this council and ratified by Parliament

(4) The Gurus will be responsible for initiating all laws on international business which would be ratified by Parliament

(5) No one company could subscribe to more that 40 percent of the Budget (thus large companies like XL could only have a maximum of say 6 members)

The results of such an arrangement would be as follows:

(1) All taxes in Bermuda would be suspended (land tax-custom duties, licences, etc)

(2) Politicians would be able to frolic and travel abroad without limit

(3) The expertise of the Gurus could be utilised in many other areas

(4) International business would probably save money as they are probably paying out more now. They would no longer have to pay for work permits, etc.

(5) Everyone could really feel the love.

The above is not an exhaustive list and anyone may add or amend the proposal

And so, let us pray

GATHA'S SON

Devonshire

A note of thanks

October 19, 2008

Dear Sir,

Last Sunday evening, October 12, I was headed up Knapton Hill around 8 p.m. on my way home to St. George's. It was dark, I was a woman alone and as luck would have it, my cell phone had previously died two days earlier (and was in repair) so I had no phone with me. My car made a few clicking sounds I'd never heard before and as I pulled to the side of the road just above Cherry Dale Road when the car died completely. I didn't know anyone who lived specifically in that area and not having a phone, then did not hesitate to say a prayer and ask for a miracle.

Shortly after, a lady stopped and made a call to someone she thought could help and even though he didn't show up, I appreciated her gesture. Then a gentleman named Tyrone stopped next and kindly helped me strategise where best to leave the car, etc. A few minutes later, a taxi driver stopped his cab and got out to help us. Who knew it would be a dear man who'd I'd met several times before through his taxi service... Mr. Winston (Christmas) Eve. Both men helped me get the car to a safe place and as Mr. Eve had no passengers in his car, he graciously drove me home.

I want to thank both gentlemen very much for their putting their lives on hold that evening to help me and thought their good deeds deserved public recognition. Later, after it was all over, I was thinking that what could have been a terrible ordeal was rather a meeting of friends. I then realised I'd prayed for a miracle and "Christmas" arrived, both literally and figuratively! Wow did that make me smile! Thank you very much to both of these kind Bermudians for helping out an expat. Your kindnesses will not be forgotten.

ST GEORGE'S LADY

Editor's note: Do you have an act of kindness story to tell? If so, we want to hear about it. Send a letter detailing the act to letters@royalgazette.bm.

Bermuda's tipping point

October 20, 2008

Dear Sir,

Although Bermuda may not technically be in a recession as Ms Cox stated in today's paper, I'd like to add that the Unites States is not technically in a recession either. Looking past technicalities, there are some fundamental changes going on in the world around us. People are scared. Their investments have devalued enormously, their homes are losing value and their debt is at record levels. We can stick our heads in the sand and pretend that Bermuda is immune to these problems – or we can face them head on.

As the credit crisis that has crippled the world moves to the back burner, our attention will begin to shift to a looming global recession that will undoubtedly play out over the next couple of years.

Ms Cox's reliance on the rating's agencies (S&P, Moody's and Fitch) as justification for the government's handling of the economy and their management of debt make me nervous at best. These are the same agencies that are now being scrutinised for giving investment grade ratings to securitisation transactions based on sub-prime mortgages. In other words, these agencies have lost all creditability in the current credit crisis and economic turmoil.

I'd like to ask Ms Cox to forget about technicalities, to forget about credit ratings, to forget about party politics. The world is facing one of the toughest recessions since the 1930s. Instead of reacting to problems as they arise, be proactive. Secure our Islands' relationship with international business. Listen to top executives and review the term limit policy. Actively recruit new business to our shores. Cut taxes and cut needless spending. Embrace the freedom of information. Most importantly, make government accountable to the people – we need a uniting force. Bermuda is at a tipping point and we are counting on you and your leadership. Please step up for the sake of the country!

ANONYMOUS

City of Hamilton