Thaao's radio grandstanding

June 18, 2009

Dear Sir,

I'm so glad there are other radio stations to listen to other than 107.5 FM, as I'm so tired of listening to Thaao Dill's political grandstanding.

His recent comment on the anti-Ewart Brown rally, that white people are upset because they are no longer in a position of privilege in this Island is ridiculous.

Who does he think controls the majority of businesses, land and other major assets (wealth) in Bermuda? White people.

Whose children are getting the best education in Bermuda? White people.

Who is keeping this island afloat from a financial standpoint? White people.

It is astounding to me how this educated young man can overlook and make excuses for Ewart Brown's shameful behavior, starting way back to the Premier's involvement in the ousting of Jennifer Smith – "we had to deceive you". I wonder if Thaao and the other PLP members who continue to vindicate Dr. Brown realise the future impact of this. Thaao's young audience are being taught that it is acceptable to lie, cheat, steal and push people out of the way to accomplish one's goal, all in the name of the PLP.

God bless, Lois Browne Evans and Freddie Wade. I'm sorry that their legacies are being so disrespected.

God doesn't sleep and he is not mocked.

BLACK PLP VOTER – PERHAPS NO MORE

St. George's

Avoid further foolishness

July 18, 2009

Dear Sir,

I have been visiting Bermuda during the autumn months during the last seven years, for weekends. I have tremendously enjoyed the moderate weather and calm conditions of the Island the times I have been here, as well as the great people; however, the recent acceptance of detainees has weakened my trust in the soundness of Bermuda, as I have difficulty understanding why any tourist destination should benefit from having alleged foreign ex-militants on its soil.

Let me be clear, I have no prejudice against the Uighurs per se, and I am not saying they are anything like terrorists, but I have been discouraged and unsettled by the rashness of the action, the massive protests, the seeming arrogance that seemed to have characterised both my government and the Bermudan government in the handling of this delicate matter. The Uighurs surely deserve a home, but Bermuda, where a great number of other people go for relaxing and unwinding without expecting any controversy, is not the place.

I hope, for the good of a place I like and enjoy tremendously, that the current problems are speedily resolved, and that the Bermudian authorities will avoid any further foolishness.

STEPHEN FAY

Bethesda, Maryland

Setting a bad example

June 18, 2009

Dear Sir,

Many have commented that they're not as concerned about Premier Brown's recent "G4" actions as they are about the guns, gangs and drug situation in Bermuda. My question to them is, if the Premier cannot obey the laws of the land, how can he expect us to, and why should we?

The Leader of the Country is in a similar role to the parent in the family. They set an example. We have seen nothing but blatant disregard for even the simplest law – parking in a legal parking space for one. Our Premier is even above that law.

We are symbolically his children and look what's happening to this family! This Premier/Parent has taught us to abuse our personal power and to take what we want without any consideration for others. As a result, there's rebellion on every front. We can't obey traffic laws and as a result are being killed and maimed at an alarming rate. We have no self control or self discipline. We're greedy and resort to violence at every opportunity. Is this any surprise?

Perhaps Col. Burch can respond to this question in his role as Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing as he has had many strong views on the state of the Bermudian family.

MEMBER OF DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY

Smith's

Brave commitment

June 19, 2009

Dear Sir,

I count myself as an official Bermudaphile who was quite pleased to see Bermuda finally mentioned in both national (US) and international media with regard to the resettlement of the Uighur detainees from Guantanamo. It is my understanding that these men were cleared of all charges and were detained in Guantanamo because they could not safely return to their home.

I for one, will return to Bermuda this summer once again, but this time with a renewed pride in the willingness of Bermudians to step up to help the US. Since my first visit to Bermuda as a child, I have experienced most Bermudians as extremely gracious, hospitable and elegant ambassadors for the island. I expect that the decision to extend this resettlement opportunity to the Uighur men will be viewed around the world as a representation of the very best Bermudian values: Responsibility, Honour, Civilised Relations and International Goodwill.

For the record, I have visited Bermuda more times than I can count and this year I am bringing an additional 20 people with me for a major celebration. We will toast Bermuda's 400th birthday and celebrate this brave commitment.

ERICA PHILLIPS

Arlington, Virginia

Hypocritical stance

June 18, 2009

Dear Sir,

I was astounded when I listened to what Col Burch had to say recently, when interviewed on the television; he said: "We are Christians and want to help other humans; furthermore, it was the right thing to do for the right reasons".

How can he say this when he and his Government treat decent and hardworking people, who have been in Bermuda for six years or more, by tossing them out like garbage?

This six-year term limit is not only unchristian-like, but inhumane and a complete violation of human rights. I am sure President Obama would not have even asked Bermuda to accept these four stateless men, if he had known that the policy of the Bermuda Government is to force the repatriation of expatriates after they have been here for six years.

CAMELOT

Smith's

Bad decision-making

June 16, 2009

Dear Sir,

One has to wonder what the Premier was thinking when he chose to make this decision in secret. I'm not opposed to giving these men refuge. I'm upset at the way this decision was made.

From listening to the talk shows, reading the local and foreign press and speaking to other Bermudians, the outrage people feel is not so much directed at the fact that we have taken in four Uighur refugees but the way the decision was made.

We are supposed to believe that because of our long history with the US, the Obama administration asked the Premier for a favour. Not just any favour, but a secret favour and of course because of our 400 years of friendship and that this was such a humanitarian situation he couldn't say no. A great friendship, I must say, that includes the Democratic Party bashing Bermuda as a tax haven during every election year. A great friendship that has left us with an environmental mess at the former base lands which the US has refused to offer any assistance in cleaning up.

It seems to me that this assistance, whether it was a request by the US State Department or volunteered by Premier Brown, is just the thing the Premier has been waiting for. Many people believe that Dr. Brown is too big for Bermuda. This situation gives him a brief spotlight on the world stage and may afford him further appearances. I don't see that it does anything for the country but it does give him some global recognition. If this decision was truly based on humanitarian issues, then I would ask why he has not assisted in other humanitarian aid over the years since becoming Premier? Bermudians have big hearts when it comes to helping others so why would the Premier not include some of his caucus members in this decision so they could share the spotlight in this great humanitarian moment? Oh, I forgot as the Premier stated in his comments he was asked to keep this top secret and out of friendship with the US, he decided it was best to do that.

So should I be left to believe that out of all the elected officials in Bermuda the only one deemed internationally trustworthy is Dr. Brown? Oh I forgot again not just Dr. Brown but also Colonel Burch. From all reports I've read or listened to it appears the request for secrecy wasn't because of any safety concern for the Uighurs or Bermuda it was because neither party wanted the British Government to find out what was happening until after the fact.

Regarding the Premier's statement that "he believed this was an immigration issue" not something that required the involvement of the British Government, are we really expected to believe that someone as intelligent and politically savvy as the Premier truly believed this decision was of no concern to the UK Government? For starters, Bermudian status can't be granted without the Governor first approving and signing a Certificate of Naturalisation.

His decision, which is a slap in the face to the British Government, an already hurting Labor Government, does nothing to help Bermuda but may make him feel a bit better. Maybe the headline he was hoping for was "Brown strikes a blow against colonialism". We all know he loves to use the word "Colonial" anytime he references the British Government. He knows that word is, and rightly so, a dirty word to most black Bermudians. However, his rhetoric with strategically placed words and phrases does not seem to be helping him this time. It is humorous that someone who is very much against colonial rule has acted in a manner like a King as opposed to a leader of a democratic government.

There are situations that can arise where there is either no time or the subject matter may dictate a need for a government to make a decision without the immediate consent of the population. This is why we elect people whom we feel confident that can best represent our interests. All democratic governments make numerous decisions or policies without a public vote. Although the US State Department and foreign press statements keep referring to the decision as a "decision of the Bermuda Government", the government did not make this decision. It was made by one man without the consultation of the politicians we have elected to best represent us. And the one person that was consulted, Colonel Burch, is not an elected official but rather a political appointee. What's next? Are we going to wake up one morning and find a trash barge from New Jersey dumping waste into our waters because one individual was asked a favour or maybe we'll turn over the buildings at the old Nasa tracking centre to the North Koreans so they can better direct their military satellites.

JAMES JACKSON

Devonshire

Time to stop Dr. Brown

June 15, 2009

Dear Sir,

It perhaps was the right thing to do, but the wrong way to do it. The Premier knew this and he once again challenged the fact that we are a democracy and a democracy is in place to protect The People from this kind of enactment. This hoo ha is not about these four unfortunate men, it is about Dr. Brown, who delights in insulting Great Britain, our Governor and the people of Bermuda.

For us in Bermuda to receive these men so that the United States could feel safer is something that, if it was not so serious, would make Saturday night special! He should have consulted the Governor for advice and help to approach Great Britian, for permission.

I can only hope that the members of the PLP can see what kind of leadership they are under, and that Dr. Brown is incapable of governing this island without taking the credit for himself forgetting the people's needs. Now is the time to see that if this man is allowed to persist, we deserve the consequences.

DIANA WILLIAMS

Pembroke

Hotels' sale idea was genius!

June 5, 2009

Dear Sir,

My wife and I decided not to come to Bermuda this summer because the hotel prices did not fit into our budget. But wait! Bermuda is on sale!

In less than five minutes we decided that the sale was too good to pass up. I made arrangements to stay at Surf Side late this summer. Who ever thought up this promotion, in my humble opinion, is a genius! This will be our 39th visit to Bermuda. We can't wait!

On another note, I just read Peter Benchley's "The Deep" and (again, in my humble opinion) my novel "Pink Rock" is better! Please get me some publicity!

Thanks and best regards,

RON LACEY

Massapequa, New York

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