Talent will succeed

November 2, 2007

Dear Sir,

Normally I wouldn't respond to a letter from someone who hides behind a pseudonym, but a recent letter from 'Gatha's Son' demands a reply.

I won't speak for the people of Alabama or Nigeria or any of the other places he mentions, but after 40 years of self-imposed exile from Bermuda because of the discrimination I face on the island as a gay man, I think I can say something about the situation here in Canada. Like any other place in the world, Canada has its share of rednecks and bigots. But to imply that a person of colour cannot succeed there because of institutional racism or "white privilege" is absolute hogwash. Perhaps Gatha's Son is unaware that a black woman, born in Haiti, who came to Canada as a child refugee, occupies the highest position in the land.

The current Governor General of Canada is Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, CC, CMM, COM. CD, whose family was persecuted by the late "Papa Doc" Duvalier and fled to Canada in 1968. The previous Governor General was also a woman of colour – Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson (born Adrienne Poy) who is of Chinese descent. The Hon. Lincoln Alexander, a black man whose parents were from the West Indies, served as both a federal cabinet minister and later became the Lieutenant governor of Ontario. The list could go on.

No one denies that "white privilege" still exists – to a limited extent – in both Bermuda and Canada. But today that white privilege has been largely replaced by "white guilt". Every white person I know goes out of his or her way to ensure equal opportunity, based on education and experience, without regard to skin colour.

In both Bermuda and Canada non-white people occupy some of the highest positions of power and influence, and to constantly cry "racism" in the face of such evidence to the contrary is simply fear-mongering. Black people with talent and ambition can and do succeed in today's world.

GEORGE PATTON

Guelph, Ontario

Just a reminder

November 9, 2007

Dear Sir

During this time of electioneering I wanted to take a bit of space in your paper and remind the voters of Bermuda of the things that the governing ministers have said: Derrick Burgess — Minister of Labour and Immigration

"Any country you go in — you do not get involved in their politics. That is a common sense attitude you should take. I would never do it and I have never done it. I would be afraid to." Mmm…. I seem to recall that Dr. Brown was involved in politics whilst at Howard University. I guess Sven should be afraid to comment, or perhaps even foreign journalists?

Phillip Perinchief — Attorney General and Minister of Justice, in reference to Mr. Tim Marshall's comments on Work Equity, (not even mentioned in the Throne Speech) "Mr. Timothy Marshall, a recipient and beneficiary of this unequal status quo, and a lawyer, should know better. The outgoing Governor, a nonlawyer, has acted in even a more inhibitive manner and quite reprehensibly. In both instances, these two individuals are wrong on their perceptions of the law" yet the Minister of Finance herself a lawyer said that the law as currently drafted was likely unconstitutional or words to that effect as has Delroy Duncan, one of the lawyers representing the AG in the recent attempts to gag the media.

Paula Cox — Minister of Finance, in her Labour Day Speech that the Premier snubbed

"We need to get mad as hell and say that we aren't going to accept it any more and then we need to put our hands together and start changing things. We cannot have an ostrich mentality." The PLP Government has had nine years to change things — it is a little late now is it not?

Dr. Ewart Brown: — Premier and Minister of Tourism and Transport

"Make a step? After eight years we should be doing more than making a step. We should be feeling the impact of steps already taken." Seems to me to be an admission that the PLP has not taken any steps, or at least steps with no impact. My personal favourite — "We had to mislead you" and then a qualification later from Dr. Brown that he was not deceiving!

Randy Horton — Minister of Education on the mould at CedarBridge

"At no time has this Government allowed students or teachers to enter that school unless there was an indication from the analysts that the air quality was such that it would not be harmful to those in the school" but principal Kalmar Richards and the board "received reports of a mouldy smell in the library and in the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts" in December 2002. Who was misleading who?

Is it not ironic that after nine years of a PLP government Randy Horton said: "We want schools where teachers teach. We want schools where students learn and where discipline is enforced. When we have schools like that we won't, at the end of 12 years of schooling, have half of the students failing."

But he also said the money alone was no guarantee of success and said "There is much that needs to be done to make the situation better. I'm here to challenge politicians…to step up to the plate and hit the home run that our young people deservedly need…. We can no longer allow our children to bear the brunt of political division" and " We have the responsibility to set the example for these young people. As leaders we must raise the level of our expectations. These young people reach great heights when we ask them to, when we challenge them to. We as leaders must set the standards."

Perhaps the Premier should think of what Minister Horton said before he accuses others of being racist dogs and lets loose a torrent of abuse on others in speeches! What a way to lead by example! What great standards the Premier sets! What great heights of bigoted achievement! Pathetic! It seems to me that the Premier and his cabinet lack the moral authority to lead this country. They are wrong and false.

MR. WRONG

Hamilton

Clamp all vehicles

November 7, 2007

Dear Sir,

Clamping is good and bad. Why? Well, everyone should know by now that double parking is against the law yet people still do it anyway, right? Therefore, clamping should be done to those vehicles (even bikes if that's the case). Another issue is the loading zone area. If it shouldn't be used on a weekday then, why do some motorists still insist on parking there?

Around Bernard Park, Police made a big deal about motorists parking along the left side going up to Marsh Folly Road in the past but now, for some strange reason, they've stopped. In my opinion, North Village should open up that gate by the pond to let fans park on the Park field instead of along the road creating a hazard.

Also, any netball games can be watched from the inside part instead, of being crunched together around by the corner (if someone clips your car going around the bend and your car is parked on that corner it's not their fault entirely but yours).

The Police, Safeguard Security and the Corporation of Hamilton need to think harder regarding your new clamping law and also why you stopped worrying about the illegal parking along Bernard Park.

CLAMPING MAY BE GOOD IN SOME WAYS

Pembroke

Thank you all

November 6, 2007

Dear Sir,

On behalf of myself and The Amputee Association of Bermuda, of which I'm a member, I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank everyone who participated in this weekend's tag days, November 2 and 3.

To my family and friends who volunteered their time, allowed their children to gain community service experience and or donated money for this worthy association, thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

To those who are aware of my handicap, you should know that for me, it has been a particularly touching experience to be a part of this tag day in this capacity.

I'm not a salesman, I never sold a tag in my life and on occasions I have gotten tired of donating to others. Participating in this particular Tag Day was a shock to reality. It made me look at life from a different perspective.

I'm an amputee and I too will always need the help of my family and friends in some way. One never knows when you may need someone and no one anticipates a lost of any limb. There are several ways one can lose a limb, however one of the most common ways is through Diabetes. So, watch your eating habits for only you will pay for them. The month of November is Diabetes Awareness Month.

I'm not diabetic but neverthe less a Below The Knee (BKA) amputee. My prosthesis has served me well and many others who have accepted the condition I've been blessed with the "willpower" to live. Let's just say I have my good days and bad days and so far the good days are outweighing the bad. Since I joined the association, I've been constantly reminded of the mental and financial stress on an average family and the appreciation of assistance during those times.

During my time of need, my family, friends and colleagues at PTB provided all the support I required, along with the medical profession. I could never express how much their support meant to me in a lifetime. To them, let me say "A continuous thank you, Thanks so much. I could never repay them for their support during my time of my desolation. It's been twelve years since my amputation. The donations, cards and blessings have been with me to this day." Support means so much during crisis. Luke 6:38

Being an amputee is a life changing experience, the things others take for granted, you realise their importance whether it's a leg, an arm or even a finger you recognise the consequences of not having it.

As a participant of the tag days for the Amputee Association of Bermuda I was fortunate to meet other people who did not have the use of a different limbs, they explained to me what it is like for them to be without, especially after having that particular finger or limb. I had not lost a finger so I thought their loss was insignificant to mine until I listened to the things they could no longer do. In another conversation a gentleman said he would rather lose a leg then an arm because he could still go fishing. He loves fishing and if he lost his arm he would not be able to fish.

Whenever one is deprived of a natural part of the body, it is of great significant. You're looked upon as different, less capable but not incapable of accomplishing certain tasks. People evaluate what they think you can do, you constantly called upon yourself to explore the limits of your physical ability. I have read, hear and seen some unexplainable tasks performed by persons who are physically and mentally challenged and all that could be said is "God Is Good".

It is truly up to the individual to know their strength and weaknesses believe in their usefulness and apply themselves to what makes them happy and achieving their goal. You may not be a millionaire but HE will give you the strength to survive. I remember four sentences that had an impact on my life but I don't remember where I heard them: "Choose Life. You don't know if you can do it if you haven't tried. It could happen to you and By helping someone else you help yourself."

Take none of these for granted. Look at the positives of each. It's about choices and when making your choice consider gratification for life and appreciation of the things you can still do. Even as an amputee you can continue to contribute to life.

Your donation will help improve the quality of an amputee in Bermuda.

RAYMOND A.E. SWAN

Warwick

For a better wage

November 6, 2007

Dear Sir,

In response to 'GPS service is better' from Taxi Owner, Times 2 of November 2 who criticised my view of the 10.5 percent fare increase as an insult and my comments regarding the GPS system as negative – he or she is entitled to his/her opinion. My view however, is based on these facts:

In 2003, we negotiated a 25 percent fare increase – the first increase in many years. This would have brought us closer to the cost of living increase over the same number of years – this fare increase was not honoured.

In 2004, we received a 19.8% fare increase and did not receive the promised five percent increase in 2005. In 1991, the annual cost of operating a taxi was $15,000 compared to $24,000 today; an increase of 62.5 percent.

"The current average annual income, before operating costs, is about $45,000.

A full-time driver works approximately 3,000 hours per year (without paid vacation) compared to the average blue-collar worker, who puts in approximately 2000-hours per year, in many cases, with a paid vacation.

The average take-home wage of a taxi-operator is approximately $600 per week. The proposed 10.5 percent fare increase will equate to an additional $4,725 per year; less than $100 per week.

Taxi Owner Times 2 needs to know that I am trying to gain a better living wage for all taxi operators and that I am not against the GPS, I am against mandatory GPS – it should be optional.

The Radio Dispatch (voice) has improved over the past year. However, if Government wants to take the taxi service to a new low, by enforcing the GPS, many passengers will be further inconvenienced.

A note to Taxi Owner Times 2: Be brave enough to sign your name so that all can see who writes such rubbish. You benefited from our efforts to get the previous increase and now you criticise those who continue to speak on your behalf.

Lee Tucker

Bermuda Taxi Operators Association

City should improve

November 6, 2007

Dear Sir,

I read with interest of the measures that the Corporation of Hamilton intend to put in place to prevent and punish those people illegally parking in the city car parks. This, they state, will recoup an estimated $300,000 annually that the Corporation is missing out on because of parking offenders. It is further stated that the funds gained by these measures, will pay for the equipment necessary. One, therefore, would assume, that once the equipment is paid for, the Corporation will gain $300,000 annually thereafter.

Perhaps they would now consider some measures that will make parking in the city more convenient for those of us that use the car-parks, namely:

a) Preventing the person or persons, who use Bulls Head car-park as a toilet and defecate all over the place. Last week, someone defecated right outside the elevator door on the first floor and was there for almost a week before it was removed. Today, I see another dump underneath the ramp on the third floor.

b) The elevator is also being used as a toilet, with some person or persons urinating in it very frequently. I had the misfortune to use it the other day, as was carrying a heavy parcel and it was absolutely revolting. The rubber on the floor is rotting in the corner, probably because of frequent urination. Winter is coming and I can only assume that Bulls Head will be frequented more and more by people using it for shelter at nights. Perhaps some of the gains that the Corporation achieve through their new measures, could be used to pay for an effective security system to prevent (a) and (b) happening. There are security guards around during the day, usually sat on chairs, but what about at night? I have been in there late in the evening a not seen a security guard anywhere.

c) Finally, if the Corporation is going to spend money on catching parking offenders, why can't they spend money for the benefit those of us that legally park every day and offer an alternative method of paying, instead of having to scrounge around for coins to pay for the parking? The machines have credit card slots (taped up mind you), it would be so much easier to simply insert a credit or debit card into the slot. We used to be able to do that. Why did that stop?

It is a PAIN to have to keep collecting dollar coins or quarters every day. The only alternative is to go to the City Hall and pay for a pass in advance. Convenient? Moderately so, but what happens if you pay for a week in advance and you become ill? You lose $5 every day. If credit or debit cards are not an option, why not some form of card where you can pay to top it up, like a phone card? I would finally make one further comment regarding having a barrier and ticket slot at the exit point of the car parks. Fine for the smaller car parks, but its going to cause absolute havoc at Bulls Head at 5 p.m. when everyone is trying to get home.

ANNIE SOUSA

City of Hamilton