February 24, 2002

Dear Sir,

There seems to be a growing tendency in Bermuda to criticise by use of a general statement. A friend of mine related to me that a mutual friend (whom I shall call Joe) was spending money recklessly. I asked why did he make such a statement. He replied that Joe had just made a loan from the bank of $50,000.

Knowing that Joe had recently retired, I too was concerned. Consequently, I called Joe and asked if everything was OK. "Man, things have never been better" he replied. "Oh" I responded, "what has been happening that has been so good".

He happily explained that the bank had loaned him $50,000 to finance the addition of two small apartments to his home. He had already leased the apartments before completion at a modest rent of $1,000 a month each. As a result, he expected to pay off the debt completely in less than two years.

After the debt was repaid, he claimed that he would have a nice income to supplement his pension. Had I not tried to ascertain the purpose of Joe's borrowing, I would have agreed with my friend that Joe's borrowing was reckless. In criticising the PLP government for going into debt, one has to take properly into account the purpose of the borrowing.

When this is done, Minister Cox's budget is nothing less than brilliant.

SENATOR CALVIN SMITH

Paget

Still time for growth

February 20, 2002

Dear Sir,

SLP Response to the Budget, Part I. Bermuda has two insurance industries - catastrophe and resurrection - and both are doing well.

Since the first and second ends of the world have passed (2000, 2001 respectively) and since the next end of the world is not due until 2012 (according to the Mayan calender), we conclude that the business of salvation in Bermuda has at least ten years of healthy growth and expansion.

We suggest for retailers bemoaning the passing of the eighties and blaming it all on exempt companies that they look to God for salvation and healthy business as so many in our tiny island have already done.

Oh, and we think that the next fast ferry should be named the 'Tooth'.

SKINK AND LOBSTER PARTY (SLP)

Pembroke

Ban the spammers

The following was sent to Royal Gazette syndicated columnist Ellen Goodman and copied to the The Royal Gazette

February 25, 2002

Dear Sir,

Thank you so much for your wonderful expose, on Page 4 of February 20, 2002 in The Royal Gazette (www.theroyalgazette.com) daily newspaper of Bermuda, on 'Can we beat e-mail spam'. As my e-mail address indicates, I write from Bermuda.

Unfortunately, unlike many countries, US states, and provinces now, Bermuda has no laws against spam. I really wish we did. With many others, I receive an average of 20 spam messages a day on my local e-mail and a Yahoo.com account.

I hope there will soon be anti-spam laws throughout the responsible and responsive e-commerce world against all unsolicited, unwanted and often pornographic or downright crooked e-mail. What makes it worse yet are the high rates of restricted Internet access here in Bermuda, as I describe in www.bermuda-online.org/internet.htm, compared to the very low cost of unrestricted high-speed and 56 kbps access to the Internet in the USA, Canada and elsewhere.

Most Bermudians end up paying through the nose for unsolicited e-mails, most of which don't apply to Bermuda anyway and are sent by ignorant rednecks or out-and-out crooks.

I hope spammers and the organisations they use to send spam are forbidden to use any e-mail for ten years or go to prison for as long, for flagrant e-commerce terrorism. Feel free to quote me on this.

KEITH A. FORBES

Hamilton Parish

Delaey's entertaining slip

February 28, 2002

Dear Sir,

It was quite entertaining listening to Mr. Delaey Robinson on T.V. the other night saying how impressed he was with Mr. David Allen as Tourism Minister. "He's really pulled the finger out." said Mr. Robinson.

Well, if Mr. Allen could now pull his foot out and a rabbit out, I believe the rest of us will be really impressed as well.

JAMES TUCKER

Paget

Setting high standards

February 23, 2002

Dear Sir,

For the record, please print this message as one of those wishing to associate themselves with the remarks either read of heard within the last few days summarised as follows:

1) Jennifer Smith - Bermudians must pull together

2) Grant Gibbons - Appoint an accountable Tourism Authority

3) John Kaufmann - Bermuda must reinvent itself (less focus on Beat The Retreat & Afternoon Tea at the hotel, more Focus on Sport, Fun, and Relaxation)

4) Tony Brannon - Bermuda must forget trying to appease/please the Aunt Agnes's of Bermuda (i.e. instead: Give a lot of the tourists what they want: night life ... that means noise on Hawkins Island etc. until at least 1 a.m.)

When is Bermuda going to wake up and realise that in spite of one person's best intentions (i.e. albeit either of the Davids) the odds are high: High airfares, high rainfall, high indifference to tourists needs, high competition: yet Bermuda can make a comeback.

The solution is (relatively) simple: the correct body, willing to listen, act, and thus inspire this community to pull together, to thereby attract newlyweds, college kids, retirees, harrassed business people, young parents and health nuts - all out there looking for sport, fun and relaxation.

It is going to be a hard fight to get the tourists back, but then when is life ever simple (haven't we all heard that before)? Listen to the voices, Bermuda - we can reconquer!

E. RUTH KEMPE

Warwick