September 17, 2005

Dear Sir,

Further to Sarah Titterton's Friday article on the use of referendums to decide major sovereign issues, perhaps we can conclude that the members of the Bermuda Independence Commission either do not know how to use that modern research tool, called Google, or simply prefer to ignore history.

After a brief five minutes on the internet, I was able to discover the following examples of the use of referendums for major sovereign issues, in addition to the Bermuda and the East Timor examples mentioned by Ms Titterton. Perhaps the fact that some of the results were in opposition explains the basis of non recognition by the BIC and an apparent bias on the "road to follow" towards Independence!

1905: Norway decides for its independence from Sweden

1948: Newfoundland decided for incorporation into the Canada Confederation

1980 & 1996: The Province of Quebec voted on these two occasions not to seek separation from the Confederation of Canada

Within the framework of the European Union, all major changes to sovereign rights must be decided by referendum. Thus, sovereign member states of the European Union have used Specific Referendums to decide 1) for acceptance, or not, of the Maastricht Treaty (inclusion in the single European Currency ? the UK still has not accepted) and 2) acceptance of the New European Constitution ? which was voted down in France and Holland, thus sending a clear message to career politicians that the people do not agree!

The plethora of "Rush to Independence" observed in the 1940's, '50's and '60's was usually the result of either armed civil strife (Vietnam, Algeria, Mozambique,), strong internal political pressure (India, Ghana, Tanganyika), or a strong desire by the colonial powers to rid themselves of economic "basket cases". Almost none were decided by referendums or general elections. These were negotiated agreements with the colonial power.

This was the era of what one might call "dictatorial democracy", where elected politicians decided everything and the Cold War atmosphere provide a ready excuse for Independence movements, whether the populace agreed or not. Today, the world is characterised by what one might call "participative democracy", where the use of referendums allows the grass roots to express their will in a direct and civil manner.

Perhaps this explains the wide acceptance, by Bermudians of all background, for the desire that their will, via a Referendum, be clearly expressed for their future and for which kind of national sovereignty will prevail.

We only hope that the Premier and his government can learn from the clear lessons of history!

September 19, 2005

Dear Sir,

I am writing in response to the letter on September 16 by "Warwick senior", which viewed government action towards increasing racial equality in the business sector as an act of dictatorship.

Unfortunately this attitude is very common today. We continue to ignore the legacy of slavery and systematic racism within our society. We choose to say everything is OK, or list alternative reasons other than race for an explanation. Other factors do create our social fabric, some are tightly woven with race such as class, which creates inequality in our society and must be addressed. However, the truth seen socially and proven statistically is that racial inequality still exists which we can't ignore or diminish.

Government initiatives through groups such as CURE aim to create a level playing field as our history has made it incredibly uneven. The belief that hard work and perseverance will get you all that you deserve is na?ve in a society where institutional racism is alive.

Far too many whites are either scared or unwilling to step outside their comfort zones to acknowledge and question their white privilege. If we want an equal society we must begin to question and speak against our privilege. We must be active and engage in open and honest discussion to see and hear the reality in which we are living. Anger should not scare us and end dialogue, it reveals that there is a problem, that an injustice was done, which we must respect and learn from so we can all heal.

We all have our role in bettering Bermuda. We in the white community must ensure we are properly educated on Bermuda's history, on racism and white privilege so we can step up and do our part for racial equality making government action unnecessary.

WHITE BERMUDIAN

Pembroke

September 19, 2005

Dear Sir,

Please allow me to offer a few comments in response to your September 15 article "Eyebrows raised over absence of Alea Exec" and I wish to offer some additional information regarding the decision to cancel my attendance at the Bermuda Captive Conference 2005.

I have been involved with the Bermuda insurance and reinsurance community for over 20 years, during which I have been fortunate to create a number of strong relationships and experience the advantages of working with many of the outstanding people and operations on the Island. I have been and continue to be a strong supporter of Bermuda and the captive market and take my commitment to this community very seriously. It is in this regard I was excited about the opportunity to participate in the inaugural Bermuda Captive Conference. Unfortunately, emerging business challenges requiring my full time efforts compelled me to stay at the office to work with customers and staff.

I regret my absence but made my decision knowing that the Conference would be well served by the highly respected industry analysts on our panel. I look forward to participating in future events in Bermuda.

ROBERT D. BYLER

CEO Alea Alternative Risk

September 16, 2005

Dear Sir,

I hope you will allow me to comment on the National Day of Prayer held on September 14. I am sure the organisers had only the best of intentions. I am sure they meant absolutely no offence. I am sure they are very nice people (I in fact had the chance of speaking with a few). I would like, however to make a few comments.

The Church leaders want to hold a national day of prayer, that's fine. They have every right to ask people to pray and come to Church on their lunch hours as they wish, that's fine. Should someone want to even stand on a street corner and quote scripture and give sermons to passing citizens, then they have that right to ? it is called freedom of speech and I am exercising it myself now. It is one of our most dearly held and hard won social rights and I will defend anyone, whether I agree with them or not, to have such a right.

But freedom of speech has certain strings attached to it. If I incite violence, then I am as guilty as the actual thugs. I cannot forcibly detain someone and force them to hear me either. In this case, I have no problem with someone standing on a soapbox, or standing on the pavement voicing their opinion. But someone standing behind a podium, speaking through a microphone, flanked by Government Ministers (I believe the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Telecommunications), on the steps of City Hall is another matter altogether. To me this is blatant theocracy and disregard for democratic rights.

What about noise pollution? What about not forcing people to attend a religious service (it is in our Constitution after all)? Yes, I was not forced to stay there, but I have every right to be at City Hall without being forced to listen to religious sermons. If I wanted that, I could go to church, of which there are several within walking distance from City Hall. By blocking the entrance to City Hall I was prevented from entering a public building. Do the churches have the right to do that? What is this necessity of the churches to be seen in relation to the State. You have your churches ? keep to them.

I understand the Premier only "endorsed" the Day of Prayer. Then why is it preventing him carrying on his elected duty of running the country (I refer to the referendum petition here)? Either the Premier is elected to his job by the people and for the people or by the church. If the people, then do your job. If the church, then this is not a democracy.

You think we need divine assistance to fix Bermudas problems? Pray all you want, but remember the fable that God helps those who help themselves. Pray on your own time in private. What Bermuda needs is some serious thinking, some serious hard work, and some hard choices to be made. That is why we elected this government. If you feel you can't do it, then resign and let us elect people who are up to the job. There are others in the Party who might do better. A better world is possible, and it is possible today, but only if we actively work for it rather than wait for manna from heaven.

Don't debase religion and the state by combining the two.

September 20, 2005

Dear Sir,

Huck and Tom and I have a known a few vagrant-types in our time but the men and women of Vagrantville ? Hamilton, Bermuda ? are special.

These vagrants can go anywhere and do pretty much anything without much trouble from anyone in authority. They have numerous sleeping options ? under a palm tree, many nice doorways (some with soft mats !), a bench in any one of a number of pretty places and even some nice porches which are often big enough for the whole family.

Food and drink and the occasional used and half smoked butt, are really easy to come by ? any good sized trash can, the early morning garbage outside any of Vagrantville's eating and drinking establishments and, if that ain't up your alley, a little begging with Jinx will reap dividends.

We're from Hannibal, Missouri and there's a lot of poor people there so we have some sympathy for these dudes but the level of depravity and filth is much better here... really rock bottom.

Your guys look some kind of beautiful ? and they smell so well too. Facts is facts, you have the smelliest, dirtiest, garbage-rooting vagrants this side of the Pond ? and it's clear that you ain't going to disturb that legacy.

Nosireee Bob! I know that your tourism business is down at about the levels they were when I first came here about a century ago...and I can see why.

The airfares are sky high (and the planes are half empty), the hotel room rates are even higher (and the rooms even emptier), service is non existent, there's little to do after dark and a moonlight walk through the streets of Vagrantville is a joy. Well, I don't want to push the point too much, sir. It's pretty clear that Ewart and Lawson and the rest of the leader boys are content with the status quo. Heck, when the smell gets too bad, they just go on a trip! Anyway, if you ? or they ? don't believe me about the situation in Vagrantville... well, just pop by !

S. L. CLEMENS

Southampton