April 6, 2004

Dear Sir,

I am writing to express my disgust at the ignorant, illogical and bigoted views about homosexuality expressed by Pat Ferguson in (his/her?) letter to your newspaper printed on Tuesday April 6, 2004. I can barely believe that such a prejudiced viewpoint was given so many column inches in The Royal Gazette ? the mouthpiece of a modern, forward thinking society in the twenty-first century. The basic premise of Pat Ferguson?s argument was that we are all human and therefore we all deserve to be treated in the same way. If this is the case, I fail to understand why Mr./Mrs. Ferguson is so adamant that gay people do not qualify for his/her respect; in the letter homosexuals are referred to as ?degenerates? alongside rapists, child molesters and purveyors of domestic violence. Perhaps Pat Ferguson is still labouring under the illusion that homosexuality is illegal, and this is why he/she classifies gay people within this category.

Pat Ferguson further suggests that homosexuality is a crime by inferring that individuals, influenced by ?indoctrination? or ?seduction... have turned to a life of homosexuality?, just as one might turn to a life of crime! I wonder whether Pat Ferguson has asked him/herself why any individual would choose a way of life that Pat Ferguson admits is made more difficult by the prejudiced attitudes of so many in society. Surely if homosexuality were ?electable?, most would merely opt for the easy life, not willingly throw themselves to the mercy of the bigots, as Pat Ferguson suggests. I should also like to know the basis for the opinion expressed within the letter that homosexuality can be ?caught in time? and reversed with counselling. Can Pat Ferguson cite one example of this having been achieved successfully? The truth of the matter is, although this might not be something that Pat Ferguson can understand, we do not choose with whom we fall in love. Pat Ferguson has made the same mistake as many people who speak out about homosexuality ? he/she has confused love with sex.

Pat Ferguson purports to be a Christian, and even goes so far as to chide Christian leaders for not speaking out against homosexuality. Perhaps the Christian leaders in Bermuda feel that their job is to spread God?s love rather than preaching ?hell and damnation? as Pat Ferguson would like to see. I am not a Christian myself, but I do know that Jesus Christ?s teachings made much of extending kindness and love to the downtrodden in society. What a shame Pat Ferguson is unable to love her homosexual neighbours. The final point Pat Ferguson touches on is the inability of a homosexual person or people to create a loving family and instil moral values in a child. Pat Ferguson says ?Two men or two women sleeping together does not and will never make a family?. Of course not ? but a man and a woman sleeping together does not make a family either. I would not be so arrogant as to assume that I could tell others what constitutes a family and what does not, what sort of a family can raise a child properly, and what sort can?t. I do know, however, that love is a vital ingredient in this mix, and I find Pat Ferguson?s attempt to classify certain types of love as bad, absolutely ludicrous.

I am lucky enough to have many homosexual friends both here in Bermuda (some of whom are frightened to speak openly about their partners and their lifestyles) and in the United Kingdom and the USA (where generally homosexuals can live much more openly and happily). I have always been warmly embraced by the homosexual communities to which my friends have introduced me, even thought I am not a homosexual myself. I just look forward to a time when certain individuals in Bermudian society update their opinions, remember their manners and acknowledge the many and varied contributions to society make by these people Pat Ferguson brands as untouchable.

OPEN-MINDED

Smith?s Parish

April 13, 2004

Dear Sir,

I am an American who visited Bermuda on vacation last month, and was deeply touched by the genuine kindness and concern of the Bermudian people as a whole. On St. Patrick?s Day, I was involved in an accident when a Butterfield & Vallis delivery truck was in collision with the moped I was driving in downtown Hamilton. I was knocked over from the impact of the crash, and found myself in a daze, lying in the street, and bleeding.

Almost immediately, several onlookers rushed to my side, helping to move both myself and the moped out of the oncoming traffic. A young girl about my own age helped me to sit down on the sidewalk and remove my helmet. The lady who had been driving the car behind me, Meskela Landy, rushed over, and proceeded to call 911, then offered me her cell phone so that I could call my parents to notify them of the accident. I was extremely frightened, especially due to the fact that I had been alone at the time the accident occurred.

A gentleman who had been closing one of the stores on the street brought some damp cloths to clean off some of the blood from my injuries. The fire department arrived on the scene first, and further assisted in attending to my injuries, and also in comforting me. The police, who were next to arrive on the scene, were extremely kind, assuring me that the moped would be taken care of, and retrieving my belongings for me. An ambulance appeared moments later, and the paramedic who splinted my arm and took my medical information was extremely friendly.

Before I was taken to the hospital, Ms Landy had attempted to reach my parents at their hotel numerous times, but had been unsuccessful. She then proceeded to drive to Paget, retrieve my parents, and drive them to the hospital. When this was related to me, I was absolutely astonished at the lengths to which a complete stranger had gone to assure my safety, comfort, and well-being. The accident occurred at a fairly busy time of day, and there were many people who observed the event, all of whom were extremely considerate, friendly, concerned, and cooperative.

A number of the witnesses gave statements to the police at the scene, and one gentleman was thoughtful enough to note the license plate number of the truck which had hit me before the driver returned to his vehicle and drove off. My family has been visiting Bermuda for many years, and one of the main reasons that has caused us to return for so long is the inviting, friendly, hospitable atmosphere which has always made us feel so much at home on the island. Bermudians are very gracious hosts, and, it seems, even more so in a time of crisis. When I related the story to friends back home, they were horrified at the thought of being alone and injured in a vehicular accident in a foreign country; had it not been for the warmth and kindness of the people who surrounded me, I can only imagine how much more traumatic an experience I would have endured.

I wish to extend my most sincere thanks to all of the wonderful people who helped me through this terrible event, and who were so incredibly kind to me. As an American, I am ashamed to say that I believe the situation would have been much different if this incident had occurred in, for example, Manhattan. Often, especially in large cities such as New York, people rarely even speak to one another on the street, let alone get personally involved in someone else?s well-being. People walking by on the street repeatedly stopped to ask if I was okay, and did I need to use their cell phone to call someone? I was truly astonished and overwhelmingly grateful.

ASHLEY CASTLE

Scottsdale, Arizona

April 6, 2004

Dear Sir,

So now the Premier is demanding respect in the form of his official car meeting him on the tarmac at the airport when he disembarks from an aircraft. Well, first of all, one earns respect ? one does not demand it. Secondly, considering that crime is rampant and it is no longer safe to walk on the streets after dark (the US warning about safety to its citizens was absolutely correct), gangs are flourishing and their violence increasing, housing is a total mess, etc.., one would think he would be concentrating on remedies and improvements in these areas.

The Premier is rapidly alienating our long-time friend, the United States, to whom we owe much ? not the least of which is our pre-Customs clearance which I?m sure the little man enjoys. He is trying his best to incur the wrath of Great Britain and has managed to lump us with all of those islands in the Caribbean. He is cosying up to Cuba like a remora on a shark. And all of this posturing is for what? So that he can drag us to Independence whether we want it or not. He is terrified of a Referendum because he knows perfectly well that the majority of Bermudians are intelligent enough to know that Independence would be a disastrous move for us.

He persists in calling Bermuda a ?country?. Has he ever bothered to look at a map? This little island in the middle of the North Atlantic is most certainly not a country ? it?s a mere speck of dust on the geographical face of the earth. We Bermudians were always proud that we are man Island, proud that we are not in the Caribbean and, until recently, enjoyed a life-style unequalled anywhere. Visitors (remember them?) loved our British heritage and traditions. I guess the little man prefers a good Cuban cigar and rhumba music. I wonder if he?s aware that he won?t be demanding anything or, heaven forbid, expressing his views freely once those Cuban ties are knotted. The moral of the story is: Be careful what you wish for.

And, little man, as you bite the hands which have fed you so well all these many years, be careful you don?t bite off more than you can chew. I just don?t see a great big car, a great big house or a big fat pay raise in your future. As for all of us proud Bermudians who are being totally ignored (come on, ?discussions? about Independence are a cop-out), we will have our memories of our Island and its freedoms and shed a tear in honour of their passing.

DISGUSTED

Pembroke

April 13, 2004

Dear Sir,

While we take caution to what our children are viewing on television and surfing the internet, equal caution should be taken on what our children are reading. There have been many occasions where I have seen my children engrossed in a book and nothing makes you feel more proud to see that they have chosen to read instead of outdoor play or television. I?ve never bothered to look at what type of book it is because I didn?t want to disturb them. That was until my experience on the bus yesterday.

A female student (who?s school I?ll withhold to avoid public bashing) about fourteen years old sat next to me on the bus. She pulled out a book and buried herself in it during the ride from the City to St. David?s. When she got to her stop she closed her book and I glanced at the cover. To my shock it was the book called, ?Shame on it All? by the author, Zane. I don?t know how many people are aware of this author which has become very popular by her books which are in my opinion xxx-rated and very sexually graphic. Basically, it?s pornography on paper!

This book has sordid stories of adultery, casual sex, sexual addictions and group sex to name a few. It is definitely not reading material for a young mind and developing hormones. What these books do not contain is the importance of safe sex or the risks of STD?s. I?m not knocking the author because I?m quite sure that the book is meant for adult viewing nor am I knocking the parent for the reasons I mentioned earlier. Going forward I will be more cautious in the type of books my children are reading and I encourage other parents to do the same. Also, it might not be a bad idea for the bookstores to list and sell these books and similar books in an adult only section and restricted age group.

MELODY BEAN

St. David?s

April 8, 2004

Dear Sir,

On a very trivial subject: Why do ZBM and ZFB close out the evening news with video footage of either a cruise boat, speed boat, airplane or other vessel going on and on ... with the raw sound volume revved up to an ear splitting pitch. It is very annoying and usually cause me to turn off the TV ? or switch to VSB ! We have such lovely video footage of Bermuda which could be aired along with dubbed music. It would be so easy to do. Even I can do that on my computer! Come to the wicket! Cut the racket!

UN-COMMON SENSE

St. David?s

April 10, 2004

Dear Sir,

So Bermuda, the Government, BTFA, and anyone else want people to ?come out and support the Carifta?. Well, we did, and received a ticket for it. Why? Nowhere to park is why, CedarBridge blocked off also. So the Police come out with smiley faces and make their quota in one night, spoil everyone?s night, and basically aggravate you. Not for the first time either. So, if Govt, Bermuda, BFA, BTFA, etc., want to put on a show, and ask (beg) people to ?come out and support?, please come to some agreement with our boys-in blue, to do something useful that night instead. Do you expect anyone who had a ticket tonight, to come out to anything again, I will not ... so, how about Government, doing all the ?wonderful, friendly, supportive? blah, blah public a favour and striking all tickets for tonight?

TRACK FAN

Devonshire

April 14, 2004

Dear Sir,

Grainy images of segregation on our TVs today make us wonder how anyone could have justified it; and also how it was ended. The sad fact is that any injustice can thrive without active majority support. All that is required is ?for good people to do nothing?. Segregation was ended when good people were galvanised ? or shamed ? into doing something. Today in Bermuda many people still do not enjoy the same human rights as others. Landlords cannot evict a tenant for being heterosexual, or even for being adulterous. They can, and do, evict them for being gay.Employers fire employees; bar staff refuse service; restaurants are sometimes ?full?. People pen hate-fuelled letters. No honest person can deny that this is a human rights issue. Equal provision is not special provision.

The end of slavery; universal adult suffrage; dignity for the disabled; the right to practise the religion of one?s choice; these are all cherished milestones in the evolution of humanity. In Western society at least, these advances can never be reversed. We will only get better. Today?s intolerance of gays will baffle future generations; just as past beliefs that women and black people should be denied the vote seem incredible now. To the many good people of Bermuda: In that future, when your happy,well-adjusted, gay grandchild asks you about your role in ending bigotry and hatred, what will your answer be? That you were galvanised ? or shamed?

HETERO GENUS

City of Hamilton

April 7, 2004

Dear Sir,

It?s odd how the BFA would expect a person to want to watch any more matches after the incident down at Wellington Oval. I mean women and children were present and that left them crying and screaming. They are not going to want to risk going out again knowing some fruitcake with a gun is walking about. You say the Rangers/Rams game must go on? Have the game in a highly guarded area (in other words,don?t have the game down Devonshire Rec).

GAMES NEED PROTECTION

Pembroke

April 1, 2004

Dear Sir,

Today your newspaper displayed on page 37 a ?Congratulations? from a daughter to her father for a promotion he received. The words are from one of my favourite songs: ?Daddy? written and performed by Beyonce. I was deeply touched by the message, more so because Adenike (the daughter) is paying tribute to her father while he is still alive. While I do not know either Adenike or her father, I can only imagine the bond that they must share, because I know what mine was with my father. The tribute and the song bring me fond memories of my own father and the lengths that he went to ensure that I became a strong contributing member of society.

We live in a time when everyone is complaining about men and their lack of dedication to they show their families and here is a positive example from a daughter?s perspective. Why should she not want her husband/son to be like her father? Would this not speak highly of whom ever her husband is, or son becomes? Adenike, thank you for reminding us of how important amazing dads are. I hope this made all female (and males for that matter) who have strong, positive, participating fathers feel inspired to go home or pick up the phone and say ?I lov you?. I wish that I could.

MECHELEE B. SMITH