Slow to act

April 4, 2009

Dear Sir,

Once again we are reactive instead of proactive! The reputational damage has already been done with Bermuda branded as a tax haven. Again, this Government is slow to act and has dropped the ball yet again. We are now playing catch up with countries we consider ourselves to be ahead of in terms of financial strength, and we are all scratching our heads to figure out why this is. This Government does not have the foresight or know-how to ensure Bermuda outperforms its competitors, and in today's global recession that is an extremely distressing prospect.

CONCERNED CITIZEN

Warwick

An absolute disgrace

April 7, 2009

Dear Sir,

I couldn't believe the story in The Royal Gazette this morning regarding seniors and health care! Revitalising seniors' health care was stated as being a top priority in the Throne Speech last year and the Government set aside $10 million for the implementation of a Future Care programme to benefit our seniors in the community. The Minister of Health even described Future Care as a "historic landmark for this country" and now look what's happening. The Government admits it deliberately left seniors in the dark regarding the new health insurance programme because they didn't want to be inundated with applications from our seniors!

This is the very programme they were touting as being so important! It is true that some lucky seniors who were in the know or were already enrolled, now have improved coverage but it is also true that many of those who could benefit from this new and improved health coverage have been excluded. It is an absolute disgrace! This has to be the most deceitful move the Government has made and reminds me of another time the Government stated they "had to deceive" the community when they ousted Dame Jennifer. How can we in the community ever believe anything the Government says?

KIM YOUNG

Smith's

Protect our Blue Marlins

April 7, 2009

Dear Sir,

I refer to your recent article reporting that Government is funding the construction of a fish processing facility in St. George's to serve as a staging post for high seas vessels heading into Bermuda's 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Would Government really go ahead with something like this before conducting and publishing thorough research regarding the pros and cons, not to mention the economic viability and sustainability of a local longline fishery for large pelagics?

After all, the PLP is well aware the large pelagics are at a fraction of their historical population levels and continue to decline, so much so that the Atlantic catch quotas of these species is strictly controlled via annual country quotas in attempt to avoid the extinction of these species.

For example, The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) has recently set reduced tuna quotas for 2009, 2010 and 2011. Nor can I imagine that Government would build this base without publishing the economics proving the profitability of proposed exports of fish off the island and considering whether there is support and commitment by local commercial fisherman to re-tool for the high seas fishery given that catch quotas are out of their control.

Given the extremely grave environmental damage caused by high seas fishing methods, notably, longlining, for large pelagics, I can't imagine the Government would proceed without a very careful research of this issue as it applies to Bermuda's marine environmental sustainability and attractiveness as a tourist destination, not to mention the inclusion of public opinion on the matter.

Bermuda is home to the premier blue marlin sports fishery in the world which earns it millions of dollars a year from visiting sportsfishers, hotel occupancy, charters etc. The blue marlin sports fishery is a highly sustainable fishery which releases alive more than 95 percent of fish caught. I would be surprised if Bermudians will accept a high seas fishery that has been known to indiscriminately kill sea birds, turtles, sharks and marlin along side commercial target species. I urge Bermudians to speak up now.

CONCERNED

Southampton

Full charge ahead

April 3, 2009

Dear Sir,

Bermuda came into possession of the Royal Naval Dockyard 58 years ago this past week. Some of the buildings were well constructed and others, somewhat like barracks, have been allowed to deteriorate and are no longer inhabitable. Of course, The Commissioner's House caught the attention of The Smithsonion organisation, and we all know the rest of that story. Wedco came into being many years ago and numerous additions and improvements took place. But then the historic location perhaps lost its beacon and enthusiasm for advancement until the Brown Government decided, like it or not, it was time to move forward with the 'Platinum Period', even if our children's children have to pay for it in years to come!

An awful lot of money was spent on the new cruise ship terminal in the Dockyard, along with an infrastructure second to none. To make it work, Bermudians have to recognise the fact, that Government has almost made it happen: with a new bridge, underground cabling, road- widening, resurfacing of roads commencing in Southampton, and ending in the Dockyard. And then there are promises to improve buildings for families and more efficient transportation to the area. No matter how we may feel about the extraordinary amount of money spent, Southampton and Somerset residents will ultimately be extremely pleased with the end result.

What many residents have not grasped yet, is the sheer determination of a government not bent on trying to please anyone. It is full charge ahead, and 'You are either with me, or against me." They don't worry about the lingering financial circumstance, their way forward is similar to the famous French leader who said, "To hell with circumstances, I create circumstances."

In conclusion: Isn't it ironic, the biggest spender of the people's money has now formed a bipartisan committee to, "examine Bermuda's economy and attempt to find solutions to guide the Island through the economic challenges?" Of course, we realise the committee's mission is a broad one, not just limited to finance, but includes housing and immigration, etc.

Isn't this the political 'way out' as recently demonstrated by the US and Canada? Get yourself in trouble and then call on your political opponents to come together for the good of the country. We wonder what will happen after all has been said and done? Will the government curb spending when the committee makes recommendations? We doubt it! Who is going to be in the 'watchtowers' to make sure money is spent wisely in the future? We hope those that sit on the Bermuda First committee are not bitterly disappointed when government ignores their advice or 'cherry pick' those things that suits their agenda. What is most disturbing, the key people who caused the problem in the first place, are now let off the hook for their misdeeds, complacency, failures and delusions of grandeur!

TOPPY AND SAUNDRA COWEN

Southampton

For bipartisan cooperation

April 6, 2009

Dear Sir,

Most people who know me know that I strongly supported the current Premier because he had the courage and honesty to address our deep racial divide and introduced the concept of dialogue between the two races – which no other Bermudian political leader had ever dared to do, not even the two former PLP Premiers. Most people also know how strongly I feel about the racial divide, even though today, with a "black" Government and a majority black population, I am much more concerned about the internalised racism among blacks which has resulted from the widespread dissemination of the ideology of racism. Despite all of that, I believe that the Premier's outreach to the Leader of the Opposition is equally, if not more, important. I hope that it leads to many more occasions for him to reach out to the Opposition.

In my view, two warring political parties in this small Island where 95 percent of the population are politically "Conservative Capitalists" at heart is to say the least, ridiculous, as well as destructive (No one could accuse any of the current PLP Cabinet members of having a "socialist" or even a "labour bias" hair on their head, or bone in their body). The biggest frustration of our "working class" or wage earner is being denied the opportunity to acquire "capital" that their white employer seems to do so easily.

Our big divide has nothing to do with political ideology, it is either about race, selfishness or injustices. And never mind the recently frequently raised issue of class. To talk about the European concept of class among a black population that is a generation or two away from slavery is to say the least absurd – and the more so since Blacks who think they have "class" are likely to be highly salaried civil servants or employees of some white Institution or International Company, and the few of whom this is not true are likely to be as much without true "class" as are most nouveau riche anywhere. So there is no reason why the Premier cannot create many more occasions for there to be true cooperation between the two political parties.

EVA N. HODGSON

Hamilton Parish

The past is the past

April 8, 2009

Dear Sir,

Philip Ray asked many questions in the Letters to the Editor of the 7th of April – some addressed to me. May I be allowed to respond?

I respect Mr Ray's stance and his quest for answers, but in reading his letter carefully I believe he is mixing together two different issues.

All of his questions concern TODAY. When Mr Ray asks if I have ever spoken with a black person about the issues of being black, have I seen racism in our community, have I worked for a black man (or lady, I presume), do I support any black initiatives – and more – he is talking about 'now' and he is asking what have /I/ done. Fair enough, but there is nothing in these questions concerning the sins of people long since dead.

These are worthy questions – but they have nothing to do with the slavery of yesteryear. I don't know how to make this any clearer. Please read Mr. Ian Campbell's letter to the Editor on the same day and page as yours, Mr Ray, and perhaps read my original letter again. I did say then 'we have problems today; let us deal with them without prejudice but with as much understanding and wisdom we have at our command'.

I fervently believe God does not lay another person's sin at another person's door. This is not taught in any religion I am aware of. The past is the past – let us never forget and let us learn by it – and let us roll up our sleeves and turn our hand to working for a better today for all – and a better tomorrow for our children.

Perhaps we could meet and have coffee together Mr Ray, and then I will be pleased to answer your personal questions.

MARK EMMERSON

Pembroke

Just love one another

March 25, 2009

Dear Sir,

Both sets of my great-grandparents arrived here either in the late 1800s or early 1900s as uneducated immigrant labourers. Needless to say times were tough for them as they settled into life here in Bermuda. They came from the Azores by way of the USA and tried to begin a new life here. They were treated as slave labourers by the established Bermudian community and nothing more. The spelling on their names were changed to better reflect the "Queens British" language. We went from Farias and Frias to the Faries' in one swoop of the pen, probably a decision made by someone at the Registry or Immigration.

These early ancestors of mine worked hard, formed a close family and friend community in the Ord Road, Paget and Warwick area. They worked long hours, saved their money, bought land and began farming and later construction of new homes for other arriving Portuguese and blacks or as my Granny would refer to them… coloured Bermudians in the area. Many of the accounts I heard from the family included having many black workers assisting in the fields and the construction trade with my family. As I spent a lot of my early years at my Grandparents house I would see my Grandfather either on the farm or on a building site with his Portuguese and black Bermudian workers slogging through another day together. They worked together by day …no racism issues to be seen anywhere and then at the end of the day each went home to their families to live the way each choose to live. Sure there were cultural differences but there were never any openly racial problems between them. My family worked then as I have to this day along side everyone, black and white, each day.

Other notable happenings in those days… there were children conceived from mixed race couples (shhhhhh!), and people with less on the table were allowed to pick through the remaining crops in the field after a harvest and before it was all ploughed back in… land was sold to people needing it for a fair price… although it wasn't perfect, by and large everyone in the working class on Ord Road worked and lived together. When the Black community in Paget West and Warwick East needed a church of their own, they were given farm land and assistance to build their church on… Cobbs Hill Road, by my family. Building a church for blacks to worship in is not a racial issue as even today most churches are segregated. It's a cultural thing … people sometimes feel more comfortable worshipping the Lord with people of their own race and culture … not saying its right or wrong but it is a fact.

When my father and mother wanted to get a loan for some land to start a family on they were turned away from the banks… flat out denied the chance … I can only assume that being of Portuguese heritage had something to do with it! After all they had savings in the bank and a good secure job. They borrowed from family, continued saving their money and purchased land never the less using other ways and means. Then they quietly got on with life despite being discriminated against.

I digress however with these memories of the old family days on Ord Road, back to the point of my letter. I take issue with this idea that Lynne Winfield from CURB has put forward in Mondays paper concerning an official apology by the white community to the black community. It is utterly ridiculous to keep suggesting that in our Island this will help in any way, shape or form. I know I won't be apologising for anything to anyone. If there were some injustices done in the past hundred years then my family has been as much a part of the racial injustice as the next black family. So if you want an apology from some long term white families that had slaves in the 1600 and 1700s, good luck! That's another apology that won't end up helping the situation either.

I have travelled quite a bit in my 48 years and have been college educated in the North Carolina where my black friends were treated quite differently than they are here.

In fact I see us as having the best racial harmony of any place I've ever been. I'm not saying its perfect but we do seem to get on with life together quite well for a small Island. Our collective standard of living is the envy of many other countries. Have there been some struggles for black equality that didn't involve the Portuguese community, sure there have.

However, asking me to publicly atone for something I never had a part in is just plain ridiculous and a waste of time. It's not going to make anyone's life in Bermuda any better. Why don't we face the facts that as human we have different cultures, desires and lifestyles. Instead we need to focus on working side by side to solve the real issues like educating our children and getting rid of crime which is almost entirely due to the drugs allowed to arrive on our shores. In fact in Monday's newspaper the headlines were all about fixing our broken education system. I believe well meaning people are spending their time on issues like race, which really is a non issue and should use their time to fix education and fight crime.

I realise not everyone is going to agree or understand how I feel about this merry-go-round on race issues but the Government likes for us to chase these issues and keep them on the burner because it wins votes when it comes to election time. Most Bermudians are hard working honest people who just get on with the tough obstacles life puts before us. However, with our prosperity and increasing liberally educated population returning to work here, we have lost the very core values our ancestors worked so hard for… in many cases side by side, black and white, day after day. It seems as though the hardest thing for us to do is what Christ asked of us all … to love each other. No apologies will be ever be needed if we do that one thing … love one another.

CRAIG FARIES

Paget