Drawing comparisons

Dear Sir,

I was in deep thought about politics in the Turks and Caicos. I started to ask myself a lot of questions. I thought maybe I would share my questions with you, the reading public. Here were some of the questions that were bugging me and maybe you can help me shed light on some on some of them. I asked myself the following and so now I also ask you:

1. Do you think the British were correct in having a Commission of Inquiry in the Turks and Caicos?

2. Do you think the Turks and Caicos will now have better governance with the appointment of an Interim Select group to govern?

3. Do you think government contracts were given out fairly in TCI?

4. Do you feel Premier Michael Misick had his peoples best interest at heart?

5. Do you think it is right that Premier Misick and some of his cabinet colleagues profited off the sale of Crown Land?

6. Do you think there behaviour was unethical or illegal?

7. Do you think he intimidated his people?

8. Do you think his government was a nepotistic government?

9. Do you think the citizens there were free to speak out?

10. Do you think he tried to control free press?

11. Do you think he wasted the taxpayers' money?

12. Do you think the unions in the TCI were sticking up for the workers?

13. Do you think the TCI had become a kleptocracy?

14. Do you think Premier Misick used the people's money as if it was his own?

15. Do you feel sympathy for the people in the Turks and Caicos Islands?

16. Finally, do you think the Government of Bermuda is in any way similar to the government that used to govern the TCI?

If your answer is YES to question 16, please pressure your elected officials for Pati Legislation so that the unethical or illegal behaviour that happened in the TCI is less likely to happen here. Then we can see if we have good governance.

DO WE NEED A COMMISSION OF INQUIRY?

Warwick

We ain't fullish, you know

April 28, 2009

Dear Sir,

This spin doctor must have had his press spokesman turn all this fullish chopsin to the 45 setting. Are we really expected to believe that it's the Governor's fault that he keeps having his car parked illegally because the driver is a Regiment appointee? Why not save some taxpayers' money and ride in the heavily tinted black SUV that follows him around. When is this dribble going to stop?

Since he has had this new ride (the old one became inoperable for one reason or another) I have seen it parked in the handicapped area in front of BUEI (maybe some legitimacy in that but as there is no sticker displayed in the windshield, then a no-no), a loading zone in the bus depot that is not for general traffic and at the height of Christmas shopping it was on a yellow line in front of the Library. The Library incident was on a Thursday but on the following Sunday some mere mortal parked there and was ticketed.

A few months later, a Gumunt van parked in the same spot with no problem as there were two Police officers 20 feet away who paid no mind to the infraction and after being there 30 minutes the driver "made good her axescape". Probably a case of kisskadee see, kisskadee do.

The attitude that this "Honourable" Premier has toward anyone daring to point out errors that may have been made, perceived or otherwise is just spinning out of control. Is there a conscience in this leadership? Amazing how it is always someone else's fault when things go wrong or citizens dare question the way dealings are handled.

There is a line from the Mel Brooks movie "History of the World" that is quite fitting for this "Leader" of 65,000 where Mel is enjoying the trappings of power and after each little sampling he turns to the camera and with complete impunity, smiles and says "It's Good To Be King!"

Wake up Bermuda because you are being taken for a ride and it is not in a BMW.

SPITTAL POND SKINK

Smith's

Support Nashon Hollis

April 27, 2009

Dear Sir,

I read the article in your newspaper the other day on Nashon Hollis and his incredible inclusion on the Oprah Winfrey website. I can't begin to tell you the intense pride that I felt, not only as a parent but as a Bermudian.

Nahshon is an extremely talented young artist and in a time when there is so much negativity surrounding our young black males, I think it is incumbent upon us as Bermudians both black and white to throw our support behind this young man.

I challenge every Bermudian and non-Bermudian to visit Oprah.com click on the most talented kids link, click browse videos and then add a comment. Do your part as a community to let this young man and the world know that we are not only proud of him, but that we support him.

JUDY CLAIRE BASCOME

Devonshire

Edness was wrong

April 28, 2009

Dear Sir,

After reading Mr. Quinton Edness' opinion, I must say I am a bit shocked at his deduction that the British Government was arrogant and his condemnation of them.

How strange to condemn the innocent and uphold support for the guilty. The only people to be condemned are the thieves and crooks. How can Mr. Edness call what occurred in TCI a crisis and then at the same time claim a heavy hand by the British Government? What would he prefer, a slap on the wrist? I am completely baffled as to how Mr Edness can say: "That is no democracy, that is not transparency, that is not the way to promote good governance", when he refers to how the British Government handled the TCI situation. He must be kidding. That quote should refer to the "newly" (2007) elected government in TCI that allowed corruption to breed in its own government for at the very least the past two years. Corruption is not good governance, is not transparency and is not democracy.

If Mr. Edness is fully aware of the very upsetting nature of the interim report concerning the governance in the TCI and is conscious of the seriousness of the situation, then why is he trying to stick up for the guilty party? I am a little worried as to where his allegiance may fall. Let the investigation into the corruption be finalised, with those that are guilty charged and those that are innocent free to choose to run for office again.

Finally, yet importantly, why should Bermuda be on guard? If our Government is not guilty of any wrongdoing, they should welcome any inquiry from the British Government.

Mr. Edness seems poised to incite uproar if the British Government does come in. Is this more smoke and mirrors?

BAFFLED

Hamilton Parish

Flouting parking rules

April 29, 2009

Dear Sir,

In response to your article (about GP1 parking illegally) in today's paper (April 28, 2009), I wanted to comment on two other drivers of Government vehicles who consider themselves above the law.

Every day I notice GP3 parked all day in a one-hour limit parking bay on Church Street, between Parliament and Court Streets. On Friday the driver of this vehicle had the cheek to park in the ten-minute drop-off bay all day. On Monday she had returned to a regular one-hour bay, but probably only because GP033 had got to the drop-off spot first.

Even if these drivers argue that the drop-off spot reverts to a one-hour parking spot outside of rush hour, they are still breaking the law by parking there all day. I have also noticed the traffic wardens, day after day, turning a blind eye to these Government vehicles, who don't even bother to display a voucher for their first hour of parking.

MICHELE

Smith's

Let's come together

April 21, 2009

Dear Sir,

I'm writing once more, after a long absence from your very informative column. I'm writing with something on the positive. The normal for the many months passed has been so negative for me. Whatever happened to the many proud Bermudians I've known over the years, may they be black or white, also the many wonderful people from around the world who have made Bermuda their home, for many years over that time have shared with Bermuda, many of their native cultures and customs.

Their involvement over the years, has made us very diverse and multicultural in our thinking. A good thing for us all. Our children are growing up with much more tolerance and knowledge towards one another, which gives them a broader spectrum to what the big world is all about, showing each of them, just how very fortunate we all are, to call Bermuda our home.

So, let's harness all of that negative energy, turn it into a much needed positive way of thinking such as when calling someone your brother or sister, you truly mean it. Regardless of the colour of their skin or their country of origin. Let's try treating one another with respect and kindness, including all our visitors. This was a Bermuda way of life, in years gone by.

Sadly the racial pockets of divide still exist worldwide. We must put the past behind us and move on but, at the same time, we should never forget all the pain and the many indifferences suffered by many. Unfortunately you will never eradicate racism completely, there will always be someone or those who go through life wielding an axe of hatred. Real sad.

Anyone who knows me will know where I'm coming from. What I'm asking from all those living in Bermuda is to at least give it a try, get Bermuda back on track. This will certainly not happen overnight but I'm sure, we an all make ourselves real proud.

We should start at home with our families, especially our children as they are Bermuda's tomorrow. All our governing officials who are capable of making the necessary changes or amend current laws and policies, coupled with any new ideas. Change and new ideas will enable each of us to strive for a much healthier and better Bermuda.

Presently, we seem hell bent on destroying what our forefathers have built over the years; black and white working together for the betterment of Bermuda. Some of these policies of yesterday which were so successful, we need to reintroduce today — such as the College Week programme. I'm sure if the powers that be put their heads together we could revive this programme. These young people would become future tourists to return with their families. It was very successful in years gone by. I've said this in previous letters to your column with regards to our repeat visitors. They all returned to Bermuda because of us (Bermudians) our friendly demeanour, our smiles, going that little extra mile to please. All of you out there know exactly what I mean.

SO LET'S DO IT. . .

What prompted this letter, was me a Bermudian, paying a visit to Horseshoe Bay Beach over the Good Friday holiday for the first time for the Easter kite flying day festivities. What a great day for everyone. The youngsters, the parents, the young adults to the elder community residents of Bermuda and our many guest workers from around the globe.

Most of all, Bermuda's most precious commodity, our tourists. We had every cross-section of Bermuda on that Beach, all having a great time together watching, hearing the laughter, seeing the smiles, made me all fuzzy. Once more Bermuda, we could be the envy of the world.

So make me proud Bermuda . . . .

Let's do it

GORDY GIBBONS

Paget

Let's keep Island tidy

April 29, 2009

Dear Sir,

I wish to applaud the efforts of KBB and all the volunteers who participated in the walk and trash clean up from Ferry Reach to St. George's. Kudos to you all! I was not surprised about the amount of trash they found and picked up, as an avid walker who has walked all around Bermuda, the litter problem is found Island-wide.

I never hear about our litter laws being enforced, has anyone ever been made to pay the one thousand dollar fine that is on the books? I think this law should be enforced, it's already become an epidemic of littering, when will something more be done? Maybe instead of the one thousand dollar fine, the offenders can be required to clean a stretch of road or roads. Maybe this will give people a second thought to commit the same offence and also see the effect of littering first hand by sheer volume they'd have to pick up.

Having a cleaner environment should be taught at a young age, KBB seminars in schools, maybe a clean up around the schools to show how a clean environment is a better environment. All of us, young and old have to set good examples, not only does a clean environment beautify Bermuda but it's a sense of pride for all of us. Most people would not litter in their own backyards but they do it in mother nature's backyard, let's all try and keep Bermuda Beautiful!

FOR A MORE BEAUTIFUL BERMUDA

Pembroke