Sensationalist and inaccurate

Editor's Note: The following letter was e-mailed to The Royal Gazette on the date provided below, but was never received.

October 28, 2008

Dear Sir,

In reading, Nadia Arandjelovic's article titled "Independence referendum will come, Premier tells students" as published on The Royal Gazette's online website on October 27, 2008, as read in their online website, I am moved to declare it as sensationalist and inaccurate! I was there at the event and so can say this from a first-hand viewpoint. Out of all the things to focus the reporting on the events of that wonderful night, she (or the editor) chose to publish an article with a misleading headline and a majority of content that attempts to portray to the public that the night's focus was on Independence.

It should be clearly stated that contrary to the picture painted by the article, the topic of Independence only arose from the subsequent question and answer period conducted by the Premier of which only three Independence related questions were raised. One of those questions was not even from a student but from a Bermudian working in London. To put this into context, it should also be known that there was a total attendance of well over 100 students and many more than ten questions from the audience.

The article goes further to print that Premier Brown said that"A referendum on Independence would fail if it went to the polls today". I do not recall Premier Brown saying that as an isolated statement and sothis seems like an attempt to coerce the readers' minds. The writer then states that Premier Ewart Brown "maintained that Government remains committed to the issue, insisting it was an inevitable part of the Island's "natural progression". This is a direct perversion of Premier Brown's statements as I can specifically recall Premier Brown saying directly that "The Progressive Labour Party has always had Independence as part of its philosophy" and that "Independence is a part of any nation's natural progression".

To imply that he stated this in the context that the article writer demonstrates is completely inaccurate reporting, in the sense that the Premier made the statements in a totally disconnected way from the rhetoric they imply. The Progressive Labour Party has had Independence as one of its core philosophies both before and after it became the governing party. This most likely will always be part of its philosophy based on the anti-colonial and anti-imperialistic struggle on which its founding members formed the party. Likewise, the natural progression towards independence and political freedom for any colonised people is universally recognised as is outlined in the United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Premier was, in my view, stating the obvious and not, as the reporter so deftly tries to imply, using the terms as some" war cry" towards Independence.

Contrary to the reporter's statement, the "150 Bermudian students who travelled from universities across the UK" did not as they put do it "for the opportunity to question the Island's Leader on a range of topics". We came because we were invited and wanted to get together on a social and networking level with our fellow Bermudians! It is almost as if reading the article she seems to have attended a different function than I!

The article then reports that some students/attendees were not satisfied with the Premier's comments as they didn't get the answers they were looking for. Most of us will instantly recognise that that is a fact of life. No one can expect to get the answer they are personally looking for every time especially when someone only has five minutes to give you an answer at a dinner party. Do the students she speaks of, of only which one was named, really believe that the answer towards the debate on Independence could be provided in that forum? I also asked the Premier a question and although his response was short and limited, it was really all I could expect in that environment.

Finally, the reporter comments that: "Other attendees were just happy that the lines of communication were opened – Dr. Brown provided his personal e-mail address to everyone at the event." It is well known that Dr. Brown has always made his personal e-mail address available. It is even posted on the Internet and in fact, Dr. Brown also has a Facebook page! Strangely, all the accurate, progressive and positive content about the night's events was placed at the end of the article! Could this be a strategic editorial ploy? One wonders. In my view, the article could have just as easily been titled "Premier devotes essential time to UK students" or "Government of Bermuda assures UK students of job opportunities". There could have been many other titles but ironically, the title The Royal Gazette chooses is obviously sensationalist and inaccurate in its implications. Mr. Editor, some of us are very tired of the inaccurate and obviously biased reporting slant in your news media. Whether or not you are a PLP supporter or Premier Brown supporter is not my issue. My issue is that we need to hold the media responsible for truthful and accurate reporting!

DAVID E. CHAPMAN

PhD Researcher, –Royal Holloway University of London

Extend coverage

November 18, 2008

Dear Sir,

Alcoholism, diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure) and arthritis are some of the diseases that insurance companies will pay for treatment. Obesity is also considered a disease that many on this island are suffering from. My question is: Why do the insurance companies not cover for an effective means of treatment for this disease now available locally? I'm referring to the Gastric Bypass surgery this is now available to Bermudians on the island. That surgery is the Lap-Band system. The safest Gastric Bypass surgery there is. The insurance companies will not cover this type of surgery because they consider it "cosmetic"!

Studies have shown that obese people on diets and exercise programmes can lose about 10 percent of their body weight but tend to regain two thirds within a year and in five years they have gained it all back and then some. I'm not talking about losing 10-20 pounds. Those of us who are older and who have tried the diets and exercise and all the other weight loss products need this alternative. My BMI (body mass index) is over 50 and I'm over 40-years-old. I would love to have this surgery but cannot afford it. People have said, "Isn't that surgery dangerous?" Well it is more dangerous continuing going on at this weight. Open heart surgery, hip replacement and even tonsillectomies carry a risk when undergoing these procedures, but the benefit far out weighs the risks.

Now I know most of you reading this will say, "Stop putting food in your mouth and exercise!" Not all of us are sitting around shovelling food into our mouths. I have been over weight ALL my life and would like the help now being offered by this Lap-Band surgery but I am too poor to afford it. Thank you for the space in your paper to bring attention to a disease that is OK to discriminate against and make fun of.

BIG DEBRA

Warwick

Langton Hill Blues

November 29, 2008

Dear Sir,

"If" Bermuda goes independent, I'm sure the cost of external affairs would cost a pretty "penny", not to mention the Governor-general's office. Thankfully the taxpayer will not have to pay for Government House's upkeep, as I am sure Bermuda will witness its second implosion.

SAD

Paget

Dr. Brown is correct

November 30, 2008

Dear Sir,

Premier Dr. Brown is right to continue his racial remarks, the most recent claiming that white Bermudians would not have voted for Senator Obama. Dr. Brown has met with little to no public negative reaction from the black community in Bermuda over these remarks and therefore should assume approval. Despite or because of this, he continues to be re-elected by the Bermudian voters and has been elected leader of his party. For Dr. Brown these remarks are not wrong but, apparently, politically effective.

PAS

Warwick

A step toward cutting ties

November 29, 2008

Dear Sir,

I see that the Queen's face has been squeezed into the corner of our new monopoly money. Is this yet another step in the frog march towards breaking ties with the European Common Market, with all its opportunities and privileges afforded to us Bermudians?

E. RABEN

Paget

Weed island?

November 27, 2008

Dear Sir,

For once I entirely agree with the remarks made by the Government Senate Leader, Lt. Col. David Burch, as reported in today's issue of The Royal Gazette. The Island is indeed going to pot!

A VERY CONCERNED BERMUDIAN

No comparison to Obama

November 21, 2008

Dear Sir,

I feel Premier Brown not only insulted my integrity, but also my intelligence when he stated that white people in Bermuda would not have voted for Barack Obama. Myself, and many of my friends were very happy when he was elected. There was no comparison between the two contestants. I presume the Premier doesn't have very many white friends; he could have discussed the matter with us before making such a purposeful divisive statement! Mr. Obama as a man is the antithesis of Dr. Brown in the quality of his character. He is definitely non-racist, a good and thoughtful person who has hope for the future for all people of all races. Most persons I speak with here in Bermuda wish he was a candidate to run here. We mostly would vote for him as happened in the US.

ANN SIMS BSCN

Devonshire

Too big a pill

November 16, 2008

Dear Sir,

Please allow me some space in your column, so as to address what I would call a very bad move on the sacking of the ex-Minister of Education in Mr. Randy Horton. One just has to see the light, in the way that the Hon. Premier Dr. Brown is operating, he the Premier is terrible or I would go as far as to say he has been doing quite a lot of stupid things as a leader of this Island of Bermuda. I say that to say this, just take a good look at who he lets go and when. One should never ask why Mr. Horton was sacked, for I can answer that. Mr. Horton was or is a threat to the leadership of the party and the reason given for letting Mr. Horton go was too big a pill to swallow. Anyone in that party that does not go along with what he says or does, it is only a matter of time before they are relieved of their position.

The Premier only wants those behind him who he can control, meaning do what I say or else. The PLP does not need a leader like that, and one can't tell me that all MPs in the PLP cannot see what is going on with this Premier. The Premier knows strongly that if Mr. Horton put his dime in the change box to run for the leader of this Island he would come out with flying colours, popular with the people, for the people, and the island on the whole, I for one feel he the ex-Minister could or would be a good leader. And I would put my head under the biggest truck wheels, that if he ran the leadership he would win over Dr. Brown. There are not too many that would not believe that. Mr. Horton said, and I repeat, that he was bitten by a lion. Well, I would go as far as to say to him, that he was bitten by a poisonous snake, and the venom is still there. Knowing Mr. Horton for quite a number of years by playing sports with him — against him, I can say he is not the type of person that capitulates too easy. A fighter and a team man. I have never known him to live in abnegation, and for sure that is one thing that the Premier can't say for sure. I say to all PLP M. P. s and supporters remember former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith in 2003, and the run up to the 2006 leadership election, because we tend to forget the very important issues. I feel a man's deeds are of greater importance than the facts of his birth.

STRONG SUPPORTER

ALWAYS

Sandys

P.s. It is easy enough to shout slogans, to sign manifestos, but it is quite a different matter to build, manage, command, spend days and nights seeking the solution to problems that are among us, because good leadership solves a very lot. Mr. Grant Gibbons, stick in there again.

We should know

December 1, 2008

Dear Sir,

This is an open letter to Julian Hall, my friend and erstwhile classmate. Julian, your appointment as consultant to Works and Engineering sets all kinds of alarm bells ringing. Why should W&E need a lawyer, and a fast-talking, spin-doctor kind of lawyer at that, for a consultant? It's the kind of thing that makes one go "Hmm". Apropos of that, your very rude comment reported in Friday's paper about "nosy reporters" really did not go down well. That reporter was asking questions about the backers of a construction company which is now three months behind schedule, and the possible connections to another construction company which over-cost Bermudian taxpayers tens of millions of dollars on the new Berkeley school construction, which was fired after being three years behind schedule and which still owes us millions of dollars.

Bermudians have a right to know where, how and with whom their money is being spent and to be able to lodge objections that are heeded, a fact that you and this so-called PLP government seem to have forgotten – so-called because you and your cronies now running the show appear to be completely divorced from the aims and ideals of the PLP my mother and her contemporaries worked so hard to build.

Further, let me remind you that if you have a concern about "rumours", as also stated in that article, the one sure way to circumvent the rumour mongers is to lay the facts out there for all to see. Transparency and full disclosure – remember them? Rumours can only flourish where there is secrecy and deception.

Lastly, please know that we are not fooled by this latest report of legislation being rushed through to allow bankrupt lawyers to practise here. We know that legislation is specifically designed for you. We are not stupid. We just haven't figured out where our teeth are. Beware the day we find them.

SYLVIA HAYWARD-HARRIS

Pembroke