December 13, 2002

Dear Sir,

We can all be proud of where we have come. Our laws guarantee freedom from discrimination on the basis of race, place of origin or sex. The fruits of this are clear. Black men and women are found in almost every single area of public and private life.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. predicted once the overt shackles of discrimination were removed, black men and women would ascend to their goals and accomplishments in practically every endeavour in life. In many ways, Bermuda has done his vision proud.

Race relations are never simple in Bermuda. How can we peel back the layers of denial and defence that all races bring to multiracial dialogue?

How can we overcome our divisions to get to a point where in Toni Morrison's words "race exists, but it doesn't matter"?

Members of the Smith Government have over the years consistently used race as a political weapon whenever they are put on their "back foot".

We should be discussing differing philosophies, not differing races - the Government should be representing all people not simply people of a particular creed or colour.

In the Human Rights Act it is stated "A person shall be deemed to discriminate against another person if he treats him less favourably generally or refuses or deliberately omits to enter into any contract or arrangement with him on the like terms and the like circumstances as in the case of other persons generally or deliberately treats him differently to other persons because of his race, place of origin, colour or ethnic or national origins or of his sex".

Several members of the Smith Government have breached this Act on the floor of the House and in public places. Minister Webb in her now infamous comments, has stated to all of us that she will actively discriminate on the basis of race and sex when awarding Government contracts within her Ministry!

This is in contravention of the Human Rights Act. No thoughtful or reasonable person wants to see inequalities in business perpetuated but is the answer in de facto quota systems? Quota systems are demeaning. People will question whether they are hired for their ability or because of the quota.

Wee need people to become unified because of ability and not because it's legislated or because of racially chauvinistic policies the UBP has as it's mandate that we will represent ALL people.

We will guarantee equal access to government contracts by requiring open tendering in every department of government.

All people will be treated equally. Government sanctioned discrimination will not be the order of the day.

KIM YOUNG JP MP

City of Hamilton

December 23, 2002The following was sent to Commissioner of Police Jonathan Smith and copied to The Royal Gazette.

Dear Sir,

I draw to your attention clause 3 (p) of the Bermuda National Parks Regulations 1988

Prohibited conduct in open spaces

3. No person shall, in any protected area -

(p) operate any model power boat, vehicle or airplane other than in an area where the operation thereof is, by notice displayed therein or in the vicinity thereto, declared to be permitted;

Mangrove Bay Park is a National Park and is governed by these regulations. For several weeks the residents abutting the Bay have been subject to the illegal cacophony of these wretched remote control boats which is ruining the charm and peace of this residential neighbourhood and world-renowned beauty spot. The distress and incalculable harm to the wildlife which (normally) enjoys the tranquillity of this National Park is unimaginably horrific and as for the peril to swimmers from these hurtling missiles, the potentially fatal and mangled consequences are too grim to contemplate.

Yesterday these unthinking lawbreakers were out again in force for several hours. I am aware of at least four residents who repeatedly called the police to no avail. Please ensure that ALL officers posted to the West End are aware of these regulations and actually do something to enforce them rather than being cynically platitudinous.

It is also hoped that with the Editor of the Royal Gazette being kind enough to print this letter that the offenders will become aware of the regulations and immediately cease and desist.

Perhaps the Parks Department would consider posting a sign clearly stating the illegal nature of this blaringly intrusive activity and also patrol the area on a regular basis (weekends and holidays in particular) to assist the police.

JOHN ROSS

Sandys

December 30, 2002

Dear Sir,

I could not let the letter of December 30, signed by "Born and raised black Bermudian", pass without offering a reply. It appears that the writer is not familiar with a few laws of physics that affect our everyday existence. The words momentum, inertia and mass come to mind.

In 1967 I collided with a parked BAS limousine on Dundonald Street, compliments of my then good friend "Jack Daniels". My car was travelling about 18 mph and when the vehicle abruptly stopped its forward motion, my unrestrained body did not. I lost 12 teeth when my mouth struck the steering wheel, breaking it in the process and then my head struck and shattered the windshield , with the resulting scalp laceration requiring eight stitches. I am sure that had I been buckled up these injuries would have been prevented.

The writer then suggests that the number of fatalities due to car accidents is very low although I can remember quite a few, and although the use of seat belts may not have saved all of them, they certainly may have saved a few. The greater damage caused by not buckling up lies in the horrific injuries caused to persons involved in the accidents and their families who have to care for them afterwards. For the writer to suggest that Bermudians enjoy driving without the use of belts is an insult to the Bermudian driver.

I urge the writer to use these belts in Bermuda especially when there are kids involved , and not to believe that he or she can hold onto a child in a vehicle involved in an accident.It requires superhuman strength to overcome the "G" forces generated in collisions.

BILL NEARON

Pembroke