Won't take it lying down

November 15, 2008

Dear Sir,

After initially having heard and read with a mixture of anger and despair the plans of the current government to introduce ID cards for expats I upon reflection realised that with just a slight adjustment the government could be on to an administrative stroke of genius.

Just think, if all Bermudians were issued with compulsory ID cards, then their ability to go through the Bermuda only line at the airport, receive free public transport, childcare etc could be achieved by the mere waving of their ID card, imagine the cost savings alone with the ability to deny those pesky expat children free public transportation.

Also the assertion from Mr. Burch that: "This card will greatly assist the Compliance Department when they are out in the field investigating complaints that have been received of persons working without a work permit or outside their job category." How are ID cards going to help if they are not compulsory? Or given an individual's ability to lie "I'm Bermudian", with no ID cards for Bermudians, how is the poor compliance officer going to be able to cope?

For those that believe it is not their problem I quote the words of Pastor Martin Niemoeller;

"First they came for the Jews, but I wasn't a Jew, so I didn't react.

"Then they came for the communists, but I wasn't a communist, so I didn't object.

"Then they came for the homosexuals, but I wasn't a homosexual, so I didn't stand up.

"Then they came for the political activists, but I wasn't a political activist, so I didn't protest.

"And then they came for me… and by that time no one was left to stand up."

I intend to stand up, if this proposal becomes law. Sen. Burch and his henchmen are now on notice that I will not assist in providing photos for an ID card, if I receive one based on my immigration photos it will be returned in small pieces together with a pipe.

BRENDAN O'REILLY

Devonshire

Think again...

November 17, 2008

Dear Sir,

I address this to those PLP voters who, in my opinion, last December selected their representatives on the basis of race. Folks, the crows are about to come home to roost ... and right on your doorstep. You decided that competence, integrity and experience was secondary to race and now you, and to a lesser extent, we, are about to see just how 'race' solves problems.

I just returned from a conference on the current worldwide economic issues, with some emphasis on what people think will be the impact on Bermuda, and believe me when I say, the fun is about to begin. If you were born after the Second World War you probably have (a) never experienced this kind of economic turmoil and (b) even though you may think the UBP was a bunch of racist ogres, you at least had the benefit of ability and experience.

Now all you have is Ewart and, very maybe, Paula. The rest do what they are told, when they are told and how to do it. And tell me something ... when was the last time you saw a doctor and a lawyer able to solve massive financial problems? Doc and Paula were probably just sitting there last December like George Bush and saying "Well, we're back in control ... sure hope nothing happens on this watch!"

The economic problems that the world, and Bermuda face, are probably not fixable any time soon, at least by Bermuda. What you lost when you gave up on the UBP was access to people who could develop alternatives ... and if you think Ewart and Paula are capable of doing that, well, I have a bridge to sell you. You may not have liked them but the people of the UBP had (and continue to have) access to the intellect, the experience and the contacts to develop international business in order to create another economic pillar to stand beside tourism. Ain't gonna happen, people ... not with the PLP ... and if you think that old poser picture with Barack means anything to Mr. O ... think again – a few times. As the UBP leader was once asked by Gavin Wilson on stage ... "What we gonna do now, David?"

CHICKEN LITTLE

City of Hamilton

Classic divisiveness

November 19, 2008

Dear Sir,

I was astounded that Premier Brown claimed in the House of Assembly on November 14 that white Bermudians would not have voted for US President elect Barack Obama. The simple question is "How would he know?" He doesn't, but this is not about how anyone voted in the recent US presidential election. This is all about the Premier continuing his divisive brand of politics. Premier Brown should be very careful in discussing how the US election was won because it is in dire contrast to the way he conducts his politics.

Instead he should learn from President elect Obama and his message of hope and not hate, in his desire to bring people together and not pull them apart. I have yet to see Mr. Obama attack another person verbally for his own gain. He managed to energise African American and younger people to vote for him while not polarising any other group of people! Furthermore after election victories you see him reaching out to the challengers he has defeated along the way, such as Hilary Clinton and just recently John McCain. Mr. Obama is a symbol of what can happen if one works hard, gets an education and then builds consensus in public life. He has truly set a standard that the rest of the world has taken note of and should try to emulate. Yes, Premier Brown and all of us can learn a lot from our US neighbours and their recent election. Armed with this knowledge, we will all be better off in facing the challenges of the coming months.

SEN. MICHAEL H. DUNKLEY JP

Devonshire

Leaders work for the people

November 13, 2008

Dear Sir,

I have read what Dr. Brown said: That Independence will come in time. This may be correct but I believe this is a matter that should be decided by the voters but not by any General Election or Leader. I see this island as a diverse family that must coexist: Whites, blacks, Portuguese and all other races, and all should have their say if they want to cut off ties with England. There is no indication that England is pushing us away. We are allowed to self-govern our affairs, the majority of the people love all the benefits and freedom that comes along being attached to a superpower financially and militarily, we are allowed into the US without a visa, UK passports, lower college fees in the U.K and others.

I fear that the Island will go financially like what happened in Jamaica when they went independent and we don't have any exports. Our money comes from the exempted companies and tourist. Will the exempted companies leave the Island? They are listening and watching what our leaders do because they are in the business of risk. A good demarcated leader always remembers he works for the people as oppose to a dictator who forces his own agenda on the people.

CONCERNED BERMUDIAN

St. George's