Let's do our part

January 8, 2008

Dear Sir,

Isn't it sad — how people die because the health system has become so expensive that they cannot afford the health care that all living beings deserve and contribute to no less?

Isn't it sad — how we find excuses and cast the blame on someone or something else for our children's choices in life, rather than recognising where we fall short as parents and should address the problems with the strongest, most positive & powerful tool given to us — love?

Isn't it sad — how we can lose our family and friends to horrible accidents (not just vehicular accidents) and yet, put ourselves and others in the same dangers with such recklessness and selfishness? Since when did we decide that the world owed us without us doing "our part"?

D. CAUCHI

St. George's

God has work for you

December 30, 2007

Dear Sir,

This is an open letter to Michael Dunkley:

I am writing to publicly thank you for being one of the best public servants that Bermuda has had in a long time. While I do no know you personally, I truly believe that you are an honest man, while you may have faults as we all do, I have observed him in many different places.

I want to assure you that not all of us who are of a darker complexion were happy to see you go.

Bermuda desperately needs more men such as yourself. Men who have a conscience, men who have integrity not only in word but in action. Men who are not afraid to take a chance and step out of their comfort zone.

I know that you took a real chance not running in the area that you normally would have. I congratulate you. I saw the disappointment in your face and heard the sorrow in your voice, but rest assured in this one aspect you did the very best that you could for Bermuda.

Know also that God has more work for you to do.

To all those who felt gleeful at this man's loss, I want to tell you that in the past I have called him for his advice and to voice some important concerns that I had. He always returned my calls and listened attentively. I am nobody in society yet he gave me the respect as if I was.

Interestingly enough when I called Mrs. Patrice Minors concerning the same matters, she did not return my calls, even after several attempts on my part. When she finally did she did not even allow me the opportunity to tell my story, nor did she show that she cared. So if I ever voted, I would never vote based on colour or gender. I would always vote based on a man or woman's character.

I am fully aware of the busy lives that Members of Parliament lead, but when they take the oath of Office, they must ever remember it is the nobodies of society who have helped them to be where they are and that they work for us, not the other way around.

DAWN BROWN

Pembroke

A question of duty

January 2, 2008

Dear Sir,

It was deadly ironic that during a week when there were a serious wounding and a possible murder resulting from the use of firearms, your newspaper reported that a couple who recently got married, had their wedding rings confiscated by Bermuda Customs on returning to Bermuda.

For some time now, I have always felt that our Customs have been stuck in the mercantilist notion in which collecting money from travellers was the first and only duty they have to residents of this country. This has been confirmed by the very public statements over the years by various Collectors of Customs warning residents of the dire consequences if an item bought abroad is not declared on their return to the island.

Since we do not make guns in this country, it is reasonable to assume that guns are imported, but we never hear our money collectors talking about any serious ramifications regarding importing guns into Bermuda. Why? History and culture are two creatures that are difficult to shake off. Our history and culture have always emphasised the primacy of material gain over everything else, damn the consequences.

I have noticed while travelling throughout the Caribbean over the past 25 years, how the Customs departments in the various territories have rearranged their priorities, placing firearms at the top of their agenda. I cannot vouch for their success of interception, but at least they have their priorities in the correct order. We in Bermuda are still stuck in the past, with the possible motto of our Customs being, "no dutiable goods, no matter how insignificant the cost, should go untaxed".

With our narrow and misplaced mindset, it is not surprising that a tiny pair of earrings or wedding rings will be confiscated, but guns (and presumably parts thereof), are free to make their way through customs and onto the streets.

Can anyone tell sus when was the last time our Customs seized a firearm coming into this country via a seaport or the airport? Many members of my generation believe that the pursuit of money and materialistic goods will be the undoing of us all.

It does not take a very wise person to predict that if our Customs department does not prioritise its duties, guns will continue to come into this country with the deadly results we have experienced over the past ten years.

EDWARD HINDS

Warwick