December 19, 2002

Dear Sir,

The UBP likes to claim that they are an integrated party because they have large numbers of black members. Based on this fact, they infer that they have a superior moral position, with respect to the PLP, who have virtually no white members. I would argue that the UBP has always had large numbers of blacks, because without them, the UBP never could have achieved political power. Further, if that party wishes to regain political power, they need to recruit blacks even more heavily.

The PLP, however, do not require significant white support to retain political power. The PLP can retain political power simply by encouraging blacks to participate fully in the political process, and to ensure white voters that they can no longer be victimised, as was Alex Outerbridge, should they decide openly to support the PLP.

It will be much easier to broaden the PLP's political appeal while in power than it was while out of power. In my statement on this issue, I pointed out that Dr. Frank Manning had noted that virtually all Bermudians voted on the basis of economic advancement and/or racial commitment. For this reason, he believed that blacks found themselves in fundamental conflict when in pursuit of their political goals. If they placed importance on racial loyalty, they believed they would find it very difficult to pursue their quest for economic advancement. For whites there was no such conflict. Their pursuit of economic goals was unlikely to get in the way of their political goal to regain power.

Although members of the white race dominate the control of this economy, they can only maintain control of the political situation with the support of substantial numbers of black voters. Many blacks have joined in this partnership in the hope of gaining access to the keys of economic advancement. By his own admission, this economic partnership was what enticed Mr. Khalid Wasi to join the UBP. However,according to this same Khalid Wasi, this partnership never really succeeded and finally broke down in 1998 leading to the advent of the PLP to power.

Actually, Mr. Wasi's analysis of how the PLP came to power is not correct. The deceased leader of the PLP, Mr. L.F. Wade, recognised that a major point made by Dr. Manning in his landmark discussion of Bermuda's politics, was the following: Blacks have a lower voter registration rate than whites as well as a lower voting rate. In order to win an election, a black based party needed to build up the registration rate and turn out the vote. The implementation of this strategy was the key to the PLP victory in 1998, not a shift of frustrated blacks from the UBP to the PLP or a major shift in white support.

I have never criticised blacks for joining the UBP nor have I berated black entrepreneurs. Khalid Wasi maintains that the expulsions of the PLP MPs in the eighties were because they were entrepreneurs. He chooses to ignore the fact that I was also expelled at the time. Yet Mr. Wasi characterises me as being hostile to black entrepreneurs.

Although expelled, I remained a supporter of the PLP because it was clear to me that the liberalisation of Bermuda had to be achieved by the advent of the PLP to power. Only than would Bermudians realise that their government could be run by a party that was not dominated by persons of a particular race or who had a strong background in business.

In November 1998, Bermudians of both races rid themselves of that fear. Future governments, whether PLP or UBP, will never again be able to frustrate the will of the people, through racial or other fears, as did the United Bermuda Party, for so long.

I will close with the terse statement of Khalid Wasi. "This partnership failure was realized by many in the party (UBP) in the early 90's and eventually brought the ruin of 1998, and if there was any weakening within the UBP, it surrounds this partnership issue".

To Mr. Wasi's Comment I would add my own. "If the leadership of the UBP could not satisfy the desire for economic advancement of the minority black group within their ranks after 35 years of power, why should anyone believe that leadership will behave any differently should we forget the lessons of history and re-elect them at the next General Election.

CALVIN J. M. SMITH

Paget

December 10, 2002

Dear Sir,

It would appear that there are a great many very sick and angry youths on this island, who need to be caught and identified.

Those people must be stopped, for it starts with small acts of vandalism and then progresses to a form of terror which the whole world is fighting today, if not addressed early.

It takes a certain type of individual whose anger and frustration, if not channelled can do irreparable harm to Bermuda. Individuals who are obviously residents and enjoying all the amenities that this lovely island has to offer, and yet, act out malicious vandalism to harm their own homeland and our image abroad.

There is a deep sinister lesson here to learn, that must be addressed with the utmost urgency. The obvious solutions are to provide more police in troubled areas as soon as possible.

There are other solutions that should be considered.

1. The obvious being, electronic surveillance,

2. If after approaching the culprits and diagnosing and identifying the problems, that they be made to perform hours of community service starting with cleaning and washing the graffiti off the walls and replacing the Christmas lights, (wearing, as I have suggested so often for community service) an orange T-shirt which identifies the offender and which needs no supervision; if the job is not done to satisfaction then the Community Service gets extended.

3. If this is not successful, a visit to a special branch (set up by the Regiment or Government or the judicial system), whereby they are placed under the supervision of a genuine sergeant major!! in barracks for several months.

Prison is no deterrent for these people, who meet all their buddies in there, and get fed and housed at the tax payers expense.

4. Finally of course, treatment and counselling to deal with the deep underlying causes of such vicious behaviour.

"A foolish and cowardly act" - I think not.

DIANA WILLIAMS

Pembroke

December 13, 2002

Dear Sir,

In view of the recent public report of a major figure in USA politics making an affirmative OK to segregation's policies of over fifty years ago, I should like to repeat a little verse which applies to all of us.

"If your lips you'll keep from slips, of five things you will be aware, to whom you speak of whom you speak of whom you speak, and why and where.

This gem of wisdom was given to me forty years ago. It reminds me of a personal experience in the beginning days of ZBM when they were located on Pitts Bay Road. I was delivering a message there and happened to see in the control room a wise sign in front of the announcer.

ENGAGE BRAIN BEFORE OPENING MOUTH

Dear Sir,

Back in the "old days" one group of creatures (human beings) went to Africa or even to Asia to capture another group of creatures (human beings thought to be subhuman beings), to transport them across the oceans to their colonies and islands, to hold them there in perpetual captivity, to have them breed more of their species or just to see them off to some other creature with more money. These captive creatures (human beings thought to be subhuman beings) had to perform "acts" (work) for their meagre existence.

They had to do this to make large profits for their captors who were the creatures (human beings) who had control over their lives. To insure their cooperation in the "acts", some chains and shackles, whips, bull hooks, or even the threat of death were sometimes used to demonstrate which creatures were the more powerful. For a long time the first group of creatures (human beings thought to be subhuman) but this repulsive situation eventually came to be seen as wrong and unethical.

In the "new days" it was declared that all creatures were of equal worth and should be free but it took a very long time for this to be understood by all creatures. But in the "new days" we still have some creatures (subhuman) without a voice, without freedom, caged and chained, forced to breed in captivity, transported in bondage across the oceans, and made to perform "acts" (work) for those who believe they have the right to own them. But now we have the PR (Perfect Rubbish) people of the media to call it "entertainment" and "good value for money for the whole family," and their biggest lie, "aren't these creatures lucky that we look after them so well!"

Give it some thought, caring people of Bermuda, if you happen to see these creatures (subhuman ) in their bondage.

FSP

Southampton

December 13, 2002

Dear Sir,

While this unpleasant scenario concerning Berkeley unfolds, and the Government Auditor endures racial abuse from senior Government ministers, there is not one peep of protest from CURE, the Human Rights Commission - or any church minister. It took Stuart Hayward, Dale Butler and Rolf Commissiong to point out that it is disgraceful.

If any of these organisations try to lay claim to moral authority they better realise that selective application of laws and rules will only earn them contempt. Government, who should be setting an example for us all, are nothing but cheerleaders for racist comments... which is one more reason why they should be sent packing at the next Election.

OBSERVER

Paget

Dear Sir,

It is a good thing that the leaders in St. George's are trying to meet with the old town's youth to try to prevent a repeat of the acts of vandalism that occurred in the past few days. I wish them luck.

I must confess I am doubtful it will achieve very much. People who maliciously destroy other people's property under cover of darkness have deep-seated problems that no amount of talk is going to change. Rather, if they show themselves at all, it will make them feel puffed up with importance with a " we are in charge attitude". I hope I am wrong.

Now to the problem of graffiti vandalism. This was a major problem in the city and suburbs of Perth, Australia a few years ago. The way they solved it was to bring in a law that all spray paint sold by paint stores or manufacturers had to be registered. The purchaser had to provide proper identification and sign for the purchase, the type and colour of the paint was identified on the form. Individuals who import spray paint directly have to do the same by signing at Customs.

Painting contractors and construction companies were asked to secure any spray paint they had and keep a proper accounting of it. (They in fact volunteered to do so). This was also registered. It became easier for the police to track down vandals who used spray paint to destroy other peoples property. The sentence for those found guilty was increased, which also help to deter this activity.

I cannot say with certainty there is no more graffiti vandalism of that kind in Perth, but I can say the problem has been minimised quite substantially.I believe the same thing is possible here in Bermuda. Indeed, I would urge quick action on this type of cowardly vandalism because it grows very rapidly.

It is prone to copycat acts by people who feel disenchanted and destructive. The way to help these people and cause them to become positive contributors to society is a more complex subject.

QUINTON EDNESS

Warwick

December 17, 2002

Dear Sir,

A number of Cabinet Ministers, first among them Senator the Hon. Lt. Col. David Burch JP, should add a couple more letters after their names - BS seems appropriate. The claim that a United Bermuda Government spent $2,000,000 on travel compared to the PLP's $373,000 is blatantly false, and he knew it. A truthful comparison would have been that travel costs have doubled to well over $4,000,000 for the whole PLP Government, not just the Cabinet, as he suggested.

This election strategy of repeatedly lying to the public to falsify the PLP's record and rewrite history is more transparent than the tint on the shiny GP cars' windows:

2,000 new jobs for Bermudians weren't created, as the Premier claimed at the PLP Banquet.

Performance bonds were in place under a United Bermuda Party government, contrary to Minister Webb's falsehood.

Berkeley will be substantially behind schedule as Minister Scott has now conceded, after initially calling sceptics "fools or children".

Add another to the list. The public deserve better.

CHRISTIAN DUNLEAVY

Warwick