March 9, 2012Dear Sir,Every day I read your publication online (www.royalgazette.com.). I apologise for not contributing my daily dollar, but I do invest it elsewhere locally. I do this purely and simply because of the comment section.There are a regular set of contributors and there is sometimes a bit of name calling and things of that nature, but normally nothing too over the top. There are also thoughtful and intellectual comments daily from both sides of the political spectrum. I do however have a few things that I have noticed that grind my gears.First, (this is to everybody out there) just because I voice my displeasure at the way the Government is running our Country, doesn’t mean that I “drink the OBA kool-aid”. This goes to you OBA members, I say what I say because that’s what I believe, not because I support you.Secondly, and this is to the PLP supporters who deride this publication for its “biased view”. Your party cut its advertising with the paper, they called out the Editor personally and dismissed it as the “white-man’s paper”. Can you really blame them for holding a grudge? This isn’t the BBC (taxpayer funded), if you want to hear the scripted and pre-written responses and questions then tune in the 107.5 or watch the government TV channel.Third, if we decide to hide behind a pen name; that is our choice. We will not benefit from those in power knowing who we are and we will not be applauded by the party for our support. Some of us have last names that carry historical connotations to the PLP support and some of us conduct professional lifestyles that could be hindered by our names being printed. Also, there are a fair number (declining number) of people on this Island who would literally be kicked out should they openly voice their opinion. They live(d) here too and in order to do so, the majority had to be educated. This education allows them to see past the smoke and mirrors and their economic and social expertise were vital in the furtherance of our country’s international position. No longer the case it seems.Fourthly, everyone is entitled to their opinion. As much as it pains me sometimes to translate the txt spk (text speak for the elder generation) no one can blame you for voicing it. However, if you say something inflammatory, stick around and answer those who question it. So many times particular commentators disappear after saying something earth-shakingly crazy and leave the thread reeling off to a tangent. Sometimes I believe it is just to distract from the original article.Lastly, I understand that the role models in Bermuda have been advocating its use for almost a decade now; but the race card is getting old. I don’t think W&E need a $60,000 truck for pole saws, I don’t think we needed to ratchet up $1.5 billion (and rising) worth of debt, I don’t believe we have an open and honest government and I do believe we have a soft and deluded Opposition. This is not because of the colour of my skin; it is because I have done my research, studied the facts and formulated my own conclusions based on what I found out and what is going on around us all.This year will be a defining one. The USA, UK, Eurozone and even little Bermuda are all in trouble. The world may not come to a complete end on December 21, but I myself am praying for some sort of social change on our planet; most of all though, I am hoping for social change here on our Island. Clinging on to the past and using it as a political tool is hiding the fact that without everyone working together our future is bleak. The saddest part is that the ones who will suffer the most haven’t been born yet.WEARING MY SUNGLASSES IN HOPE OF A BRIGHT FUTURESmith’s