Crossing the law

April 8, 2005

Dear Sir,

I must say that I was very upset at the verdict handed down on the driver who took that young girl?s life.

It was amazing how the law was overridden by the law. If you ask how, let me remind you: Many years ago Government officials thought about and planned to mark designated zebra crossings. These indicated specific areas to cross roads that were to be a safety area.

This being so, it was indicated to all motorists to give way to pedestrians on the crossings. And now I am hearing that there is no legislation that covers this law of pedestrian crossings. It sounds to me like it is being said that pedestrians do not have the right-of-way.

Down through the years, we are taught to use the crossings, otherwise we are jaywalking. When does jaywalking end and the right to cross according to the law start?

I have been spiritually led to write this and I hope that the law and government seriously examine themselves and rearrange their minds to the responsibility they have to the people of this country.

A.E. WENDELL (SCOPSIE) HASSELL

Sandys

Correcting distortions

March 25, 2005

Dear Sir,

Friends of our family still living in Bermuda, recently sent to me a copy of The Royal Gazette of February 2, 2005 which notes the actions of Serpentine Road on February 2, 1965.

While the articles by Tricia Walters details much of the truth of that day, there are a couple of glaring errors. I could not just let these grossly incorrect statements pass without comment after discussing them with fellow former officers ? Tim Burch, now retired in Canada and Andy Heggie , now retired in Australia. I was there ? Sergeant William Michael Smith ? as were Tim and Andy, and just three of the incorrect facts that must be clarified and errors corrected are:

The Police officers did not have metal pipes! (We were restricted to the standard 14-inch truncheon) until the Riot Unit arrived with gas.

Dr. Barbara Ball is reported to have assisted P.c. Ian Davis. That is so very wrong, I can assure you that she stood around, smirked and did absolutely nothing in the way of assisting any injured Police but rather egged on the rioters.

The weapon of choice of the vicious strikers was pickaxe handles with nails through the ends. I can also attest to knives and machetes being used too as my uniform tunic was opened down the back from collar to trouser leather belt which was half sliced through in an attack from behind.

Together with my wife and son, I left Bermuda the following year, having completed my almost seven-year engagement, and moved on to see much more of the world than the 19 square miles of Bermuda could provide. We still have friends in Bermuda and at some time in the future we hope to visit again to see what changes have inevitably occurred in the past almost 40 years.

While not wishing to open old wounds, I trust the above will correct the somewhat distorted history portrayed in the recent article

W.M. (BILL) SMITH CD

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret?d )

Canadian Armed Forces (Air)

Starling no atheist

April 12, 2005

Dear Sir,

In response to J. Starling (March 31), thank you for your letter. However, your argument, to a true atheist, is akin to asking the Postmaster General to consider removing one of the counters over which they serve stamps. The cross holds no meaning to those who have no belief in a higher power.

Your dissertation illustrates the very essence of The Cross. It stands to remind us that Jesus Christ became a ?second-class citizen? so that all of mankind, regardless of faith, status, culture or creed, can become ?first-class citizens? and heirs with him in Heaven. Christianity, like many other faiths, is a lifestyle, intrinsic to our identity. Would you be equally offended if someone had declared: ?Unashamed to be an Arsenal fan??

Christians are called to take the Gospel of the Cross to the larger world. Matthew 28:18-19, commands us to ??go and make disciples of all nations...? We are also warned that we will suffer for it as well (Matt.5:11). We are a stupid lot!

The Cross points to the object of our faith. It does not serve to ?look down? on mankind. Instead, its purpose is to get mankind to look up and acknowledge the Saviour. I believe what has had the greatest affect on you are the words, ?Unashamed to Be Christian?. Perhaps, you are feeling ?Ashamed to be Christ-less?. For that, I do not fault your demands to remove the display. I too have experienced the conviction of God calling me to Himself and being uncomfortable with anything that reminded me of it.

I hope that the Christian family will be challenged to continue to be ?unashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,? and to be bold in its representation. In the confines of my church, I asked members to pray for you, J. Starling and in the confines of my home,

I have added you to the list of people I pray for daily. Silently, I pray: ?God Bless you J. Starling?

A. CANN

Devonshire

Render unto Caesar ...

April 11, 2005

Dear Sir,

I hope you will allow me the honour of replying to my most reverent cousin A. Medeiros on the letter ?Blessed to be Christian.? As my cousin has appeared to misunderstand my point, I have written a shorter and hopefully less ?idiotic and uninteresting? letter this time.

I, and other members of the Society for a Secular Bermuda, for who I am currently acting spokesman, have no wish, even if we could, to take religion away from anyone. Our only desire is to ensure that it is practised in the appropriate place and without causing any undue offence.

Taking as our premise ?Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar?s and unto God that which is God?s?, one would say that the post office is for post and stamps, the Church (or home) is the place for the cross. If any individual wishes, of his/her own free will, to wear a cross, crucifix, hijab or other religious symbol, that?s just great. But the post office is clearly not an acceptable place for a cross ? a Church is by far more appropriate. Similarly, by all means wish ?God Bless? to those who you know for sure to be Christian. If in doubt, wish them the more secular ?Peace be with you? or the simple ?Have a good day?.

You are right, cousin, in that the Gospels do indeed tell its followers to ?spread the word? ? but only by going door to door! As annoying as such evangelists can be I have much more respect for them than for those who would seek a union of Church and State. Although we could easily quote scripture ad nauseam, I hope you will humour me the following from Matthew 6:5-6;

?When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites! They love to stand up and pray in the houses of worship and on the street corners, so that everyone will see them. I assure you, they have already been paid in full.

?But when you pray, go to your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what you do in private, will reward you.?

With the greatest respect,

J. STARLING

Society for a Secular Bermuda

Hamilton Parish

Praise for traffic articles

April 9, 2005

Dear Sir,

I have read Andrew Trimingham?s three recent articles on local traffic problems with great interest. I hope that his many very sensible suggestions on how to alleviate the present chaotic situation on our Island?s roads will be acted on by the Government.

His proposals concerning the widening of dangerous roads and for the provision of additional roundabouts to ease traffic congestion and improve road safety are spot on.

I also agree with him that bridges are needed over Flatts Inlet and across Coney Island to Ferry Reach in St. George?s. The latter bridge is essential in order to make certain that our International Airport is always accessible. Hurricane Fabian showed how vulnerable the Causeway, the only link to the Airport and St. George?s, is.

A points system, which would help remove bad drivers from our roads, has been suggested and should be introduced forthwith.

I urge all local drivers and the public in general to read Mr. Trimingham?s three articles in the ?Mid-Ocean News?. It will be a learning experience for all on our Island.

JOHN T. GILBERT

Paget