April 2, 2005

Dear Sir,

R. Hamill and other contributors seem to have missed the fundamental driver in the quest for Independence. Bermuda's quest is about democracy in its purest sense: fairness and equity with respect to power. When the American colonies rose up against Britain, it was not about race.

As a colony of the United Kingdom, Bermuda is locked into a form of political subjugation. It is nicely packaged but it is subjugation nonetheless.

When I refer to subjugation I mean the nature of the unequal power relationship between the coloniser and the colony. There is an inherent power imbalance in a colonial relationship that makes it undemocratic in the purest sense of the term.

The colonising country always has the upper hand when matters of economic and political importance are decided. Typically such matters of importance reside in the areas of internal security, financial regulation, external relations and the machinery of justice. Within these vital spheres of public policy, the colonising country has the unbridled power to veto a colony's preference or impose an arrangement on the colony whether or not the colony is in favour.

One example. Recently, the Government of Bermuda's choice for Chief Justice was vetoed by the United Kingdom Government in favour of their preferred candidate. It was perfectly legal and the Government of Bermuda had no recourse because the power imbalance is legally enshrined in Bermuda's colonial constitution. In structure, the power imbalance in a colonial relationship is not different from the apartheid laws that existed in South Africa. Fair play? No!

There are other examples in the areas of economics, international trade, finance and aerospace commerce where Bermuda would be much better positioned to advance and defend its national interest if it was not fettered by the existing colonial relationship.

When freedom-loving Bermudians are informed fully about self-determination and nationhood they will join other proud nations of the world community by choosing independence over colonial subjugation. In the history of humanity no enlightened, self-confident and self-respecting people, black or white, has freely chosen to be subjugated.

D. MONTGOMERY SCOTT

Sandys Parish

More information needed

April 5, 2005

Dear Sir,

Last night I read with interest the monthly publication produced by the Bermuda Department of Tourism - ‘Outlook on Tourism'.

The Department of Tourism welcomed Richard A. Scott as Supervisor of Finance and Administration. The article then goes on to say that Mr. Scott graduated in 1992 with a BA Degree in Accounting. No mention of positions held by Mr. Scott or experience gained by Mr. Scott since 1992 - yes, 13 years. In this day and age where some Government and some private companies have finances which are often questionable and who has gained from the “what's in it for me” attitude, I feel if Government is announcing a new employee then a background of experience and additional education should be given too. Also is this gentleman a Bermudian?

It is similar to reading a person's reference for a job - surely it is what is not written in such a reference that should be questioned. Mr. Scott is probably a great guy but please welcome him to his new job as other companies do in Bermuda - name, education and past positions held.

BRENDA SPEARING

Smith's Parish

Well done Dr. Brown

April 8, 2005

Dear Sir,

I have been reading the articles and letters to the editor regarding the dolphin debate and also wish to comment, especially in light of the newest articles concerning the comments from our Minister, Ewart Brown.

Bermuda already has a dolphin park, operated by Dolphin Quest, so the issue that people keep raving about regarding “animals in captivity” is really not relevant, unless the Government intends to shut down Dolphin Quest as well. Then we have heard comments regarding the starting of “another dolphin park” and that perhaps Bermuda is too small to have two.

What we as Bermudians are all failing to see is the other real issue. There is a Bermudian wanting to start a business in their own country, while a foreigner is already operating the same business on the Island exclusively. Do we as Bermudians see anything wrong here?

I congratulate Dr. Brown for sticking up for his fellow Bermudians, as well as adding another tourist attraction to the island…and let's admit it; the Dolphin Park at the Maritime Museum is a big draw. I don't know much about the concerns of dredging Sinky Bay, but I do recall that the previous home of the Dolphin Quest dolphins at the Southampton Princess was dredged to make it deeper, along with an ugly rock wall that was erected. We dredge all over this island to allow the cruise ships to come in and to deepened bays to moor our boats, why is this so different.

I think we need to support our fellow Bermudians.

BERMUDIAN

Paget

No wonder you went bust

April 7, 2005

Dear Sir,

Yesterday was the opening salvo in Triminghams final liquidation sale. Blowout discounts on items that had never been on sale before, trumpeted the ads. This was the beginning of the end and we all - locals and tourists alike - trooped into the store, expecting to find bargains galore.

Nada ! Most of the ‘it's never been on sale before' items have still never been on sale and most of the rest was at a ten percent discount.

Bearing in mind the place has been overpriced and overvalued for about 25 years, this might have come close to bringing prices close to fair. Tempers flared, frustrations came to the surface, people wanted to speak to managers.

But the brunt of everyone's displeasure with having been duped into thinking that deals were to be had, was the loyal Bermudian sales force. Where was Laurence and Eldon and the gang - upstairs in the executive offices? This is why Triminghams is out of business. Total mismanagement by it's so called management. How can you own your own store on Front Street, Bermuda, have exclusive rights to some of the finest lines in the world - and go out of business.

By treating staff and customers with disdain, by not focusing on what the customer wants and by being overpriced and under serviced in a very nice setting... well, you can fool some of the people some of the time. Larry, if you want to know why the place went bust and 200 people are out of a job, look in the mirror !

Sincerely.

LOYAL CUSTOMER OF A.S. COOPER

What an advertisement!

April 7, 2005

Dear Sir,

If one has to wonder why Trimmigham's went out of business then a visit to the Front Street store for the “Going out of Business” sale would answer many questions.

The display of poor quality goods, could one say “seconds”, many of which have obviously languished in the warehouse for years, the result of purchases by inept and out of touch buyers, and all at a wonderful ten percent to 20 percent off, tells a lot.

And then there is the big “Going out of Business” banner across the front of the building, almost the first item to greet our visiting cruise ship passengers. As Tourism struggles to revive, what an advertisement!

Poor quality goods, bad pricing and a lack of good judgement all coming together in the final departure, a sort of two fingers to the world. As Malcolm said of Macbeth “Nothing became him like the leaving of it”.

SAKS OF DEVONSHIRE

Praying for tolerance

March 31, 2005

Dear Sir,

To the gentleman who is complaining about Christian symbols and ‘God bless you' at the end of a newscast. Get over it. You are living in a country whose main religion is Christianity. If you were in a Muslim country you would see Muslim symbols and you would have to adhere to their customs and respect their beliefs. If you don't like to see these things you and others like you can set up your own country and do as you like.

In Bermuda we who do serve God have to put up with profane T-shirts in our faces every day, profane language everywhere and not to mention disgusting behaviour of all sorts. So it goes both ways. You tolerate us and we will pray for you, since you gave us permission.

Thanks and God bless you. The Word says to bless those who curse you.

CAN'T WE ALL GET ALONG ?

Devonshire