Breeding gossip well

June 23, 2008

Dear Sir,

THE RUMOUR MILL

Our Bermuda she is a beautiful land

Her sweet smallness breeds gossip well

We tell stories of one another's mistakes

How the populace drinks in the love affairs

Stares in the street brings whispers of deeds

She's gay, he's crazy and yea that one is lazy

Hazy assumed details grow into ledged

It's part and parcel of our little stretch of land

How the talk gets tossed around so callously

Based in speculation where in it for the duration

Few are immune it makes us all the same

There's no magic pill for this social ill

Island life is a mixed bag of tricks

We all like ti or not, pay a price for paradise

But it's worth it you see, believe me it's a thrill

To watch the fact no one escapes the rumour mill

The Rumour mill oh the rumour mill

You were minding another's business yesterday

What is it you think you have a right to say

Listen someone else is minding your business today

JON ERIC PETTY

City of Hamilton

Ps. If you cut this out and magnet it to your fridge you owe me one dollar please give it to the head librarian at Hamilton Public Library.

Sad relics

June 28, 2008

Dear Sir,

Phil Perinchief's letter makes several salient points about how the Progressive Labour Party appears to have forgotten that it is supposed to be Progressive (failing to even debate amendments to the Human Rights Act) and pro-labour (witness the demonstration yesterday).

I also admire his courage in standing up to a government whose professed ideals of a progressive and equitable are noble but who have lost their way.

However, his suggestion that a progressive income tax system would make our society more equitable than our current system ignores the fact that our system (while imperfect) allows not only for progressive taxation but also allows individuals to have more control over their taxation than under almost any other system.

Our system involves essentially three main taxes that people pay: essentially a flat tax on income of around eight percent (most of which is returned to the individual in the form of hospital maintenance and, eventually, pension); a progressive tax on land; and a progressive tax on most imported goods purchased.

The consumption tax is cumbersome to collect but is mostly a progressive tax in that luxury items (cars, boats, televisions, cigarettes, alcohol) are taxed at a higher rate than essentials (eyeglasses, much of our food, books).

There are some anomalies which need to be recategorised (baby clothes, all food sold in supermarkets, etc.), however, on the whole this is a good progressive taxation because it not only taxes goods which are non-essential (those that wealthy people buy) at a higher rate than those which are necessary for life (again, tweaks are needed here) but it also allows people to lower their tax by only buying essential, non-taxed items when they need to save money as my husband and I did to save for a home.

Progressive income taxation sounds good, however, it can be severely inequitable because it taxes on a yearly basis: if you have a job which provides a large income every couple of years such as my writer friend or people who fix up and sell derelict houses for a living, they will be tax annually and so the year in which they made that money they would be taxed at a higher rate than if they had made that same money over two years in a salaried position which is not fair.

Or, more commonly, I might need more money to pay for my child's education and take on two more jobs which pushes me into a higher tax bracket even though that money is going to be used for educating my child and I would have paid fewer taxes had I taken on fewer jobs for a longer period. Moreover, the largest investment most Bermudians have is their home.

If we had capital gains taxes (as Mr. Perinchief proposes) on a par with any other western country, you would lose half of the net profit on that home should you sell it. This would disadvantage most Bermudian families overnight regardless of race or class. Under our current system, these examples would be treated in a much more equitable manner. Mr. Perinchief also admonishes the system that favours the "entrepreneurial class". Bermuda is full of entrepreneurs and we should be proud of that. Entrepreneurs aren't just rich white people starting new businesses. Entrepreneurs are also our self-employed plumbers, painters, tilers, and contractors.

Entrepreneurs are also our brilliant and brave students who strike out on their own as IT consultants, artists, writers and freelance accountants. These people should be encouraged and supported. After all, what is the North Hamilton Economic Empowerment initiative if not support for the entrepreneurs and merchants of Court Street?

If we want a more equitable society, we need to couple a pride in education with a healthy ambition. With a broken education system and our black children thinking that it is not cool to get good grades or go to college — how can we expect the playing field to be levelled? If Lt. Col. Burch wants ex-pats to be proficient in English, maybe he should make that a requirement of Bermudians as well. Is there no option for us beyond these two sad relics of political parties?

NIKITA BLACKWELL

Hamilton Parish

It was a shame

June 28, 2008

Dear Sir,

I manage a small tourist apartment and therefore have an interest in the publications that are specifically prepared for our visitors. I am not sure how this situation can be remedied, but it is very important that accurate information is disseminated.

This week my guests were disappointed due to an error in both Preview of Bermuda and This Week in Bermuda, where it stated in both that the St. George's Somers Evening was to be held on June 28.

Like many visitors, my guests did not read the Friday paper, which stated correctly that this event was to happen that same evening, being June 27. Unfortunately, I was particularly busy that day and did not read the paper myself until late in the evening, when it was too late to remedy the situation.

To be fair, This Week in Bermuda did say to refer to their website, which upon doing later I found the correct date shown. However, many of our visitors do not have access to the Internet and depend on these pamphlets and booklets that are supposed to help them decide how to plan their vacation time.

Not only is this sort of thing disappointing to our visitors, but I imagine the attendance in St. George's was less than it might have been, which is a shame when the organisers of this event work so hard to make it a success. I know of at least three people who would have been there if they had known! Let's hope we will have better advance information in the future.

CONCERNED FOR OUR– TOURISM BUSINESS

Keep seeking the truth

June 30, 2008

Dear Sir

As a born-again Christian, I would like to applaud the relentless journalism of The Royal Gazette in seeking out the truth on behalf of the Bermuda taxpayers as it concerns Faith Based Tourism. My prayer is that God will continue to use you until the 'complete' truth of this matter is openly revealed.

Although the church leaders that served with and supported Mr. Andre Curtis in FBT have been silent about this very public matter, Bermuda please be encouraged that there are Christians who are spiritually discerning and do not believe or agree with Mr. Curtis's handling of FBT, the Minister of Tourism's answers to the Parliamentary questions, nor the Department of Tourism's press release.

Our fervent prayers and earnest desires is for the truth to be publicly known since Mr. Curtis had boldly stated on several occasions that the Lord Jesus Christ had called him to operate FBT. As Christians, we do not desire to see our Lord's name be discredited in any manner. Nor do we want the ministry of the gospel of Jesus Christ to be frowned upon by unbelievers because of this situation.

A warning from a Just and Righteous God: "Be not deceived God is not mocked, whatsoever a man (regardless of position or title, Christian or non-Christian) sows that shall he reap. Repent (acknowledge your wrong doing, turn whole heartily away from it and make restitution were needed) or else suffer the consequences of your actions!"

Bermuda rest assured, I am confident of this one fact: In the end, truth will prevail because the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, (not the God of Andre Curtis, or politics) will vindicate the integrity of His name in this matter.

A CHRISTIAN FOR TRUTH

Hamilton

Congratulations to Bermuda

June 30, 2008

Dear Sir,

2013 is a year forever to be remembered by the Bermudians. But not only them. Young sports people from 25 member islands from all over the world will travel to Bermuda 2013 in order to compete in 14 different sports offered by the Bermuda Island Games Association.

When the 25 member islands unanimously said yes to Bermuda in the parliament building of the Åland Islands they also said yes to leave Europe for the first time since Island Games started in 1985, in the Isle of Man. The size of the event is growing steadily. The organiser of the NatWest Island Games 2009, Åland, estimates 3700 competitors plus hundreds of media representatives and supporters. By winning the Bid of hosting 2013 Island Games, Bermuda has shown true sportsmanship, dedication and professionalism.

We have known the people behind the successful bid for quite a few years. We have seen the joy the Bermudians have brought into our family since joining in 2001. The work of chairman Jon Beard together with his staff Jon Gazzard, Paul Scope and Andrew Soares accompanied by the support of Sports Minister El James, give us great confidence that the Island Games 2013 will become a great success.

We are looking forward to the Island Games 2013 in Bermuda. We are bringing our sports and our shorts! And a lively friendly competition that brings islands all over the world together.

JÖRGEN PETTERSSON

Chairman

JAMES JOHNSTON

Vice chairman

International Island Games Association