We need an alert code

June 26, 2003

Dear Sir,

I am writing in response to the articles in today's edition of TheRoyal Gazette concerning the latest trend in bike thefts.

Specifically, I would like to respond to the warning issued by the Police which suggested that individuals try to attract the attention of passing motorists and try to record licence plate numbers of the attackers.

In the interest of public safety and ensuring individuals in distress can be noticed, may I suggest that we, as a community, agree on one warning signal or code that individuals in distress can use? Perhaps continuous, one second beep/ one second silence of the horn would work. This is just a suggestion.

I urge the Police to make a formal suggestion to the community that everyone will be able to use and recognise. This should be done as quickly as possible. If everyone knows and respects such a code, we should be able to prevent such abominable acts of crime.

NATALIE LUTHI

Pembroke

Treat races equally

June 25, 2003

Dear Sir,

Today's paper presented a bad image on the community with one of its pictures. The picture shows a white boy who was robbed and dragged from his bike. Even though it was messed up with what happened to him, if a black guy had been robbed the exact same way you wouldn't see his picture in the paper.

This is weird since the Premier is black (not saying it's wrong to show white people in the paper or anything). It's just that if we're all supposed to be viewed as equals, shouldn't races other than whites be viewed the same way on similar incidents?

Also, what's up with all those people standing outside of some store after 12.01 a.m. just to read about spiritism? (Harry Potter books). Very sick, if you ask me. Yes, it is a freedom of choice as to whether a person wants to have everlasting life (following God) or just life (following the world). This (reading or even looking at Harry Potter) is obviously not what God intended for us to look at but rather, Satan (it's bad enough shows like Charmed or Sabrina, the Teenage Witch are allowed to come on TV).

BLACK BERMUDIAN

Pembroke

Editor's Note: The statement that the victim of the bike-jacking would not have been put on the front page of the newspaper if the victim was black is unfair and inaccurate. Victims of crimes of all races have been on the front page in the recent past, including, most notably, murder victim Shaundae Jones. What gave the bike-jacking story particular significance was that the victim was deaf and therefore less able to defend himself than another person without an impairment might have been.

Speak out on bad driving

June 24, 2003

Dear Sir,

I read in the Letters to the Editor about "The Quality of drivers on Bermuda roads." and I can only sympathise with the people who write in to voice their concern. I feel the same as you; I wish sometimes these weavers and speeders would get their just reward, but I'm sad to say that doesn't seem to happen but when it does, everyone tends to feel sorry for the so-called victim (or maybe I should say villain).

We can each get up scream, yell and voice our anger but until we all take a stand, until we all take on the responsibility of make our roads safe again we will only be "Little Voices in the Dark", heard but quickly forgotten. I don't think we can go around trying to place blame on individuals or even the Police Service for our problem drivers. We the road users should be equally responsible for making sure of safety on the roadways, after all we are the ones who see all the crimes taking place, I'm sure we have all seen the overtaking on corners, on the inside of traffic, at pedestrian crossings and into oncoming traffic along with running stop signs, running red lights and tailgating.

But what do we do as drivers when we see these incidents happening, "absolutely nothing" we don't want to get involved, well road users of Bermuda, if you don't do something, you may as well lay down in the road and continue to get run over (just like the toads).

A LOUDER VOICE

City of Hamilton

Help allergy sufferers

June 21, 2003

Dear Sir,

I too am an allergy sufferer in fact one of the many allergies I have is Bermuda grass.

I have been suffering since a child. I remember my dad blowing smoke in my ears, heating up oil and pouring it in my ear drums to ease pain. I remember having a reaction to lemonade and strawberries, and having to be rushed to the hospital for shots to stop the doubling and tripling of welts on my entire body. As I grew older my allergies grew worse, they included swollen eyes, sneezing so much that I would wet my pants, itching after a cool shower, swelling of the face so much at times I could not open my eyes when the attack would be so severe.

On one occasion with my eyes swollen, hoarse from sneezing, my nose stuffed I could hardly breathe, I called Dr. Murray's office and they told me I needed to be referred, but I did not listen to them, I went to the office anyway and demanded to see him. They were kind enough to oblige this request and I have been receiving shots since, approximately five years. I get three shots, first they were weekly now they are monthly. At that time my company was self-insured and there were no problems. Since which, we joined BF&M and I have had problems since concerning coverage.

I do not believe the information Mr. Titterton said was correct, as he stated, we (meaning his company) were not aware that the serum was not a prescription drug. I have had much discussion with members of his staff concerning my allergy shots and refunds. In fact they did not want to pay for the shot but would pay for the serum. I asked them how would I administer the shot, and one employee told me anyone can give you a shot. I explained to her that is incorrect as this shot increases periodically. So they were quite aware of the serum, and if he was no, his staff was and they are not being honest.

My medical payments increased when we went from self insured to BF&M which gave more coverage supposed to be and I specifically mentioned the pre-existing conditions in which I was told would be covered. Here it is not three years later BF&M still increases its rate yet my coverage decreases.

I will join Jutta Harvey and anyone else who wants to fight for the allergy suffers in Bermuda.

ALLERGY SUFFERER

Warwick