An offer spurned

September 8, 2004

Dear Sir,

In your article last week detailing some of Mrs. Pacheco?s misfortunes, you included her remarks about Premier Alex Scott?s refusal to accept help from nearby Royal Navy vessels.

I remember your report about his refusal immediately after the hurricane and I wondered then, if any thinking person could be so naive as to doubt his reasons.

The last thing an independentist would want is for the Bermudian public to see England lending a helping hand.

?Oh what tangled webs we weave?.

Idol HOTTs up event

September 5, 2004

Dear Sir,

I am happy to share something very positive with you. As proven by many letters to the Editor, Bermudians find it easy to criticise. While there are many societal issues facing us today that are easy to criticise, we must not forget to compliment, acknowledge and celebrate the many positive things that occur in Bermuda on a regular basis.

I want to do just that by highlighting an event that I attended on Sunday, September 5. It was an amazing evening at the Ruth Seaton James Auditorium and I feel obliged to share my experience with those who missed it.

The Bermuda Idol competition hosted by HOTT 107.5 was a truly spectacular event. It commenced (as it was a year to the day that Fabian devastated Bermuda) with a moment of silence for the victims of Hurricane Fabian.

Following that sombre and thoughtful moment the show began and the unbelievable talent that was showcased wowed the audience. The performances were of such a great calibre and far beyond expectation. I felt like I was at the Apollo Theatre witnessing some of the very best artists, right before they became superstars!

Simply put, it was HOTT!

The auditorium was packed with people of all ages; it was a full house and the positive energy was abundant.

There were no ?Simon Cowells?, as the judges offered nothing but the most encouraging feedback. The upbeat audience cheered, howled and received each contestant with overwhelming enthusiasm.

HOTT 107.5 did a brilliant job and deserves to be commended for the terrific show they organised. I really hope they plan on doing it again!

Both HOTT 107.5 and all of contestants definitely got it going on. Everyone was a winner.

I would like to say to the contestants and HOTT 107.5, ?Thank you. It was absolutely amazing ? keep it up!?

Have a great year

September 5, 2004

Dear Sir,

I have had the honour of teaching in Bermuda for a number of years at the Montessori Preparatory school off Collector?s Hill in Smiths. At this time I would like to thank the owners of the school, Liz Braithwaite and Des Mathias, the staff and school families for their thoughtfulness and gifts.

To the children from the Long Rod Classroom, I send my best wishes and to all have an ?excellent? 2004-2005 school year.

A grave error

September 10, 2004

Dear Sir,

It is not uncommon in 2004 for preachers of the gospel to find themselves criticised. However, to misinterpret, misunderstand or misrepresent what a speaker says is quite another matter. Pastor Cymbala did not say that his church is the best. He has never said or suggested that during the eight years that I have been listening to him and certainly not while visiting Bermuda. I believe that if the writer of that article would listen to the tape again he/she will find that there has been a grave error.

O?Connell deserves justice

September 10, 2004 Dear Sir,

There has been no movement in the injustice arbitrarily meted out a year ago to Dr. Sean O?Connell by authorities at the Bermuda College, except that the former colleague who objected to the use of the allegedly insensitive term ?grease-monkey? has been fired for falsifying his qualifications.

This slang term for mechanic was not used in an offensive racial context and was part of a private conversation between two other colleagues at the Bermuda College that was overheard.

?Grease-monkey?, a chain of garages in the United States, is no more insensitive than calling a police officer a cop, but is apparently sufficient to end a 29-year career on the say so of a liar who has prejudiced the future of many young Bermudians.

Dr. O?Connell was denied the opportunity of a public hearing and was summarily fired by the College Board. Elementary justice demands that he be given a public hearing ? that is his due.

There is something seriously wrong in his case because nothing is more basic to civilisation than reason, freedom of speech, and individual liberty.

It is curious that in Bermudian society as we become less concerned about good manners and etiquette, we become more obsessed with sensitivity in speech. In a free society should the spoken word be subjected to Draconian penalties?

Usually, people accuse someone of being insensitive only when they wish to pursue a personal vendetta. We then reach the infantile stage that before saying anything we do not ask ?is what I am about to say true or interesting? but ?is anyone listening who may be remotely offended by what I might say?.

Free speech is all about being able to speak and discuss freely. If we are constantly looking over our shoulder to see who is listening and wondering if they will be offended we do not have a free society but one that creates a climate of fear for anyone who has an opinion to express. It is not long before thoughts become crimes. This is a travesty, especially in an institution of higher learning.

Indeed, section 9 of the Bermuda Constitution states:?Except with his consent, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of expression, and for the purposes of this section, the said freedom includes freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference, and freedom from interference with his correspondence.?

In 21st Century Bermuda, no one should be deprived of his livelihood and reputation and constitutional rights by a Board that is responsible to a Government whose proud boast once was to protect the fundamental liberties of Bermudians.

Unless we have become a dictatorship, Dr. O?Connell should be given a public hearing. To do otherwise, is a disgraceful abuse of power.