Rest in peace, Michael

June 26, 2009

Dear Sir,

Before Oprah, before Tiger and before Obama, there was Michael Jackson. May he finally rest in peace ...

SAM

Warwick

Praise for US Consul

This was sent to US Consul General Gregory Slayton and copied to The Royal Gazette:

June 24, 2009

Dear Mr. Slayton

I refer to your recent press conference at Rosedon last Sunday, 21 June, when you were interviewed by Bryan Darby from VSB. Revealing that you had neither been consulted nor informed prior to the arrival in Bermuda of the four Uighur detainees from Guantanamo shocked many of the listeners who caught your speech on Sunday. That you had no prior knowledge of the detainees’ arrival is not, however, why I write.

I would like to thank you for the very generous words you spoke about our Governor, Sir Richard Gozney, and his role in the events which have been unfolding. It is obvious to many of us Bermudians that Sir Richard’s limited and cautious statements and press conferences have reflected only the tip of the iceberg of activities that were necessarily confidential.

To hear you praise Sir Richard as a diplomat of the highest integrity and experience whose behind-the-scenes efforts have helped to avoid a major international incident were very much appreciated. Your own role, too, should not be minimised. I was disappointed that The Royal Gazette did not highlight your full comments about the Governor as I feel they are deserving of a wider audience. Hence, I am copying this letter to The Royal Gazette.

JULI CAMPBELL

Pembroke

Race reaction

June 25, 2009

Dear Sir,

I have several very simple questions. Can you or your readers help?

Is Bermuda a racially integrated society or are we still a racially divided society? Why do some people become so furious when I point this out and give the historical reasons for this racial divide with all of its psychological and economic consequences in the hope that they will be acknowledged and addressed? Why? Can you suggest reason for this apparent anger when I address this social reality?

EVA N. HODGSON

Hamilton Parish

Pray for Bermuda

June 16, 2009

Dear Sir,

Thanks again for this opportunity to share my thoughts on this very important issue that is on the minds of the people of Bermuda. As I watched the interview last night like so many others, I was very disturbed. As I watched and listened to Mr. Burch and his comments in reference to the people of Bermuda and the four men. It is amazing to hear him say how the people of Bermuda are a Christian-based people, and rightly so we are.

The problem is that we the people are as he said we are, BUT the Government per say is not. And forgive me if it appears that I am judging the Government, but according to the Book of Matthew 7:20 reads “Wherefore by their fruit you shall know them”. The actions of the Government (Mr. Brown) is telling us the people that the fruit has gone bad and is now fermenting.

Would you believe that as I opened my “Every Day with Jesus” the topic was “Truth Hurts” read John 16:5-16, in “The Word For Today” the topic was “Rules for handling anger” read from the Book of Ephesians 4:25-32. For further support of God’s word I then read in my cover to cover in the Book of 2 Kings 1:3-15 which tells of a wrong doing by a king. Readers I ask you to read it for yourself and prayerfully those of the Government (Christian-minded and Faith-based) will read it and share it with those that are not so Faith-based. It is so strange that the term Christian is so freely used for the convenience of men, but very rarely used in a adoration for God by those same men. But you cannot serve two masters, remember God’s Word will never return void, it will always do the work that God proposes it to do in His time.

Men will always think he is getting away with something, but in God’s time His word will overcome as good always overcomes evil. As I look back over Mr. Brown’s track record there has been some good, but his wrongs override his good and in Book of James 1 tells it like it is. And again the Book of 2 Timothy 2 verses 15-20 tells of those that honour God and what happens to those that dishonour God.

Sen. Burch said last night that we do not know the terrorists that killed our young people and as yet the police do not know according to their information. And we sure do not know these people and their capabilities, and as the Book of Luke 12:39 reads as follows “and this know, if the good man of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through”. So you see Sen. Burch, it does not cut it and an ounce of protection is worth a pound of cure. These people are so honest that they had been imprisoned and the Government that did so does not want them, the Mother country does not want them, but one person supposedly representing the people makes this decision all by himself. Mr. Burch says the people of Bermuda this and that, but we did not have any part in this decision nor did the Governor (the representative) of the Mother country. If Mr. Brown has his way there will be only him in all and above all and God forbid. We must control the spark before it becomes a greater inferno and further out of control. Too many are snoozing and if you snooze you will lose. Remember the story of the hare and the turtle.

People of Bermuda let me tell you something, the leader of this country is telling us “let me tell you all something and the fact is I do not like authority and the only authority is Mr. Brown and that is who in authority is as long as I am in power”. You see people the only way a weak person feels strong is having weaker people under him and take a look at those who support him. They cannot see any wrong and if they do they are soon gotten rid of and the record is there and rears its ugly head often. So people I have said it before and I say it again “get your head out of the sand because the part that is showing is the only part your Mr. Brown wants to see, because he kicks and can always say that I did not know who it was that I kicked”. So stand up and be accountable after all you are the Government and those appointed by you are there to serve the people with Integrity and All Honesty. If we the people do not stand for the things of God we will fall for anything or anybody that calls itself a God. Remember there are a lot of Gods around, but only one God our Creator. He created us in His own image.

In closing I share this scripture verse with you taken from Romans 1:28 which reads “and even as they did not like to retain god in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient”. Now readers can you read the other three verses yourselves.

God Bless you always and let us continue to pray for our beloved Bermuda and those that govern for only what is done for God will last.

A.E. WENDELL (SCOPSIE) HASSELL

Sandys

I agree with the decision

June 19, 2009

Dear Sir,

Premier Dr. Ewart Brown recently agreed to allow four Uighurs from Guantanamo Bay to seek refuge in Bermuda. At first glance, this appeared to me to be a crazy scary move and I wanted answers to my many questions. As more unfolded on the topic, I began to understand more and more about the situation and the Uighurs to the point where I am now agree with the decision.

How the decision was made may have some flaws, but a good meal is a good meal, no matter how it was cooked or who cooked it. Therefore it saddens me that some people the UBP included chose to take this act of humanity and use it as a political football and a chance to once again attempt to oust Premier Dr. Brown because they never have and never will support him.

Tuesday’s protest was ten percent people who really had bad feelings about the Uighurs or the Premier and 90 percent people who are always ready to pick up a sign and march in protest of the Premier just because they do not want to support him.

And there is a difference between not wanting to support someone and not supporting them. When you don’t support them that can change by getting a better understanding of them and what they are doing. When you don’t want to support them nothing will change your mind because you won’t let your mind be changed.

You never see these people joining anti-violence rallies or fighting for the rights of others. The sad thing about it is that if the ten percent had protested alone they would have been able to share in some healthy dialogue with the Premier and may have come to an understanding on the matters at hand. Instead the anti-Brown goons hopped on the protest like they did many other protests and destroyed the point. It’s the same people every time at every protest. And THEY always make it look like a black and white issue because they are 98 percent white and always have a black face do the talking for them. Why is that? Why not just let a white person talk? If you have a point, speak your point. Don’t use a black face to make it seem like it’s not about race, because when the camera looks on the crowd it makes it look like it’s about race. All you see are whites and the black person speaking comes across as a pawn in the UBP’s game. Yes I said the UBP’s game. Your supporters your responsibility. They Don’t vote PLP.

UBP, you will never be the Government of Bermuda again, so call off your dogs. Even if you succeed in getting Dr. Brown out our next leader will still stand PLP all the way, all the way PLP. You can not beat us, your ship has sailed. Na na na na na na na na aye aye aye good bye back at you!

The PLP is a Government for the people and the people know this. You may stir the pot up for a minute but once it settles they see things for what they are. They know that the PLP are here to serve them and that our leader is strong and we will move together for the betterment of Bermuda.

I put the question to some on Facebook to show me how Dr. Brown is all for himself and how has he directly benefited for any decision he has made? I asked for facts only. No one has yet come through with an answer. I put these same questions to anyone who feels that way about him.

There are a few people that I need to speak on also. Ms Janice Battersbee, I have known you since I was knee high to a grass hopper going to church. You have always come off as a wise women to me. However, your performance at Tuesday’s protest was a disappointment to me. You say you are a long time supporter of the PLP yet you only speak out against the leader of the PLP at a protest against him. Why has your voice not been heard at public forums and meetings where he was in attendance? Why have you not requested a meeting with him so that you could voice your concerns face to face? If you are such a strong supporter of the party how could you not bring your concerns to the party’s central community? Why must your first expression of how you feel be carried out in such a harsh manner? There are better ways of getting your point across than storming to Cabinet with a disrespectful crowd to read off a disrespectful speech? You taught me from the Bible in youth groups. You still take time out to teach the children of today from the Bible. So how could you disrespect the Bible as you did on Tuesday? You spoke on how a bad tree bears bad fruit. Some feel you were talking about the Premier’s son, maybe you were? Maybe you were talking about his works? But whatever you were talking about you were casting judgement on the Premier which no person has the right to do.

Dr. David Saul, who do you think you are? Yes, you were once the Premier of Bermuda and a great many people on both sides respect you. However, you are not above God. For you to say that you don’t care if God Himself told the Premier in a vision to make that decision he had no right to make it, shows you must not know who God is.

People of Bermuda, I know some do not agree with how the decision was made but you know in your hearts it was the right thing to do. Let’s not condemn a man for a righteous choice. Let’s move forward together to all do our part to insure the well being of our Island home.

I stand by Dr. Brown and feel that he is a great leader of a great Island of great people. I will say this in closing; Dr. Brown regardless of what happens in Cabinet I feel that you have served the people of Bermuda in a great way through all that your adversaries have thrown at you. I am honoured to have lived on this Island through your leadership. Thank you Doc. We need more strong leaders like you.

MAKAI DICKERSON

Sandys

Uniters and dividers

June 25, 2009

Dear Sir,

What does Dr. E. Brown have in common with President Barack Obama, Dr. Martin Luther King and Mr. Nelson Mandela?

Only the colour of their skin. President Obama, Mr. King and Mr. Mandela brought people together. They were/are great leaders who by their actions gained respect of all.

Ex-PLP VOTER

Sandys

Time for a new party

June 24, 2009

Dear Sir

May I place the following out there:

Wanted: A new Political Party

Wanted (even more): Leaders for new Political Party

Requirements: Dynamic, probably under 40 years old, charismatic, might be black, white, female or male. No experienced needed – in fact, no experience preferred.

Job Description: Lead the people of Bermuda into the future and away from the past. Develop a new political party based on conservative ideals which benefit all Bermudians. Give us good governance – not good politics. Leave race to Laverne, Eva, Rolfe, Ewart and the rest of the Gang of 1950s thinkers. Stand up and be counted.

What you need to do: Place an ad in The Royal Gazette telling the thousands of people who will support a new Party, where to meet and when to be there.

What we will bring: Support, work ethic, money and anything else you need.

So, whaddayasay, is there a Moses Mahatma Jesus Barack Mandela out there?

Or will all you Next Generationers continue to sit on your hands and let You Know Who design your future ?

THE VIRGIN MARY

Southampton

Richards’ great speech

June 22, 2009

Dear Sir,

I want to applaud Shadow Finance Minister E.T. (Bob) Richards for his brilliant speech yesterday evening.

He spoke so calmly and informatively on the topics that are at the foremost of the intelligent, right-thinking Bermudian minds.

Minister Richards was interrupted at one point by PLP MP Walter Roban who wanted to call him out on the point being made that this move by our Premier could damage our ties to China. “What ties?” was the cry of Mr. Roban. We don’t have any ties, he protested!

I love the way that Mr. Richards so calmly and with such finesse, moved his speech around to where Mr. Roban works, who owns his place of employment and how much profit comes from this employer through its business in China. What ties indeed! Mr. Richards went on to thank Mr. Roban for bringing the discussion right to his next point for him.

I think that part of the evening’s speeches hammered home how uninformed members of the Government are in regards to the effect that this controversy could have on Bermuda and so blindly follow one man despite what is glaringly obvious.

To think, one does not even know much about their employer and shares that with the listening public in such an embarrassing way. Wonder if he will get strange looks on Monday?

JUST WONDERING!

Devonshire