What about me?

March 30, 2006

Dear Sir,

I am bemused by the article on March 29 in The Royal Gazette entitled, “Woman fined after dog attacks pedestrian”. I am the woman who was attacked on Mount Hill by Mrs. Henderson's dog. I am disappointed that The Royal Gazette published her version of events, giving her all the voice, and myself receiving no voice at all.

Mrs. Henderson says that, “it was not in her dog's nature to bite people,” so why did she admit to me, over the phone, that the dog had bitten a workman. She said that she had no knowledge that the invisible fence was damaged by construction.

So why did her husband tell me that they knew it was not functioning? And why was the dog not wearing its collar when it attacked me?

MRS. BELL

Pembroke

Mr. Brown's polling

March 31, 2006

Dear Sir,

I am continually amazed that each Bermuda newspaper seems to have so much faith in the polling independence of Research Innovations Limited. I assume that you have no worries about the fact that the most pro-PLP and pro-Independence stalwart, Walton Brown, is President of the company and that the polling might be a tad skewed.

In any other community, a polling organisation headed by someone with such an obvious conflict (publicly stated and otherwise obvious) would be looked on with, at least, some scepticism. Even though I don't like his results, my point is the perception of conflict and I wonder why you don't at least try another polling organisation if for no other reason, for the perception of independence.

I don't have any idea who runs Research.BM, but they have called me on occasion and the style of their polling is so much better than Mr. Brown's (who have also called me on occasion) that giving them a shot would be useful not only to you but to the community. The results of Mr. Brown's most recent polling, based on a poll of 404 people, no doubt picked completely at random, are so ludicrous that to take them seriously will only benefit the people who don't! The incredible swings in the percentages would never be seen in a more professionally conducted poll and, I might add, in a larger sample. A one percent sample in Bermuda ain't the same as a one percent sample in say, New York!

The media gets a tough rap in Bermuda, perhaps The Royal Gazette in particular. The reason for that may be partly that you, in your capacity as the only daily voice, have a greater responsibility to be fair. We are a polarised community; there's not a lot of grey area on almost any issue, and people love it when ‘their side' looks like a winner in The Royal Gazette - polls, articles, editorials, you name it. I'm not disputing your right to hire anyone you like and report anyway you want but I just think it's time you varied the tune a bit.

S. CLEMENS

Southampton

Editor's Note: Walton Brown has accurately predicted the results of the last two general elections. The 404 people polled are broken down so that they reflect the Island's demographics in terms of age, gender, race and income based on the latest statistical data. It is worth noting that the polling results on Independence have been remarkably consistent for the last 18 months and go directly against Mr. Brown's own personal views.

Stop bickering and fix it

March 25, 2006

Dear Sir,

I believe it was the Minister of Education Terry Lister who said that we need to educate black men more effectively and get black men to teach black men. In the usual howl of political wind, this apt expression got lost. Apparently it is impossible to construct thoughtful education policy on this Island. The problem is governments who don't lead and a public that couldn't care less. The Island will suffer for this oversight. You can put that in the calendar. We apparently are not rich enough or talented enough to educate the Island's children so they can live in the increasingly strange economy that they are born into. Our system has to be twice as good as the Americans. From most figures, we are on par or less. Which is just sort of ... miserable.

Since we are so slack, I thought an easier project might be in order - three points that if we get them right it might not be too bad.

1. We educate black boys and men. We try to redefine the idea of Bermudian manhood in such a way that education is not so chronically uncool. People who are rich black men, white men or black women may say that such a focus is patronising, racist or that lesser-educated black men made their own bed now they can lie in it. That is not just. We all lie in the same bed our fathers made for us; a small bed called Bermuda. Right now things are going well because of the way our fathers made that bed. Some people did better than others. They tended overwhelmingly to be white people. That doesn't mean everyone didn't contribute. We all did. Bermuda has done some things right. Racism is not one of them. Under-educated black men with low prospects and expectations are the result of what we are. What we like and what we don't, in Bermuda, is a reflection of all of us. It's their problem and since its theirs, it's everyone else's too.

This is not flaky brotherhood, Christian moralising. This is no Gandhi-like call for more humanity, that easily ignored like most moral questions. It is real. Bermuda is small and these people's problems are our problems because we are all Bermudian. They should not be embarrassed by our problem nor should we be embarrassed by our problem. It's all we. It really is. Let's stop bickering and fix it. If they are boys, and they need the help, they have to get it. If they are men, they have to learn how to teach themselves and how to find new opportunities in just the way more educated people do. We don't live in an economy like the US in which such problems can be blandly ignored. So instead of whinging about each others I-said- they-said nonsense, let's just get on with it.

2. We have to get more black men teaching in the schools. They whole idea that black men don't do this because they are supposed to be doing some other job that is manly or whatever has got to go. Black boys, and indeed all boys and girls have got to get the idea early on that a black man is a natural source of leadership, authority, wisdom and responsibility. We know black men are a source for these things if their surroundings are conducive, just as anyone is. Finding such men is not a problem. We have to get them to want to teach. If this means paying teachers more, I don't really see why that should be a problem. Pay them like lawyers. We massively overpay for public education. Maybe some of that could go to some directed policy. Hey, what an idea.

3. We have to protect mothers of whatever kind. It has been proven many times that if a culture is in trouble, giving teenage girls an education seems to be directly correlated to a general rise in the standard of living. At the moment Bermuda is not in trouble, but, due to the our odd situation in the world, it strikes me that a lot of kids are growing up confused. And then they become confused parents. A lot of time they don't get the help they need. In the US, the new theme is responsibility and that you can't help people who don't deserve to be helped. That doesn't help the child. And the child is an utterly separate balance of responsibilities. The children have to be protected no matter who the mother is.

Before good gets done in Bermuda it is often necessary for everyone to scream themselves mute. In the ensuing silence, occasionally some real work gets done. Not always but we do get lucky. Of course education could be radically redefined. We could think about what Bermuda is turning into and train children to live here. We could find a Bermuda-specific solution to problem instead of just doing what the US did wrong - again. But that would be so unlike us. I'm just pointing out a couple of things that might be really important, that occurred to me after reading something Terry Lister said. If I missed something you think is important, well that's why. Apparently we don't have the resources to do any more.

JOHN ZUILL

Pembroke

Leave animals out of it

March 29, 2006

Dear Sir,

Firstly I have to say I am very much upset that the Circus /Animal Extravaganza is being aloud to perform in Bermuda again. Many believe that circuses provide harmless entertainment, but the cruel and inhumane treatment of the elephants, bears, big cats, and other wild animals used in circuses makes this form of entertainment unacceptable. The life led by wild animals in circuses is far different from that seen by audience members. It includes close confinement, physical discipline and abuse and constant stress.

Due to the enormous size and strength of both African and Asian elephants, it is a fact that most trainers rely on chains and fear to make them obey. Typically the process starts with an elephant being beaten into submission at a very young age. Sadly, some elephants will spend a great deal of their lives in chains.

The fact is, animals do not naturally ride bicycles, stand on their heads, balance on balls, or jump through rings of fire. To force them to perform these confusing and physically uncomfortable tricks, trainers use whips, tight collars, muzzles, electric prods, bullhooks, and other painful tools of the trade.

Circus animals never have a chance to satisfy their natural needs. Imagine tigers who can never hunt or run at full speed, elephants unable to take a mud bath, bears who can never hunt or roam in the woods, and chimpanzees who can never climb real trees. Instead, circus animals are made to perform painful, dangerous, abnormal stunts for our “amusement”.

I applaud trapeze artists, jugglers, clowns, tightrope walkers and acrobats, but let's leave the animals in peace. Don't stress these animals out by transporting them to Bermuda just so they can “perform” for two days. Bring the people but leave the animals out of it. What's wrong with an animal-free circus?

EUGENE O'CONNOR, JR.

St. David's

Homophobic Bermuda

March 29, 2006

Dear Sir,

I have just read your obituary (Royal Gazette, March 23) of the wonderful Mr. Michael Fox. I am writing not to disagree with any of the praise heaped upon this incredibly brave and compassionate man. I am writing because you startlingly omit one momentous fact about Michael. He was gay. He was a homosexual. Say it, shout it, write it and accept it.

Six percent of the human race is gay (and this includes Bermudians). Do the maths. This is between three and 4,000 people in Bermuda. You as an Island have such a profound difficulty in using the “gay” word and hence in accepting your gay children and adults.

Michael “came out” on one of your radio stations whilst he was sleeping on the couch in my apartment in 2005. He was sleeping on my couch because he had nowhere to stay. He had nowhere to stay because ultimately as a gay man he had no human rights on your beloved Island. Apart from family and friends, you, as an Island, treated this brilliant individual and wonderful unofficial ambassador for Bermuda as a social pariah.

Homophobia is an illness and 94 percent of your population are sick.

My cherished memories of Michael as an incredibly warm, humorous and talented gay man are tarnished by the rampant, unchecked homophobia that I witnessed whilst living in Bermuda.

Remember that tyrants will flourish when good men and women stand by and keep silent.

NEIL CARR

England

Fired ... then rewarded

March 28, 2006

Dear Sir,

So ... hold on. Help me to understand this. A company that was contracted to build a school was so inept (that they were over-budget and way behind schedule) that they had to be fired is now going to be awarded some $9 million.

Well, that's very interesting. I always thought that a contract is negotiated and agreed on so that one party does the work by completing and delivering a finished product in keeping with the agreed specifications and THEN they get the money from the other party.

Hey, I think I may have a new future here! I can open a business and agree/contract to do work on things I don't even know HOW to do and whatever the outcome I stand to make a lot of money! At this rate I should be able to retire rich within a couple of years. WOW ... the world really is my oyster! These truly are new and exciting times in Bermuda!

KIM SMITH

Pembroke

Competitive politics, RIP

March 31, 2006

Dear Sir,

Many Bermudians feel a more consensual co-operative political structure would make a better legislature. The conflict approach to politics, embodied in the two-party system, they contend, is divisive. We never seem to overcome the same bad habits, government after government. Honest gains are scuttled by scoundrels and all retreat to the welcoming protective arms of racial rhetoric. Let's consider one place where conflict politics is dead - the United States. Here the opposition is the Democrats. They are so thoroughly humiliated that they no longer function as any kind of critical perspective or balance to opposing ideology. From a policy standpoint they apparently have nothing left to say. The Iraq war continues without any constructive discussion from them.

What government does this produce? The joint efforts of the Republican party, a narrow band of ideologies and George W. Bush have produced governance that is incompetent, corrupt and ineffective. And apparently unfireable. It is difficult to imagine what would get a Republican cabinet member fired these days. But Clinton nearly got kicked out for small affair. Competitive politics is truly dead in the USA and the results are not good.

JOHN ZUILL

Pembroke

What other choice?

March 25, 2006

Dear Sir,

I, like many, applaud the comments made by our Deputy Premier, Dr. Brown to the BIU in regards to “Service is not servitude” but am I being naive in thinking that this will translate into action?

Bermuda is one of the only “tourist areas” where services are run for the benefit of the workers and not the customers. Just look at the postal “service”, the ferries, the Government schools (the Ag show is coming up, who is going to take care of my child that day?) and my particular pet peeve, the PTB bus schedule. The Bermuda Government, Police, Courts and the Road Safety Council constantly spout platitudes about stopping the incredibly high level of drinking and driving in this Island but no one seems to see that the biggest problem is “choices”.

At 3 a.m. on the weekends and most weeknights in the summer, you will find huge queues of people on Front Street looking to find their way home by taxi. Many end up giving up out of frustration and just drive home. If they are “lucky” enough to get a taxi, they are given the chance to spend $50 plus to get to the ends of the Island as long as they are not “too drunk” or carrying food in which case they are summarily ejected back onto the streets leaving only the choice of driving home at risk to theirs and everyone else's heath and safety. But what other choice remains?

When will our Government bite the bullet and force the bus drivers to work when the customer needs service? Currently there is no bus service after 11.30 p.m. (so if you work shifts which finish at midnight or later you are tough out of luck too.) There needs to be a bus service that runs on the hour going east and west from midnight to 3 a.m. One bus either direction on the hour every hour until the bars close would be sufficient to take most of the drinkers. All the routes do not need to be covered, we just need to be able to get these people reasonably close to home. Those who would not get close enough would still take a cab if they could afford it. I feel that we could cut the amount of drink driving by a large percentage if we just followed the lead of other countries and had a public transportation service that addressed the needs of the public rather than the needs of the drivers.

But that's just my opinion, I might be wrong.

REDBEARD

St. George's

Don't lose faith

March 28, 2006

Dear Sir,

Having just returned from a two-week jaunt around the Caribbean, I urge anyone involved in tourism locally not to lose faith.

The seven islands we visited were virtually indistinguishable - pot-holed roads, scrubby vegetation, shacks for houses, inferior beaches, rubbish strewn everywhere, pushy trinket salespeople - yet each is a major tourist destination.

Certainly the weather is better than ours at this time of year, and the airfare and accommodation are probably cheaper, but overall Bermuda is a far nicer Island.

Yours reading next year's brochures,

ANDREW R. DOBLE

Hamilton Parish