September 11, 2002

Dear Sir,

One complete year has past since the terrible events of September 11, 2001 and undeniably we are all changed for ever as a result. Today, most of us chose to remember those families most affected by that dreadful day in our own particular way.

For the past 12 months on my daily drive to work, I have been allowed to reflect because of the simple, yet meaningful, memorial erected by the construction workers of the building project on Middle Road in Devonshire opposite Cable and Wireless. The impromptu memorial erected immediately following the attacks poignantly expressed the sympathies of the people of this beautiful Island to the people of the big city that we all seem to know so well. To the construction workers responsible for that initial gesture, well done and thank you.

And that started me thinking. This simple and impromptu memorial may well have to be dismantled soon. What happens then? Why not make a permanent memorial, of exactly the same perfect size and design, in a more peaceful and visited spot. Victoria Park, Par-la-ville Park, Barrs Park or Albouys Point spring to mind as places where the small memorial could be built as a place of solace and remembrance for residents and tourists alike. Lest we also forget the 'twin tower' memorial could also reflect the fact that two loved Bermudians were lost in the attacks. Obviously, I appreciate the fact that the families of Rhondelle Tankard and Boyd Gatton would need to be consulted and have their wishes respected.

As for the funding of the memorial, well it occurs to me that Bermuda and the City of Hamilton in particular have always benefited greatly from visiting New Yorkers so maybe the Corporation, or a respected hotel or business would like to associate themselves with this thoughtful gesture to others lost. I know we choose our own particular way of remembering, but for me, it just won't be the same when they take down the memorial on Middle Road.

JUST A THOUGHT!

Smith's Parish

September 12, 2002

Dear Sir,

Corporate inversions involving Bermuda have received a great deal of negative attention in the US recently and we are now seeing similar sentiments appear in our Press. The purpose of a corporate inversion is to lower a company's corporate tax bill, in many cases by avoiding a second round of tax in the US on income earned (and already taxed) outside the US. These transactions have been labelled "unpatriotic" by certain US lawmakers. I would like to ask some of those Congressmen how much tax they, as individuals, paid in the last tax year. If I was to get an honest answer, that answer would be "as little as possible".

Despite the obvious hypocrisy of the anti-inversion rhetoric, we are now seeing local business leaders accusing government of "lowering the bar" by allowing US companies to reincorporate in Bermuda and labelling such transactions as "wrong". As reincorporations are not illegal, the idea that they are wrong can only mean wrong from a moral standpoint. Is it also "wrong" for an American to file a tax return? Even if an argument can be made that the transactions are somehow wrong, Bermuda regulators cannot and should not be expected to be the moral policemen of corporate America. What would our business leaders say if, for example, a reinsurer refused payment on a reinsurance contract and was within its legal rights to do so but a local regulator declared that such a refusal was morally reprehensible?

Our regulators could never have anticipated the negative Press that has come out of this ridiculous notion that running a tax efficient business is unpatriotic. Bermuda has not "lowered the bar" by providing a tax friendly environment (particularly for New York Stock Exchange listed companies) and local business leaders should be speaking out against such assertion rather than making them.

HEARD ENOUGH NONSENSE

Pembroke

September 11, 2002

Dear Sir,

The PLP are listening to the people. The question is, are the people listening to the PLP? Remember how we felt on election night, November 9, 1998? We felt relieved, we felt disbelief, we felt freedom and we felt victory. We are all familiar with the chatta-mouths, who choose to belittle everything, that the PLP are doing. We hear them ask, what have they done, we hear them say, my life hasn't changed one bit under the PLP Government, we hear them say, the PLP only care about themselves, they're no different from the UBP, we hear them say, nothing is going to change, things will always be the same, etc., etc., etc.,

These are all ridiculous, immature, uniformed, self-serving and draining comments, Mr. Editor. No political party for that matter could reverse or redress 30 years of oppressive, political, down-pressing laws in only one single term of office. It's simply not politically possible! However, we need to appreciate the enormity of the Government's aims to reverse or redress the current electoral system. This is the most essential law that needed to be corrected. Let's face it Mr. Editor, if the electoral system is faulty, the laws enacted under that electoral system are faulty. Replacing dual seat constituencies, of unequal value with single seat constituencies, of equal value, is intelligent, democratic and fair to all. We need to embrace the change and applaud the Premier and her Government for addressing this issue in their first term of office. It's a profound historical first.

If we continue to demand intelligent, democratic and fair government we can look forward with glee to successive second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth terms of PLP Government, listening to the people.

DR. AMENEMHET TAMERRY

Pembroke

September 12, 2002

Dear Sir,

Undoubtedly the announcement of Trevor Moniz rejoining the ranks for the United Bermuda Party marks a wise bit of political maneuverings at a time when most needed! In fact the results of renewed thinking within has once again caused euphoric support from those who proclaimed they wouldn't vote if Mr. Moniz was not part of the unification in the way forward.

A new era of confidence has exploded overnight into higher expectations with the embracing of a man who is admired for his competence in addressing issues and for his genuine concern for those who seek help. An important turning point has been established as many in the community are anxious to see political change due to the failure of the present Government who appear to be covering up scandalous accusations! The promised glass celing proposed by them has obviously turned into an iron curtain.

Can one man provoke a major swing in votes? Probably not! However, if the United Bermuda Party go one step further and encourage Sir John Swan to return to the ranks in whatever capacity deemed necessary, the chances of winning the next election are more realistic.

There is no time for the process of change already in place to run its normal course and hope for the best. Now is the time to go with the odds and strong public opinion that a new day commeth!

To those who think this Island will continue to prosper under the present Government I urge them to wake up, and get involved. A friend recently reminded me of what the great Greek philosopher, Plato said: "To be disinterested in politics is to invite someone less intelligent then yourself to govern you."

Don't forget - "We get the government we deserve".

W.A. (TOPPY) COWEN

Paget

September 11, 2002

Dear Sir,

Your recent front page story under the headline 'Drug ruling could change Police Tactics', failed to get to the real crux of the matter.

The pertinent question all law abiding citizens of Bermuda should be asking is why Anthony Quinton Beach was not charged with conspiracy. He confessed his role in the drug ring to Police and the Crown was still unable to procure a real conviction.

There seemed to be at least as good a case as there was against another recently convicted drug importer. Remember a conspiracy charge does not require the physical presence of illegal drugs. The high profile, former boat racer was found guilty of conspiring to import 200 pounds of cannabis which was never produced. He was convicted primarily on the evidence given by a self confessed German drug trafficker.

he Beach case at least might have had evidence from DEA agents and possibly the Bermudian couple who agreed with them to deliver the golf bag containing the drugs from Atlanta.

I wonder what former top cop Colin Coxall might have to say about it. I am very concerned about our commitment to fighting the war on drugs.

I remain respectfully,

A COURT OBSERVER

City of Hamilton