LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Back-pedalling Butler June 3, 2006Dear Sir,It seems that Minister Butler has become an expert on back-pedalling; double-talking and double-thinking.
First, he back-pedals and double-talks on his comment about blacks who join the UBP want to be white, then he does the same thing on why he was not able to vote on the Renee Webb issue on sexual orientation because he was in the men’s room. Well, maybe he conveniently was! But, wasn’t he the one that was going to table the motion in the first place? What a bunch of cowards!
Then comes “Doublethink!” - “Doublethink “ is a quote from George Orwell’s novel, “Nineteen Eighty Four” and is as follows:
Quote: “Doublethink means the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one’s mind simultaneously and accepting both of them — to tell deliberate lies while genuinely believing in them, to forget any fact that has become inconvenient, and then, when it becomes necessary again, to draw it back from oblivion for just so long as it is needed, to deny the existence of objective reality and all the while to take account of the reality which one denies—” end quote.
It is obvious that in the “Honourable House” we have spawned some of the best back-pedalling, double-talking, double-thinking politicians around.
Give yourself a pat on the back Bermuda, as we are now on par with the rest of this confused, cover your behind, upside down world!
PAT FERGUSON
WarwickBurch and the Regiment June 5, 2006Dear Sir,Your editorial in today’s Royal Gazette regarding Col. Burch and the appointment of Lt. Col. White is well written except for the fact it curiously excludes the obvious reason why Col. Burch attacked the selection process in the first place.
When the PLP succeed in taking the island to Independence (from democracy to dictatorship), they will need to have total control of the Regiment. They are not likely get it with a candidate who has been impartially selected.
WHO’S KIDDING WHO
Warwick<$>
Burch for Governor June 4, 2006Dear Sir,I think Col. Burch’s recent suggestion that the Governor be recalled was actually a poorly disguised attempt to put himself forward for the position.
It is after all his speciality: A politically appointed, unelected official with more power than most of us would like to admit. Here’s hoping that democracy re-emerges in Bermuda at some point.
ALWAYS HOPEFUL
City of Hamilton<$>
Not what I’d expect May 31, 2006Dear Sir,Call me old-fashioned if you wish, but having just watched David Burch on television, my regimental impression of a Lieutenant Colonel is not one with sunglasses and two earrings.
JOHN GRAHAM
Flatts
Burch’s views wanted June 5, 2006Dear Sir,Last week we heard comments from Senator Burch on everything from the Auditor General to the Island’s foreign workforce. Many Bermudians may wish to hear his position on sexual orientation.
AMY TERCEIRA
Pembroke<$>
What is in store June 5, 2005 Dear Sir,Last week was truly a foretaste of what lies in store for citizens of the ‘Democratic Republic of Bermuda’.
The Tourism Department announced that from now on Bermuda would be marketed in the UK to the well-healed Brit, as the essence of British colonial charm, with the ‘American standard’ of service (!)
Simultaneously the Premier announced to an audience consisting of a handful of masochistic listeners in a hall much too large to accommodate them: Bermuda will never be a free democracy (or words to that effect) as long as it remains a British Colony—
All this only hours after witnessing the Premier stumbling and mumbling through some foolish explanation to those gathered outside parliament, how the choreographed flushing of the Webb bill before it hit the floor of the house, actually represented ‘democracy at work in Bermuda!’
The Premier’s heavy-handed pursuit of independence by whatever means, will come at the expense of the genuine freedom of every young Bermudian — (Caucasian and African descent), ‘black’ and ‘white’. Mostly, and realistically given reality in Bermuda and the global political status quo, I fear it will be at the expense of ‘his people’.
The Premier can knock on all the doors in Washington he wishes, including the one labelled ‘Gentlemen’ - to which group he clearly feels he belongs. However, at the end of the day, the big USA will not be wasting any time changing their immigration laws to suit this gentleman from Bermuda; even when he does his best to contrive that Bermuda did anything significant to help stricken American hurricane victims, other than provide a mid-Atlantic address for the global re-insurance companies, which swiftly honoured the huge claims for recent hurricane damage in the USA.
Even if our man in the cap is willing to buy into this strategy and lead the pilgrims to Washington, my hunch is the big boys and girls probably have more weighty things to worry about, and a long as the UK keeps her doors open to whining ‘spliff’- smoking Bermudians, Washington will be happy to keep their door to Gentlemen open.
Drag us to our ‘freedom’ —- even this door will be slammed shut, and the man with the cap will be enjoying another posting on some other highly remote coral atoll.
BERMUDIAN WITH
EU PASSPORT IN THE SAFE
St. George’sIgnore Burch’s rhetoric May 31, 2006Dear Sir,I think that it’s important to note that David Burch has never been elected to any political position in Bermuda and, because of that, he does not speak for any voter that I know of. He is where he is because Alex Scott put him there — presumably because the PLP hierarchy wanted him to be the face of the party.
There can be few people in Bermuda, other than those who share his racist and hate-filled opinions, who actually respect this man or pay any attention to what he says. The only reason that he gets any attention at all is because he spews controversial rhetoric and you, Mr. Editor, seem to think “that’s news”.
In fact, it is, and has been, beyond me why you feel that the likes of David Burch and Julian Hall should be advertised on the front page time after time — although I suspect that you will tell me that they are entitled to their opinions, are well-known people and others listen to them.
Once again, you can put what you want in your own newspaper but it would be useful to remember that (a) The Royal Gazette <$>is the only daily on this Island; (b) you will sell just as many papers if you DON’T sensationalize these types of people; and (c) your newspaper could do a lot more good if it didn’t concentrate on the opinions and activities of un-elected people whom I honestly believe, say things just because they want to be controversial.
I’m not saying that you need to limit your news to the views of any one group — just that you could use some editorial judgment that allows some meaningful news rather than racist rhetoric and stupid ideas (my opinion only) to appear on the front pages every day.
I also, respectfully, suggest that YOU might do more investigative and analytical reporting so that the public is not only aware of what’s happening but what it means. I give you the example of the way the Auditor General has been treated over the past few years.
Most people in Bermuda know what’s happening but they have no clue why it’s important. I think that’s your job to some extent, not just the MP’s and Party spokesman.
People in Bermuda look to the RG to provide some simplified insight and do not want to rely on what may be politically tainted opinions. The same goes for recent events like the Webb Bill (it was about gay marriage, not discrimination) and the salary increases (it’s not about salary, it’s all about pension entitlement. Why don’t you explain the pension rights of Alex Scott after July 24, 2006).
End of sermon.
JOHN FAIELLA
Southampton<$>
Postal service in disarray June 5, 2006Dear Sir,If there is any doubt the postal service is in complete disarray the phone call I received this morning puts that doubt to rest. On May 16, 2006 I received a bill and on that day I wrote a cheque and mailed it in Pembroke to a post office box in Warwick. Ten days later I received an e-mail saying payment was due please remit.
I immediately called the company involved to say I mailed the check on the 16th and to let me know when it finally arrived. I received that call this morning, June 5, 2006. (The envelope was postmarked Hamilton May 16, 2006.) It took 21 days to go from Pembroke to Warwick.
If this was an isolated incident one could brush it off and say “things happen.” However in April and again in May I received late fee notices from my Internet Service Provider, again payment had been made by check and mailed.
Fortunately my credit is in good standing, for how much longer with this kind of postal service I have no idea, and late fees were not implemented. (Had this been a credit card payment I know the bank would not be so understanding.)
This type of service is indicative of a third world country delivering mail via carrier pigeon, in all probability a good pigeon wouldn’t take three weeks to deliver a letter to Warwick. Doesn’t say much for the human element now does it?
I am a firm believer in the old adage, “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” I am also aware the postal service has never been perfect but what is? The Royal Gazette <$>should do an in-depth interview with the Post Master General; ask him to explain why he tried to “fix it” and why his modus operandi isn’t working?
P. DESILVA
Pembroke
For animal rights May 31, 2006Dear Sir,I would like to make three brief points if you would allow me to do so about the Animal Extravaganza.
Firstly, Devrae Hollis of DNA Entertainment has it in his head that most Bermudians have realised that the Animal Extravaganza is an educational experience and is fun entertainment for the whole family. I am writing to say that he is totally wrong! I am a Bermudian, one of many, who disagree with this so-called type of entertainment.
He reckons that no Bermudians showed or attempted any type of protesting. He is wrong. Though some people did not go to a physical protest, they protested by putting up posters, signing petitions, and by not supporting the Animal Extravaganza by purchasing tickets. So Mr. Hollis, please stand corrected. I am one of those Bermudians!
Secondly, I was very upset seeing on the ZBM news on Monday night that a white tiger was being kept in a glass cage so children and their families can approach the tiger in order to take a photo. I don’t care that these animals have been born in captivity. Tigers, Lions, and bears are hard wired to either get away from threats from anything it is unaware of, such as us humans, or to face it and attack it.
Letting people go into their personal comfort zone and take photos is just plain crazy. I am a Trainee Veterinary Nurse working in Bermuda and I know even domestic cats which have been raised much closer to humans than a tiger or lion do not like people in their personal zone for too long.
They would get up and move away or give you a swipe with their claw. The poor tiger looked absolutely freaked out on the news. You would think that the people working for the so-called Big Cat Sanctuary would know little facts like that one.
Finally, I would like to conclude by saying that the people who took their families to the show are only instilling in their children the idea that it is acceptable for wild animals to be housed in small containers, transported for long distances (over rough seas), isolated from their natural surroundings, and stopping them from acting how they usually would act in the wild i.e. hunt and explore.
I pray to God this is the last time something like this is given permission to come and perform in Bermuda.
EUGENE A BERMUDIAN
St. David’s
Consider the children May 15, 2006Dear Sir,Please allow me space to express my concerns.
When I first read of the suggestion to place our troubled children at St. Brendan’s my remark was “Oh no!!!”
I say St. Brendan’s because it’s going to take a long time for that name to be swallowed up by the forgetfulness.
I’m getting tired of Government “passing the buck” to quote today’s Royal Gazette “the decision which Mrs. Minors said was taken by the Bermuda Hospitals Board”.
Where is the Government?
Do you have no power? What do you think you are there for? Come on!! That’s flimsy excuse. You’ve got to come better than that. You seem to forget how and why you were voted into your present positions.
The people should be your first consideration. How do the parents of these children feel about the move? Have they been asked?
I’m getting tired of what I call stupid, selfish decisions made by Government. I wonder, if the Health Minister had a troubled child in this group, would she be so ready to “hit back” at the claims raised by the Opposition?
Another thing, why does every objection have to be labelled political? Thank God somebody is thinking of the welfare of our trouble children.
I implore you, please rethink this planned action.
FRANCES M. HALL
Southampton<$>
What were they thinking May 17, 2006Dear Sir,Thank you for allowing me the space to express my discuss with the Government of Bermuda. On the front page of today’s Bermuda Sun there is a picture of a man in drag clothes. His name is Mark Anderson aka Sybil Barrington.
I applaud the Bermuda Gombey Troupes for rejecting him/her as the Queen of Gombeys. As a result, what does the Bermuda Government do?
This person is not and never will represent our country as a “Queen of Bermuda”. Does he live in Bermuda?
I was planning to have a nice day on our Heritage Day, but as of today, I am boycotting the whole event!
HAMILTON PARISH VOTER<$>.
