Seeing the awful light(s)

November 26, 2005

Dear Sir,

It's great to see that there is $11 million for cricket and $35,000 for a ministerial parking spot, but we've been using the same chipped up Christmas lights since the 1970s. Anybody visiting the Island over the holiday season would be forgiven for thinking we're a needy nation.

Funny weather stone

December 1, 2005

Dear Sir,

Could one of your readers please send me a photo of Bermuda's funny weather stone at Port Scaur? Here's an extract from a story about weather stones around the world I wrote for “The World's First Multi-National e-Book”:

The forecast on the notice at Fort Scaur, in tropical Bermuda, says:

“If ever it is white on top - believe it or not - it is snowing.”

The Bermuda Insiders' website says: “Believe it or not, some visitors actually read this notice and nod very wisely, especially when they get to the part: ‘When it jumps up and down there's an earthquake.' Don't be one of them, will you? And bear in mind that if a blob of white appears on top of it, that does not mean it's snowing. It never snows in Bermuda. A bird is likely to be the culprit.”

I'd like to add a photo of the Fort Scaur stone to the other illustrations on the webpage http://www.bdb.co.za/shackle/articles/weather_stone.htmShould any reader wish to contact Mr. Shackle, his e-mail iseshackleozemail.com.au

Honesty and integrity

December 1, 2005

Dear Sir,

The United Bermuda Party is the Government-in-Waiting and it has moved from a Party of Opposition to a Party which has grown and matured and has much to offer the people of Bermuda.

The radio talk show callers and the die-hard PLP people can talk about whiteness and house n***ers and the politics of the past but I defy anyone who actually cares about how we are led, to put aside their own notions and truly look at what the United Bermuda Party of today has to offer.

It would be easy to simply state that the PLP is so bad, so incompetent and just plain terrible but I'd prefer that people look at what the UBP has become, what they have to offer and what they stand for. I don't care how anyone votes - I do care that people consider all the options and stop voting on the basis of pigmentation. Go to the website. Go to the public meetings. Go and see what they are talking about and what they have to offer. Don't just sit back and listen to the radio show callers. What do they know anyway? Opinions are opinions of the person holding them. If you have a brain, form your own opinion based on what you learn yourself, not what some other idiot thinks.

One point. The leadership of any political party is a clash between what's really right and what makes more sense politically. The leadership of the UBP is something that is discussed within the party, openly, inclusively and with Grant Gibbons fully involved, I'm sure. Within the UBP, and without, Grant Gibbons is a man who is admired for his intellect, leadership and, perhaps in this day and age, his undeniable honesty and integrity.

It's just one example but it's topical, the United Bermuda Party cannot and will not elect a leader based on race alone. That is the politics of the past with regard to the United Bermuda Party and it is most certainly the politics of the present when it comes to the PLP - although admittedly they have no choice.

So, this is directed at that segment of the Bermudian voting population who are not absolutely stuck in the past and dedicated to promoting and preserving an incompetent group of people as a supposed Government. Find out for yourselves what the UBP stands for and what it has to offer. And then make your choice.

Who are you to judge?

November 25, 2005

Dear Sir,

To the writer who hides behind the pen name “Paget XPAT”, how ironic that you asked for the identity of my wife and I, when you don't have the guts to print your own name! Do you hope by revealing our identity that we will cower around feeling ashamed and embarrassed by the actions of our son, or would you prefer for us to wear a “scarlet” letter when venturing outside?

Although it is none of your business, I will state to you and the other “armchair” psychologists, who live “perfect lives”, and have raised “perfect children”, our son was never taught that behaviour at home, and we in no way condone or excuse his actions! He is an adult who has made poor decisions and choices, of which he now has to face the consequences. Yes, communication skills and behaviour are learned, but there are many influences such as, circumstance, peer pressure, substance abuse, stereotyping, etc., which contribute to one's character.

Without any knowledge of the circumstances that have shaped his character, who are you to judge us on how he was raised? Were you there when he was ostracised for having a learning disability, and not able to “fit in” with the other children? Lastly, I would ask you “XPAT”, what are you doing for all of the disenfranchised and troubled youth of this country?

Are you committed to mentoring, sharing of your home and time or are you content just sitting on your throne, passing judgments and criticising, afraid or unwilling to make a commitment?

Poor thinking

November 25, 2005

Dear Sir,

This letter is in response to the letter by Paget Xpat on November 25 entitled “Who are his parents?”

I find that most of your letter writers who use their real names instead of pen names tend to put more thought into their letters. I would suggest to the writer of the mentioned letter that they submit their real name next to Paget Xpat so that you can be fully accountable for your thinking.

Having said that, why would you want to blame the parents of this young man and suggest that their photos and identities be put in the paper? They are not to blame for what he does.

Furthermore, the article in the Bermuda Sun was about the introduction of a better security system in the Magistrates' Court and the photo of the young man in handcuffs, displaying rude hand gestures, did not have anything to do with the article and should not have been used. The person who printed the photo should have his or her picture and identification put in the paper for poor journalism. The article brought about poor thinking from the writer and poor thinking from you, the reader.

Dijon's courage

December 2, 2005

Dear Sir,

Please allow me to use your editorial page to say thank you to Dijon Simmons and his family.

It could not have been easy to broadcast a life changing ordeal across our country. I am so impressed by him, but what else am I to expect from the son of two of the most compassionate and giving people I know?

Dijon, your story should bring attention to how we travel from one place to another. Not just our young people, but adults as well. Not just Bermudians but everyone who has the privilege of transportation. Not just for bikes but for all vehicles. It is my hope that your story will air again on television at an earlier time or on a Saturday or Sunday so that the younger generations can benefit from your words and your wisdom. It is my sincere hope that the people of this country take your accident and recovery to heart and make some real changes in their lives. Not for a moment, not for a day or a week, but for a lifetime.

You have given me a glimpse into your life, but I will never truly know the pain and suffering that you have endured and continue to go through. I will never know the depth of your parents, sister or family's pain. I do however see the sum of your perseverance, your team work and your spirit and I am so thankful for all these examples.

SARAH BRIDGLAND

West Sussex, England

No tangible benefits

December 4, 2005

Dear Sir:

Mr. Commissiong's suggestion that small British island colonies have not had referendums on the question of Independence needs clarification - for he has forgotten that that most important Island colony, Bermuda, held one, and we voted against going independent. Another small colony, though not an island, also held a referendum on the subject and decided against going independent - namely, Gibraltar. Britain did not organise either referendum - they both were instituted by the duly elected government of the day.

That said, I am of the opinion that since a few members of the ruling party think the matter should be put to some sort of test (while the vast majority of Bermudians aren't interested) the referendum could be held at the same time as a General Election following the example of several American states. The organisation is already in place and the voters are prepared to come to the polls and vote NO! I expect there are many wise heads in the Progressive Labour Party who would just as soon see Mr. P. forget it for the next few years.

I think we could run our affairs fairly well as an independent country (after all, we're pretty close to that now) but only if a good majority want it, and that will only happen if most people can see some benefit for themselves - not just for the would-be ambassadors, consuls etc. As Independence would mean the loss of British citizenship and all that that means in terms of travel of work opportunities, patently it's hard to see any tangible benefit at all.

Before closing I would like to remark that as an elderly Zuill I felt honoured that the illustrious Mr. Commissiong, that highly placed luminary of the Establishment, should single out members of our clan as part of some shady cabal which possesses the power to sway multitudes of our fellow Bermudians. Wow! To what heights have the Zuills risen?

IRONICALLY, BERMUDIAN

St. George's