Taking 'bully' literally

March 5, 2002

Dear Sir,

Many have questioned the Premier's delaying of an address to the public, calling for unity of spirit and action on the part of all residents on the Island, following the tragedy of September 11th, 2001. Really the plea for unity should have been an ongoing message following the 1998 General Election, and conformed to by all members of this Government.

Instead, collateral damage has been reaped upon the Island by the loose lips of some PLP parliamentarians, conveying messages of indifference and division. And those who Madam and her ilk have harmed most by negative rhetoric, are those who can least afford it.

It could be argued that some of the increased antisocial and criminal behavior in Bermuda of late, is perceived by the perpetrators, to be officially condoned civil disobedience.

The Premier has taken too literally the "bully" in bully pulpit, denigrating those who question her course or offer suggestions. And instead of answering questions posed by journalists, Madam frequently takes it upon herself to critique their journalistic abilities, leaving the Public nothing to sink their teeth into but her petulance. Perhaps the true purpose of her televised appearance was political expediency, given the marches on the House by disgruntled constituents. This was no real message from the heart.

The Premier has claimed that the only people with any common sense are those calling the talk shows. Many of these same voices are now calling for her resignation. Although the great majority of Islanders were ready and willing to give her the opportunity, through comprehensive partnerships, to create a "New Bermuda", the Premier has succeeded only in alienating all but a handful of diehards - the Pink Floyd phrase, "You wore out your welcome, with random precision" comes to mind.

In her address, the Premier never acknowledged those on the Island, except for Olympian Patrick Singleton, who selflessly continue their good works. If Madam read the newspapers, and did not rely on articles selectively clipped for her perusal, she would learn about the many heroes of her homeland.

Perhaps as a symbol of her commitment to unity in Bermuda, the Premier might exchange her PLP lapel pin for the Bermuda flag.

BONNIE CRITCHLEY

Devonshire

What to do with tourism

February 22, 2002

This was sent to The Premier of Bermuda and copied to The Royal Gazette.

Dear Madam Premier,

In the Royal Gazette today you are quoted as saying, with respect to Bermuda's disastrous tourism industry, "now is the time for all who live on this Island to play a part in providing the solutions". I present to you my solutions as to the steps your government should take immediately:

INTERNAL

1. Get rid of the Minister of Tourism. In the private sector, even if he were employable, his disastrous performance would have warranted him being fired through incompetence a long time ago. If Mr. Allen had a conscience, he would have resigned some time ago.

2. Replace him with a competent Minister of Tourism. Any competent Minister of Tourism must (i) have intelligence (ii) have proven experience in marketing; (iii) be a superb communicator; (iv) have a pleasant charisma; (v) be creative; (vi) have energy and be prepared to travel a great deal constructively, not aimlessly; and (vii) not be cowed by "party" policy.

Alas, gone are the days of Jim Woolridge, our all-time Great Communicator who capably carried the torch onward after the successful strategies launched by Colin Selley and his team. However, there are people in Bermuda who would do a far better job than the present Minister - almost anyone would - and, before your Titanic government hits another iceberg, it should wake up and find a suitable, intelligent, educated, charismatic person who does not put his foot in his mouth whenever he speaks.

3. Get serious about understanding what the visitor is looking for. The visitor is looking for (i) safety of body and purse; (ii) courteous reception, starting at the airport or dockside and extending throughout Bermuda's hospitality industry, from taxi drivers to bus drivers to retailers and the man in the street; (iii) something different - whether it be Bermuda fish chowder, Dark 'n Stories, or more importantly, Bermuda's cultural ties with the visitor's home country of local entertainment.

4. Bermuda's rich cultural historical heritage from Europe to North America needs to be presented to visitors in an exciting, memorable fashion. That'll bring return visitors. Visitors don't want to read boring books or look at immovable objects. They want to be entertained, involved and to watch Bermuda's history presented in a colourful, fascinating way through shows, movies, videos, plays or personable presentations, especially where the history connects with North American, the Caribbean and the West Indies. Whether it's the Attack on Washington, the Gunpowder Plot, Bermuda's part in the Battle of Trafalgar, Bermuda's Privateering conquests, Bermuda's Salt trade via Turk's Island or Sir George Somers' part in the Armada, we need more local and visitor awareness.

5. Educate, educate, educate Bermudian children and adults in all areas of politeness, service and history, all of which have deteriorated lamentably over the last ten to 20 years. Bermudians must learn to respect each other and our visitors. Crash programmes with incentives are long overdue. It starts at home and in the schools. For a start, every person in the hospitality industry should wear a name badge as a matter of course.

6. Get serious about stopping Bermudians who don't show respect to road users: Bermuda's bad manners to visitors on our roads is sickening: from tailgating to dangerous overtaking to hooting to emitting suffocating fumes from government and private vehicles' exhausts to stealing handbags to stealing bikes. Put some real teeth into the law to punish offenders. Use California's example: three times and you're out.

7. Get serious about stopping drugs. Form a Bermuda Coastguard: replace the Regiment with a Marines force and Coastguard training; police the cruise-ship passengers as they land (why shouldn't they pass through a security camera like everyone else?) Put some real teeth into the law with respect to very severe punishments for those who try to import or sell drugs.

8. Subsidise a Bermuda Experience panorama depicting the many fascinating parts of Bermuda's history. I attempted to do this a few years' ago with the Corporation of Hamilton, but the UBP turned down the idea of subsidising it as the time. Mr. Terry Lister will remember my efforts with the help of Elizabeth Virgo.

10. Cut government costs, stop borrowing and increasing taxes.

EXTERNAL

11. Cut the air costs of getting here: if necessary, Bermuda should subsidise its own airline. You need a ruthless approach to who can service Bermuda at the best price. In view of the money thrown down the drain by the Minister of Tourism over the last three years, subsidising an airline would at least have been promotive.

12. Take an official poll in the United States (if the government doesn't already know) about what visitors really think about Bermuda, why they will or won't come - we should hear all the dirty laundry. There should be a show and shame policy of Bermudians who offend visitors: and they should not be allowed to re-enter the hospitality industry if they get, for example, more than three complaints of rudeness etc.

Madam Premier, if you wish further embellishments on the above, I am at your service. You are absolutely right, we need all Bermudians to pull together to put Bermuda's economy back on track. Keep pushing for communication and input with and from the public. Do not think my comments are critical of your government any more than they are of any other government. My objective is not to beat around the bush. Bermuda needs more public participation with government. I suggest you become more statesmanlike and make your government more transparent and accountable. You will be applauded for doing it by all Bermudians.

I should add that I am neither UBP nor PLP: I am apolitical and my sole interests lie in the future well being of Bermuda.

MICHAEL G. MARSH

Smith's

Character assasination

March 12, 2002

Dear Sir,

It takes a lot to get me upset, but I must object strenuously to the serious character assassination committed in your "Well I Never" column in Tuesday's Royal Gazette. This column reminded us (as if we ever needed reminding) of the infamous slaughter of members of the MacDonald clan by that wretched clan of Campbells at Glencoe in 1692. How dare you characterise the Macdonalds as "notorious cattle stealers who preyed on Campbell families". This is a slur on all of us who are proud to bear the MacDonald name (whatever way we spell it!) Mr. Editor, I expect forthwith a formal apology for this serious defamation of character. If you fail to do so there will be serious consequences. In that event, I would advise you and your family down in Smith's Parish to keep a closer eye on your cattle and other livestock. I have relatives who live nearby. Finally, I don't need to remind you that the MacDonalds don't take kindly to these kinds of slurs and have been known to hold a grudge for a considerable period of time.

ALASTAIR MACDONALD

P.s. I understand that the Zuill family are part of that Motley bunch, the Buchanan clan, who I understand had more than just a passing friendship with the Campbells. You haven't fooled us. We know what you are really up to.

Gratitude to 'Freddie' Wade

March 5, 2002

Dear Sir,

We should not seek mere tolerance between people of different colours and mixtures. What we should aim at is a society in which mankind lives together in mutual harmony, respect and affection. Where the values of a person has nothing at all to do with his colour. No society will achieve its true goal until colour ceases to have psychological importance in the mind of the society.

With the PLP Government leading the way we are well on the way down the right road. There are many people from various walks of life who have tried to make Bermuda work in spite of our polarised colonial situation. The real theme of the history of Bermuda cannot only be about how one group, however oppressed, threw off its oppressors against the odds. The real theme of our history is the story of how liberation was won on November 9, 1998 and how we must overcome the bitter legacy of oppression under the UBP and colonialism which divided us and prevented us from building a United Bermuda.

Bermuda owes a debt of gratitude to the late L. F. Wade, former leader of the PLP, for his dispassionate balance often against the odds of heroics, racist history and contemporary proclamations.

RAYMOND RUSSELL

Pembroke

We need a referendum

February 16, 2002

Dear Sir,

Very seldom do I get involved in the politics of our country, as I feel that very often politics turn into politricks.

Now, as far as the present Government is concerned, I feel that they are serving us reasonably well. The PLP are learning to govern and the UBP are learning to oppose.

As far as the taxi industry is concerned they (the taxi operators will never come together because of their individual interests, so it is up to Dr. Ewart Brown to do what he thinks best for the country and the taxi industry and let the chips fall where they may. What I really want to talk about is the upcoming change in our electoral system. Now let me state up front that I am not in the least afraid of change, for I realise that change in many respects is inevitable, so I welcome change when I know the reason. But change just for the sake of change can become very dangerous.

We are talking about reducing the number of seats in the House of Assembly. It is my humble opinion as a layman and not a politician that, rather than reducing the number of representatives, they should remain the same or be increased to 43 or 45. Now let me explain, in 1968 the population in Bermuda was 30,516, and the number of seats in the house were changed from 36 to 40. Now in 2002 our population has doubled to over 61,000, our voting registered population is 39,153.50, on that analogy to reduce the number of seats would be a step backward in my opinion.

If we want to change let's go forward, remember that in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. We are always comparing ourselves to other countries, so let us compare ourselves with Guernsey which has a population of 58,000, and 57 seats in Parliament and very strong committees diminishing the power of Cabinet. As far as I am concerned here in Bermuda our Cabinet Ministers should be made full-time, reduced in numbers and portfolios increased. I still feel that we should have a referendum on this very important issue so that the people of Bermuda will have a clear vision of what the next general election is all about, so that we will know where we are going in the next century.

There is much confusion out in the community right now, many have become disenchanted and feel that at the end of the day Government will have its way. Many feel that this is not a change that will benefit the country as a whole but will benefit the politicians in particular.

Now onto the constituency boundaries. Inasmuch as we want to achieve one person with one vote of equal value and as this is an exercise for one day, election day, why not divide all of the parishes into as equal numbers as possible and then choose how many representatives we want for each parish. I think that will settle the issue.

Thank you Mr. Editor for your time. May God Bless you and the wonderful people of Bermuda.

BISHOP CHARLES FOSTER FUBLER

Westgate: Drug free?

March 11, 2002

Dear Sir,

I am writing with reference to the story in The Royal Gazette on the March 5, 2002 which was headed, "Addict sent to Supreme Court". This is the story of a man who went on a one-day crime spree in St. George's only hours after he was release from his one year time at Westgate Correctional Facility. It was stated that he was addicted to cocaine and needed $150 per day to support his habit !.

My question, which is to the Minister and/or the Commissioner of Prisons, is: "How did he support his $150.00 per day cocaine habit while in Westgate, which is a so called "drug free environment", during his 12 months in prison?.

Your comments please.

A REALIST

Pembroke

The problem with taxis

Dear Sir,

Taxi drivers are holding the Island to ransom. They provide an appalling service. They do not turn up when requested. They often don't know where a particular road is (on an Island this size?).

They, as mentioned in the paper last week, will take two separate passengers and charge both full fare. They work when they want to and not when required - try getting a taxi at the airport at 11 p.m. or on a public holiday weekend. They charge astronomical prices. And they are thinking of striking because they don't want a system implemented that will assist and make the process more efficient for the customer.

PASSENGER

Devonshire