Letters to the Editor
No one wants war
April 9, 2004
Dear Sir,
For years I have been reading The Royal Gazette online. First I would like to thank you for allowing Bermudians overseas to stay in touch with our home.
This is the first time that I have felt so compelled to write in response to one of your articles. The planned protest of Mr. Blair's arrival, by Ms Lisa Kitson. I am married to a fantastic man who is serving his country in the United States Navy.
I would like to take this time to tell people like Ms Kitson, that they are missing the big picture. No one wants war, especially those of us who say goodbye to our loved ones often and don't know when or if we will see them again. We need to understand that sometimes things must get worse before they get better. Because of our brave military worldwide, she is able to live the life she enjoys on our beautiful island. Ask her to live a day in a military spouses shoes, and I think she will have a better understanding of what is going on in the world. We of all people have far more to lose.
We understand that things we don't like are going to happen. Did she protest countries and leaders involved in 9/11? Did she send her sympathies to the families of the innocent Bermudian victims that were lost? Did she protest when leaders blew up the USS Cole, killing so many innocent people? Did she protest the leaders' responsible for worldwide embassy bombings, who gave no thought for innocent victims?
Ms Kitson is definitely entitled to her opinion, but instead of protesting something she really doesn't seem to understand, maybe she could stand on the roundabout and collect food for the hungry in Bermuda, or better yet, protest the rising gang problems on the Island.
We may not always understand why things happen, but we are military wives and mothers, who will stand proud behind our men and women of the services worldwide and know that they are where they are because they want to be, and believe they have a duty to their country. To all who feel as Ms Kitson, I would like to say: You are entitled to your beliefs and opinions, but before you are quick to criticise someone's actions, remember why you can still say you live in paradise.
PATRICIA REAMS (PERRY)
Misawa, Japan
Crime is the biggest issue
April 10, 2004
Dear Sir,
I am tired of writing and not being heard. What does it take for the people of Bermuda, let alone this super government, do before it's too late and there is no turning back?
Now we are having regular sightings of guns in public and this alone shows that the citizens doing this are not afraid of the punishment or ruling that they are to abide under. I am not asking for a society with a curfew time, because that would just make rebellion more likely, but you need to clamp down hard on those negative people.
Start giving out automatic sentences for crimes like guns, blades or any other type of possession that would cause great bodily harm and even death.
I guarantee if things like that were outlawed there would be a tremendous drop in crime throughout the Island.
Everyone wants to be a hero when they are around their friends but when they are by themselves they turn into little cry babies. But for some reason that I can't really grasp, the Government is still stuck on this stupid issue of Independence which, to me, has no future benefits for this Island.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Government representatives were working outside the lines and getting a piece of the pie if they did get us to go independent.
We have no livestock, crop areas, huge tourist attractions, large fishing markets, army to protect us, or even people to manage a small city, and somehow we are looked at as stable.
Our education system is weak, our college is a joke, and we can't even finish a school off in time for our up and coming students.The point is that we have more serious things to worry about right now than minor situations like Independence that have kept us stable and protected ever since this Bermuda was formed.
The issue right now is crime and bringing back to this Island a respected name rather than a warning to tourists from word of mouth that, "when going to Bermuda make sure you lock everything because they are not as nice as I thought".
A typical islander would read this and make a joke about it, but until it effects their life in some way they wouldn't lift a finger.
MR. B
Southampton
P.s. "I would rather be hated for who I am, than loved for what I am not."
"It's called football and not soccer."
Clarification of position
Dear Sir,
On Saturday, April 3, 2004 a letter was published from a Mr. Phil Cracknell in which he claims "Calvin Smith delivered another interesting treatise in his recent letter (submitted March 3, 2004), explaining why he supports Independence."
According to Mr. Cracknell, I support Independence because it leads to conflict between racial, ethnic or religious minorities. Nothing could be further from the truth.
For the information of the public who might have been misled by my Cracknell's false claims, I quote without modification the opening paragraph of my letter which clearly states my position on Independence and the introduction of what I perceive to be invalid statements into the Independence debate:
"Let me state at the outset that I am enthusiastically and unreservedly pro-Independence. However, I have concerns. My concerns are not related to whether of not we should seek Independence but rather with some of the comments being made which, in my view, have very little basis in fact.
Simply stated the views that concern me are the following:
Firstly, Independence must be voted on by a referendum;
Secondly, Independence will bring harmony between the races;
And, finally, Bermuda should not seek Independence because it has no exports."
I then continue to discuss each of the stated concerns. There is no way that Mr. Cracknell honestly could have interpreted my letter to mean that I supported Independence because it would generate conflict between the various groups identified.
CALVIN J. M. SMITH
Pembroke
Build on ties with Britain
April 10, 2004
Dear Sir,
I have come to the conclusion that the advocates of Independence in our midst relying on the premise that we need to grow up and severe the apron strings of the "Mother Country" are the same people who are undermining our concept of "Family".
The family is the foundation of a strong and vibrant culture, but seems lacking in present day Bermuda. In your article a week or so ago on David Ezekiel (a very dynamic individual whom I consider to be one of the pillars of our business community), he said that he still spoke to his mother virtually every day.
It occurred to me that that is precisely the attitude that we need to re-engender in our community, at all levels, including our continuing relationship with Britain.
We have so much more to gain by nurturing that "family" concept, making adjustments from time to time, as changing circumstances require, but building on the past, not trying to annihilate it. I am personally convinced that there is a lot that can be done to reconfigure our relationship with Britain to the advantage of both of us, if we show the right attitude, patience and understanding in our dealings with one another, instead of the confrontational approach currently being promulgated by our Government.
We have a relationship with Britain going back centuries, let's build on it and not throw it away on the vague promises of a few unhappy individuals.
A FAMILY MAN
Southampton
Search the suspicious
April 9, 2004
Dear Sir,
It was nice to know no gang wars happened down BAA the other night and I partially agree with the metal detectors.
This meaning, the detectors should have been on any group of guys wearing ganzis to the game instead of a family (husband, wife, kids etc.). Other than that, I would say football prevailed. Better luck next time Eagles. Maybe you'll soar to your victory and won't get stung like you did on that night.
SOCCER FAN
Pembroke
Referendum argument
April 10, 2004
Dear Sir,
The recent jousting between Calvin Smith and Alastair Macdonald in Letters to The Editor is a healthy by-product of the Independence debate.
Unfortunately for Mr. Smith, Mr. Macdonald's argument for a referendum is far more convincing simply because it is written in a way everyone can understand it.
WHO'S KIDDING WHO
Warwick
Bravo Harrington Sound!
April 8, 2004
Dear Sir,
There is so much bad news in the newspaper and on the television these days, here and overseas. It is a real chore to be happy at times.
But today, April 8, 2004, I am suddenly made happier, and find myself more optimistic.
I was waiting in the bus station in Hamilton, with a few other users of public transportation, at the Number 3 route shelter. Suddenly, a large group of young children came down the street in one long line. I'd guess 30 to 35 boys and girls of primary school age, and three teachers, gathered on the sidewalk.
They were quiet, and that astonished me, and the teachers seemed to not be stressed out, but having a nice outing. There was no yelling, and nobody needed yelling at. Lots of smiling.
The children let the half-dozen grown-ups board first, and then filed on to the bus and filled the seats, two teachers stood to keep an eye out, and off we went. The children whispered to each other, and looked happy and well-adjusted.
I will note they were a nice mix of racial and national types, some held hands. (I remember doing that when I was that age, though sadly, I attended a school that was designated "whites only".).
As the bus headed east out of Hamilton, I was able to have a word with the teacher nearest me, and expressed my admiration for her colleagues and charges. She told me that they were all from Harrington Sound Primary. I was reluctant to get off so soon at my stop, you could not have asked for finer travelling companions. That left me feeling hopeful and happy. Well done, Harrington Sound.
ROSS ELDRIDGE
Devonshire
'Commiechefs'?
April 8, 2004
Dear Sir,
I could not help but notice from the employment adverts on page 54 of the 8th April edition of The Royal Gazette that some Bermudian employers seem to be taking the threat of increased Bermuda/Cuba relations rather seriously. Of particular note is the advert for D&R Ltd., wherein they indicate that they require the services of "2 COMMIE CHEFS".
I can only imagine that they are either preparing for some kind of imminent regime change, or that they actually meant to indicate that they require the services of "2 COMMIS CHEFS".
PAUL J. WOOLGAR
City of Hamilton
Rush hour courtesy
April 7, 2004
Dear Sir,
I write regarding the concern expressed in the papers last week about the traffic during rush hour. Personally, I think the main problem lies not in the planning of the roads nor letting others into the traffic, but in the patience of the drivers.
If those coming down Stowe Hill were not allowed into the traffic during rush hours, this would cause another problem along Middle Road due to the vehicles backed-up.
Is it really too much to ask for drivers to have a little common courtesy and allow a few cars ahead of them?
I believe that it is rightfully called "rush hour" because everyone seems to be in a hurry to get somewhere and their patience runs thin. With this lack of patience comes carelessness, which in turn causes accidents and backs the traffic up even more.
I firmly believe that if people would remember that driving is a privilege and not a right, and if drivers would show courtesy towards others on the road, that though the traffic may still take a while to get through, the atmosphere would be much more pleasant for the drivers.
It is all very well to say that the roads need to be planned better, or there needs to be stop lights, however, we must consider that Bermuda is a small island and there are only so many roads and an extremely great number of vehicles.
In order to ease the traffic problem, I would recommend the use of carpooling. If this is not an acceptable solution, I would suggest the use of patience and courtesy while driving. If we all work together as users of the road then our driving experiences will be more pleasant.
DRIVER
Warwick
Lack of Island identity
April 10 2004
Dear Sir,
When I'm looking around the Island, I can't help but notice the lack of "Bermuda-isum nist" (a new word). One of the most blatant observations I've made is the lack of OUR identity. People want to dress like Americans, talk like Jamaicans and spend money like millionaires.
Upon returning home, it hasn't seemed to have gotten any better. The violence, the constant pleas from the less fortunate seeking housing etc.
Maybe this suggestion is only a band-aid, but I feel it's a start. For us to be able to assist with the "housing shortage" we must first acknowledge there isn't a shortage of houses.
As a matter of fact, it appears to be too damn many. Anyway moving right along, housing and are a somewhat extreme paradox, but the two do go together.
For an example: the fact that many leave the family home and venture on their own, is to obtain an assessment number so they're able to buy a car, now this is where "we cut our nose off to spite our face".
The shortage of homes escalate by this happening, consequently presenting the "Island" with this new problem upon us, the degradation facing many in this "New Bermuda" homelessness, escalated by hooliganism.
Stop this "politicking and politricking" redress you lot, and look not just for peace but survival as well.
Many of our elderly would not be faced with so much heartache and headaches if only the family were allowed two or more cars. I'm sure many will disagree but this is where it starts, the trickle down falls into place.
When sons/daughters leave their moms and dads, all hell breaks loose. Their children no longer can contribute to the well being of the parents, because now they themselves have demands etc. upon them. Now multiply this scenario, you get my point now? It is either or either. More cars per households or less housing and still there aren't any fewer vehicles on the road.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
St. George's