Politics does not inspire us

September 23, 2004

Dear Sir,

Like most Bermudians and residents, I am confused as to what is happening in our Island home, especially with our young folk. Without revisiting all of the negatives of gang war activity over the past few years and the likes of the Wellington Oval/ Devonshire Recreation club fiascos, something has gone awry, causing youngsters and some not so young people to commit acts of violence on themselves and other unsuspecting individuals in the face of the general public.

To catalogue the successes and failures of this inexplicable Island would require a special edition of the daily news. Again, like everyone else, I?ve asked the question: ?How could a place of a mere twenty one square miles alone in the middle of the Atlantic with a population of 62,000-63,000, ranked internationally as one the richest places on God?s earth enjoying the highest standard of living, have so many problems? I continue to ask the question, ?Is Bermuda a country, or a highly successful business centre??

One thing is for sure, Bermuda is a place and home where that population I spoke of earlier, resides. And another thing is definitely a reality, black and white people live there ? and if you?re not sure about that, listen to the daily radio talk shows. Let?s get back to the problems. I guess when you really examine the issue at hand, numerically there are only a handful of young men and women involved in these acts of anti-social behaviour. The local printed media of May/June each year tells us that a huge percentage of young students are doing well.

It?s a joy to see the numbers who graduate with high academics both locally and internationally. Then the same media in August/September each year highlights the number of youngsters who win scholarships to further their education. That tells us that this place known as Bermuda and or the number one business centre in the Atlantic is doing a first class job, especially the international companies. Employment for those who want to work appears to be available.

We all realise that the tourist industry isn?t what it was pre 1980. Unemployment must be a myth because it seems that everyone from all corners of the earth appears to be able to find both jobs and housing here. (This I know is a whole show on its own, but it can be argued that it is a contributory factor to many of our problems that are not considered anti-social.) So what?s causing that small percentage of young people to continue to spiral out of control? Let me short list areas I see as contributory factors to this behaviour: Politics, parenting and that irritant that we cannot seem to shake ? black and white.

Of recent, we?ve been treated to some of the finest opinions on the thorny issue of Independence by celebrated writers in the form of Mr. Calvin Smith, a former MP and Senator for the ruling Government, the Progressive Labour Party, and Mr. Christian Dunleavy, a Parliamentary candidate and up and coming heavyweight for the loyal opposition the United Bermuda Party. Between them, they?ve covered every aspect of this issue, satisfying whatever side you see fit to place yourself.

My personal view is, Independence will give the people a different viewpoint of this beautiful place to work with. Believe it or not, it just might produce one people, truly known as Bermudians. I spent the two weeks of the recently held Olympics lying flat on my back in Boston where I was receiving some delicate but harsh treatment for this dreaded illness that?s been dealt me. God is good; I?m now back firmly on my two feet.

My point: How proud the athletes were to clothe themselves in the flag of their country. I?m sure many of our young folk must wonder why we don?t have a flag of our own that they could proudly show off. For all of the good that happens to them that I?ve already highlighted, I?m sure when they mix with other fellow world students they must wonder why their status as a person who resides in Bermuda is considered internationally as being vague.

Politics. Yes, it is a necessary evil, but it really does little to inspire young people. Sadly, our history with the black-based Progressive Labour Party finally wresting government from the then-perceived white-dominated United Bermuda Party (who were in power for some 30-plus years) hasn?t really united us as one. If anything, the victory and now subsequent six years on has further divided us, the old black and white show still playing a lead role, even at that level.

Maybe the Premier should be reminded that without Independence, the two Brians and the lovely buildings that replaced the old Bermudiana Hotels are really symbolic of Leadership and leadership Headquarters. After all, which is most successful, Bermuda the country or Bermuda the International Business Centre?

Parenting. I?m not in any position to categorically state this as a fact, but I would venture to say that if parenting was a competition in the Olympics, we?d run away with gold medals. I?m not going to delve deeply into this. Again a topic that could stand alone. But Shaun Goater, his mate David Bascome and now soccer national Coach Kyle Lightbourne shouldn?t be made to feel that they?re being held up as role models for our failed young people.

As much as I admire and support these young men and many others out there, I just love the relationship I have with my five grandchildren. I beg of parents, please do not abdicate this responsibility, the rewards are even greater then a flag draped around your shoulders and a gold medal.

Mr. Edwards is a former Commissioner of Police

Be careful of ?spin?

September 24, 2004

Dear Sir,

The Hon. Minister Ewart Brown stated last night that he was going to change the way he produced the tourism figures. He is going to publicise the percentages in line with the number beds available now. This is only ?spin? - with fewer beds, of course the percentage figures are going to look better to the public! All of these percentages anyway, only have an impact on hoteliers and those directly involved in hotels.

What the public would like to know, is how are we doing regarding our visitors? How many bodies are actually coming here each month and how much did they spend? Is it 1,000 or 2,000? How many visitors actually came here and how much did they spend in July this year compared with last year and the years before? This would make it easier to understood. Why don?t we just eliminate the publicising of the percentage of beds rubbish!

More on Tommy?s departure

September 28, 2004

Dear Sir,

If I may, Sir, I should like to add a little to your wonderful Editorial of September 9, 2004, regarding Mr. Thomas C. Aitchison, and the situation that so many people find themselves in these days. Apart from his Military Service to Bermuda, the B.V.R.C., the War Veterans, and also Sports in General.

He published a monthly magazine, Bermuda Sports, of all of the Bermuda Sports as well as quite a few persons coming to Bermuda to take part in various matches of Golf, including when Bermuda was ?Host? to the International Golf Seniors, with Great Britain, Canada and the U.S.A.

Apart from the International Golf Tournaments, the following Sports are mentioned: Fishing: ?Amateur Athletic of the Year?; with DeForest Trimingham (Yachting) Ronnie Gwinnutt (Boxing); Matthew DeSilva (High Jumper); Snooker, with Arnold Southern; Lucas Trophy Golf Tournament; Phil Rizzuto, the ?Yankee? shortstop who did well at the Mid-Ocean Golf Club;

Horse Racing at Shell Bay; Yachting; Tennis; Soccer, the B.F.C. & B.F.L.; A report of one of our Famous Sports Writers, Billy Wells, on Soccer in Scotland; ?Player of the Month?, with Herbert Tatem, winning the ?Bermuda Bisley? Full Bore Rifle Match at Warwick Camp; Ice Hockey in Canada; Track and Field; and Bermuda Sports Diary.

All of this was published in ?Bermuda Sports?, published Monthly by Thomas c. Aitchison, at 2/- per copy, The Annual Subscription, including postage, was One pound or U.S. $3,00. And all of this is published in one copy. I have a copy of the January, 1953 issue and, believe me, there are some interesting advertisements and illustrations and prices shown. I thought that some of the ?Youngsters? in Bermuda should know just what a ?Great Fellow? Tommy is, and what we are about to lose.