Hats off to Mirrors

November 14, 2007

Dear Sir,

I had the privilege of taking part as a volunteer in the Mirrors Program. It was a challenge, but it ws well worth it. To see people taking the time to work with teenagers in such an intense way, there are no words that can describe the depth of this program.

It was amazing to see how coaching unruly teenagers can transform them into making a major turnaround in their decision towards their lives. To think a little love, caring and coaching can make a difference has proved that this program works. I saw it for myself first-hand and this even had an impact on my life, to be able to look at life in a different perspective.

Well done Mirrors! We all need to look in the mirror and evaluate ourselves from time to time. I thank you Premier Ewart Brown and Mark Charley for seeing this dream come true. Please Bermuda Government continue with the Mirrors Programme... It works! If you truly care about Bermuda and its future... Continue with MIRRORS.

I would like to applaud our young people who have participated in the program., job well done!

CONCERNED ABOUT OUR YOUTH

Warwick

Give thanks for what we have

November 18, 2007

Dear Sir,

In Saturday's Royal Gazette, I read with interest the column written by Martha Myron. She stated that this week was Thanksgiving week in America. A celebration widely adopted by Bermudians. I am in agreement with her sentiments where Bermuda is concerned.

Additionally, despite all the political mud-slinging, the complainers that say "nothing is right" in Bermuda, we have our freedom, the right to speak, the choice to work (if we desire). We have good medical and hospital facilities, pension plans and health insurance.

Our children have free schooling with the best facilities around the world. We enjoy lovely hotels and beaches, clean streets and great climate. We have public buses and ferries to take us anywhere we want to go. Bermudians are generally friendly and we have been blessed.

Mrs. Myron made a challenge to her readers at the conclusion of her article. She invited us to call or send a note of thanks to the International Business. I decided to take it one step further and send this thank-you to as many exempted businesses as possible.

Despite some things I have difficulty in accepting, I would like to say "thanks" to the International Businesses in Bermuda and BIBA, for choosing Bermuda as your choice to do offshore business. Thanks for giving Bermudians the opportunity of employment that we probably would not have had.

Finally, to Bermuda: "Give Thanks for What We Have." Not many places in the world would put little children on a school bus alone and send them off to school. Many parts of the world is at war or hungry but our children live and play in safety, with peace of mind.

The Psalmist wrote: "O, Give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good and His mercy endureth forever." With a thankful heart, I remain,

GLORIA-JEAN TROTT

Hamilton Parish

It's about our future

November 17, 2007

Dear Sir,

We have Premier Brown saying ingenuously to his many detractors, (those holding the secret meetings et al) — "Vote Party and worry about me afterwards". And what, exactly, does that mean? Who is going to challenge him if the PLP get back in? Not the Hon. Paula Cox, because she says, in so many words that she doesn't want the job — nor does she want to know what's going on in those secret meetings, to which she's "not invited". (RG November 15).

It seems that whenever the press ask her questions, she doesn't have the answers — it's either not her style, or she's been off the island. Does no one keep her informed?

So, who does that leave us with? I can't see any of the present members of Cabinet mustering the energy or the testicular fortitude to topple Dr. Brown. In any case, none of them have shown any leadership qualities — all they seem to do is read the speeches Dr. Brown or Rolfe Commissiong hand to them — probably written by Dr. Brown's personal PR man, Mr Jones.

Mr. Harold Darrell (a man to whom we owe a great deal), said recently: "A PLP victory in this election will sanction Premier Brown's leadership." He's right — there isn't anyone in the wings to challenge Dr. Brown.Five more years of Dr. Brown — 'police state' raids on our independent Auditor — Government contracts not going out to tender, suppression of publicly funded reports, ad hoc racist legislative proposals, misuse of public funds, etc. etc. will seriously undermine Bermuda's economy and reputation, and, once it starts, the erosion will accelerate.

Contrary to the PLP's incessant racist rhetoric, this election is not about the past and black and white — it's about the future and our bread and butter.

POPULIST IN PAGET

What's a traveller to do?

November 14, 2007

Dear Sir,

It was brought to my attention; some months ago consideration would be given to reducing the price of vegetables and fruits. I would like to know if this consideration has passed, and if not why not. The prices at the supermarkets for these items is atrocious, along with everything else.

You go shopping one week for items, and the very next week there is an increase of 40 to 50 percent, and who is checking? No one. Why, you ask is no one checking, some would say, what is the use of complaining, they may say that they are sympathetic to our plight, but do they really care? I ask myself all the time and the answer is no!

Another thing is a concern to me. I like to travel. The past few years we have been told not to lock our luggage when it goes in the belly of the plane. That could mean that the handlers could make a mistake and put drugs in them, or take something out of our luggage.

And on our return home from our trip, they could put drugs in the luggage for a pick-up here in Bermuda. And after having such a good time, only to have the customs officer open our luggage and find something that should not be there.

Maybe the handler who was supposed to make the pick-up missed the bag, and here we are trying to explain to the customs officer that it is not ours. Do you think they will believe you? Of course not, then they stripped search to see if there are any more on you, after they have completely taken out everything that you had nicely packed in your luggage., What happens after this? Who on earth knows...

I don't always read the paper from day to day, so I will not know if anyone responds to my concerns, but does it really matter anyway?

ABKA

Smith's

Circularargument

November 17, 2007

Dear Sir,

Fans of Joseph Heller's Catch-22 will no doubt appreciate a letter received today from the Bank of Butterfield. A request to have the limit on a credit card increased was denied on the grounds that "currently your credit card balance is near its maximum credit limit". Presumably the Bank only approves requests from people who are significantly below their limit, and thus don't need it increased anyway. Yours running low on charge,

ANDREW R. DOBLE

Hamilton Parish

Now is the time

November 15, 2007

Dear Sir,

It would seem that the government of our small country in its own special way has decided that dancing with the devil is a real chance to improve our own slice of heaven. Of course I refer to the "official" tourism gathering that the Premier attended in China recently. It is now reported that we seek to open our shores to the influx of potential tourism dollars that China might be willing to spend here. The world is a much smaller place than it used to be. Not only is it OK for two of our leading local companies, Ace and XL, to begin investment in China, it is now a chance for Bermuda as a whole to profit from the possible riches headed our way from this communist regime. This communist regime that is still responsible for the state sponsored slaughter happening in Darfur.

While other countries and governments are being pressured to divest from China, it would seem that we have decided that ignorance is bliss and that what we do won't really matter in the eyes of the world. Why is it that we choose to see financial gain as being more important than human lives, which is now at a staggering 200,000 dead and 2.5 million displaced? While it would be presumptuous to assume that Dr. Brown knew about China's Khartoum connection prior to his trip, I would have hoped that someone in his entourage may have been smart enough to forewarn him. Surely if he had been apprised of the situation, he would have decided against such a silly trip. Do we need their money so badly that we can ignore the fact that the Chinese government has spent over $5 billion on Sudanese oil and continues to supply the Khartoum regime with the weapons used for their ongoing genocide?

With the upcoming election and with next year's Olympics being held in Beijing, this is the time for some strong consideration as to whom we align ourselves with when it comes to new markets and new ideas. To support and/or court a country like China that continues to support the ongoing genocide in Darfur is not acceptable. I sincerely hope that our esteemed Premier is willing to be held accountable should he continue to seek China as a friend.

PHILLIP A. RAY

Pembroke

We need people power

October 27, 2007

Dear Sir,

So now we have it! We have the Black Power Salute from Dr. Ewart Brown plastered in The Royal Gazette, so we can't say that it was a rumour, because it is there for all to see.

Mr. Editor, we do not need Black Power or White Power, what we need is PEOPLE POWER! When I saw that salute it reminded me of Nazi Germany when most of the German people were in denial or just plain ignoring what Hitler was up to. Meanwhile, these people all ran around with their hand stuck in the air, shouting "Sieg Heil" because they knew what side their bread was buttered on, and, therefore, it was to their advantage. We all know what happened to Hitler's Nazi Germany and that is one group this world can live without. The other groups that we can live without are, the Ku Klux Klan — the Skin Heads — the White Power and the Black Power groups. These groups are all terrorists and are as ignorant as the day is long. Why else would a bunch of men dress up in leather boots, clicking their heels, shouting "Sieg Heil", while another group drapes themselves in white sheets and dunce-style caps, screaming "White Power", and last but not least, the other group, with clenched fist shouting "Black Power"?

The sooner we all realise that what we drastically need is People Power, and if anyone has heard the platform of the Voters Rights Association, they will realise where our future and security lies. Not with Black Power — not with white power — but with People Power!

So Mr. Premier, you have shown your true colours, and your colours are — Black Power for Brown Power!

PAT FERGUSON

Warwick

P.s. This is an appeal to all of the 15 thousand and more people who signed the petition for the right to vote yes or no to Independence (which by the way, Government has completely ignored, which means they do not care what you think or want or need) by way of a Referendum should join the Voters Rights Association to further the "People Power" in this country. You may contact gcparker@ibl.bm or geoffsr@purvis.bm or telephone Geoff Parker at 238-0784 or Stuart Hayward at 295-4334 or e-mail me at patf@northrock.bm or telephone me at 236-7178.

If you believe in true democracy, get involved. Remember, this is your Country! It does not belong to a few in the PLP. If you put them there, then the PLP belongs to You! Have your say!