Riding the bus

March 30, 2008

Dear Sir,

Whilst the Premier is to be applauded for catching the number 1 bus to work last week, perhaps if he used the service on a regular basis he would appreciate how much more convenient the service would be if it operated later into the evening.

COLD AND WET CYCLIST

Devonshire

For a free press

March 29, 2008

Dear Sir,

Here we are, a tiny dot in the mid-Atlantic, and we are fortunate enough to have a first class newspaper read daily by a huge majority of the population. Now it appears that Government is withdrawing its support of this excellent publication because one of its reporters made a light hearted remark about the appalling performance of a local cricket team. How childish.

Government is simply cutting off its nose to spite its face. This newspaper is the most accepted way to put news and views across, and Governement will surely be the loser here.

I understand that our Premier has a Press Secretary. What a blessing it would be to all of us if Government would pass the Freedom of Information act, like the rest of the civilised world, and have his Press Secretary work with the newspaper, making sure that we the people know what is going on.

The Royal Gazette just publishes what it believes to be facts, and how much better it would be if Government worked with the press instead of against it, and got its message across, instead of acting like a bunch of spoilt children when things are misrepresented owing to lack of communication.

E. RABEN

Paget

Totally transparent

March 28, 2008

Dear Sir,

I must thank the Government of Bermuda for the best chuckle I have had in a long time. A good sniggering based purely on the hilarity I find in the antics of this "People's Government" or "Labour Government", whatever you want to call it, and the utter contempt this Government shows for anyone who does not think as they do. This whole issue with the cancelling of the Royal Gazette subscriptions is a prime example! I can only dream of what is going to happen next. Is MIX 106.1 next on the chopping block? After all, their headlines each morning typically come from The Royal Gazette – they must be considered enemies of the State by now.

For once, I actually think the PLP Government is being totally transparent. Dr. Brown's "Learn to Live With That" attitude towards the cancelling of The Royal Gazette, and his party's / Government's failure to disclose the full measure of their "media budget cut" while still clearly supporting his "friends" at PLP biased Bermuda Network News and HOST 107.5, with unelected PLP Senator Thaao Dill on the airwaves, brings to mind several other Government leaders who also sought to control and in fact successfully did control the media in order to advance their personal and party goals. Leaders like Castro, Mussolini, Stalin, and Noriega to name a few. Control the media and you control the populace.

Just how far are we from an actual dictatorship anyway? Can this slightly darker than opaque, I mean clearly transparent government let us know what their direction is? Should I soon expect to see a police or special Government appointed militia motorcade surrounding "El Presidente" Dr. B. cruising in GP1, waving a newly designed green and white Independent Dictatorship of Bermuda flag in one hand and a "Feel the Love" sign in the other? Are we to be told what to think now? Freedom of speech and freedom of expression are fundamental rights in a democratic society, and no government has the right to control the same, even in a small degree.

Having said that, I am willing to give the benefit of the doubt to the Government, if they can actually prove that they are not just targeting the Royal Gazette, the nemesis of the PLP. If there was in fact fiscal prudence being exercised in the decision to cancel The Royal Gazette subscriptions, a decision base which would surely shock and amaze me anyway, given this Government's track record in fiscal responsibility to date; can we then expect to see the same level of prudence exercised against the Bermuda Sun? How much are they paying for that subscription, and how much do they sink into the Sun for advertising? Will we have less Government ads all around, including on the good Doctor's pet stations? Let's have the transparent government show a little transparency, cut the red tape and remove the blinders. We, the people of Bermuda are not stupid. Let's see the agenda. Let's have the plan.

In closing, may I just say that I can only imagine what would happen in the USA if President Bush ordered the US Government to discontinue any publication which dared question his leadership. I would hazard a guess that there would be nothing left in paper to read.

I don't normally hide behind pen names, because of my belief in the freedom of speech and freedom of expression, however, I must pen name this particular opinion piece to avoid potential political ties to my employer and to protect certain organisations which I represent in the community. These opinions are my own.

FREEDOM FIGHTER

Southampton

Obama means change

March 28, 2008

Dear Sir,

I first heard of Barack Obama before he declared an interest in becoming the next President of the United States. I bought his two biographical books to find out about him. I was not only impressed with his obvious honesty but also his lucid writing ability.

I have been following the candidates race for the White House with great interest and tried to ignore the American news media hyperbole, which seems to get more intense as the days go by.

The United States has the propensity, in many elections in its history, to not elect persons with high intellect. A case in point; they did not elect Adlai Stephenson whom some considered the greatest President they never had!

The question arises, will they go for John McCain, a Republican who will be 'a same again George W. Bush?' Or will they go for the 'same again' Clintons? I note with interest that the European press talk of the Billary campaign. Will the voters feel that they can get two Clintons for the vote of one?

In my considered view I truly believe that the US needs a complete change from 'Same Agains'. It needs to restore a trust in its administration, not only at home but more than ever internationally, which has been engendered by the philosophy and actions of George W., Mr. Cheney and Mr. Rumsfelt.

I realise that Bermuda's business community feels that Mr. Obama will be out to destroy our international business. This is a twist in his approach to those US companies who are fraudulent. Bermuda has successfully handled hiccups with American administrations in the past and will continue to approach other situations, as they arise, in a mature and successful manner. I am confident of this.

I sincerely believe that Barack Obama, if elected, will bring the races in the United States more together than any of the other candidates and restore trust internationally, which is sorely needed.

It will be very refreshing to have someone who is an accomplished speaker in contrast with a President who has trouble putting coherent sentences together.

DR. C.R. TERCEIRA

Somerset

Clean up arrears

April 2, 2008

Dear Sir,

War is an extreme lucrative business for the banking in the new world order — loans for destruction? Loans for reconstruction, loans for controlling people — 'The New World Order'?

What is also important is the fact that belief in the rule of law and the absolute right of individuals to challenge in court action taken by their governments, employers, unions, etc. in Bermuda. There have been many mistakes priming the pump.

Many of our leaders, UBP and PLP, unionists and employers, have invented crises then worked secretly to instil fear in the people that they control. It is not difficult to set up and control your own opposition in any organisation.

In this way, leaders can make changes favourable to them (the rulers). In Bermuda for their own benefit (in the dark crew of financial pirates there are those who would cut a man's throat to get a dollar out of his pocket). In nine years of our PLP Government, $42 million of taxes and pension contributions are more than three months in arrears, even though the employers deducted up to half of them relating to pension contributions from their employees, which should have been taken to court for prosecution.

This problem has persisted for years, starting under the UBP and continuing under the PLP for nine years. (I have no doubt these and many more breaches as set out in the Auditor General's Report will continue at the expense of the poor workers in Bermuda under either party.

RAYMOND RUSSELL

Pembroke West

Thanks to hospital staff

March 29, 2008

Dear Sir,

The family of the late Neville Conyers would like to thank all the doctors, nurses and hospital employees who cared for him during his recent illness.

The EMT crew, the ER team, the nursing staff in Cooper Ward, and, in particular, the nurses and doctors in ICU, were all kind, caring and attentive, both to "Walter" as they knew him, and to all of us, throughout this difficult time.

We all found your professionalism, sensitivity and compassion, both soothing and, ultimately, heart warming. In a time where medical experiences are often stressful and difficult, it's comforting to be able to express our thanks and not our frustrations.

THE CONYERS FAMILY

Pembroke