Drivers don’t have a clueOctober 23, 2006

Dear Sir,Much has been justifiably written on the truly abysmal standards of driving on the roads of Bermuda, and it is surely only the relatively slow speed of traffic movement which prevents carnage. The fundamental problem is the fact that the vast majority of our drivers (professional as well as amateur) simply don’t have a clue how to manage a moving vehicle on a public highway; their training has been appalling, the testing process a joke and their eventual use of the roads careless and often negligent, particularly of others.

I was struck by a car on Reid Street this morning. As Reid Street is one-way west I checked that the road was clear to my right and was stepping out to cross when in my peripheral vision I saw a car reversing into me; I got my hands on to the rear windshield and was able to brace myself against it and prevent myself being injured although the car did hit me at waist and knee level before stopping. When I went to have a word with the driver, the expressed no interest in my condition (OK, life’s tough) and cheerfully explained to me that I should know at my age not to step out into the path of moving traffic.

The fact that he was in fact moving in the wrong direction on a one-way street seemed not to have registered with him nor, obviously, had he checked directly or in his mirrors that his path was clear before reversing. No one in the street mattered to him but himself. Now why am I bringing this very minor incident to your attention?

The car was driving instructional vehicle and, since there was no one else in it, the driver presumably was the instructor. No wonder overall driving standards are so low if this is the kind of example set by their leading promoters and practitioners. How can they ever be improved when their application matters so little to their high priests? Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?JOHN GIAVARINI

City of HamiltonDon’t forget Base hospitalOctober 19, 2006

Dear Sir,This new hospital they want to build at Botanical Gardens: Do they wish to destroy a wonderful landmark also to build at Pembroke Marsh? There is a good building up at St. David’s, Southside that is the old Hospital the Americans left. This would also benefit people at the east end and the elderly and mother who have young children.ANNE STEWART

St. George’sTynes Bay troubles?October 10, 2006

Dear Sir,Where is Sandra from the Tynes Bay Drop Off Facility? She was excellent and always made sure everyone recycled if the article was of use to others and kept on display all the articles until the end of the day for viewing. The gentleman that is working there now makes you either throw everything in the garbage and if you do set it aside for others, then he comes right behind you and throws it in the garbage, even if you suggest to please leave it out.

Many people who are leaving the island and have not sold their belongings will kindly leave it out at Tynes Bay for others. There has been everything from furniture, dishes, picture frames and children’s toys and bikes. Being recycling is such an issue, could this not be reinstated at Tynes Bay instead of the waste of being made to throw it into the garbage? Since Sandra has left nothing is kept and — Sandra we miss you and our little Bermuda shopping mall!MISS SHOPPER & RECYCLER

PembrokeGet real, Mr. DonovanOctober 13, 2006Dear Sir,I hope that Mr. Thomas Donovan gets the opportunity to read this letter. What makes him believe that his son can commit a crime and get away with it? Why are people so surprised when they come to our beautiful country and see that we have laws, rules and regulations just like every other civilised country in the world? Mr. Donovan compares us to Communist China — that is such an insult and totally unfair and I’m sure deep down he knows it. If Bermuda were not a democracy, his son would not even been given a lawyer, and the opportunity to have his day in court — he would have just been thrown in jail no questions asked.

I have a relative in law enforcement, and whenever they arrest an American, nine times out of ten the first words out of their mouth is ‘but I’m an American!’ I’m not trying to bash Americans as a whole because most are law-abiding. But, the ones who do get caught importing drugs or whatever, that’s the mentality that they have... that our laws somehow do not apply to them and they should just be allowed to go home and not account for what they have done.

Mr. Donovan can talk to whomever he wants, and try to boycott all he wants. I’m sure that the majority of his countrymen have heard the saying ‘if you want to do the crime be ready to do the time.’ His son and the other guy should have thought about their kids, wives, jobs, homes, health etc. before they went into someone else’s country and broke the law. If they were back home in the States, they would have gotten the same treatment and more then likely imprisoned there as well.

Furthermore, we Bermudians are the ones that should be complaining. Because of his son’s foolishness and lack of self-control, we the taxpayer have to pay to keep these guys here while they serve their sentences. So Mr. Donovan needs to take a deep breath and get real. What his son did was wrong and how he is being punished for it. Hopefully this will be a lesson learned. Just don’t blame or insult our country just because you’re shocked that we expect our visitors to obey our laws just like everybody else.

DON’T DO THE CRIME IF YOU CAN’T DO THE TIME!

Hamilton Parish<$>The proactive PremierOctober 30, 2006Dear Sir,The dawn of a monumental day, a new era has risen upon us while at the other end of the spectrum the sun has set on one influential Dame and enclosing on the other. The battle just completed was not just about the leadership, it also entails to a large degree the direction and influence of how the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) will move forward. With a down-to-earth approach, Dr. Ewart Brown canvassed every delegate and with a reported rousing speech on election night and romped home victorious.

In 2003 Alex Scott MP entered left, undertook a huge responsibility to not only lead the party forward and out of the most difficult short period in its history but also to heal it and bring it back together. October 27, 2006 — same place different time and enter front and centre Dr. Ewart Brown. Exit right former Premier Scott, unknown to Mr. Scott his detractors far outweigh those supporting him.

Mr. Scott reportedly said: “It’s better to build a consensus and then move forward.” This was a partial quote attached to him. Well that explains why the Berkeley School project wasn’t completed on time and over budget. (He was Works and Engineering Minister and then Premier for the duration of the aforementioned project.)

The difference Bermudians had heard and undoubtedly seen from former leader Scott is let’s wait and see while Dr. Brown’s vision allows him to see it and the courage to act upon it. In other words, Mr. Scott throughout his tenure as Premier was reactive in his approach while Dr. Brown has a proven proactive record.

With the victory wave of support surrounding newly elected Premier Brown one can easily forget the spoils of one’s ambition. To all the ambitious — past, present and future — who had, have and want the top post it is leased, not owned. With that we cannot allow any leader to become lackadaisical, stagnant or both. After all, we must be progressive in thinking and then act. Labour is the foundation we were built on and let’s never forget we are a party.

The heart of the PLP at one time for anybody wishing to lead must have felt that it was a door four feet thick. Over night it now seems it is wide open and Dr. Ewart Brown in his jubilance storms through. Now part of his responsibility is to keep it open. Democracy is now full, healthy and rampant throughout the PLP Camp! Gone now it appears is the tight grip of influence of Dame Lois, passed down to her successor, then again.

The buck stopped with ex-Premier Mr. Alex Scott MP. To Dame Lois, your comments on the channel 9 News sealed the fate of not only Mr. Scott but also the complete closure of you as a significant influence in the affairs within the PLP. Dr. Brown will attempt to bring the remaining foes into the fold but, knowing his style, he wouldn’t lose any sleep if they don’t! One significant move to help complete the healing would be to extend an invitation to the expelled dissidents of the past. Mr. Brangman has returned but Mr. Darrell, Mr. Thomas and Mr. Simmons are still outstanding. An apology is due!

Ex-Premier Scott MP slipped away in the shadows heading to a place only he knows. To Dame Lois and Dame Jennifer, the Dr. Brown Express Train has left Devonshire Rec with his personal style and fanfare in pursuit of GP1. Are you on board? Are you? Or are your minds still sitting there in your chairs — SOS?

Fasten your seat belt — Dr. Brown’s coming through the Island serving popcorn. Get ready to be comfortable on Railway Brown!

BROWNLOW ADDERLEY

Southampton<$>Tackle real problemOctober 19, 2005Dear Sir,Whilst one cannot help applaud the Police Service in their declared endeavour to make the highways a safer place, one must question the relevance of their declared intention of pulling over and ticketing what will inevitably be hundreds of motorists travelling at the breakneck speeds of 47 kilometres an hour.

The real menace on our roads lies with the suicidal idiots who overtake on blind corners at 74 kph. They expect everything and everyone to get out of their way, and spare their lives, and are occasionally, briefly, and terminally surprised when this fails to happen.

Perhaps I am just being cynical, but I can’t help feeling that the 47kph motorist is just a lot easier to catch, and that the Police are quite aware that the statistics at the end of the day will just say that the boys in blue did a great job in ticketing 17,432 speeders this year. The other idiots will keep on killing themselves, and other road users, and Reid Street will be backed up to Spurling Hill with people queuing to get into Magistrates’ Court to pay their $150.

There is further downside. Motorists will become progressively more lawless as they realise that after three weeks, there are no more cops on the roads as every available traffic policeman is going to be making a daily attendance at Magistrates’ Court of next 18 months in order to process the 17,432 tickets issued.

Wouldn’t it be a good idea to actually try to do something about the real problem? By the way, whatever happened to the automatic three year ban for 40mph and over?

PLODDING BUT NOT PC

Smith’s ParishJust another crackdownOctober 25, 2006Dear Sir,I note that we have once again followed the usual procedure for the annual Police crackdown on traffic offenders:

1. Accidents and deaths on roads.

2. Public outcry.

3. Police claim lack of manpower and increase in crime negates their ability to concentrate on traffic issues.

4. More accidents and deaths on roads.

5. More public outcry.

6. Politicians take note of potential vote winning/losing issue.

7. Politicians pressure Police to take action.

8. Police ‘crackdown’ announced.

9. Police in evidence on roads and ticket numerous offenders.

10. After three days, no Police to be seen.

11. Back to speeding and other insanities as usual.

12. Accidents and deaths on roads.

I look forward to next year’s crackdown. Perhaps the Police would like to announce now which three days they will nominate so I can note it in my diary.

COLUMBIA

Smith’sCalling all Rangers!October 19, 2006Dear Sir,A search is currently underway to contact former Sea Rangers of SRSDeliveranceand former Rangers of Deliverance Service Unit. This was the senior branch of the Girl Guide movement in Bermuda between the 1950s and the late 1970s.

If any readers of this letter were members of Deliverance or if you have e-mail or other addresses for any of the girls we would be very appreciative if you would call either Agnes Waddicor, 236-9386, or Dianna Doe 295-2497 or e-mail ddoe[AT]northrock.bm.

Thank you very much for your help.

AGNES WADDICOR

Smith’s Parish<$>Lapse of judgmentOctober 17, 2006Dear Sir,In today’s Letters to the Editor there was a letter from ‘Shocked’ in Devonshire.

As the coordinator of the volunteer marshals for the annual Breast Cancer Awareness Charity Walk, I would like to take this opportunity to apologise on behalf of the young lady who so graciously has donated her time for the last three years to such a worthy cause and at a moment of weakness fell prey to less than acceptable verbal standards.

It is by no means an excuse for lowering our standards to the level of others but the climate of our community and their willingness to extend some common courtesy towards others leaves a lot to be desired as I myself manned a crossing station and was subjected to the public’s unwillingness to wait, if even for a moment to ensure the safety of the walkers.

I trust that the young lady momentary lapse of good judgment will not discourage you or others from continuing to support such a worthy cause.

APOLOGIES

HamiltonFalse impressionDear Sir,How soon Remembrance Day ... the 11th day of the 11th month comes around. As an Australian Veteran of the Vietnamese and conjoint Malaysian (to 1976) conflicts, I would like to correct an impression held by many who live in the Northern Hemisphere that Vietnam was solely a USA engagement.

The subject in point is the Vietnam War.

This was a war which involved many nations of which the United States of America was but one.

Allies who served in the Vietnam War at any one given time were:

Australia 7,600

Korea 50,000

New Zealand 500

Philippines 2,000

Thailand 11,500 personnel

And let us never forget the Forces of South Vietnam, and the civilians and nurses from all nations.

And, indeed, Australia was involved over a period of 13 years from 1962 to 1975. It is well documented that the last troops to pull out of South Vietnam were a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Airfield Defence Patrol.

Airfield Defence is a RAAF Infantry type ‘beyond the wire’ force hunting special enemy Forces Units with the latest technology, techniques and weapons.

Only last year did the ‘powers to be’ acknowledged this patrol’s existence thus ending a long Veteran’s battle for war related injuries.

Today the Airfield Defence and many other Australian Forces are involved in the Iraqi war and indeed many Northern and Southern Hemisphere conflicts before that. Too many in fact.

Korean War Veterans will be sympathetic to this letter more than most. Allied countries who served in Korea differed but misrepresentation and a focus on one nation only resulted in a ‘forgotten’ war (for many). At the setting of the Sun lest we forget.

SQUADRON LEADER JOHN T.R. CAMERON (retired)

St. George’s

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