No right to disrupt traffic

November 14, 2008

Dear Sir,

Janet Wingate's letter published November 12 under the heading "Stand up for openness", completely misses the main point of mine which appeared November 5. I have absolutely no objection to anyone standing up for their rights and insisting on good government. What I resent is the deliberate obstruction of Bermuda's roads by an aggrieved minority. The truckers may well have a good case, but they have absolutely no right to make "herds of commuters" late for work.

CLIVE R. DAKIN

Obama yes, Brown no

November 20, 2008

Dear Sir,

Everyone should take great exception to our "leader's" comments in the House on November 14.

Why would the Bermuda white voting population be any different to those white voting population in the US the majority of whom voted for President elect Obama?

I can assure you that if someone ran for office here who gave me hope for a brighter future with strong leadership void of self interest, divisiveness and questionable integrity I would vote for that person … regardless of race.

Unfortunately we don't have that option here … our alternative to the UBP is a blatantly racist leadership consumed with dividing the community for self-interest and who appears to conduct the people's affairs with questionable integrity.

It's almost ironic that Brown is attempting to accuse Bermuda white folk for perpetuating racism in the community when in fact all Brown has to do is look in the mirror and he will disclose exactly where (and with whom) the majority of the problem squarely lies.

I am comfortable with one fact … I would never vote for you, "Dr. Brown", no matter what your colour. I just wish your supporters would see through your divisive rhetoric and recognise you for who you really are…

COTTY OUTERBRIDGE

City of Hamilton

No child left behind failed

October 30, 2008

Dear Sir,

Representatives of the Bermuda Government have included in their education reformation plan the No Child Left Behind model (NCLB). I believe the Ministers and other key members of the PRISM committees know that NCLB has been a failure in the United States. As a matter of fact, the National Education Association in Washington DC totally rejects NCLB as an effective reform model.

Study after study, analysis after analysis is showing those of us who choose to read it that Bush's seductively named No Child Left Behind is a failure — total and complete. How can our politicians and their very highly paid consultants approve such a plan and expect the whole island of Bermuda to respect them for the choice they have made for our children's future? The following comment, written by Casey Martin of the US clearly attests to the fact that Bermuda has been sold a bill of goods by the consultant executive office from the United States.

"When the US Government passed the No Child Left Behind into law, it signed a death warrant for the public school system that most of our children are a part of. In recent years, the trend to home-school or to attend private schools has continued to increase. People cannot help but wonder if the Government is trying to get out of public education altogether. (He was referring to the United States.)

The No Child Left Behind laws were poorly conceived, but in spite of their flaws, they are being strictly enforced. Many schools find themselves in the position of having to close because they cannot comply with the current laws, especially with the low priority of education in the allocation of funds. (He was referring to the United States.)

The laws issue ultimatums without providing backup support and funding to empower schools to make them happen. How can schools which are failing financially hope to improve learning opportunities for their students? How can teachers who are stretched thinner and thinner because of their declining budgets hope to meet the needs of the children who are receiving inadequate support at home? How can schools operate without textbooks, paper, working computers and other necessary materials?"

The answer to these questions is NOT No Child Left Behind. What our country needs is a Government that:

• Supports principals and teachers

• Allocates funds sufficient to the needs of schools and future growth plans of the system

• Allows teachers to teach to the needs of their students and not just for a test

• Re-establishes trust in our public education and with the people who work so hard in the educational field

• Pays top teachers top pay

• Provides adequate budgets to provide excellent resources for teaching

• Reviews legislation and adopts those that support education, not punish schools

No Child Left Behind does not show respect for teachers nor does it raise children's self esteem; therefore, I am forced to invite Mr. Philip Butterfield and his consultant, Dr. Henry Johnson, to explain to me and the Bermuda public why they made such a choice. In addition, I am forced to invite Mr. Butterfield to explain to me and the Bermuda public how he could feel he has integrity in spending the exorbitant amount of money (more than $350,000 a year) for an "expert" to come to Bermuda and implement a failed program which no wise honest person could ever accept and promote.

MERLE SWAN-WILLIAMS

Pembroke