Amputees meet tonight

Dear Sir,

I would like to bring to the awareness of your readers that April is National Limb Loss Awareness Month and the Amputee Association of Bermuda is encouraging every amputee or friend/loved one of an amputee to come to our AGM meeting on April 21st, 2010 at Dr. Ronald Lightbourne's office (under Seventh-day Adventist Church) on King Street and be part of this very important support group. In addition to reports of progress for the last fiscal year, and elections — we will be discussing the upcoming ACA (Amputee Coalition of America) conference to be held in California in August 2010.

Last year for the first time our Association sent two representatives to the conference held in Atlanta and these individuals (Marian Askia and Dauphine Dickerson) received Peer Visitors Training where they may now offer support to new amputees and visit in hospital or in their own home. If you know of a new amputee or someone who could benefit from our support group please feel free to contact us. The AGM meeting will begin at 5 p.m. and when the meeting is completed we have a time of fellowship where refreshments will be served. Memberships may be renewed at that time. Put your name on our mailing list and you will get notices of meetings, updates and storylines of books now available from our lending library. If you are interested in attending or would like further information please contact me, Marian Askia, at 747-3471 or via email: ampgrannybda@hotmail.com. Sincerely,

MARIAN ASKIA

President, Amputee Association of Bermuda

Get all the facts

April 10, 2010

Dear Sir,

I just want to make something crystal clear to everyone in Bermuda. People keep saying that I left the scene of the accident and was drunk etc etc. As everyone is giving their opinion, I thought I would express mine in the greatest detail. Mr. Burrows was twice the legal drink drive limit, he had .14 milligrams of cocaine in his system, and had a paralysed left arm from a previous accident. If I did leave the scene, then why was I not charged with that offence? And if I was drunk, why was I not charged with driving while under the influence?

When I won my appeal on March 16, the only question in everyone's mind was whether I was driving dangerously driving, and that is why I won my appeal, along with the ruling that the judge did not direct the jury properly. But for everyone's information that is not the main reason why my conviction was overturned. The three panel of judges questioned the prosecution for some time on where the initial point of impact was and how that could have happened on my side of the road so that puts the other driver at fault.

I am not writing to blame him or anyone, I just want to make it clear that it was not my fault and was just an accident and that is why they are called accidents. I think everyone is blind to the fact of the state of the other driver and that just does not seem relevant to anyone. I have moved on from this and I just hope the families can stop blaming other people when they have not got a clue what actually happened.

LUKE ARMSTRONG

England

A wonderful teacher

April 10 2010

Dear Sir,

I would like to thank Christopher Swan, who runs a Project Ride course in auxiliary cycle training, for his kind and conscientious approach to teaching teenagers the skills of bike riding. T.N. Tatem Middle School is lucky to have a deputy principal, who is such a great role model. The process of putting a 16-year-old on to Bermuda's congested, dangerous roads is a rite of passage that most parents are wary of, but Mr. Swan could not have got his students off to a better start. Good news too that under 18s are restricted from driving between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. and from carrying a pillion passenger at any time. An earlier curfew might have been even more effective, but this is a step in the right direction for safer road use. Thank you Mr Swan.

LAURA KEYES

Devonshire

Well done, Davon Gibbs

April 10, 2010

Dear Sir,

Kudos to Davon Gibbs on turning his life around and being recently awarded an Outstanding Teen award. It was refreshing to read such a positive article on one of the many stars of Bermuda's youth. Keep up the good work Mr. Gibbs – Bermuda needs more people like you who recognise that it is OK to make mistakes sometimes, but realise that the mistakes you make today are your own to fix tomorrow.

LESLEY COX

Devonshire

Criticism was unfair

April 9, 2010

Dear Sir,

If I may be given some space to reply to the letter titled "Evicting Excellence" written by "A Concerned Voice" which was the only letter to the editor printed in the April 9 edition of The Royal Gazette. I agree with the author that Roger Crombie has provided the Island with some excellent articles and stories. I think most people would agree with me that he is an excellent organiser of words, intelligent, insightful and funny. It is unfortunate but current Immigration policy dictates his time in Bermuda, for now, is at an end. Is this the end of Mr. Crombie's articles in Bermuda? I hope not. There is no reason why he can't continue bringing us insightful articles and funny stories, after all he wouldn't be the first and only former member of the Bermuda press corps who's no longer living here but whose articles continue to be published locally.

I'm bothered by the statements made by "A Concerned Voice" that "as no such talents reside here" and "the articles in the local press are written by locals with declining levels of clarity, syntax, vocabulary, metaphors, elegance, understanding, or the essential global perspective that intellect and education accord" and the insinuation that local people do not have the ability to excel. Years ago I would have read such comments and gritted my teeth and moved on. Since the birth of my kids I'm no longer able to easily brush away comments like this as they are, intended or not, an insult to them and their potential. Well "A Concerned Voice" you've chosen to stay here over 30 years. If you think Bermuda is just a place where the local population is ignorant, uneducated and no one has the capacity to reach great heights, then why bother to stay? Your letter is very well written, the vocabulary and use of syntax is excellent well beyond what I'm personally capable of doing. It indicates an above average education and some intelligence. Maybe that is why you chose to stay in Bermuda to be a big fish in a little pond as opposed to an average fish in a large lake.

Mr. Crombie is a man who has worked in his field for many years. He has also written for many years and obviously has a passion for what he writes. It is not fair or sensible to compare his skills and talents with that of young local journalist and writers who are not yet seasoned and who are asked to produce articles on a wide range of topics. "A Concerned Voice" stated the articles written by locals in the local press are poor. I don't know which articles in the local papers or magazines are written by locals and which are written by guest workers. "A Concerned Voice" obviously has more knowledge of the local press corps than I do. If "A Concerned Voice" is so bothered by this can I ask if he/she has bothered to offer assistance to any local journalists with their writing? Has he/ she voiced concern on this subject with local editors? Or is it just easier to sit and criticise? The Mirrors Programme is seeking volunteers. Has "A Concerned Voice" applied? If the immigration policy is so unpalatable to "A Concerned Voice" then may I ask if you have suggestions to improve it and if so have you presented such to anyone?

JAMES JACKSON

Devonshire

Thank you Lt. Col. Burch

April 9, 2010

Dear Sir,

All praises to Colonel Burch – Colonel Burch for King. Suspend democracy for a couple of years (it's in short supply in any case) and appoint Colonel Burch as Dictator – a benevolent dictator, I hasten to add. It is, after all, a role he is assuming. He is undoubtedly an autocrat – democracy does not seem to sit comfortably with Colonel Burch. He is not elected to Parliament yet he is the most powerful person in Government. We could dispense with the rest of his colleagues in Cabinet – most of them haven't the slightest notion what they are doing anyway.

Colonel Burch could take on Finance, Education and Planning – he would consult and use the Permanent Secretaries and various civil servants, giving us, once again, the benefit of their expertise and experience – something which is long overdue.

I never thought I'd ever say this, but right now, Bermuda needs to be handled as though it was a business and we need Colonel Burch as the The Man in Charge – not forever – just a couple of years to get us back on track. Yes, I know that Colonel Burch is bossy and he can be highly abrasive (to put it mildly). He speaks his mind and tolerates fools lightly. I can only guess how trying Cabinet and caucus discussions must be to him. However, he has a great sense of humour, an incredible work ethic and he doesn't strut – unlike most of his colleagues. He is definitely down to earth – not full of self importance. Again, unlike most of his colleagues. He is sincere and he does not come across to me as a racist – a big difference between him and some of those people mentioned already.

His latest venture in meeting with Bermudians employed in International Businesses to my mind, speaks volumes. From what I have heard, he is prepared to listen to the people who know of what they speak. If we look at Colonel Burch's record we can see that whenever he takes on a job it gets done. When one bears in mind that he is not elected and never has been elected – it tells us something about the current state of Government in Bermuda. We should all be asking ourselves what were we thinking when we cast our votes.

We could ask him to figure out what to do about our out-of-control criminal element. He'd settle their hash (no pun intended) in no time. If he was in charge of Finance – there would be no overspending – no glib budgets. If he controlled Planning – there would be no abuses – no self serving SDOs. If he took on Education, budgets would be adhered to, the Department of Education would be reduced to two, sloppy teachers would be removed and children would obey the rules and get down to brass tacks. All our problems would be solved. Pie in the sky, I know – little things like human rights, the Constitution, abuses of power and "police state" spring to mind. But, consider this my personal "thank you" to Colonel Burch because he, at least, is living up to his oath – he is putting Bermuda first.

KATH BELL

Paget

Where are the witnesses?

April 9, 2010

Dear Sir,

Interesting how the masses who clamour for Police to eradicate the gun play among our sad, misguided, and brokenhearted babies, seem to have become almost silent re: the Good Friday murder on Victor Scott School grounds! Of the alleged 50-plus persons in close proximity to said murder; How many of you have called and/or visited the Police Station to say what you saw? How many of you know the colour, make, and/or style of the cycle ridden by these cowards, their clothing, skin colour, etc., and have as yet failed to serve the best interests of your families, neighbours and country? Ask of yourselves: what would you expect your neighbour to do for you?

DISILLUSIONED

Devonshire

P.s. to the "alleged" murderers; may justice be served swiftly!

Women being neglected

April 12, 2010

Dear Sir,

The PLP Government has focused on and strived to give social justice and financial parity to young black males. Whether it has succeeded will be debated and analysed within Bermuda for many years to come. I believe that very genuine attempts or initiatives were made at the highest levels by former Premier Alex Scott and present Premier, Dr. Ewart Brown to bring about measurable changes for young Bermudian men in general.

However, it may be that these initiatives did not have enough time to take root and show tangible green shoots of progress due to the change in PLP administrations, in rapid succession. For example, under Alex Scott's administration it sought to dismantle institutional racism and blockades by stripping any and all unjust Government policies and programmes that existed in the path of young black Bermudian males or conversely, policies or programmes that gave favourable outcome to white males. Under Dr. Brown's administration, first there were consultants, then an implemented Mirrors programme, and now, by the sheer lucky request from the Obama administration, the relocation of the Uighurs, who have opened the door to a quid pro quo to dismantle, or at or at least overhaul the US stop list against Bermudians with criminal records. If Dr Brown can claim a measure of success where other Bermudian Premiers have failed, both UBP and PLP, it will be to negotiate, reduce or eliminate the marginalisation of young black males when they have needed an opportunity to refocus and restore their lives; this is his achievement. But remember the political opportunity dropped into his lap (Uighurs) and he is now maximising its outcome (US stop-list) – a good political opportunity and a noble way of cashing in! No, I am not a Brown admirer, just noting that he can be effective when he is not spending his political capital chasing enemies.

Under that backdrop and without apologies, the PLP leaders have put their political, economy and social emphasis on young males to seek tangible results. But to whose detriment? Well to the detriment of females, young and old, black and white, and of all economy and social dimensions. Not since Renee Webb left the PLP Cabinet has any attention, policy or programme been focused on women in this country. The PLP leadership is barren on any policies, programmes or political interest in women other than those who have joined the Progressive Labour Party. And yet those who have joined the PLP have shown a shocking disregard for women outside their immediate political hemisphere. Where are the Government initiatives on behalf of women? What has happened to the Women's Advisory Council and its Crystal Award for the woman of the year? Where, when and at what time have any PLP women in politics shown their appreciation to, extended their political hand in the assistance of, or sought to create a legacy in the interest of their female counterparts? The difference between the UBP and PLP in politics is when it comes to women, action vs inaction. The UBP women in politics focused on women in the communities whereas the PLP women focused on themselves – a very big and keenly noted difference. And enough time has been extended to the PLP female leaders to show the stark indifference on "women's issues". For example, Dame Lois Browne-Evans, Dame Jennifer Smith, the rise of Paula Cox and Kim Wilson and, the call of Neletha Butterfield on women's issues in her political aspirations and yet, not one real investment by them in women's issues beyond their elevations.

Now let me be more specific – Dr. Eva Hodgson, who is the mother of social consciousness – in this island-nation, will she have to die in order to be honoured by women in Bermuda, by Bermuda, not the Queen? For if this is genuinely a country that values sacrifice, selflessness and a commitment to a cause greater than ourselves, then this woman embodies what Mandela learnt in prison, what King dreamt and spoke about and, what Mother Teresa demonstrated in her humanity to the poor. Whether it has been the UBP or PLP in Government, she has been a beacon of social justice.

Another female who made political and personal sacrifices is Grace Bell. Wayne Furbert, Jahmahl Simmons, Shawn Crockwell and others stand on her shoulders in terms of crossing the politically divide and making a stand, but whereas these males have benefited from her political example, Grace Bell was largely ignored and disrespected by the female leadership of the PLP. A debt is owed to these women for their sacrifices and yet when women's groups get together to honour women in the community, it is for their financial commercial success, but never for sacrifices on behalf of this tiny politically mature and financially successful country. It's odd, we value financial profit over social justice and, sadly this maybe what the young, in their blatant violence, is reflecting back to us – what we value most in Bermuda.

VALLIRIE MARCIA AKINSTALL

London, UK