For softer calming TV

November 19, 2009

Dear Sir,

Channel 139 is available 24 hours a day with no commercials and plays movie clips, opera, orchestral segments, ballet, dance, landscapes and cities to music, foreign countries again to music and a host of other very agreeable, easy listening, easy watching classics. Government would do well to make this channel available to everyone in Bermuda and not just to those purchasing expensive programmes. It provides the exact opposite to hip hop, reggae and other ear blasting entertainment and would expose our youth to a whole new world of softer and calming television. It would also provide inspiration to our youth to become involved in the arts. I would like to see it in every home, every school, hospital and prison in Bermuda.

ARCY DUBYA

Paget

More sociological than political

November 26, 2009

Dear Sir,

I read Senator Dunkley's Opinion published on November 23. Reading it surely has impressed upon me that wisdom does come with time. Leaving aside his political swipes in his article, I think Mr. Dunkley is levelling off with some realities that only time could teach. I don't want to go on and appear one-dimensional, so let me make one little point and say to Michael with his statement that he now realises that the UBP had never in its history gained the support from the majority of the black voters and that the phenomenon has its roots in the social economic history of the island ... Michael you are absolutely right. The equation is more sociological then political. I just need to emphasise that all the political tricks in the world will not alter that reality.

The associated truth that goes along with that is, the PLP are beneficiaries of that same historical and sociological phenomenon. Another reality is, that as long as the game remains the same, we should expect the results to be no different.

So I think Michael's heart is in the right place when he says we must go to the people and write a new social contract. I think he is right again. We need a new political paradigm. I would suggest one which puts real value on people as oppose to as we now have it ... where all the value is on political parties ... I am not suggesting doing away with political organisations, just that their fangs need to be neutralised and teeth must be given to people.

Taking Michael's point on history, how do you get to a position of empowering people on this new human enlightenment and egalitarianism when both the UBP and PLP were formed out of the social saga which he described? I don't think that if the UBP were to disband that by doing so, as he says it will be denying that the PLP's existence owes something to them. I think the reverse of what he said is true. I think the UBP's existence absolutely guarantees the PLP's existence, dominance and the continuation of all that he seeks to dismantle as a system that holds a confrontational wedge between all Bermudians.

The challenge to him is to see a new Bermuda beyond the current battle field. To envision a new playing field and be the first to want to get there. Truthfully most Bermudians are already there in their hearts but don't have the vehicle or the option that they can see that will allow them to get there. Although I have always advocated another organisation/party, I have never really advocated a third party. I think just as many people within the PLP want the same thing, it's not the UBP alone that needs reform, it's Bermuda that needs it and the majority I feel would support it, if the possibility existed. A slug fest between three parties will not bring the picture I want or Bermuda needs. It's just a flood of testosterone on the street, naked political ambition with very little vision attached.

I am encouraged that Michael Dunkley is shifting his focus. Hopefully one day he can become the power behind the scene like Jack Tucker of old and use his power of persuasion to help bring the reform that Bermuda needs and he can start with those colleagues in his immediate path. Hopefully he can convince them to look deeper at the prospect of dissolving, where I have failed.

KHALID A WASI

City of Hamilton

Take it to the streets

November 25, 2009

Dear Sir,

Bermuda, like many other countries, is facing an escalation of crime. Young people who lack guidance from responsible adults often indulge in antisocial behaviour. While there are many views as to the contributing factors to the problem, the main focus of law enforcement officers, politicians and community activists is on identifying viable solutions. The following article from the International Daily Prayer Bulletin, October-November 2009, published by Revival, UK, gives details of one successful strategy:

UK: Christians cut violent crime

The Street Pastor scheme, which sends Christians onto the streets in over 100 towns in the UK, has been praised by Devon and Cornwall police for its impact on the region's crime statistics.

Deputy chief constable Tony Melville, said:

"I researched crime statistics during the six-month period when Street Pastors had been operating – no robberies had taken place at all in Torquay city centre. We had one-fifth less burglaries from homes. Vehicle crime had fallen by a quarter…. Now these are impressive reductions by anybody's standard, and that's one of the reasons we are so supportive of Street Pastors."

Ros Ede, one of the founder members of Torbay Street Pastors, said: "We get people asking if we are police, or the council and we explain: 'No, we are just mums and dads, or grandparents who are out because we care what happens to you.' The response we get from young people out on the streets has been so welcoming." (Source: InspireMagazine.org.uk) Could a similar strategy be a "grassroots" church/community effort in preventing young people getting caught up in criminal activities? If we can gain their attention and redirect their energies into positive, productive activities, both the community and they will be the beneficiaries.

LINDA DESILVA

Paget

A unique opportunity

November 27, 2009

Dear Sir,

Is it just me, or does anyone else believe that we require major changes in the justice system in Bermuda? The jury system in Bermuda has proven time and again that it does not work and should be scrapped. The pool of potential jurors is too small and the hope of obtaining 12 people with no acquaintance with an accused or his/her family in this small island is almost impossible. Supreme Court should be a panel of Judges brought in for a term limit who have no affiliation to anyone. They can decide the guilt or innocence based on the evidence presented. They would be completely impartial whereas recent cases have underlined the fact that Bermuda Juries are not.

The second major change needed is the ability for authorities to protect the identity of witnesses to major crimes. Not just their names not being released but their complete identity protected. The Police are forever appealing for witnesses to come forward and give evidence in relation to shootings or other crimes that they have witnessed. Well let's get real here you've just seen a shooting and they expect you to willingly give evidence against that person, and not expect that the accused will not have the ability and motivation to seek revenge!

Next would be to scrap the DPP's office because they obviously cannot attract the standard of lawyers that private practices do. Instead, lawyers would bat for both sides. One week they could defend someone (and claim ridiculous money from the taxpayer because the defendant is on legal aid) and the next week they would be assigned as being the prosecuting attorney for a different case and be paid a nominal fee. That way we, the Bermuda public would benefit in that we can get the best defence available but we would also get the best prosecution available.

Lastly, the Police really do have to start being held to certain standards. We must have one of the highest "Police to Population" ratios in the world, if not the highest, but all they do is complain about the constraints that they face and that they never get support from the public. Senior management need to justify and explain their actions and decisions and be held accountable for their results or lack of them. In one way, the call by this present Government for control of the Police does make sense. As a small nation we really do have the unique opportunity to "think outside the box" and be radical in the ways we deal with crime and make the justice system work for us but instead we just adopt policies and laws handed down from the UK that are "Bermudianised". This is not the UK and the laws and statutes passed there do not automatically work elsewhere.

AN INQUIRING MIND

Southampton

The right thing to do

November 29, 2009

Dear Sir,

Why didn't Wanda Brown curtsy to the Queen? Whether or not she likes or respects the Queen, it would have been the right thing to do. Recently President Obama bowed to the Emperor of Japan, which he took a lot of flak for back in the US. He did it because it was the right thing to do.

CURIOUS

Pembroke

Make PATI retroactive

November 30, 2009

Dear Sir,

I, Raymond Ray, a registered voter, am in support of the requested changes to be made in the PATI bill, as I also feel it should be retroactive and reworded so that we the general public can access all public records (whether prior or new info.) I too feel, we as a democratic society have those rights to public records.

RAYMOND RAY

St. George's