Violent crime

Dear Sir,

Police statistics from the last eight years show that violent crime is at its highest point following a surge in gang robberies. Why do we label wall-sitters, evil-doers, drug-addicts, and drug- dealers as gang members? To set the record straight there aren't any gangs in Bermuda (even though I have pushed up C's in the past… crips). All they are doing is pretending, and causing territorial imbalance in the community once again (just like the town and country syndrome). I often see people flagging (scarves in the back pockets, around the neck / head / wrist, etc.), and I know for a fact all of them leave their flags on the Island when they travel overseas. False pretenders with negative motives are what they need to be labelled as.

Police have been informed that groups of up to six demons have been targeting individuals walking alone at night. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me (Psalms 23-4). Mr. Jackman (acting assistant commissioner) stated that he thinks the increase in robberies are due to guys wearing $20,000 chains, and once you do that you become more of a target.

Hold on a minute…Bermuda authorities have a bad habit of telling owners of; houses, cars, motorcycles, boats, jet skis, and now jewellery what they can do with their paid for merchandise. I'm not saying that it's a bad idea, but if I have a receipt for it I should be able to do what I please with it. Let's look at an alternative that will benefit the community. From the Police statistics they know of the times and places in which majority of these crimes are committed so why not have officers strategically located. Instead of trying to convince the community to hide their possessions (why can't you hide in the trees without a radar gun) we need to fight to re-establish principles, and morals of the old Bermuda.

DESAI MARDEL JONES

Sandys

Ps: If more Police officers didn't break their confidential agreements with the victims of crimes things would be a lot different. They often tell the accuser who gave statements against them, and cause other problems (I know this from experience). So, the majority of the time, people take it in their own hands (I'm tired of brushing things under the carpet). There are some locals that know of this country's dirt, and are fed up with it…I've matured, and I don't have anything against the Police Service as long as they protect and serve.

Rewarding winners

May 14, 2008

Dear Sir,

I would like to respond to Rebecca Dupré's letter in which she suggests that all young children who created a 'vegetable sculpture' were not presented with an award or certificate of some sort, and that this will discourage them from participation in the arts. Miss Dupré also suggests that we should continue handing out ribbons and trophies to the last-place finishers in sporting events. I think she's wrong for a few reasons.

Personally, I think this is absolutely the wrong message to send anybody at any age, and fosters mediocrity and an attitude that however little effort you put into something, you'll get rewarded. This leads to a problem that plagues the Island and the entire western world in my opinion: A sense of entitlement that just for being born, we deserve to be rewarded.

Miss Dupré would like to reward the people who have "clearly worked hard" on their creations. My question is, clear to who? Maybe the worst-looking entry took the most hard work to create. Maybe the winning entry took ten minutes. The lesson the non-winning entrants should take from the competition is that they need to work harder. Most people that are very successful in arts, sport, etc., will tell you that they've put in more hours perfecting their skill than most people can imagine. For people who think they will earn a living or be rewarded for art or sport, they should get used to it now: a lot of hard work is going to be required.

There's nothing wrong with creating art or playing sports purely for the enjoyment of participation. The majority of us belong in that category anyhow. Maybe these young people should learn the value that creating something and expressing themselves is the reward in and of itself, and no prizes should be given.

I don't know if Miss Dupré has a child that entered the vegetable sculpture competition or not, and whether a long time was spent trying to help a disappointed child relieve his or her frustrations. If so, my heart goes out to her, although I'm willing to bet the child is already over it, even if she is not. I think this is proof of the culture of entitlement, where Miss Dupré feels that she needs to be validated and rewarded, just for existing.

BRUCE TROTT

Pembroke

Warwick

Missing paramedics

This was sent to Premier Dr. Ewart Brown and copied to The Royal Gazette:

May 14, 2008

Dear Dr. Brown,

As my Premier and a Doctor, I would like to ask you how you, the Government for the people – prioritise spending our tax dollars.

I ask this question in light of losing my only brother on April 12, 2008. An ambulance was called. Due to the response time and the attendant's lack of caring and training, my brother didn't stand a chance.

Our family learnt from Dr. Shultz that we do not have paramedics – because the Government – which is you – thinks it is too expensive to train them. Further, he states that we only lose one person a year – this year it is my brother. Should I thank you for that? How he arrives at that figure, of course, I don't know – you would?

Would it cost more than the $11 million that you gave to cricket, the $14 million to soccer, the $1 million to run one ferry each year or the numerous trips our Ministers take just to name a few, to train paramedics?

The Government for the people – I know only too well the value placed on the people. Is it good enough to flaunt our cricket teams, our association with baseball teams overseas and all the rest of the showmanship – when our ambulances are on a par to any meat wagon, and no-one trained to operate them? I ask you, as a doctor, should not our healthcare be the priority? Is that not a Government for the people?

I am angry that my brother, one of four in my family, had no chance, and I expect no response to this letter, just as we have never had a response from the cell phone message to the Health Minister immediately after the death of my brother, but at best I do hope that you will have found the time in your busy schedule to have read this.

MARION BISHOP

City of Hamilton

Education decisions

May 13, 2008

Dear Sir,

Listening to the broadcast this evening on the Education position in Bermuda, makes me realise what a load of bureaucratic political speak is being spewed forth. One comment heard on the telecast this evening "Without parents we would not have any students". One does not have to be a rocket scientist to understand that statement.

Instead of fooling around with the education system, let the schools be run by the Principals and the teachers, who are qualified, and drop the interference from the politicians and the Board of Education. All that is happening now is empire building with jobs "for the boys".

Maybe we need a cluster board to overview the politicians and have a review every month to establish they are doing what is best for the country. Then, maybe the politicians should obtain credits by studying at least twenty hours per month. If they do not get such credits, then they lose their seats and a bye-election called.

ANTONY SIESE

City of Hamilton

Flawed argument

May 7, 2008

Dear Sir,

I read with interest the letter from "Clean Slate" in today's Royal Gazette (May 7) and noticed that the argument expounded for the disbanding of the UBP was fundamentally flawed.

Clean Slate ignores the fact that the United Bermuda Party has been integrated since its inception. One of the basic tenets of the UBP was to integrate the Island, and our founding members were both black and white. The second Government Leader (and first Premier) was Mr. E.T. Richards (later Sir). These same founding black and Portuguese members had been discriminated against themselves, and had been raised in a segregated era. They were determined that future generations should not have to live under any form of segregation. In fact, during the mid seventies, when black members of the Party felt that there was not enough movement toward equality, they formed the Black Caucus. Because of their actions, the Clark Report was commissioned.

I recently re-read the words of Dr. Clarence James, one of the early members of the Party, who actually left the PLP to join the UBP. In his 1967 "Are We Being Used" speech, he noted the PLP's move away from the desire to promote sincere racial integration was one of the reasons that he joined the UBP. He stated that at first he believed the UBP was a white party; however he noted that in spite of considerable opposition, the "UBP did what was right and abolished the plus vote and lowered the voting age." He also highlighted the UBP's actions in integrating the schools and raising the school leaving age. He further stated that the "UBP welcomes black Bermudians to participate as full and equal members of the Party."

I was amused when Clean Slate asked Michael Fahy to close his eyes and imagine a segregated world. Our founding black members lived that world, as did my father, who was a member and supporter of this Party for years. He did so to ensure that his children did not undergo his experiences, and to make Bermuda a better place, as each successive generation should do.

This United Bermuda Party is an inclusive party, fully committed to the elimination of every vestige of racial discrimination. This Party is one that is committed to preserving democratic principles and practices, to sound government and to building a united and prosperous Bermuda. This is as true today as it was in 1967 when Dr. James penned those words.

No organisation, especially a political one, is perfect. We are striving to adapt to the challenges that face us, so that we may serve in the interests of our members, supporters, those who voted for us and the public at large.

I am confident that we will weather this storm and emerge a stronger party. I am proud and excited to be a part of this process.

Sean M. Pitcher

Deputy Chairman

The United Bermuda Party