Where did we go wrong?

August 11, 2008

Dear Sir,

Again we hear of a tragic murder perpetrated by youth. Again, we will witness scenes of ruined lives — those of the surviving family members, those of the young perpetrators, those of the perpetrators' families. The question begs; where did our society go so wrong? By burying our heads in the sand and pretending these events do not affect us, we are all perpetrators.

By hiding behind a bible or some other similar excuse and blaming it all on some bogeyman conspiring around the next corner, we are all perpetrators. The reality is that we have chosen to accept corruption and malfeasance as the norm of our body politic and so now find ourselves wondering why it is all coming home to roost. Do we continue to keep our heads buried in the sand and watch Dr. Kevin's trial on Tru-TV as if it has nothing to do with us while our public affairs continue to go south? Or, do we take an honest look in the mirror and reclaim our integrity?

DONALD WILLIAMS

Southampton

A note of thanks

Dear Sir,

Re: Committee of 25 for Handicapped Children: Tag Day — Friday, August 15, 2008. I am very pleased to report to you, and your readers that The Committee of 25 Fundraising & Tag Day, a local registered charitable organisation #15. We held our 54th annual Tag Day on Friday, August 15, 2008. We would like to ask you through the Letters to the Editor to publish our sincere thanks for the overwhelming and generous support we received from the Bermuda Community, as this event makes it possible for us to assist children in our local community.

Thanks to everyone from Somerset to St. George's, and everyone in between. Along with our deep appreciation for every donation so generously given by our community. We would also like to thank the many people who contributed to this significant total — our fabulous team of volunteers and canvassers — this tremendous response reflects the humanitarian spirit guiding the Bermudian public. It was made possible by the hours of services given so generously and freely by so many volunteers. Special thanks must be given to:

Taggers, including Members of Hamilton Lions, Hamilton Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club, Paget Lions, Pride Bermuda as well as Friends from The Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute and The Diabetes Centres.

Businesses, large and small, who permitted their staff members to collect on our behalf: Belco, Bank of Butterfield, Butterfield & Vallis, Centre Solutions (Bermuda) Limited, Chevron International, Deloitte; Marshall, Diel & Myers; Mello, Jones & Martin; HM Customs; Conyers Dill & Pearman; Pembroke Paint Company Limited; Pride Bermuda; Validus Re; Wee Care Pediatrics; Zurich International and the outlying districts.

The Accounting Firms for providing staff to assist with the official cash count: Deloitte; Bianca Marshall; Lauren Saba; Stephanie Velleman and Hannes Robbertze. The retail businesses, pharmacies; grocery stores and banking institutions who allowed the use of their shop fronts. Those who were unable to tag themselves, made individual donations instead — Corporate sponsors; and Mr. Kavin Smith, Marathon Derby Winner and supporter; Mr. Kennedy Nannette; Barritts & Sons Limited and staff members for providing liquid refreshments for our taggers.

The Bermuda public who, year after year, assist us in helping children with special needs. We could not do it without you. Thank you! God bless you, each and every one.

MELANIE WHALEY (MRS.)

Tag Day Coordinator,

The Committee of 25

A refreshing take

August 9, 2008

Dear Sir,

In regard to the troubles befalling the Brown family, I noted recently that PLP politician Stanley Morton was quoted as saying, "You really can't hold parents accountable for anything their children do, particularly when they are over 21". He added: "You can't blame anybody. It can happen to the best of us." This is refreshing, as I assume that it is equally true that you cannot blame the children for what their parents, or their forebears did before they were born. Maybe the next 'Big Conversation' meeting should debate the topic "You can't blame anybody. It can happen to the best of us".

PHIL CRACKNELL

City of Hamilton

Bring back the World Service

August 4, 2008

Dear Sir,

Since Tropical Storm Bertha I have not been able to listen to the BBC World Service news on the radio. This is now the third week I have had to suffer the world according to the Fox Network, and similar stations. The BBC is acknowledged around the world as the leader in unbiased, accurate and informative news broadcasting and its absence from the airwaves is deafening. As far as I am aware the Government, i.e., us taxpayers, are funding DeFontes Broadcasting $300,000 per year to carry the BBC signal. That was the amount I recall from about 15 years ago, so know this present Government I would think that number is now considerably higher.

I'm reminded of that famous phrase the 1976 movie "Network". Newsreader Howard Beale encouraged his audience to open up their windows and shout out for all to hear, "I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!" Neighbours, I encourage the same response now! (I do hope that the Government will hold back funds during the time that the BB is off the air). Thank you sir, I remain,

SILENCED

City of Hamilton

Phone book is outdated

August 5, 2008

Dear Sir,

I would like to add my voice to C.K. Simons, Sandys letter, dated July 28, 2008 and titled "We need to go green" regarding this year's phone book.

I moved residence in September 2007 and while I was in BTC's office in August arranging the new details (new address and new telephone number, etc.), I specifically asked if I had to contact anyone else to have my new details in the 2008 Directory. I was told "no, it would automatically be done". Well to my surprise and disappointment when the Directory arrived — it was not done. I was given an apology, which I accepted, but it is still an inconvenience for both parties concerned for the few odd calls that maybe made to the old number for the next year. When I moved I did notify everyone that I could think of regarding my new number but there is always some unexpected calls.

This prompted my curiosity to check out a couple of things in the new Directory and sure enough, my brother, who died in October 2006 is still listed. My friends who left the Island a year ago are still listed. Surely if no bills are being mailed and no payments received due to — no service — someone should be assigned to remove such people from the Directory listing. If the staff are all too busy, a friendly suggestion is to employ a part-time person for the job, either a retiree (like myself) or a high school student. Some schools used to allow their students to have one day per week on work release (free of charge) so that they could gain the experience of working in an office environment.

Apart from the above, I have no other complaints about BTC. Everyone that I have dealt with have been very polite, helpful and even friendly, unlike some other establishments. Thank you for publishing my letter and I would just like to add that I called C.K. Simons on Cup Match Friday. We had a very nice chat and he told me that I had "brightened his day".

CECILIA TAVARES

Warwick

Get to the real problem

August 21, 2008

Dear Sir,

In this situation with the Hill murder, parents seem to be under attack. In all situations it is not always the parent who is at fault. You can do your best for a child, discipline included, but that child has a mind of its own. Families can go out of their way to provide a good and stable environment for their child, but that child can make a very bad choice to do what they did. It is the choices that we make in life.

The real problem in society is the anger and frustration that is boiling up in these young people. I know of a situation where there was a group of young males at night in Hamilton and they tried to provoke a fight with a young man, he walked away from them. Later that night they succeeded in finding another victim.

Let's stop playing the blame game and get to the real problem. I challenge anyone who has blamed the parents to look over their life and in spite of their proper up bringing made a bad choice and may have gotten away with it or not.

Before you point your fingers remember there are three pointing back at you. Those who have children watch how you talk, it could have been your child. How many of you finger pointers know your children's friends, know the family of the friends, know where your child hangs out?

My parents interrogated my friends for my good. I was upset but I can see now that is was for my good. Come on Bermuda, we can be such a nasty people at times, but at this time we should be coming together. By pointing fingers and playing the blame game we become part of the problem instead of being a part of the solution. My heart goes out to the Hill family at this time, what a thing to experience.

I loved the comments of Kellon's father. Quite a man of wisdom. In this situation all families hurt, in different ways, but pain is pain. Come on Bermuda we can do better than this. Let's come together and be the kind and wonderful people that the world see, or are we perpetrating a fraud.

HURT

Devonshire