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Appalling research

December 1, 2008

Dear Sir,

In addition to the bizarre "any long tail will do" mistake, other things spring to mind. If the new money is, as stated, partly to celebrate our 400th anniversary, shouldn't the fauna depicted be those that have been with us through time – that truly represent our natural heritage? (Both the red cardinal and tree frog were, in fact, relatively recent introductions.) Biggest omission, though – the cahow! It is our national bird, after all, and Royal Gazette photographer Chris Burville has taken spectacular and widely published photographs in recent years.

Was the delightful chick-of- the-village considered? Or the skink? But the biggest question of all, why was there no consultation with local naturalists to get accurate information? Once again, we seem to have shot ourselves in the foot with the obsessive (and usually mistaken) belief that outside experts know best! As a librarian for many years at both the Natural History Museum and Botanical Gardens, I am appalled by this sloppy research.

PENNY HILL

Hamilton Parish

Give youth the best chance

November 29, 2008

Dear Sir,

I voted for Independence in 1995 because Britain treated us like second class citizens (separate lines at the airport, visas to work, international student rates) and the relationship did not offer any clear benefit besides external defence and recourse to the Privy Council (which reassured international businesses) and these could likely be secured by separate agreement. Now that we have essentially full EU status, it would be foolish to break with England as Bermudians benefit so extensively from the relationship. Dr. Brown laments the $2 million a year and pretends that we get nothing in return. That was a plausible argument in 1995, but not now.

Access to home rates for university students saves each student who studies in the UK approximately $10,000 per year or to put it another way, we would only need 200 students to study in England for the savings in tuition to equal the $2 million we spend on the Governor and his Deputy. This lower rate gives many more students the opportunity to attend university who previously could not afford to attend at international rates.

Moreover, Bermudians have the right to work throughout the UK and EU and gain invaluable international experience they will need to compete in our cosmopolitan labour market here at home. Ending this relationship is not like "moving out of your mother's house" but more like taxing Bermudian students an extra $10,000 for educating themselves and then restricting their ability to work to our 21 square miles and reducing their competitiveness. As a teacher, I hope we will give our students the best chance to reach their potential.

J. YOUNG

Hamilton Parish

Hott water

November 30, 2008

Dear Sir,

I have just read the letter from B.D.D. ref Hott 107.5 and The Royal Gazette.

Now they are apparently the voice of the PLP (I believe Premier Brown stated he couldn't have won the last election without their help). It seems to me that the PLP constantly state that The Royal Gazette is the mouthpiece of the UBP. Thus, if Hott reads The Royal Gazette news as if it was their own, does this mean the RG is also the mouthpiece of the PLP or that Hott are the mouthpiece of the UBP?

On a slightly different note, but still slightly relevant, I don't really listen to Hott 107.5. I have listened, to see what they are on about, but find the music they play in the middle of the afternoon is not to my taste. I really don't think schoolkids should be able to hear some of it as it seems more suited to mature adults after midnight (along the lines of "you're my special girlfriend, show me you love me by having my baby" – no mention of marriage there ...)

Maybe I'll give them a try at news time so I can get the RG news. I just thought of something – if Government isn't allowed to advertise in the RG since it is the UBP mouthpiece, should they not also pull their ads from Hott 107.5 as they are the PLP mouthpiece? After all the Civil service and Government aren't the same as the governing party, they are supposed to be neutral, so sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. Right?

ST GEORGE'S

Sympathy for the Palmers

November 28, 2008

Dear Sir,

I have been closely following the case of Mr. Norman Palmer since his unfortunate passing on April 12 this year. How long must this family suffer? Why are the Police and the Bermuda Coroner's office allegedly withholding evidence and not forwarding their report as requested to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London? Rightly or wrongly, it inevitably raises suspicions that they are hiding the harvesting of stolen body parts, and Mr. Palmer was not a donor. There's a huge industry out there, with Foundations paying fortunes to hospitals to receive body parts for research, so why would Bermuda be any different? If this had happened to one of the Premier's family member's, you can bet this case would have been resolved by now.

My heart goes out to Norman's family. You can hear his sister's pain coming through in the two recent articles written by Mid-Ocean News. I urge the Police and Bermuda Coroner's Office to do the right thing and to produce the documents required so this case may continue. The family has been tortured enough, and this is just plain cruel withholding the evidence.

In the meanwhile, if you have a loved one requiring an autopsy, I would suggest that you have your physician in attendance, this will halt the removal of body parts unless, of course, the deceased is a donor.

DISGUSTED

Hamilton Parish