Not Ex-anything

September 17, 2001

Dear Sir,

I would like to commend a letter published in your September 12, 2001, issue, "WE SEEM TO FORGET". I also being American have unfortunately witnessed the ignorance on several occasions of "Anti-American-Bermudians".

Being married to a kind, loving and wonderful Bermudian, realise that the ignorance and hatred is isolated to a small group. I must say that the support and love that most Bermudians have shown for the World Trade Centre victims and for all Americans has been heart-warming and most appreciated. I would like to clear up another matter. One common dirty word as American I cannot tolerate is "Ex-Pat".

I can only speak for myself, but I'm sure other fellow Americans agree - I am not EX - anything. I am and will always be a "PATRIOT" - 100% AMERICAN. We are all on the island for different reasons, some for work or because we fell in love with a Bermudian, etc.

No matter what nationality, race, colour, or creed, we are all humans and should treat each other with respect and humanity. "Your Island", you will not doubt be relieved in the months to come with the lack of Americans and of American food and supplies on the Island. For those Bermudians whom have shown compassion and understanding in our hour of need-God Bless You and Bermuda.

And - GOD BLESS AMERICA.

PROUD AMERICAN

Hamilton

Volunteer the Regiment

September 15, 2001

Dear Sir,

I would like to suggest through the medium of your newspaper that the Government of Bermuda volunteer a delegation of our Bermuda Regiment to aid and assist in the clean up and rescue of bodies in the terrible tragedy we have all witnessed which is Manhattan, New York.

The United States of American is consistently the first nation to volunteer aid or troops whenever another country has experienced trauma or disaster. The horrific act has been perpetrated on a country that is practically at our back door. A country with which we have strong political and economic ties. To merely send our condolences would be most inadequate.

This Island has enjoyed for many, many years an incredible prosperity and quality of life thanks in great part to the people of the United States of America. Their military bases personnel rented our homes and apartments in our heyday. Their fire-fighters helped to put our fires and clean up after our hurricanes.

The American people have graced our shores on vacation year after year contributing greatly to the economy of this Country. This is not the time to mire in the misery over what this turn of events will mean to our future economy.

This is the time for the Bermudian people to step back their cash registers for a while and realize this is the time to say "thank you". Thank you for all the good years.

KAY PATRICIA CAPUANO

Somerset

Bermuda must play part

September 17, 2001

This is an letter to the Premier, Government, Opposition, Unions and the people of Bermuda.

Dear Sir,

The recent tragedies on the East Coast of the United States have struck at the hearts of those who would be our best tourist and business visitors. We all do, of course, wish the survivors and relatives of the dead and injured the comfort of or persistent prayers and a smooth transition from the horror in their heads to peace in their hearts.

But we can do more. Instead of risking the permanent closure of some of our tourism establishment and contemplating the hopelessness in the future of a vain search for a job in Bermuda's hospitality industry, we should negotiate with the airlines, the hotels and tourist attractions of Bermuda and come up with a "Welcome to Bereaved America" programme.

We can surely offer a package at no more than a half of the usual price and keep more of our workers in a job. People with luxury homes or multiple accommodations will surely throw open a room or two to East Coast Americans to show them the hospitality that Bermuda can offer when challenged.

(When President Reagan ordered the attack or Libya from British bases in 1986, the equivalent of seventy 747s crossed the Atlantic empty every day for about six months. Americans rarely cross to the other side of the Atlantic in such circumstances).

I have very real experiences of the people on the East Coast, both from living and working there and from frequent visits. I always ask people there about their knowledge of our geography and, for whatever reason, a huge section of the population (both businessmen and women and police and firemen, for example) think Bermuda is 'about four hours away, somewhere not too far from Miami'.

Now is the time to awaken the sleeping giants of the East Coast in a positive way; by offering our home, hotels, guest houses and tourist attractions to these great neighbours of ours. Tell them we're only just an hour and a half away; and give them a big break on the price in their hour of need for reflection, comfort, love and, of course, rest and relaxation.

I'm not suggesting they're poor people.

Some will have husbands, wives and relatives with a death in service benefit of three times a very generous salary. Others will sue for at least one million dollars and win. But that's not the issue; that's not our concern. We can play or part in their long recovery by offering our love and hospitality. And, yes, we might put our beautiful Bermuda back on the world map whilst we're doing our bit. There's no shame in that.

Let's write an official open letter to the American people, Madame Premier, and invite them into our hotels and homes to show them we care passionately about them and their future, just as we care about that of our tourism our economy.

I'm ready to play my part. Are you willing to play yours?

TONY FORSTER

Chairman & CEO

Britannia International Group Ltd.

Island must react

September 17, 2001

Dear Sir,

The recent events in New York and Washington DC, are horrible beyond belief and, after almost a week of watching aghast as this tragedy has unfolded on television, we can only hope that the world (at least most of it) does not lose its resolve to lance this festering sore of terrorism.

But what of Bermuda in the wake of this dreadful disaster? It is already having an effect on tourism and, make no mistake, many hotels were already hurting before it. We should remember the words of Shakespeare in 'As You Like It' "Sweet are the uses of adversity" and try to use the whole situation to our advantage. To do anything will require a quantum leap of faith by Government, who will have to "screw your courage to the sticking-place" in the words of Lady Macbeth (more Shakespeare), but how about the following:

1. Put in place security systems for checking people in and out of Bermuda that will make us leaders in the field. We are small enough to make them more stringent and yet easier to administer and more palatable to the visitor. Get the message out that we are still a well run and secure place.

2. Now, more than ever, our status with the United Kingdom is ever more important.

3. The money spent on security will be infinitely better PR for us than Government gambolling abroad with the Gombeys.

4. Make the most of our proximity to the East Coast of the US - look where long haul flights ended.

5. Make more of our temperate (usually!) climate and the things to do here - it's not just beach, golf and tennis.

6. With impending layoffs in the hospitality industry it is of the utmost importance that we improve - and improve dramatically - the service we provide to visitors and residents alike. There is a regrettably large number of people who still fail to realise that being polite and helpful costs little and can pay dividends - should one mention hard work?

By all reports we are going headlong for the rocks.

It is no good wringing our hands and crying in our chowder - we need to be positive, we need leadership, we need to WAKE UP!

COPPERKNICKERS

Hamilton