Rain... and other problems.

Water. It's hard to believe that this, the most basic of resources is still a major issue for so many Bermudians.  For all of our technological advances in our small society, we have not managed to supply our households with enough water, and we have not found a permanent solution to the one resource that we should have absolutely no problem with. Late last week we had good rain, but it certainly is not enough. So far I have had to purchase water two times this summer - 3 loads each time. With a house of 6 adults and 1 infant, my shower-time is ever shorter, and flushing is limited.

Speaking of resources, what are we doing to cut down on our carbon footprint? What is happening at BELCO to move our society forward and away from our need for fossil fuels? Why aren't we exploring wind farms and wave power offshore? Is our society too large to facilitate such a move? Why aren't we signed up for any new forms of energy initiatives? Shouldn't our country be on the forefront of explorative energy production?

On the domestic front, we seem to be bogged down by issues that seemingly are not going away. Bermudians Against the Draft (BAD) are fighting a losing battle I fear. Strange thing is, that options were available (reserve Constabulary and Fire Dept.), and certainly we could cut down on the tax-payers burden and have a few roads repaired. Have you seen Serpentine Road lately? I have no problems if you don't want to be in the military, but I do believe that all 18 year olds should serve their country in one form or another. National service establishes pride in your country and gives young people a chance to develop skills that they wouldn't normally.

Last but not least, the employment scene is scary. More and more Bermudians (myself included) are seeking work (I am using multiple part-time jobs to get by). The issues here are many. With more people desperate for employment, crime will most certainly rise. We will have more people staying sick, because more people will be uninsured by not having basic insurance coverage. By the way... when are we going to have a national health plan? Shouldn't that, like access to water be a right of everyone? Times are tough, there is no doubt, and as we head into the doldrums of summer, it will be important for all of us to realize that Bermuda is not the same Bermuda most of us grew up in and we need to stop wanting it to be that way. Progress is painful.

More noise...

“Ten people who speak make more noise than ten thousand who are silent.” - Napoleon Bonaparte

Happy new year...

2010... here we come. here we are not out of January and we are already knee deep into the muck. I guess the challenge for any normal thinking person is to not take life as serious as we could. It's hard to not see the events that affect our world and become depressed. The Haiti situation is devastating, and we seem to be seeing more and more of these natural disasters in recent times. The tsunami that hit the Philippines, Hurricane Katrina, and now the earthquake in Haiti.

My religious friends deem this an act of God's vengeance, and while I have (and will probably continue) to debate the rationale of that argument, It definitely hits home. I don't believe that this horror is somehow vengeance from God for a questionable past. I prefer to believe that science had a lot to do with the earthquake and that idiots like Pat Robertson should not be seen and definitely not be heard.

That said, I read a great article by Sir Hilary Beckles on Haiti and how the French have done more damage to Haiti than this earthquake ever could.

What can not be argued is that millions of people are now in peril and countries who never gave a damn about Haiti before, seem to have changed their minds. It's funny how natural disasters do that, but human made tragedies don't. While I will not debate the need for aid in Haiti now, where has that aid been the past 100+ years? How is it that human rights violators like Mugabe and Bashir still walk free while millions are fighting for their very lives? The logic escapes me.

Here at home, all seems quiet. I knew Perry Puckerin from his participation in Devonshire Rec's youth program. To say that I was shocked to find out about his murder would be putting it mildly. In the recent years I knew him, he was a genuinely warm and funny guy, and he never ever showed any signs of the lifestyle that ultimately took his. RIP Perry... you will be missed.

Lot's of talk about the gang situation and what we can do. Had a chance to hear Dr. Matthews last night at DRC and he connects on a lot of levels. I'm a supporter of Rise Above Bermuda and wish him all the best, It's nice to see good people do good things in our community. Let's hope that it's contagious.