---

Dear Sir,

I marvelled at your recent coverage of the 'business communities' concern at the atmosphere purported to be pervasive in Bermuda today, compliments of the Government of Bermuda.

So many clichés came to mind as I read each line, but the most applicable was 'methinks they doth protest too much'.

Was the feature on your front page story the same Sir John Swan who is presently digging down to Davy Jones' Locker for the foundation of his new building to ensure that he capitalizes on the impending redevelopment of the Front Street waterfront?

Perhaps he suffers from the same affliction as Mr. Dodwell who is likewise raping the South Shore cliff face to expand his hotel whilst maintaining that tourism is not now, nor can it be, successful under this government.

The sad fact is that for a man who supposedly 'has his', Sir John is still ordered to marshal the black vote on cue in every election campaign (remember that sad set of adverts in 2003 featuring him and Grant Gibbons and his impending appointment as the economic czar for the island); his independence move failed because he was not then, and still is not now, independent of mind.

In any event, sir, I should be most grateful if in the course of your reporting you did not refer to 'goodwill plus' or workforce equity as 'affirmative action' and that you would correct those who you invite to comment on those two initiatives who use that phrase.

Not special treatment

Affirmative action is something that a guilty majority race implement to address the inequities visited on a minority.

Goodwill plus and workforce equity have nothing to do with assisting a minority in this country, they have to do with fairness and level playing fields. Those of us who support goodwill plus do not want special treatment, we want justice.

I think when preferential treatment arrives you'll know it at a glance. This, I can assure you, is not it.

G.K. Stowe

Smiths[[In-content Ad]]

---