More so-called accidents on the island recently. Nobody's blaming tourists or kids this time around. Of course, what hasn't changed is the response from the powers that be. Please slow down and pay attention, yadda yadda yadda.
The quote from the Police spokesperson goes: "the Bermuda Police Service in conjunction with the Road Safety Council is pleading with the motoring public to slow down on our roadways and obey the rules of the road."
Then he urged drivers not to use cell phones, iPods or dark visors as they could all cause a distraction.
How about instead of the standard reply, instead state firmly and categorically that drivers spotted using cell phones, particularly those with cellphones wedged into their helmets, face being pulled over by the cops and immediately being charged with driving without due care? Take a hard line. Don't make me have to repeat this post next month.
2008-04-11
2008-04-10
Free public transport day predictions
Tomorrow, Bermuda will be having a 'Burn Fat Not Fuel' Day and encourage people to leave their vehicles at home, forgoing them in exchange for walking, cycling or using public transport, which will be free of cost for the day.
It's a noble idea. With our high obesity rates, it's to be commended. But as far as a push to reduce the use of cars and bikes on the road, it's a weak gimmick that will be exposed easily enough tomorrow, I fear. It's more just to test Bermuda to see if they would embrace the government's free transport pledge they laid out at Election time.
Already the PTB is scared that they won't have enough buses available for the public. Peachy. One reason people don't like to take the bus is that they'll be in some congested and uncomfortable bus instead of enjoying a relaxing journey to the city to work. Oh well, there you go.
Also, last time they tried having some promotion for people to use the ferries more, people got parking tickets because there wasn't enough room to park their cars in the car park and they had to park on the street. Ferries have limits on number of passengers as well; imagine the wrath that people will feel if they're denied access and have to get back in their car anyway.
I expect that less people will be driving into town tomorrow, though. More likely, however, is that you'll see many people driving to certain spots closer to town, then choosing to walk in. So traffic into town will be eased, but just outside of town, return of gridlock.
Yep, totally pessimistic here, sorry.
It's a noble idea. With our high obesity rates, it's to be commended. But as far as a push to reduce the use of cars and bikes on the road, it's a weak gimmick that will be exposed easily enough tomorrow, I fear. It's more just to test Bermuda to see if they would embrace the government's free transport pledge they laid out at Election time.
Already the PTB is scared that they won't have enough buses available for the public. Peachy. One reason people don't like to take the bus is that they'll be in some congested and uncomfortable bus instead of enjoying a relaxing journey to the city to work. Oh well, there you go.
Also, last time they tried having some promotion for people to use the ferries more, people got parking tickets because there wasn't enough room to park their cars in the car park and they had to park on the street. Ferries have limits on number of passengers as well; imagine the wrath that people will feel if they're denied access and have to get back in their car anyway.
I expect that less people will be driving into town tomorrow, though. More likely, however, is that you'll see many people driving to certain spots closer to town, then choosing to walk in. So traffic into town will be eased, but just outside of town, return of gridlock.
Yep, totally pessimistic here, sorry.
2008-04-09
Devil's Island Web blog/comic
I don't get to visit the Devil's Island much, partly because it's a site blocked from the office, but I got the chance to revisit recently.
It's morphed into Bermuda's first webcomic/blog/journal. A great inclusion to the local blogosphere, a bit off the beaten path. Anyway there's the first plug I've done in a while, and I enjoyed every second of it. Keep it up, UE.
[Mobile]
2008-04-07
We have a cost of high living too
Here's a great piece in the Nation News from Dawn Morgan, one of my favourite columnists:
"What some people mistake for the high cost of living is really the cost of high living."
Which one of those things is pulling at your purse strings? Perhaps both.
Indeed, we like the good life. We can probably get by on a Vitara or something, however we just gotta have the CR-V, Kia Sportage or Hyundai Tuscon. The banks are easily willing to loan us the money as it's an easy win for them. So we end up in debt buying this vehicle that's depreciating in value every month we have it. That's life in Bermie.
2008-04-02
Our local political websites
They both got problems right now.
The UBP one is trying to be cute with a collage of the elected MPs and senators but with the varying sizes of each person it looks totally amateur. Come on, get your guys together and take a proper photo or something.
As for the PLP, it's somewhat disturbing that not since 6 January has there been a news or opinion article posted there. Where's the communications, people?
[Mobile]
2008-04-01
Bigger and bigger profits
In the U.S., the heads of the big oil corporations are explaining to Congress why it's okay for them to make record profits and ask the government for billions more dollars in tax credits, while consumers feel serious pains in the pocket when it comes to buying fuel.
It's just not logical, is it? Record freaking profits. No benefit passed to the consumer. And they want subsidies from the government which gets tax monies from ordinary citizens.
It's completely easy to sympathize and support the Independent Truckers Association when they want to go on strike what with the rising costs of diesel. Impossible to feel anything but loathing for these oil execs and their crazy demands. Record profits. Wasn't the U.S. a free-market nation? Then let them go about their business.
It's just not logical, is it? Record freaking profits. No benefit passed to the consumer. And they want subsidies from the government which gets tax monies from ordinary citizens.
It's completely easy to sympathize and support the Independent Truckers Association when they want to go on strike what with the rising costs of diesel. Impossible to feel anything but loathing for these oil execs and their crazy demands. Record profits. Wasn't the U.S. a free-market nation? Then let them go about their business.
Keeping up with the SDOs
Another one of those fractional ownership developments was just approved by Government and will be fast tracked. Honestly I don't know why the powers that be try to claim that they're for sustainable development when their mantra has been one of "if it requires a crane, let's approve the SDO" in recent years. We may as well repeal the whole Planning process, really, save a few bucks.
Vexed Bermoothes has an analysis here, and the fact remains that this development does not help small businesses, residents or the commuter. It however, will line the pockets of a select group of 'fat cats'.
Vexed Bermoothes has an analysis here, and the fact remains that this development does not help small businesses, residents or the commuter. It however, will line the pockets of a select group of 'fat cats'.
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