GIBRALTAR today Letters

Funicular Warnings

Dear Sir,

It has come to my recent knowledge that a "funicular" is to be built from landport to the upper rock, this may seem like a good investment for Gibraltar, one would even go as far as to say that it will boost tourism and put Gibraltar on the map.

It however goes without saying that this scheme has been opposed by many, and yet it seems it is still going to move forward.

I have heard of a similar occurrence happening in another small town, one that saw this scheme end in catastrophe, even after the warnings of some of its residents.

One day a charismatic salesman showed up in this town and sold to its people the idea that a monorail circulating its town would be just what the town needed to be put on the map, he had sold similar monorails to Ogdenville, North Haverbrook, and Brockway. Yes this small towns name was Springfield.

Gibraltars "funicular" reminds me of an episode of the Simpson's, and that is somehow very worrying, If you have not seen this episode, try and watch it and you will see what I am talking about.

Thanks for listening to my Rant

Jeremy Gonzalez

Thoughts about faith

Sir,

An act of faith is not a blind movement of the mind but in conformity with reason. Its is a gift of God not denied to anybody. It is a seed when nourished should fructify. Faith can increase, diminish or even lost. In fact, many baptised persons are atheists. Faith should be fed with God’s words and especially by the Holy Eucharist or it would not be surprising if it would be completely lost. Christian faith is more than the belief in the invisible; it is the belief in Jesus, confide in Him, trust in His words and doctrine for He is the Way the Life and the Truth. Faith is to anticipate the reality of what we hope for, the beatific vision. Divine truths are beyond man’s intellect in the same way as space and time. Faith is God’s grace to believe in what is unseen and incomprehensible to our own limited intelligence however intelligent we think we are. It is a divine virtue by which we believe in revealed truth. The outstanding character for an act of faith is that it is based entirely on the word of God and this excludes all doubts.

Sincerely,
John Sciacaluga

Walking for Tsunami

Dear Sir,

At a meeting held at the Conference Centre, Montagu Bastion on Tuesday 11th January a group of representatives from the Gibraltar and British Forces Youth Services, Guides and Scouts Associations, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Mediterranean and Urban Dance Groups and J M Foundation the following decision was made.

In response to the recent Tsunami Disaster a walk will be held on Saturday 29th January 2005. The walk will leave Casemates at 12.30pm and end at John Mackintosh Square.

In conjunction with the walk a number of post boxes will be put up at John Mackintosh Square encouraging everyone to post a letter to individuals and communities affected by the disaster.

As from Wednesday 19th January the Youth Office will have letterheads with a common logo that members of the public can use to write a letter. Copies of these letterheads will also be made available at Casemates as from 10.00am on the day of the walk. The post boxes set up at John Mackintosh Square will be open for people to post their letters at the end of the walk and will remain open until 3pm that day.

Many young people are already involved in different projects as a result of their interest and concern about the consequences of the Tsunami Disaster. This first event will give all young people an opportunity to identify with those communities hit by this disaster and to consider many of the issues affecting developing countries around the world.

The groups that attended the meeting have also made a commitment to continue with the aims of this first event. A meeting will be held shortly after the walk to ensure that this initiative does not fizzle out. The group would further like to extend an invitation to other associations and individuals wishing to contribute to this effort in the future.

For more information on the above please contact the Youth Office on:

75020 – 78578 – 78617
Fax 78581
gibyouth@gibnynex.gi

J Felices
Snr Youth Worker

We watch and we wait

Dear All,

It has been some time since I wrote to you, but events over the last few months have changed much of the political climate.

The new tripartite format of talks with Spain is the best news for many a long year. While caution is still needed, lest Franco's apologists (who are only in opposition) regain power and undo everything, there is much to hope for.

If Gibraltar can gain the removal of Spain's restrictions, while Spain acquires the benefits of "normalisation", then perhaps things can move forward to a point where it will be very difficult for the PP to pull all the way back without lining itself up for prosecution in the EU courts.

To do this there will have to be tangible benefits to all sides, and I hope the current Spanish government will talk these up, as much as the previous one talked Gibraltar down.

However, there seems little point standing outside Downing Street at this time. There seems to be a new attitude of common sense pervading even the UK government's new policy. I do not plan a demonstration for the immediate future.

So, for now, we watch and we wait. Still write to your MPs and MEPs if you feel there are still issues (and there are still a number of unresolved threats to Gibraltar from outside Spain) you feel strongly about.

Should things get bad again, I will consider reactivating this group, for now I will keep the websites and mailing list going. Those of you wanting to stay involved should try joining the Friends of Gibraltar Heritage Society as this will keep you informed, and the social side is worth it.

Thank you all for your support over the last few years, especially those who braved the weather outside Downing Street. There are many in Gibraltar (including those in high places) who have privately thanked me for all the effort we have all put in over the years. The Chief Minister himself spotted one of our demos and stopped his car outside the Foreign Office to personally thank us.

I wish you all a Happy New Year, and may we find other, more pleasant, reasons to meet up again in future!

All the best,

John Borda
jborda@gibnews.net
Gibraltar Action Group
www.gib-action.com

Dancing to Success

Dear Sir,

On behalf of Zuleika Green and myself, as directors of Danza Academy, we would like to praise our students for their achievements at the World Dance Championships held in Riesa, Germany, under the G.N.D.C

For the past three years our Academy has placed Gibraltar in the Germany Dance finals and last year and this past November managed to raise the Gibraltar flag in 2nd and 3rd positions.

This year Jordan Picardo, a natural dancer of exceptional talent, with one years formal dance trianing and sheer determination, managed to achieve this excellent latter result in the children's male section. Everyone at Danza feels Jordan will continue to make Gibraltar proud in the future.

Of special mention is also young Claire McGrail. Last year Claire and her cousin Stephanie Gonzalez achieved 2nd place in the children's duet section. This year in a section of over 55 females soloists. Having missed the finals by five places Claire has by far acheived the best position ever by a Gibraltarian female. Those who have visited Riesa will well understand the difficulty of any female solo section.

well done to Seamus Byrne who made it to the semi-finals and Erica McGrail who passed her first round.

Tamara Garcia and Christopher Shoesmith competed for the first time in the adult solo sections. Both dancers were part of 'Tribal Conflict' the Junior group piece which came sixth and danced in the finals last year.

Lastly well done to Jade Federico, a popular dancer in Gib's local dance scene.

Thank You all and Thank You parents for your wonderful support.

Zuleika and myself would like to wish everyone at Danza, family and firends a wonderful christmas and we look foward to new challenges in the 2005!

Yours Sincerely,
Anne Marie Gomez
Danza Academy

ID Cards

Sir,

Yesterday in the UK Parliament MP's debated whether ID cards should be introduced into the UK. One Conservative ex Minister of the Crown. the Right Hon. Peter Lilley MP, (the Member for Hitchin & Harpenden) stated among other things: -

"Does it not give Labour Members some pause for thought that compulsory ID cards have never been introduced in peacetime in any country other than a fascist, communist or totalitarian state? They were introduced by those countries precisely to increase their Governments' power to control their citizens."

It should be noted that Mr Lilley is against ID cards - yet when he was a Minister of a Conservative Government I notice he failed to press at all for ID cards to be removed from Gibraltar. If he is right in his argument then successive British Governments wish, in his view, to maintain it's control of the citizens of the Rock. If ID Cards are in place as a security measure where is the evidence of their effectiveness? The IRA nearly managed to bring murder, maiming and mayhem to Main Street and such cards were and would have been no use then.

Is there a smell of hypocrisy running through the House of Commons or is this another example of one rule for the masters and one for the subjugated?

Chris White

Letter of thanks

Sir,

I would be grateful for the publication of the following letter of thanks:

Dear Mr Alwani,

The ESG would like to take this opportunity of thanking THE ALWANI TRUST for its’ recent and very generous contribution of £1,250.00 to the ESG and the Bucket Brigade campaign.

This substantial financial support comes at a time when there is an increase in public awareness as a result of initiatives like the bucket brigade, the march on Puente Mayorga and the cycle ride to Tarifa, of which there will be many more in the future, with ever increasing numbers of citizens expected to participate. Evidence is growing that these initiatives are bearing fruit in the corridors of power although much more work needs to be done.

The Alwani Trust’s donation will go towards air sampling of pollution hotspots in the Bay which is a costly undertaking. Donations such as these are the lifeblood of the very important work that the ESG is carrying out through the Bucket Brigade for a safer world for us, our children and our grandchildren.

In sincere appreciation of your continued support,

The Environmental Safety Group Committee

Appeal for support

Sir,

CAMPAIGNERS in the South West of England have written to the Chief Rabbi of the UK, appealing for the support of the Jewish Community in a Commonwealth campaign for the Rock to receive the George Cross from the Queen.

Gibraltarian Jews recently celebrated 300 years of British rule with a special service inside Europe's third oldest synagogue on the Rock.

Gibraltar was a famous refuge for Jews during the Second World War fleeing from Nazi persecution.

Kevin Kelway of the Golden Hinde Assoc said: "Gibraltar is a beacon of tolerance so wonderfully expressed by the Chief Rabbi of UK. We hope to gain his public support for the Rock to receive the George Cross from the Queen".

Letter:

Gibraltar for the George Cross

Dear Dr Sacks,

The Jewish community on the Rock recently celebrate 300 years of British rule.

Gibraltar for centuries was a refuge for the beleaguered Sephardic Jews from Spain. It was a famous conduit for those fleeing Nazi persecution during the Second World War.

You recently said: "There is no other Jewish community quite like it. At a time of expulsion and inquisition, Gibraltar lit a beacon of tolerance". Fine words to sum up what our group in Plymouth is fighting for a collective tribute for the Rock.

British supporters are campaigning for Gibraltar to receive the George Cross from the Queen for 300 years of loyal service to the Crown, and solidarity with the British nation.

The bravery of the Gibraltarians who stood alone on the Continent of Europe in 1940, when the rest of Europe was under the darkness of Fascism. The Rock made the liberation of North Africa possible, and kept open our links with the Far East.

The Canadian Government has given its public support saying: "It is clear that Gibraltar and its people have made an immense contribution to the development of the values we hold so dear today. The courage and resourcefulness of the people of Gibraltar were particularly evident during the Second World War.

I wish you well in your efforts to secure recognition for their important contribution to peace in Europe".

Canadian Foreign Office, dated July 8th 2004. The Rt Hon Lord Tebbit is supporting our campaign and said: "I am willing to give general support to your campaign for the recognition of the loyalty and determination of the people of the Rock".

The New Zealand Government wished our public campaign for the Rock to receive the George Cross its support too.

War veterans in Britain, campaigners in New Zealand, Australia, United States, and South Africa have emailed, and written in support of Gibraltar receiving Britain's highest award for bravery.

The Chairman of the All Party Gibraltar Committee Lindsay Hoyle MP has promised to put a motion in the Commons supporting Gibraltar for the George Cross.

Over 40 MPs, MEPs, and members of the House of Lords are backing Gibraltar for the George Cross.

Our group is appealling for your support from the British and Commonwealth Jewish community to back Gibraltar to receive the George Cross.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards

Kevin Kelway

Chairman

The Golden Hinde Association

The Yanito language

Dear Sir,

Hello, my name is Carmen Ruiz-Sanchez. I'm from Andalusia but I live in the United States. I study Linguistics and I am very interested in the Yanito language. I'm looking for local people who speak it and who would be happy to help with a project, so I would appreciate if you could post this letter in your paper.

Thanks,

Carmen Ruiz-Sanchez
Bloomington, IN (US)

(email:mmruizsa@indiana.edu) 

Big fish, small fish

Dear Sir,

To Joseph Soiza, well spotted!

You will learn to love that flag as if it were your own. Well, at least that is probably the intention.

Politics and diplomacy is all smoke and mirrors. Gibraltar, don't let the smoke get in your eyes.

I've heard of Big fish in little ponds but must admit to getting worried when our Big fish decides to visit the big pond for a swim and finds that even the minnows in the big pond are twice the fish. So when sitting at a table is mentioned I pray it is not a dinner table and that on the menu is not the Truly British Fish and Chips.

Best wishes for Christmas and 2005 and may we end next year as we end this one - still with an airport and only one way in!

Best regards
Jim L Lagares Ballantine

British and Hispanic duality

Dear Editor

Thank you very much for the coverage to the launch of my book The Frontiers of Doubt in your edition of December 17th. I congratulate reporter Elena Scialtiel for accurately grasping the basics of my presentation. I would just wish to clarify an important point that goes to the root of my argument. As a Gibraltarian I demand the right to my British and Hispanic duality and would wish to cement that politically in a three way international treaty to ensure the permanence of both regardless of changing political or economic circumstances in future.

I feel comfortable with and in both in equal measure, and would intellectually resist anyone who should seek to ever deprive me of one or the other. For me that is the big thick red line.

Regards,
F. Oliva

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