I beg for you to enlighten my puzzled mind. I am somewhat curious as to what circumstances determine whether or not a story is to be placed on the front page or the back pages of your beloved newspaper. Is it the complexity of the issue? Is it the level of prominence of these individuals that form the subject of the story? Is it the magnitude of the issues involved? Surely, Mr.

Editor, the greater these variables, the more likely the story would make the front page. At least that is how journalism is conducted in the free and democratic world.

So tell me, how it is that during this BF&M trial, the biggest Bermudian lawsuit ever, involving five white individuals, including; a former United Bermuda Party senator and partner in one of Bermuda's largest law firms, the former president of the Bank of Bermuda and prominent businessman, a partner in one of Bermuda's biggest accountancy firms, a former president of the Bank of Butterfield, a major law firm and accountancy firm, all being sued for $400 million, can have the comfort of being tucked away on Page 30 and beyond? And yet, Calvin Shabazz, Llewelyn Peniston, Charles Vaucrosson, Dr. Vincent Bridgewater, Dilton Robinson, Darren Woods, Julian Hall, and Arnold Todd, (to name just a few), all successful black individuals in this society, have had to endure the discomfort of having their ordeals with the establishment of this Island plastered all over the front page on a daily basis throughout their trials and tribulations, and usually in the most damning terms.

Additionally, your newspaper goes to great lengths to keep the public informed of their financial, economic, legal status by printing regular front page "updates'' with a lovely picture included. Is your newspaper aware of the effect this has, not just on the individual, but on their families? What's funny is that if you were to add up the total of how much each of these black individuals were being sued for, it would only amount to a minute fraction of the figures involved in the BF&M trial.

Is this what your newspaper calls objective, fair, and consistent journalism? Must your biased reporting continue to disgust and insult the intelligence of the average black and white reader of your newspaper? With a newspaper such as this, it is not difficult to see why Bermuda can rightly be regarded as the character assassination capital of the world for successful blacks.

SWORDFISH St. George's Go further, Dr. James June 14, 1999 Dear Sir, Please allow me to comment on the article in The Royal Gazette dated June 7, 1999 in which Dr. Valerie James calls for sex offenders to be castrated, etc.

Dr. James, I commend you for the stand on the punishment of these cowardly individuals. You echo my feelings exactly. However, I feel they should have bi-lateral castration (removal of both testes) after the first offence to prevent another unlawful carnal knowledge act. Coalition and the Human Rights Commission, even members of the public probably feel this is drastic and against human rights, but what about the victim's rights? Do they have a right not to be molested and raped? Some will say this will not stop crime but that individual will certainly not commit the similar crime again.

Your "other unpopular suggestion'' regarding a licence for women to have a child would certainly help with overpopulation problem, the child abuse especially of children born to children, however I think this should be implemented after the first child if the parent is under 21 years. Allow for them to learn some common sense...maybe.

Another sore point with me is babies born to drug addicted parents, and while we are at it, Dr. James, why not automatically sterilise the drug addicted female immediately after she has given birth? These mothers don't even think about control -- let alone seek education on the subject. How many people have seen a baby born then suddenly have drug withdrawal symptoms? How many people know of children 3,4, and 5-years-old who have seizures as a result of their mother being an addict? Neither is a very pretty sight and frightening, to say the least.

Again the "groups'' will say it is against the mother's right to automatically sterilise her, but what about the rights of the taxpayer? We end up paying for the child/children who continue the vicious cycle.

Thank you for allowing me this space.

FED UP Pembroke No attack on karters June 17, 1999 Dear Sir, In response to Vicki A. Robinson's (former secretary BKC & Cycle Supporter) letter dated June 10, I would like to ask her what letter was she reading when she wrote her outrageous letter claiming that Mr. Jones has viciously attacked the BKC. Nowhere has Mr. Jones ever attacked or disrespected the BKC. Your letter is completely out of line. In no way, shape or form the comments made by Mr. Jones were against the BKC. Mr. Jones' battle is not with the BKC; it's with the committee who gave the BKC the permission to race on Front Street, which was a great accomplishment and successful event. The BACU would like to have the same opportunity.

On numerous occasions he and some of the members of the BACU have shown their support by attending the BKC meetings and most recently attending their prize presentation which we both enjoyed. I am sure you remember, he presented certificates and trophies for their participation at the BACU last event which was held at South Side. Just as the BKC had to struggle to get where they are today, it's no easier for Mr. Jones and the BACU.

On no occasion was Mr. Jones asked to help to repair or contribute to the use of the Southside racetrack by the BKC. The BACU's contract with the Bermuda Land Development Company states they had to pay for the repairs and use of the track, so if you have a problem I suggest you take it up with the BLDC and not imply that the BACU is taking a free ride on the backs and hard work of the BKC. That's ludicrous. You don't own the track and the BACU paid their dues for the use of "government'' land. If you had problems with BACU using your equipment (which were tires around the track) you should have moved them. I am surprised you would go so far to discredit the BACU in such a manner and I truly hope that the members of the BKC don't feel this way.

For you to even write a letter in the context which you did shows you have NO IDEA of what Mr. Jones and the BACU is trying to accomplish. You have insulted this organisation for no reason at all. The BACU is trying to do what has been done by the BKC and that's to have a race on Front Street (which will be only a couple of hours not all day). If one motor sport can organise it safely, why not another? I don't know you, Ms Robinson, but obviously you don't know what the BACU has been through regarding racial issues. This is a complex issue that will always be a part of some people's lives, whether it be colour, race, religion etc.

You claim Mr. Jones insulted the BKC pretty badly with his slurs, but if you would read his letter carefully you would find no slurs racial or otherwise directed towards the BKC. People as you say insist on looking for these issues, some don't have a choice and just to ignore it doesn't make it go away.

You have your opinions but I wish you would have taken the time not just to read Mr. Jones' letter but to understand where he is coming from and trying to achieve. I would like to say that your letter doesn't help to build a good relationship between these two respected clubs and when it comes down to it they will need to come together for the purpose of obtaining a race facility.

Government is not going to have two separate tracks for two different sports under the same category (which is motorsports).

In closing there is no defence needed for the karters from Mr. Jones or the BACU. I must add if any one else misunderstood Mr. Jones' letter as Ms Robinson has, apologies are extended. He said what had to be said. Now let's stop wasting time on false implications and concentrate on getting a facility for Motorsports.

CARRIE JONES Devonshire Solution: Air Bermuda June 21, 1999 Dear Sir, Apparently the controversial Bermuda advertising is getting good play in the marketplace, resulting in more interest as evidenced by the increase in calls to the Bermuda 800 number.

Unfortunately the airlines have pulled the rug from under Tourism's feet by maintaining high air fares. As an example, the US Airways non-restricted economy fare between New York and Bermuda is $627.40 round trip and Philadelphia to Bermuda which is about the same mileage is $915.40 round trip.

Solution: A Bermuda airline.

A Bermuda airline may not make a profit, however with attractive year round fares, the winter period from November to March would result in a 50 percent increase in air arrivals and from April to October a 25 percent increase.

It is about 20 years now that air arrivals have declined.

It will be interesting to note if the newest advertising and promotion efforts will turn inquiries into bookings sufficient to turn the tide and overcome the non-competitive airfares.

CONRAD ENGELHARDT Paget Looking for shark oil June 14, 1999 Dear Sir, I was fascinated to hear from a visitor to our museum, (and subsequently looking on the Internet), information regarding the shark oil barometer.

However, the information we have is so scant we require more details. I wonder whether any of your "old timer'' readers have any memories or comments about making these barometers. We particularly need to find a source for shark oil, which I believe comes from a certain type of shark caught at a certain time of year. We have located a cheap but useless tourist item; however, being perfectionists, we wish to manufacture working models. We have a similar item in this country called the camphor glass, the idea of which is probably the same as the shark oil and was brought over with early settlers. Are there any readers who might be able to help? We are currently trying to locate all types of weather predictors and your assistance will be much appreciated.

PHILIP COLLINS (F.R. Met. S) Director Barometer World & Museum, Okehampton, Devon EX20 3DS, United Kingdom email: philip.collins ybarometerworld.co.uk Thanks for the stamps June 10, 1999 Dear Sir, Thank you very much for printing my appeal for stamps in your newspaper.

Thanks to many of your readers who wrote to me and sent me stamps. I also have had a few phone calls.

I am unable to answer every one and give my thanks, this is just not possible for me, but I did manage to write a few letters. If it is possible could you please give my thanks to your readers, I will be very grateful to you.

As I am closing once more thank you very much, may God keep you in good health.

LOUI FINAL 127 Wayne Avenue Scarborough, Ontario Disappointed by decision June 18, 1999 Dear Sir, It is rare that we get to witness two front-page events which, when compared, offer a real insight into the old adage that absolute power corrupts.

The 40th anniversary of the Theatre Boycott should remind us what an amazing time that was. This was not a group of youths simply caught up in the spirit of '60s rebellion. This was not an act which occurred on a general local wave of insurrection and change. This was a most brave and almost majestic act fuelled simply by the fact that it was the right thing to do. People stood up and said, "This is wrong'' and we all knew "They are right''. There weren't many decent people of any colour who didn't recognise the simple human dignity that was on display here. Decent human beings in Bermuda knew that the people with power no longer had any right to use it against another group based solely on the colour of their skin or their choice of political affiliation.

Contrast this with the level of human majesty displayed by the decision to reject Mr. Saul Froomkin as Canadian Consul. Imagine the horrid little emotions put into play here to make an international issue out of such a tiny decision. And what a display of political naivete, to publicly try to vanquish someone based on his personal and political affiliations. He's a Status Bermudian. He's White. He's Jewish. He's a friend of the UBP. What more do we need to have chills run through us as we imagine that we have become just like the people who we fought forty years ago. Sitting around in their halls of power, we could just imagine their frightening arrogance as they made decisions about "those people''. Now we have "those people'' sitting in the same chambers and we had such hopes that the real victory of the PLP would be one of spirit, not petty power mongering.

I say to you, Madame Premier, that the people of Bermuda expect more than this from you. The people of Bermuda want you and your government to be proud of what you do, not simply self-satisfied that you "got back''. Like the people in power who denied entry to the theatre when you were a little girl, aren't you now ashamed? As Spike Lee says.. .

DO THE RIGHT THING Smith's Parish