Dear Sir,

In your November 22 edition of The Royal Gazette I was sadden to see in the "VIP Excellence Award" transportation sector, there were no carriage operators. Most of our visitors come from the eastern sea board of the USA, who look forward to the British heritage and slower movement, certainly look forward to a "Bermudian buggy ride", lots of them plan their wedding for here, request the carriage, yet two taxi operators and a bus operator are selected, I think our carriage operators deserve better.

OPERATOR'S BROTHER

Warwick Parish

A bitter pill

November 23, 2002

Dear Sir,

In response to your article about viagra . The answer to Kim Young's question, is men are in charge. Men run the insurance companies, so therefore men's needs would be put first before women's. To a man it makes more sense to enjoy themselves than for a woman to protect herself and not pay out thousands of dollars in child care. It is not their bill or their body.

DENISE GARDNER

St. George's

We deserve decency

November 14, 2002

Dear Sir,

I fully agree with your comments about what Mr. Simmons MP said about the PLP Government .

Frankly what he said was nonsense to me as was what Mr. Moniz MP and some one signed Bluto, St. Georges.

The people of Bermuda deserve good sense, decency and maturity spoken within the next year leading up to the next general election. I call on all in the public arena to do that.

ROSS TUZO

Warwick

Confused over colour

November 30, 2002

Dear Sir,

So now, according to Delaey Robinson, we have "White white" people and just "white" people. And how do we tell the difference between the two? I'm not sure whether I'm white white or just white or maybe I'm black white. Is there such a thing? And what about you, Delaey, are you black black or just black? Or maybe, horror of all horrors, you're white black? Mr. Editor have you ever heard such nonsense?

BILL PANTRY

Smith's Parish

Crime doesn't pay?

November 21, 2002

Dear Sir,

I am rather confused. You report that it is now possible to assault one's countrymen on the road and to be let of with a 'slap on the wrist'.

However, several times a month we have three or four fully jackbooted police officers outside our offices stopping some bikers because they did not put both feet on the ground when stopping at a junction. The penalty for his heinous offence is far greater than the one for a painful physical assault.

Why does it need so many Police to remove themselves from hunting true criminals so as to catch petty offenders? Is it the desperate need for funds to finance Bermuda's growing debt burden?

MARLOW

City of Hamilton

Divide and rule

November 26, 2002

Dear Sir,

In a country where the black vote exceeds the white vote, you would expect that a perceived white political party would work harder to improve race relations.

If so, would it not then be in the best interest of a perceived black political party to keep the same country racially divided?

WONDERING

Smith's Parish

Just doing his job

November 28, 2002

Dear Sir,

The less than genial remarks about Mr. Larry Dennis that I see being published in your newspaper, which gives, as I am sure you always aim to do, both sides of the same question, reminds me of my aging mother once saying to me quite seriously, "That Physiotherapist, she hates me."

People whose job it is to demand the utmost of their client's capabilities may be seen to be hostile where all that is being asked for is optimum performance.

This must be especially so in accountancy, which does not just ask for, but require exactitude. Mr. Dennis admits that he has been just as severe with his other clients.

EMILY LIDDELL

Pembroke

Some immigration advice

This was sent to Dr. Martin Brewer, Chief Immigration Officer, and copied to The Royal Gazette.

November 29, 2002

Dear Dr. Brewer,

Here's my suggestion for your consideration. Whenever your Ministry submits its lists of "roots seekers" (persons applying for Bermudian status or Permanent Resident's Certificate) to the Official Gazette for publication could you please include a photo of applicants with their names below. The layout could be similar to Bermuda Sun's "feet-in-the-street" interviews.

Since listings will only appear once and members of the public afforded the liberty of lodging their disputations (if any) against an application(s) with your Ministry within fourteen (14) days, identification will be most helpful. It is all too common for Bermudians to say, "I know a lot of people by sight, but not by name or I'll have to see the person first before I can say that I know him/her".

Your attention and response to this will be appreciated.

PEGGY BURNS

St. David's

Hester shows poor taste

November 25, 2002

Dear Sir,

It is with disappointment that I read Hester's column in the Royal Gazette last week.

The reference Mr. Ashfield DeVent , Progressive Labour Party candidate for Pembroke East Central, as I quote, "former weed smoker" was derogatory and not in good taste. This is clearly evident since the other references used towards another person in the column are rather nondescript and not neccessarily interpreted in a negative label. To identify Mr. DeVent in this manner raises negative associations in the same way if you had referred to him as a "former convict", "former bank robber" or "former rapist".

To label a candidate with these titles as if they were gainful occupants is neither fair nor appropriate. I would not interfere with Hester's efforts to disseminate what he or she feels is news through the community but clearly in these special times decency and discretion should be used.

WALTER H. ROBAN

Smith's Parish

A lawless land

November 18, 2002

Dear Sir,

It is Monday morning here in Toronto, I am reading The Gazette on the Internet and I am worried by the report of the tourist who was knifed on Front Street being unable to get reply from government offices which should be processing his case of attempted murder. Stonewalled!!! The tourist victim himself cannot get the courtesy of communication from the very people who are supposed to serve and protect all people; locals, visitors, even elected or employed officials!

I have every reason to suspect the safety of the visitor to your Island. Years of visiting safely and pleasantly matters not. The Island of Bermuda is dangerous, and lawless where there is no enforcement. Why should one risk a visit? Memories? They are meaningless in the current climate of Bermuda. This weekend we had a major snowstorm in Southern Ontario ; my hotel deposit is paid, the airline ticket is non-refundable, my own home and area is safe then why come to such a risky place? I am a senior, retired person, with minor disabilities and my favourite stroll area of Front Street is dangerous. What do you suggest?

NERVOUS VISITOR

Toronto, Ontario

What's Renee's idea?

November 26, 2002

Dear Sir,

The remarks made by Renee Webb about giving jobs to people who look like her were very interesting. Since there are not many people that do look like her, there is obviously going to be many more jobs than people to fill them.

However, as she is half white, perhaps her idea is to divide the jobs evenly between blacks and whites? On the other hand, perhaps her idea is to encourage mixed marriages, and this may be the answer. There would be no racism if everyone was the colour of cafe'-au-lait.

PISCES