On Wednesday, November 1, 2000, I experienced first hand, Bermuda's road rage and racism combined.

I needed to purchase one item from the small store next to Lindo's in Warwick.

On my arrival, Lindo's car park was full and their customers were using the parking area outside the small store. I knew my purchase was going to take less than two minutes, so I parked adjacent to Middle Road, directly in front of the small store. This, I admit, blocked the exit for about three parked cars, all which were empty. I was out of my car when I saw a well-dressed individual (I will refrain from calling him a gentleman) approaching his car with his wife. I called cheerily that I would be less than two minutes. My transaction took exactly that. On leaving the store I was confronted by this individual demanding to know why I had blocked him in. What followed was a disgrace.

With clenched fists I was told repeatedly he wanted to slap me in the mouth.

This I found amusing. What disturbed me was the racial hatred coming from his mouth. To quote: "You people deserve everything you are going to get.'' Was this said because I was a foreigner or because I was white? By the individual's Caribbean accent, it was clear he was not Bermudian; rather like myself, a long-term foreign resident.

If I had been racially bigoted as he, he would have received exactly what he deserved. My first thoughts were to call the Police, but in the "New Bermuda'' even elected Members of Parliament can, with immunity, preach racial divide, so what are the Police going to do. If the role had been reversed, I am 100 percent certain I would find myself in court.

To the individual, your physical appearance may have been one of a gentleman but you are far from that. You cannot control your anger and you are a racist.

Fortunately for you and people like you, there are always plenty of whipping boys to blame for your own shortcomings. With people like you in Bermuda, the Island is heading for exactly what it deserves, but you can and will lay the blame elsewhere.

ANTHONY MCCARRON Paget Speaking for the majority November 21, 2000 Dear Sir, What? 52 percent? I demand a recount! In all the places I've been (US, Canada, Europe, Africa, Mid East, Caribbean) there is no country that can touch Bermuda as a place where one would want to live. If you look at all of the factors that one considers when measuring quality of life such as climate, employment, income level, opportunity to increase assets, Bermuda is right at the top. In addition to all that, when you look at the beauty of the Island, and the efforts the Government and population put forth in keeping it beautiful by controlling growth, monitoring construction design, outlawing eyesores, etc. your pride has to grow more. But the one thing that Bermuda has and no other place can touch is its people. Bermudians are the best people to be found anywhere. They are hard-working, yet fun-loving; love a joke, but can be dead serious when called to be. You just cannot find a better "mate'' than a Bermudian.

I believe the "pride poll'' gives a false impression. It's probably a case of the malcontent activists doing their thing, while the silent majority is just cooling out.

Thanks for your time.

JOE LINDO Wilmington, Delware Sending a clear message November 21, 2000 Dear Sir, It is not often that I call for a retraction of a misleading statement that appears in your newspaper but in this case I am asking if you would print a retraction regarding the comments made by me yesterday in the story "MP calls for soft touch on `soft drug''.

Firstly, I said that the UBP never has and still does not support the decriminalisation of marijuana.

I did not say "the previous Government and this Government have been against the decriminalisation of soft drugs''.

I did say "the previous Government and this Government through the NDC have spent millions on education and treatment for the public to prevent all drug abuse.'' The statement in The Royal Gazette is misleading as the United Bermuda Party think that this Government does not appear to have a clear stand on this issue.

Some examples of their soft and confusing approach to drugs is demonstrated by the following: Mr. Dalaey Robinson, Miss Renee Webb and Mr. Cal Smith, PLP members have called for decriminalising marijuana.

It makes a mockery of the "drugs don't work here'' drug policy that is espoused by Government:-- When the Government has a wishy stand on the drugs in sport initiative.

When random drug testing is not required among customs officers who are in the front line of the fight against drugs.

When Custom officers have been removed from the cruise ships even though it is felt that this is the main source of importation of drugs.

When Prison officers have not been given the tools necessary to combat drug use in the prisons.

When prisoners are not being randomly drug tested to eradicate drugs in the prison.

When the Drug Court, which will allow treatment and non-criminal records for first-time drug offenders is still not up and running after two years of talk.

We have a responsibility to the public to lead by example yet not all of the PLP Government MPs are willing to take drug tests which demonstrates a lack of conviction they believe in drug testing or that drugs are harmful.

We in the UBP take a firm stand that we do not condone the use of illicit drugs.

The PLP Government is sending out "mixed messages'' and has yet to take a stand and send out a clear message to the people on its position in this regard.

The Government should be encouraging positive lifestyles without the use of any illicit nor the abuse of legal drugs. There is enough evidence compiled over the years by those who deal with drug addicted people that illicit drugs and abused legal drugs are harmful and destructive.

KIM YOUNG Shadow Health Minister Making a difference November 20, 2000 Dear Sir, I would like to publicly thank and express my sincere appreciation to a very special couple, Mr. & Mrs. Shawn Grant who reside and work in St. George's.

I am a Counsellor at Purvis Primary School in Warwick. One day Mrs. Grant called, introduced herself and asked if she and her husband could make a contribution to a student by way of preparing and delivering lunch on a daily basis for a student at Purvis. Needless to say, I was elated to receive such a generous and selfless offer and immediately accepted.

Mr. & Mrs. Grant deliver lunch every day to a student, who shall remain anonymous, at Purvis Primary School in Warwick. The student who was chosen to receive this lunch not only looks forward to it every day, but his enthusiasm is apparent to everyone. He has been made to feel very special because time and thought has gone into the preparation of his meals. There are always special treats for him such as, sugarcoated apples or homemade cake. On several occasions, he has expressed his appreciation to Mr. & Mrs. Grant with thank you notes.

On behalf of Purvis Primary, I would like Mr. & Mrs. Grant to know that we appreciate what they are doing and that their efforts are truly making a difference in this child's life.

BARBARA HOLLIS Counsellor Purvis Primary School Stand up and be counted November 21, 2000 Dear Sir, In my view the UBP is politically irrelevant and is likely to be for some time to come. For that reason I am puzzled as to why so many PLP supporters spend their time and energy on reacting to the UBP and its "white oligarchy'' rather than concerning themselves with whether or not the PLP is really acting in their best interest. The PLP is going to be governing for some time to come. It is therefore in our interest to ensure that it is performing either as it promised or as we would wish.

I have discovered that there are at least some black PLP supporters who are as concerned as I am about the prospect of reducing the number of MPs, yet are afraid to speak out lest they are castigated for supporting, and giving solace to, the UBP. Neither do I understand the passivity of the PLP MPs. Some of them (many? few?) are about to loose their seats permanently. Of course there are an easily defined few who will be secure in their seat, no matter what happens.

To the PLP I say: "If ever there was a time for the PLP MPs to appeal to the `Westminster system' it is now. The fear of giving support to the UBP and its `white oligarchy' will be cold comfort to you when the number of MPs is reduced and you are no longer a part of the game. You certainly will not then be given a Ministry if you are not even in the House of Assembly! Your commitment to your short- term interest may result in your having a long-time to bemoan the loss of your long term interest. A number of you profess to be Christian, so I am going to compare you to those who are committed to a life of pleasure in this life and an eternity of Godless darkness. I am not being flippant because I hope that this will also remind you that you are supposed to have a great deal more courage and integrity than you are manifesting.

Blind loyalty to the PLP because of hostility to the UBP is not only absurd but ultimately self-destructive.

EVA HODGSON Hamilton Parish Respect must be earned November 23, 2000 Dear Sir, May I, as a mere mortal, suggest to Minister Webb that if respect is shown to others then in return she would earn respect. Contrary to Dr. Ewart Brown's suggestion that deference be shown to Government Ministers, Ministers and indeed all MPs should be cognizant of the fact that they are there at the behest of Bermudian voters. A little humility, good manners in word and deed, and respect towards others would, I suspect, go a long way in converting the unconverted! SMITH'S PARISH