I must take exception to the remarks made by Tania Theriault in her review of this year's Hasty Pudding offering "Fangs for the Memories''. She is, as a critic, entitled to her opinion, but I found her review in the Royal Gazette of April 3, unnecessarily unkind and totally misleading.

The very concept of "tradition'' is that it does not change. Yes, the show contains awful puns -- it's SUPPOSED to! The audience loves them, the more horrible the better! Yes, it is silly -- that's what farce is all about. These are theme shows usually set in a specific time frame, past present or future.

Therefore the jokes in this show set in the cold war era, were in keeping with the theme and not at all outdated. I thought the cast did an absolutely splendid job, the costuming was great, as it always is, and the exuberance and endurance of the cast is amazing. The final performance played to a house that could have been fuller but the audience obviously thoroughly enjoyed the show and gave the performers a well deserved standing ovation.

I certainly hope that these young men, who put such effort into bringing their show to Bermuda, did not see Miss. Theriault's review, its only saving grace was that it was printed after the show closed! I want to assure them that they have a devoted following in Bermuda who look forward to their annual visit and long may this tradition continue. Thanks guys -- see you next year.

ANNA W. SUMMERS Warwick Flights not `friendly' March 31, 2001 This was sent to The Honorable David H. Allen, M.P. Minister of Tourism and copied to The Royal Gazette .

Dear Mr. Allen, This is in response to your tourism survey. If Bermuda is to increase tourism, it will be necessary, however, to get the airlines to cooperate.

First of all, it now costs more for a one and half hour flight from New York to Bermuda than it does from New York to London. New York to Florida is less than half the cost to Bermuda. And secondly, a flight schedule more friendly to tourists, must be established.

American Airlines' winter schedule may be great for Bermudians travelling on holiday or on business to New York, but it is very unfriendly to visitors. If a New Yorker were to take a four day holiday in Bermuda, he would arrive at 10.30 p.m. on the first day and leave Bermuda at 8.00 a.m. on the fourth day.

He would pay $550 tourist class or $1,100 first class for a round trip ticket.

He would have a three night hotel stay and just two days to enjoy Bermuda on his four day holiday. The New York, New Jersey and Connecticut area is the most heavily populated area in the US, close to Bermuda but for the majority, not a desirable holiday option for the above reasons.

Delta Airlines, flying from Boston, has an early morning flight to Bermuda and a late afternoon flight back to Boston. This gives the visitor almost two more days to enjoy the Island on the same four day holiday.

If you check the figures, I think you will find that you have a far larger percentage of the population of Massachusetts visiting Bermuda than from the New York area. New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, however, I am quite sure, have a far greater potential for Bermuda tourism.

BRUCE E. BEAGLEY Stamford, Connecticut Actions matter April 8, 2001 Dear Sir, In the April 6 Bermuda Sun, Attorney General Lois Browne Evans is quoted as expressing the hope that unlike the old people of the UBP, the young `UBPers' and the new generation coming up will learn to be philosophically political instead of focusing on race.

While there are certainly pockets of de-humanising ignorance and racism in the various communities that make up Bermudian society, the PLP leadership might consider that they are actually being judged, not by the colour of their skin, but by the content of their character.

BONNIE CRITCHLEY Devonshire Protect local artists! Dear Sir, The new work permit regulations have now been published after extensive consultation with the stakeholders. The SLP feels that the government has not gone far enough in protecting Bermudian artists, and is completely soft on expat artists.

Good citizenship will be taken into account in considering work-permit applications. We feel strongly that non-Bermudian artists should in future genuflect whenever encountering a living, breathing Bermudian artist, even in passing.

The SLP platform would go further in protecting the rights of Bermudian artists by excluding all foreign artists from St. George's, which is a World Heritage Site. A 40 mile marine exclusion zone has been set up to prevent unscrupulous foreign artists from shooting or painting St. George's from the sea.

Non-Bermudian resident artists may only live in Somerset, actually only Ireland Island. Well, only in Casemates, which will be minimally refurbished as an artist colony for non-Bermudians, who will be let out to paint anywhere else (except St. George's) only on Tuesdays, between the hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Outside Casemates, non-Bermudian artists may only gather in groups of three or more only by permission of the Minister, and may talk about anything else except pink cottages. Pink cottages are sacred, only objects.

Non-Bermudian may not paint sunsets.

Non-Bermudians artists may only paint with Viridian Green, Alizarin Crimson and Burnt Umber, and are prohibited from using all hues and tones of pinks, purples and turquoise. Only Bermudian artists may use these colours.

Al art supplies will be imported duty free twice a year by the Department of Immigration, which will ensure that large tubes of titanium white are kept permanently in stock for Bermudian artists, as Artcetera has only just caught on, and non-Bermudian painters keep buying up all the stock, creating a disadvantage to Bermudians.

Artists, Bermudian and non-Bermudian alike, are permanently exempted from, well actually forbidden to serve in the Bermuda Regiment or any other organisation with sharp, pointy things, as they are highly trained dangerous killers, the lot of them.

DAN DEMPSTER Chairman Skink and Lobster Party Just a thought April 7, 2001 Dear Sir, In my opinion, I feel Bermuda could have been a better place if we had positive people in politics to set the values of improving Bermuda instead of increasing taxes or saying one idea and leave people scratching their heads and saying "Why are these people acting like this?''.

The positive people involved in this new party would help Bermudians to better themselves by eliminating the competition meaning the UBP & our new government, the PLP.

With good ideas on improving tourism, entertainment, government jobs, sports and life in general the people of Bermuda, will start to shed their old ways and start focusing on a new and improved one.

Just a thought.

K.P.S. SMITH Pembroke East `You go girl!' April 8, 2001 Dear Sir, In response to those who have voiced opposition to the Hon. Minister Renee Webb's stated objective of fostering "Black Economic Empowerment'' I can only at this juncture describe their objections as not only baseless but in many ways perverse.

I was especially disappointed by the written comments expressed by a contributor who styled herself "Black Bermudian Woman''.

To her and others I will only say that it is only morally right that this Government endeavour to ensure not only that those who have been historically disadvantaged be afforded full opportunity by way of jobs within Bermuda's largely white dominated business environment but also that more Black Bermudians be able to participate in the wealth creation process. And while C.U.R.E may tend to address the former, only affirmative initiatives as exhibited by the likes of Ms Webb will begin to address the latter.

Only when we see a far higher number of African-Bermudians becoming owners of businesses and more importantly capital will we begin to witness the closure of the economic gap that has been highlighted by Dr. Eva Hodgson and others.

This will, I am certain, produce a far healthier community for us all.

Remember that the success of Bermuda's traditional business economy was not only predicated upon hard work but also by the very real advantages associated with uncontested privilege.

The African Bermudian community has for decades had its growth and development stifled by the existence of this privilege and thus had been seriously disadvantaged. Even "Black Bermudian Woman'' and those whites who are not in denial would, recognize that some re-mediation is in order.

Finally to Ms Webb, to borrow a phrase made widely popular by our African American Cousins, you go girl! ROLFE PATTON COMMISSIONG City of Hamilton