AS a Bermudian living in Boston, I read your paper on a regular basis, along with .

One of the biggest trends that I find very disturbing is the amount of hyped-up aggression that seems to be creeping into Bermuda's day-to-day life. Bad driving, ignorant politics, unethical business dealings, vicious crimes, etc.

It seems that the island is quickly becoming a land with little respect for anything. People talk about respect but often do not heed their own words. How often we hear people say: "You need to show me respect?" The only currency to purchase respect is by offering it. Respect is a courtesy. An acknowledgement of a good deed or an accomplishment.

On the other hand, I have been following the story on the Bermuda Regiment this past week. Respect is a very important part of the Bermuda Regiment. Without respect for peers, position, leaders, country and purpose then the Bermuda Regiment could not exist.

I respect all people who have joined the Bermuda Regiment and learned from their experience there. I respect even more those that have taken that experience and put it to good use elsewhere in their lives.

I think the Bermuda Regiment Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Eddie Lamb, has mentioned a few things that Bermuda as a country should take a good hard look at. He says "50 per cent of the new recruits arrive with some issues". When they leave they are better men. I believe him.

Bermuda would be a better place if the Bermuda Regiment expanded its programmes. Some things to consider are starting a programme for younger boys and girls through the schools similar to the CCF in England. Might I suggest expanding the Regiment to include women if it has not done so already.

The Bermuda Regiment is a strong, solid institution that serves its country well. The officers of the Bermuda Regiment get my respect and Private Justin Hill gets my respect. He showed dignity and honour by taking responsibility for his actions.

Thank you for giving Col. Lamb an opportunity to express his opinions.

CONGRATULATIONS to the editor of the for your fantastic in the December 18, 2004 edition on the subject of our esteemed Premier. I would love to sign my name but being a senior citizen who has just had my rent in Government-subsidised housing tripled, I had better be careful.

We all know how dictators behave when they are challenged so extreme caution has to be observed when criticising him. Who knows what he will do next? What he didn't do was to come out and speak to the seniors when we had our march protesting rent increases. What did he think might happen? That we maybe would lynch him (nice thought).

Then he has the gall to say in the on December 23 ? and I quote ? "We simply cannot afford an 'underclass' that feels excluded from our extraordinary economic success."

Wake up, Mr. Scott! We, the senior citizens of Bermuda, the "underclass". Some of us are on the poverty line, regardless of Bermuda's fantastic economic success. Only a refugee from a padded cell or the most unbelievable hypocrite ? take your pick ? would make such a statement.

Thank you, Hon. P. Minors for asking if I had any problems ? with my rent almost tripled, I am surprised you really had to ask. So I doubt if I'll have a happy ? and definitely not a prosperous ? New Year. But thank you, yet another political hypocrite, for your make-believe interest in my situation.