Referring to the letter to the Editor by KL dated February 9, 1999 "Is EMF harmful?''. KL at least is aware of the EMF debate, which Government seems to be ill-informed of, to say the least. Unfortunately, KL is not quite up to date on the cellular tower issues, and the failure of standards to address athermal long-term exposure to this radio frequency microwave energy. So his reference to standards is almost meaningless as regards the types of health risks, which occur at extremely low levels, and which CARE is concerned about.

These are athermal effects, for which calculations based on body heating do not apply.

Furthermore, KL's reference to tall towers, 50 to 200 feet, and their negligible effects at certain distances from towers do not apply to the controversy in Warwick. The proposed tower is to be only 40 feet tall and there would be many homes within a few hundred feet of it; the closest being 30 feet or less. We have good reason to be concerned, as are other jurisdictions around the world where these towers have been banned from areas near residences and schools.

CARE Warwick Err on side of caution February 9, 1999 Dear Sir, With the overwhelming volume of information being put forward on the potential health risks associated with living in close proximity to EMF emissions from, for example, cellular towers, it surprises me that our Government has chosen to err on the side of risk rather than caution. In New Zealand, for instance, a new government policy states that cellular masts are no longer allowed on or near schools and they are working with the Children's Charitable Trust on removing the existing ones. Their stated governmental policy is now to "err on the side of caution.'' Why are we not doing the same? UPSET IN WARWICK Time for new a Bermuda February 6, 1999 Dear Sir, It's nothing personal Mr. Editor and it's no disrespect intended Mr. Editor towards the Governor Thorold Masefield. But I fail to see the wisdom of having a constitution that says that a non-Bermudian, a non-elected person, a foreign Governor, if you will, has the power over the Premier, the duly elected representative of the people, to decide who will head up the Senior Civil Services Posts! That's just ludicrous to me Mr. Editor! Perhaps the time has finally come Mr.

Editor for a Bermudian Governor. Perhaps the time has finally come Mr. Editor, for a new constitution. Perhaps the time has finally come Mr. Editor, for a new and Independent Bermuda! DR. CLARK GODWIN City of Hamilton Prison reform needed February 5, 1999 Dear Sir, While I applaud the Woodwork Shop for prisoners, it was with great sadness that I read in your newspaper an appeal to make prisoners' lives harder. I think the legacy of the treatment of prisoners in most countries in this century, will be equated with the treatment of the "insane'' in previous centuries.

While I am no bleeding heart, I have long felt the behaviour of repeated criminal activity has to be based on neuro-chemical imbalances. This has to be treated and addressed. The cruel and senseless behaviour of the psychopath could never be considered normal and yet millions of sick people are locked away and subjected to further cruelty by bullies, rapists and "The Man''. For many the lonely walk to the place of execution is their final destination.

Everyone is frightened of evil people, but we are not dealing with their problems in a humane way. In fact, prisons are the most inhumane places on earth. Do we put alcoholics in bars, surrounded by drink and other alcoholics? Of course not, but in prisons there is no escaping the barbarity of their fellow prisoners and some of their custodians. No-one who has ever been in prison has ever said it was a positive experience and that it helped him in any way.

Weakness, frustration, poverty, greed and misguided entrepreneurs (drug dealers) contribute to why young men end up in prison. We as a society have failed to provide proper leadership for the weak. Boys who have broken homes, join gangs, and poverty is mostly ignored by us because it is too much trouble to help the poor and in some ways we blame poverty on the poor and make stupid statements like "pull up your bootstraps'' to people who have never had boots! Greed and entrepreneurship are viewed as desirable assets on Wall Street, but when the only avenue for these qualities is illegal, no thought is given as to how we can help these misguided businessmen find honest and less lethal trading. Most drug dealers in jail are little men. The big boys live in mansions all over the world directing their dance of death.

Perhaps the saddest group of "criminals'' are the mentally retarded who get involved in illegal activities with no proper conception of right or wrong.

One profoundly retarded man was executed in the US after having instructed the guards to save part of his last meal for later! This man should not have been executed.

We need to treat the diseases of the hardened criminals, and make sure they are isolated from prisoners who commit less serious crimes. It is also time to take the prisons back from the prisoners. Most huge prisons in the US are totally out of control with guards unable and unwilling to confront the problems going on inside them. Electronic bracelets should be worn inside the prisons to monitor prisoners movements and much more electronic surveillance should be used to control violence and unwelcome contact. Prison justice is no justice! Guards should be better educated and the bullies and sadists weeded out and offenders should be saturated with good influences, good people and activities that are relevant to the future of the inmate upon release.

As a society, and by this I mean globally, we should encourage more mentoring by potential employers during incarceration and constant follow up, to avoid repeat offences. We have all got to become involved with this troubled section of society. Red flags go up long before crimes are committed. We have to prevent crime. Support mothers with troubled children, pressure absentee fathers to take responsibility for their progeny, and encourage and offer financial aid to all the services that play such an important part in preventing criminal behaviour.

Lawyers have also got to address the shameful fact that the majority of prisoners are poor and minorities. By offering decent legal aid we can help cleanse the prisons of people who are in jail merely because they have had poor or no legal advice. We also have to rid ourselves of judges and juries who convict and sentence anyone based on ethnic perceptions. Some of the so-called civilised countries are most guilty of this.

Offenders are our responsibility and until society acquaints itself with what really goes on in most prisons, the situation will only worsen and our failure to offer solutions robs us of many young men who could lead useful and productive lives.

J.K. WILLIAMS City of Hamilton P.S. The use of the word man, obviously covers women, lest I be accused of chauvinism! UBP should pack it in February 10, 1999 Dear Sir I was interested to learn recently that the former Government (UBP) met to brainstorm amongst themselves about what went wrong with them losing the last General Election. Subsequently they came up with some ideas -- most interestingly was that they wanted to start wooing the `grassroot' members of our society. I found this to be almost laughable, coming from a party who in the past has had a history of ignoring this same class of people.

Another idea they came up with was to change their present name from the UBP to some name beginning with `Progressive'! Again, I found this to be most amusing! Could they have at least come up with something a little more original? Seriously, though I believe this party is desperately trying to win back the power that they have lost, and frankly I don't think this is going to happen for a long, long time.

If I may offer this desperate party a few suggestions: -- Number one on the list, they need to get rid of Pam Gordon. The reason being is that her late father was a grassroots person, and her present position flies smack in the face of all of her father's efforts. Secondly, the UBP might change their name etc., but they cannot change their past, therefore my suggestion is this, they all need to pack it in, and go home, because they will never get my vote.

FOR A NEW BERMUDA City of Hamilton Well done students February 8, 1999 Dear Sir, On February 6, students of the In Motion School of Dance held their annual KBB-Assisted Trashathon, collection over 60 bags of trash around Bernard Park and Palmetto Road, comprising mostly of empty cans and bottles. In addition to raising funds for the purchase of costumes for their upcoming dance recital, students also gained abetter appreciation of the litter problem in Bermuda, and the importance of maintaining our island's beauty.

In Motion would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those students who participated for a job well done, and especially thank those parents and friends who kindly provided transport and assistance for the event. Thanks also goes to KBB for their guidance and support, and to those persons who kindly donated towards keeping our island beautiful and supporting our youth in the arts.

Congratulations on a job well done.

LIZ PIMENTEL Director In Motion School of Dance Life's too short! February 10, 1999 Dear Sir, This is in answer to Dr. Godwin's letter of February 4; re cold, short, February. My late husband was very fond of saying that constant complainers "would complain if they were hung with a golden rope!'' Smile, Dr. Godwin, life is too short to always be finding fault. Look on the bright side.

S. MARQUARDT Paget