Former PLP Senator Ira Philip is entitled to hold any opinion he may wish.

This is, thankfully, a free country.

What, in my view, he is not entitled to do is embarrass Bermuda and Bermudians in front of a major international forum. What he did (this) week reminds me of Stuart Hayward's speech at an environmental conference in South America which made Bermuda sound like an open sewer.

We should keep our internal problems to ourselves.

Mr. Philip knows as well as anyone that whites are a minority in Bermuda and that the UBP Government was never a minority Government.

The UBP was in power for over 30 years because it was supported by a multi-racial consensus.

Sir John Swan stayed in power for some 13 years because he was supported by blacks and whites alike. Far from "telling it like it is'', Ira Philip invented some dirty linen and washed it before a distinguished forum. Shame.

WATCHING Paget A mother's vicious circle October 16, 2000 Dear Sir, I need to ask you a question.

What is a single mother supposed to do if she has to wait four weeks before a warrant can be issued for a deadbeat dad? Her bills will certainly accumulate. I heard a gentlemen speaking over the radio on Thursday morning, and he mentioned that when two people divorce or a single mother separates from her ex-boyfriend, it means two sets of bills -- I agree.

The Magistrates' Court cannot send out a warrant until the father is four weeks behind with his payments.

Here's where the anguish begins: the fathers falls four weeks behind; the warrant has to be processed through the Magistrates' Court -- more time wasted; the bailiffs are always overloaded with outstanding warrants -- more time wasted; the clerks are working in overcrowded conditions -- no privacy. Stretched to the limit from the phones ringing all day. Processing papers delayed -- more time wasted.

the bailiff has to locate the father, can't find him -- more time wasted; there is no guarantee that he will pay the full amount of money -- stress on mother and child begins; the father is laid off from work -- stress on mother and child continues; the mother's health begins to decline; the mental exertion begins to dominate the mother's behaviour; she begins to shout at her children, the verbal abuse begins -- there is no escape from the constant pressure held over her head for survival; the letters of threats being to arrive in the mail, disconnection of lights, telephone, etc...; children want to go on school field trips -- no extra money to spare; children are too tried to concentrate in school, the mother is too tired to assist with homework -- she is working two jobs; children are going to school without breakfast. Mother has to make early time, just knocked off 10 the previous night -- she's burnt out.

the teacher has to call the mother for a meeting, your child is falling behind in his grades; mother receives letter from the landlord, he wants his house -- rent is behind again or he wants a return favour in order for her to remain in the house; bills have reached an all-time high. Mother decides to allow the boyfriend to move in and assist with the bills. Behind the mother's back, the boyfriend decides to find out how well her 11-year-old daughter performs in bed, while the mother is working day and night.

molestation carries on forever. The mother is too tired to even notice.

mother finally discovers boyfriend has destroyed her child. Police are called in. Boyfriend has to appear in Magistrates' court.

court orders a Social Inquiry Report. The social worker is called in. Mother is now referred to as being an unfit mother. (Snatch) they take the child away from the mother.

child is now in foster care -- burden falls on the taxpayers; Magistrate only has 30 minutes to talk with you -- He really doesn't want to hear it. Why? Because he knows from years of experience that the problem is only getting worse.

I am also concerned about the construction jobs. Yes, there is work now, but what happens when the construction sites are completed? Exempted companies are beginning to leave now.

(Deadbeat fathers should be made to pay a late penalty fee. A mother should only have to wait four weeks if the father gets paid monthly. For fathers who are paid weekly, mothers should receive their money weekly or something. A half of loaf of bread is still better than no bread at all. (Consistency) is the key word.

The present system is only causing hardship on the mothers. There are mothers out there who really try hard. They should be praised for their efforts.

Denise Mayho don't give up.

M.O.M. (MOTHERS ON THE MOVE) Sandys Parish Casemate's is the solution October 19, 2000 Dear Sir, Regarding the present problem of overcrowding at Westgate, an excellent suggestion was put forward recently by a prominent ex-police officer.

Why not re-open Casemates? This could be achieved by putting prisoners to work on the project.

There are plenty of plumbers, carpenters and electricians incarcerated for lack of child support etc., and they could be paid for the work, thus enabling them to pay off their debts.

This would take some serious supervision, but it would be better than having men in overcrowded conditions where it has been proved that drugs are readily available.

Another advantage is that Casemates actually looks like a prison, and the thought of being incarcerated in such a high-security institution might act as a deterrent to crime.

At the moment, one feels the revolving-door situation at the Westgate `Recreation Facility' is considered something of a joke, and it was reported in The Royal Gazette some time ago that an addict had begged not to be sent back there on account of the fact that drugs were so easily accessible.

Casemates could be reserved for hardened criminals, such as drug dealers, rapists and murderers. As the ex-police officer pointed out, some criminals are so hardened to crime that no amount of counselling will change them, and they should not be allowed to exist side-by-side with others guilty of less serious crimes.

Casemates is such an obvious solution to the problem that I am surprised that it has not been considered.

The building has not been derelict for such a long time that it could not be made functional, and let us not forget that prison is supposed to be a punishment, not a cushy place to spend a year or two.

Perhaps a special cell could be reserved there for depraved creatures who attack defenceless dogs with meat cleavers.

E. RABEN Paget Thief rang my bell Dear Sir, Now that I have allowed the thief sufficient rope to hang himself, I wish to report, that on the eve of June 2, while I was being whisked away to the hospital with a broken leg, my black Raleigh pedal cycle (of the mountain bike variety), which had been secured within the walkway that borders Crisson's and the Pickled Onion, was lifted, without my knowledge or consent.

So, the culprit is no doubt flitting merrily about the Island, with no appreciation for the inconvenience that he has caused me.

Now this is the important part, I should also mention that the cycle had one of the old-time Ding-Dong bells affixed to the handle-bars. You remember, the really large one that gives out a chime like Big Ben itself, so, I'm hoping that the thievous bugger has been ringing himself silly.

Will anyone knowing or hearing of the whereabouts of my bicycle (bought through hard-earned means) and the Ding Dong bell (like the ones that Mr.

Lesley W. Wilson of Wilson Cycles sells), please persuade the individual to ring Mr. Smith at 236-8986, to first beg my pardon, and then make arrangements for the return of my pedal bike.

(It should not be necessary to involve the Police in this matter.) MR. SMITH City of Hamilton P.S. Bermudians, we have allowed this nonsense to continue for far too long.

It is now time to put a stop to it.