In times past, I have heard many people make comments on issues which concern us, the workers and consumers of this country. But for some reason, these persons take themselves out of the context of being a part of the group they are talking about. Of course this sounds very simple, but by what mentality and standard do people do this? In my opinion, it is because they have been misguided by society to think that there is a "them'' and a "we'', when in reality it is not so, except for the convenience of society that tends to mislead every time.

If society says "you'', meaning the person to whom it is addressing, think for a moment because in this context there is truly a reason and a convenience in the context of speaking for those who are speaking to -- the "you people''.

For some reason, there are many of us, particularly black people, who feel that they are being taken under the white umbrella, and at my age, I know that there is no such thing. I know one thing for sure: if one has the right formula, many a door will open and if your presentation is in order, respect comes to the forefront.

With this as your foundation, you will truly know that you are judged by the content of your character and not by the colour of your skin. For it is true that there are many very smart blacks in this country.

Believe it or not, the companies that are here to stay in business know that they cannot always rely on the fair skins. The business market is too large and to tap into all sources of people, they need some black faces. And it is for one of two purposes which are greed and profit. One thing is for sure -- a fool will not listen to a wise man, but a wise man will listen to a fool.

To my readers, I truly thank you for the many comments and, as usual, I remain.

WENDELL (SCOPSIE) HASSELL Sandy's Parish Mr. Santucci's views March 24, 1999 Dear Sir, Never have I been more incensed or more compelled to write to you, as I was when I read the article on Leonard Santucci's views regarding Government's accepting of the European Charter of Human Rights. The article appears on the front page of the Tuesday, March 23 Royal Gazette .

How dare Mr. Santucci suggest that the politically elected parliamentary members should use this forum to dictate their religious views? Is he suggesting that if by chance we suddenly had a large percentage of Muslims in the House of Assembly that we should expect that they use that forum to ban pork eating and miniskirts from our society? Or that if we suddenly had a flood of Jehovah's Witnesses as our representatives we should expect for them to use that forum to ban all birthday celebrations and blood transfusions? If either of these things were to occur Mr. Santucci would be the first to protest such violations of his human rights. Given this, how can he possibly feel that it is appropriate for the AME members of the House of Assembly to use those powerful positions to impose their religious beliefs on the rest of the country? Initially, I was confused regarding Mr. Santucci's stance on this issue, however, as I read further down in the article it all became crystal clear to me. When I read that Mr. Santucci had been tipped as a UBP candidate I realised that he shouldn't be faulted for expressing such bizarre views. He can't help himself -- he obviously is accustomed to being in the company of people who use the political arena to promote their own personal agendas.

Shame on him! LISA D. TROTT Smith's Parish Give it a rest! March 25, 1999 Dear Sir, I would like to ask Maxwell Burgess and the rest of the opposition to give it a rest! They obviously have not yet come to terms with the fact that they are no longer the Government. Why didn't he make/implement all these great ideas/suggestions that we are now miraculously hearing about on a daily basis, when he was the Government? Or are we supposed to believe Rip Van Winkle has finally awakened? It seems (even if he hasn't actually) he has been on the news, and in the news everyday for the last two weeks with an `expert' opinion on just about every issue that has been raised, and most of it has been drivel. Any semi-intelligent person has been able to figure this out. For if Maxwell Burgess were so knowledgeable in all or even one of these areas his party would still be the government and we the people of Bermuda would not have to be dealing with any of the mess that we are trying to sort out on a daily basis. We would simply go to the `Oracle' for the answer.

We would not have tourism, housing, drugs, education, independence, etc., etc., problems. Let someone else have the spotlight for a change. I personally am tired of having to change the channel or put my news programme on `mute' to wait for the segment on Maxwell Burgess to pass.

C. WILLIAMS Hamilton Parish Praising Project Ride March 18, 1999 Dear Sir, I support Mr. Donald Dane's suggestion ( Royal Gazette , March 10, 1999) that Project Ride should be taken by all 15 year olds before they get their motorcycle licence. I would also point out that the Bermuda High School for Girls (BHS) has a very successful Project Ride programme (Mr. Dane only mentioned Saltus and Berkeley).

BHS has a dedicated instructor/teacher, Mr. Paul Toomer, who has been giving Project Ride lessons since January 1997. Mr. Toomer is also assisted by P.c.

Grant Tomkins, a REACH Officer who is able to instruct the girls on the law as it relates to riding a vehicle on the roads. They have a 100 percent pass rate with 70 girls having completed the programme; 98 percent of the eligible BHS students take the course. This programme was initially funded by the BHS PTA but is now almost self-sufficient in large part due to the support of Michael Smatt and Smatt Cycle Livery who loan a motorcycle for the classes.

The BHS Administration has a policy that any student wishing to ride their motorcycle to school must have completed and passed the Project Ride programme. It is up to parents to support this programme and insist their teenagers take this course. CedarBridge Academy, as the largest senior secondary school in Bermuda, should lead by example and make the Project Ride courses mandatory for all 15 year olds wishing to ride their motorcycle to school each day.

PAM SHAILER Devonshire Challenge for retailers March 24, 1999 Dear Sir, I have just read the final visitor figures on tourism for January from the Ministry of Tourism and note that arrivals are down for the month by 12 percent. As the decline continues in tourism, the Bermuda retail industry follows suit.

It is hoped that the long-awaited tax revue will finally endorse "Duty Free Shopping''. However, while that only creates a better playing field for retailers, it does not address what the retailers should be doing themselves in order to go forward. No longer is it sufficient to sit back and wait for business to walk through the door. Retailers must change the ways they have historically conducted their businesses. The question is how.

The Monitor Company has put together a strategy for retailers to adopt as they have done for other segments of the tourism community as part of the Tourism Competitiveness Programme. The Programme has identified some attractive segments for Bermuda's overall tourism market, including Explorers, Escapers, and Romancers. However, key to the targeting is the necessary linkage required between all business segments of Bermuda's tourism industry: retailers, taxis, hotels, tour boats, land tours, unions, management etc. To help foster these linkages, The Tourism Competitiveness Programme has facilitated the development of Competitive Networks to group organisations interested in serving specific segments.

Our visitors have changed and evolved from those heady retail days of the early '80s. What is so apparent is the need for the retail industry to change in order to meet the new demands of our visitors. None of us are particularly comfortable with change, but, unfortunately "business as usual'' will mean no business in just a matter of years.

The Tourism Competitiveness Programe offers the opportunity for retailers to begin to change and become innovative in the company of other like-minded retailers and tourism businesses. I think it is an opportunity that all retailers should embrace.

THOMAS J. DICKINSON President Astwood Dickinson Co. Limited Three cheers for Berkeley March 19, 1999 Dear Sir, Please allow me some space concerning the Berkeley Institute.

I notice the media was quite eager to print about the fight that went on earlier this month at Berkeley, which was negative.

Let me assure you that all schools have their problems, but the Berkeley Institute has a wealth of positive things going on, and a lot of talent.

The entire Bermuda should have been exposed to "Switching Places'' a play put on by the school, March 11, 12, and 13. Not only was I impressed with the fact that there was standing room only each night, but watching the glowing faces of these talented young people as they performed, was very touching. One could tell that they enjoyed every minute of it, just as the audience did.

"Switching Places'' made you laugh, but certainly sent home a strong positive message. Let us recognise that the positives definitely outweigh the negatives.

I must commend Mrs. Gabisi, Ms Wiley, and Mr. Robinson, cast and all those who worked very hard, through lunch hours, after school and weekends, to make those three nights a tremendous success. "HATS OFF'' to all of you. Keep up the good work; never lose sight of your dream, always keeping the end in view.

God bless and keep you always.

A VERY PROUD PARENT Hamilton