all the muck-raking and mud-slinging that's passed off as `debate' -- but it would appear our guys and gals on the hill can do no wrong when it comes to courting opinion-makers across the water.

In the latest edition of that well-respected US institution Time magazine, under the headline `Model Democracy' the mag takes a swipe at Congress for being a bunch of grey suites.

"Elsewhere they aren't so stuffy,'' Time continues.

Describing Bermuda as an example of "chic'', the article says: "Lawmakers made Bermuda shorts acceptable dress in Parliament. Safari suits and Nehru jackets for men were also allowed, as were pantsuits for women. Verdict: Very retro, very groovy.'' Perhaps. But Hester wonders if any of the hacks at Time actually bothered to check out the sartorial elegance of our MPs first hand. As anyone sitting in the public gallery of the House of Assembly in the early hours of a Saturday morning will confirm, retro and groovy are not words that spring to mind when describing the appearance -- or performance -- of our elected representatives.

Sir John Swan may be keeping his cards pretty close to his chest with regard to his political future, but Hester suspects a final decision -- one way or the other -- might be in the offing.

Political pundits might recall that when Sir John's close buddy Gen Colin Powell was being touted as a possible Republican candidate in the US presidential election a few years back, Sir John was by the good general's side with some well-chosen words of advice on which way to jump.

Was The Gen. here to return the favour? Well, Hester suspects that it's more than coincidence that the respected war-veteran should drop in on his long-time friend this week at a time when our former Prem is becoming a lot more vocal publicly.

Remember, you heard it here first.

Hester loves nothing more than an upscale cocktail party, particularly when it's an international event, giving her the chance to rub shoulders with the high and mighty.

So she was pleased -- although not at all surprised -- to receive an invitation to a "trade show and cocktails'' prior to the Chamber of Commerce's e-conference this week. The cocktails bash was at the WaterFront Building on Pitts Bay Road. Hester splashed out on a new frock.

Things started badly, though, when Hester's escort -- a dashing fellow at the very heart of the insurance community -- ducked outside onto the third floor balcony for a quick smoke.

"You can't smoke here,'' he was rather brusquely told by a Zurich Re official.

"But we're outside, in the open air,'' said Hester's beau. "Who will notice?'' "Doesn't matter. We own the air space. No smoking,'' replied the Swiss Guard.

No wonder the Swiss are renowned for their clean air! Still at the Waterfront thrash... While her man was on the cell phone, trying to telephone American Airlines to warn them off overflying the Swiss Centre, Hester was introduced to a charming hack from the British newspaper, The Daily Telegraph .

"Cor, what a life you must lead,'' said the Telegraph wallah.

"How exactly do you mean?'' asked Hester, politely, as she surveyed a plate of wilted sandwiches (white bread, my dears, so old Bermuda).

"Well, we got flown out here, put up in the hotel next door ...'' said the Fleet Streeter.

Hester interrupted. "We?'' she inquired, demurely.

"Oh, yah,'' said the Telegraphist. "There are six or seven of us, flew out here all expenses paid by your Beye-ber.'' "That's Bee-ber,'' Hester said, sweetly, referring to BIBA, the International Business Association.

"Ya, Beye-ber. They gave us that bang-up lunch today,'' said the foreign correspondent. "We wondered why there were no local press there, but we just assumed you didn't have any local newspapers or magazines.'' Bee-ber, it turns out, sprang for everything the foreign journalists could possibly require and ignored the local press corps completely.

One wonders if the accountants at BIBA have done the maths. Six overseas journalists might equal six articles but members of the local Press Corps write hundreds of articles a year for overseas publication, singing Bermuda's praises. For us working girls, alas, there is no such thing as a free lunch.

A street poll published in last Friday's biggest and brightest proved strangely prophetic Hester notes. Responding to a question about violence one man said: "The attitude is an eye for an eye. If someone steps on their feet they will take them out. That's the attitude now.'' Later that day a drinker in The Beach bar on Front Street was allegedly punched in the forehead because he had trod on the toes of another man. The Royal Gazette is used to be first to get the story but the paper has never claimed to be in the crystal ball business. Spooky eh? It seems the PLP's reluctance to speak to the media is causing journalists at ZBM to lose their sense of humour. After a reporter expressed his frustration to Dale Butler about the silence over who might be likely to challenge Jennifer Smith , the bow-tied backbencher suggested he might be standing.

Unfortunately the station failed to spot the obvious joke and ran the story on Wednesday evening's news. Apparently not all journalists are born with a cynical streak.