After reading about the recent disturbance at the Hamilton Bus Terminal, it is quite evident the youth of this Country are quite angry and are playing out their hostility in public places when they feel there will be some encouragement by their peers to make them look big and bad.

But what is all this about? We wanted a change of Government. On November 9 it became a reality, after years of manipulations by the UBP government, arrogance and much injustice upon this Country. Now that we have a new Bermuda, let's start acting responsibly and show the people of this Country who still have faith in us to help make the change possible, that we are civilised people, let's take the reins "now'' let's focus on our own responsibilities, help ease the pressures by controlling our children, explaining to them the seriousness of their actions whether they are in school, church or any public place. Also they need to cooperate with Police, teachers and adults in general, these are just some of the things we need to assist our new Government in running our Country in a less pressured environment. People, this is the Government we have been waiting for, let's pull together to help them, not pull in the opposite direction. In the West they say, let's support our local sheriff, in Bermuda I say let's support our local Government, let's work together for our Bermuda, let's prove the critics wrong. Some say that this new Government cannot run the Country, our Country, since we are part of the Government let's help them, not put more pressure on them. Lets all work together to help the New Bermuda.

EDWIN C. ARMSTRONG Smith's Parish MRI good for Bermuda January 19, 1999 Dear Sir, After reading the recent front-page article regarding the possible acquisition of an MRI scanner by KEMH, I felt compelled to respond. The article was one-sided and omitted key facts about MRI. There were also some glaring deficiencies in the writing of the article. For instance the article stated that there are 192 scanners in the UK or one per 2 million people, there are not 400 million people in the UK, there are 65 million people living in UK.

That means one scanner per 340,000 people, a radically different statistic, especially given the preceeding comment that "it is generally considered that the UK needs more scanners''. So one per 340,000 -- and that's not enough.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is by far the best method to examine adults and children with brain and spinal cord injury and disease. It can image in any plane, measure the density of tissues, is non-invasive and does not use radiation. Without an MRI the hospital has to rely on less accurate, invasive or undiagnostic exams. The MRI can image ligaments, tendons, muscles and bones negating the need for an arthroscopic exam. It can image vessels in the head, neck and legs replacing the need for angiography. This is important given the high incidence of diabetes on the island. MRI is also the most sensitive method to examine neurological problems in HIV patients. None of this was explained in your article.

Further, the article made reference to the need to "knock out'' some patients, especially children, because of the length of an MRI exam. "Knock out'' is hardly a medical term and certainly sounds negative when used in reference to children. To clarify, "sedation'' maybe required to calm patients who are claustrophobic or children who are intimidated by their environment.

MRI continues to evolve at an extraordinary pace. Given its accuracy and non-invasive technique most modern health care systems rely on the MRI to perform a variety of diagnostic exams. the acquisition of an MRI scanner by KEMH is potentially an extremely significant event in local healthcare and the public deserved a more objective and informed article.

MEDIA READ INTELLIGENTLY (MRI) Warwick Dr. Hodgson overlooked January 13, 1999 Dear Sir, "A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.'' Matthew 13:57 Last month, I attended a lecture at the Bermuda College given by Dr. Asa Hilliard. I must state that it was most informative, stimulating, relevant and challenging. Dr. Hilliard is truly a brilliant, astute, well-informed lecturer who has spent years researching the "falsified curriculum'', and he has the necessary experience, exposure and expertise to set the records and the reports straight. Yes, our curriculum desperately needs the "African Inclusion Curriculum.'' It is a very serious omission and we cannot continue to deny our future citizens this very important ingredient that has been missing in the history of their beginnings.

I was, however, quite concerned when I realised that the taxpayers' money was used to bring in Dr. Hilliard when one of our own "daughters-of-the-soil'', Dr. Eva Hodgson, over the past three years especially, has not been afforded similar opportunities to educate Bermudians about this important aspect of their African heritage.

Dr. Hodgson's undergraduate degree from Queens University was made possible by a Bermuda Government Scholarship. She returned to teach at the Berkeley Institute. At the end of her first year there, she won a scholarship to study for the Diploma in Education at London University's Institute of Education. On her return she continued to teach at the Berkeley Institute.

Dr. Hodgson later won a scholarship to study geography in Great Britain. She returned to Bermuda in 1959 with an Honours Degree in geography from London University.

She served as president of the Bermuda Union of Teachers until the union was amalgamated with the White Teachers Association to form the Amalgamated Bermuda Union of Teachers, with Dr. Hodgson serving as its first president.

Largely as a result of the amalgamation of the two unions and of her role as president, she won the Russell Award for contributing to World Peace from the World Confederation of the Organization of the Teaching Profession. This award took her to East Africa to attend the W.C.O.T.P. Congress held in Kenya, as well as to Egypt and Uganda.

She obtained an MA in International Education from Columbia University. She taught at Essex College while continuing her studies for a M.Ed. in Counselling Psychology. Her academic record led to her being awarded a series of Fellowships and Readerships from Columbia University, which facilitated her pursuit of an M.Phil. and a Ph.D. in African and Black American History.

Her second trip to Africa was made possible as a result of being awarded a nationally competitive research fellowship for field research in Liberia, at which time she was also able to visit several other West African countries -- specifically Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Gabon.

She was appointed chairperson of the History Department at Essex County College and completed her Ph.D. in 1980. Her contribution to the Social Science Division at Essex led to her being awarded a fellowship grant by the National Endowment for the Humanities in Washington.

During this sabbatical year she was able to do research for a study of human rights and the social sciences at the Center for the Study of Human Rights at Columbia University. Also during her Chairmanship at Essex, she worked with the New Jersey Historical Society on one of their oral history projects. That involvement reinforced her own interest in oral history and its preservation.

Sad to say, Dr. Hodgson has been overlooked in various attempts to obtain a job at the Bermuda College. What is even more diabolical and evil is the fact that a well-qualified, competent, capable and committed Bermudian, with the necessary experience, exposure and expertise has not been afforded the opportunity to make one of the most needed contribution in her native land.

Should such injustices, insults and indignities be continually meted out to Dr. Eva Hodgson and many, many other Bermudians? Hopefully, in a New Bermuda, freedom, justice and equality will prevail. It is not too late for Dr.

Hodgson. Rectify the efforts of the past. Hire her as a consultant. Give her an understudy and let this brilliant daughter-of-the soil make an even more valuable and worthy contribution to her native land.

Frustrated by insults, injustices and indignities, DR. MURIEL M. WADE-SMITH Smith's Parish Prepare for Independence January 25, 1999 Dear Sir, The leadership of Bermuda on both sides of the house need to make an immediate review of the Independence issue as regards this country. A new year has come and the eagerly anticipated White Paper has still not been released. What we as Bermudians must realise is that the implications of the EU for our tax structure will destroy our financial sector and thus our economy. Unless Britain and the EU commit to a hands-off policy to our internal affairs, we will have no choice but to go Independent.

Business thrives with less regulation and less taxation. All that is required is that our infrastructure remains world class and that it is continually improved. Meddling by outside countries adds no value to the product that Bermuda offers. It is critical that we remember that our priorities, goals and aspirations are far removed from those of Britain and the EU. Decisions made to serve their best interests are likely not to coincide with ours.

It is becoming increasingly obvious to other financial centres that they need to stand up for themselves. The Isle of Man is the latest jurisdiction to be taking a serious look at the Independence question Cayman is also looking at the possibilities of Independence in view of the current threat posed by Britain and the EU.

It should be noted that there are distinct similarities between Bermuda and these territories: 1. They all have very low unemployment 2. They all have little or no income taxation 3. They have very strong economies 4. They all have very small populations (less than 100,000 persons).

It is not beneficial for us to be at the mercy of the dictates of Britain and others. Independence is not critical at this stage, but preparedness certainly is. It is vital that Bermuda be positioned for a quick transition if the need arises in the face of major contrary directives from Great Britain. Bermuda must therefore have its legislative and constitutional agenda in order. This is the only way that a successful course forward can be charted to the Benefit of all Bermudian residents. For years all the pro-Independence arguments centred around unity, cultural survival, Bermudianisation, etc. It has now come down to economics, the most universal of languages.

R. DAVID BUTTERFIELD Southampton Lucky to have Miss Lim January 25, 1999 Dear Sir, The citizens of this community should offer a big thank you to Miss Ellen Lim who is giving of her personal time, her expertise and education to take on the chairmanship of the Telecommunications Commission. We are most fortunate to have Miss Lim and the many other volunteers who improve the quality of life in our community.

NANCY M. HANNAM Devonshire