The UBP's latest announcement of suspending Trevor Moniz from the party -- one of its few remaining members with a mind of his own and the courage to stand by it -- serves only to bring them what they most fear: disregard by the populace.

If the party is upset because he didn't attend meetings, suspending him so that he will no longer be invited to meetings seems a little backward.

Still, he is now free to follow his own mind without regulation. He is still a member of Parliament and an elected representative of the people.

Whilst thinking about all this, it occurred to me that perhaps what the UBP need is a whole new look ...a new name, a new view, a new platform. Several acronyms for a new name came to mind like WAJ (What a Joke) or United Maharajas (UM).

PIP for People's Ignorant Party was discarded in favour of something more subtle ...Politically Incorrect Party, and then, voila, Politically Assinine Party or PAP.

For a logo they could have the court jester and all those who join have to swear allegiance by wearing Medaeval costume.

Their true colours would be plain to see, even by those with their mind's eye closed. Their platform: to be laughed at.

It would add an element of `fun' to Bermuda Politics, a joyless endeavour at the best of times, and, hey, it might work.

Sometimes a new hat and coat unearth deep feelings hitherto unburied under layers of line-towing and peer pressure. Some of the remaining members might begin to open the lid of their box and see the world anew, from which a Real United Bermuda Party might emerge.

In the meantime, we the people could all stop believing the UBP are a worthy opposition and just have a good laugh.

TRICIA THOMPSON BROWNE Pembroke Tired of being hen-pecked October 20, 1999 Dear Sir, When is the Minister of Something or someone else going to do something about the chickens? They are all over the Island, in Warwick, at Sonesta, at the supermarkets and on the roads.

That is not a good thing to see here. Even now Third World countries do not have as many chickens in so many places.

Can someone who cares tackle the problem or this will become a problem like the cats and the sparrows and other pests.

ACT NOW PLEASE Sandys Parish Quest for cash October 14, 1999 Dear Sir, The captive display of marine mammals is nothing short of an environmental crime perpetrated by the human species against other species, simply to satisfy its own voyeuristic drive.

It cannot be justified as anything other than what it is under the current set-up in Bermuda, namely a dollar-earning tourist attraction.

It ranks right along side the mediaeval practice -- still carried on in some east European and Asian countries -- of bear dancing displays in public squares; the Victorian liking for road shows exhibiting miserable miscreations of nature; the caging of wild birds; monkeys performing for organ grinders; and indeed circuses involving performing non-domestic animals.

Anyone interested in a more enlightened approach to genuine education and scientific research should log on to the Internet and browse the many sites dedicated to serious, caring scientific research and conservation of our remaining living world, using tagging, remote equipment and sample/release techniques: http://www.ocean98.org/ocean98.html: -- in co-operation with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO and the Water Branch of UNEP.

http://www.southwest.com.au/ $ kirbyhs/: The Dolphin Web ring.

http://is.dal.ca/ $ whitelab/marmam.htm: Marine Mammal Research and Conservation.

http://www.hsus.org/: Marine mammals' section.

As for dolphins, hopefully a time will come soon when such beautiful animals are no longer held captive.

One of the many places they may be seen, experienced and interacted with while remaining in the wild is at Hervey Bay, Australia.

MAUREEN WARE-CIETERS City of Hamilton And more of the same October 18, 1999 Dear Sir, Regarding Dolphin Quest: What an unfortunate name since the quest for two dolphins has been unsuccessful.

1) Dolphin Quest has been a sham from Day One when we were all told that it was a scientific experiment, and not a visitor attraction.

2) Any Bermudian worth his Onion knew that to construct anything in the water on the open South Shore is simply folly. Nature wins there every time. 3) Perhaps this horror show will lead to complete re-vamping of Dolphin Quest.

DAVID L. WHITE Paget Where is the Minister? October 12, 1999 Dear Sir, Over the past 11 months, I have called the Transport Ministry at least once a month asking for an appointment to meet with the new PLP Minister, Dr. Ewart Brown.

In that he does not have an assistant with the capacity of Colonel Burch, I would like to ask him a series of questions - but one at a time.

The PLP's vision for a new Bermuda was that first they passed a law allowing a registered/licensed driver to drive any car.

Next they passed a law allowing funeral homes limosenes - which arrived about three weeks after the law was passed -- good service is it not? But my question is: Can Dr. Brown explain the Motor Vehicle Act allowing second-hand trucks and industrial machinery and 50cc or under auxiliary cycles, but not allowing second hand motorcycles (50cc - 100cc) or second hand motor cars? What is surprising is that the effective monopoly (duopoly really) of HWP and Bermuda Motors, who must certainly import 95% of all motor vehicles, was until recently owned by UBP Ministers or staunch UBP supporters.

I would think this would bother Dr. Brown.

SANDERS FRITH BROWN Warwick Desperate plea October 18, 1999 Dear Sir, You previously printed my letter dated July 13, signed Reliable Tenant. Would you please allow me some space once again, as now my family is about to become Homeless Reliable Tenants.

We are a young couple ages 32 and 29, we have three children ages 11, nine and two.

We presently reside in a three bedroom cottage for $1,100. Our house has been sold and we are on our final days, as we have to be out by October 31 so that the new homeowners can move in.

We have searched without much success to find affordable accommodations.

It is my hope that by writing this letter someone who reads it may be able to help us. We are looking for any accommodations in which we can all live together for about the same price we are paying now.

We will have to be separated, if we can't find a way to live together.

We have looked to live with other family members and no one can take us all in.

If anyone should read this who can help us or would like to confirm our situation, please call 237-0529 and leave a message and we will get right back to you.

ABOUT TO BE HOMELESS Warwick Christmas in summer? October 18, 1999 Dear Sir, Goodness me.

I thought I saw Santa coming down the chimney.

As of October 5, the stores are pushing Christmas to death. By the time Santa comes, we will be sick of carols.

Glitter and commercial greed. Maybe next year we will have Santa coming in July.

HO HO HO Sandys Unwelcomed guests Dear Sir, Why does the PLP continue to ally itself with leaders of countries which cannot teach Bermuda anything? First we have Lynden Pindling opening Alaska Hall.

Then we have a highly inappropriate junket by the Premier to Jene Bird's funeral.

Now Prime Minister Patterson of Jamaica seems to be coming here. Jamaica today is a sad country on a sharp downward spiral caused by corruption, violence, drugs and other crime. Mr. Patterson is needed at home.

WATCHING Paget