I am sure that I am not the only one thoroughly alarmed by the reckless spending spree that is going on in this new Bermuda. The latest jamboree that we are paying for is a joy ride to St. Kitt's for some carnival or other, a trip that includes a chartered plane and among others, the Gombeys. Does this group have friends or relatives in high places that ensures them of expensive trips all over the world, at Government expense? What is this latest pleasure trip all about? Surely not to promote tourism, as the last thing we want is to tarnish our reputation by being linked with the islands down south. We are not part of the West Indies, and we should make this quite clear. How much better if the money had been spent on a one minute commercial on prime time TV, showing the best of Bermuda to thousands of viewers.

Now that there is a serious slowdown of international business through blunders in the Department of Immigration, and the invasion of privacy forced upon business through the ridiculous CURE campaign, combined with a spending spree unmatched in the history of Bermuda, one wonders if our country can survive for another three years. At this rate we will be economically bankrupt at the end of this time, and it could take years to get the country on an even keel again, if ever.

Speaking of CURE, I have just returned from a visit to Africa, where black people are really black. Looking around, I don't see how the majority of the population can answer the intrusive colour question in all honesty with anything other than `other'.

Perhaps we should all club together and buy Ms Eva Hodgson a ticket for Mombasa, so that she can see for herself the appalling conditions in which her fellow countrymen live, dressed in rags and living in cardboard boxes. It is my guess that they would give their eye teeth to have had their ancestors transported to the West under any circumstances, so that they could now enjoy the good life that is denied them in their native Africa.

PISCES Paget `Prisoners of the past' May 2, 2000 Dear Sir, The circle of blame that goes nowhere. There are those in our community whose minds are still chained and shackled as were the slaves of long ago. They cannot let go of the past.

I call them prisoners of the past. They are determined to make all Bermudians both black and white pay for their beliefs and suffer the consequences.

The international companies and the local companies have already shown their disapproval of the intentions of CURE. It seems like it's falling on deaf ears. Mr. Lister and his colleagues still persist on pushing this through.

What is it going to accomplish other then to frustrate employers as they no longer have the freedom of hiring the best person for the job. I compare it to a shotgun wedding; is it going to bring happiness? Let's get serious and take a good look how far Bermuda has come regrading race relations. Our young people are showing us that being racist is old fashioned and it's time to let go of the past.

We should be preparing our children for the future not the past. The past is for the history books to remind us all that we should not repeat what our ancestors did.

What are we telling our children by CURE -- you're not good enough for the job therefore we will make sure you get it! Or are we alienating them into black/white, smart/not so smart, lazy etc.

While we are bickering amongst ourselves in that circle of blame there is a world out there that is changing rapidly. If we don't work together and treat our guest workers with the respect that they deserve and prepare ourselves for the challenges that lie ahead then we are going to be left broke with mighty big egos.

Michael Jordan was being interviewed a couple of weeks ago on TV. He mentioned that after seeing the highly acclaimed movie Roots years ago he became very angry at whites. He further stated that one must get over that and move ahead.

UNSHACKLED Pembroke Stop drink driving May 5, 2000 Dear Sir, Driving while under the influence of legal or illegal drugs, or combining alcohol with other drugs, may be as or more dangerous than drinking and driving alone. Alcohol and/or other drug use create hazards in the operation of any type of vehicle, including recreational vehicles and boats.

Traffic deaths related to alcohol and other drugs remain one of the leading causes of death on our roads. According to first quarter of 2000 Police statistics, figures for drivers failing the breath test have increased. The worst offenders were those in the 22 to 30 age group. The typical drink-driver is a male over the age of 21 arrested on the weekend between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.

We were pleased to see the support provided by Chief Inspector Roger Kendall and the Road Safety Council behind calls for random roadside drink and drug testing and, stiffer impaired driving penalties with educational programmes to tackle impaired driving.

Chief Insp. Kendall was not fooled by recent figures suggesting falling drink-driving arrests. "Thee are fewer eyes and ears (Police) on the street to detect drunk drivers.'' He suggested driving under the influence was a big problem in Bermuda. We would agree with Chief Insp. Kendall.

One only needs to read the daily newspaper and note the number of arrests/traffic cases related to driving while impaired. Between the 10th of January and 15th of January there were six cases reported in The Royal Gazette related to drink driving, one being the Ramchurn case in which German student Catrin Schaefer was killed and Ramchurn was subsequently found guilt of manslaughter.

As "Driver'' stated in his letter to the editor, "How many times does it take'' before we as members of this community challenge those driving under the influence to accept responsibility for their actions? We need the support of the community to act on drinking and driving countermeasures, to lobby our politicians, the media and our legal authorities for change. The community's views on the subject are key factors. We all ultimately pay for impaired driving through increased health care costs, law enforcement costs, higher insurance rates, the loss of productivity and lives of those injured and killed.

PREVENTION WORKS! Dominique Smith Executive Director Centre for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Ambassador for business April 26, 2000 Dear Sir, Recently it's been the talk of the town that Bermuda is headed for hard times, what with the new government's seeming focus on the racial makeup of the executive council of a company rather than on whether the company will continue to return a respectable profit. This focus, married with the gloomy outlook for tourism figures, had me in a state of dismay about what the future held for this wonderful Island and its lovely people.

But last week as I watched Mr. Robin Spencer-Arscott being interviewed on the local television about Bermuda's presence at the RIMS Conference, I began to feel very hopeful for Bermuda. Mr. Spencer-Arscott reminded me that Bermuda is an exceptionally good place for insurance and reinsurance companies to set up business and as he spoke a real hope for Bermuda's future began to be rekindled. I was reminded that Bermuda is perfectly positioned to continue to attract the very best and brightest of the exempt company businesses due to its friendly business environment, spotless reputation and modern infrastructure. Since hearing Mr. Spencer-Arscott tell "Bermuda's story'', I have witnessed a very positive change in my outlook for the future of Bermuda.

Now I am wondering why Bermuda only "tells its story'' when these special events are held. Given that this is one of the two main products which Bermuda has to offer, I am wondering why we do not appoint Mr. Spencer-Arscott as the official ambassador of international business to travel the world and promote Bermuda's wonderful story on a full time basis. Bermuda has a Ministry of Tourism and offices around the world to sell the Tourism product; why not hire someone to sell the other major product. As an official representative of the Government, Mr. Spencer-Arscott would be perfect to spread the good word: he has a splendid, world-wide reputation in the reinsurance business, he is a true Bermudian through and through, and he even looks good in Bermuda shorts.

The local business community might even underwrite this post: the stronger Bermuda gets in the international business sector, the better for all.

I recognise that the Government already does much to further the international community's awareness of Bermuda as a leading domicile. but I also recognise that the relatively minor investment it would take to fund an international business envoy and his small support staff would certainly produce a return many, many times its original value.

HOPEFUL FOR THE FUTURE AGAIN Smith's Parish Not impressed by KBB May 5, 2000 Dear Sir, Several weeks ago the new Executive Director of Keep Bermuda Beautiful was establishing his priorities for the new year, and at the top of the list was his plan to educate cruise ship passengers about littering.

This is just another case of the community being in denial.

The broken trash receptacles, appalling amount of bottles and cans tossed over the walls of every roadway, and the litter prevalent on the railway trails, is all attributable to lazy, dirty Bermudians.

Until we address this huge problem our tourism industry will continue to decline... and I will be hard pressed to support KBB until I am given some assurance that they serve a useful purpose.

THOROUGHLY DISGUSTED Paget