between the two Davids. Nobody can ever fault the effervescent and meticulous details of the Minister of Tourism, the Hon. David Allen.

Neither can we fault the ideas and strategies presented by the former Minister and hotelier, and now the Shadow Minister, David Dodwell. Both men have a vast number of brilliant ideas and considerable international experience, although the Minister, as a travel writer, has undoubtedly left his sweat in every corner of the world.

The gun battle began on the empty hotel beaches of Bermuda with David firing a barrage of shots at David. Get the point! The machine gun fire by David Dodwell was blocked by the Minister with points of clarification and points of order. Finally the Minister stopped interrupting his Shadow, and decided to load his own presentation into his PLP machine gun and sit quietly and wait for his turn. Shadow Minister Dodwell thought that this was a sign of defeat and reloaded his weapon with even more bullets and only stopped once or twice to water his horse and to let the dust settle. The town (House of Assembly) was held captive. Some of the bullets did hit the target. Who can argue with the figures and the lack of entertainment? Who can argue that the island is Not as clean or as friendly as it used to be? Who can argue that our young people no longer see the industry as being a viable career yet we all complain and make it difficult for the guest workers who we are then forced to import? After some three hours, during which he even stated, I like the guy (David Allen), David Dodwell could no longer find his shadow. His bucket was empty of facts and the townsmen had long stopped cheering and stamping their feet. He quietly took his seat, where later, around 2 a.m he slept until his own tie was placed gently in his mouth to force him to stop snoring.

Seeing that the House was now dead and in need of a revival, Lord David Allen, the Minister, jumped to his feet with a tub full of bullets and began his barrage. David Dodwell tried to pooh-pooh the volleys as being mere marshmallows but after a while he was so sticky and wounded he had to leave the Chamber. Minister Allen was well prepared and ready to do battle no matter what. In short time he decimated Mr. Dodwell and highlighted his Bermuda Alliance for Tourism as being the roadmap for the future development of tourism. It was an impressive document filled with a detailed action plan stressing "intimacy, heritage, community, sophistication and technology''. It had been pulled together by a variety of disparate groups. On paper it was indeed a victory. Blood was everywhere. Minister Allen had made it perfectly clear that he was in charge, he had the revival plan and all he had to do after three hours was to give us the blessing and send us home. It was his opinion that the UBP had started the decline and he was determined to climb back to success with the hotel concession plan, training, entertainment and a school initiative, to name but a few.

The audience loved it. Minister Allen was hitting the target and had successfully won the duel. All that remained was the internment of Dodwell's ashes.

Once David had slain Goliath, I could not help but wonder if anything was left. What were the motivating factors that would get the whole country on board? What were the initiatives to check to ensure that the island was READY for business.? Did they really think COUNTRY or self, their own battle and not the real battle for the mind and energy of the country. Was the country destroyed? When you THINK COUNTRY, the country, Bermuda comes first and both Davids should be working for the COUNTRY.

When you THINK COUNTRY and state that you wish to develop ONE BERMUDA, the voices of all the people must be heard and you must represent all of the people even if they did not like you or invite you in for a cup of tea while canvassing. They are our people and we need all of them to ensure that the ship is not shipwrecked.

When you think country it is important to ensure that the whole country is washed in the plan and every effort is made to ensure that the citizens are on board. The fact that the country is known for its friendly people and its cleanliness means that efforts are re-doubled to ensure that the people are housed and the country is kept clean.

When you think country the arguments are not about race or the past it is about the future direction of the country for the benefit of all the people.

When you think country you place the safety of your citizens first and make every effort to catch thieves, bag snatchers and rapists even if the House of Assembly never takes a recess. The laws are changed to protect the majority from the beggars and others when you think country.

When you think country you highlight your national heroes/heroines so your people will know the contributions of others and how we have been able to work towards a more just and democratic society.

When you think country you take into consideration the needs of the guests and the importance of the culture from its entertainment and food to its head tax, amenities and sightseeing activities.

When you think country, you realise that tourism starts in the home with the teaching of manners and respect so that this is carried on to the roads and when we interact with each other as Bermudians. In that way it is natural to be friendly to a tourist.

When you think country, you think about those things that will be in the best interest of all of us and not just a few.

When you think country you prepare your people for all aspects of the industry and when they are not available to fill the jobs you invite people in and treat them with dignity and respect so they can also have a meaningful and friendly relationship with our guests.

When you think country, the battle is not about track records, statistics, the past or road-shows, you think about BERMUDA and BERMUDA as the country we love for its beauty, its people and all that God has given us.

When you think country, the two Davids lay down their arms and work together for BERMUDA and not for party dogma.

To be successful today, and in the future, we must THINK COUNTRY and not self, or we will only end up in a duel and Bermuda will be the casualty.

Dale Butler