the enemy. Bermuda does not have international enemies in the sense which could lead to treason. However, we do have elements within Bermuda which should not be encouraged to persist in their destructive activities. Too often these elements do get encouragement of a subtle nature from politicians and from private individuals.

There are some people in Bermuda who, for motives which are not always very clear, are in danger of seeming to lend comfort and encouragement to criminals. Sometimes this misguided encouragement wears the disguise of a social conscience. We think that is a very dangerous and destructive thing to do to Bermuda because no matter how liberal a conscience you have, it is unacceptable to sink to the level of criminals or to encourage criminality.

Too often people try to tear down Bermudian standards to a level where criminal activity is acceptable or at least tolerated. Ambiguous statements are made, often by people who should know better, which suggest that some criminal activity can proceed. Sometimes these same statements imply that opposition to such activity is oppressive.

Some of these people try first to bring the Police into disrepute. They know that if they can make the public doubt the integrity of the Police Force, then they can encourage the public to believe that the Police may be falsely accusing people. Once that doubt is spread, criminals have more freedom of action.

These people next attack the Bench, hoping to give the public the impression that a prejudiced or incompetent Bench is dealing wrongly or harshly with accused persons. A little doubt in the minds of potential jurors goes a long way.

Attacking the law itself is the next step. While we all know that there are flaws in the law in any country, bringing the body of the law into disrepute is unhealthy and dangerous. Often doubt is spread by lawyers who are seen by the public as "in the know'' which makes them doubly dangerous.

A lawyer's duty to defend criminals is a legitimate function. Encouraging a climate in which criminals can thrive is something else and should not be acceptable even though it may be good for business. Too often criminal lawyers use their job of defence counsel to engage in unfounded and undesirable criticism to the detriment of law abiding people. If they have a valid complaint, and they sometimes do, they can use their Bar Council to further their complaint in a constructive way.

If you attack the backbone of Bermuda, the Police and the Bench and the law, often enough and long enough some people will believe you. The truth is that no institution anywhere is perfect but Bermuda is basically well served by the Police and the Bench and our laws are basically sound.