some already broken. Nevertheless there are resolutions we would like to see for the Country.

The first resolution would be one of facing Bermuda's problems, especially the problems in tourism and the scourge of drugs, together as a community devoted to the betterment of Bermuda. There are some issues which can and should be above divisions and politics because they are clearly national concerns. They are a problem for all Bermudians.

The second resolution follows on the first and is that Bermudians will remember just how much they love their Country before they ever move toward criticism and acrimony. For some reason which is not very clear, Bermudians are full of praise for Bermuda when they are abroad or are speaking with non-Bermudians but too often return home to bad mouth just about everything.

In a small Country problems can be magnified beyond their real importance and the damage caused is often well out of proportion to what it would be in a larger place. As a people we should resolve to think before we speak.

Thirdly, we hope that all politicians will resolve to put Bermuda first. That is, of course, a resolution politicians should never have to make but in recent years behaviour has suggested the need for such a resolution. We include those who sit in Parliament today and those who are still influencing events from the background. There is no more certain example in history of politicians serving themselves and not their Country than rests in the McDonald's debate unless it is the example of the Progressive Labour Party continuing to allow Dr. Ewart Brown to sit in Parliament in violation of the Constitution. It may well be that the Constitution should be changed but while it is in force it must be obeyed.

A fourth resolution would be that in 1998 Government demonstrate to the people that it gives wholehearted suppport to the environment by changing the regulations which allow the Minister of the Environment to override everyone and grant planning approvals which give the appearance of being politically motivated.

Fifthly, we must resolve to have an inquiry into the Colin Coxall Affair if for no other reason than to set it to rest. Government cannot recognise a man's great successes, cover him with praise and approval, and then dump him out without an explanation. The supposed explanation of a "long term erosion of confidence'' was clearly an excuse of convenience. It is not good enough.

The sixth resolution would be that Bermudians grow to understand that they have a Country which is the best that frail humans have been able to create, anywhere. No, this is not Paradise nor is it Utopia but it is a good, solid, sound and successful Country which is matched by no other. Yes, there are warts and there are problems, but we should resolve to remove the warts and work on the problems without tearing down the good which we have worked so long and so hard to create.