I was more than a little surprised to see Bermuda's Black Seal unceremoniously kicked out of our Airport in favour of a Puerto Rican Bat.

Black Seal rum is recognised the world over as a symbol of Bermuda, except in Bermuda. What could the reasoning be in greeting visitors to Bermuda with a rum made in Puerto Rico? Sounds like its only "Business''. As usual! SPANISH POINT VOTER Pembroke We shall remember November 4, 1999 Dear Sir, Dieppe, Ypres, Verdun, The Somme, Vimy Ridge, Paschendaele, The Bulge, Normandy. These names as well as many, many others shall forever be a part of our history. They represent battles; battles which were major turning points in our quest for democracy and freedom. I would like to focus on a particular group of individuals who, in my opinion, represent all the values and the freedom which we hold dear to this day. I speak of our War Veterans. On November 11, members of the Bermuda Regiment, the Police Cadets, the Sea Cadets, the Junior Leaders and others, will gather to march to the Cenotaph at the Cabinet House to join our Island's political and community leaders in honouring both these people who fought to defend our freedom, and those who have gone before them, giving their lives for it. They will be on parade in a display of heartwarming gratitude for these proud, yet now alarmingly few, men.

But one may ask what purpose all of this serves. Why do we put so much emphasis on this parade, and the day that it represents? What significance does this bear for us today? We are free, no-one is knocking on our doors with a loaded gun, no-one is telling us to bow to a particular flag or worship a particular idol! The three military bases are now closed. We don't even require a military presence in Bermuda any more! So let's look at what both the day and the ceremony represent. On November 11, 1918 at 11 a.m., a treaty was signed between the Allied Forces and the Germans, which brought an end to the First World War after four years of bloody battle. Germany was defeated and peace was restored. For the moment, anyway. .. Only a few short years later, the Germans were active again. In 1939, the Nazis threatened peace under the dictatorship of Adolf Hitler. The Allied Forces were called into action to protect our freedom and after six more years of fighting, the threat was once again halted.

I won't go into the details of the two wars, the history books do greater justice to the events leading to Germany's defeat than I ever could. Suffice to say that in the First World War alone, 65,038,810 soldiers were mobilised in the war effort. Of these soldiers, 8,538,315 lost their lives and an additional 28,970,371 were wounded, taken prisoner or reported missing in action. Over 57 percent of the soldiers who participated in the battles were casualties of the war. In the Second World War, 75 million military and civilians were either wounded or lost their lives in battles to defend our freedom. That's over 140 million lives to preserve the peace we take for granted today.

I would ask everyone on the Island to please consider coming into Hamilton on November 11 to join us in our Remembrance Day service and tribute at the Cenotaph. Perhaps while you are there, you can reflect upon this: War is not glorious. War is not fun. War is not a game. War is conflict. War is innocent lives lost forever. War is death and destruction. War is the epitome of anarchical society. Do not glorify in our victories. Ponder on our losses. So many innocent lives lost to preserve what we hold dear. These ageing veterans who stand before us on Remembrance Day fought for and believe in the freedom we so often take for granted. Remember those valiant men and women who gave their lives for our freedom. Lest we forget, we pay our homage. "They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old; age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning...'' We will remember them.

TOM PANCHAUD Smith's Parish Appropriate treatment November 1, 1999 Dear Sir, Your readers would not be surprised to learn that there is nothing alarming about the prosecution service working with defence counsel to schedule court appearances for the convenience of all parties concerned.

Unfortunately, neither would they be surprised to learn that certain bigoted and reactionary elements within our community were still conspiring to try and undermine public confidence in the integrity and professionalism of Bermudians at the Bar.

We need only remember the vigorous cries of "foul play'' that emanated in defense of the integrity of Saul Froomkin, Q.C. when the suitability of his appointment as Canadian Honorary Consul was questioned by the Bermuda Government. Where are those voices now to defend the reputation of Crown Counsel Khamisi Tokunbo in his wholly appropriate treatment of the Rodney Smith case in Magistrates' Court? The Bermudian public deserves leaders and institutions that will fight to promote the value of Bermudianization with the same enthusiasm that they endorse internationalisation.

Your coverage of the Rodney Smith case only proves that we have a long way to go until this goal is achieved within the membership of the Bermuda Bar and within the criminal justice system of Bermuda.

CORIN P.S. SMITH Secretary National Bar Association of Bermuda Editor's Note: The issue in the Rodney Smith case is not to determine the rights and wrongs of court dates being scheduled for "the convenience'' of those involved. The issues are: 1. Is it appropriate for a member of the Attorney General's chambers dealing with civil matters to make an agreement on a criminal case which comes under the purview of the legally separate Director of Public Prosecutions Department over the alleged objections of the prosecutors concerned with the case; 2. Is it appropriate to set a court date involving a public figure in the apparent belief that it will not be covered by the media or made public; and 3. To determine exactly what happened in a case in which a Magistrate, in open court, said there appeared to have been interference in the way the case was handled.

Don't ban bikes October 29, 1999 Dear Sir, After reading the article about protesters, pushing for a ban on the sale of two stroke motorcycles on Wednesday, October 29, 1999, I feel it is necessary to voice my opinion on the subject.

I am a avid motorcycle enthusiast, with a passion for both two and four stroke motorcycles. I own examples of each, which I personally maintain, and with my work qualifications, have a fair knowledge on both technologies. My first concern is that their proposal to increase the capacity limit for four stroke motorcycles to 125cc is without merit, as many of the latest high performance four strokes produce 20 hp, which is far more than the 12 hp the most powerful local available model produces. In fact, the statement by the manager of Yamaha in the April '98 issue of the RG magazine, claiming that their latest 50cc model scooter produced more power than his old 125 automatically dismisses the necessity to increase capacity limits.

And now onto two strokes. It is a shame that the protesters are making ignorant claims that oil emissions from two stroke motorcycles are causing slippery conditions leading to accidents and death! I was unaware that such a study proving this has been conducted on the Island! What is proven however, is that secondary point oil pollution from cars, buses and trucks is a major problem and the majority of these vehicles have four stroke engines. On a global scale it is estimated that his form of oil pollution exceeds that of the Exxon Valdez oil spill yearly.

As far as exhaust emissions are concerned, it is true that in the past, two strokes in general have failed poorly. In the past 15 years however, manufacturers such as Honda, Ford, Piaggio, Orbital and Toyota, plus many more, have invested millions of dollars, on the advancement of two stroke engine technologies and have made great stride in emission reduction.

Developmental engines have proven that for equivalent power outputs, an advanced two stroke engine can produce better fuel consumption, lower carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen with slightly higher hydrocarbon emissions when compared to a four stroke. This from a more compact, lighter power unit, with fewer moving parts and lower potential cost.

It is only a matter of time before pressure from environmental lobbyists forces this technology to the mass market. In fact Honda, Piaggio (and son Aprilia) have advanced two stroke models on the market, and with the need for transport in rapidly developing nations such as China, cheap, efficient, easy to maintain two stroke motorcycles will be in much demand.

As for noise concerns, all vehicles must pass stringent noise regulations to British Standard, DOT, JMCA or equivalent.

It is true that like a four-stroke, poorly maintained two-stroke can be noisy and/or environmentally damaging. Maybe a two-stroke will never purr with the harmonic rhythm of a four stroke, nevertheless, with two strokes rapidly gaining acceptance by major manufacturers, it would be hasty and shortsighted to ban them.

For more detailed information, one could write to: Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc.

400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-001 USA SCOTT MELLO Warwick Now he is a saint as well October 12, 1999 Dear Sir, Many people have been wondering why the Arch Raver left Rabbit Island to come to England to live.

The reason can now be divulged for the good news is expected from the Vatican soon. I came over here to Europe to underline my bid for Sainthood and bring pressure on the Pope in Italy to canonise me. The Raucous Rantipoles want me canonised, and you can't blame them.

The Pope needed me to have performed two miracles, however, as that is one hoop you gotta jump through. No getting round it, but this is no problem when I can turn water into dark 'n stormy and get my kite up when there is not a breath of breeze. I am the sportiest Saint now they ever seen in these parts, wearing Bermuda Shorts, Longtails on my tie and everything. Plus I can say "Good afternoon'' in Italian.

SAINT LORD SIR RANDEVILLE FLASH ABROAD Seeing Jazzfest next year October 26, 1999 Dear Sir, Just to add to Mr. Bob S. Smith of Warwick's letter to you regarding Jazz Fest '99, I was one of the thousands of people there on Saturday, October 16, 1999, there was not much room for people to see the artists on stage.

How about some big screens. This is done all over the world and the people on the sides or who couldn't get a seat, still have the pleasure of their $50 at least seeing what is going on. I know that jazz is mainly music to listen to, but people do like to have some visual with the performers and I am sure that screens are a good way.

RAT Devonshire Nowhere to hide October 22, 1999 Dear Sir, If anyone watched 20/20 last Wednesday they would have had a good insight into the health risks of cellular phones and the lack of regulation for users. The cellular companies still say they are safe while the tests proved that the phones exceeded FCC exposure limits.

Even the Scientist who was hired by the cellular companies to find evidence of their safety has now come out publicly and stated that the public should be very concerned and that brain tumours and leukemia would not show up until ten-15 years, as a result of the radiation micro wave exposure.

Companies like Cellular One continue to build their towers close to schools and homes while their cellular tower antennas give off radiation signals to thousands of users 24 hours a day.

I would like to ask the Bermuda public to ask themselves this. Do you know how much micro-wave radiation you are being exposed to at your home? With 43 cellular towers in Bermuda you do not have many places to hide.

CONCERNED Warwick Lest we forget