SEASON'S Greetings! Have you seen the people shopping this month? Not me! I'm not doing Christmas this way this year. This year, instead of buying material things that will be discarded by New Year's Day; I'm giving the gift of myself and my time. Speaking of Christmas, you must check out the new Christmas CD produced by Bermudian Darryl Simons, which features many Bermudian artists who deliver wonderful renditions of various traditional Christmas songs. We must support local musicians and entertainers.Instead of talking about gift giving, this week I want to talk about the referendum. While I understand the push for a referendum, what concerns me more is that people are not getting and/or reading the information they need to make an intelligent, informed decision, irrespective of whether or not we have a referendum.

More on this after the Top 20.

Jumping to number one is Unbreakable by Alicia Keys, one of the cutest cuties on the scene — and also one of the most gifted. She performed this recently at the BET Anniversary Programme, and brought down the house.

Down to number two is Run It by Chris Brown. I like the beat of this joint. Moving on up to number three is I Think They Like Me by Dem Franchize Boyz featuring Jermaine Dupri, Da Brat and Bow Wow. This track currently sits atop billboard and many other international charts. I think they like them, too.

Advancing to number four is I'm Sprung by T-Pain. Way up to number five is One Wish, by RayJay, Brandy's baby brother. This one is a hit. Soaring to number six is I Should Have Cheated by Keyshia Cole.

Slipping to number seven is Lighters Up by L'il Kim. This is a very cool hip hop/dancehall track that is popular. Down to number eight is Soul Survivor by Young Jeezy featuring Akon. Sliding to number nine is Girl Tonite by Twista featuring Trey Songz.

Jumping to number 10 is Stay Fly by Three 6 Mafia featuring Young Buck and Eightball and MJF. You must check out this new hit. Sneaking up to number 11 is There It Go (The Whistle Song) by Juelz Santana. Juelz's stuff is off the hook; you gotta like the beats, they slam. On a dancehall tip, down to number 12 is Sean Paul with his latest hit entitled We Be Burnin'. I've heard this all over the place.

Now some new joints. Vastly improving to number 13 is Here We Go by Trina featuring Kelly Rowland. Up to number 14 is Don't Forget About Us by Mariah Carey, who has quietly been one of the most productive artists in 2005 and produced an awesome CD, producing five hits (so far).

Climbing to number15 is Window Shopper by 50 Cent, this week's essential new tune. Slipping to number 16 is Play by David Banner and on a Gospel tip, tumbling to number17 is the up-tempo hit by Rev. Kirk Franklin, entitled Looking For You.

Now a nasty track. Holding at number18 Gold Digger by Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx. Have you heard the remix of this which suggests that US President George Bush doesn't like black people? The song is sick, but what's worse is that it could be true.

New at number19 is the brand new joint from Mary J. Blige entitled Be Without You. This song is hot; check it out. And rounding things out at number 20 is another new entry, Grillz by Nelly featuring Paul Wall, Ali and Gip. This one is a little different but you gotta be happy to have Nelly back with a hit.

Now back to this week's word — Independence and the referendum.

I fully support the folks clamoring for a referendum. But there is one problem - they are focusing more energy on the referendum than on encouraging people to read and learn as much as possible on the subject of Independence. Self-determination is a natural step in evolution, but Bermudians must first obtain enough information to be able to make an intelligent, informed decision, that is not based on fear, emotion or someone else's views.

I am currently on page 70 of the long (600+ pages) Bermuda Independence Commission report. I refuse to determine my final position on Independence until and I have read the long report in its entirety, digested all the information in it, and prayed about this matter.

Before you criticise this approach, think about it. How can you make such an important decision, without researching the subject? There are other sources of information on the topic of independence, but the BIC report is recent and is supposed to educate the public on the pros and cons of Independence. Many people have criticised the document in one way or another. However, on the whole it seems to be the best, most informative, most inclusive, most unbiased collection of information on Independence that has ever been produced. So, rather than criticising the document, which many have done, we should focus more on the facts, data, statistics and other information contained in it, and digest them as we each consider whether we feel Bermuda should become Independent.

Some people are frightened of Independence when it is something that people seek every day in their lives, albeit on a much smaller scale. For example, the Bible says that, "A man shall leave his mother and father and cleave to his wife". This is a man moving out on his own, making his own choices, becoming independent of his parents.

However, on the downside, the Progressive Labour Party is suggesting that Bermuda should go it alone at precisely the time when other countries are looking to form economic and political alliances with other nations, e.g. the European Union, because they believe that they will be better served by being part of a larger group of countries. Only history will determine whether they are better served with such alliances or not. Nobody has a crystal ball, so time will tell.

In any event, even if we do not have a referendum, people can still vote against Independence via a General Election. That would be the final nail in the PLP's Independence coffin. And it's happened before, folks. The United Bermuda Party lost its political shirt, pants and everything else in the election that followed on from its failed 1995 Independence misadventure. The electorate took back what it had given in large measure because of the Independence initiative and gave a new mandate to the PLP. Remember? So don't think that just in case we don't have a referendum on the subject Independence will be a fait accompli! Not so.

The clamour and public demands for a referendum are fine, but I would have thought hat the country and the people would be best served if they are encouraged to get as much information on the subject of Independence as possible, read it, and digest it. This way, no matter which method of voting on the subject, referendum or General Election, people will be able to make an intelligent decision. We owe it to our ancestors, ourselves, our children and future generations of Bermudians, to make an informed decision.

This will probably be the last time in many years that we have a chance to vote on this issue. So, if we vote for Independence, we will have to suffer the consequences of that decision and if we vote against Independence, there will indeed be consequences. But you can't make the call/vote until you know the consequences, pros, cons, advantages, disadvantages and the costs of each option. In order to obtain this information and knowledge, we must get the facts.

The best and most efficient way to get the required information is through the BIC report. So, for the last time, please read the report. I'm leading by example.

Peace ...