The near-fatal stabbing of American visitor Scott Jable on Front Street last year sent shock waves through the community and could well have contributed to the concerns that some potential visitors have about safety on the Island.

There are those who argue that all crimes should be treated the same and that it makes no difference whether the victim is Bermudian or American or if the assault took place on Front Street or elsewhere.

But there is a difference, because an assault of this kind has the potential to do damage not only to the victim, but to the livelihoods of the thousands of people who depend on the tourism industry for their livelihoods.

it is not possible to go into the case in details because it is still before the courts, but one Bermudian has shown that it is possible to take a potentially damaging event and turn it into something that is both positive and uplifting.

That person is Clayton Price who took it upon himself to raise enough money to bring Mr. Jable back to Bermuda and to give him a holiday which will not wipe away the effects of the wounding, but has at least shown him that there is another, better Bermuda.

Said Mr. Jable: "How do we begin to thank a group of individuals and an entire Island really who took away the nightmare of our trip in October and left us instead with wonderful memories of our trip this past week?"It was hard to say goodbye to such a beautiful place and to a group of people who have spent so much of their time and effort making us so comfortable, so welcome for the past five days."

Mr. Jable's won attitude, and willingness to return, along with the efforts of Mr. Price and the Spirit of Bermuda charity, will have done much to reduce the damage of the original assault on the tourism industry. The whole community owes them its thanks.

It is a shame that that same attitude is not extended further. Contrast Mr. price's efforts with the continued stubborn refusal of the Ministry of Tourism to admit that it made a mistake over the use of stick pictures from Hawaii and elsewhere in its advertising.

Tomorrow night, the ABC News show 20/20 will feature a segment by reporter John Stossel on the issue. The segment, called "Give Me a Break", usually lacerates political correctness and examples of bureaucratic bungling.

It may be that Mr. Stossel, who is really more of a commentator than a reporter, will say that what Bermuda did was fine; but it is unlikely.

In January, he raised the problem of politicians being dishonest, citing an example of President George W. Bush making a speech to people who own small businesses.

Someone decided it would be appropriate to have boxes stamped with "Made in USA" behind him.

Mr. Stossel revealed: "But it turns out, those weren't real boxes. He was standing in front of a screen - with boxes painted on it.

"Around the warehouse there were plenty of real boxes, but they were stamped with the words "Made in China," or "Made in Kowloon, Hong Kong" ...

"The White House said this was put on by an overzealous volunteer, and 'not appropriate'. It wasn't. I'm glad they apologised."

It seems unlikely that Mr. Stossel will be glad that Bermuda did not apologise. But it's not too late; just as Mr. Price helped turn a bad experience for Mr. Jable into, well, a better one, so the Tourism Ministry can still save a little pride for Bermuda by saying it made a mistake before it is humiliated before about 8 million American viewers.