Many will agree with Maj. Lambe's comments in his letter "Regiment serves Island''. An atmosphere of required respect and discipline can't be damaging to your young health.

K. FINSNESS 1st Lt. Airborne/Infantry US Army (Ret.) City of Hamilton New reasons for not paying rent December 14, 1999 Dear Sir, As we approach the new, "MILLI'' it is going to be interesting to hear why people cannot pay their rent.

I've heard several reasons why I can't pay my rent, and hope not to hear the same excuses again next year. I have taken the liberty to write down a few: WHY I CAN'T PAY MY RENT! 1. It's only me working and my wife is too fat to hold a job (put her on a diet).

2. I was on my way to your office but it started to rain (buy an umbrella or rain coat).

3. My ex-wife has a younger man, half her age, let him pay it (a weak/jealous man).

4. I ran out of gas and had to take my bike back home (catch the bus).

5. I had to make a payment on my BMW (too rich for your blood).

6. I took a trip to visit my sister because I was under a lot of stress (welcome to the real world).

7. I took advantage of the specials that the airlines are having to save money (can't really afford to travel).

8. I'm tired of paying her rent. Those children don't belong to me, tell their fathers to foot the bill (wild, reckless and immature).

9. If I was a "white man'' you wouldn't be calling me all the time (Don't bet on it, oh yes I would ) -- I'm only interested in the colour of money).

10. My ex-wife always has a new man every other month since we got divorced (a peeping Tom -- go get a life).

11. I'm not sure if that child is really mine, I think I'm going to get another blood test done -- again (cheap and mean).

12. I'm going through a divorce right now. I want to see how much alimony I have to pay first, before I pay any more rent. (get rid of the younger outside woman).

13. My wife and I purchased a new car and have to get back on our feet (crawl before you walk -- next time buy a bike).

14. My boss didn't pay us on time (how many days did you miss from work?).

15. I'm waiting for my cheque from the housing allowance (get on the birth control pill).

16. I was on my way to see you but, I didn't want to miss my "Soap Operas'' on TV, it's always juicy on Fridays (learn to read more/attend night classes at the college.

17. I'm an expat and don't know your system yet (always refer to your rental agreement -- I don't want to hear it).

18. I didn't want to pay you in American currency because I'm not from here (call the bank for the rate of exchange -- just pay the money!) 19. I wanted to come in yesterday but my dog had four new puppies (get her tubes tied).

20. The hotel is slow -- it's only half full -- I'm only working three days (save for a rainy day -- stay away from the sales in town).

21. I can't wait for the PLP to get in, so they can pay my rent, and lower the rents (wishful thinking).

22. I'm not working right now -- I can't get a job -- the expats have them all (poor excuses -- stop sleeping until 1 p.m. -- start looking for a job.) 23. I don't have the money "What do you want me to do -- STEAL IT?'' (tell your sons to stop sitting on the walls all day -- selling drugs -- and get a job).

24. Forget the money -- kick me out -- the judge will give me another three months anyway. (Don't tempt me!) 25. I have my son/daughter away in school -- I have to pay their school fees first (you're out of your class -- stay in your own league).

26. My daughter/son is in a private school (are the Government schools closed?) 27. I was coming in but had to go to a funeral first (may he/she RIP. -- mail it).

28. Where is the rent money? -- Well, we have to eat!! (Yes, but not the entire grocery store -- stay away from the junk food).

29. My husband/wife is not working (your priorities are unbalanced -- stop living above your means).

Watch out for the Year 2000! OBSERVER Southampton Shocked by prices at local stores December 8, 1999 Dear Sir, Trying to hurry and get through my Christmas list I went around to compare prices of certain items that I was looking for.

I was really surprised at the different prices that some stores charge for the same item. Case in point: A miniature Cabbage Patch Doll about five inches tall was priced at $8.95 at White's Grocery Store and Jack and Jill's Toy Store. Meanwhile at the Annex Toy Store the exact same doll was a whopping $19.95. Needless to say, I trekked right back over to Jack & Jill's and made my purchase.

Merchants are often begging us to shop in their stores, but at prices like that it's a wonder Bermudians continue to shop around, abroad, on the Internet, whatever...

SANTA'S HELPER Warwick Doctor backs extradition plan November 19, 1999 Dear Sir, Thank goodness we have laws in this land to protect our children. Thank goodness the United States and Canada have similar laws.

Thank goodness that the United States Judicial Department has said that it is wrong for a 30-year-old male to have sex with a 14-year-old child.

Thank goodness that by initiating an extradition process they have said that marriage cannot erase the crime.

I would hope that all of Bermuda would recognise that one of our greatest roles as a society is to protect our children.

In the words of the great Nelson Mandela: "A society is judged by how they treat their weakest member.'' I would hope and trust that all child protection agencies in Bermuda would agree that it is wrong for an adult to have sex with a child.

C. STEPHEN WEST M.D. FRCP(C)FAAP City of Hamilton Be certain on death penalty December 12, 1999 Dear Sir, Here is my contribution to the growing debate on the issue of Capital Punishment.

I am in favour of the retention of the death penalty for persons convicted of murder if safeguards can be included which absolutely prevent its use on innocent persons. The court will have to be 100 percent sure that the accused person actually committed the crime. This would preclude placing the death penalty on any person who is convicted (a) by circumstantial evidence alone, (b) by a preponderance of the evidence, or (c) beyond a reasonable doubt.

A couple of examples: An employee is fired from his job. The disgruntled employee walks into the office of his boss who fired him, and kills the boss.

He is apprehended on the scene by other employees who witnessed the crime, and he is retained until the Police arrive. There is absolutely no question that he committed the crime. If convicted, he could get the death penalty.

By contrast, the dead body of a murdered woman is found in the woods. Through the evidence of fingerprints, threats formerly made, blood, and even DNA, her husband is convicted of the crime. That man could not get the death penalty, because the court could not be 100 percent sure that he committed the crime.

The court, faced with the choice of imposing the death penalty or life imprisonment, would always have to answer the final question of 100 percent certainty of guilt. The maximum penalty in any case where there is less than 100 percent certainty would be Life Imprisonment.

LESLIE C.E. HOLDER Pembroke US should set better example December 7, 1999 Dear Sir, American interference in Afghanistan, China and now Russia.

Threatening Russia over Chechnya for doing exactly what they did with 78 days of bombing Belgrade and Serbia, but with less justification.

Let he who be without sin cast the first stone.

It seems to me that they may be leading us into the Third World War, only this time in a nuclear age.

Go home, America.

Spend your money in clearing up the mess you left in Bermuda and the Danube which you polluted and helping the poor freezing people in Serbia.

Stop playing God it doesn't suit you! GEORGE GAIL Paget New building is just hideous December 3, 1999 Dear Sir, Both The Royal Gazette and the Bermuda Sun have made a good deal of fuss over the Lines Overseas Management building at Reid and Burnaby Streets. In truth the building is a hideous black blob and a disgrace to Bermuda and to Donald Lines.

SMALL TIME Paget Princess show jazzed up visitors November 24, 1999 Dear Sir, We are a group of holidaymakers on the Island from the UK. We just wanted to write to say how impressed we all were with the "Jazzmattazz' held at the Hamilton Princess on Sunday in aid of Amnesty International.

We all found the range and quality of talent from the island really outstanding, and thoroughly enjoyed the show. In fact, it has inspired some of us to decide to join Amnesty International on our return to the UK! Thank you Bermuda.

KEITH & JOSIE DEAN STEPHEN & JOHN PINSENT STELLA & BOB ADAMS England