I'm a Bermudian male who is unemployed. Years ago I fished for a living but was forced out because of the fish pot ban.

Can anyone explain how Government allows a Cuban-registered fishing boat leased to a Bermudian to hire 25 or more Cubans? I don't remember Neil Inchcup advertising for Bermudians to apply. There are many able Bermudians standing on street corners holding up walls and buildings being non-productive. I hope with our new Government things will change.

CONCERNED Dial F for frustration March 9, 1999 Dear Sir, Does the following sound familiar? Good Morning and welcome to the ABC Company. As absolutely no one is presently available to take your call, please listen to our automatic Voicemail service.

If you know your party's extension, please dial it now. If you don't know the extension, dial the first five letters of the last name, their date of birth, and driver's licence number. If you want customer service, press two. If you want Sales, press three.

If you wish to speak to an operator -- none of whom are at their desks right now, please press four and listen to Beethoven's 5th Symphony, the Gettysburg Address, the Ten Commandments, and Hail to Bermuda. If you have forgotten who you're calling, press five for a complete list of our 850 employees in English, Spanish, and French.

If you have callouses on your finger and are fed up with this three and a half hour phone call, press the pound sign and slam the phone down. We were happy to help you today because your business is so important to us.

Let's hear it for real human beings!!! STILL HOLDING `FEMAIL' Warwick Remembering Menuhin March 13, 1999 Dear Sir, The announcement of the death of Yehudi Menuhin brought back to me a poignant recollection from my childhood.

It is probably 1944 and I am about eight. A grey drizzly Saturday in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. A cold east wind is blowing up the river. My favourite uncle has brought me to this working-class district down by the docks to stand and wait outside a small dark synagogue. A sparse crowd huddles with us against the wall and waits. We are waiting for Yehudi Menuhin, the violin prodigy who is touring England raising money to aid Polish Jews, in hopes that he will play for us after giving his recital for the congregation.

We hear snatches of music, applause, more music, and finally applause. A door opens, the yellow light outlining a man's head, and then closes. Moments later the door opens again and a man steps out, violin and bow in his hands. He thanks us for our patience and apologises for keeping us waiting in the rain.

And then he starts to play. I have no idea what he is playing but it sears the soul of a small boy. My uncle grips my shoulder and I feel his sobs. The music flows on, and then it is over. A cap is passed around, a few shillings collected.

As we walk home thought the darkening streets we are silent for a long time.

Then my uncle talks to me about the war. I think I know about the war. The shipyards on the Tyne are bombed regularly.. .My father was rescued from the beaches at Dunkirk...The Americans are here to help lick Hitler... We can only have eggs once a month because of the Wolf-pack...Patiently he explains about aggression and persecution and oppression, and standing up for the things one believes are right, and the ambiguity of choosing to be sent to prison because he is a conscientious objector. In that long walk home I pass through the first stage of growing up.

So when Yehudi Menuhin died a little of what shaped my life died too. Seeing one's past slip away is part of the price one pays for the privilege of growing old, however the memory of that Saturday will always be with me.

JOHN CLAY Paget Facing roots of racism March 12, 1999 Dear Sir, Patricia Ferguson (RG March 12) did not add Bermuda to her list of places manifesting racism. On the other hand the Minister of Health and Family Services was very clear in identifying the destructive social problems in Bermuda resulting from our centuries-old tradition of "abuse by racism''. If she had added Bermuda she might have recognised that while it is true that racism continues because some people are just evil, there are other reasons also.

Many people, particularly black people, are like Mr. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge, MP.

They choose to ignore the roots of our racism. On Friday Mr. Woolridge gave great credit to Sir John Cox for building an empire that provided employment.

He ignored Sir John Cox's support of a system which was rigid in ensuring that "Whites only'' need to apply for any economically profitable positions. He ignored the harsh reality of the exclusion of black Bermudians from any economic opportunity that just might have made it minimally possible for any ambitious, hard working black Bermudian to truly compete with him, or any other white person, in order to do what he did! Sir John Cox is as responsible as anyone for the fact that even today the white community continues to have an almost monopolistic and stranglehold control over our economy and access to the real wealth of our country. As a result there are still a great many black Bermudians who are willing to accept our culture of racism rather than jeopardise their own financial well being. they are not necessarily "just evil''.

Then there are still all of those black Bermudians who refuse to move beyond their comfort zone by even raising the issue of racism and race relations, to say nothing of those who, despite the PLP victory, still believe in white superiority in one form or another, or who are still intimidated by whites.

Then there are all of those high profile blacks who believe that anyone who even raises the issue of race relations is filled with "venom'' and are "divisive''. They would rather analyse the personal development of any single individual in search of a reason to charge "bitterness'' than to examine the long term and destructive impact on our society of our culture and tradition of racism. Yes, some people are "just evil'' but in Bermuda they are more likely to be just indifferent, until they, themselves, are a victim, or they are fearful and self-involved and unwilling to move out of their comfort zone to confront racism, or they continue to hold on to a centuries-old mind set.

None of them are necessarily "evil'' in the same way as were those men in Jasper but they do sustain and perpetuate our racist culture and traditions with all of the socially and personally destructive impact which they have.

The PLP victory could mean that all of us, particularly those of us in the black community, both collectively and individually, are now not only prepared to challenge the manifestation of racism but also to demonstrate the "caring'' called for by Minister Paula Cox. Both require far more selflessness and a far greater sense of social responsibility than merely striving for individual and personal financial success which all of us need.

Let us have no illusion about what it means to put "people first''.

EVA N. HODGSON Bailey's Bay Letter was misleading March 9, 1999 Dear Sir, Mr. Thomson's latest letter of March 10,1999 follows his well-established pattern of inaccuracy. His statement that there is "significant data available by many leading scientists, pointing to the potential health hazards associated with radiation emissions from these towers'' is very interesting.

So far, the only sources used to support CARE's position are "scientists'' that are not leaders in pertinent fields. In fact, they are on the fringe of accepted science and have been shown to mislead and include inaccuracies in their statements, as evidenced by Mr. Gauntlett's very detailed and pointed response to CARE's non-expert in residence Mr. Carpenter. Anything Mr.

Carpenter states after such a thorough expose on his misleading, inaccurate and staged letter to CARE should immediately come under suspicion. Mr. Thomson will have to do better than that. You can easily find so called experts to support any position if you care to look. The distinguishing characteristic between some nutcase found on the Internet and a legitimate expert is the support and acceptance of their position and research by the rest of the scientific community.

Even though he acknowledges that his company uses very dangerous chemicals that are probable human carcinogens and have caused death to human beings, he then makes a misleading statement, namely "We do not put dry cleaning plants next to your houses where your children live and play.'' This statement is almost beyond reply! There is not a single dry cleaning shop near where any children live or play? They certainly are next to restaurants, aren't they? It would seem the potential health risk to the people eating there doesn't concern Mr. Thomson. He also blows off any concerns that his own workers may have about the chemicals they are exposed to because they "have a choice where they work.'' An amazing lack of compassion from such an environmental tour de force! Then he implores me to "come clean'' about my motives. I have previously sent a letter to The Royal Gazette addressing this issue, so I may be repeating myself by the time this gets printed. Though it may be entirely shocking, I must confess; I do work for Logic Communications. And contrary to yet another inaccurate statement by Mr. Thomson that Logic is "wholly owned by BTC.'' Logic is owned by KeyTech, which also happens to own BTC. We are autonomous from BTC and Logic Communications is not involved in the cellular industry, so no conflict here, Stephen.

He continues his diatribe further, stating that I must have "personal investments at stake.'' I unequivocally state once again, I do not have any personal or financial gain to be had by the success of Bermuda Digital Communications or any other cellular company. Is it so hard to understand Mr.

Thomson that my intense abhorrence of ignorance is my driving factor? To err on the side of caution is one thing. To deliberately use misinformation to manipulate the public is another and needs to be rebuked.

His last paragraph states that "We are well aware of how little regard you have for the environment and how angry you were when the neighbourhood complained to planning about the wilful destruction of all those beautiful trees you tore down...'' Again I have a shocking admission to make to all of Bermuda; with Planning's approval, I wilfully cut down trees on my property. I guess Mr. Thomson equates this action with environmental callousness. All right, everybody who lives in a house where trees were cut down to build or make room, please raise your hand. Did you feel the breeze of air from all the movement of arms Mr. Thomson? Given your disregard for facts and your delusional self-status as an environmental virgin, I'm sure your hand stayed stationary because your house was built on a treeless lot, correct? He writes of my "subsequent anger'' at the single complaint filed by one individual (here again is another example of Mr. Thomson's inability to tell the truth. He should move to Washington. I hear that will do him well there) over the above removal of non-endangered trees. He is now a mind reader seeing as neither he nor any other member of CARE has ever had a conversation or correspondence with myself on any subject beside the current topic and in this forum.

MIKE BEARDEN Warwick Senator's attack worrying March 8, 1999 Dear Mr. Editor, The PLP waged a successful political campaign over recent years and were rewarded with a first win at the polls. Having surpassed the first 100 days and the presentation of the first PLP Budget Statement, the PLP's direction is now clearer.

The most significant occurrences since November 9, 1998 have been how the PLP is setting the stage for the future. Although the PLP are feeling their way, as they try to come to terms with being the Government. The most glaring and concerning events happened when the PLP Government hierarchy went off to London without the support of having a Top Civil Servant on the trip. Clearly the position of the British Department Territories and O.E.C.D. are not only matters of grave concerns but also matters in which Senior Servants are well versed and familiar. Notwithstanding, the PLP views may differ from the previous Government. It is the Civil Servants who work through the details of Policies. To travel to London with only a political entourage is not good business, particularly for a new government feeling its way.

Secondly, we had a Government Senator who happens to be the Premier's Chief of Staff, challenge the Regiment and take the Governor to task. The alarming part of this scenario, is not that a Senator would have concerns about the regiment but that the Senator is the immediate past Commanding Officer of the Regiment and should not take public aim at his successor. Whilst it may score political points in some quarters, it smacks of anarchy in others. Many would think that such an attack from an appointed senator, who also holds the post of Chief of Staff to the Premier, would have had the prior endorsement of the Premier. It was more absurd that the Premier quickly defended the Senator's remarks.

Mr. Editor, we have heard the Premier refute allegations that she wishes to remove the Governor and we have also heard denials that the Public Service Commission was asked to resign. But, Bermuda heard first hand the Senator for the Government endeavour to castigate the Commander of the Regiment and the Governor. Judging by the inappropriate manner the Government chose to convey its message and the unapologetic stance, subsequently taken by the Premier, the people of this country should be concerned.

THE NEW BERMUDA Devonshire Impressed by Berkeley March 13, 1999 Dear Sir, It was with regret that I read the article on the alleged "mini-riot'' at Berkeley Institute in the newspaper because it seemed so out of character with the experiences that I have had while visiting the school.

Over the years I have made several visits to the Berkeley campus. On every occasion I left with a very positive impression of the school. My most recent visit, a little over a month ago, was on behalf of the "Visitor Industry Partnership'' school outreach programme.

Our goal was to familiarise students, aged 13 to 15, with Bermuda's hospitality industry. Arriving early, I found a 30 minute wait in the reception area very gratifying as students, teachers and a variety of administrative staff interacted in a manner of mutual respect and comfort. One could quickly sense a nurturing atmosphere. In the office, and during our 40 minute presentation in class, the students were polite, interested, inquisitive and enjoyable to be with.

While I do not condone violence of any type, particularly in schools, I sincerely hope that this "one of'' situation does not overshadow what in my, albeit limited, experience is the real Berkeley Institute.

STUART G. DOYLE Pembroke Curing traffic congestion March 15, 1999 Dear Sir, In response to John Flannery/Smith's Parish -- Stay in Smith's Parish please and leave Harbour Road traffic alone. It is hard enough now to get to Hamilton via Harbour Road as it is near the Dinghy Club where the holdups occur while giving way to heavy traffic from Strawberry Hill. Also, do you really believe that it will be just one-lane, one-way when certain drivers know there is no oncoming traffic! It would be far better if you lobbied to have the 2nd hand car law revoked; herein lies the traffic congestion problem.

HARBOUR ROAD RESIDENT Warwick