While it is certainly not a new phenomenon, I must pose the following question: Has The Royal Gazette become a refuge for white racists and assorted crazies who are apparently allowed to vent their poisonous agenda behind the veil of anonymity with impunity? What good is derived to our community to allow this sordid practice to continue? If indeed the Gazette is a responsible community organ then it must either require those letter writers who fit the profile above to attach their names to their submissions or refuse to print them.

Failing that option, then the Gazette should do away with the practice of printing letters under the cover of anonymity entirely.

ROLFE COMMISSIONG City of Hamilton Editor's Note: Letter writers who wish to use a pen name are already required to give their names, addresses and phone numbers to the Editor. However, this is an area which remains open. If other readers have views in favour or against the use of pen names, The Royal Gazette would be happy to print them.

Advice for Mr. Allen October 9, 2000 Dear Sir, It seems to me that the current shotgun approach to revitalising our tourism sector may not be the best strategy for Bermuda -- we cannot be all things to all people. My sense is that we need to play to our strengths and concentrate our efforts on the most profitable and achievable targets. Having spent more than a decade developing business for the international business sector, I think the best way to make money is find people that have it and to provide superior services that allow them to part with their money and feel good about it.

It strikes me that we should concentrate our tourism development efforts on the eastern seaboard of the United States. The reasons are simple: 1. There is no greater concentration of wealth in the world then between Atlanta and Boston; 2. There is nowhere more beautiful than Bermuda within two hours or so from this region; and 3. We have existing airlift from these markets.

As we zero in on our target market, we can re-tool our products and services to ensure we are providing what our guests desire. My bet is there are a number of business development professionals in the international business sector that would be happy to help with the rescue of tourism.

ROBIN HAMILL Crawl Hill Keep taxis clean October 6, 2000 Dear Sir, I write in reply to "Amazed'' (October 3), with respect to the taxi driver who objected to carrying the passenger from Elbow Beach.

I agree with my fellow taxi driver. Should passengers have wet clothing or sand on their person, they should be asked to do something about it. Many of us carry extra towels to accommodate such situations and meet with abuse when the passenger is asked courteously to use them.

It is inconsiderate to expect the next passenger to sit on a wet or sandy seat. "Amazed'' would assist all concerned by doing his or her part by informing guests, when going to the beach, to take clothing to change or extra towels to prevent such occurrences. Otherwise a suggestion might be, they consider staying in Flatts and visiting the Aquarium. Bermuda's Ambassadors, the taxi drivers, need to be able to provide a clean and comfortable ride for our visitors and locals alike.

TAXI OPERATOR Southampton Keep the roads clear October 10, 2000 Dear Sir, I would very much like for you to find space for this letter. It is in regard to the problems that I find within the roads of Bermuda. I believe I speak for other big vehicle drivers on the Island when I say that a major problem on the roads is the excessive growth of hedges and trees. Our Works and Engineering Minister and Public Safety Minister need to re-evaluate the safety of the roads because of this. I have had many situations where I have had to avoid a hedge or thick branch which caused me to go over the line to avoid damaging the equipment I was driving. In particular, I find the Mexican Pepper trees are extremely bad. These trees grow very rapidly and need constant trimming.

I know of several truck drivers who have lost mirrors and have had to replace them due to trees extending out beyond a residence's boundary wall. I thought there was a law that residential owners had to keep the trees and hedges on their property cut back. A few places where I have had trouble are: Harrington Sound Road, South Shore Road (off McGall's Hill), Middle Road (Smith's Parish) to name a few. I have also been behind someone driving a container hauler and have seen the top of the container break branches which then fall behind the container and on the road where a motorist has to take evasive action to maintain control of their vehicle. As a heavy equipment operator it is not nice to be slapped across the face with a branch or palm leaf. As a tax payer, we bring in new buses that are abused by this problem. I wonder how much a bus windshield costs the taxpayers on this Island when a tree breaks it? The roads would be so much wider if this problem was dealt with on a continuous basis. There are even some areas where you can not walk on the sidewalk because of overgrown hedges. Are we waiting for someone to get seriously hurt or killed because of a tree? Let's pick up slack on this major problem.

TIRED OF BEING BUSHWACKED Devonshire Why no knighthood? October 11, 2000 Dear Sir, "Chief Justice goes it alone''.

I feel sure that responsible members of the community find it alarming to note as your front page article of October 9 proclaims that the Chief Justice of these Island is running the Supreme Court virtually on his own, because of the absence on leave of two of his judges and the assignment of the other to a long running case.

It is as if he has just put on his shining armour to guard the portals of our Courts so that justice would be dispensed in as timely a fashion as economic constraints would allow.

It is a pity that in addition to donning his shining armour he was not a knight on a trusty steed riding into battle.

Incidentally I think the public at large would like to know why it is that this present Chief Justice who has been considered worthy enough to hold that position for seven years has not been knighted like every other Chief Justice before him.

The facts are that this long serving Bermudian public servant who has held high judicial office in Bermuda for 15 years, seven of these as Chief Justice is the only one with these qualifications within the last hundred years who has not been knighted.

My questions is, is this discrimination "in excelsis'' or is there some other acceptable explanation? RICHARD A. HECTOR QC City of Hamilton Change movie rating law October 6, 2000 Dear Sir, The other night, I went to see a film rated R, The Art of War, albeit an excellent film, was very violent.

I was horrified to see a 5-year-old in the audience. After inquiring the next day, I found out it is perfectly legal to bring a child to any movie, as long as he or she sits with an adult. Should not this law be changed to protect young children from irresponsible parents? NOEMIE RATTERAY Paget