Dear Sir, I was absolutely staggered by the headline in your newspaper today in which you report that "Bermuda is gathering evidence of Canada's immigration insults''.

As a Bermudian I feel appalled at the arrogance of this island community. One would think that a large measure of humility would be in order here -- considering the fact that we have allowed one of Canada's citizens to be raped, tortured and murdered, without bringing the perpetrators before the full measure of the law.

It would not be surprising at all, in the light of that disgraceful fiasco on the part of our judicial system, if every Bermudian is looked at twice each time they enter Canada. We have got to be the most naive, arrogant people on the face of this planet, if we think that a nation of Canadians is going to forget the despicable incident which happened here on our Island so easily.

Raymanda Davis might do well to consider past events before sounding off about being detained, irrespective of what discomfort and worry she may have suffered. For myself, I shall certainly eat "humble pie'' if and when I venture onto Canadian soil. I sincerely suggest that my fellow Bermudians remember, and do the same.

JACK GAUNTLETT Paget Phone ads are sickening August 18, 1999 Dear Sir, I find the adverts for the MAX digital cellular phones showing a very young baby in a diaper quite sickening. There are very considerable fears in Bermuda about the health effects of cellular technology in Bermuda -- especially on babies and children. Such fears have been legitimised by a health expert, Dr.

Carpenter who said that it was "downright foolish to place towers in dense residential neighbourhoods''.

A recent Canadian study showed that the risk of childhood leukaemia was four to five times higher for children exposed to higher levels of magnetic fields.

It showed that magnetic field exposure was associated with an elevated incidence of leukaemia in children under age six who were exposed in residences occupied during the first two years of life.

The adverts promote the new digital cellular phone system presently being sold to the public by the MAX distributors. In time, BDC/Cellular One will use a digital system. Powerwatch UK advises that "on digital systems the power used (by the cellular phone towers) effectively rises as more calls are active and there are no missing time slots''. If young children's health is at risk from the cellular towers in Bermuda (and it is "foolish to ignore the evidence''), then the higher power will likely put them more at risk.

Finally, the sick linkage between a very young baby and cellular phones needs to be put in the correct context. Powerwatch UK reports that "babies and children, because of their size, tend to act as resonant aerials at cellular-phone frequencies enhancing the signal levels in their bodies''.

With digital phones, the brain cells of the user are being hit by radiation pulses 217 times every second (Powerwatch UK). It is understood that those in close proximity to the users (including any babies and children who happen to be near the user in homes, cars, buses, etc.) will also pick up the radio frequency (RF) pulses.

I find the use of the Image of an innocent, but seemingly healthy baby, to promote such possibly carcinogenic technology is misleading, offensive, manipulative and exploitative.

SICKENED PARENT Warwick Still feeling threatened August 11, 1999 Dear Sir, Unfortunately I live within 300 feet of the new Warwick Cellular One Transmission Tower, as do at least five of my immediate neighbours. I can only wonder at the number of other families that live in close proximity to other transmission towers around the Island.

With the latest information coming from a credible scientist, Dr. Carpenter, I cannot help but fear, that we are and have allowed some irresponsible transmission tower site locations. Although most have been in place for years, the latest towers or antennae, seem to be constructed lower and closer to residential areas. Currently scientific research has not been fully completed to prove either claim. Are their or are their not health risk's? But, as most scientist and doctors would agree, there is no such thing as a safe dose of Radiation. In fact most would advise, the more one distances oneself from a source the better. Unfortunately very few home owners here can realistically consider relocating, to distance their families from these potentially dangerous areas.

To the People and Government of Bermuda. We may have, unbeknownst at the time, affected the health of many, by the existing tower locations. We have exposed a great many families, school children, and works to a potential environmental health disaster. This issue must be taken seriously. The results of these potential health effects, may have, and be affecting us a lot more than we realise.

Of course someone (or some people) will have to be held responsible. And we know that there is no amount of money that can replace the life of a loved one. However, these types of tragic cases have historically been shown to bankrupt big companies with large judgment awards.

Now, the Government with the Telecommunications Commission must also be held responsible, along with the companies that are and have been operating these transmission towers. I only hope that this does not damage our Government.

You, our leaders and fellow citizens can make a difference. "Do The Right Thing.'' Are these concerns or profits, worth all of the consequences? Some would think so. I just think that we are missing the "boat'', I know like many others that there are alternatives. Moving Families is not one of them.

TOO CLOSE TO HOME Warwick Disappointed with PLP August 9, 1999 Dear Sir, My party has been in power for a short time, and already they seem to be making it quite clear to the people that all that glitters is not gold, and we have been fooled miserably. First, was the increase in tax and now limousine service for a mortician service. I say this because some were unaware of this and others are supporting the taxi drivers.

I always said that anyone that has never had power, and suddenly it comes into being for them, it is hard for them to know how to and what to do with it.

Jennifer, you are showing the adverse affect of power to make constructive decisions. You and your party are losing sight of the wishes of the people and more so the people that put you into power.

In regard to the land tax issue, it appears to me that some people may have to move out of their homes and rent them to pay the tax. So Ms Premier, I truly hope that your Government is going to provide lots of low cost housing for the people, so that your Government can collect your taxes from their rented homes.

In talking with many people, there are some grave concerns about this new Government. Many were saying that they wanted to give them time to see what steps will be taken to deal with the concerns of the people. But so far, this Government has taken some giant steps right over the people and the arrogant attitude is not what the people (we people) were looking forward to.

As I sat Sunday morning listening to the news of the session that took place on Friday through Saturday morning, in the House of Assembly, it was quite disturbing. To think of all the issues that need serious thought and should be dealt with by this Government, it is swayed by one of its supporters to introduce into the motor car act the introduction of a limousine service for a mortician. All due respect to the head, but I don't think that there has been a time when there was not enough transportation for a funeral, especially with all of the family cars and friends that rally to support in that time of grief. We talk of money wasting, well for the months of pasts, the MPs of the ruling party should donate their checks to charity.

The amazing thing is that the morticians group was not aware of this issue and the one mortician that pushed this issue would not comment. Doe this sound funny and it has a fishy smell? Well, Jennifer, what will it be next? This is from one of your supporters, and how far will it go? If this Government is to continue in power, it had better make some very positive decisions in the very near future, in the interest of the people.

Jennifer, take a good hard look at the picture of your smiling face. At the rate you and your party are going, you will bottom out of the next election.

My Mother once told me that "your own fleas will bit you the hardest'' and right now the Government is biting hard. Many of us will be taking a hard look at the ballot sheet in the next election.

"A dog that moves fast does not move fast very long.'' Get my drift.

A.E. WENDELL (SCOPSIE) HASSELL Sandys Parish Rules for British status August 18, 1999 Dear Sir, On the subject of being offered the right to have British citizenship, should the occasion arise, this is how it should work. This is for those who are British dependent territory citizens who do not already have the full right to both Bermuda and Britain.

If you wish to take up the opportunity to hold both country's rights, you will be asked to make application on the prescribed form. On receipt of your application your name will appear in the Official Gazette. This will then give all expats in the community the opportunity to write in to a central committee of British expats who have been chosen to vet the applications, and lodge a complaint or whatever against any particular applicant. The applicant will never have the opportunity to defend any complaints lodged against them; in fact they will never even know if a complaint has been lodged. Following the allotted time period for lodging complaints, the application will then be forwarded to the central committee whose job it will be to pick which applicants go through for full British right. If the decision is made not to allow full British rights the applicant will simply be told no. There will be absolutely no reason given if the answer is no it will simply be no.

Following this very democratic procedure, those who have been given the green light will go forward as they see fit and those who have been given the red light will remain completely bamboozled. Those who do not wish to take up any offer for dual rights will simply not apply.

SAME RULES FOR ALL City of Hamilton Late show bad for kids The following was sent to the management of the Liberty Theatre and copied to The Royal Gazette .

August 13, 1999 Dear Sir, I was at your cinema last night, August 12, to see the 9.30 p.m. showing of "The General's Daughter''. I had heard great things about the film and was looking forward to seeing it; unfortunately, I was so distracted by the crying of an infant and the bored ramblings of a child (about the age of four) that I was barely able to watch the film.

I cannot adequately express the absolute disgust I felt, sitting in your theatre, mostly toward the mothers of these poor children, who obviously have no business being parents. To bring such small children to an adult movie (to the late show no less!) is nothing short of cruel and abusive. I am employed as an infant care giver, however even persons not employed in the field of child care are aware of how imperative it is for children, especially young babies, to develop secure bedtime routines and healthy sleep patterns.

I am extremely shocked and disturbed that these two women were allowed into the theatre with their children in the first place. Certainly, it is plausible that tickets were bought in advance, but every patron who enters the theatre gives his ticket to a staff member at the door, who must have seen these people come in. I (and I am sure that I will be backed up by every person who was in attendance last night, as well as by many who were not) insist that this not be allowed to happen ever again. Of minimal importance is the fact that the wailing baby completely disrupted the movie and was not removed by the mother until the audience cried in unison several times for her to do so! To every parent of babies and young children, I implore you to think about what you are doing! This type of behaviour is utterly selfish and inexcusable.

The job you have before you is the most important one you will ever have and every single thing that you do has a direct effect on that little one. Have some respect, for your community, for yourself and especially for your children! KATHERINE BRYAN Pembroke Where was the coverage? August 17, 1999 Dear Sir, I find myself putting pen to paper because of the space donated by your newspaper to Sunday's Jet Ski racing. The fact is that there wasn't any.

Personal watercraft played a huge part in the events taking place that day.

Not only was a large section of the crowd at Ferry Reach there early to see the start of the ski race, many families in attendance were there to support family members competing. When our race was over, we, the Jet Skiers patrolled Ferry Reach keeping the race course clear of pleasure craft and positioning markers for the powerboats as we do every race day.

Your publication seems all too eager to pounce on the negative side of personal watercraft use. With over 300 craft registered on the Island, the uneducated will always spoil it for the sensible, but when you have an event as successful as Sunday's I would expect a little more than a caption under a photo. Oops, forgot that there was all that entertaining cricket competing for space.

You have many motor sports blooming in Bermuda, and perhaps, with just a little assistance, the possibility to produce a champion, be it on a personal watercraft, go-kart or motorcycle. Let's fact it, Bermuda will never be a force in football or cricket, painful but true. So let's start having some motor sport coverage. I look forward to seeing one of your reporters at the next race day.

G. GOUDGE Race Director P.W.A.B.

Council is unnecessary August 12, 1999 Dear Sir, I am surprised by the anti-free speech tone of the Government's plans to set up a press council. The Government's public comments indicate a desire to intimidate the media, rather than protect the public interest.

The media can, indeed, be a thorn in the side of any government -- worldwide -- which wishes to control its public image. The media questions authority -- that is its job.

When the local media is incorrect, there are already safeguards in place. All local papers, for example, freely print corrections and letters to the editor.

For matters of a more serious or criminal nature, the Bermuda courts offer remedy.

Many large countries do have press councils -- but they tend to be expensive exercises in bureaucracy. For example, of the 2,601 complaints addressed by the UK Press Complaints Council (www.pcc.org.uk/) in 1998, only 45 were adjudicated and upheld! Bermuda is small -- the taxpayer and consumer will ultimately bear the costs of providing a venue for many frivolous complaints. Do we need this? MEDIA WATCHER Warwick