Our newly formed organisation, the Women's Policy Committee, is about to commence with the drafting of its first five policy statements.

Our mission `Towards the Continued Holistic Advancement of Women in Bermudian Society' will be reflected in these statements. We invite women from all walks of life to participate in this process.

We'd like input from women in the community about their thoughts, perceptions, and experiences pertaining to opportunities and/or barriers towards their obtaining total well-being in Bermuda.

Interested persons may send their comments to our e-mail address, womenbda yhotmail.com or to our mailing address: P.O. Box GE 59, St. George's, GE BX.

Many thanks in advance to all who will participate.

DELCINA R. BEAN-BURROWS Chairman Women's Policy Committee Makes you wonder January 19, 2001 Dear Sir, Having read the first line in today's editorial -- "It would appear that Bermudians are as fearful now as they ever were about speaking out''-- I could only dream that you had to walk in my shoes for only one day.

For if you could, then you would know how truly insensitive, ignorant and irresponsible your comment was.

Let me share a moment with you from my past. While on business travel in New York City a few years back, I was staying in a Times Square Hotel. A very expensive hotel, with the kind of security that comes with it.

On this particular day, I was returning to my room and caught an elevator with two white people. Only two buttons were pressed, which meant that at least two of us were getting out on the same floor.

The first guest got off on his floor, leaving me and a white woman (about 45 years old) in the elevator.

I began to notice that this woman was moving awkwardly and suddenly became quite interested in her purse. Odd it certainly was...

Well, we got to our floor and I started heading for my room. I tried to be a gentleman by letting her off first, but she wouldn't have it. As I walked down the hallway I noticed two things.

The first was that I didn't hear her footsteps, and the second was that I didn't hear her opening her room door. How peculiar I thought... With my room being the room facing the length of the hallway, I decided to enter my room and look down the hall through the peep hole.

Low and behold, she was still waiting by the elevator, purse clenched, staring at my room door. .. obviously showing that she had been watching my every move down to my room.

Once she heard my door lock, she opened her purse, drew her room card and quickly entered her room.

So I thought to myself, what on Earth is it about me that caused this woman to be so careful? What is it about me that made her so obviously afraid? Was it my $400 jacket, my $600 suit, my $70 silk tie, my $150 leather shoes or my $3,000 laptop? Maybe it was my pleasant Bermuda good afternoon? Hmmm, I wonder, I wonder...

Then again, maybe it was just because I am black, and that everything I do, no matter how it is dressed up, will always be feared by a handful of ignorant people (both white and black)? This is nothing new Sir. I think the better story would have been: "RG Editor has no clue about the basic dynamics of racism''. Or perhaps your intentions of writing such drivel was something far more sinister.

COAT AND TAILS Sandys Parish Bureaucracy in action January 22, 2001 Dear Sir, In December last, while checking my bank statement, I noticed that the pension payment for my wife and self was not credited to my account! I called Social Insurance Department and was advised that I had not replied to their four notices sent to me, covering my eligibility for continued receipt of pension.

At that point I was advised that I had never received said notices! I was advised as to where they were dispatched and guess what -- I had moved from there six and half years ago and been receiving my pension on time ever since.

I was told that the monies would be brought up to date, as soon as Government received the form properly completed.

I was immediately forwarded by fax a copy of the necessary forms and proceeded to complete same and personally handed them in to the office the following day, properly witnessed.

It is now January 22 and to date I have received one payment, while a total of three were due. When inquiring as to why, I was advised that there was computer breakdown and transfer of monies was delayed due to this breakdown.

Fortunately for me, I am not solely dependent on my pension to live. However, what about the many people who are? Is this a sample of our "People's Government''? If one payment can be made why not the three of them to bring the account current? Or maybe they are short of funds because from all the Gombeys that have been sent around the world? Or paying for the new expensive, oversized cars? Or new hats for the Premier? Or paying for the new expensive, fast ferries? IRATE SENIOR Paget