It concerns me that the UBP would pick Sen. Gordon-Pamplin to run in the upcoming by-election in Paget West.

After her comments in the House concerning the "morality'' of the Gay community, we can only conclude that she is blatantly prejudiced and intolerant, attitudes which are more reminiscent of a bygone era.

I have to wonder if someone so obviously going back in time is a good choice to take Bermuda into the future.

LISABET OUTERBRIDGE Hamilton Parish DeCouto the best choice March 9, 1999 Dear Sir, It is quite apparent that the UBP Paget West branch have made a terrible bloomer in their choice of candidate to contest the forth-coming bye-election on March 31st.

Mrs. Ann Cartwright DeCouto's qualifications clearly show that she should have been the hands-down favourite for the UBP in this contest.

Her record speaks for itself. Her intellect, experience and expertise both as a back-bencher and as a former Government Minister should have been enough to earn her the support she deserved.

More than that, however, and above all else, her strength of character to stand firm on matters of principle (a rare quality she shares with Mr. Trevor Moniz and Mr. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge) is a matter of record.

Was it this very attribute which caused her to be passed over? I think so and so do many others.

DAVID M. SKINNER Smith's Parish Education in a mess March 5, 1999 Dear Sir, And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.'' St. Mark 9:42 How have we offended our precious human resources, our children? By our deeds of omission and commission that have produced a failing, second-rate, inferior educational system.

On March 2, 1999, it was reported on the VSB news: "The previous Government's plan to include children with special needs in regular classrooms in order to improve society's acceptance of them has been ruled a financial disaster by consultants.

Now, the new government must find an alternative method according to Shadow Education Minister, Tim Smith.'' Mr. Smith stated: "This is an area that was the subject of a very detailed report last year at the Ministry. It is something that, the inclusion program as we know it, it needs to be revised. While it was moving forward with the best intentions based on recommendations from the EPT, the problem is, it is costing a considerable sum of money, more than was ever envisioned and not only that it is costing a great deal of stress in the system. These are from teachers and principals and parents, and parents aren't quite sure. It is causing a great deal of stress.

There were some recommendations for changing it for making it more effective and efficient. I was asking questions today. Do they intend to move forward with these recommendations?'' Mr. Smith does not have to worry about whether the new government will move forward with the recommendations of the Inclusion Report. The Bermuda Progressive Labour Party in its General Election Platform in a New Bermuda indicated, A PLP Government will: Ensure accountability of schools and all those involved in education, through published independent evaluation of the delivery of the education product.

We have been given every assurance that the new government is conscientiously and diligently working towards this end. This was evidenced by the report of their first 100 days.

Where was the accountability of the UBP government? Before the Inclusion Report published in April 1998, there was the Curriculum Management Audit report that stated: "In summary, the special education programme process has been well developed, but there is a dire need to evaluate specific aspects of the special educational programme to ensure that all students and teachers have greater accessibility to staff, curriculum, and support services necessary to meet their needs.'' The time has come when the UBP must face and accept the responsibility for their failures. Why wasn't there a pilot project to determine how effective or ineffective inclusion would be? We have a blatant example of an idea being advanced without the necessary carefully thought out planning, implementation and evaluation components. Yes, while it has been extremely costly, it has also been very demoralising and detrimental to our parents and children.

Of course the principals, the teachers, parents and students would be under stress. The future and well-being of our children is at stake. Is this considered malpractice in education? Should parents be suing the former government for not providing quality education for their children? Sound business practice does not tolerate such ineffective and inefficient behaviour. Most employers would not continue to hire employees who plunged their business into failing enterprises. Why do we persist in the field of education of keeping those who are responsible for our children failing in the system? There should be consequences for our actions.

DR. MURIEL M. WADE-SMITH Smith Parish Love is all you need February 12, 1999 Dear Sir, This is his open letter to all the young married couples. When you look in the newspaper and see how many divorces there are each year, I don't want you all to make the mistake I made.

Don't criticise your partner, don't think you can say just anything to your partner and think their feelings won't get hurt and most of all don't think you can do what ever you feel like doing.

This is a joint venture and you both have to meet each other 50-50 on everything you do. Everyone is different and the main thing is knowing when the give and take.

If your partner likes to do things, (within the marriage) that you may not like then, that's when you have to give a little and try to understand your partner. Don't push them away or tell them you don't like it, because that's just going to cause your partner to get frustrated, and will cause problem's on the marriage. Be honest with your partner, always be there for your partner.

Sometimes, (this is mainly for the `guy's), take time out and send your partner some flowers, and let her know how much you love her.

If you leave home before she does, leave a love note on the table for her to read when she wakes up. If you see something you may feel she like's buy it for her.

Day's when you are off from work, surprise her by cooking dinner or washing the cloth's or just call her up and invite her out to dinner. Make her feel special. When you send her flower's, don't wait until a special. Occupation come's up, just pick a day and send them to her, even if it's once a week.

Evening's when you come home from work, take your women in your arm's give her a kiss and let her know how much you love her. You see many people don't realise how important a hug and a kiss means in a relationship.

That closeness is very important in a relationship. Being able to hold your love one close to you, bring's that couple, even chosen in their relationship and they can talk to each other about anything, because in a way they feel secure with their partner so don't make those little mistake's, work hard on your relationship.

Try to make each other happy. Don't try to dominate your partner in trying to change them. Love is the key word. When you have love, understanding and trust, than you have it made.

SOME-ONE WHO KNOWS City of Hamilton Snail mail reigns March 6, 1999 Dear Sir, May I use your letters column to supply some pertinent information to our Minister of Finance -- expect revenues from the Post Office to keep falling.

Management at the Post Office seem to think it's okay for a letter from the east coast of the US to arrive in a month or so. It's not.

The thing is this, air courier business is thriving, growing, making money. At the Post Office the staff is apparently overwhelmed, business is shrinking, money is not being made. Sounds like poor management to me. This sounds like another Government department due for a shake-up, review and reorganisation, soon.

CURTIS A. DAWSON Spanish Point Ps. Before investing in e-mail maybe we should first fix air-mail.

Girl Guides worth it February 28, 1999 Dear Sir, On Saturday, February 6, the Eastern District of the Bermuda Girl Guide Association held a Car Wash and Bake Sale at Lindo's Supermarket, in Devonshire. This fund raiser is one of a number to be held by the Girl Guides in their efforts to raise funds towards our International Camp to be held at Clearwater Beach Nature Reserve this summer, which will celebrate 80 years of Guiding in Bermuda! I would like to express our sincere thanks to the parents, relatives and friends of the various Units within our district; the Friend of Guiding -- Eastern Division, membership and friends, who prepared baked goods, and assisted with the bake sale and car wash; and most importantly, the general public who patronized us.

We greatly appreciated and valued your support. From all of us, Thank you! MRS. CAROL HALL Eastern District Commissioner Bermuda Girl Guide Association