The UBP are in opposition because of their lack of imagination and social conscience.

I have always argued that the UBP suffered from anaemia of the imagination and this deficiency is largely responsible for our bad road manners and the crime and violence which is deranging our society.

After all, imagination is a power that could be used to transcend self and to nourish a national social conscience which could have rescued us from the cynicism and despair which the UBP have left us with.

Out of this situation may come a universal ethical mandate for the exercise of a social conscience with the PLP in power.

Our imagination operates through our senses, it is the most democratic of our human faculties. It is the foundation of ethical behaviour in our society. If we cannot imagine the full consequences of our actions for other people as well as for ourselves, we are not likely to act ethically, as any society in which the moral imagination is not fed is in trouble.

Crime, violence and corruption in Bermuda today are the result of an undernourished national moral imagination under which the UBP governed us.

After all without imagination, the mind contracts and hardens by wants of stimulants and men become selfish, sensual, cross and hard hearted which is what happened under the UBP, our former oppressors.

I believe that the PLP understands how important imagination is in the development of a social conscience and will take practical steps to nourish it. Politicians who hold themselves out to be leaders have a special responsibility to foster imaginative responses to the needs of our community.

RAYMOND RUSSELL Pembroke Vocal support for crier April 30, 2000 Dear Sir, I would be most grateful if you would kindly publish this letter of thanks to Alderman and town Crier E. Michael Jones.

I am sure I speak for many Bermudians who owe a great measure of gratitude to Mr. Jones for organising the 1st Bermuda International Town Criers' Competition.

At a time when our visitor arrivals are well below the averages of previous years, we must all do our utmost to do what we can to reverse this trend, by giving value for money in terms of service, friendliness and comfort.

I am certain the visiting town criers and mayors from many parts of the world will "noise it abroad'' that they experienced a friendly reception and encourage their fellow countrymen and women to visit our shores.

LAWSON E. MAPP Alderman Corporation of Hamilton Are cell phones to blame? April 28, 2000 Dear Sir, I see from a report on the front page of The Royal Gazette on 28 April that the incidence of cancer has risen very dramatically in Bermuda over the past few years. According to the report, the medical authorities are unable to explain this very alarming development.

Is it possible that the increase in the incidence of cancer is connected with the sharp increase in the use of cellular telephones in Bermuda? There are over 40 transmission towers in Bermuda now. Cellular phones are much more popular now than they were just a few years ago. And we even have a new service, Cellular One, which came into operation last year.

I do not say that there is a necessary connection between the incidence of cancer and cellular technology. There is a good chance that there is not.

However, it must be at least possible, and it might be likely, that there is some connection.

Unfortunately there is disagreement amongst the scientists as to whether cellular technology is dangerous. A number of eminent scientists have concluded that studies are at least suggestive of a hazard to human health and that a cautious approach is appropriate.

Even those who believe the technology is safe admit that there is uncertainty on the issue. One scientist, whose report was provided to the writer by Cellular One itself, says that no study has provided "fully persuasive'' results, implying that they are partly persuasive. He concludes that the research leaves one "uncertain and rather doubtful'' that any link exists between electro-magnetic field radiation and carcinogenicity. This to me is not very comforting and implies doubt and uncertainty.

A press release from Cellular One last year which appeared in this newspaper says that there is no "conclusive'' evidence to suggest that cellular towers may pose a threat to the health and safety of the Bermudian public. This implies that there is some evidence, though it may not be conclusive. The same release indicates that the studies over the past 15 years do not "consistently'' demonstrate that there are health risks. Until it is demonstrated consistently that there is no risk, I remain concerned.

In these circumstances, I urge Bermudians to take a cautious approach in relation to cellular technology. Here are some of the things you can do to reduce exposure to radiation emissions from cellular transmission towers and cellular phones: (a) When you are looking for a house to buy or rent, make sure it is not adjacent to a cellular transmission tower.

(b) If you have children at CedarBridge Academy, urge the Board of Governors or the government to take steps to require the relocation of the many transmission towers which are adjacent to the school.

(c) Find out whether there are cellular transmission towers adjacent to your place of employment.

(d) If you can manage without a cellular phone, do so.

(e) If you must have a cellular phone, use one which has a headset which enables you to make phone calls without holding the phone next to your brain.

(f) If you do use a phone without a headset, use it sparingly for emergences only.

(g) Certainly do not permit your children to use, or, worse still, own a cellular phone, at least not one without a headset.

STILL WORRIED Warwick Jesus offers a ray of hope January 26, 2000 Dear Sir, Looking over the situation of our Island with crime such as murders and robbery still holding its own, I may be wrong but I see a ray of hope that it's going to get better.

This year, like many I have experienced, the first of each year in Somerset we have what is called `The Week Of Renewal', with many of the Churches taking part and every time we meet I see our brothers and sisters praying profusely for our Island and our children, some get emotional. This is good because the Lord loves to hear His children cry out to Him and the promises that it shall not fall to the ground but shall accomplish much.

Every year we are seeing more brothers and sisters gathering at the meetings, because we are seeing our children being destroyed and torn apart by greedy people. I read in the paper this year, which almost turned my stomach, Police raided a house looking for drugs. They found a person in bed and when questioning him or her they admitted that they had some drugs in their stomach and there was more in a pail under the bed.

I wonder if our children realize what they are getting into. These pellets have been into these peoples intestines for a number of days, then its passed out into a pail and has to wait for another movement to pass the others and this is what is going into our children's mouths.

I thought Bermudians had more dignity and common sense when they see and read what is put before them. Lots say, I don't read the paper, but they should know who they are dealing with. This is pure sodomy, and to those who are bringing it in if you don't repent and ask the Lord's forgiveness I don't want to be nowhere when you die. So my people keep on praying Jesus is nearer than we think.

VIVIAN SIMMONS Somerset Happy to be Bermudian April 29, 2000 Dear Sir, On Saturday April 15, 2000, I attended a Sorority and Fraternity Stepping in the Millennium Stepshow Competition at Kennesaw State University in Atlanta, Georgia.

I had heard that a group of young people from CedarBridge Academy in Bermuda would be amongst the contestants. As our young people were introduced, no one knew what to expect from the students from "Across the Seas''. The other contestants were college students representing well known Sororities and Fraternities, so our teens were up against the best.

The Bermudians performed like pros, with well choreographed routines, lots of energy and stage presence. The icing on the cake was a black light finale that knocked everyone's socks off. The crowd that had given the cordial reception during the introduction was now on its feet, cheering and applauding. They were the only ones to get a "Standing Ovation''. Hats off to their teachers Rachael Smith and David Minors for organising such a successful trip. My cousin and I attended and we both felt very proud as we sat in the crowd wearing t-shirts that said "Be Happy, Be Bermudian''. Please join us in congratulating our young people. We must support them in these positive ventures.

STEPHANIE IN ATLANTA Patience is a virtue May 1, 2000 Dear Sir, I would like to comment on the letter written by Mr. Joseph W. Cummings of Bristol, Rhode Island, which appeared in The Royal Gazette on Saturday, April 29, 2000.

One word -- patience.

YOU MUSTN'T RUSH THEM Paget