It is troubling to think that as this is being written there are innocent toddlers happily playing at home, or at various nurseries, unaware that their future is under threat.

Under threat may seem somewhat strong especially when we are talking about an island known for its prosperity, beauty, and peace, even though our path of history has not been without events that produced conflict in the struggle to achieve a climate of justice for all.

Most of us are quite familiar with that history but despite tremendous progress involving challenging times for us all, there is still much work to be done to create a Bermuda toddlers can grow into with pride. Only the totally ill-informed could conclude that in the current climate toddlers, or for that matter adults, have nothing to be concerned about.

To be clear, saving Bermuda is not just a matter of how well we as a country can stay afloat economically, although that is a factor in a highly competitive global climate. Our leaders are charged with not only guiding the Country through troubled waters, but to do so with unbridled commitment to truth, decency, and fairness.

They are also charged with keeping the light of democracy burning, even if that light exposes something that falls terribly short of operating with open transparency for the good of the people this happens in the best of democratic governments.

Everyone knows if an unpleasant smell is detected in foodstuffs that something has gone off. To ignore that signal would be to risk food poisoning and possibly worse. It is not quite that simple in the world of politics where too often a controversial situation is glossed over because close examination could damage the image of one group or another.

That is one of the reasons the trust factor is not as high as it should be between the people and those involved in the political arena. That is not an across-the-board indictment on politicians collectively, but even they are aware that to the people, action speaks louder than words. In politics there are plenty of words that are not always backed up by action.

Bermuda is facing deeply troubling times as never seen before. Even the shiny new corporate buildings going up around the city cannot gloss that fact over. On the other hand it should also be a signal that our social infrastructure needs rebuilding big time to produce something toddlers today can later be proud of apart from beautiful buildings. It could mean examining everything we do and how we do it, no matter how sensitive that task may be.

Government should be extremely mindful that "could not be reached for comment" on a controversial subject goes down badly with the public, desperate for answers on matters concerning the people's business.

Politicians must be readily accountable if they hope to build a solid bridge between themselves and the public. With our small population, it is hard to believe there are so many gaps where there should be bridges.

If we fail to unify our best strengths for the good of the Country, we will resemble the crew on-board a ship fighting each other in the middle of a raging storm on the high seas.

It is not a time to push panic buttons, but it is certainly a time to pause and reflect as clear as possible, on how best to stem the tide of gang bloodshed and, more importantly to make every effort to prevent a new wave of youngsters slipping into the underworld culture of lawlessness and anger against basic codes of decency.

It is a tremendous responsibility that involves parents, schools, the clergy, Police, community groups, the media, and just about everyone who believes that Bermuda can be saved from a pattern of disrespect for law and order that has been erupting too often in too many parts of our society, often with deadly consequences.

Our vital tourist industry, which we know is far from the good old days, will be difficult to recapture if our product itself is shaky with repeated acts of violence. It would be like trying to lure customers into your store, without their knowledge of a fire in the store room. We know that would be wrong. We must move away from political bitterness and divisive tactics or we as a people will lose a golden opportunity to save our beautiful Country for those yet unborn. There could not be a greater priority.