there was no shortage of issues for Bermudians to contend with. And no shortage of rhetoric, if not always logic, to help them.

Here, in chronological order, are some of the year's more memorable quotes: "We've got to get over this hang-up that it's obscene for a business to make money.'' -- Mr. John Sainsbury, president of the Bermuda Employers' Council.

"I will do whatever is in the interests of the Country, and what is the wish of my party, and ultimately, the absolute control is the voter. I do not have a date set.'' -- Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan commenting on his possible retirement plans.

"These fellows are nothing but connivers and slickers. You'll be able to find the $17 million in their accounts.'' -- BIU president Mr. Ottiwell Simmons deriding record losses claimed by the Island's largest hoteliers.

"I do not consider this an escape. It was more a case of an inmate being late back.'' -- Prison Commissioner Mr. Milton Pringle downplaying the case of Derrick Eugene DeShields, who triggered a Police manhunt after he failed to return from a day release programme.

"At the moment, we're on a collision course; there's no two ways about it and it's totally unnecessary.'' -- BIU president Mr. Ottiwell Simmons predicting in January the labour unrest to come.

"There are many black professionals in the community who feel that they have been used and tossed on the junk heap. He was the black Moses who promised to deliver everyone to the Promised Land and he took them over the abyss.'' -- A former UBP official commenting on the same 10 years.

"There has never been a female Bishop. I'd love to see one in my lifetime. In most churches there is a larger number of women than men in the congregation.

It doesn't sound altogether proper that the majority of positions are held by men.'' -- Bishop Frank Cummings, president of the first district of AME churches.

"I would have needed the wisdom of Solomon and the strength of Hercules.'' -- Pc. Ramon Smith explaining in court why he did not try to stop the Luscious Lollipops sex show before a rowdy audience at the Prison Officers' Club.

"There's nothing spectacular in this report. The amount of money Government has wasted in producing this report is madness.'' -- Mr. Stanley Morton (PLP) crying foul over the $90,000 sports and recreation survey.

"The Hon. Sir John Swan should really not interpolate, because I never told him frankly of what role I know he played in my financial demise.'' -- Opposition MP Mr. Julian Hall setting off a storm in the House of Assembly.

"I am bothered to note the capacity of The Royal Gazette to dig up dirt.'' -- Sen. Ira Phillip condemning the newspaper's coverage of the Luscious Lollipops court case.

"Having received an abrasive and hysterical invitation from Mr. Lionel Pearman via The Workers Voice ... to examine the BIU's financial report, I unlike most muted politicians, have done so.'' -- Independent MP Mr. Harry Viera explaining his knowledge of union finances.

"Someone should be spanked and sent to the corner for this nonsense.'' -- Opposition leader in the Senate Sen. Alex Scott criticising the $90,000 sport and recreation survey by US polling company Penn and Schoen.

"We are not doom and gloom people. Dying is normal.'' -- Mrs. Hilary Soares, coordinator of Agape House, warning Bermuda to brace itself for AIDS.

"Looking at the long-term trend we are at a balance point, we are like a motorcar with its front wheels over a cliff, teetering on the edge of the precipice.'' -- Mr. Eldon Trimingham, president of one of Bermuda's largest stores, commenting on the economy.

"We can't have the tourist industry run by politicians. You need professionals in that position.'' -- Mr. Thomas Dickinson, president of the Chamber of Commerce, urging creation of a quasi-autonomous non-governmental agency (QUANGO) to take over the Tourism Ministry's function.

"Why didn't you pick on someone your own size?'' -- Chief Justice Sir James Astwood questioning George Keith Joell, 36, as he sentenced him for robbing a 93-year-old man.

"One of the hoteliers commented we had moved from a poor situation through a terrible situation into a disastrous situation, and he hoped for a return to the merely terrible.'' -- Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan describing "full and frank'' talks with hotel owners.

"What happened was an insult ... You get out of bed at four o'clock in the morning, and then you are asked to stand by.'' -- St. George's North MP Mr.

Phillip Smith angered by volunteer St. George's firefighters cooling their heels while Hamilton firefighters rushed to help tornado victims in St.

David's.

"Bermuda is in a crisis. The Island's hotel industry is foundering, crimes of violence are increasing, unemployment is at an all-time high, and people are stressed to the breaking point.'' -- Independent Sen. Joe Johnson calling on Bermudians to pull together.

"If Bermuda is considered by the modern tourist as a bore, we must make it more exciting.'' -- PLP MP Mr. Julian Hall suggesting Bermuda consider casino gambling.

"I grew up on Sesame Street. And I would love my daughter to grow up on it as well.'' -- A distraught mother reacting to news that Government had cut funding for the acclaimed children's programme.

"It is a great temptation in bad times to go for the quick fix.'' -- Shadow Tourism Minister the Hon. David Allen rejecting calls for a casino.

"Anybody who says there are no (race) problems is kidding himself. Bermuda is a fabulous place for work site integration. But once outside of the work place, it is common to attend parties with all blacks or all whites.'' -- Lawyer, and now Government Sen. Mr. Jerome Dill, as a UBP candidate in Pembroke West Central primary.

"I'm too sad to laugh and too old to cry.'' -- Approved UBP candidate Mr.

Elroy Ratteray after losing the primary to Mr. Dill in a close race.

"Master's got a New Nigger!'' -- Anonymous caption scrawled on a poster of newly-installed UBP Sen. Jerome Dill shaking hands with Deputy Premier the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto.

"Even I have got tired of my own voice saying for three and a half years that we'd been spending like drunken sailors, that we would have to cut back on our spending.'' -- Finance Minister the Hon. David Saul rejecting as "rubbish'' Opposition claims that Government had misled the Island over the state of the economy.

"The philosophy that guides our tourism is that no matter what benefits may occur, tourism is still a pollutant.'' -- Mr. Gary Phillips, Bermuda's tourism director, quoted in The Miami Herald.

"I was prepared to come here and spend money in the shops, but I haven't been able to because I've had to spend so much on taxi fares.'' -- Mrs. Constance Cameron of Chicago, during the BIU transport strike in late June.

"The union has been victorious.'' -- BIU president Mr. Ottiwell Simmons in calling for the end to an Island-wide strike.

"The story may be an interesting parable as to how Mr. Perot gets his own way. It shows how he deals with government agencies.'' -- A Time spokesman commenting on the dynamiting of a reef near the Tucker's Town home of Mr. Ross Perot.

"The Police and the Cabinet can stand on their heads and blow bubbles and express sympathy, but the damage will have been done.'' -- Sen. Trevor Woolridge (PLP) noting that freezing drug assets could destroy innocent people's lives.

"Candidly, what we are dealing with is a game of chess where every time we manoeuvre ourselves into a position of saying checkmate, the referee gives our opponents more pieces.'' -- Bermuda Forwarders lawyer Mr. Alan Dunch arguing that Government did not play fair in the company's dispute with the BIU.

"They set out to destroy and wreck 50 years of effort, sweat, and tears.'' -- BIU president Mr. Ottiwell Simmons accusing Government of conspiring to kill the union.

"If you think I've come here just to practise medicine, you couldn't be more incorrect. I have scores to settle, accounts to pull even.''-- Politician-to-be Dr. Ewart Brown declaring the UBP politically dead upon returning to the Island after a 28-year absence.

"We have already destroyed over 1,500 jobs in tourism and related industries as a result of industrial disputes during the past five years,'' -- Bank of Bermuda president Mr. Donald Lines talking to bank shareholders. Despite repeated requests from The Royal Gazette , the banker declined to prove his claim.

"I estimate 60 percent of the prison population is carrying the HIV virus. I base that on the rate of HIV carriers outside (prison) and the percentage of inmates who are drug abusers -- coupled with what happens inside.'' -- Mrs.

Sheelagh Cooper hinting at widespread homosexual activity behind prison walls.

"Homosexuality is almost impossible to practise in prison. Even if you get two homosexuals in a room, the two straight guys are not going to let the activity take place.'' -- A Casemates prisoner reacting.

"Racism is a white disease.'' -- PLP leader Mr. Freddie Wade commenting on the absence of whites at a Progressive Youth rally.

"Whenever we knock the BIU, perhaps we should think of the 6,000 people we work with.'' -- Bermuda Commercial Bank managing director Mr. Dick Francis.

"She's not a madonna, she's a cheap pornography model, that's all.'' -- Mrs.

Josie Ray of the Bermuda Bible Society reacting to rock star Madonna's book "Sex.'' "If I had to do this over again, I would not.'' -- Mrs. Robin Smith commenting on giving birth to quintuplets.

"Cabinet will have to instruct the man who chose honest arrogance over hypocritical humility, the Minister of Finance, to sort this dog's breakfast out.'' -- Independent MP Mr. Harry Viera demanding the BIU prove its Credit Union was in a healthy financial state.

"It shows Bermuda's two top sniffers knee-deep in dirt bending over backwards, or forwards, to prove that the people who made these complaints are a bunch of crazies.'' -- Sen. Ira Phillip (PLP) describing a photograph in The Royal Gazette showing Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan and Minister of Works the Hon. Clarence Terceira inspecting odour complaints near Victor Scott School.

"How the hell does the bank expect me to pay if they make me bankrupt?'' -- Mr. Julian Hall MP reacting to a Supreme Court writ from the Bank of Butterfield.

"I'm not going to say a word. We're in the middle of an investigation.'' -- ABC newsman Mr. Sam Donaldson showing concern over the public's right to know while filming the US Naval Air Station.

"We are like lepers. We have definitely got the plague.'' -- Second Class Petty Officer and US Naval Air Station whistle-blower Thomas William Coggins after ABC aired its `Club Med' programme.

"I think they will probably have had enough of a hard time being arrested, plus they must have had bad hangovers.'' -- Mayor the Wor. Henry Hayward ending the year on a generous note when explaining why St. George's would not prosecute two drunks who stole the town's Christmas tree. PHOTO Mr. Milton Pringle Mr. Alan Dunch.*l