DEAR EDITOR: On the eve of Carnival 2005, as Trinidad and Tobago begins to celebrate the greatest show on earth, letters to the editor and callers to the various call-in programmes are calling for a “cleaning up” of the annual event, isn't it too late now?

The comments and letters have varied from a religious/spiritual standpoint to an excessive over-indulgence of “spirits” to the almost nakedness of the human body, to the immorality displayed.

Each citizen is entitled to his (her) opinion on the issue, and then there are those who will tell you they have been preparing since last year to release some stress and tension built up all year round.

The present day Carnival has taken on a “Brazilian” type influence. The less costuming the better. Gone are the days of long, flowing capes and trails, now it's a swimsuit type outfit, adorned with beads and feathers, a standard, if necessary. How sad!

So that last year's costume resembles the present day, how do you differentiate?

As to human behaviour on Carnival days, our way of expression has changed and for the worse, Carnival is all about one big street party, where all and sundry get involved. It's all about doing your own thing, whatever that means.

So how are we going to clean up this mess, we ourselves have created? Where, and with whom do we begin?

Carnival is seen as a big commercial entity with millions of dollars in revenue that comes with it. Are we going to compromise our values/behaviour or are we going to generate income, which will it be?

Carnival means different things to different people, one caller, said “Ban Carnival!” Isn't that an extreme opinion? Why not lets “clean up” the festivity?

For some it's all about wine, women and song, while others choose to relax and rest. However you plan to celebrate over the next two days, be safe and have a happy and clean Carnival.

God bless our nation.

Ken Smith, Woodbrook

DEAR EDITOR: The Minister of Health has released a Carnival message in the newspapers and I quote from that message:

“Casual sex and risky sexual behaviour expose you to HIV/AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and even an unplanned pregnancy. As your Minister of Health, I appeal to you to THINK BEFORE YOU ACT and don't allow yourself to get carried away in the moment.”

Will Angostura please respond to the Minister's timely appeal by taking down all those terrible banners of women in suggestive poses wearing what has deliberately been designed and photographed to appear like nothing, in the name of encouraging the public to drink Black Label rum?

Has the Minister got the moral authority to persuade Angostura to take down those banners?

Come on Mr Minister, you are a man of action – here is a cause that concerned citizens would urge you to take on.

A Auguste, Maraval