Racism in The Bahamas

The spectre of racism
By ADRIAN GIBSON
ajbahama@hotmail.com


I pledge my allegiance to The Flag and to The Commonwealth of The Bahamas for which it stands, one people united in love and service.

- Bahamas' National Pledge of Allegiance

THE spectre of racism continues to linger in the Bahamas today, complemented by the emergence of a new, black oligarchy and an observable classism that further stratifies the nation along economic/class lines.

These days, there remain persons who, however subtly, continue to have an epidermal obsession, judging people on the hue of their skin (whether black or white) rather than adhering to Martin Luther King's magnanimous urging to assess a person based on the content of their character.

Undoubtedly, due to people imprudently judging others based on their skin tone, Bahamians across the spectrum of colours may have not had fair chances at jobs or bank loans.

Over time, our race relations have been shaped by issues such as slavery, minority rule and the fight for majority rule, mass illegal immigration (particularly from Haiti) and so on.

Although there is a maturing air of racial harmony in the Bahamas, there are occasions where antipathy and racism surfaces, particularly when self-seeking, narrow-minded politicians exploit the psychological effects of slavery and the racist injustices of the past.

In the years since the UBP's dismantlement, black Bahamians have become apprehensive about white Bahamians ascending to political power, mainly due to the angst that these Bahamians could have a stranglehold on both the economic and political structure, turn the country into some kind of racist backwater where the masses are oppressed and/or accrue more wealth in the process (something that several rapacious black politicians have also done).

According to former Director of Culture and College of the Bahamas (COB) lecturer Nicolette Bethel, the appointment of a "self-identified white Bahamian as Deputy Prime Minister has raised the fear that the oppressive force that was fractured in 1967 will return and change the Bahamas back to what it was before Majority Rule."

Nicolette Bethel asserts that the appointment of a "self-identified white Bahamian as Deputy Prime Minister has given white Bahamians a chance to feel as though they belong in The Bahamas again." (In the wake of US President Barack Obama's ascendancy to the Presidency in 2008--the first time for an African-American--I've decided to comprehensively explore the prospect of a white Bahamian such as Brent Symonette, or any other, ascending to the Prime Minister's post and, to an extent, the place of white Bahamians in local politics in next week's column).

Racism--a terminal disease--and classism has deepened the social divide and has led to the imposition of Judeo-Christian values that have caused the denigration of some indigenous culture and contributed to the ghettoisation and residential segregation of countless Bahamians in what historically are, in some cases, African heritage sites that have today evolved into crime-riddled, dirty war zones with sub-standard housing.

Indeed, while Judeo-Christian values have its merits, it could be because of such outside influences and historical ties to slavery, that some black Bahamians are mentally enslaved and in some instances become virtually fixated with bleaching their skin and/or, among themselves, comparing who has a lighter skin tone, with the lighter coloured persons being viewed as more beautiful or, as is proven sometimes, more likely to be presented with opportunities.

Does the rhetoric of racial propaganda echo the real social values inherent to Bahamian society as is seen during political rallies? Outside of politics, to what extent is race really an issue in the Bahamas today?

In the Bahamas, race issues and classism go beyond the sphere of political discourse, but also influence attitudes, social interaction and settlement patterns.

In New Providence, in some cases, there is little interaction for some people outside of a certain class/race of friends. Nicolette Bethel asserts that there is an unspoken air of separation along racial lines as "there are still churches and clubs and parks and professions and schools that are avoided by whites (and) blacks."

Having been raised on Long Island, while I can presume that some small-minded people possibly harbour restrained racial prejudices/thoughts, for the most part the island (particularly young people) is a melting pot with white and black Bahamians sprinkled in the various settlements and both black and "Conchy Joe" Bahamians rush with junkanoo groups, work together, inter-marry, patronise the same restaurants/clubs, etc.

While I have a diverse background and a heterogeneous group of friends, I've found that for some Nassauvians, there's an air of suspicion and a lack of interaction outside of established race/class groupings.

According to Alan Gary LaFlamme's 1972 study of the bi-racial community of Green Turtle Cay, he discovered that various forces, ranging from the relative physical isolation, residential segregation, segregated work schedules, recreational segregation to social distance, have kept the two ethnic groups apart.

LaFlamme asserts that, socially, there was a preference for socialising within one's own ethnic group and consequently concluded that as a result of this, cultural differences are maintained or even created and derived from differences in resources, personal association and shared ideas.

Christopher Curry, my former college lecturer and a white Bahamian historian who has recently returned from university where he pursued his doctoral studies, claims that on Green Turtle Cay, "even the Loyalist Memorial Garden erected by the whites in 1983 symbolises the community's racial segregation with its central icon a heroic Loyalist woman waving the union flag and a loyal female slave 'a suitable' step or two behind."

In a 2005 interview with another daily, when addressing his heritage and culture, even DPM Brent Symonette appeared to assert his disconnect and apparent cultural demarcation, stating: "My heritage is France, hence the name "Symonette.' France to England and possibly to Bermuda and then here. When Alfred Sears stood up and talked about Clifton, he painted this very emotional picture of the black slave captured in Africa (sic) and landing into freedom in The Bahamas. I didn't come that route. So my cultural history isn't based in the navel string of Mother Africa, so how can you ask me to celebrate that heritage?"

According to Mr Curry:

"Within New Providence, residential segregation is evident although racial lines in many instances have been obscured or even subsumed by class values. As such, professionally-trained and educated blacks were able to achieve upward mobility after majority rule, many moving out of the Over the Hill areas to more lavish housing in the eastern district or newly-developed sub-divisions in the southeast and western ends of the island.

"While it is true that there has been some integration by blacks into traditionally white communities, the degree of social interaction between the races is questionable.

"A recent survey in 2003 suggests that many Bahamians still prefer to live in ethnically homogenous communities. Accordingly, only 58 per cent of respondents lived in a residential area with persons of another race and only 50 per cent of persons living in an all white or all black community would consider living in a mixed residential area," he said.

Throughout several Family Island communities, a common thread of residential segregation and racial attitudes is entrenched, although young Bahamians are rapidly breaking the cycle. Michael Craton and Gail Saunders note in their historical work 'Islanders in the Stream' vol.II, that Spanish Wells was known as the most prejudiced of all the white communities, forbidding blacks from remaining on the island overnight.

Chris Curry, who also conducted a survey/research on that island, states:

"Today, except for a handful of government officials the entire population of the original settlement remains 'Conchy Joe' white, the majority are blood relations and more than one quarter rejoice in the single surname Pinder. Similar configurations, (albeit with a higher 'sprinkling' of blacks) are also found on the offshore cays in the Abacos, including Guana Cay, Elbow Cay, Man o' War Cay and the mainland settlement of Cherokee. While the obvious and explicit forms of racism may have subsided in these communities, their values and preference for living apart from others encourages social distancing and latent forms of racism."

Two years ago, I watched a two-part CNN report that, while feeding into some stereotypes, delved into the topic of being "Black in America" and attempted to examine interracial relationships, AIDs statistics, educational gaps, successful black Americans, unemployment and the inability of educated black women to find an educated or employed mate of equal footing. Even more recent, I watched the sequel to that earlier report as well as another CNN special report that purported to address the issue of debt among black families.

While racism/classism may exist in both the US and here, by contrast, it appears that black Bahamians have a greater sense of self-worth and equality unlike some black Americans who appear to have an inferiority complex and a mental enslavement that has been overwhelmingly poisoned by hundreds of years in slavery and a vicious civil rights struggle.

Nevertheless, America's race relations appears to be improving, and the presidency of Barack Obama, in this industrialized nation where the majority of its population is Caucasian, is indicative of this.

Frankly, when looking at the racial tensions in the US, persons such as Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson and the late, white US Senators Jesse Helms and Strom Thurmond, have contributed to racial divisions.

During President Obama's campaign, Jackson engaged in an uncensored tirade against the then Democratic-nominee's urging of blacks to plan families instead of bearing bastard children with multiple partners out of wedlock.

Indeed, it is because of opportunistic, monied so-called black leaders such as these purveyors of disharmony that some black Americans have adopted a racially contemptuous psyche and, in some cases, an outlook that isn't appreciative of hard work and blames the white man for everything (and this does not excuse injustices or racism by whites).

Locally, although the unambiguous and overt forms of racism may have receded since Majority Rule and constitutional changes, the continuance of residential segregation and what appears to be a general lack of interaction between the ethnic and class groupings is noteworthy.

In 2006, Helen Klonaris, a Greek Bahamian, noted that race is "a conversation that white Bahamians by and large, either want to dismiss, with common phrases such as 'I don't think about race,' 'race doesn't come into it,' or 'we're over that', or, become defensive and speak of 'reverse racism', that 'the tables have turned' and white people are now the victims of Black oppression."

Sir Durward Knowles' One Bahamas campaign is a noble idea, but it cannot be made a reality unless, as Christopher Curry suggests, "further discussion on the historical antecedents of racism in The Bahamas would provide a meaningful understanding of the present race issues that divide our great nation."

November 05, 2010

tribune242

The Parliamentary Commissioner’s Office is in need of a total overhaul

In the Face of Incompetence
By Felix Bethel
jonesbahamas



Things are clearly going from bad to worse when a senior public officer could blithely tell the public that he – in his capacity as Parliamentary Commissioner – could fix his mouth to admit [even before a critically important bye-election], that he could not verify the accuracy of the register for that election.

This is clear evidence of one other national disgrace!

And so we conclude by way of this extended commentary; and here we also note – and regrettably so – that, there are still some Bahamians who do not get it as discussions, debate and diatribe become fixtures in that matter currently being traded between the nation’s two premier leaders; the Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham and his parliamentary counter-part, the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie.

While, each -as an important leader in his own right- deserves credit and more for the service they have rendered to the State and to the Bahamian people.

But notwithstanding their joint record of service, they do themselves and their record a profound disservice when either engages or suffers others to engage in any discourse that borders on reeking of incivility.

Sadly, some of this has entered the conversation between the two men, their party supporters and a host of other Bahamians concerning what – if anything – should be done about how the Parliamentary Commissioner’s Office is manned, runs and performs.

Evidently, something is wrong in that office; and just as obviously, something must be done about the mess if the Bahamian people are to be left with the assurance that, this vitally important office is up to the task it has been assigned.

This is the sum, then, of the entire matter.

Here we can – of only for the record – some of what we still believe concerning this matter. As we noted in an earlier commentary on the same issue: [Now that] “The dust has settled and the five protested votes have been counted in the bye-election in the Elizabeth constituency.

“Congratulations are in order for Mr. Ryan Pinder who is now the Member of Parliament-elect for that constituency…”

Interestingly, once the Elizabeth contest had been settled; it was revealed – as fact confirmed in the Elections Court – that, “…a high degree of incompetence prevails in the office of the Parliamentary Commissioner…”

This was part of the reasoned and fact-based conclusions arrived at by two senior Justices, Mrs. Anita Allen and Mr. Jon Isaacs in a well written judgment said: "Again, this process has exposed failures, omissions and errors on the part of the Parliamentary Commissioner and his staff which may, if not corrected, threaten the fairness of the electoral process and ultimately our democracy…”

There is nothing here that begs for either debate or dispute.

Simply put, the judges spoke and wrote the truth; and as such, their opinions should have factored into subsequent action.

As far as we are aware, no one did anything.

And so, today in a time of heat, recrimination and unnecessary name calling, other snide remarks, bluster and windy rhetoric; little yet is being done to fix the things that have been left broken in the Parliamentary Commissioner’s Office.

Yet again, we repeat – and therefore reiterate for emphasis – a point previously made when we indicated that, “…It is not an answer to say that the Parliamentary Commissioner did not have resources to do what he is mandated by the law to do. No court can accept that as an explanation for disenfranchising a voter."

Indeed, as is to be underscored, “…This is the second time since the 2007 general elections that the Parliamentary Commissioner came in for such scathing criticism from the same two Judges…”

Something here smacks either of contempt or reeks of the crassest kind of Bahamian-styled incompetence!

But for sure, we are quite persuaded that, “This is a clear indictment on our parliamentary democracy. It is also shameful that the Parliamentary Commissioner is upbraided again. This time there must be consequences…”
At that juncture, we called for the immediate removal of the current Parliamentary Commissioner and for the Minister with responsibility for that department to accept full responsibility for the debacle which took place.

As the record shows, that just did not happen.

Indeed, it seemed to us that ours was but one voice that cried out its truth; albeit from the depths of a wilderness.

But wilderness or no wilderness, we remain adamant in our conclusion that, the Parliamentary Commissioner’s Office is in need of a total overhaul. And for sure, when that process is complete; it should be seen and felt that, those who do so understand and respect – as fact- that when judges speak; their reasoned judgments should be factored into whatever ultimately transpires.

And so, like others who too have a say in matters such as these; we would prefer less diatribe, less windy rhetoric and more real action.

November 5th, 2010

jonesbahamas

Bahamas Blog International

The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) is no messiah

PLP must do more than march
thenassauguardian editorial


The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP)?is marching with some of its supporters on Thursday from the party’s Farrington Road headquarters, just down the street to the Parliamentary Registration Department, in an effort to register voters.

The most significant thing the opposition could do to get people to vote, however, is to come up with policies that inspire.

The opposition has been a vocal critic of the government over the past three-and-a-half years. But it has not been as enthusiastic a propagator of policy solutions to the country’s problems.

The Bahamian economy has not grown since 2007. The country is on pace for a third homicide record in three years. The government is now racking up considerable amounts of debt in order to keep an inefficient public service.

There are many issues facing The Bahamas.

The most urgent initiative the PLP should put full effort in to is finishing the its manifesto. Once done the party would have something to say to the voters beyond the utterance of criticisms of Free National Movement (FNM) policies.

Speaking to members of the PLP, there appears to be a sense that the opposition will win the next general election just because things are bad. Recent evidence does not support this misplaced sense of confidence, however.

With the country facing so many challenges, and there being few reasons for optimism, the PLP barely won the Elizabeth by-election in February. The opposition was only able to secure a three-vote margin of victory in the Election Court during these times.

Bahamians have been governed by the PLP for 30 years out of the last 43 years. The people are very familiar with PLP rule. They remember the nation building and drug-related corruption allegations under the old PLP. They remember the economic growth and the inability of Perry Christie to maintain discipline under the new PLP.

The PLP is no messiah. No one will run to it just because things are bad. It has a track record with just as many failures as accomplishments.

For this PLP to win the support of the electorate, it must offer solutions. It has an advantage the government does not during this pre-election period: It does not have to govern and it can plan.

The PLP should be able to offer to Bahamians, no later than the middle of 2011, a detailed manifesto of solutions. On the issue of crime, for example, the party should be able to set targets for crime reduction if it has confidence in what it is suggesting.

A party with such a long history, and a leader whose likely popularity rating is not that high, should not assume victory is on the way. It needs to offer something new to the people, as what it offered in 2007 was rejected.

11/3/2010

thenassauguardian editorial

Bahamas Blog International

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham defends the integrity of parliamentary commissioner Errol Bethel

thenassauguardian
PM: Christie ‘unmanly’


As Parliamentary Commissioner Errol Bethel focuses his attention on the creation of a new voters register, he has become the center of a growing firestorm, with Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham last night calling Opposition Leader Perry Christie ‘cowardly’ and unmanly’ for the Progressive Liberal Party’s recent ‘attack’ on Bethel.

The Free National Movement’s statement quoting Ingraham — who is in Barbados to attend the state funeral of the late Prime Minister David Thompson — came nearly one month after the PLP said it noted with ‘great alarm’ that the government was retaining the services of ‘discredited’ Errol Bethel as parliamentary commissioner.

The PLP said, “The Election Court criticized the parliamentary commissioner in the Pinewood case, where it was found that the egregious errors in the register threatened the ‘integrity of the electoral process’ and ‘the fundamental basis of our parliamentary democracy’.

“The scathing criticism in the Pinewood case was sufficient in our view to (at the very least) cause the parliamentary commissioner to be transferred to another post. Most recently the same parliamentary commissioner was criticized by the Election Court in the Elizabeth case.”

But the FNM statement said, “The PLP’s latest attack on the integrity of the parliamentary registrar is the latest gimmick by a desperate and frustrated party. Despite their attempts to disguise their massive incompetence in office and reckless irresponsibility in opposition, the facts speak louder than the PLP’s empty words. “

Prime Minister Ingraham noted that though issued in the name of the PLP, Christie had to accept full responsibility for the ‘distortions’ in the release.

In its release, the PLP said, “We agree that the fairness of the electoral process and our democracy is under threat.

“But despite this the FNM intends to retain Mr. Bethel. We believe that the holder of the office of parliamentary commissioner should be beyond reproach and also beyond the appearance of reproach. Unfortunately, despite the statements of the Election Court and the admissions of Mr. Bethel, the FNM doggedly intends to retain Mr. Bethel in the same way the prime minister refused to accept the resignation of the minister of the environment (Earl Deveaux).

“The current parliamentary commissioner should be transferred, in the public interest, and a new and competent parliamentary commissioner appointed so as to ensure the integrity of the registration process and of the register.”

But in the FNM’s statement, the prime minister observed that Bethel was first appointed to the Parliamentary Registration Department under a PLP administration.

Bethel held the position of parliamentary commissioner in 1997 when the FNM was re-elected to office, in 2002 when the PLP was elected, and remained in the post during the 2007 general election, when the FNM was re-elected.

Ingraham emphasized that the PLP had no prior objections to Mr. Bethel. He noted that the PLP had not sought to replace Bethel ahead of the 2007 general election, which was organized and run on its watch.

According to the FNM’s statement, “Ingraham lamented that it was cowardly and unmanly for Mr. Christie to attempt to shift blame for his inaction, laziness and failures in office to a dedicated public servant.

“It was Mr. Christie who was solely responsible for disregarding and ignoring the constitutional requirements regarding the timely appointment of the Boundaries Commission.

“It was Mr. Christie and his party who were late again in redrawing constituency boundaries. It was Mr. Christie and the PLP who were late in presenting the Commission’s report to Parliament.”

The FNM statement said the reality is that in a 15 year period during which three general elections were held, the only time that confusion developed with the parliamentary registrar was on Christie’s watch.

Still, the PLP continues to blame Bethel for the confusion in the preparation of the 2007 parliamentary register, it added.

“The prime minister reminds Mr. Christie, who should know better, that the parliamentary commissioner has no ability to influence the timing of the appointment of the Boundaries [Commission] or the redrawing of the boundaries or the Commission’s report to Parliament,” the FNM said.

Ingraham reiterated his confidence in the commissioner and his staff.

The prime minister said that if the PLP believes it left a clean parliamentary register in place in 2007, the FNM would be happy to hold new elections on the existing register.

11/3/2010

thenassauguardian

Bahamas Blog International

Hubert Ingraham versus Perry Christie - and the emerging Chinese superpower

Another Watershed for Ingraham & Christie
by Simon
bahamapundit


Hubert Ingraham arrived in China in a strong and enviable position. Much of this comes from the office he holds as Prime Minister of a strategically-located Bahamas with diverse and impressive assets relative to our size.

Moreover, a considerable amount of the Prime Minister’s strengthened position is rooted in his character and experience, including a combination of international experience and domestic credibility.

The posture with which Mr. Ingraham has travelled to the emerging Chinese superpower is in obvious and stark contrast to the posture with which former Prime Minister Perry Christie would have made this journey.

Mr. Christie would have gone in a considerably weaker position for reasons rooted in his political character, including an operating style marked by indecision and pandering.

Whereas Mr. Ingraham enters into a negotiation with some inscrutability and poker-faced, Mr. Christie is generally an easy mark, easy to read and easy to push over. Bahamians know that Mr. Ingraham will always drive a harder bargain while Mr. Christie is prone to give away the store.

Domestic Credibility: On the eve of his departure for China, Mr. Ingraham and his predecessor, Opposition Leader, Perry Christie each held a press conference. In tone and substance they were a study in contrast.

Mr. Ingraham noted that Baha Mar was among one of a wide range of issues on the agenda during his trip. The Leader of the Opposition’s press conference focused almost exclusively on Baha Mar, with little reference to various other bilateral matters. Yet, what they both said about Baha Mar was revealing.

WATERSHED

The debate over Baha Mar has been another watershed for these former law partners and cabinet colleagues. The current debate is etching into the national consciousness the essential differences between the men in terms of vision, character and governance.

In his brief statement at a press conference in which Dr. Bernard Nottage took the lead in outlining the PLP’s position on Baha Mar, Mr. Christie left little doubt that he would have headed to China mostly as the gushing representative of Baha Mar.

In one of the most disturbing public performances by someone who served as prime minister, Mr. Christie all but abandoned the national interest in the favour of a private interest. It is an interest that has repeatedly demonstrated that it lacked the vision, track record and wherewithal to redevelop Cable Beach. Indeed, Baha Mar has repeatedly failed to meet various deadlines over the course of several years.

Just in September, Mr. Sarkis Izmirlian, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Baha Mar spoke at a 25th anniversary event marking the China State Construction and Engineering Company’s presence in the United States.

“As some of you may know, my family and I have a vision for the country of The Bahamas, and its huge potential for tourism. We were approached by the Bahamian Government to consider redeveloping a beautiful area of Nassau called Cable Beach.”

Mr. Izmirlian also spoke glowingly that a successful Baha Mar project would “showcase to the world China State’s ability to deliver an intricately designed, and complex, resort metropolis on a somewhat remote island in The Caribbean.”

So, what exactly is Mr. Izmirilian’s vision for The Bahamas, and when exactly did we outsource that vision to a private developer? And, when did New Providence become a “somewhat remote island in the Caribbean?”

Mr. Izmirlian may want to check this bit of condescension and take note that many Bahamians do not find his vision for Cable Beach in the country’s broader interest. But it is not primarily Mr. Izmirlian who the Bahamian people are questioning.

EQUITABLE DEAL

Bahamians continue to wonder why Mr. Christie and the PLP chose the family in question to redevelop one of the more valued tourism sites in the country. Whatever the reasons, the PLP cannot shirk responsibility for the fact that it is because of that choice that we are in the position we are today. Because of Baha Mar’s lack of resources, the company turned to China for financing.

The genesis and convoluted nature of the Baha Mar project rest with Mr. Christie. As the drama at Baha Mar continues to unfold, Mr. Christie and the PLP have delivered a series of mixed and often incoherent messages. This rambling has damaged their domestic credibility on Baha Mar and related matters.

While Mr. Ingraham has repeatedly stressed that his overriding concern is an equitable deal for The Bahamas, the PLP and Mr. Christie have shown divided loyalties on the Baha Mar project. Sometimes, their posturing and pandering has been comical.

Having agreed to Chinese workers building the new National Stadium and signalling that they would agree to a considerable Chinese presence to build Baha Mar, the PLP voted against allowing Chinese workers to construct the Gateway Road Project.

Never mind that there would be Bahamian workers on the road project and that the terms of the loan were quite generous. The PLP sought to score a political brownie point and ride a wave of hysteria about a Chinese takeover. Not only did most Bahamians see through such an obvious ploy, so did the Chinese Government.

In striking contrast, Ingraham has demonstrated to the Chinese that while he is prepared to do business with them, that it must be mutually beneficial to both countries. He has refrained from any China-bashing in order to pander to some elements of the populace. Undoubtedly, the Chinese have taken note.

The Chinese must also be bemused and amused by Mr. Christie’s chest-thumping on the National Stadium. The stadium is a typical gift of the Chinese Government after the launch of diplomatic relations with a developing country.

In this case, those relations were established during a previous Ingraham administration. Moreover, even after the offer of a national stadium, the Christie administration, in typical fashion, failed to get the construction started.

FAVOURABLE COMMENTARY

The Prime Minister’s tough pre-trip stance to the Chinese Government of what may be acceptable regarding Baha Mar has earned him favourable commentary in various quarters in the Caribbean. Most Bahamians are relieved that it is Mr. Ingraham and not Mr. Christie who has journeyed to China to negotiate on the country’s behalf.

International Experience: Mr. Ingraham’s domestic credibility boosts and mirrors his credibility with the Chinese Government. That credibility is reinforced by Mr. Ingraham’s decisiveness. Reportedly, the Chinese were as frustrated by Mr. Christie’s late-again manner as were the Bahamian people.

Mr. Ingraham appointed two senior figures as Bahamian Ambassador to China, including Sir Arthur Foulkes who was non-resident and former cabinet minister Elma Chase Campbell, the first resident Ambassador. While the PLP did eventually send a resident diplomat to China, it took a while and he was a relatively junior civil servant.

It is a no-brainer for the Chinese which Bahamian leader they trust to talk straight to them. It is the man and the leader of the party which, in 1997, inaugurated diplomatic relations with the most populous country on earth. It decidedly is not the leader of the party that was about to send an ambassador to Taiwan if it had won re-election.

The Chinese also respect seniority. This is the Prime Minister’s second official visit to China, his first having occurred 13 years ago. Mr. Ingraham’s international resume is extensive as a senior head of government in the Americas. He has served as Chairman of Caricom on various occasions, where he is the senior leader in the regional grouping.

Prime Minister Ingraham has overseen the bilateral interests of The Bahamas with three American Presidents from Bill Clinton to George W. Bush to Barack Obama. Recently, he was elected to chair the Boards of Governors of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group.
One of the press reports following Mr. Ingraham’s election noted: “The chairman’s country should also be in good standing in the international community, and the person selected to be chairman is expected to be widely respected among finance and development officials.”

The Chinese will have all of this information in their briefing notes on Mr. Ingraham as he and his delegation travel from Hong Kong to Beijing to Shanghai and are hosted at various meals.

They will find in Hubert Ingraham an appreciative guest. Yet, they will also discover, like Mr. Izmirlian, that the current Bahamian Prime Minister will not be swayed by pomp and circumstance or flattery and a few nice meals.

bahamapundit

Bahamas Blog International

Term limits need to be enshrined in The Bahamian constitution...

Term limits needed in The Bahamas
thenassauguardian editorial




The Westminster political system does not call for term limits. Candidates can offer for the job as prime minister as many times as they wish.

There are supposed to be several checks and balances in the system, however, which ensure no one person is able to stay on in the post in perpetuity.

The main check should be competitive democratic political parties. If many candidates have a chance to be leader, it would be difficult for ineffective leaders, or those past their prime, to stay on.

In The Bahamas, and in the democratic developing world in general, we lack this important component of an evolved political culture.

Hubert Ingraham has led the Free National Movement for most of the last two decades. The party has tied its fate to him. Ingraham is the FNM.
Since 1959, the Progressive Liberal Party and the communist regime in Cuba have something in common: Both entities have had only two leaders. Perry Christie and Sir Lynden have been the only two PLP leaders over that period.

Any discussion of term limits in The Bahamas is often perceived as a condemnation of Ingraham who is serving in his third, non-consecutive term in office. This is not. He has done well during his years in public service.

However, no country or business survives and thrives in the long-term if it relies on the leadership of one man.

Founders of businesses eventually cede control to executives and boards. No matter how talented the individual, time and exhaustion catch up with us all.

All leaders, commercial and political, begin to lose touch with the moods, desires and aspirations of the people as time goes by.

It would seem reasonable that the term limit for the post of prime minister be set at two or three terms. This would mean no person could serve as PM for more than 10 or 15 years.

The United States was forced to set limits on holding the office of president after Franklin D. Roosevelt won his fourth term. He died in office. Two terms is now the law in the U.S.

Term limits need to be enshrined in The Bahamian constitution so that no political party could change the rules to the benefit of the party.

11/1/2010

thenassauguardian editorial

Bahamas Blog International

Terry Bain - spokesman for Save The Exuma Park (STEP) committee has criticised the Bahamas National Trust for not opposing dredging and excavation at Bell Island in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park...

Call for ban on development in national parks
By MEGAN REYNOLDS
Tribune Staff Reporter
mreynolds@tribunemedia.net

AN EXUMA activist has criticised The Bahamas National Trust for not opposing dredging and excavation at Bell Island in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park as he calls for development in all national parks to be banned.

Terry Bain, spokesman for Save The Exuma Park (STEP) committee, is outraged at the granting of permission to dredge and excavate more than 13 acres of land and seabed around Bell Island in the Exuma park and the apparent compliance of the Bahamas National Trust (BNT).

Mr Bain spoke out on behalf of STEP's 180 members at a public meeting called by the BNT in Great Exuma last Thursday to discuss the Bell Island development with members of the community.

He said it was not made clear at the meeting that the Department of Physical Planning had already granted permission to excavate 4.32 acres of upland area for a yacht basin, 2.56 acres of seabed for an outer channel, 4.28 acres of marine area for a barge landing and a further 1.9 acres of seabed for the outer area of the barge landing on September 21.

Local tour boat operators spoke out at the meeting claiming dredging is already being done at Bell Island; claims flatly denied at the meeting by BNT executive director Eric Carey.

Conditions of the permit state an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) must be approved by the Bahamas Environment, Science and Technology (BEST) Commission before work can begin, and the EMP is expected by Mr Carey this week.

Plans were submitted by Islands of Discovery Ltd after Islamic spiritual leader and billionaire Prince Karim Aga Khan IV bought the island last year.

Details of the development emerged as Environment Minister Earl Deveaux confirmed he had accepted the offer of free transportation in the Aga Khan's helicopter to travel to Abaco with his wife and two friends to attend a public event before going on to Bell Island to conduct a land assessment the next day. In answer to his critics, Minister Deveaux said that in no way did this courtesy by the Aga Khan to make it possible for him to attend the two meetings -- one in Abaco, the other in Bell Island -- influence his decision on the Bell Island application.

It was also alleged by Tribune sources that the Aga Khan donated $1 million to the BNT after he purchased the island.

Mr Carey has issued no comment on the donation claim, however a BNT statement on the development maintains: "Every landowner in the park has contributed generously to the funding of the BNT."

Mr Bain said: "The Trust has gone along with every development in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, and I have been trying to save the Trust from themselves by trying to keep development out of the parks."

STEP has been lobbying for an amendment in the BNT Act to prevent development in the Exuma park and all national parks across the Bahamas since the group was founded 17 years ago.

But recent amendments passed in Parliament do not include such changes, and STEP now continues to fight a battle Mr Bain says the BNT should fight for itself.

The activist of Farmer's Cay, Exuma, further stated how locals and fishermen find development in the 176 square mile park hard to accept as they are prohibited from taking anything within its boundaries.

In an editorial column published in The Exuma Breeze this month, Mr Bain called on all Bahamians to speak out against development in the Exuma park and all national parks.

October 29, 2010

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