Rough Cut
By Felix F. Bethel
The Bahama Journal
What I am trying to say is that something is dreadfully wrong in this place where the police can apparently get away with killing people who – for whatever reason –cross them.
Something has got to be wrong when the people are afraid of the police. And as far as I am concerned, the people are afraid of the police because of the fact that far too many people have been killed at the hands of the police.
And as far as I am concerned, far too many police officers are allowed to carry guns/ and for sure –as the record attests and confirms – far too many law-abiding citizens are losing confidence in the men and women to whom they should be looking for protection.
Another Thursday and –yet again- one day closer to the time when Jesus will come and put an end to all this damned foolishness.
What I’m trying to say is that I am sick and tired of all the killing; sick and tired of all the lies I am told –day in and day out.
And Lord knows - I am sick and tired of all those fine citizens – who even as they call for justice on behalf of some lost soul- are writhing in the coils of bloody vengeance.
In one telling instance, a fine Christian lady told me that if she ever had the opportunity she would use it wisely; and that she would lynch the man who killed her grandson.
When I tried to explain that this would make her a killer, she dismissed me and all that I had to say, noting that I was too smart for my own good, with all that God-talk in my head and in my mouth.
But since she is still my beloved sister in Christ, my fervent prayers continue for both this woman and her family; and so, even as I note this or that in aid of helping bringing peace to this troubled land that is mine; I tell you that, another Black man is now dead.
Take note that, Sharmoco Newbold is dead; having been wasted – some say- by a police man.
In time, we might all have some idea; some bit of information concerning why he had to die as he did when he bit the dust as he did, this Saturday past.
But in the meanwhile as we await the coming of that day when truth is revealed; take note that, having thought deeply about the matter on today’s agenda, I am prepared to argue that, this land that is ours is an infernal kind of place – an archipelagic necropolis; a place where Death reigns and lurks; triumphant with the results of carnage unleashed.
Having thought deeply about the matter on today’s agenda, I am prepared to argue that, this land that is ours is an infernal kind of place – an archipelagic necropolis; a place where Death lurks and for sure, our land has become –inch by bloody inch - a place where thugs in uniform routinely kill unarmed citizens.
Indeed, today’s exotic-erotic Bahamas is a hellish, messed up kind of place. It is a place where you can get killed for apparently no real reason.
It is a fact that, "The shooting death of 18-year-old Brenton Smith has raised questions as to whether the armed members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force have adequate firearms training to ensure they react properly to high-pressure situations or whether some are "trigger- happy" officers whose first instinct is to pull the trigger.
Now know that, "It was just before 8 pm on a warm summer's evening -- on the cusp of the country's 36th Independence anniversary -- when the 2008 graduate of St Augustine's College walked with a friend through a popular shortcut used by many in the Kemp Road area. The path led to the nearby City Market food store on Village Road.
"He was in a hurry to flag down a jitney before it got dark and warned his friend not to make him late for his younger sister's singing recital. "But he never made it there…"
As I now imagine things – even as Brenton tried to find his way to his sister’s recital, the death angels hovered about in the immediate vicinity of that food-store that had been robbed in that same time as Hector Brenton just happened to be passing by.
The rest of the story is simple enough – Brenton was laid low by police gun-fire.
Today, Brenton Hector Smith is still dead.
The police officer who killed him is alive and well and working as a police officer. And from all that I currently suspect, this officer is armed.
While I have no basis on which to pin a judgment or opinion to the effect that this man is dangerous; I hope that his path and mine never cross.
Or to be a tad more charitable, I hope to see him on the Judgment Day – and then only so that I can get an opportunity to get the real story as to how it came to be that Hector Brenton Smith was destroyed -as he was – where he was on that fateful night when a police officer was man enough to kill him. Even now, some of my fellow-Bahamians do verily believe that Hector Brenton Smith was killed in cold blood.
For my part, I just do not know a thing about this.
What I do know is that a Coroner’s Jury did last Thursday – on a Thursday just like this one – did say that it was unanimous in its conclusion that the police officer with the gun had acted in his own self-defense when he apprehended that his life might be at danger; thus that one blast that sent Hector Brenton Smith to thy kingdom come – on a one way ticket to Oblivion. And so, that is how it is done in today’s stinking Bahamas.
I am today so very sorry for my people.
And on the basis of all that I know and believe – based on my faith in a Risen Savior- I am sure that I will see this student of mine on that day when Gabriel gets set to blow his trumpet.
I am also certain that the man who killed him will bow and confess to God Almighty for what he did when he did what he did on that fateful night when he shot the shot that felled the boy who was trying to find his way home through what he thought was a short-cut from one dead end road to another crime-infested street.
Little did Brenton know that the route he took was that one that would take him – in a flash of fire and in the stench of his own shed-blood – to that place where the dead congregate.
And the preacher-man said some days later: dust to dust and ashes to ashes and another young man’s remains were returned to the earth.
The same kind of thing happened for Jermaine Mackey’s family when they had to bury what was left of him in the aftermath of his death by police gun-fire on St. James Road in the Eastern District of this infernal island.
And then, there was that now-notorious case of a young man who was known as Sharky, but whose real name was Deron Bethel – this case being the one where –as he sat in his car and as he tried to get away from what was clearly a bad scene unfolding – he was shot through the heart.
He bled to death.
And even now, his mother grieves for the man-child who emerged – head-first- from her womb. Today this woman is grandchild to her dead son’s child – my God-son –Deron Bethel, Jr.
And still, blessed are the peacemakers.
November 25th, 2010
The Bahama Journal
A political blog about Bahamian politics in The Bahamas, Bahamian Politicans - and the entire Bahamas political lot. Bahamian Blogger Dennis Dames keeps you updated on the political news and views throughout the islands of The Bahamas without fear or favor. Bahamian Politicians and the Bahamian Political Arena: Updates one Post at a time on Bahamas Politics and Bahamas Politicans; and their local, regional and international policies and perspectives.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
The Parliament’s decision to unanimously approve Baha Mar’s request for 8,100 work permits is troubling...
Decision to approve Chinese work permits troubling
BY LYNDEN NAIRN
At the risk of prejudicing my views on this matter, let me remind your readers that “a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush”.
The Parliament’s decision to unanimously approve Baha Mar’s request for 8,100 work permits is troubling because it appears that all of the relevant factors were not considered or even known.
At the outset, I want to make it clear that Baha Mar has the right to invest whatever amount it wishes, wherever it wishes and whenever it wishes within the confines of our laws.
I also believe that consistent with the tenets of our capitalistic economy, Baha Mar has the right to make good and bad business decisions. It is not right, for instance, to deny approval of a Bahamian project on the basis that it would create a glut of room inventories in the marketplace, even though one would expect investors and their financiers to have regard for that possibility.
The labor issue is a significant problem not only because it robs Bahamians of maximizing their benefits from the project, and not only because on its face it puts Atlantis at a disadvantage, but because it represents a business deal that apparently could not be financed if the financier were not afforded certain privileges.
During Atlantis’ multiple phases, the government thought that it was in the best interest of the Bahamian people to require Atlantis’ labor component to be at a certain level. Undoubtedly, that imposition caused Atlantis to engage labor at a higher cost than it would if that condition did not exist.
A few years later, in order to ensure that financing is secured for a project, the government has decided to allow Baha Mar to engage almost three times the number of foreign workers as Atlantis. That circumstance means that Baha Mar is able to construct its facility at a lower cost than Atlantis.
That places Atlantis at a significant competitive disadvantage since the cost of construction drives capital requirements, financing costs, room rates and ultimately profitability. Whatever one’s opinion with respect to Atlantis and Baha Mar, one has to at the very least appreciate that this is a legitimate concern for Atlantis.
Indeed, it really ought to concern all of us since this state of affairs creates uncertainty in the minds of current local and international investors as to whether the government might change the playing field and render their business models not feasible.
This is a very dangerous matter and should not be brushed over in our effort to cause Baha Mar to happen. Atlantis’ investment is already in the ground — it is what it is. A decision by the government should not be the event that renders it less competitive — not in a capitalistic environment.
Some persons have criticized the agreement between Atlantis and the government. However, it needs to be remembered that businesspersons must seek to guard against the kind of risk that Atlantis faces today. Perhaps one is saying that such a deal is not in the country’s interest. The fact is though that no reasonable government should be afraid to execute such a deal since no reasonable government would wish to jeopardize a major investment project.
That said, I believe that the government has a moral responsibility to not grant a better deal to Baha Mar. Foreign and local investors must be able to trust that the government will ensure that the playing field is level at the time of their investment and after as well.
No investor, local or foreign, would wish to invest in an environment of uncertainty. This situation could jeopardize future investments in The Bahamas.
Indeed, Sir Sol Kerzner has already said that Atlantis phase four is unlikely. Already, therefore, the cost of granting Baha Mar 8,100 permits to construct a $2.6 billion hotel is $1 billion in future investments. The question is how many other projects will be deterred?
Moreover, if Atlantis’ phase four project were to reflect the Bahamian labor component that was imposed on it several years ago, they are likely to have engaged 3,500 Bahamians, the same number that Baha Mar will hire.
I also found it rather revealing that the labor cost allocated to the 3,500 Bahamians that Baha Mar intends to engage is $200 million over four years. That equates to $275 per week inclusive of national insurance and other benefits.
What is equally striking is that having increased the Bahamian component by $200 million, the Chinese labor component remains unchanged. Assuming that information is complete, and frankly there is no reason to believe that the Prime Minister was complete, then it simply means that Bahamians will be given contracts to procure materials. Assuming such materials are required to be sourced in China, then this amendment constitutes nothing.
What is more, if it is true that as the Prime Minister suggests, the additional $200 million is intended to move Baha Mar’s cost closer to Atlantis’, then what is the incremental cost of the Baha Mar development?
Now let’s say that Baha Mar makes the argument that its total development cost was not lowered as a result of the favorable labor allocation. That is quite possibly true, but does that make the government’s situation any better? Perhaps not.
Here is why: It is indisputable that the Chinese government’s decision to provide the financing is based on the excessive work permits and the sale of materials for that project. Therefore, the inducement takes place broadly at the level of financing, not at the level of project development cost.
That makes Atlantis’ argument even more compelling since in that instance the issue is not merely the competitive disadvantage that is driven by development cost, but the entire project. In other words, if in the absence the incremental incentives the Chinese would refuse to finance the project, the government has unwittingly given Baha Mar a financing advantage. Atlantis can therefore argue that the entire project represents an abandonment of the agreement, not just the additional labor and land cost that they incurred. Even commercial banks can argue that this deal places a competitive bar on them that they cannot reach.
I do not seek to carry water for Atlantis, much less commercial banks. I simply believe that it is essential for us to consider the consequences of the decisions we make.
The fact is that this arrangement has far reaching consequences. I only wish that the Christie administration and the Ingraham administration had not messed up Baha Mar’s original plans so badly. They owe Izmirlian, Atlantis and the Bahamian people an apology and even their resignations.
I now wish to consider a related but slightly different matter. Bahamians will recall that during the various construction phases of Atlantis, many persons argued that it was inappropriate to grant Atlantis all the incentives that were given. Undoubtedly, there were smaller investors, Bahamians and others, who felt that their business models were being threatened by the Atlantis subsidies or perhaps they felt that they should have received similar incentives, for whatever reason.
I believe a strong argument can be made by those who were aggrieved. That points to the fact that we need to have clearly defined concessions/incentives in order to create a level playing field and remove uncertainty and arbitrariness from the process. The latter leaves too much room for abuse and under the table dealings. Furthermore, deals should not be made in secret and persons who benefit in any way as lawyers, developers, etc., should not vote in our Parliament on these specific matters.
• Lynden Nairn is a Chartered Accountant, and president of Colina General Insurance.
11/24/2010
thenassauguardian
BY LYNDEN NAIRN
At the risk of prejudicing my views on this matter, let me remind your readers that “a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush”.
The Parliament’s decision to unanimously approve Baha Mar’s request for 8,100 work permits is troubling because it appears that all of the relevant factors were not considered or even known.
At the outset, I want to make it clear that Baha Mar has the right to invest whatever amount it wishes, wherever it wishes and whenever it wishes within the confines of our laws.
I also believe that consistent with the tenets of our capitalistic economy, Baha Mar has the right to make good and bad business decisions. It is not right, for instance, to deny approval of a Bahamian project on the basis that it would create a glut of room inventories in the marketplace, even though one would expect investors and their financiers to have regard for that possibility.
The labor issue is a significant problem not only because it robs Bahamians of maximizing their benefits from the project, and not only because on its face it puts Atlantis at a disadvantage, but because it represents a business deal that apparently could not be financed if the financier were not afforded certain privileges.
During Atlantis’ multiple phases, the government thought that it was in the best interest of the Bahamian people to require Atlantis’ labor component to be at a certain level. Undoubtedly, that imposition caused Atlantis to engage labor at a higher cost than it would if that condition did not exist.
A few years later, in order to ensure that financing is secured for a project, the government has decided to allow Baha Mar to engage almost three times the number of foreign workers as Atlantis. That circumstance means that Baha Mar is able to construct its facility at a lower cost than Atlantis.
That places Atlantis at a significant competitive disadvantage since the cost of construction drives capital requirements, financing costs, room rates and ultimately profitability. Whatever one’s opinion with respect to Atlantis and Baha Mar, one has to at the very least appreciate that this is a legitimate concern for Atlantis.
Indeed, it really ought to concern all of us since this state of affairs creates uncertainty in the minds of current local and international investors as to whether the government might change the playing field and render their business models not feasible.
This is a very dangerous matter and should not be brushed over in our effort to cause Baha Mar to happen. Atlantis’ investment is already in the ground — it is what it is. A decision by the government should not be the event that renders it less competitive — not in a capitalistic environment.
Some persons have criticized the agreement between Atlantis and the government. However, it needs to be remembered that businesspersons must seek to guard against the kind of risk that Atlantis faces today. Perhaps one is saying that such a deal is not in the country’s interest. The fact is though that no reasonable government should be afraid to execute such a deal since no reasonable government would wish to jeopardize a major investment project.
That said, I believe that the government has a moral responsibility to not grant a better deal to Baha Mar. Foreign and local investors must be able to trust that the government will ensure that the playing field is level at the time of their investment and after as well.
No investor, local or foreign, would wish to invest in an environment of uncertainty. This situation could jeopardize future investments in The Bahamas.
Indeed, Sir Sol Kerzner has already said that Atlantis phase four is unlikely. Already, therefore, the cost of granting Baha Mar 8,100 permits to construct a $2.6 billion hotel is $1 billion in future investments. The question is how many other projects will be deterred?
Moreover, if Atlantis’ phase four project were to reflect the Bahamian labor component that was imposed on it several years ago, they are likely to have engaged 3,500 Bahamians, the same number that Baha Mar will hire.
I also found it rather revealing that the labor cost allocated to the 3,500 Bahamians that Baha Mar intends to engage is $200 million over four years. That equates to $275 per week inclusive of national insurance and other benefits.
What is equally striking is that having increased the Bahamian component by $200 million, the Chinese labor component remains unchanged. Assuming that information is complete, and frankly there is no reason to believe that the Prime Minister was complete, then it simply means that Bahamians will be given contracts to procure materials. Assuming such materials are required to be sourced in China, then this amendment constitutes nothing.
What is more, if it is true that as the Prime Minister suggests, the additional $200 million is intended to move Baha Mar’s cost closer to Atlantis’, then what is the incremental cost of the Baha Mar development?
Now let’s say that Baha Mar makes the argument that its total development cost was not lowered as a result of the favorable labor allocation. That is quite possibly true, but does that make the government’s situation any better? Perhaps not.
Here is why: It is indisputable that the Chinese government’s decision to provide the financing is based on the excessive work permits and the sale of materials for that project. Therefore, the inducement takes place broadly at the level of financing, not at the level of project development cost.
That makes Atlantis’ argument even more compelling since in that instance the issue is not merely the competitive disadvantage that is driven by development cost, but the entire project. In other words, if in the absence the incremental incentives the Chinese would refuse to finance the project, the government has unwittingly given Baha Mar a financing advantage. Atlantis can therefore argue that the entire project represents an abandonment of the agreement, not just the additional labor and land cost that they incurred. Even commercial banks can argue that this deal places a competitive bar on them that they cannot reach.
I do not seek to carry water for Atlantis, much less commercial banks. I simply believe that it is essential for us to consider the consequences of the decisions we make.
The fact is that this arrangement has far reaching consequences. I only wish that the Christie administration and the Ingraham administration had not messed up Baha Mar’s original plans so badly. They owe Izmirlian, Atlantis and the Bahamian people an apology and even their resignations.
I now wish to consider a related but slightly different matter. Bahamians will recall that during the various construction phases of Atlantis, many persons argued that it was inappropriate to grant Atlantis all the incentives that were given. Undoubtedly, there were smaller investors, Bahamians and others, who felt that their business models were being threatened by the Atlantis subsidies or perhaps they felt that they should have received similar incentives, for whatever reason.
I believe a strong argument can be made by those who were aggrieved. That points to the fact that we need to have clearly defined concessions/incentives in order to create a level playing field and remove uncertainty and arbitrariness from the process. The latter leaves too much room for abuse and under the table dealings. Furthermore, deals should not be made in secret and persons who benefit in any way as lawyers, developers, etc., should not vote in our Parliament on these specific matters.
• Lynden Nairn is a Chartered Accountant, and president of Colina General Insurance.
11/24/2010
thenassauguardian
Chickens Coming Home to Roost
The Bahama Journal Editorial
Something is dreadfully wrong in this small nation of ours.
Sadly, much of that new information has to do with one bloody report after another concerning this or that person who has been victimized.
We who remain standing tally the number of our neighbors, family and friends who make up that number that is to be given those who have been left terrified, injured, maimed or dead.
This is no way to live.
We have begged and we have prayed in order to find out what – if anything – is to be done.
To date, no one has come up with adequate answers to any of our persistent queries; and here our leaders seemed to have lost their way in a miasma of lies, half-truths and placeboes.
And for sure, we look askance at the argument that, this kind of feral excess can and should be expected as part of the so-called modern way of living in an urban center.
We also say no to that infernal strategy that calls on those who lead to blame those who follow when all hell breaks out.
Here take note that, one of the more interesting facets of what it means to be human has to do with the fact that people will – for the sake of their own sanity – routinely concoct stories that purportedly explain the presence of evil in their midst.
Hardly ever do they blame themselves.
Indeed, there is always around some ready scapegoat on which we just as often dump much that troubles us.
And so, it currently arises that some of people –particularly the police- believe that they can somehow or the other pacify angry citizens by way of this or that pleasant walk-about.
Interestingly, when word first got out concerning this Saturday past’s street-level melee; there was apparently a concerted effort to paint a picture that would depict Bain Town people in a most positive light; inclusive of the life story of the dead youth, Sharmoco Newbold.
Here some who spoke out would have the public believe that this youth-man’s persona was somewhere to be located between that of an officer and a gentleman.
While this person might have indeed been such; this fact in and of itself must take second place to whatever is found to be the case once all the facts are in.
Idle speculation whether it takes the guise of lies told in order to cover up this or that; narratives and other species of conjured up stories aimed at ‘explaining’ how things might have happened; or sweet talk designed to make people feel good.
However you take it, none of this can help in a situation where what is needed is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God.
Indeed, nothing really matters.
By way of timely reminder, some three years ago, information came our way to the effect that, a 47-year-old woman was shot in the face during a daring daytime robbery.
As we recall, she was put on life support.
But surely, what matters today as it surely mattered then, was still the need for the public to know that while crime hurts; denial might hurt just as much.
“…This horrible incident indicated that no one is safe in the country and the quality of life is in decline. "Someone unknown left the victim where she had been hit. A bullet remains lodged in her neck.
“Police said Ms. Lori Francis had just exited the Royal Bank of Canada on John F. Kennedy Drive and entered a truck when the incident occurred…”
And for sure as we vividly recall, “According to Andrea Francis, her sister was conscious and had undergone surgery, but was on life support because she was having trouble breathing on her own.
“Today we grieve with these victimized people…”
Paradoxically, we also grieve for those who allegedly did the deed that left this woman washed and drenched in her own blood.
We do so because these two men are of this land and are striving in these times. That they may also be lunatics who are armed and dangerous attests to the fact that they too are enmeshed in a feral culture that glorifies greed and violence.
These men were not born criminal.
They were made such.
It is this fact of life that explains so how we are where we are as a people. Equally so, it suggests a way out of the mess; that way being the one that begs us to put more money into social services like health and education.
Because we have not done near enough; the proverbial chickens are coming home to roost.
November 25th, 2010
The Bahama Journal Editorial
Something is dreadfully wrong in this small nation of ours.
Sadly, much of that new information has to do with one bloody report after another concerning this or that person who has been victimized.
We who remain standing tally the number of our neighbors, family and friends who make up that number that is to be given those who have been left terrified, injured, maimed or dead.
This is no way to live.
We have begged and we have prayed in order to find out what – if anything – is to be done.
To date, no one has come up with adequate answers to any of our persistent queries; and here our leaders seemed to have lost their way in a miasma of lies, half-truths and placeboes.
And for sure, we look askance at the argument that, this kind of feral excess can and should be expected as part of the so-called modern way of living in an urban center.
We also say no to that infernal strategy that calls on those who lead to blame those who follow when all hell breaks out.
Here take note that, one of the more interesting facets of what it means to be human has to do with the fact that people will – for the sake of their own sanity – routinely concoct stories that purportedly explain the presence of evil in their midst.
Hardly ever do they blame themselves.
Indeed, there is always around some ready scapegoat on which we just as often dump much that troubles us.
And so, it currently arises that some of people –particularly the police- believe that they can somehow or the other pacify angry citizens by way of this or that pleasant walk-about.
Interestingly, when word first got out concerning this Saturday past’s street-level melee; there was apparently a concerted effort to paint a picture that would depict Bain Town people in a most positive light; inclusive of the life story of the dead youth, Sharmoco Newbold.
Here some who spoke out would have the public believe that this youth-man’s persona was somewhere to be located between that of an officer and a gentleman.
While this person might have indeed been such; this fact in and of itself must take second place to whatever is found to be the case once all the facts are in.
Idle speculation whether it takes the guise of lies told in order to cover up this or that; narratives and other species of conjured up stories aimed at ‘explaining’ how things might have happened; or sweet talk designed to make people feel good.
However you take it, none of this can help in a situation where what is needed is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God.
Indeed, nothing really matters.
By way of timely reminder, some three years ago, information came our way to the effect that, a 47-year-old woman was shot in the face during a daring daytime robbery.
As we recall, she was put on life support.
But surely, what matters today as it surely mattered then, was still the need for the public to know that while crime hurts; denial might hurt just as much.
“…This horrible incident indicated that no one is safe in the country and the quality of life is in decline. "Someone unknown left the victim where she had been hit. A bullet remains lodged in her neck.
“Police said Ms. Lori Francis had just exited the Royal Bank of Canada on John F. Kennedy Drive and entered a truck when the incident occurred…”
And for sure as we vividly recall, “According to Andrea Francis, her sister was conscious and had undergone surgery, but was on life support because she was having trouble breathing on her own.
“Today we grieve with these victimized people…”
Paradoxically, we also grieve for those who allegedly did the deed that left this woman washed and drenched in her own blood.
We do so because these two men are of this land and are striving in these times. That they may also be lunatics who are armed and dangerous attests to the fact that they too are enmeshed in a feral culture that glorifies greed and violence.
These men were not born criminal.
They were made such.
It is this fact of life that explains so how we are where we are as a people. Equally so, it suggests a way out of the mess; that way being the one that begs us to put more money into social services like health and education.
Because we have not done near enough; the proverbial chickens are coming home to roost.
November 25th, 2010
The Bahama Journal Editorial
Hubert Ingraham, Crime and the FNM’s 2012 election chances
Ingraham, crime and the FNM’s election chances
thenassauguardian editorial
The focus of the entire country appears to be on crime. Bahamians are concerned that we are days away from a third homicide record in four years. More and more Bahamians are either telling stories about being victims of crime, or of close friends and relatives being attacked or robbed.
Hubert Ingraham is seeking a fourth mandate. If successful, it would mean he would have ruled this archipelago for 20 years. In 1992, few would have dreamed he would attempt this based on his criticism of Sir Lynden Pindling’s long 25-year stay.
If he is to reach the mark of 20 years as prime minister, Ingraham has to fight through a crime problem that cannot be won by executing a well thought out communications strategy. He and the Free National Movement (FNM) will need successes in 2011.
There appear to be two main problems, on the response side of the equation, fueling the crime surge in The Bahamas.
On the one hand, the national system of prosecution has become dysfunctional. When crimes are committed there must be competent investigations by police, efficient case management by prosecutors and proper trial management by the judiciary.
Our police have not been producing the best cases, our prosecutors have prosecuted little and we do not have enough criminal courts.
The government seems to agree with this analysis.
It has changed leadership at the Royal Bahamas Police Force and at the Department of Public Prosecutions. It is also providing the funding and legislative change necessasry for more courts to begin hearing cases.
But for these changes to lead to the desired results, there must be someone with the strength of will present overseeing the justice system as a whole to ensure they work. That person would also need to have the capacity and energy to ensure other necessary reforms occur.
Both the FNM and the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) have a laissez faire attitude towards crime. The parties assume that the bureaucrats can deal with the problem. The parties must realize they cannot. Many of the institutions of government left by the British have not been evolved by our post-Independence leaders.
In fact, through years and years of cronyism, they have been eroded. Wholesale reform is needed. And a leader, passionate about the problem and competent enough to fix it, must be found.
The second problem relates to the state lack of willingness to use the necessary type of force when faced with crisis. On Monday night police shot and killed Walden Mitchell, 38, in the rear of the Grove Police Station.
Mitchell had gone on a little crime spree of sorts in the days preceeding his death. This included trying to kill a police officer. Police sourced also said Mitchell sent them a message that he was armed and ready.
What police did in response was what needed to be done. Mitchell was found and eliminated. There are others who need to be found and eliminated.
If the state would use those same officers who so skillfully eliminated Mitchell to find and eliminate some of the hit men, armed home invaders and robbers that are wrecking havoc in The Bahamas, the crime rate would begin to decline.
The state is not as feared as it used to be. People are rioting in front of police stations and attacking senior police officers. People are breaking into police stations and courts. Our leaders must find the courage to sanction what is necessary to push back against those who only understand force.
The saving grace for Ingraham and the FNM is that the PLP has no answers to the crime problem and the electorate knows this. However, voters usually voice their frustrations against incumbents. If “Papa” is to win his forth term, maintaining the status quo on the crime front will not work.
The PLP has the luxury of issuing statements rambling on and on about the crime problem because it is not in power. The FNM has to deliver solutions now because it is the government.
11/24/2010
thenassauguardian editorial
thenassauguardian editorial
The focus of the entire country appears to be on crime. Bahamians are concerned that we are days away from a third homicide record in four years. More and more Bahamians are either telling stories about being victims of crime, or of close friends and relatives being attacked or robbed.
Hubert Ingraham is seeking a fourth mandate. If successful, it would mean he would have ruled this archipelago for 20 years. In 1992, few would have dreamed he would attempt this based on his criticism of Sir Lynden Pindling’s long 25-year stay.
If he is to reach the mark of 20 years as prime minister, Ingraham has to fight through a crime problem that cannot be won by executing a well thought out communications strategy. He and the Free National Movement (FNM) will need successes in 2011.
There appear to be two main problems, on the response side of the equation, fueling the crime surge in The Bahamas.
On the one hand, the national system of prosecution has become dysfunctional. When crimes are committed there must be competent investigations by police, efficient case management by prosecutors and proper trial management by the judiciary.
Our police have not been producing the best cases, our prosecutors have prosecuted little and we do not have enough criminal courts.
The government seems to agree with this analysis.
It has changed leadership at the Royal Bahamas Police Force and at the Department of Public Prosecutions. It is also providing the funding and legislative change necessasry for more courts to begin hearing cases.
But for these changes to lead to the desired results, there must be someone with the strength of will present overseeing the justice system as a whole to ensure they work. That person would also need to have the capacity and energy to ensure other necessary reforms occur.
Both the FNM and the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) have a laissez faire attitude towards crime. The parties assume that the bureaucrats can deal with the problem. The parties must realize they cannot. Many of the institutions of government left by the British have not been evolved by our post-Independence leaders.
In fact, through years and years of cronyism, they have been eroded. Wholesale reform is needed. And a leader, passionate about the problem and competent enough to fix it, must be found.
The second problem relates to the state lack of willingness to use the necessary type of force when faced with crisis. On Monday night police shot and killed Walden Mitchell, 38, in the rear of the Grove Police Station.
Mitchell had gone on a little crime spree of sorts in the days preceeding his death. This included trying to kill a police officer. Police sourced also said Mitchell sent them a message that he was armed and ready.
What police did in response was what needed to be done. Mitchell was found and eliminated. There are others who need to be found and eliminated.
If the state would use those same officers who so skillfully eliminated Mitchell to find and eliminate some of the hit men, armed home invaders and robbers that are wrecking havoc in The Bahamas, the crime rate would begin to decline.
The state is not as feared as it used to be. People are rioting in front of police stations and attacking senior police officers. People are breaking into police stations and courts. Our leaders must find the courage to sanction what is necessary to push back against those who only understand force.
The saving grace for Ingraham and the FNM is that the PLP has no answers to the crime problem and the electorate knows this. However, voters usually voice their frustrations against incumbents. If “Papa” is to win his forth term, maintaining the status quo on the crime front will not work.
The PLP has the luxury of issuing statements rambling on and on about the crime problem because it is not in power. The FNM has to deliver solutions now because it is the government.
11/24/2010
thenassauguardian editorial
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
When Police Shoot and Kill
The Bahama Journal Editorial
We live in a time that seems to suggest that there is a war going on out there; with the police pitted against some of their fellow-Bahamians.
With this in mind, today we suggest that, the time has come [and perhaps, some of that same time might have already come and gone] for those in charge of the Royal Bahamas Police Force to be up and doing with coming clean with all they know concerning matters that now routinely lead to the death of this or that civilian.
And for sure, as one incident yields to another in what seems to be a spiral of criminal and police instigated violence – some Bahamians are beginning to tire of what they say happens to be high-handedness on the part of some police officers.
While we are certain that policing is peculiarly stressful in these very hard times; we are also quite sensitive to complaints coming in to the effect that, police officers sometimes do overstep their legal boundaries.
Indeed, such has been admitted by any number of law-makers and bureaucrats who speak knowledgeably about the so-called ‘bad apples’ in uniform.
Here reform is badly needed; and for sure, there is also some indication that, the time might be ripe for the high command in the police force to review its policies concerning who should or should not be armed while on routine patrol in our heartland communities.
And so today, [and like a host of other Bahamians]; we are all ears as the police make it their business to come forward with a fully plausible set of explanations as to how and why it came to be that a young Bain Town man who was said to be gambling on the side of a street now finds himself quite dead.
We need some answers.
Indeed, while we are not quite sure as to precisely what did go down in Bain Town this Saturday past, when a young man died [purportedly at the hands of a policeman]; we are nonetheless prepared to suggest that fear played a major part in skewing the perception of both the policeman and the man he allegedly killed.
As one man tried to run away from the police; he was felled by a bullet coming his way from the muzzle of a policeman’s service revolver.
In time, the rest of this story will be told.
But for now, take note that, something has gone so badly awry in this land that, police and the citizenry are seemingly locked in a mire of mutual incomprehension.
Evidence in support of this conclusion comes from any number of sources; some of these inclusive of reports attributed to the police and to some of our citizens, particularly from any number of people who live in our heartland communities.
On the one hand, we have situations and circumstances where police are convinced that this or that neighborhood is said to be infested with drug dealing, street-level prostitution and a host of other so-called ‘deviant’ activities.
And for sure, there are all those other reports that are proud to report that, while there are problems arising in some of our heartland communities; none of them reaches that level of panic as suggested by some observers who might have other ideas.
Here suffice it to say that, we are absolutely convinced that much that we hear about what is happening in these communities is comprised of a tissue of lies, some stereotyping and a host of gross generalizations.
Evidently, this juxtaposition neatly explains how –in case after bloody case – the police shoot someone or the other who – on examination – turns out to be somebody’s good child.
But for sure, in a situation where fear prevails, misperceptions will and do arise. And so today, we have a situation on our hands where fear, dread and criminality run rampant; with some of our adolescent youth little more than, rapists in the making; murderers in training and thieves in their infancy.
This they do when they are called to provide bail for this child or that child who is –as the saying goes – held in the protective custody of the state.
Something is dreadfully wrong with this picture.
Clearly, then, nothing real or good can come from this latest outrage so long as the police and the people are seemingly at loggerheads.
Here we go further as we note that, things can only go from bad to worse in this land of ours so long as some of our youth [particularly some of those young men who live in the so-called ghetto] see the police as part of an oppressive Babylon.
By the same token, our police officers must come to the realization that, things are not as bad in these heartland communities as some of the stereotypes surrounding them might, would or could suggest.
November 24, 2010
The Bahama Journal Editorial
We live in a time that seems to suggest that there is a war going on out there; with the police pitted against some of their fellow-Bahamians.
With this in mind, today we suggest that, the time has come [and perhaps, some of that same time might have already come and gone] for those in charge of the Royal Bahamas Police Force to be up and doing with coming clean with all they know concerning matters that now routinely lead to the death of this or that civilian.
And for sure, as one incident yields to another in what seems to be a spiral of criminal and police instigated violence – some Bahamians are beginning to tire of what they say happens to be high-handedness on the part of some police officers.
While we are certain that policing is peculiarly stressful in these very hard times; we are also quite sensitive to complaints coming in to the effect that, police officers sometimes do overstep their legal boundaries.
Indeed, such has been admitted by any number of law-makers and bureaucrats who speak knowledgeably about the so-called ‘bad apples’ in uniform.
Here reform is badly needed; and for sure, there is also some indication that, the time might be ripe for the high command in the police force to review its policies concerning who should or should not be armed while on routine patrol in our heartland communities.
And so today, [and like a host of other Bahamians]; we are all ears as the police make it their business to come forward with a fully plausible set of explanations as to how and why it came to be that a young Bain Town man who was said to be gambling on the side of a street now finds himself quite dead.
We need some answers.
Indeed, while we are not quite sure as to precisely what did go down in Bain Town this Saturday past, when a young man died [purportedly at the hands of a policeman]; we are nonetheless prepared to suggest that fear played a major part in skewing the perception of both the policeman and the man he allegedly killed.
As one man tried to run away from the police; he was felled by a bullet coming his way from the muzzle of a policeman’s service revolver.
In time, the rest of this story will be told.
But for now, take note that, something has gone so badly awry in this land that, police and the citizenry are seemingly locked in a mire of mutual incomprehension.
Evidence in support of this conclusion comes from any number of sources; some of these inclusive of reports attributed to the police and to some of our citizens, particularly from any number of people who live in our heartland communities.
On the one hand, we have situations and circumstances where police are convinced that this or that neighborhood is said to be infested with drug dealing, street-level prostitution and a host of other so-called ‘deviant’ activities.
And for sure, there are all those other reports that are proud to report that, while there are problems arising in some of our heartland communities; none of them reaches that level of panic as suggested by some observers who might have other ideas.
Here suffice it to say that, we are absolutely convinced that much that we hear about what is happening in these communities is comprised of a tissue of lies, some stereotyping and a host of gross generalizations.
Evidently, this juxtaposition neatly explains how –in case after bloody case – the police shoot someone or the other who – on examination – turns out to be somebody’s good child.
But for sure, in a situation where fear prevails, misperceptions will and do arise. And so today, we have a situation on our hands where fear, dread and criminality run rampant; with some of our adolescent youth little more than, rapists in the making; murderers in training and thieves in their infancy.
This they do when they are called to provide bail for this child or that child who is –as the saying goes – held in the protective custody of the state.
Something is dreadfully wrong with this picture.
Clearly, then, nothing real or good can come from this latest outrage so long as the police and the people are seemingly at loggerheads.
Here we go further as we note that, things can only go from bad to worse in this land of ours so long as some of our youth [particularly some of those young men who live in the so-called ghetto] see the police as part of an oppressive Babylon.
By the same token, our police officers must come to the realization that, things are not as bad in these heartland communities as some of the stereotypes surrounding them might, would or could suggest.
November 24, 2010
The Bahama Journal Editorial
...it will take the people, being of one mind and one focus – to bring an end to the terror of crime in our Bahamaland
Where are we headed as a nation?
thenassauguardian editorial
When three lives can be taken senselessly, seemingly without cause or pause, what does that say about us as a ‘Christian’ nation? When a man is at home and another boldly enters his “castle” uninvited, armed with an illegal weapon and snuffs out his life; when a teenager and a relative is at a birthday party celebrating the milestone of a friend, and a knife is plunged into his chest, stopping his breath; when a woman, just completing an eight-hour work shift, walks out to the parking lot and is accosted by an assailant, who not only steals her money and shoots her, but drives from the scene in her car?
What does that say about us as a ‘Christian’ nation?
In the past two, three years it appears as though persons pulling the triggers in this country have been overtaken with an irrational mindset that is spiraling out of control. Many organizations have begun programs to curb their behavior, but to no avail. The police have launched countless initiatives, beefed up patrols and acquired new equipment. However the crime wave and criminality continues to build and as the essence of those transgressions permeate the atmosphere, pent up tension and frustration are beginning to forge themselves in the minds of the victims.
Just over the weekend residents of Bain Town, New Providence assembled themselves as “one group”, a force against the police. Rocks, bottles and other missiles were thrown and the innocent, including media personnel and clergymen were hurt in the process.
It may not of been the intent of the residents to do bodily harm to anyone, however, restrained frustration and anger over what they believe is their situation of disadvantage boiled over and there had to be a point of release.
Their action maybe an isolated one, but be assured people throughout this country are living time bombs waiting to explode. But before The Bahamas develops a criminal reputation internationally, the people must unify themselves in the fight against crime.
Earlier this year Prime Minister Hubert A. Ingraham called for a day of prayer, many were surprised by this move, but if Grand Bahamians would take their minds back to the year of the “Five Missing Boys” it was not until the men of the cloth called for a time of fasting and prayer that the predator revealed himself. Cordell Farrington walked into the Central Police Station and confessed that he committed those crimes.
However, that did not happen until the people came together with one voice, believing and focusing on the perpetrator being exposed.
So, the prime minister was on the right track calling for a day of prayer. Maybe he should consider declaring another such proclamation as 2010 nears its end, with the country having recorded 85 murders thus far, only two under the murder count of 87 for 2009.
There are five weeks left in 2010, where are we headed as a ‘Christian’ nation when lives are being taken senselessly; when families are afraid to rest at night in fear of some unscrupulous bandit invading their home; when women are afraid to water their grass after sunset and when children cannot stand at the bus stop without the fear of being hit by a stray bullet?
This country must no longer be held hostage by those who have apparently lost their conscience and respect for life.
Where are we headed as a nation?
The terror must stop and it will take the people, being of one mind and one focus – to bring an end to the terror of crime in our Bahamaland.
11/23/2010
thenassauguardian editorial
thenassauguardian editorial
When three lives can be taken senselessly, seemingly without cause or pause, what does that say about us as a ‘Christian’ nation? When a man is at home and another boldly enters his “castle” uninvited, armed with an illegal weapon and snuffs out his life; when a teenager and a relative is at a birthday party celebrating the milestone of a friend, and a knife is plunged into his chest, stopping his breath; when a woman, just completing an eight-hour work shift, walks out to the parking lot and is accosted by an assailant, who not only steals her money and shoots her, but drives from the scene in her car?
What does that say about us as a ‘Christian’ nation?
In the past two, three years it appears as though persons pulling the triggers in this country have been overtaken with an irrational mindset that is spiraling out of control. Many organizations have begun programs to curb their behavior, but to no avail. The police have launched countless initiatives, beefed up patrols and acquired new equipment. However the crime wave and criminality continues to build and as the essence of those transgressions permeate the atmosphere, pent up tension and frustration are beginning to forge themselves in the minds of the victims.
Just over the weekend residents of Bain Town, New Providence assembled themselves as “one group”, a force against the police. Rocks, bottles and other missiles were thrown and the innocent, including media personnel and clergymen were hurt in the process.
It may not of been the intent of the residents to do bodily harm to anyone, however, restrained frustration and anger over what they believe is their situation of disadvantage boiled over and there had to be a point of release.
Their action maybe an isolated one, but be assured people throughout this country are living time bombs waiting to explode. But before The Bahamas develops a criminal reputation internationally, the people must unify themselves in the fight against crime.
Earlier this year Prime Minister Hubert A. Ingraham called for a day of prayer, many were surprised by this move, but if Grand Bahamians would take their minds back to the year of the “Five Missing Boys” it was not until the men of the cloth called for a time of fasting and prayer that the predator revealed himself. Cordell Farrington walked into the Central Police Station and confessed that he committed those crimes.
However, that did not happen until the people came together with one voice, believing and focusing on the perpetrator being exposed.
So, the prime minister was on the right track calling for a day of prayer. Maybe he should consider declaring another such proclamation as 2010 nears its end, with the country having recorded 85 murders thus far, only two under the murder count of 87 for 2009.
There are five weeks left in 2010, where are we headed as a ‘Christian’ nation when lives are being taken senselessly; when families are afraid to rest at night in fear of some unscrupulous bandit invading their home; when women are afraid to water their grass after sunset and when children cannot stand at the bus stop without the fear of being hit by a stray bullet?
This country must no longer be held hostage by those who have apparently lost their conscience and respect for life.
Where are we headed as a nation?
The terror must stop and it will take the people, being of one mind and one focus – to bring an end to the terror of crime in our Bahamaland.
11/23/2010
thenassauguardian editorial
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
And Now, the People Speak
The Bahama Journal Editorial
Like others who work in media, we are always left gladdened when those who lead avail themselves of the services people like us package and deliver to a people in need of having access to information and commentary germane to all aspects of the people’s right to know.
In this regard, kudos are due this nation’s prime minister and his parliamentary opposite for the manner in which they have sought to bring the public into their debates about matters currently on the minds of the Bahamian people; here whether the reference made has to do with economic, social or cultural concerns.
Indeed, we make this point as we note the obvious; this being to the effect that, all roads political now run in that direction where the voice of the people will be heard in free and fair elections; and where as we are led to believe, the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie hopes to be squared off against the Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham.
In turn, these two men can expect the arrival of any number of other men and women who believe that the Bahamian people should choose one of them. And so, the time will come and the people will choose; and as they make up their minds, some of them will search out information that might help them. Here they will turn to media for this or that quantum of relevant information.
For as long as we can remember there have been those people who would –if they only could- fix this or that game. Such a crew of people can be found wherever and whenever games are there to be played.
Sadly, this is how some Bahamians would love to see happen in the political game that is operative in a fledgling democracy such as ours. The good thing here is that Bahamians need have no real fear; this due to the fact that, there is information galore available; much of it aimed at getting at the real truth behind this or that stated event or policy. This truth is evidently not lost on the men and women in the hierarchy of both the Progressive Liberal Party and its parliamentary opposite in the guise of the ruling Free National Movement.
Both parties are led by men who have been around long enough to know that the press has a vitally important role to play in helping preserve and grow our involvement with the role democracy can play in providing a people with governments that are truly theirs.
That we live in a democracy is sometimes treated as if this was obvious. Nothing could be further from the truth; the fact being that we live in a society where democracy and the rule of law are seen to provide guidelines and framework for the conduct of the people’s business.
And so the point we make is to the effect that, while we aspire to both democracy and the rule of law, there will always be some temptation or the other that might conspire to have those who lead stray away from that high mark where transparency, accountability are the known coins of the realm. But even as some politicians might wish to do as they see fit in a fledgling democracy such as the one we currently have; they do so at their peril.
Indeed, there is evidence galore to support the conclusion that, whenever they had to do what they felt was right, the Bahamian people have made their voices heard in no uncertain way.
This they do when they have a chance to sound out on relevant issues of the day on radio or by way of other media that are currently ubiquitous – as in the case of information mediated by way of the Internet.
Such is the power of this medium that any who believe that they could or should try to get away with any foolishness had better think again.
And for sure, we note –albeit in passing- that long gone are the days when media could be controlled by this or that political party – such being the necessary result of living in a time when the production, packaging and dissemination of information [political and otherwise] can be done by a broad cross-section of the citizenry.
And so, media matters all the more to men and women who would lead. None of this should however be read to suggest that, the day of the so-called mass rally is over; instead what we are suggesting is that, as the voting population expresses itself politically, some of them will gravitate to media that are close and intimate; while others will search out for other venues and other experiences.
But no matter the medium or the forum; the Bahamian people will speak and they will have the last word for all who would lead them anywhere!
November 23rd, 2010
The Bahama Journal Editorial
Like others who work in media, we are always left gladdened when those who lead avail themselves of the services people like us package and deliver to a people in need of having access to information and commentary germane to all aspects of the people’s right to know.
In this regard, kudos are due this nation’s prime minister and his parliamentary opposite for the manner in which they have sought to bring the public into their debates about matters currently on the minds of the Bahamian people; here whether the reference made has to do with economic, social or cultural concerns.
Indeed, we make this point as we note the obvious; this being to the effect that, all roads political now run in that direction where the voice of the people will be heard in free and fair elections; and where as we are led to believe, the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie hopes to be squared off against the Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham.
In turn, these two men can expect the arrival of any number of other men and women who believe that the Bahamian people should choose one of them. And so, the time will come and the people will choose; and as they make up their minds, some of them will search out information that might help them. Here they will turn to media for this or that quantum of relevant information.
For as long as we can remember there have been those people who would –if they only could- fix this or that game. Such a crew of people can be found wherever and whenever games are there to be played.
Sadly, this is how some Bahamians would love to see happen in the political game that is operative in a fledgling democracy such as ours. The good thing here is that Bahamians need have no real fear; this due to the fact that, there is information galore available; much of it aimed at getting at the real truth behind this or that stated event or policy. This truth is evidently not lost on the men and women in the hierarchy of both the Progressive Liberal Party and its parliamentary opposite in the guise of the ruling Free National Movement.
Both parties are led by men who have been around long enough to know that the press has a vitally important role to play in helping preserve and grow our involvement with the role democracy can play in providing a people with governments that are truly theirs.
That we live in a democracy is sometimes treated as if this was obvious. Nothing could be further from the truth; the fact being that we live in a society where democracy and the rule of law are seen to provide guidelines and framework for the conduct of the people’s business.
And so the point we make is to the effect that, while we aspire to both democracy and the rule of law, there will always be some temptation or the other that might conspire to have those who lead stray away from that high mark where transparency, accountability are the known coins of the realm. But even as some politicians might wish to do as they see fit in a fledgling democracy such as the one we currently have; they do so at their peril.
Indeed, there is evidence galore to support the conclusion that, whenever they had to do what they felt was right, the Bahamian people have made their voices heard in no uncertain way.
This they do when they have a chance to sound out on relevant issues of the day on radio or by way of other media that are currently ubiquitous – as in the case of information mediated by way of the Internet.
Such is the power of this medium that any who believe that they could or should try to get away with any foolishness had better think again.
And for sure, we note –albeit in passing- that long gone are the days when media could be controlled by this or that political party – such being the necessary result of living in a time when the production, packaging and dissemination of information [political and otherwise] can be done by a broad cross-section of the citizenry.
And so, media matters all the more to men and women who would lead. None of this should however be read to suggest that, the day of the so-called mass rally is over; instead what we are suggesting is that, as the voting population expresses itself politically, some of them will gravitate to media that are close and intimate; while others will search out for other venues and other experiences.
But no matter the medium or the forum; the Bahamian people will speak and they will have the last word for all who would lead them anywhere!
November 23rd, 2010
The Bahama Journal Editorial
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