The fact that persons are now engaging in vigilante justice in The Bahamas... is an indication that they don't have any more faith in the criminal justice system

Aggressive methods needed in crime fight

thenassauguardian

The criminals in this country don't fear the government at all. They don't regard the laws of the land. I understand that approximately 300 or so career criminals are the ones responsible for all the mayhem currently being experienced in Nassau. These villains are holding over 200,000 law-abiding citizens of New Providence hostage. I have also noticed a very dangerous trend that is currently developing in Nassau. It appears that some of the friends and family members of murder victims are now hiring hit men to bump off murder suspects who are released from prison. The government must now take its head out of the sand and face this reality.

The fact that persons are now engaging in vigilante justice is an indication that they don't have any more faith in the criminal justice system. They are just fed up with the system. As far as these vigilantes are concerned, the justice system has failed them miserably. Therefore, since the system is hell bent on releasing these cold-blooded murderers, the vigilantes are now going after them.

The justice system is breeding a whole new kind of criminal in this country. Analysts have been warning for years now that this very dangerous situation would occur if the system continued to tap murderers on the wrist. No one paid them any mind. Now the chickens have come home to roost. My brother told me that while working in a barbershop in Freeport he overheard a young man who appeared to be very upset, vowing that he would take revenge on a person he believed had murdered a family member of his. This person was livid that the justice system had let the suspect in the case get off scot-free. I believe that the government must now move to implement drastic measures in order to put an end to the crime wave that is gripping The Bahamas.

The murder rate has skyrocketed in 2011. We have had a staggering 72 murders committed in just over six months in this small country. We are becoming like lawless Jamaica. Armed robberies and house break-ins are rampant, especially in the inner city communities of Nassau.

Governments were instituted by God to punish criminals. When the government fails to carry out its God-given mandate to punish murderers, thieves and rapists, then these monsters continue to break the law.

The government has been too soft in its approach to dealing with these criminals. It is high time that the government starts executing murderers and rapists. The criminals who are terrorizing Nassau know that institutions such as the Privy Council are fighting tooth and nail to keep them from marching to the gallows.

The government should immediately abandon the Privy Council. We are an independent nation. We have been independent now for 38 years. Why is the government so afraid to execute convicted murderers?

A relative of mine told me that a young man who was convicted of murder bragged to her about killing a young woman who had rejected his sexual advances. According to my relative, the ex-convict appeared to be very proud that he had killed another human being. There was absolutely no remorse in the young man. These are the kinds of people defense attorneys are fighting hard for. Yet, we wonder why so many persons are now taking matters into their own hands by engaging in vigilante justice.

The family members of murder and rape victims know that the culprits are going to get a simple tap on the wrist for their hideous crimes. The government had better start executing convicted murderers before this new trend gets way out of control. Otherwise, Nassau will become another Dodge City.

The government must also give serious thought to implementing corporal punishment for sex offenders such as pedophiles, sodomites and rapists. These sex offenders should be flogged in public. Those who are contemplating committing rape, or any other sexual offense, would think twice before going through with the crime if they were to see a convicted sex offender publicly humiliated. These rapists must be taught a lesson.

In regards to armed robbers and thieves, the state should make them pay restitution to those they stole from. For instance, if a thief steals a $800 laptop from me, he should be made to pay me fourfold for his theft. That would mean he would pay me $3,200 for my laptop. This was the law that God gave to Old Testament Israel in Exodus chapter 22.

I understand that the prison system already has a work program. The thieves should work off their debt before being released from prison. If they are unwilling to do this, then let them rot in prison.

I often hear people talking about convicts paying their debts to society. But how is a convict paying his debt to society when he hasn't been forced to make some kind of restitution to the person he wronged? He may have repaid the state by serving time in Fox Hill prison, but let us bear in mind that he wronged a citizen, not the state. This is unfair to the person who was wronged. This has to change in order to bring to a screeching halt this menacing crime wave that is destroying this country.

Additionally, persons found in possession of illegal firearms should get an automatic 10 years in prison. There are too many illegal guns on the streets of New Providence. Regarding drug traffickers, they should be put to death. Drug trafficking is a capital offense in Singapore. Drug dealers would think twice before engaging in their illegal trade in this country if such a move is made.

How many people have died from drug overdoses? How many of us have had items stolen from us by drug addicts, who then sold them in order to buy more drugs? I believe many of the murders committed in this country are somehow connected to the illicit drug trade.

Granted, these are radical suggestions. But, these are unusual times.

Jul 15, 2011

thenassauguardian

...the continued - and in many cases essential -- presence of Haitians in The Bahamas is because many Bahamians have decided that certain work is beneath them

Bahamians vs Haitians in the Bahamas

tribune242 editorial


EVERY MAN will have his day in the sun.

Bahamians complain that if "something" is not done about the Haitian "problem," Haitians will take over the Bahamas. That consequence really depends upon Bahamians. Already the continued - and in many cases essential -- presence of Haitians in our country is because many Bahamians have decided that certain work is beneath them. "Not me!" they scornfully snarl. "That Haitian work!"

Well, if that's Haitian work, Haitians will always be needed to do it. In other words Haitians -- if essential standards are to be maintained -- are necessary to the Bahamian's social well being. As the late Dr Cleveland Eneas, a dentist, once asked -- long before there was a Haitian problem -- if every Bahamian became a doctor, dentist, teacher, etc, who would be left to clean his car so that he could practise his dentistry? These were the days when then prime minister the late Sir Lynden Pindling told young Bahamian Johnnies and Suzies that if the PLP became the government someone would be picking up after them -- "no longer would they be hewers of wood and drawers of water."

It was that disdainful attitude to honest work that opened the door to the Haitians. For three square meals a day and able to send money back to their families in Haiti, they had no objection to being hewers of wood and drawers of water, and any other honest labour that came in between.

In schools Haitian children are noted for being bright -- they are at the top of their classes, they walk away with many of the prizes, academically they push Bahamian students to the sidelines. It is not because they are brighter. It's because they work harder, and they work harder because it's the lot of the underdog. Chewing harder and longer at the bone is the only way an underdog knows how to become top dog.

Labouring Haitian parents have ambition for their children. They watch over them. As one MP noted in parliament: If you see a small child being walked to school by a parent you know that's a Haitian child. When they come from school, they don't sit on walls with their chums, or idle their time before a television set, or get up to mischief in gangs; they go home and do their homework. And in the evening they are at home -- still at their books -- with their parents.

The problem with many Bahamians is their idea of entitlement. They believe that they are entitled to the good life without effort. If this attitude is not discouraged at a very early age and the dignity of hard work raised to a higher level -- yes, the Haitians will eventually take over -- and Bahamians will only have themselves to blame.

Just consider the history of women. Treated in ancient times by certain tribes almost as pack animals, and even today by certain sects as man's possession to do with as he will, women are holding important posts in today's world. Some men complain that women are taking over. It is true, women have taken over because they have had to work longer hours for their achievements. The time came when women broke through the glass ceiling that held them down. They could no longer be ignored.

We recall as a child admiring the well built, slim frames of Fox Hill women, who walked daily downtown from Fox Hill, balancing a large basket of produce on their heads to sell in the market. And at night they walked back home with their earnings stuffed in a pocket of their long skirts. There was no problem of obesity in those days. They were strong, hardworking, handsome women. Today their highly educated granddaughters and great-granddaughters drive to work in cars and hold top positions in the country. These women worked and studied harder because they were competing in a man's world. Many men fell by the wayside, not because they were less bright, but because they took too much for granted.

When we returned to the Bahamas with three degrees from three different universities, and were helping form public opinion from a desk in The Tribune, we still could not vote in a general election.

Our Bahamian gardener, who could neither read nor write, had more say in the government of our country than we had when he marked his X at his polling division in a general election.

Bahamian women got the vote for the first time in 1962. Their fight was long and hard, but eventually they not only arrived, but they are dominating.

And so the future for the Haitians in this country depends upon Bahamians.

As Will and Ariel Durant pointed out in one of their many books on Civilization: "No great nation is ever conquered until it has destroyed itself" from within. The authors then listed the many causes for internal destruction, among them "disturbance of economic life by political disorder, the corruption of democracy... the decay of morals and patriotism..." and we might add the break down of the family.

July 12, 2011

tribune242 editorial

Caribbean Blog International

The Bahamas is establishing the wrong leadership tradition... Bahamian men have become as powerful as the political system they oversee

When will the general election loser depart?

thenassauguardian editorial



A general election looms. The opposition Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) has selected about half of the candidates it will field for the contest. The governing Free National Movement (FNM) is finishing its agenda in an effort to present to the people a case it hopes is convincing enough for re-election.

At this stage it is unclear who will lead the next government, especially considering that Branville McCartney’s Democratic National Alliance (DNA) has entered the contest.

Consideration of the fate of the party leaders after the contest is almost as interesting as consideration of which party will win the election.

Hubert Ingraham and Perry Christie entered the House of Assembly in 1977. Since then, each has won his seat in every successive election. In doing so, both men have amassed much political power.

The Bahamas is a democracy with a political party system that is not so democratic. Once the post of party leader is secured, in The Bahamas it is up to the leader to determine when he will leave.

No FNM can defeat Ingraham and become party leader; no PLP can defeat Christie and become party leader.

Many assume the loser at the next general election will walk away from front-line politics soon after the votes are counted. This assumption is largely based on the age of the men. Christie will be 68 this year and Ingraham 64.

But with so much power, and the inability to be defeated in a party contest, should we assume that either man would leave right away?

Ingraham has said repeatedly that he will listen to the people. If they want him to go, he says he will go graciously. When the FNM lost in 2002, he left. He did this before hearing that ‘voice of the people’ asking him to return. If that voice calls him again, would he listen again at the age of almost 70?

Christie would be a two-time loser if the PLP is defeated again by the FNM. In the Westminster tradition leaders say goodbye at this point. Christie, though, does not like to be forced to decisions about his leadership of the PLP. A scenario could emerge where he says he would stay on as leader for a year or so after a second consecutive defeat in order to allow for the election of another party leader.

A year or so could stretch into a long time.

Pondering this question about the futures of these men reveals the weakness of our political system. If they want to stay, both could withstand for some time the voices in their parties who would want them to go.

Both men should be admired for being Machiavellian enough to have secured enough power to determine how it will end. They are both extraordinary politicians.

The country, though, is establishing the wrong leadership tradition. Men have become as powerful as the political system they oversee.

Sir Lynden Pindling was suffering from terminal cancer when he finally retired from politics. His political sons will too say when they will go. And with the ultimate power to decide, no one should assume when the loser will say goodbye.

We should not blame them for winning the political fights and securing this power. Instead, Bahamians should become more involved with politics and the main political parties beyond merely expressing views at election time.

Bahamians have the power to shape the political culture of this country.

This must be done through active participation. We can only get quality leadership if it is demanded.

More of the electorate needs to influence and guide the political party system on a more consistent basis. Currently, too few people who think too similarly control and run the major political parties.

If a broader selection of Bahamians would become involved with this system, men will have less control over their political futures than they currently do.

Jul 09, 2011

thenassauguardian editorial

Caribbean Blog International

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham: During the past 38 years of National independence, we have evolved from a small colony on the periphery of the British Empire into a vibrant democracy and international business centre; proud of our social and political stability and determined to broaden economic opportunities for every citizen

Our evolution into a vibrant democracy

tribune242



PRIME Minister Hubert Ingraham yesterday wished all Bahamians a happy and safe independence weekend.

In a statement issued yesterday, Mr Ingraham said: "During the past 38 years we have evolved from a small colony on the periphery of the British Empire into a vibrant democracy and international business centre, proud of our social and political stability and determined to broaden economic opportunities for every citizen.

"Our success to date is manifested in the fact that we enjoy one of the highest per capita incomes among countries in the Americas."

Nevertheless, the prime minister added, in recent years the Bahamas, like much of the rest of the world, has endured economic hardships as a result of the global economic recession.

He said: "In the face of such adversity we responded in ways reflective of the theme of this year's anniversary celebrations (38 years - United in Love and Service).

"We preserved public sector jobs, increased social assistance programmes, introduced an unemployment benefit, implemented a short term jobs programme, implemented a jobs training programme and accelerated planned infrastructure projects so as to improve service to the Bahamian people while protecting private sector jobs and serving as a catalyst for more job creation."

Mr Ingraham said these initiatives are now being expanded to include new job readiness training, a new jobs creation programme and special targeted initiatives to support small and medium size businesses.

He said these will contribute to the country's planned return to economic prosperity as the world economy and that of the Bahamas continues to recover.

The prime minister added: "Sadly, our celebration of this 38th anniversary of nationhood is marred by a continued high incidence of crime.

"While the government has mounted a multifaceted response to the problem it is increasingly important that all Bahamians unite in sending a clear message to the small minority of persons who break our social contract of good neighbourliness and who choose to live outside of the law, that we will neither tolerate nor excuse their criminal behaviour.
Reflect
"In this regard, we should all recall and reflect upon the important role that the extended family and the neighbourhood have played in our development as a people who are open and welcoming, who share easily and who believe that service is a virtue.

"As is my custom, I wish to once again use this year's Independence Day Message to thank all those who serve our people throughout the year, those in the private sector, in our churches and civic organisations, and throughout the public sector. I wish also to acknowledge and thank all those who work in our diplomatic, tourism and maritime services internationally.

"Many of them will celebrate independence at their overseas post where they pursue our country's interests internationally. I acknowledge their sacrifice and thank them for their continued service to our country.

"We will face many challenges in the year ahead: achieving economic recovery and expansion, protecting our environment from degradation in the face of climate change and sea level rise, safeguarding the supply and cost of energy and of food and winning our war on crime.

"We are a hardy people, self-reliant and bolstered by a long tradition of resourcefulness and self-reliance. So as we celebrate this 38th anniversary of our independence we recall those qualities.

"Fellow Bahamians, on this special national anniversary I extend my very best for a happy and safe Independence Day and pray God's blessings upon our nation and upon each and every one of us."

July 09, 2011

tribune242

Caribbean Blog International

A modern Bahamas must adopt modern ways of conducting its affairs, and if we are to contemplate a reform of our tax structure, we ought to look at all forms of taxation and select the most efficient and the most appropriate for the benefit of all Bahamians

Tax reform needed

thenassauguardian editorial



Given the fiscal performance of the economy over the past few years and especially in the midst of the global recession, it has become increasingly clear that the days of relying on customs duties for the majority of the government’s revenue are rapidly coming to an end.
The arguments against, and the analyses of the current tax regime are as numerous as they are compelling.

The more often repeated reasons are that customs duty as a major source of government revenue has outlived its usefulness because the system is extremely insensitive to changing circumstances in the economy; it is unintentionally unfair and regressive in its impact, particularly on low-income households and at best, it distorts the orderly and efficient working of a market economy.

To which we can add, in the context of the predominantly retail and wholesale services sector of the Bahamian economy: it ties up too much of the cash flow in advance of the first sale or turnover of the imported goods.

Some have argued, rather convincingly, that consideration ought to be given to introducing a more progressive tax regime, such as the value added tax (VAT), a tax regime that is used in more than 170 countries and that is generally considered less onerous on low-income households and small businesses.

Since the tax is levied on both goods and services, it is believed that the government’s overall take could increase without having to increase the tax rate.

Indeed, there may be scope for reduction in tax rates and fees in some specific categories.
In a country such as The Bahamas, that has historically boasted of its distaste for imposing direct taxes on income, the VAT has a certain amount of appeal in the sense that it has the potential to increase the tax yield to government without having to concede its historical adherence to no tax on income.

Given the developments over the past few years with the removal of the veil of secrecy and confidentiality as regards to bank accounts in The Bahamas, and more recently the almost 30 tax information agreements (TIEA’s) signed by the government and other foreign jurisdictions, perhaps the time has come to re-examine tax reform in The Bahamas beyond the consideration of a VAT.

Consideration could be given to a broad-based or selective income tax regime which would permit the country to enter into double-taxation agreements, and by so doing obtain tax income from foreign companies operating in The Bahamas without increasing the overall tax burden to those companies since — by the double taxation treaty — the existing tax would be shared between our Public Treasury and that of the company’s home country.

Such a move could also provide added protection against the OECD’s constant threats to destabilize the so-called “tax haven” countries.

A modern Bahamas must adopt modern ways of conducting its affairs, and if we are to contemplate a reform of our tax structure, we ought to look at all forms of taxation and select the most efficient and the most appropriate for the benefit of all Bahamians.

Jul 08, 2011

thenassauguardian editorial

Caribbean Blog International

...the job of Immigration is to protect The Bahamas from illegal immigrants... but... The schools, the churches and the hospitals are off limits to immigration officers... so... The Bahamas' Haitian problem continues

Schools, hospitals and churches off limits to Immigration

tribune242 editorial




THIS WEEK Belinda Wilson, president of the Bahamas Union of Teachers, agreed that undocumented Haitian students should be removed from the Bahamas' school system.

While recognising that it was a delicate situation, that no child in the Bahamas can be denied an education, and that no roundup of Haitian students whose parents are illegally in this country, should be carried out on school property, Ms Wilson said teachers are willing to assist Immigration in identifying the students for their eventual removal. She was supporting an intention allegedly made by Immigration Director Jack Thompson in a speech to the New Providence Association of Public High School Principals' annual retreat. However, Mr Thompson denied a newspaper report - not a Tribune report - that quoted him as saying that the country has to "flush out" undocumented immigrants who are enrolled in the country's school system "absorbing our resources."

Mr Thompson denied any suggestion that the Immigration Department intends to target these children. He said he made it clear to the educators that education is a fundamental human right which every child is entitled to receive.

"Administrators were told," said Mr Thompson, "that students of foreign nationals attending schools should apply to the Department of Immigration for a residency permit or permit to reside." He said it was "emphasised that while students should not be denied the right of a basic education, records by the Department to Immigration are critical for future applications, or permanent residence or citizenship."

He agreed that the children's issue was a sensitive one and requires professionalism and discretion.

He said that his department, fully appreciating the sensitivity of the matter, always tries to make certain that its policies and actions are in "compliance with international law and acceptable national and international standards and practices."

This is a most difficult situation and unless handled extremely carefully can be turned into a human witch hunt. If vulnerable parents believe that they can be targeted through their school children, there will be a mass exodus from the schools, which then becomes a police problem as the children take to the bush.

The last problem will then be far greater than the first.

The situation of the children is not of easy solution. Many of these children have been born here of parents who have lived in the Bahamas for many years. No child born in the Bahamas after 1973 is automatically a Bahamian citizen. However, at the age of 18 that young person can apply for citizenship. No impediments being in the way, the grant of citizenship should be automatic.

However, a Haitian child born in the Bahamas, does have an impediment to block his automatic citizenship -- his parents are illegal residents. We don't know if over the years the Bahamas and Haitian governments have worked out another thorny problem. However, at one time Haiti did not recognise as Haitian citizens a child born in the Bahamas of Haitian parents. If this is still the position it means that the Bahamas will have many stateless children on its hands. This is indeed a major problem -- an international problem.

Many vocal Bahamians want Haitian children not only removed from the schools, but all undocumented residents -- mostly Haitians -- to be banned from the hospitals and clinics. This is a most shortsighted and dangerous position, and the fastest way to fan an epidemic that could affect us all.

Let these people fear seeking medical help for a disease that could be contagious, and rather than be arrested stay at home, they could infect their family, their neighbours, their community and eventually all of New Providence.

Doctors, for example, swear the Hippocratic Oath, which is one of the oldest binding documents in history. Its principles are still held sacred by doctors today. Doctors swear to treat the sick to the best of their ability, preserve the patient's privacy, teach the secrets of medicine to the next generation, etc. And so doctors, in practising their profession are bound to keep information about their patients secret. They are also obliged to treat them regardless of who they are or from where they come.

Mr Thompson has made it clear that the job of Immigration is to protect the Bahamas from illegal immigrants, but he stresses that it is a task that must be carried out with sensitivity.

"We never send any immigration officers to the schools," said Mr Thompson. "The schools, the church and the hospitals are off limits."

This does not remove the Haitian problem, which has to be approached in another way.

July 07, 2011

tribune242 editorial

Caribbean Blog International

...the frustration many Bahamians feel with the failed immigration policy in The Bahamas regarding Haitians

Government immigration statements must be clear

thenassauguardian editorial



The Director of the Department of Immigration, Jack Thompson, on Thursday made hawkish statements on the illegal immigration problem in The Bahamas while addressing principals at an event at SuperClubs Breezes Resort.

Thompson, said The Bahamas cannot afford to have illegal immigrants in the public school system “absorbing our resources.”

“You should call me and tell me where they are living because I have to deal with them,” Thompson told the principals.

“We have to hit at the root. The root is the parent. I am not in the business of sending the children home and not the parents or sending the parents and not sending the children. We have to send them together.

“All of them must go and they must go as soon as possible because we can’t have people illegally residing and going to school and absorbing our resources. You know how the community feels about this. The communities are outraged.”

Thompson also emphasized at that event that his department does not, as a matter of policy, apprehend undocumented children at schools.

Thompson’s bold remarks reflect the frustration many Bahamians feel with the failed immigration policy in The Bahamas regarding Haitians.

Successive governments have been unable to slow the flow of people from Haiti to this country. Therefore, there are thousands of people here who were not invited.

All right-thinking people would accept that it is impossible to stop unauthorized Haitian migration to this country. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and it has a population of nearly 10 million. Many Haitians want a fresh start away from the struggling republic.

Many Bahamians, however, think that successive more can be done by our leaders to reduce the flow of Haitians to The Bahamas. This segment of society is frustrated and angry. Those Bahamians want illegal shantytowns demolished and those who are here illegally to be sent home.

By echoing this frustration, however, Thompson went in tone beyond the policy position of the executive branch of government. The Free National Movement (FNM) administration has been moderate in its approach. The FNM has held to the traditional apprehension and repatriation policy, but it has also extended an olive branch, inviting Haitians who have been in the country for long periods of time to come in and be regularized.

The Nassau Guardian published Thompson’s remarks last Friday. It appears as if Thompson’s superiors in the Cabinet were not impressed. On Friday he issued a more conciliatory statement, emphasizing that Immigration will not be targeting undocumented children in schools.

If the Cabinet wants to clarify the position of the government, that’s fine. Policy and tone are dictated by Cabinet. We take issue, however, with the insinuation that this newspaper misconstrued what Thompson said Thursday.

“The Thursday’s article gives the impression that children are to be targeted by the department’s officials. The Department of Immigration regrets this insinuation and strongly condemns any such suggestion or attributions,” said Thompson’s Friday statement.

This newspaper reported what the immigration director said at a public forum. The comments the Cabinet has a problem with were uttered by its head of department. The dispute it has is not with this newspaper and it should not have statements sent out suggesting improper reporting when the issue is one between the executive branch of government and one of its senior officials.

The Friday statement should have simply said that the immigration director was excessive in tone and that the policy of the Cabinet is more moderate.

The Nassau Guardian needs not be involved with the varied policy positions held between senior civil servants and the executive branch of government.

Jul 04, 2011

thenassauguardian editorial

Caribbean Blog International