1,000 students have been fully absent from Public schools in The Bahamas for two years

The Bahamas Education Minister said close to 1,000 students have not returned to school!

Education Minister Glenys Hanna Martin said yesterday that an initial search has revealed that nearly 1,000 students have been fully absent from school for nearly two years prompting “major concerns” over potentially widespread learning loss phenomenon.

During her contribution to the mid-year budget debate in Parliament, Hanna-Martin said “thousands of children of all ages “fell off the radar” in a completely virtual learning environment in the last two years.

“We now know from global research that the effect of this is significant learning loss which unless arrested will have a severe impact on the individual lives of the thousands of children concerned and to the qualitative progress of our nation as a whole,” she said.

“It is a serious matter to find these “missing” children the Ministry took a squarely pragmatic approach.”

The education minister explained that a national multi-agency committee was formed with governmental and non governmental participants. The committee was tasked with mapping out a strategy for finding and bringing these children back into the safety net of education.

“In the first task, administrators, teachers, clerical, security and janitorial staff, and managers and union leaders and representatives and various NGO’s and I might add, even myself hit the streets door to door in communities nationwide, simultaneously, in search of these young people,” Hanna-Martin said.

“The exercise yielded the location and identification of almost 1,000 children who had been fully absent from school for two years. In our inaugural walkabout and launch of this initiative on January, 11th, in Freetown alone, almost 60 children were identified. Within days of that walkabout Uriah McPhee Primary School saw an appreciable increase in student attendance.”

She continued: “I reiterate the commitment that relying upon our database and upon any other information received we will seek out every child. We ask parents and guardians to work with us as there is no acceptable barrier that should separate children from a firm education. It is a human right and it is their hope of a happy and decent existence.”

The Official Opposition - Free National Movement (FNM) Deputy Leader Shanendon Cartwright calls on The Bahamas Government to act with urgency in the crime fight

FNM Deputy Leader, Shanendon Cartwright calls for urgency in crime fight

Following a spate of killings in recent days, Free National Movement (FNM) Deputy Leader Shanendon Cartwright called on the government to act with urgency in the crime fight.

“Our hearts are with the families of the recent murder victims on the islands of Grand Bahama and New Providence,” he said in a statement.

“News of these three killings all within 24 hours is alarming.

“Amidst the global pandemic and ensuing economic hardship, we have experienced our share of challenges which we can ill afford to have compounded with a spike in murder cases. An increase in crime in our society threatens the safety and security of the Bahamian people and ultimately does not bode well in our overall standing as a country.

“The urgency of this moment calls for a comprehensive plan in the fight against crime from the government. The time calls for it now. The official opposition remains with a mindset of working with the government of the day in these matters with a view to returning to seeing a downturn in the number of murders as in recent times under the Free National Movement administration.

“We must intensify our efforts at every level so as to protect the Bahamian people and ensure a peaceful Bahamian society. We dare not turn a blind eye to this issue.”

Police reported that two murders happened on Saturday, two on Sunday and one on Monday.

GLOBALISATION IS DEAD; THE RISE OF REGIONAL GARRISON STATES IS HERE!

By Gilbert Morris

It maybe that the proxy conflict in Ukraine will truncate the march and spread of social media; as we know it.

Likely, that the US/Europe, South America and Caribbean would continue with US based internet so, social media.

However, the structural decoupling of Russia from the global system portends the initiation of a new social media paradigm in Central Asia; akin to China’s system with its own unique coordinates.

Autocracy and the demonstration of NATO’s impotence may yet lead to the same social media rollout in the Middle East. And so, as one has argued for a time, the world becomes a series of “digital bantustans”, which access is permission by interoperability protocols or hacking.

A Huxleyian world in the West and an Orwellian world in the East; the West propagating an Orientalist conception of the East. The East exasperated by a late imperialism in the West!

To be sure it would be a Hobbesian world both in the sense of its rivalist culture and in government as Digital Leviathans!

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Get Lost Hubert Minnis!

Hubert Minnis was prepared to sell his poor political soul to the United Bahamian Party, UBP - at the Free National Movement, FNM Convention - 2022

The smoke has cleared over the FNM convention - 2022, and my lame-duck MP, Dr. Hubert Minnis did his best to claim the spotlight under wicked pretext – without success. He announced publicly that he was really more concerned about the governance of the country, and that voting at the convention was essentially a going through the motions kind of thing for him.

I was under the impression that every MP, and aspiring politician are naturally concerned about the governance of the country at all times. So, why is Minnis so extra focused on the governance of the country after his no-good ruling FNM administration was soundly, and devastatingly defeated at the general election polls in September of 2021?

It’s because he is seeking the limelight, but no one is still not on his run. He should have resigned his seat gracefully at the same time he removed himself as leader of the Free National Movement- FNM – following the FNM humiliating general election defeat under his inept leadership– in my opinion. He’s not a graceful and humble man. Rather, he is a mean spirited, vindictive and petty victimizer who hates democracy, and people who oppose him!

Take it from yours truly- who is one of his prime victimized victims - over the years. He also despises other people in the FNM whom he deems to be a threat to his distorted and freaky leadership ambitions.

Yes, Hubert Minnis really detests people like my beloved nephew, the Honorable Shanendon Eugene Cartwright - MP for the great constituency of St. Barnabas; simply because he sees him as a major threat to his kinky political leadership plans. We know who Minnis supported at the convention for Deputy leader of the Free National Movement- FNM. The one who is no threat to him, of course.

Minnis was prepared to sell his poor political soul to the UBP - at the FNM convention, for selfish political gain! That awkward maneuver was wisely defeated by wise and revolutionary FNM delegates - who saw the play coming in to the convention.

One can see the evil and unforgiving spirit all over Minnis these days. He’s becoming uglier with bad political intentions- as time passes by. He is a pestering nuisance in the modern day Bahamian political arena - in my humble view.

The electorate cannot stand the man, yet – that doesn’t stop him from rambling on at every opportunity. Lame-duck Minnis obviously feels that he is some kind of comeback kid who sees Mr. Pintard, the present FNM leader – as a seat warmer. How much more arrogantly delusional can a lame-duck MP be?

Barack Obama Condemns Russia's Actions In Ukraine

By Barack Obama

People of conscience around the world need to loudly and clearly condemn Russia’s actions and offer support for the Ukrainian people

Last night, Russia launched a brazen attack on the people of Ukraine, in violation of international law and basic principles of human decency. Russia did so not because Ukraine posed a threat to Russia, but because the people of Ukraine chose a path of sovereignty, self-determination, and democracy. For exercising rights that should be available to all people and nations, Ukrainians now face a brutal onslaught that is killing innocents and displacing untold numbers of men, women, and children.

The consequences of Russia’s reckless actions extend beyond Ukraine’s borders. This illegal invasion in the heart of Europe also threatens the foundation of the international order and security. For some time now, we have seen the forces of division and authoritarianism make headway around the world, mounting an assault on the ideals of democracy, rule of law, equality, individual liberty, freedom of expression and worship, and self-determination. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shows where these dangerous trends can lead – and why they cannot be left unchallenged.

People of conscience around the world need to loudly and clearly condemn Russia’s actions and offer support for the Ukrainian people. And every American, regardless of party, should support President Biden’s efforts, in coordination with our closest allies, to impose hard-hitting sanctions on Russia – sanctions that impose a real price on Russia’s autocratic elites.

There may be some economic consequences to such sanctions, given Russia’s significant role in world energy markets. But that’s a price we should be willing to pay to take a stand on the side of freedom. For over the long term, we all face a choice, between a world in which might makes right and autocrats are free to impose their will through force, or a world in which free people everywhere have the power to determine their own future.

Michelle and I will be praying for the courageous people of Ukraine, for Russian citizens who have bravely declared their opposition to these attacks, and for all those who will bear the cost of a senseless war.

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Putin and Russians will get what they want in Ukraine!

Are NATO & U.S willing to send their men to fight Russians in Ukraine? 

 

By Mithesh Kumar Moodukonaje

I really don't know why entire World is worried? Those who really need to worry are Ukrainians not even Russians.

In 2017 Putin and Russians actively involved in Libyan Civil war, and foiled West plan there. What happened to the World? Nothing...

In 2015 Putin sent his forces to Syria, and foiled the West plan to regime change in Syria. Putin killed thousands of terrorist backed by the West in Syria. What happened to the World? Nothing...

In 2014 Crimea formally joins Russia via referendum, or what the World calls it as Putin's Russian invasion or annexation. What happened to the World? Nothing...

In 2008 not even Putin, but Medvedev took a brave decision to send his 58th Army to Georgia and support the independent republic of South Ossetia & Abhkazia. This outdated and crippling 58th Russian Army was enough to defeat the so called Sakshivillis Georgian army - trained and armed by none other than the CIA. What happened to the World? Nothing...

Way past in 2022, Russian armed forces are very modernized. They have years of fighting and testing lessons in Syria, Libya etc...

Even if it is full blown out war in Ukraine, even if the West supports Ukraine with all the arms they have - it will take Putin a few weeks to take Kiev, and collapse the Ukraine - unless and until the U.S or NATO deploy its foot soldiers on the ground in Ukraine.

Are NATO & U.S willing to send their men to fight Russians in Ukraine? No...

The U.S had recently withdrawn from Afghanistan, and withdrawing from Iraq too - where it failed to win the war - even after decades of fighting. When it comes to NATO - they are more divided than ever before. Definitely, the Germans and French are not interested in joining any hands to fight Russians in Ukraine.

Nobody wants to mess with Putin and Russians... Ukrainians are fools who elected a comedian to lead them to Chaos. They can negotiate with Putin and solve everything - rather, they are leaning towards the West - which will never be beneficial to them - at least in the short term.

So, the chances of this crisis getting into months long stalemate is literally zero. Putin and Russians will get what they want in Ukraine. They are not fools, they understand the price they need to pay, and they are willing to pay it. The World shouldn't bother about it.

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Writes of a FNM in Exile

Opinion of a FNM Supporter in Exile

The Free National Movement (FNM) today, is basically comprised of loyalists of the politically expired and rotten Hubert Alexanders

By Dennis Dames

The PLP appears to be smartly embracing the moral vision and concept of majority rule – in The Bahamas. The present makeup of that party looks to be a solidly engaging Bahamian political organization.

The Official Opposition FNM - on the other hand, appears to be a political scrap gang without a viable national identity. That political party has allowed itself to be derailed and robbed of its noble Caravan-of-love image of the 1980s – by a bunch of no good political pirates of the last three decades – in my humble view.

The Free National Movement today, is basically comprised of loyalists of the politically expired and rotten Hubert Alexanders. We know exactly what they are all about; their secret motto is: lovers, selective family and friends. We know that that sweetheart practice is not compatible with true nation building.

So, the present FNM leader- Mr. Pintard, has a lot of house cleaning to do, if he wants to be taken seriously by the Bahamian electorate. It cannot be about the same old FNM sellout crew who have allowed our great party to descend back into the dark political era of the 1970s.

The upcoming FNM virtual convention is a real test for Mr. Pintard, and the future of the Free National Movement – FNM. If the Ingraham-mites and the Minnis-ites continue to control the party after the conference, then the FNM will find itself going around in unfruitful circles - until another royal cut-ass brings them to their full senses.

The FNM focus should now be on a new dispensation in The Bahamas- in my view; where every Bahamian gets their equitable taste of the good life. Away with the exclusive lovers, family and friends club in the FNM!

The all-for-we-baby clan could run for party positions as much as they want. They will never gain political control of The Bahamas again. They could choke the party’s future as much as their wicked political souls desire, but they will die miserably in opposition - as lonely, greedy and selfish political nincompoops.

As an FNM in exile, I am tuned in to the show. So, let’s see how this upcoming virtual convention goes.

Will it be more of the crazy-azz same, or will the FNM delegates put an end to the deadly political foolishness - and send the Ingraham and Minnis dead weights packing? We’ll know the much awaited answer by February 25, 2022 - no doubt.

Dennis Dames - FNM in Exile

FNM-X