Illegal Immigration Threatens Bahamian Sovereignty and The Bahamas

THE PLAGUE: A CALL TO DEFEND BAHAMIAN SOVEREIGNTY

Illegal migration into The Bahamas has reached a point that can no longer be dismissed, ignored, or politically sanitized.  This is not a problem we can continue to postpone.  It is a national crisis—and crises demand action.

Bahamians need to stop, look around, and ask a simple question:

What happens to a nation that refuses to enforce its own borders and laws?

Walk through places such as the Fish Fry and observe the changing landscape.  Listen to the languages being spoken.  Look at who is operating businesses and who is competing for opportunities.  These changes should force us to confront a difficult reality: our national identity, economic opportunities, and institutions cannot be protected by complacency.

But we must also be honest about who created the conditions that allowed this situation to grow.

The problem is not simply the presence of migrants.  The deeper problem is the corruption, greed, political cowardice, and exploitation that have allowed illegal migration to flourish.  Employers who deliberately seek cheap, exploitable labour are part of the problem.  Officials who compromise the integrity of immigration and citizenship processes are part of the problem.  Anyone who profits while ordinary Bahamians struggle is part of the problem.

For too long, we have tolerated a system in which enforcement can be weakened by money, connections, political interests, and personal gain.

That must end.

THE CURE: NATIONAL COURAGE

The cure begins with us.  We cannot demand national sovereignty while simultaneously selling pieces of it for profit.  We cannot condemn illegal migration while rewarding employers who exploit undocumented workers.  We cannot demand integrity from government while tolerating corruption when it benefits us personally.

The Bahamas belongs to Bahamians — not because we hate anyone else, but because every sovereign nation has the right and responsibility to control its borders, enforce its laws, protect its resources, and determine who is permitted to live and work within 

its territory.

- That means strong borders.

- It means serious enforcement.

It means transparent immigration and citizenship procedures.

- It means holding corrupt officials accountable.

- It means prosecuting employers who knowingly exploit illegal labour.

- It means protecting Bahamian workers and businesses from unfair competition.

And it means refusing to allow political parties, wealthy interests, or compromised officials to place personal gain above national interest.

We have been passive for too long.

Now is the time for Bahamians to demand accountability — not violence, not hatred, and not vigilantism, but lawful, relentless, uncompromising action.

Our national identity is not something we should surrender through neglect.

- Our borders matter.

- Our laws matter.

- Our citizenship matters.

- Our sovereignty matters.

- And Bahamians matter.

The time for excuses is over.

Enforce the law.  Defend the nation.  End the corruption.  Put The Bahamas first.

Source / Comment

The Bahamas Prime Minister, Philip 'Brave' Davis and the Challenging Modern Day Mandate of 'Camelot' - Sanctioned by the Bahamian Electorate

Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis enters a modern-day 'Camelot' in The Bahamas - ordained by The Bahamian People

By Dr Kevin Alcena 

                            "Camelot"

The legendary kingdom of King Arthur, immortalized in history and literature as a symbol of justice, nobility, wisdom, and enlightened leadership.  At the heart of Camelot stood the Round Table, a revolutionary institution where every knight sat as an equal, regardless of rank, wealth, or social standing.  The Round Table embodied the principles of equality, consultation, accountability, and service to the common good.  Its mandate was simple yet profound: to ensure that leadership was exercised not for personal gain but for the advancement and welfare of the people.

In many respects, Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis enters a modern-day Camelot.  His administration has articulated a vision for national progress, economic empowerment, and social development that seeks to improve the lives of Bahamians.  Yet, as he embarks upon this new chapter, he must recognize that the highest calling of leadership is not merely to govern but to empower.  He must become a People’s Prime Minister—one whose policies, decisions, and aspirations are firmly rooted in the interests of the common man and woman.

Leadership has always been measured by service.  As Martin Luther King Jr. wisely observed, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”  The essence of public office is not privilege but responsibility.  It is the solemn duty of a leader to uplift the lives of those whom he serves.

The Bahamian people now look to their Prime Minister to advance a bold and transformative national agenda.  Economic development must remain a central pillar of this vision.  The government must cultivate an environment in which entrepreneurship flourishes and innovation thrives.  Excessive taxation and unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles should not stifle ambition or discourage investment.

Instead, strategic tax exemptions and incentives should be implemented to encourage entrepreneurs, small business owners, and investors to create enterprises that generate employment, wealth, and economic opportunity throughout the nation.

A modern Camelot must also embrace the transformative power of technology.  Artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and technological innovation possess the potential to revolutionize education, healthcare, governance, and commerce.

The digitalization of The Bahamas should not become an additional burden upon citizens and businesses; rather, it should serve as a catalyst for productivity, efficiency, and national competitiveness.  Technology must be harnessed to empower Bahamians, simplify government services, and unlock new avenues of prosperity for future generations.

The philosopher Voltaire understood the weight of leadership and responsibility.  As he famously stated, “With great power comes great responsibility.”  Leadership demands wisdom, restraint, and an unwavering commitment to the public good.  Likewise, Marcus Garvey declared, “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”  As The Bahamas advances into a rapidly changing world, it must preserve its cultural heritage and national identity while simultaneously embracing modernization and progress.

Prime Minister Davis would do well to draw inspiration from King Arthur himself.  Arthur’s greatness did not arise solely from his authority as king but from his capacity to unite diverse individuals around a common purpose.  He valued counsel, encouraged participation, and recognized that leadership was strengthened—not diminished—when others were given a voice.  Through the Round Table, he institutionalized consultation, fairness, and shared responsibility.  These timeless principles remain essential to effective governance today.

The significance of the Round Table extends beyond mythology.  It symbolizes the idea that every citizen deserves a seat at the table of national development.  It reminds leaders that wisdom is not monopolized by the powerful and that the most durable governments are those that listen to their people.  The transition from a good leader to a great leader occurs when leadership evolves from the exercise of power into the empowerment of others.

It is equally imperative to acknowledge the profound historical significance of Prime Minister Brave Davis’s electoral accomplishment.  In securing victory in two consecutive general elections, he achieved a feat that had not been witnessed within the Bahamian political landscape for twenty-four years.

Such an achievement is not merely an electoral triumph; it is a powerful affirmation of public confidence, political legitimacy, and national trust.  The Bahamian electorate has once again vested in him the authority and responsibility to guide the nation through an increasingly complex global environment.

This renewed confidence constitutes what may aptly be described as a contemporary Mandate of Camelot—a covenant between the government and the governed founded upon the principles of prosperity, justice, opportunity, and national advancement.

The electorate has entrusted Prime Minister Davis with the stewardship of the Commonwealth, expecting not only competent administration but visionary leadership capable of transforming challenges into opportunities.

Yet history teaches that great mandates are accompanied by even greater obligations.  Electoral success must transcend political celebration and evolve into meaningful action.

The true measure of statesmanship is not found in the magnitude of victory but in the magnitude of service rendered to the people.  Therefore, this mandate must be utilized to cultivate economic dynamism, stimulate entrepreneurial innovation, accelerate technological modernization, strengthen educational opportunities, and expand pathways to prosperity for all Bahamians.

The legendary King Arthur, whose authority was strengthened by the wisdom of the Round Table rather than the power of the throne alone, Prime Minister Davis must continue to govern through consultation, inclusion, and consensus-building.  He must remain attentive to the aspirations of ordinary Bahamians, ensuring that national development is not concentrated among a privileged few but distributed equitably throughout society.

If Camelot represented the dream of a just and prosperous kingdom, then the modern Bahamas can aspire to become its own Camelot—a nation where opportunity is abundant, leadership is accountable, entrepreneurship is encouraged, technology serves the people, and every citizen has a meaningful stake in the country’s future.

The Bahamian people have bestowed upon Prime Minister Davis a historic mandate.  The challenge before him is to transform that mandate into a legacy.  By embracing the principles of Camelot—justice, equality, consultation, innovation, and service—he can elevate his premiership from one of political success to one of enduring historical significance.  In doing so, he will not simply govern the nation; he will help shape a more prosperous, equitable, and resilient Bahamas for generations to come.

As King Arthur demonstrated centuries ago, true greatness is not measured by authority alone but by the ability to inspire, unite, and empower a people toward a common purpose.  The people have spoken.  The mandate has been granted.  The question now is whether this modern Camelot can fulfill its promise for every Bahamian citizen.

As Prime Minister Davis embarks upon this historic chapter, he would do well to remember the timeless words attributed to King Arthur: “The strength of the kingdom lies not in the crown, but in the people who wear its burdens and share its dreams.”

If he governs with wisdom, courage, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to the common man, then his administration may be remembered not merely as a government that won elections, but as one that transformed a nation, expanded opportunity, strengthened democracy, and elevated the aspirations of an entire people.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish; but where leadership is guided by justice, wisdom, and service, a nation prospers and its people flourish.”  May this Mandate of Camelot be remembered not as a moment of political triumph, but as the beginning of a golden era of national renewal, economic empowerment, and enduring prosperity for all Bahamians.

Source / Comment

Marvin Dames is Still Standing Strong and Smiling

Marvin Dames' Still standing... Still smiling

I am deeply grateful to those who continue to stand with me, trust me, and believe me, while believing in me.  I am filled with emotion and sincere appreciation for the group of people I sit before today.  Though they represent just a microcosm of our beautiful Mt. Moriah community, they have become family.  They have stood beside me through every single season.

Most importantly, they have loved me and cared for me from the very beginning of my political journey, and for that, I owe them more than words can express.

With that said, we will not be deterred.  We will not be distracted.  We have a country to fix, and we will remain steadfast in that mission.

I love you. I love you. I love you, Mt. Moriah. ❤️

Source / Comment

Corruption in Bahamas Immigration?

Immigration Corruption in The Bahamas?

By James Julmis

Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas

It has been brought to public attention, including via a circulated voice note, that an Immigration Officer allegedly attempted to extort the sum of $500 from a Haitian national.  According to the allegations, the individual was only able to provide $150, after which the officer allegedly issued threats to conduct raids on the homes of other Haitian nationals in the area should the remaining amount not be paid.  Even more concerning, the voice note allegedly contains statements in which the officer boasts about “protecting” Haitian nationals in exchange for monetary payment.

If substantiated, these actions would amount to gross misconduct, corruption, abuse of public office, intimidation, and possible criminal extortion, all of which severely undermine public trust in law enforcement and immigration institutions.

Given the gravity of these allegations, I respectfully but firmly request the following:

1. An immediate and impartial investigation by the relevant authorities, including the Immigration Department and THE RBPF. 

2. Identification and suspension (pending investigation) of the individual heard on the voice note, should the authenticity be confirmed.

3. Protection for the alleged victim(s) and witnesses, particularly members of the Haitian community who may fear retaliation.

4. A formal update to the public or relevant stakeholders on the status and outcome of the investigation, in the interest of transparency and accountability.

5. That, if the allegations are proven, the individual responsible be held fully accountable under the law, including disciplinary and criminal proceedings where appropriate.

No public officer should be permitted to exploit vulnerable individuals or use the authority of the State as a tool for personal enrichment or intimidation. Failure to address such conduct decisively risks normalizing corruption and eroding confidence in national security and immigration enforcement.

Source / Comment

Brittany Harris writes the Canadian Prime Minister on the Appointment of Mr. Clayton Fernander; The Bahamas Consul General to Canada

I wrote the Mark Carney Prime Minister of Canada 🇨🇦and the Minister of Foreign Affairs

 

Dear Prime Minister,

I am writing as a concerned member of the public to respectfully request that the Government of Canada undertake an appropriate review and investigation into the appointment and presence in Canada of Mr. Clayton Fernander, former Commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, who is currently serving as Consul General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in Canada.

This request is made in the interest of transparency, public confidence, and the integrity of Canada’s diplomatic and national security standards.

Mr. Fernander resigned from his position as Commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police Force in December 2024.  His resignation followed significant public controversy surrounding serious criminal matters that arose under his leadership and are now before the courts.

During Mr. Fernander’s tenure as Commissioner, the following documented and factual events occurred:

- United States federal indictments were issued against senior officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force for drug and firearms trafficking, with those officers arrested and prosecuted in New York.  These matters are before the United States courts and occurred while Mr. Fernander was Commissioner.

- Chief Superintendent Michael Johnson, then head of the Criminal Investigations Unit, was removed from his position following the public release of voice recordings involving the bribery of a known criminal figure connected to a million-dollar armoured truck robbery.  This matter is also before the courts.

- The killing of Mr. Azario Major, an unarmed Bahamian man who was shot and killed by police officers.  This incident has been the subject of public inquiry, judicial proceedings, and documentary examination, and has significantly impacted public trust in law enforcement leadership during that period.

In addition to the above, I wish to clearly distinguish the following as allegations, which I respectfully ask Canadian authorities to independently assess:

- There have long been allegations within Bahamian and Canadian law-enforcement and community circles regarding a close relationship between Mr. Fernander and Daran Neely, also known as “Monster,” an alleged gang leader associated with the so-called “Dirty South Gang.”

- This gang has been linked to violent criminal activity, including a serious robbery-murder in Windsor, Ontario, involving Bahamian nationals.

- It has been alleged that Mr. Neely benefited from protection during Mr. Fernander’s tenure as Commissioner.  Following Mr. Fernander’s resignation, that protection allegedly ceased, and Mr. Neely was later killed.  These points are presented strictly as allegations for the purpose of requesting independent review.

It is also a matter of public record that Mr. Fernander maintains a close personal relationship with the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, the Right Honourable Philip Edward Davis.  Despite Mr. Fernander’s resignation amid public outcry and ongoing court matters involving senior officers under his leadership, he was subsequently appointed to a senior diplomatic post in Canada.

In light of the seriousness of these facts and concerns, I respectfully request:

1. A review of the vetting and acceptance process that led to Mr. Fernander’s appointment as Consul General in Canada.

2. An assessment by appropriate Canadian authorities of whether his presence and role are consistent with Canada’s standards for diplomatic engagement, public safety, and the rule of law.

3. That relevant national security, law-enforcement, and foreign-affairs agencies be permitted to independently examine the court records, indictments, and public materials related to the above matters.

This letter does not seek to assert guilt, but rather to request due diligence, accountability, and transparency.  Canada’s reputation for upholding democratic values and the rule of law makes such a review both reasonable and necessary.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I trust this matter will receive the seriousness it warrants.

Respectfully,

Brittany Harris  

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Source / Comment

Rick Fox is not hiding in The Bahamas

The Future of The Bahamas

Bahamians Deserve More Than Silence

Many have asked: Which party are you joining  None.  Not yet.

Not because I'm undecided but because silence is still masquerading as governance.

People Are Worried

An estimated 350,000 Haitian nationals face the termination of Temporary Protected Status in the United States in the coming months.

People are already worried. They're just afraid to ask.

When decisions of that scale are announced, nations in the region have a right to ask what preparedness looks like.  Not because panic is inevitable, but because planning is responsible.

What does the US Government know that they aren't telling us?

What does The Bahamas Government know that they haven't shared?

Why the rush?  Why the silence?  What's coming?

These questions don't undermine national security.  They strengthen public trust.

Urgency Without Explanation Breeds Distrust.

Last week, Parliament passed a Smuggling of Migrants Act at lightning speed.

Urgency?  Absolutely. Sovereignty matters. Preparedness matters.  But transparency matters too.

We are a nation of 400,000 citizens.  What happens when 350,000 asylum seekers need a place to go?  When does enforcement begin?  What are the routes?  What guarantees that The Bahamas won't become a spillover zone?

What troubled many Bahamians - was not that action was taken, but that it was taken with minimal public briefing, no visible capacity assessment, and little dialogue about downstream impact.

When governments move quickly but refuse to explain their thinking, citizens have every right to ask why.  That silence doesn't calm people.  It unsettles them.

The Pattern Is Repeated With Our Elections.

This same silence appears again most troublingly in how we approach our elections.

Since the by-election, I have asked every party the same questions.  We are still waiting.

Will you commit to a National Day of Voting so no Bahamian has to choose between democracy and survival?

Will you increase transparency in ballot handling and counting so trust is earned, not demanded?

Will you guarantee secret, secure, verified votes?  One person, one vote, one time.

Will you commit to addressing these issues before calling the next general election?

These aren't partisan requests.

They are baseline requirements for trust.

What is concerning is not disagreement on their part, it is refusal to even engage -  on borders and on ballots.   On what matters most their silence can no longer be the answer.

Why I Haven't Chosen a Party?

I won't offer loyalty to a system that treats transparency as a threat.  I won't choose sides when neither side is willing to state its position.

This is not avoidance - it is accountability.

I have been open about my interest in serving.  I have been honest about my questions, my values, and the seriousness with which I am approaching this moment.

I am not hiding.  I am listening.  I am learning.

And I am doing this the way I have approached every arena I've competed in sports, business, entertainment:

Be open. Be honest.  Be inquisitive.  Be willing to learn how to win without losing your principles.

A New Path Forward

Today, I am launching The Bahamas Future Movement.  Not a political party.  A civic platform - nonpartisan and uncompromising.

One mission: forcing transparency where silence has taken hold.

We will:

1. Give Bahamians a voice loud enough to be heard

2. Hold every party accountable before votes are cast

3. Make transparency the price of seeking power

I am investing one million dollars of my own money to build this movement.

No donors and no strings; accountable only to the Bahamian people.

The Challenge

To every political party and leader:

Tell us where you stand on election integrity.

Tell us your plan for border preparedness.

Tell us what you know and what you don't.

Publicly - clearly and now.

The moment any party answers these questions in good faith, I will listen and I will engage.  I will work together for the future of our country.

When I do choose, it will be where transparency has the best chance to lead.

Until then, I stand with the people demanding answers not with a system that hides behind silence.

Join Us

If you are ready to serve, to ask hard questions, and to help build a future rooted in trust join us.

Our leaders can break their silence, or citizens will build something strong enough that silence no longer works.

The Bahamas Future Movement Starts Now

https://www.bahamasfuturemovement.com

Source / Comment

Your voice carries weight, Mr. Rick Fox

Most people don’t know how much courage it takes to speak honestly in The Bahamas

By Conchalay Conchalar

Rick Fox, let me speak to you directly.

I read your letter.  I studied every word.  And I want you to hear me clearly:

Bahamians who stand up for truth are rare… and you have joined that fight.

Your voice carries weight, Mr. Fox — not because of entertainment, not because of fame, but because you are speaking from a place of love, integrity, and concern for the very nation that raised you.

And let me tell you something that the public may not fully understand:

When a Bahamian with international influence speaks truth, it shakes the whole system.

Most people don’t know how much courage it takes to speak honestly in this country.   They don’t know the backlash.  They don’t know the pressure.  They don’t know how quickly people try to silence you the moment you step outside the script.

But you stepped out anyway.  And I respect that.

Rick, I am watching your journey carefully.  And I want you to know this:

Every time you speak… I amplify it.  Every time you write… I respond.  Every time you raise a point… I carry it around the world.

Because while many people know you from the NBA, or from Hollywood, or from the spotlight — the world I deal with is different.

I speak with people in Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, South America — people who don’t watch TV, who don’t follow celebrities, who don’t subscribe to systems.  They only pay attention to truth, justice, and people who defend their homeland.

And just like my environmental stance made my message global, your stance is now doing the same.

You are stepping into a new chapter — a chapter of purpose.  And let me say this directly, with no hesitation:

The Bahamas needs men who speak boldly.  The Bahamas needs men who carry integrity.  The Bahamas needs men who refuse to bow to political pressure.  The Bahamas needs men who speak for the people, not for the system.

Rick Fox — continue your journey.  Continue your voice.  Continue your stand.

Because the more you speak, the more I will lift your message.  And the more I lift it,

the more the world sees exactly what you stand for.

This is not entertainment.  This is not politics.

This is about the soul of a nation.  And you, my brother, have stepped into the arena.

Keep going.  The Bahamas is watching.  And the world is listening.

Source / Comment

No Official Evidence Confirms the U.S. Coast Guard Intercepted Iranians and Russians from The Bahamas

No Official Statement Confirms the U.S. Coast Guard Intercepted a Boatload of Iranians and Russians from The Bahamas

No official evidence confirms the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted a boat of Iranians and Russians from The Bahamas, as claimed by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna.

Recent Coast Guard reports from June 2025 mention Cubans, Chinese, and others, but not Iranians or Russians in this context.

Social media posts echo the claim without credible sources.  While Luna's statement suggests possible insider knowledge, the lack of documentation makes it likely unverified or inaccurate. Official clarification is needed.

Source/Comment

Wayne Munroe Lives in a Different Bahamas!

Where in Hell does Wayne Munroe Dwell?

MUNROE LIVES IN A DIFFERENT BAHAMAS

It is deeply disappointing that the Minister of National Security continues to demonstrate just how out of touch he is with the day-to-day realities facing Bahamians and our brave first responders.

For the Minister to suggest there is “no indication” that the Fire Services lack resources is simply not supported by facts or by the lived experience of those on the front lines.

Just last week, we witnessed a fire devastate parts of Bay Street, one of our most important commercial corridors, while firefighters were forced to scramble without proper support.  The airport had to shut down to redirect equipment to the scene.  And across this country, we are relying on just five fire trucks to serve an entire country of more than 400,000 people spread across multiple islands.  That is unacceptable.

Let me be clear: this is not a reflection of our firefighters, who continue to serve with courage, professionalism, and self-sacrifice.  These are dedicated Bahamians doing the best they can with what little they’ve been given.  They deserve more than praise; they deserve resources, investment, and respect.

This should be a moment for reflection and action, not dismissive comments that ignore the seriousness of the situation.  Bahamians know what they saw.  Businesses lost property.  Residents feared for their safety.  And our emergency teams were pushed to the edge.

If the Minister of National Security refuses to see the problem, he certainly cannot be part of the solution.

Supporting our first responders must be a top priority.  The people of this country expect better, and they deserve a government that takes public safety seriously, not one that minimizes real concerns and leaves communities vulnerable.”

Shanendon Cartwright, MP
Deputy Leader of the Free National Movement

The Political Implications of The United States District Court - Southern District of New York Indictment Against Bahamian Nationals, High-ranking Law Enforcement Officers and Bahamas Government Officials

READ BETWEEN THE LINES OF THE INDICTMENT; IT GOES BEYOND THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT!

READ BETWEEN THE LINES:

By Professor Gilbert Morris

Nassau, NP, The Bahamas

There are phrases in the Indictment document - whether or not it’s authentic - that appear familiar, even nebulous, which are and ought to be troubling signals, when considered in “State Department speak” or as framing narratives.

Remember you and I and our governments use terms just to sound good mostly.  Those same terms are used by the U.S. as “policy framing mechanisms”  …they trigger policy options from warnings to bans to sanctions!

If you’ve spent time around U.S. Defence Intelligence, you learn they aren’t just descriptions, but evolving “operational frames”:

1. “Third Border” - seems nebulous and familiar, but it’s a prioritisation.  If it’s a border at all then there must be a policy to deal with it.  I was invited to give a lecture to the MOFA staff in 2002, at which I offered: “the notion of a third border is not new.  But we use it casually/conceptually, whilst the U.S. uses it strategically”.  What we fail to grasp is they will build a vast policy edifice around that.  I advised so long ago that we shouldn’t just use this phrase to celebrate our proximity.  We should build on the strategic options proximity presents us, so that we define the meaning of this border before they define it, which isn’t likely to be in our favour.  Too late!

2. ⁠”Vast disjointed territory” - one of the things that impressed me about @⁨Leon⁩ Williams, the engineers at BTC and Bahamasair pilots is their “whole concept of The Bahamas”.  There are many nations that lack a whole concept, even central/western Canada does not enjoy this concept in respect of Quebec.  That we

are an archipelago and every Bahamian thinks every other Bahamian from Abaco to Inagua is Bahamian is quite extraordinary; especially given our enigmas of arrival.  The term ‘vast disjointed territory’ is not how we see ourselves.  But the manner in which the term is used in the Indictment is a “management or area control risk assessment” masquerading as a simple phrase.  They even managed to make “700 islands” sound like a scheme for wickedness.  In their process - as they should - they’ll add social definitional criteria to that phase giving it hard differentiations and attempt implement strategy within that frame.  As such, that phase has an active generator function that could become a definitional weapon, such as:

The Bahamas is a place Bahamians can never control because it’s 700 islands, a “vast disjointed territory”!

That’s a framing statement that would be used for all future policy considerations.  This is how policy is developed: name, frame, defame!

3. ⁠”Trafficking vector” - that phrase was central to a PhD (2002) done at the LSE by Dr. P. Tosti (who is the last princess of the house of Qajar of Iran).  Her father was here in Nassau with the Shah when he was deposed.  (I recalled arguing against the framing of the term “transshipment point” as a euphemism for drug trafficking).  That phrase “trafficking vector” replaces transshipment in a manner that cannot be euphemised, and is a generator from (2.) above, and so is already framing The Bahamas as a risk vortex on the ‘third border’ in a ‘vast disjointed territory’.

You must be aware that they have far more evidence than they are letting on: they have technologies that allow them to clone electronic devices.  They’ve been listening, perhaps for years…they know who has done what.

As such, those terms did not come from the Justice Department alone.  They are operative evolving definitions by which State Department and Homeland Security frames The Bahamas and that will determine policies going forward.

Source/Comment

The Bahamas Lack Political Leadership

Bahamians are losing out in their country, The Bahamas

Former Minister of National Security A. Loftus Roker says that The Bahamas need to get serious about its illegal immigration crisis

‘This country lacks leadership’

Roker worried Bahamians increasingly marginalized

By Candia Dames, Executive Editor of The Nassau Guardian

 

Former Minister of National Security A. Loftus Roker, who is still widely known for the tough stance he took against illegal immigration when he was minister responsible for immigration, said yesterday he remains concerned that Bahamians are losing out in their country, and lamented what he said is a lack of political leadership.

“When you have no more country, you see where you can go and claim anything,” said Roker, who was asked his views on the controversy surrounding the release of a large group of Chinese nationals found at the British Colonial Hotel without any legal status in The Bahamas earlier this year.

Minister of Immigration Keith Bell has said it was “unnecessary” to transport them to the Carmichael Road Detention Centre, where individuals found to be in The Bahamas illegally are held.  According to Bell, the “irregularities” found at the work site “were expeditiously cured by the employer”.

Roker warned, “All I say is one day Bahamians will find we don’t have our own country.  That’s what I’m worried about.

“The country lacks leadership.  Imagine you had dozens of Chinese without work permits here.  How the hell did they get here? … How did we allow them to land?  We trying to fool ourselves.  We don’t have any leadership.  If you had leadership, you’d know what’s going on.  But what we are doing is keep postponing our problems.  That’s what we’re doing.”

Details surrounding how the Chinese nationals got in The Bahamas and whether they still are currently in country are unknown as Bell nor any other authority has yet to thoroughly explain the matter.

Meanwhile, it is understood that in Progressive Liberal Party circles there is widespread concern over the political impact the controversy ensnaring the immigration minister could have.

Roker wished not to comment directly on a statement made by Director of Immigration Keturah Ferguson in a correspondence to Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Immigration Cecilia Strachan that “it also appears that the expatriate has more rights in The Bahamas than Bahamians”, but he said, “One thing for sure, we don’t believe in Bahamians.  Anybody else better than us.  All I’m saying is we lack leadership.”

Ferguson’s correspondence was sent a day after the Chinese were ordered released not long after the immigration exercise was conducted.

As reported in the media on Monday, Ferguson said in her correspondence that immigration officials received a directive from Bell to have the immigration officers stand down on the operation and that any breach will be remedied the following day.

Even as the firestorm over the immigration matter – including Bell’s swearing in of a family as citizens of The Bahamas during a funeral service last month – builds, Prime Minister Philip Davis has remained silent, with his office saying only that the facts are being gathered in respect of the various immigration issues at hand.

Meanwhile, a purported report to an immigration superior from the immigration officer who oversaw the January 17 exercise at the British Colonial was circulated on social media yesterday.

According to the document, only three of the 65 Chinese nationals found at the hotel were able to produce passports or identification for immigration officials, while all others claimed they had no passports in their possession and were unable to contact the people who may have them.

“On arrival at the hotel, we observed lighting and clothing hung in the windows of some of the rooms.  Shortly thereafter, we noticed an Asian male in the window of one of the rooms,” the document states.

“Based on this, we approached the security officer and advised him of our suspicions.  The officer attempted to obstruct us from entering the building and checking the status of the individual, therefore, I advised him under extreme caution that I was prepared to arrest him for obstruction and continued the execution of my duties.

“The officer then removed himself from the entrance and I instructed the officers to search the first floor of the building.”

The officer wrote, “In the initial search, the officers reported a total of 10 persons, but, after a more intense search, we were able to gather approximately 65 Chinese nationals.

“All subjects were asked to produce their passports and any other evidence of legal status.  Out of the 65 subjects, only three were able to produce passports or identification.

“All of the others claimed they had no passports in their possession and [were] unable to contact the persons who may have them.”

While he did not delve into the details emerging in relation to the various immigration controversies, Roker said yesterday there’s a need for The Bahamas to get serious about its illegal immigration crisis.

Source 

What about a Domestic Agenda, Mr. Prime Minister?

“Global Warming!"

There needs to be a true plan of action if real change is to take place in our country - The Bahamas. We need new ways of diversifying our economy so the trickledown effect can become a reality. Innovation needs to be the order of the day. A new day must include not just the Bahamian elites, but every Bahamian as a whole

By: Dr. Kevin Turnquest-Alcena

LLB (Hon-1st Cl.), LLM (Hon-1st Cl.)

PhD in Economics / Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology

Ph.D. in Public Health / PhD in Herbal and Holistic Medicine

Titular Professor

Lawyer & Fellow—FCILEx; ACIArb; & Snr. Fellow–AMLA

“Some say the planet is sick and humans are the virus, it is undeniably we as a species have destroyed this beautiful planet at an alarming rate. Putting aside global warming and climate change, no species is as greedy as the human race, we take more than we need and leave a trail of destruction.”

Global warming! Climate change! Melting glaciers! Rising sea levels! Sinking lands! Eroding coasts! The world is in a panic; fear of the future like the resounding roar of a lion! Scientist predicting a bleak, dark and uncertain tomorrow. It has been said that by 2100 the sea levels would have risen up to 70%, thus being the catalyst for the loss of many coastal regions.

With that said, God has a divine plan for man and this earth He created. He is the God, the Chronos and the Kairos time and because He supersedes time, He controls everything. Genesis 9:11 states, "And I will establish my covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there anymore be a flood to destroy the earth." Man does not have the capacity to comprehend God or the things He does and thus can never predict the outcome of one's future.

With that being said, it cannot be denied that the drastic effects of climate change have resulted in many countries looking for an outlet to reduce their carbon fingerprint. As a result, a country like Denmark has committed to offering 13.4 million dollars to developing nations damaged by climate change. This excessive damage has resulted in the concept of carbon credits. Carbon credits are carbon allowances giving a company permission to generate 1 ton of CO2 emissions.

Prime Minister Davis, stated that, "We intend to be the first country to offer Blue Carbon Credits... It creates for the first time a framework to compensate The Bahamas for the significant role we play as a carbon sink." However, one must ask, Mr. Prime Minister, will we really receive the compensation being suggested? How will this affect the environment? If you, sir, are truly depending upon other countries to compensate this country, good luck! Like Jeremiah 17:5 “Thus the Lord. Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord."

However, Mr. Prime Minister, while a global agenda is great! The burning questions still remain. What about a domestic agenda? What does your manifesto say in regard to the National debt? How does a $4.2 million dollar travelling budget eradicate the mounting debt? Could not this money have been spent on developing a program focused on decreasing unemployment? May I remind you sir that next June over 5,000 students leaving school, with only 20% going to college. What happens to the other 80% that will be looking for work?

Moreover, what plan is in place to assist those students that are educated yet having difficulty obtaining gainful employment as citizens in their own country? Although it is good to help those that have no options or talents, helping those that do will be an asset.

There needs to be a true plan of action if real change is to take place in our country. We need new ways of diversifying our economy so the trickledown effect can become a reality. Innovation needs to be the order of the day. A new day must include not just the elites, but everyone as a whole.

“Mother earth is crying. We humans have done enough damage and still can’t open our eyes. We are so arrogant that we convince others that we have to save the earth, but earth’s real cancer is human’s behavior. We have to put our ego and arrogance aside and take some serious and strong steps to protect ourselves and our future, or will have to be ready to die sooner or later.”

November 19, 2022 

Source/Comment

War Declared on the FNM

The FNM has become a selective lovers, family and friends society

By Dennis Dames

As a Free National Movement (FNM) supporter since the 1970s, I am ready to cast my net on the other side.  The party has been transformed in to a sweetheart political organisation – where the leaders appear to be following in the footsteps of their whore-mongering predecessors.

FNM leaders and standard bearers of today, seem to be more obsessed with their sweeties, hoes and bastard making pursuits, rather than the good of the country – in my opinion.

I have made more political contributions and sacrifices than many of them past and present.  I have been in the FNM trenches most of my life fighting PLP corruption and victimisation – while many of the present day FNM leaders were PLPing-it-up, PLPing-it-down and PLPing-it-all-around.

Yes, the FNM party has lost its way since the advent of Pindling’s most illustrious protégé – in 1989.

I’ve been blacklisted and sidelined a long time ago in my party, the Free National Movement, (FNM).  I am always ready to serve my beloved country, The Bahamas; and nothing will stop me – as long as there is God’s breath in me.

Indeed, the FNM has become a selective lovers, family and friends society.  The Bahamas and Bahamian people deserve better than that.  I will continue to fight for a better country, and not allow the FNM to bury me alive.

Dennis Dames will rise again, and I have declared war on the politically wicked and - in my opinion - morally corrupt FNM.