Capital punishment 'will not impact crime'
tribune242
CAPITAL punishment will not have any significant impact on crime, said independent candidate for Kennedy Craig Butler.
Instead, the former Progressive Liberal Party member has called for the resumption of corporal punishment as a deterrent for violent crime.
"There have been repeated calls for capital punishment to be resumed as it is felt by many that this would have the deterrent effect," said Mr Butler.
"Although the ability to effect such a sentence is on our books, in reality, given the constraints that have been imposed by the Privy Council through its interpretation of our constitution, the likelihood of hanging a convicted person is virtually nil.
"If it is the desire of the Bahamian people to resume this practice, a referendum must be held so that the necessary changes to our constitution can be made, that would allow a convicted person the right to pursue any and all appeals that they may desire and at the end of that process despite the passage of a long period of time for the State to mete out its punishment."
Still he called for a public referendum to get public consensus on the controversial issue.
"In the circumstances, I call upon the Prime Minister to hold the national referendum before the next general election and allow the voices of the people to be heard. To me it seems as though it would be impossible for any political institution to oppose such a move for fear of being branded not serious about dealing with the issue of crime."
Mr Butler said he feels corporal punishment is the way forward.
"Corporal punishment brings real results. The reinstitution of the use of 'the rod' and 'the cat' will be something that will in my estimation cause one to stop and think. Amnesty International and all the other international groups I am sure will be berating us as a barbaric society.
"If the more serious crimes came with these as a mandatory part of the sentence I am convinced that many of those who commit crimes will think long and hard before doing so."
September 05, 2011
tribune242
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.
Showing posts with label Craig Butler Bahamas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Craig Butler Bahamas. Show all posts
Monday, September 5, 2011
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Craig Butler’s struggle to attain a nomination should be a cautionary tale for young people going into Bahamian politics... The past can be held against you
Butler's candor is refreshing
thenassauguardian editorial
Craig Butler yesterday left the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP). He was the party’s treasurer. Butler is the grandson of the first Bahamian Governor General, Sir Milo Butler. He is also the brother of Free National Movement (FNM) Cabinet Minister and Montagu Member of Parliament Loretta Butler-Turner.
Butler, an attorney, was denied the PLP nomination to run as a candidate in the February 2010 Elizabeth by-election and he was again denied the PLP nomination to run as the party’s candidate in the Kennedy constituency at the next general election. Attorney Dion Smith received the nomination.
Butler knows the party will not give him a nomination as a candidate. It thinks he would be a liability as a candidate.
Butler has publicly acknowledged that he had a drug problem in the past. On the Star 106.5 FM talk show Jeffery yesterday with host Jeffery Lloyd, after his resignation, Butler said his drug use began in the 1990s when he went away to university.
His drug use ended late in 2001 or early 2002, Butler added. In 2008, he was charged with causing harm to his wife Terrel, who is also an attorney. The matter was later dropped.
Regarding the drug use, it was refreshing to hear a public figure come forward and disclose that he is not perfect.
None of us are.
Many Bahamians, doctors, lawyers, teachers, politicians and others have struggled with substance abuse. It is a triumph when an addict overcomes and resumes living a balanced life. If a person has truly overcome, such past indiscretions should not bar that person from serving the community.
In fact, such a story of failure and triumph could be inspirational to many, especially young people who have had similar struggles.
That being said, all should be aware that political parties worldwide shy away from candidates with public histories of drug abuse. The fear is that the past struggles could be perceived as signs of deficiency and inadequacy.
For young people going into politics, Butler’s struggle to attain a nomination should be a cautionary tale. The past can be held against you.
The PLP, though, must be careful that it does not come out of this looking hypocritical. In the 1984 Commission of Inquiry report, many senior PLPs were accused of drug related corruption. Many PLPs during the party’s last term in office, from 2002 to 2007, also had scandals. Many ran, nonetheless, in the 2007 general election. Some will run again in the next general election.
It’s strange to deny Butler and to allow some of the others in the PLP to run again and again, or to be appointed to senior government posts, when they too had mishaps in the past.
Jun 02, 2011
thenassauguardian editorial
thenassauguardian editorial
Craig Butler yesterday left the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP). He was the party’s treasurer. Butler is the grandson of the first Bahamian Governor General, Sir Milo Butler. He is also the brother of Free National Movement (FNM) Cabinet Minister and Montagu Member of Parliament Loretta Butler-Turner.
Butler, an attorney, was denied the PLP nomination to run as a candidate in the February 2010 Elizabeth by-election and he was again denied the PLP nomination to run as the party’s candidate in the Kennedy constituency at the next general election. Attorney Dion Smith received the nomination.
Butler knows the party will not give him a nomination as a candidate. It thinks he would be a liability as a candidate.
Butler has publicly acknowledged that he had a drug problem in the past. On the Star 106.5 FM talk show Jeffery yesterday with host Jeffery Lloyd, after his resignation, Butler said his drug use began in the 1990s when he went away to university.
His drug use ended late in 2001 or early 2002, Butler added. In 2008, he was charged with causing harm to his wife Terrel, who is also an attorney. The matter was later dropped.
Regarding the drug use, it was refreshing to hear a public figure come forward and disclose that he is not perfect.
None of us are.
Many Bahamians, doctors, lawyers, teachers, politicians and others have struggled with substance abuse. It is a triumph when an addict overcomes and resumes living a balanced life. If a person has truly overcome, such past indiscretions should not bar that person from serving the community.
In fact, such a story of failure and triumph could be inspirational to many, especially young people who have had similar struggles.
That being said, all should be aware that political parties worldwide shy away from candidates with public histories of drug abuse. The fear is that the past struggles could be perceived as signs of deficiency and inadequacy.
For young people going into politics, Butler’s struggle to attain a nomination should be a cautionary tale. The past can be held against you.
The PLP, though, must be careful that it does not come out of this looking hypocritical. In the 1984 Commission of Inquiry report, many senior PLPs were accused of drug related corruption. Many PLPs during the party’s last term in office, from 2002 to 2007, also had scandals. Many ran, nonetheless, in the 2007 general election. Some will run again in the next general election.
It’s strange to deny Butler and to allow some of the others in the PLP to run again and again, or to be appointed to senior government posts, when they too had mishaps in the past.
Jun 02, 2011
thenassauguardian editorial
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Craig Butler calls for Bahamian politicians to come clean about their drug use... insisting that every potential candidate undergo drug testing ahead of the upcoming general election
MPs Challenged To Take Drug Tests
BY KENDENO N. P. KNOWLES
jonesbahamas
The 41 sitting Members of Parliament are being challenged by one political hopeful to undergo drug testing ahead of the upcoming general elections. But more than that, Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Treasurer Craig Butler is insisting that every potential candidate undergo the same testing.
Mr. Butler, who has long sought a position in high office through his political party, but has never been successful because of his troubled past plagued with drug use, namely cocaine, made this call for politicians to come clean about their drug use on Wednesday.
The aspiring politician told the Bahama Journal yesterday that, "Anybody running for a seat in the House of Assembly, and all candidates or anybody who offers themselves as a candidate should be tested without question."
And while in The Bahamas, there exists a Public Disclosure Act where candidates are asked to reveal information about their finances, investigations carried out by the Bahama Journal revealed that in countries like the United States and Canada, politicians both serving and aspiring, are asked to disclose financial as well as medical information among other things.
"Getting tested for drugs is just one of the requirements when people are applying for jobs and a number of other things. So why shouldn’t those people who sit in the halls of Parliament be tested for drug use," Mr. Butler asked.
"I do not think any of the MPs should have an issue with this but I also do not think anyone will even consider this possibility."
Questioned as to the validity of claims made about certain sitting members abusing presently or previously abusing drugs, Mr. Butler was more than reluctant to answer.
Instead, Mr. Butler says we perhaps will never really know for sure what someone has done or is doing without this drug testing.
"I am not about to go down that road and state whether or not I think anyone in [the House of Assembly may be guilty of drug use]," he said.
"As I’ve stated on the record, almost a decade ago yes I did have my problems and anyone who has ever been in my position, I guess there will always be some question marks that will remain.
"But I think a drug test should be required of everyone running for office. Nobody ever knows what someone else is really doing."
In fact, Mr. Butler feels the Public Disclosure Act should be amended to include drug testing, as is the case in other jurisdictions.
For instance, the American Civil Liberties Union recently reported that Florida's Republican Governor Rick Scott not to long ago made drug tests mandatory for all state workers
And even as the PLP has snubbed Mr. Butler for a chance at a seat in the House of Assembly, he feels other political hopefuls should not be overlooked because of mistakes made in the past.
"I do not think that people who may have in the past used drugs should be hindered from running for office. I think it is being classified with other abuses such as alcohol, gambling and various other addictions as a disease. And the medical community is accepting it as a disease.
"Unfortunately anyone can fall prey to a disease at any point in time and there is various forms of treatment that a person can get to alleviate themselves from any addiction they may have fallen prey to. This is nothing that I think that will preclude somebody from seeking higher office and or being able to ably serve their country.
"So a person that has gone down the road that I have gone should not automatically be singled out because of the mistakes they made in the past.
"And at the end of the day anyone who is presently in the halls of Parliament and or seeking the halls of parliament who is dealing with any addictions we would like to see them get help."
May 12th, 2011
jonesbahamas
BY KENDENO N. P. KNOWLES
jonesbahamas
The 41 sitting Members of Parliament are being challenged by one political hopeful to undergo drug testing ahead of the upcoming general elections. But more than that, Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Treasurer Craig Butler is insisting that every potential candidate undergo the same testing.
Mr. Butler, who has long sought a position in high office through his political party, but has never been successful because of his troubled past plagued with drug use, namely cocaine, made this call for politicians to come clean about their drug use on Wednesday.
The aspiring politician told the Bahama Journal yesterday that, "Anybody running for a seat in the House of Assembly, and all candidates or anybody who offers themselves as a candidate should be tested without question."
And while in The Bahamas, there exists a Public Disclosure Act where candidates are asked to reveal information about their finances, investigations carried out by the Bahama Journal revealed that in countries like the United States and Canada, politicians both serving and aspiring, are asked to disclose financial as well as medical information among other things.
"Getting tested for drugs is just one of the requirements when people are applying for jobs and a number of other things. So why shouldn’t those people who sit in the halls of Parliament be tested for drug use," Mr. Butler asked.
"I do not think any of the MPs should have an issue with this but I also do not think anyone will even consider this possibility."
Questioned as to the validity of claims made about certain sitting members abusing presently or previously abusing drugs, Mr. Butler was more than reluctant to answer.
Instead, Mr. Butler says we perhaps will never really know for sure what someone has done or is doing without this drug testing.
"I am not about to go down that road and state whether or not I think anyone in [the House of Assembly may be guilty of drug use]," he said.
"As I’ve stated on the record, almost a decade ago yes I did have my problems and anyone who has ever been in my position, I guess there will always be some question marks that will remain.
"But I think a drug test should be required of everyone running for office. Nobody ever knows what someone else is really doing."
In fact, Mr. Butler feels the Public Disclosure Act should be amended to include drug testing, as is the case in other jurisdictions.
For instance, the American Civil Liberties Union recently reported that Florida's Republican Governor Rick Scott not to long ago made drug tests mandatory for all state workers
And even as the PLP has snubbed Mr. Butler for a chance at a seat in the House of Assembly, he feels other political hopefuls should not be overlooked because of mistakes made in the past.
"I do not think that people who may have in the past used drugs should be hindered from running for office. I think it is being classified with other abuses such as alcohol, gambling and various other addictions as a disease. And the medical community is accepting it as a disease.
"Unfortunately anyone can fall prey to a disease at any point in time and there is various forms of treatment that a person can get to alleviate themselves from any addiction they may have fallen prey to. This is nothing that I think that will preclude somebody from seeking higher office and or being able to ably serve their country.
"So a person that has gone down the road that I have gone should not automatically be singled out because of the mistakes they made in the past.
"And at the end of the day anyone who is presently in the halls of Parliament and or seeking the halls of parliament who is dealing with any addictions we would like to see them get help."
May 12th, 2011
jonesbahamas
Friday, May 13, 2011
Craig Butler will once again not run as a candidate for the PLP in the upcoming general election
Butler will not run as PLP candidate
tribune242
AFTER being passed over in the Elizabeth by-election last year, attorney Craig Butler will once again not run as a candidate for the PLP in the upcoming general election, The Tribune has been informed.
With a history of drug use that ended nearly 10 years ago, Mr Butler said that his past is continuing to haunt him to this day despite his "continued commitment and dedication" to the PLP.
According to Mr Butler, the party's leader Perry Christie has informed him outright that running him as a candidate in this election would be too much of an "embarrassment" for the PLP.
"Clearly, my party has demonstrated to me by their words that there is no room for me in the PLP as a Member of Parliament," Mr Butler said.
This "embarrassing past." Mr Butler said, was the same excuse used by the party to deny him the nomination in Elizabeth, despite the fact that he had already been working on the ground ahead of the area's current representative, Ryan Pinder.
"I have been forthright with people about my past. And the PLP has always prided itself on being the party of second chances, but for all the persons that the party looks like it will be running in the upcoming election, for me to be an embarrassment to them, I find that incredulous," Mr Butler said.
At this point, Mr Butler said he will quietly consider his future in the party - a statement that has raised concerns in some quarters of the PLP. Some PLPs reportedly believe that a plan has been set in motion for Mr Butler to join the governing FNM as their candidate for the Kennedy constituency.
However, attempts to reach Mr Butler for comment regarding this aspect of his political future were unsuccessful up until press time last night.
May 12, 2011
tribune242
tribune242
AFTER being passed over in the Elizabeth by-election last year, attorney Craig Butler will once again not run as a candidate for the PLP in the upcoming general election, The Tribune has been informed.
With a history of drug use that ended nearly 10 years ago, Mr Butler said that his past is continuing to haunt him to this day despite his "continued commitment and dedication" to the PLP.
According to Mr Butler, the party's leader Perry Christie has informed him outright that running him as a candidate in this election would be too much of an "embarrassment" for the PLP.
"Clearly, my party has demonstrated to me by their words that there is no room for me in the PLP as a Member of Parliament," Mr Butler said.
This "embarrassing past." Mr Butler said, was the same excuse used by the party to deny him the nomination in Elizabeth, despite the fact that he had already been working on the ground ahead of the area's current representative, Ryan Pinder.
"I have been forthright with people about my past. And the PLP has always prided itself on being the party of second chances, but for all the persons that the party looks like it will be running in the upcoming election, for me to be an embarrassment to them, I find that incredulous," Mr Butler said.
At this point, Mr Butler said he will quietly consider his future in the party - a statement that has raised concerns in some quarters of the PLP. Some PLPs reportedly believe that a plan has been set in motion for Mr Butler to join the governing FNM as their candidate for the Kennedy constituency.
However, attempts to reach Mr Butler for comment regarding this aspect of his political future were unsuccessful up until press time last night.
May 12, 2011
tribune242
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