PAGE 4, Wednesday, February 12, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
The Tribune Limited NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI “Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”
LEON E. H. DUPUCH,
Publisher/Editor 1903-1914
SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,
Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .
Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991
EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,
C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B. Publisher/Editor 1972-
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Good news after the storm THE delight was obvious to see in Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ announcements of two big economic deals – one for South Abaco and one for Grand Bahama. The Grand Bahama deal has been long in the making – the closing date for the Grand Lucayan sale. Indeed, the date for the completion of the purchase by Royal Caribbean and ITM had seemingly slipped a couple of times as negotiations went on. Even Hurricane Dorian was cited as a factor in the delay as the government swung into response mode. Whatever the reasons for the delays – and they could be as simple as the fact that sealing a major deal takes time – the announcement of the March 2 signing date is very welcome. Dr Minnis says the project could bring 2,000-3,000 jobs, sorely needed in Grand Bahama. More than the construction phase though, it is the long-term employment and the reinvigoration of the visitor market there as the Grand Lucayan brings more visitors to the island that will prove the real longterm economic boost. The deal is not the be all and end all of the opportunities that will spring from it, rather it will be a chance for the whole area to benefit from a revived market if all goes well. While that deal is one people have long been aware of and just waiting to find out when it would all be signed off, the South Abaco project is perhaps the one that will attract the most discussion. A $300m residential resort and marina that will bring 600 jobs in construction, it comes to an island sorely affected by Hurricane Dorian. The jobs will be welcome, the opportunities will be welcome – but the public eye will want to make sure the project holds up to scrutiny too.
The construction of a resort and marina will obviously need thorough examination for the environmental impact, for example. To this end, we would hope consultations are already under way with groups such as the Bahamas National Trust and activist bodies to make sure that when the project is done, it’s done right. Ask the questions early rather than face the kind of fight that’s been seen elsewhere, such as with the Lighthouse Point project in Eleuthera. That said, it is heartening to see the shoots of economic recovery taking root. These projects will not only help the recovery after the storm, but the recovery that’s been long overdue from the economic storms that have beset The Bahamas over the years. In the wake of Hurricane Dorian, we heard too many stories of businesses closing their doors for good or moving elsewhere. Seeing businesses taking the reverse course and opening their doors on the hurricane-affected islands is heartening indeed. It’s a sign that, for all the tragedy those islands experienced, we can rebuild. There remains work to be done, we are sure. There will be those environmental inspections. There will, we hope, be thorough due diligence carried out to ensure there no repeat of the Oban embarrassment. We hope the Heads of Agreement will be better constructed than the one for the Pointe development reportedly is with regard to Bahamian employees. But this is welcome at a tough time for islands that sorely need good news. We wish the projects every success, and applaud all those involved in making sure they have come this far already.
PLP out to win over the media EDITOR, The Tribune I RECENTLY saw a collage of Facebook photos of high ranking Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) officials and prominent media personalities frolicking comfortably at what looked like a lavish social event at a high-end residence. Among those in attendance were PLP Leader Philip Brave Davis; Deputy Leader Chester Cooper and Chair Fred Mitchell. Among the media personalities in attendance were Nassau Guardian Editor Candia Dames and Clint Watson of EyeWitness News and Beyond The Headlines -- arguably two of the most prominent figures in journalism. The outspoken Rodney Moncur, of Freedom March on ILTV Studious, was also in attendance. The former Democratic National Alliance candidate and former Free National Movement (FNM) senator appears to now be a PLP. Previously rumoured to have been an FNM supporter, Watson appears to currently hold no brief for the party. He is more anti-FNM than pro-PLP, however. Dames’ presence at the event is what is most shocking to this writer, in light of her National Review assessments of the previous PLP government between 2012 - 2017 that
were, quite frankly, downright damning (forgive my French). PLPs who were disheartened by the devastating results of the 2017 general election usually fault National Review as being one of the main reasons for the election loss. Dames being invited to the event is probably a sign that the PLP hierarchy has buried the hatchet with her, and are probably hoping for her and fellow Nassau Guardian columnist Sharon Turner to continue bludgeoning the FNM administration of Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis. Interestingly, Turner was employed at Bahamas Information Services under the last Ingraham administration. Not being engaged by the current FNM administration, rabid FNMs believe that Turner is not demonstrating any objectivity towards their party in her Perspective column due to her possibly feeling slighted by the party. Her disgruntlement may be the motivating factor behind her incessant criticisms, some FNMs believe. Minnis’ elevation to the leadership post of the FNM in 2012 has introduced a dynamic with the media and the FNM that never existed when former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham led the party. Indeed, it was Ingraham who deepened the Bahamian democracy by throwing off the
shackles that the late Sir Lynden O Pindling had placed on the media, in a strategic move to muffle dissent. This can explain why the media usually held a favourable estimation of Ingraham, while his successor has had a bumpy relationship with the media fraternity. Like former PLP leader and prime minister, Perry Christie, Minnis has the unfortunate task of being in the journalistic crosshairs of the media. I challenge anyone to locate an article by either Dames or Turner that was critical of Ingraham. As a seasoned, smart and savvy political veteran, Brave Davis understands quite well that a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. By wining and dining the media fraternity, Davis has given the appearance that he is attempting to woo over the media to his side a little over two years before the next general election. By courting media personalities, Davis is shrewdly covering his bases. He can then focus his political resources on fighting the FNM, while not having the headache of dealing with a pesky media. Whatever the case may be, the PLP and the media makes for strange bedfellows. KEVIN EVANS Grand Bahama. February 10, 2020.
Jamaal is on holdiay
Fred Smith was off the mark with Carnival EDITOR, The Tribune
MR SMITH, I am with you on many issues. However, your Carnival defence piece was off the mark. Kudos to your lifelong adherence to the environment and human rights. But, as a lawyer, in my opinion you have muddled up some of the logical and ethical responsibilities we have, by defending the indefensible. You state that Carnival is no worse than the rest of the cruise ship companies, and plays a small part in the whole of pollution. So, along that way of thinking, should we turn a blind eye on the teenage street thug who just robbed an old woman because he is only a small part of the rampant crime we are seeing? Yes, I understand proportionality and fairness, but I don’t think your argument holds water. And, just because you don’t need the income doesn’t necessarily mean you haven’t compromised your morals by defending Carnival. We understand that you are well off. So are mobsters and web shop owners and bankers, but they stay with their game, even after they’ve made a bundle, don’t they? A truly “good” lawyer is one who gets their drug dealing client off, even when caught red-handed. Is this correct? And then, be able to charge even higher fees because of this miscarriage of Justice. So, we see even in your own profession, that the best and highest paid has nothing to do with justice, so to speak, but rather how well you do for your clients, no matter their true innocence or guilt. Is this a fair statement? A “good” lawyer’s job is to muddy the waters with uncertainty, such that justice, true justice, is hamstrung. Next, is a quote from your letter. “I am a realist. My firm also acts for Disney and has acted for the Grand Bahama Port Authority Group of companies and many industrial businesses and developers. People need jobs and economic opportunities. Protecting the environment and sustaining opportunities for continued improvement for the lot of seven billion human beings can, with increased awareness, go hand in hand.” Well, yes Mr Smith, you are partly right. Commerce and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand, with increased awareness. Here’s my concern. Increased awareness means keeping up with the emerging science. And, most recently it has become clear to all paying attention that what is needed is a wholesale, radical change in the way we do business.
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net Most importantly, and most controversial, seems to be the absolute necessity of consuming less, much less, each and every one of us. I am not talking about constricting and strangling an economy. I am talking about the existential realism that is needed in this unprecedented point in human history. This point being the very likely possibility that we are on a critical path to extinguish most sentient life on this planet, including ourselves within a generation or two. These are not the crackpots saying this. These are our most eminent scientists on the planet. If this does not speak to the awareness of which you propose, I don’t know what does. Radical change means just that. Meaning that it is out of the question for thinking people to suggest that all we have to do is to clean up around the edges and things will get better. We need a radical change in the way we do business. What don’t you get about the term “radical”? To me, this goes to the heart of the “awareness” you speak of. Someone who truly possesses “awareness” would undoubtedly come to the conclusion that no cruise ships should ever be allowed in Bahamian waters. No matter the money that goes into the government coffers or the menial jobs their presence creates. That would be someone who wasn’t tied to anything other than the true “realism” of our sustainable relationship with Mother Earth. This could also be someone who is clever in creating many more, and better jobs by making the majority of The Bahamas an ecotourism paradise, known the world over for its sound stewardship practices and actual commitment to sustainable tourism. And, they could prove that the needed national investment was a fraction of what is needed to accommodate cruise ships. I lived in Key West, Florida when cruise ships first started coming there. Nothing good came out of them. The reef suffered from the siltation, the downtown suffered because these people don’t spend money off the boat, the class of tourists no longer appreciated what makes this destination special. No, the list of reasonable arguments against cruise ships is long, Mr Smith. Unless, all you see is the money. Last point, Mr Smith. Given the number of clients your company acts for, not to mention all the
humanitarian and environmental work you do, likely for free, is it fair to say, you are a busy man? The problem with where humanity is today is that we have lost our essential connections to Mother Earth. Because we have broken these essential bonds is what allows us to commit such horrible acts against Mother Earth and our own interests, as well. We are well aware of your thrill seeking vacations, and diving with sharks, and being an avid outdoorsman. This is all well and good. But, my point is that most of us humans, including you, have removed ourselves from the rhythms and cadences of our earth, of what actually sustains these seven billion, actually closer to eight billion people, you are concerned with. The earth feeds, clothes, and houses all of humanity, prior to any considerations to an economy. How do we miss this point? And this is the root of, not the problem, but the solution. In your world, Mr Smith, commerce consumes the vast majority of your day, your week, your life. I applaud you for the efforts you have made on behalf of many who have no voice. However, what I am claiming is that you are not the one we must listen to for direction and how to sensibly move into the future. We must turn to those who have remained in contact with Mother Earth and are able to still impart some wisdom to the modern world, which has mostly lost this wisdom. With all due respect Mr Smith of your accomplishments, you still occupy the one percent as pertains to economic status in the world. The chances for any true and lasting solutions coming from the upper one percent, is pretty low indeed. The most learned and honest are now suggesting that we turn back to the indigenous peoples, of the ones we haven’t yet exterminated, to seek answers on how to live in harmony on Mother Earth. There is absolutely nothing to suggest that any of us, in this modern comfortable, but abjectly failed, modern industrial society, still have these answers. It has been educated out of our heads. All we do is to make excuses for our terminal ways of using up the world’s resources for ourselves, as quickly as possible. This is exactly what modern day commerce is all about, Mr Smith. We are currently on a dead end road. This has never been more clear. This is what true “awareness” understands. Jr
NORMAN TRABULSY Andros February 8, 2020
It’s a question of security EDITOR, The Tribune
SECURITY for present and past Governor Generals - Prime Ministers - Judges - Magistrates, etc… can the Minister confirm or deny that none of the above has 24/7 security? Governor Generals on retirement receive an aide…a vehicle but what about a security person? Similarly a Prime Minister? Chief Justice no idea and for Magistrates have no idea. The recent occurrence of a break-in to the residence
of Sir Arthur Foulkes, former governor general, raises a serious issue….if there is no security guard surely their residences should be outfitted with a security alarm? Coronavirus and what very fortunately turned out to be a mistake by the TV stations in New Jersey where the Phantom of the Seas docked, the cruise boat had not visited Nassau and as Minister Sands correctly stated the last time was the beginning of January, 2020. Sorry; Minister, it is your job to
deny such news reports not put out by some tabloid or social media but these were accredited US TV stations in New Jersey – don’t tell Joe public validate the information. With over 90,000 cruise passengers weekly coming through Nassau are we, Ministry of Health, doing what is imperative checking every single passenger who wishes to disembark for ‘fever’? Haiti checking! ABRAHAM MOSS Nassau, February 8, 2020.