07092020 Independence Supplement

PAGE 2, Thursday, July 9, 2020

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Party goes virtual WENDI

FOR the first time in the nation’s history, Bahamians will not gather en masse to celebrate the country’s independence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Instead, the national independence celebrations committee is preparing a four-hour, made for television, virtual independence programme that will air on Thursday, July 9.

The programme will be produced by Andrew Burrows.

The theme for the 47th independence anniversary is ‘Pressing Onward: A time of Hope, Triumph and Transformation’.

Mark Humes, Fort Charlotte MP and chairman of the committee said this year’s event will be historic because for the first time, Bahamians will not be able to gather for celebrations on Bay Street, at Government House or at historic Clifford Park – the site of every major independence celebration from the downing of the Union Jack to the raising of the black, aquamarine and gold Bahamas flag in 1973.

This made-for-television special will feature a star-studded cast of young Bahamian sketch comedic artists who are making a splash all over social media.

A special tribute and recognition will be paid to the victims of Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19. Those who have lost loved ones to Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19 and would like to have them memorialised during the ‘In Memoriam’ segment should send a photograph and a biography of no more than 200 words on their loved ones to email address nationalevents@bahamas.gov.bs.

Stars will include the likes of Wendi and Dyson Knight, Jaquay Adderley and Ricardo Clarke.

There will also be special messages from leading Bahamians around the world - and the Governor General.

JAQUAY ADDERLEY

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Thursday, July 9, 2020, PAGE 3

after virus

Celebrate how far we have come

RICARDO CLARKE

BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

DYSON KNIGHT

ALTHOUGH this year’s 47th anniversary of the Bahamas Independence Celebrations will be “lowkey,” Senator Jasmine Darius says it is important that Bahamians celebrate “who we are as a people and how far we have come,” and getting through serious natural disasters and the global crisis.

This year’s theme is: ‘Pressing Onward – a Time of Hope, Triumph, and Transformation.’

Senator Darius - who chairs the Independence Celebration Committee in GB – noted Grand Bahamians have experienced so much in the last 10 months, with Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Understanding what we have really experienced… as a nation. It is fitting to remember how important unity is and our strength and resiliency as a people,” she stated.

She announced that celebrations will commence with a national flag-raising at 9 am on Friday, July 4, at the Office of the Prime Minister.

“We are encouraging everyone to wear their Bahamian colours, put it on their cars, and decorate their business establishments. July 4. Flags are going up all over GB,” she said.

“Shop and buy local and show our children what is it means to be Bahamians.”

Senator Darius said that events planned for the celebration will be virtual, with interviews, skits, and performances of local artists that will be aired on ZNS. On Sunday, July 6, Senator Darius said churches are encouraged to deliver a message to their congregation in keeping with this year’s theme.

Dr Burrows, vice president of the Grand Bahama Christian Council, said that Bahamians must give God thanks for his “goodness towards The Bahamas”.

“We are asking churches to decorate their place of worship and wear the national colours. We also want families to celebrate together, and is appealing to everyone to be safe and follow protocols set out by health officials and the government.”

“We done well so far as a country and we want to… do our part to keep The Bahamas safe and free from this deadly virus,” he said.

PAGE 4, Thursday, July 9, 2020

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Nearing the edge

By Hon George A Smith “This Nation, this generation, in this hour has man’s best chance to build a Great Society, a place where the meaning of man’s life matches the marvels of man’s labour.”

– Lynden B Johnson 1908-1973

W

hen we awake on the morning of the 10th of July this year, 2020, we would not be the happy people we were when we

The Hon. George A. Smith, a native of Exuma, served continuously in Parliament for 29 years and in the Cabinet for 11 years. He was Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Minister Lynden Pindling, a delegate at the Conference on Independence, December 1972 in London, and co-ordinated the preparation for Independence in 1973. He is a Real Estate Broker and Consultant. jubilantly gathered in our thousands at Clifford Park and in large numbers all across this Archipelago to proudly herald in, after many decades of struggle, the birth of our new Nation,

the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, at midnight on the 9th July, 1973.

Those who had gathered and are still with us today can recall that their eyes were bright with hope, their

hearts were full of joy and they rejoice in the knowledge of great expectations of better tomorrows, as they prayed that all Bahamians would apply their talents in the knowledge that, if they succeeded, The Bahamas could be a great Nation, a small, but, nevertheless, a great Nation.

We can boast of the satisfaction and triumphs few countries have known in the relatively short time in the sovereign life of The Bahamas.

But here – and, at this time - I must tell you that we have not done as well as we should and could have done in the discharge of the duties to protect this beautiful and blessed land entrusted to us by our ancestors, who endured much in their battles to gets us to where we are. They expected you to bequeath it to your decedents, a better place than when you received it.

THE HARSH REALITIES • The Bahamas is number six (6) on the list of the world’s most expensive countries to live in. But sadly The Bahamas is very low on the list of quality of living.

• The estimated population of The Bahamas is 410,000 and shamefully some 55,000 persons (13.4

per cent) of the population is living at or below the poverty line.

• Presently the unemployment figure hovers at 40 per cent of the workforce.

• Crime, the disregard for law and order and the lack of respect for one another’s rights remain a major concern across the spectrum of the society.

• Illegal migrants and visitors who are encouraged to overstay their visas by employers and become gainfully employed denying Bahamians those jobs, remains a vexing problem.

• The national debt of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas now stands at a whopping $9.5 billion.

That’s $9,500,000,000.

These are six very compelling reasons for all of us to be worried, very worried, about the state of affairs in the country.

We must also add to these the yet unrealised total effect of Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19 on the economic and social life of The Bahamas. We must muster the honesty to face these severe realities and decide what must be done about each of them.

SEE NEXT PAGE

WE, the people, can do great things if we unite in a common cause. And to that end, let us pray that our country would awake from its slumber and a new dawn will inspire and strengthen us to recapture our destiny for greatness.

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Thursday, July 9, 2020, PAGE 5

“It is an irrefutable fact that, for some time now, this country lacked the wisdom of good judgment in the management of its affairs, which is so badly needed to avoid jeopardising our onward march in realising our potential. We would be foolish to deny that we are nearing the edge of failure as a society.”

— The Hon. George A. Smith

A PRE-Independence celebration national discussion was heard over ZNS on May 2, 1973. Among the men that participated in the discussion were Sir Lynden Pindling (back) and Mr George Smith (left back).

FROM PAGE 4 It is an irrefutable fact that, for some time now, this country lacked the wisdom of good judgment in the management of its affairs, which is so badly needed to avoid jeopardising our onward march in realising our potential. We would be foolish to deny that we are nearing the edge of failure as a society.

STAND UP! SPEAK UP! We cannot be satisfied with the state of affairs in the country. We can and must do something about it. We must raise our voices.

We must cry out for better, for change.

The Bahamian people must show humane concern for the high level of poverty in the country. Every resource must be put to bear to lift the poor out of poverty. To underpin this point, Proverbs 28:27 states, ‘‘He who gives to the poor will not be in need; but he who turns a blind eye to them will have his fill of disgrace.’’

The Bahamas is rich in talent in every area of the society. Just look around in the public service, in civil society, in business, in the variety of professions and in the arts. We are also rich in natural resources.

We must now, like in other times of national crisis, call on that reservoir of talent to use their innovative skills to rescue their country.

We must begin to exhibit a real sense of mutual respect between capital and labour, where each is appreciated as a critical part in any successful venture and where the contract between

the two necessary elements of production work together for the good of all.

We must identify our most competent leaders who are committed to the proper process necessary to guide us as we, together, forge a just, prosperous, progressive and compassionate society.

We must put aside our past differences. We must bury all that remains of racism and bigotry in the society. We cannot change the past. But we could learn many lessons from the past, particularly the lessons in human relationship.

We must be strengthened and show that we are the better because of the recent conditions which were brought on by Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19 and what would come in their aftermath.

IN THE AFTERMATH After every storm there is a sweet freshness in the air.

Perhaps, that’s God’s way of showing us that to build a new reality out of disaster, destruction and pain we must use fresh, new, creative ways to restore, to expand and to face new challenges boldly.

We desperately need to awaken and have an open and honest dialogue of the way forward. Only through this approach can we find the path to stability, recovery and growth.

We, the people, can do great things if we unite in a common cause. And to that end, let us pray that our country would awake from its slumber and a new dawn will inspire and strengthen us to recapture our destiny for greatness.

GEORGE SMITH, Member of Parliament of the Bahamas (left), presents Charles McCoy, mayor of Key West, with the proclamation declaring New Plymouth the sister city of Key West, Florida.

PAGE 6, Thursday, July 9, 2020

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Our Bahamaland “O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good. For His mercies endureth forever!” (Psalm 136:1) AT this time, the Commonwealth of The Bahamas celebrates 47 years of Independence. It is a tremendous achievement.

Many of us were present on Clifford Park on the evening of 9th June, 1973, when the Union Jack was lowered for the last time and the new national flag was hoisted for the first time.

I was there as a wide-eyed 11-year-old.

At the time, Great Britain was seeking to divest herself of her many overseas “colonies” (as they were then called) as possible. This was due, in some measure, to the tremendous economic strain that came with maintaining so many “dependent children”. In our own Caribbean region,

By THE RT REV LAISH BOYD, Anglican Diocese of The Bahamas sand the Turks and Caicos Islands a number of countries had already preceded The Bahamas by assuming independence from Britain: Jamaica 6 August, 1962 Trinidad and Tobago 31 August, 1962 Guyana 26 May, 1966 Barbados 30 November, 1966 The Bahamas 10 July, 1973 Then followed: Grenada 7 February, 1974 Suriname 25 November, 1975 (independence from The Netherlands) Dominica 3 November, 1978

St Lucia 22 February, 1979 St Vincent and the Grenadines 27 October, 1979 Belize 21 September, 1981 Antigua and Barbuda 1 November, 1981 St Kitts and Nevis 19 September, 1983 “Venturing out” from Britain had its risks but it was a part of a regional and global movement in those decades when many colonial powers were releasing their dependent territories. Independence was being encouraged and it was a part of the “next step” in national identity, evolution and global realignment.

Our leaders at the time were prepared to take the responsibility. It was a huge step, a frightening thought and a risky undertaking.

Many thought that The Bahamas should not do it. However, we launched out – we had to – and have made an excellent go of it.

Like every country, we have our successes and failures.

We have done some things well and can do some things better. There is a lot of room for improvement and a loooong way to go.

Since Independence – and all that Independence involves, entails, demands and occasions – we have grown. We have made strides. We have evolved in ways that we would not have done and could not have done had we remained a colony of Britain – or a British Overseas Territory, as they are now called.

(There are 14 such remaining territories on the planet, 6 in the Caribbean, of which our own Turks and Caicos Islands is one.)

Independence Time is

a time to celebrate and to thank God. We thank God for: • The Bahamas, all that she is and all that she stands for.

• The wonderful Bahamian people who are creative, lively and engaging The natural beauty of these islands • The freedom and peace that we enjoy • The political freedom and stability here • The small, closely-knit and friendly society • The warm spirit of the Bahamian people • The kind of life we are able to live here.

Yes, there are many things about our country that we do not like, that we would like to change and that need to change.

We must never lose sight of these, nor give up trying to work for positive change and improvement.

Let us recognise and celebrate all the good people who work hard every day, and who have worked hard over the decades, to make this country what it is.

Let us remember also that the work of maintaining and of building the Bahamas is the job of every citizen and resident.

It is not “those people’s” responsibility. It is our responsibility. Bahamaland is only as strong or as weak as you and me.

Let’s celebrate! Let’s be thankful! God has been so abundantly good to us.

Let’s see our cup as half full and not as half empty. Let’s walk together and not get weary. Let’s work and never tire. Let’s sing and never tire.

Happy Birthday, my Bahamas! We thank God for you! Happy Independence All!

‘PRESSING ONWARD, A TIME OF HOPE, TRIUMPH AND TRANSFORMATION’

By BISHOP DELTON FERNANDER Bahamas Christian Council president My Brothers and Sisters, We celebrate another year of nationhood and self-governance in very different times. I first want to remind us that we have so much to be grateful for.

It has now been 47 years since our beautiful flag was hoisted for the first time and this magnificent collection of islands and cays became an independent nation.

It cannot be lost on us that while we have a long way to go in our national and human development we have what many around the world crave, freedom.

As we celebrate, we cannot forget those who played a role in overcoming the challenges of our journey.

Bahamians, the future is calling us, it is imperative that we answer. We stand on the shoulders of people who were courageous enough to think beyond their circumstances and reach for what was believed, at the time, to be lofty goals.

Those of us who have benefited from their bold and consequential actions cannot be the ones to hinder progress.

I believe that we have come to a time in our history where we can no longer solely live off the triumphs of our forebears but must blaze new and innovative trails for those who will inherit this country from our generation. Our legacy is at stake. We must respect the efforts of the past and work towards a bright and prosperous future.

More often than not there is opportunity to be found in adversity. There is no doubt that there are Bahamians who are finding it difficult to survive.

The colossal damage caused by Hurricane Dorian and the economic

BISHOP Delton Fernader at The Bahamas’ 46th Grand Independence at Clifford Park.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff fallout of COVID-19 have interest of the Bahamileft many of us at a loss as ans of today and those yet to how they can restart. unborn.

However, the same God Those of us privileged to that sustained us before can be Bahamian should underand will do it again. We stand that our country is must trust that the fact that one of God’s best creations we are still here, in the land and we are the protectors of of the living, is proof that what we have been given.

God has a plan for our lives I pray every day for our and that we have a contri- country and its leaders. I bution to make not only to pray that we find our way our individual families but back to the path of nation to the entire Bahamas. building. I pray that we do This year’s theme, ‘Press- not squander the opporing Onward, a Time of tunity that adversity has Hope, Triumph and Trans- presented to us because formation’ is incredibly apt of our fear of moving and timely. away from what is familiar In the third chapter of the toward the next level of book of Philippians it says, development. I pray that “Not that I have already the spark of inspiration attained, or am already per- and aspiration once again fected; but I press on, that ignites in our country that I may lay hold of that for the achievements of the which Christ Jesus has also past pale in comparison to laid hold of me.” what we are about to do.

Bahamians, we cannot I pray that we all come to accept our current state as know that God is able to the end of our journey, we do above whatever we can must press on. We must ask or think and that that believe that better days are belief propels us towards coming. We must resolve the greatness that awaits that we will do the work us. necessary to rebuild our May God bless you islands and our economy in and may God bless the a way that pays homage to Commonwealth of The our past but is in the best Bahamas.

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Thursday, July 9, 2020, PAGE 7

47 years later, ‘we should be very proud as a people’

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net

R

eflecting on the morning The Bahamas became an independent nation, Keith Mason, commander of the Independence Parade in 1973, said Bahamians should be proud of the country’s achievements, 47 years later.

In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Mason not only expressed pride of what has been accomplished in The Bahamas since independence, but he also reminisced of how proud he was on the morning of independence and the role he played.

“In the last 47 years since we have been independent, I think we have done reasonably well as a country,” Mr Mason said. “We now have a university where we only had a college before.

We now have NIB, which is of tremendous help. What I saw in the last few weeks, if we didn’t have NIB, I don’t know what Bahamian people would have done.

There are a lot of things done over the years that have benefitted the Bahamian people greatly, and we should be very proud as a people.”

Mr Mason noted that some things may have not been accomplished as yet, but many achievements have been met. He mentioned that The Bahamas has come a long way and highlighted the recent graduation of 35 doctors and the fact that the president of the University of The Bahamas is a Bahamian.

Mr Mason, in 1973, was officer-in-charge of internal security in the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

He was selected by then Commissioner of Police Selathial Thompson to be commander of the Independence Parade, a task that had to be flawless.

“Sometime in the middle of June 1973, the Commissioner of Police, Selathial Thompson, summoned me to his office at the headquarters and informed me that I had been selected to command the Independence Parade on the 10th of July,” Mr Mason recollected.

“He told me he expected excellence in performance and precision in movement.

It was the tallest order of the occasion because if the Independence Parade went awry, then everything else would have fallen down.

“So we immediately set about to organise our units and then just before the parade, two platoons of English marines joined us so we had on parade about 320 persons. I had to submit an operation order to the commissioner who would have looked at it and said, ‘Okay this looks like it can work at Clifford Park’. The rehearsals at Clifford Park started and everything went well. The last rehearsal being the morning of July 9th, 1973.”

On the morning of July 9th, 1973, when Mason and his team were about to get into the final rehearsal and feeling confident of the good precision they had accomplished, tragedy struck. He received a message that there was a plane crash at the airport. It was the police aircraft.

“The police aircraft which patrolled The Bahamas had crashed upon take off from the airport,” Mason informed.

“Some were dead and some were injured. I went to the airport to see what was happening. The patrol unit came under my command as officer-in-charge of the internal security section.

“I went to the airport and saw that the plane had crashed just outside of the airport. The American pilot was decapitated and the Bahamian patrol officer, Sgt Benjamin Forbes, was severely injured and taken to Lyford Cay Hospital where he died. So we had

RETIRED Deputy Commissioner of Police Keith Mason and Mable Mason, centre, surrounded by their children, Keith Jr, Marisa, Kevin and Allison.

KEITH MASON

“IN THE LAST 47 YEARS SINCE WE HAVE BEEN INDEPENDENT, I THINK WE HAVE DONE REASONABLY WELL AS A COUNTRY. WE NOW HAVE A UNIVERSITY WHERE WE ONLY HAD A COLLEGE BEFORE. WE NOW HAVE NIB, WHICH IS OF TREMENDOUS HELP. WHAT I SAW IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS, IF WE DIDN’T HAVE NIB, I DON’T KNOW WHAT BAHAMIAN PEOPLE WOULD HAVE DONE. THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS DONE OVER THE YEARS THAT HAVE BENEFITTED THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE GREATLY, AND WE SHOULD BE VERY PROUD AS A PEOPLE.” — Retired deputy police commissioner Keith Mason a very unfortunate incident that morning. It put a damper on the rehearsal, but we couldn’t stop so we returned to Clifford Park and did our final rehearsal.”

Mason said although difficult, the team had to move pass the crash and death of their colleagues and place full focus on the Independence Parade which had to go off flawless. He continued to reminisce.

“The most important segment of the parade was the lowering of the Union Jack (British flag) and the hoisting of the new Bahamian flag and the playing of the new Bahamian national anthem,” he continued.

“That was really what capped off the parade. We also had the march pass and the inspection which were included in the many things that made the Bahamian people very gleeful that night.

“What was also very important on that occasion would have been the fact that the lights were doused so the two sergeants assigned to do the job of lowering and hoisting could hardly see anything. They had to feel around to get the ropes and get ready for that movement. They are Sgt Alfred Williams who lowered the Union Jack and Sgt Ervin Taylor raised the new Bahamian flag.”

According to Mason, the excited crowd was so thick it appeared that everyone in The Bahamas was on Clifford Park that night.

There were also people from America, Europe and the West Indies present.

He said by the very noise that was made at every movement that night, made it clear tell that the Bahamian people were very excited and proud of the direction the country was headed.

Sadly, out of the officers involved in pulling off that historic event, only Ervin Taylor and Mason are still alive. The Right Markers (officer who assists commander) involved, Chief Inspector Eric Hepburn, Sgt Henry Thurston and Sgt Akal Clarke are all deceased.

Asked, as commander of the event, what was going through his head during that night, Mr Mason said: “The only thing that was going through my mind at the time as the commander of the entire event was to make sure that no mistakes were made. I was thinking about making sure that I was ready for midnight and that everything was on time. All the other movements had to be finished and we had to be ready for a minute or two before 12 midnight and make sure that every movement was done correctly.

“That’s what went through my head. That’s what made it come off as the best parade every to be held on Clifford Park.

That event could never be repeated. We were birthing a nation. Like everyone else, I had that excited feeling like, here is a new country being born. A new beginning for The Bahamas and I am involved in a very meaningful way.”

PAGE 8, Thursday, July 9, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

y e n r s u e o u J n i e t l l h e n b p T o C tian Cam s a b e S n o n a C By

PARLIAMENT and Rawson Square dressed in Bahamian flag colours during the celebration of 44 years of Independence.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

THE CULTURAL show in 2017 to mark The Bahamas’ 44th year of Independence.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

The Journey Continues (47th Anniversary of Independence).

This was the theme employed at the 40th celebration of Independence, yet it can be appropriately employed at every juncture of our celebrations. It shouts out to us to keep moving and in the words of our national anthem “pressing onward, march together to a common CANON SEBASTIAN CAMPBELL loftier goal…”. Indeed, the journey continues. sudden event that took place From a sleeping fishing vil- by chance. In the 13th century lage to a nation, is the way our our original inhabitants settled founding father, Lynden Oscar here, the peace loving Lucayan Pindling described it. 10th Arawaks. Almost 300 years July, 1973, is indelibly etched later, the Europeans made into the rock of our existence their false claim of discoveras the major point of national ing this place and immediately transition. asserted themselves as lords Indeed, Independence is and gods over another peothe greatest achievement of ple’s habitat. All of the Indians any country. We must there- were dragged away in slave fore celebrate! Celebrate! ships to die from disease and Celebrate! PLP, FNM, DNA, over work in the mines and Anglican, Baptist, Church plantations of Hispaniola. of God, Adventist, Roman Less than 100 years later Catholic, black and white, rich a priest, Las Casas, among and poor, Abaco, Inagua, Cat others came up with the Island, Long Island, Rum Cay sickening idea to round up and all. In this singular act Africans as slaves to work we celebrate one ness; there- these islands to enrich the coffore we can meaningfully say, fers of Europe, mainly Spain “March together…” and Great Britain. These History will record our dark, dark ages lasted well national divisions in 1973, espe- into 300 years. cially manifested in the elections It was a time when the Afriin Sept 1972, which was in fact cans truly yearned for freedom the referendum on independ- but because of the black crab ence. We did have our “stay in syndrome among their own Egypt” crowd. They opposed and the merciless task masters the movement to who killed and nationhood to the wiped out disWe must destroy core. senters there was The Abaco the mindset no hope. separatist group where we Pompey, a slave rallied for Abaco who emerged Bahamians are to remain a as a fearless colony of Britain trying to look leader in Exuma, if the other islands and act like our endangered in the archipelago life and limb colonial masters. successfully went in 1830. It was ahead in the This means we widely known achievement of only replace the as ‘Pompey’s Independence.

Revolt’ and is Some detractors white European marked as the said, “Independ- colonial lords first blow for ence, yes but not freedom. with our homenow.”

There was, grown overlords.

Other fear however, other mongers said that insurrections with independwith strong reverberations. ence, “Cuba will reach its long Among them was an 1831 arms and grab little Bahamas uprising at Golden Grove, the and put it in its big pockets.” plantation of Joseph Hunter, Overall, the detractors at Cat Island. The slaves were simply didn’t believe that our growing impatient, freedom black leaders, led by Lynden was to be had, at any expense, Pindling, were capable of the even at the price of death. mammoth job that beckoned.

One day, the church in We heard very little from every corner would seek forthe church, it was not as pro- giveness for entrenching this phetic and daring as it ought to inhumane system. 1834 is very have been. Sad to say, we were significant in this march to divided on political lines. Was freedom, it marked emancipathere ever a time when we were tion, although the slaves were not? Thank God, though, the not yet freed. march pressed on and in the There was a four-year words of the late Sir Arling- apprenticeship system and ton Butler, “The inevitable only in 1838 was there, we can was achieved”. We simply was call it ultimate freedom. The catching up with more progres- Burma Road Riot was in 1942, sive countries in the region. a fight for freedom of equality.

Butler drew reference Bahamians were underpaid to Barbados, Jamaica and compared to foreign workers Trinidad that were well into as they worked to construct nationhood before 1973. We Windsor Field. Seven Bahamust question the extremely mian men laid down their lives conservative nature of the that fateful day for the cause Bahamas, we drag behind so of freedom. many regional countries in The National Strike, in cultural development.

CONTINUED OPPOSITE Independence was no

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, July 9, 2020, PAGE 9

HEALTHCARE workers have been at the forefront of protecting Bahamians in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak. Canon Sebastian Campbell is pictured here in 2018 in his role as hospital chaplain, blessing the then newly renovated Princess Margaret Hospital Maternal and Child Health Labour Unit in the Maternity Ward.

Photo: Derek Smith/BIS

THEN Governor General of The Bahamas Dame Marguerite Pindling at the 44th anniversary celebrations.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff FROM PREVIOUS PAGE 1958, showed to the workers that black Bahamians could miraculously unite for a common cause.

In 1953, the PLP was formed as a vehicle for deliverance for all the downtrodden in The Bahamas and would be eventually used to bring the “grass roots” to leadership in their own country dominated by foreign leadership.

27th April, 1965, must have its secured place in history, known as Black Tuesday, when Lynden O Pindling, then leader of the opposition threw the mace, symbol of the speakers authority through the window of the House of Assembly, followed by Milo Butler flinging the hourglass, used to curb lengthy speeches in debates, through that same window.

That day marked the flexing of muscles by an otherwise dormant, laid back people who took “the mess” of the oppressors for far too long.

All this cleared the path for January 10th, 1967. A day rightly refereed to as our second emancipation, a mental liberation, for the first-time blacks would be leaders or even considered capable of leadership. A holiday to mark this day, as a red-letter day was really late in coming.

Our National Heroes Committee fought to bring this into reality. Prime Minister Perry Christie and Governor General Arthur

Foulkes did the most amazing and most appropriate thing, publicly signed the act in a public forum (along with the National Heroes Day Act). Both these days were ushered in as public holidays after a hard long fight.

Independence was the inevitable culmination of a long, hard won fight.

In 1972, Prime Minister Lynden Pindling declared that “independence will come, immediately after the next election, but no later than July 10th 1973”. He was so sure his party would win that election - indeed the framework was in place.

A doubting, most conservative laid-back people were energized by fearless leadership. They were ready to take on the world.

Every opposition to this inevitable event in our history was ousted. Independence became a reality.

We are proud of our symbols of identity: • Our own passport • National flag • Coat of Arms • National Flower, Yellow Elder • National Fish, Blue Marlin • National Tree, Lignum Vitae We now stood tall and proud among the nations of the worlds, at the United Nations, with embassies and ambassadors representing this brand-new nation.

The Royal Bahamas Defense force came into existence, with Bahamasair as a bridge to all our

GOVERNOR General Sir Arthur Foulkes on Pride Day for the 40th anniversary of Independence. islands. We got leaders in every sphere of national life, including the last bastion to fall, the church. But the journey must continue in every generation.

“The Republic of the Bahamas” must be addressed and become a reality, National Service must come. Our National Health Catastrophic scheme is a must in our development. We must discard all vestiges of colonisation that entrap our minds such as swearing of allegiance to the queen.

The wigs and gowns around our courts and some in our churches need to go. We must destroy the mindset where we Bahamians are trying to look and act like our colonial masters. This means we only replace the white European colonial lords with our home-grown overlords.

The bowing, genuflecting, kissing of rings is “yes sir master” mentality from which we must be freed.

Father Kortwright Davis rightly says, “emancipation still comin”.

The Journey continues as we fight for our total mental liberation and the freedom to know and accept this land as our very own. No, we are not rewriting history, we are being true to our history. Remember we press on to make our country the best ever in the world. But we must press on knowing that the journey continues.

In this generation we must add our building blocks.

Showing his colours

ANTON Justin Sealey Jr (aka Justin) is well known in Florida for his “Bahamas Flag” car. Justin left home at the age of 15 for boarding school to play soccer, and has now lived for 13 years in the US. To keep connected to home he had a major paint job done on his car to reflect the Bahamian flag. He now resides in Jacksonville, Florida, but frequently gets flagged down by Bahamians or visitors to The Bahamas, telling him how they love his car.

THE TRIBUNE

Photo by Robert Theunisse from FreeImages

PAGE 10, Thursday, July 9, 2020

On Wednesday, April 12, 1972, at a national conference on Independence, Hervis L Bain Jr, education officer for Arts and Crafts, gave a talk on the Bahamas’ national symbols and the importance of national pride.

The conference was held in the Baillou Hill High School Auditorium. Attending were members of the Cabinet, House and Senate as well as a cross-section of the community.

This was his speech.

“Surely this morning I can see assembled here the symbolic mothers and fathers of the new Commonwealth of the Bahamas awaiting the birth of their child with stout spirit and determined hearts on the beach of history.

I am sure that there are many who share the excitement that these labour pains have come at this time and in this generation but it is true also, there might be others who have not heard or who have refused to hear the rolling tide. And so may these walls resound this morning with the stirring message: you stand on the beach of history but you will not hold back the tide.

Mr Chairman, fellow countrymen, I am to address you on the topic, National Symbols and National Pride to which paragraph 105 of the Government’s green paper refers.

Recently, in an address before another body, I made the following remark on the National Culture of the Bahamas.

“It is clear that the national culture has never been that of the people, not for that matter, is it so today. It is still, expressed or tacit, European, predominantly that of the coloniser or colonisers, but today, it is served, hopefuly to be more palatable, laced heavily with the exotic spices of Bahmian legends, Bahamian folklore and festivals. Significant changes in the Bahamian National Culture are immediately imminent and ought to be, if national sovereignty is to be a thrust of meaning and relevant for the Bahamian people.”

The historic-cultural experiences of slavery or involuntary servitude topped by colonialism have been a systematic dehumanisation and acculturation process for the mass of the subjected Bahamian people. One must understand the nature of Colonial powers on slavery and colonialism. The colonial nations are rooted in the ideological assumptions of the superiority of western cultural values, and the moral duty of the European colonies to carry out a ‘civilising mission’.”

NATIONAL SYMBOLS OF THE BAHAMAS COAT of Arms

FLAMINGO - National Bird

BLUE Marlin - National Fish

LEGITIMACY The point I am making, Mr Chairman, is that the slavery (involuntary servitude) and colonialism have left the Bahamian people with the social and cultural infliction - infliction which are psychological or intangible and infliction which are physical or tangible.

It follows therefore that Independence, cultural independence, cannot be the mere replacement of the symbols of the colonial powers by symbols selected by the new nation state. Cultural independence must therefore transcend the physical dimensions and enter into the realms of essence and therefore provide the nexus for cultural consciousness and relevant cultural choices for the legitimacy and the national integration of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

Here lies the What is and What is to be of National Symbol and National Pride.

SYMBOLISM AND SYMBOLS Symbolism was born out of the conscious affinity between man and his universe.

A symbol, therefore, represents a high order of expression which penetrates the external thereunto the intrinsic.

National symbols are therefore persons, word and object which are employed by the nation-state to evoke and direct psychological energy; in other words national symbols instil and evoke pride, rapture, loyalty and patriotism for the state.

Operational national symbols support the social order through rites and rituals that will impress and mould the young.

The use of symbols is probably as old as civilisation and no doubt many of you are

YELLOW Elder - National Flower

The National Anthem, The Public Seal, The National Flag, The National Coat of Arms.

Patriotism, religious sentiments, love of one’s native land are all the sources of motivation and the constituents of a national anthem. Nevertheless as a colony, the Bahamas has adopted the British National Anthem - God Save The Queen: with the coming of Independence the Commonwealth of the Bahamas will adopt a national anthem of its own. To this end, the Ministry of Home Affairs has announced a competition for the lyrics and music of the National Anthem.

The Seal - the official insignia or stamp which is used on all important national documents like all national symbols should reflect the new people of the new Commonwealth of the Bahamas and arrangements are in hand for the preparation thereof. Ministerial, Consular and other official seals might be similarly affected.

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas does not have a distinctive flag of its own; the official national flag of this land is the British National - the Union Jack - the flag with the familiar red, white and blue colours. However the blue and red ensigns with the flag badge of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas emblasoned thereon. The Blue Ensign can be seen flying from poles as one enters this building.

The Red Ensign is reversed for use on the sea. The topic of the national flag for the new Commonwealth of the Bahamas has become the subject of a nation-wide competition launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs on behalf of the government. As a result, it is hoped that some Bahamians would combine the powerful symbolism of colour and the skill of heraldic designing to a flag design that can reflect the dignity worth and national consciousness of all the Bahamian people, and thereupon independence, the Commonwealth would have its own national flag, one full with meaning and pride and one that can rally Bahamian people from Grand Bahama down to Inagua, from the Berry Islands across to Mayaguana.

ETIQUETTE

LIGNUM Vitae - National Tree

familiar with symbols of the Cross or the Symbol of the Union Jack.

NATIONAL SYMBOLS Let us examine briefly the national symbols which are presently in use in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

First I should like to point out that the design and preparation of the national symbols are governed by the conventions of heraldic design and considering that national symbols possess property status to all intents and purpose, and are therefore granted by Her Majesty the Queen through the Royal College of Arms, the body assigned by Her Majesty for the purpose. At present, the outstanding national symbols are:

There is a standard design for the Governor General’s flag - a dark blue flag with the Royal Crest of the Lion and Crown in full colour in the centre and the name of the country underneath. I should point out also that the Prime Minister and other ministers may use the national flag or pendants either with or without the Coat of Arms emblazoned thereon.

It is indeed with honour that I present this national symbol, to this convention for it is a distinguished concept of the Bahamian people, conceived for the Bahamian people by a native son of the Bahamian people and approved by the Queen “for the greater honour and distinction of the Bahamian people and of the Commonwealth of the Bahama Islands.”

I pray that the Bahamian people would continue to reflect the character of the two supporters in this new Coat of Arms.

It can be observed that the flamingo, the national bird, stands tall, stately, elegant and resplendent in the beauty of its colour; the marlin, the national fish, is the aristocrat of Atlantic game fish; the blue marlin likes

plenty of room in which to throw its bulk about; it is not easily hooked and landed; the marlin is a fighter, and a fighter with style.

On closer examination, therefore, it can be seen that this national symbol is a composite of things Bahamian and things which all Bahamians, wherever be it in the fair Bahamas, can identify. This is the true nature of national identity and national pride.

And now to a more delicate matter. Some nations have carefully laid down a code of etiquette which gives precise instructions as to how the national symbol can be used under all conditions. A case in point is the United States of America.

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas must outline a code of etiquette governing the use of national symbols and it should then be the implicit and explicit function of every national institution to propagate understanding and respect for the Nation’s symbols. It seems imperative therefore that the new Bahamas, the Independent Commonwealth of the Bahamas, must examine the structural elements of all national social institutions and practice and reform and transform where necessary.

This does not exclude the national education system of the new nation state. Schools in the Independent Commonwealth of the Bahamas should become living, national, simple, spawning national and cultural consciousness, national pride, and a spirit of togetherness. It should spawn unceasingly, sincere loyalty to the nation state, Democracy, national identity and in essence, would the behaviour of the young and the immature into relevant social and cultural form.

In conclusion, I wish to refer to some recent developments in international relationships which no doubt will open new avenues in the world on international diplomacy.

Not long ago, you will remember that the United States sent a ping-pong team to Red China, shortly thereafter, the President of the United States made an official visit. More recently, Cuba hosted a volleyball team from the United States. Just two days ago, the announcement came that the United States and Russia had signed a cultural agreement which would allow for academic and cultural exchanges between the two nations.

Can it be, Mr Chairman, that the new Commonwealth of the Bahamas might never see a wholesale attack on her shores by an enemy employing marine and military hardware? Can it not be, Mr Chairman, that the security of the Bahamian people rests in the development of an indigenous culture, in the ability to recognise cultural offensives and to communicate eloquently through the sophisticated language of cultural expressions and symbolism? Indeed this is the challenge of the new Bahamian in the new Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

Fellow country, we have reached “The Jordan” and here it is “Mount Pisgah” and take a look and those who are prepared must make ready for that glorious crossing to possess the promised land. And so, in whatever category you placed yourself, leave with you the scripture command, “Be strong and of good courage, be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee, whithersoever thou goest.

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Meaning of our nation’s flag THE flag was adopted on July 10, 1973. The colours embodied in its design symbolise the image and aspirations of the people of The Bahamas; the design reflects aspects of the natural environment (sun, sand, and sea) and the economic and social development.

The flag is a black equilateral triangle against the mast, superimposed on a horizontal background made up of two colours on three equal stripes of aquamarine,

gold and aquamarine.

The symbolism of the flag is as follows: Black represents the vigour and force of a united people, the triangle pointing towards the body of the ag represents the enterprise and determination of the Bahamian people to develop and possess the rich resources of sun and sea symbolised by gold and aquamarine.

For a funeral, the National Flag should be draped over the coffin covering the top

completely but not covering the bearers. The black triangle on the flag should be placed over the head of the deceased in the coffin.

The flag should remain on the coffin throughout the whole service and removed right before it is lowered into the grave. Upon removal of the flag it should be folded and put away. The black triangle should never be displayed pointing upwards or from the viewer’s right. This would be a sign of distress.

URBAN Renewal Community Flag Raising. From left: Richard Cartwright and PC Bob Bain.

Photo: Derek Smith/BIS

The preamble to the Constitution WHEREAS Four hundred and eighty-one years ago the rediscovery of this Family of Islands, Rocks and Cays heralded the rebirth of the New World; AND WHEREAS the People of this Family of Islands recognizing that the preservation of their Freedom will be guaranteed by a national commitment to Selfdiscipline, Industry, Loyalty, Unity and an abiding respect for Christian values and the Rule of Law; NOW KNOW YE THEREFORE: We the Inheritors of and Successors to this Family of Islands, recognizing the Supremacy of God and believing in the Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM IN SOLEMN PRAISE the Establishment of a Free and Democratic Sovereign Nation founded on Spiritual Values and in which no Man, Woman or Child shall ever be Slave or Bondsman to anyone or their Labour exploited or their Lives frustrated by deprivation, AND DO HEREBY PROVIDE by these Articles for the indivisible Unity and Creation under God of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

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W

HILE many might have been looking to make the most of the holiday weekend to make a getaway, the global pandemic has caused a rethink.

So rather than set course for foreign shores, a staycation might be in order instead - to discover the wonders of our own shores.

With major resorts such as Atlantis and Baha Mar still keeping their doors closed, this is an opportunity to discover places close to home that can spirit you far from the troubles of the world around us.

“Our resort is designed for peace of mind,” says the general manager of Sandyport Beach Resort, Vernon Moss.

The 72 rooms and suites of the resort are spread out across six villas along the canals in Sandyport.

“We don’t have need for elevators or interior corridors and every room or suite has its own external entrance.”

The resort may be close to home for Nassau residents - but the style is not unlike properties in the Family Islands, with everything well spaced out.

One of the worries of COVID-19 life is coming into contact with others, but the resort offers mobile check-in and you can simply pick up your key and then check out by mobile too, with no need to stop at the front desk.

The resort is offering a special rate for Bahamas residents as the tourist market reopens, with prices starting at $135 plus hospitality tax and surcharges.

An Independence weekend holiday is not limited to the resort alone, with the Blue Sail restaurant and bar on the resort’s ocean beach and favourite spots such as Twisted Lime, Spritz, The News Café and Bon Vivants all just a short walk away.

The resort is TripAdvisor’s #1 ranked Nassau resort and the winner of Hotels.com “Loved by Guests” award - and has a health and safety plan approved by Ministry of Health using guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization.

Mr Moss said: “We are very excited about our reopening and welcome our guests back in the best and safest manner possible.”

Assistant general manager Cheralda Arnett said: “Warm hugs and welcoming handshakes are temporarily replaced with the universal sign language for a hug.

It looks like we are giving ourselves a hug but know that this one is for you.”

SANDYPORT Beach Resort one, two and three-bedroom suites offer spacious dining and living room spaces for maximum comfort and enjoyment.

Make the most of Independence with a staycation For more information and to book using the Bahamian Resident Rate at Sandyport Beach Resort, visit https://www. sandyportresort.com/ bahamian-residents or call 242-327-4279, or WhatsApp on 447-0309 or email reservations@sandyport.com.

Also back in business is Blue Lagoon, long a popular day trip destination for Bahamians.

“The dolphins, sea lions, sharks, raccoons and Kit the cat who call Blue Lagoon Island home are jumping for joy at the news we are reopening to guests,” said Jessica Robertson, public relations manager at Blue Lagoon Island, “they’ve had wonderful care, but they miss all the people.”

Members of the Blue Lagoon Island Zoological Department headed over to the private island every day throughout the Covid-19 shutdown to ensure animals were all well cared for.

“While we were shut down, our three dolphin babies who were born in

ENJOYING time with the Dolphins at Dolphin Encounters.

early September and October 2019 reached the age where it is appropriate to officially name them.

Babies Noah, Coco and

Tingum can’t wait to be properly introduced to the public,” Jessica says.

“Although our team members and guests will

be wearing protective face masks when close to each other, that is to protect them from each other. The marine mammal veterinary

community has determined that there is no concern regarding the transmission of the virus from humans to the animals or vice versa.”

SANDYPORT Beach Resort sets the mood for romantic getaways.

After a day of outdoor activities, guests can relax and unwind in the masterbedroom’s Jacuzzi tub.

A FAMILY enjoys Blue Lagoon Island with safety first! While you’re “staycationing”, always remember to wear your masks in public areas.

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Creating a television celebration IT will be a very different celebration this year for The Bahamas to mark Independence. With COVID-19 still a threat, there will instead be a television celebration rather than the customary gathering on Clifford Park. The four-hour show will air on Thursday, July 9, starting at 8pm on ZNS and finishing as Independence Day begins.

TUNE IN

mar THE TEAM from Za and Broadcasting Corporation of The the Bahamas preparing ric to his is th r studio fo ce virtual Independen . on ati or em comm

A BEHIND-The-Sce ne look at Zhaneo “Sar s ge Newbold preparing � his appearance durin for Independence Anniv g the ersary Special on ZNS.

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STAYING SAFE AND

RELIVING MEMORIES

This is the sight The Bahamas will be missing this year - the traditional celebration at Clifford Park.

These scenes from last year’s Independence celebrations will not be repeated this year with COVID-19 having brought an end to mass gatherings in order to keep people safe and healthy.

A televised show instead airs tonight, as the nation continues to strive to stay free of more coronavirus cases with the hope of returning to its Independence traditions next year.

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Photo: Roland Rose

N THE CONVERSATIO

WHAT MAKES YOU E PROUD TO B

?

N A I M A H A B

With The Bahamas celebrating its 47th anniversary of Independence, The Tribune asked readers for their views.

Asked what makes them proud to be Bahamian, readers had mixed responses.

Moncurcool said: “What is there to be proud of at this time, when for the majority of the 47 years of so called independence, we have had governments who treat foreigners better than their own citizens?”

JoeBlow added: “I am proud of our highly educated, resourceful and courteous population who hold marriage and family in high regard. A people who always look to the future while offering a helping hand to their neighbor. A people who put country above self and refuse to look the other way when wrongdoing occurs. A people who hate crime and the criminal element; who do not spend more than they have. A country with politicians of the highest caliber, character and

integrity, who always make decisions in the best interest of the country and her people! My heart overflows with joy when I check my BTC phone balance and the first voice I hear is in Creole!

I am equally proud of the significant infrastructural improvements that have transformed this country into a Mecca for the region and our negative balance national debt. I love our wide open well paved roads, world class hospitals and schools. Extremely proud of the reliable power supply and the nonexistent nepotism in government.

There’s so much more I could say, but I will leave space for others to make their contributions!”

The recent controversy over statues was on Mandela’s mind, who said: “The statue of Christopher Columbus and Queen Victoria towering big and bold reminding us all just how independent we really are while a tiny bust of the great Sir Milo Butler sits small and almost invisible.”

Banker added: “Proud of the people stubbornly holding on to the dream and vision of a better tomorrow, while all portents, evidence, odds and signs point the other way.”

Godson, however, said: “Proud to look back and know that we had a Prime Minister named Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling. He was the finest example of a Bahamian Statesman that I’ll probably ever get to know besides myself.

Proud to look back and know that we had among us an unselfish and brave citizen named Mr. Norman Solomon. He gave tirelessly of himself to develop Bahamians and our economy.

Proud to look back and to have Known a proud Bahamian named Marion Elizabeth Lightbourn (nee McKinney) AKA Mallie.

Mallie taught and showed me unwavering loyalty.

Last and not least, I am proud of myself, GODSON ANDREW JOHNSON - AKA Nicodemus. I am most suitable of all persons who can be called an

‘indigenous Bahamian’. Me nor my Bahamian ancestry, tracing back and beyond slavery, have any foreign blood. All were Bahamians slaves and English loyalist. And notwithstanding, I went through so much disappointments in this Country and overcame it all.

I am proud of who I am and who I have turned out to be despite my broken past. Whereas, this present and the previous government administrations tried to ridicule and bring me down but The LORD God Almighty showed me favor and showed His love for me by reiterating that He don’t like ugly.”

ThisIsOurs replied: “You know Godson I was reading comments including my own and thinking, how is it in this nation of beautiful waters that we een proud a nuttin?

And my mind went on Dr Dexter Johnson’s son, the first black Princeton valedictorian, and I realized, it’s the people we need to be looking at. Then I read your comment and everything you speak of being proud of is a reference to a Bahamian person. I think if we gonna save this country we have to forget govt and work together as a people, a groundswell movement for all the growth and justice and systems that we desire. This may be another of my utopian fantasies, don’t know but I do know they ain’t gonna do it for us,

there’s no need, they done eat yuh see I proud of Ronnie Butler.”

DDK complained of governance, saying: “The lack of good governence, the terrible lack of competence, the awful standard of education and the rank corruption make it difficult to be proud of our Country, although I will aways be proud to be a Bahamian.”

Not much if it involves Government (of all colours), quite a lot when it involves our people who have gone on to do greatness around the world.ThisIsOurs made a good point. I am proud of Nakhaz and Buddy Hield!”Independence???

What independence?

Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19 have made clear that this nation is fully dependent on others. Until The Bahamas changes its entire outlook on its existence and value, eliminate failed policies and move to the back of the line people whose interests in The Bahamas are self-oriented, the country will remain as is or rapidly worsen.

Nothing to look forward to unless innovative Bahamians innovate for ALL Bahamians The end.What do we have to celebrate?

We have a bankrupt country led by a self-annointed arrogant, incompetent and nasty supreme ruler who has taken away all of our constitutionally guaranteed rights and civil liberties. irstly, we are not independent. We only use that word but it’s a joke. We are independently dependent on other nations. How much do we import? Why do we need to open the borders from a country experiencing COVID19 spikes?

Because we are not independent. We are dependent on others.”

ThisIsOurs answered the question on what their hopes are with: “None.

My hope that the government would do anything to turn this nation is gone. 3 months to plan for reopening and they couldn’t renew the orders, couldn’t put in a protocol for a reopening date, couldn’t identify a plan for school reopening.

The opening day will come and they will plan as they go. It’s inevitable.

The only hope we have now is for the people to grab this country and run with it up the hill to the future. And if the people can’t do it without government, we’re doomed.”

MCole said: “My hope for the Nation of the Bahamas this Independence 2020 is that the Government will CHANGE!!

Change with a quickness - and do the right thing so that all persons can get economically self-sufficient.

(1.) Hurry UP and Change the Laws to Legalize Marijuana for both medicinal and recreational use. This single product will evenhandedly put money in the pockets of both residents and businesses, erase the country debt crisis, bring increase in revenues in everything tourist related as people want more reasons to travel here, minimize the numbers of persons getting caught up with the police, the courts and prison for minuscule amounts of this medical substance. Get it DONE ALREADY!! (2.)

Change with a quickness to implement the National Immigration Citizenship and Asylum Bill so that persons can become independent and economically self-sufficient, as the sooner they become legal and get work permits they can start becoming taxpaying residents and not a tax burden on the resources

of the government. (3.)

Change with a quickness the Digitalization of Records so that the nation can move to the forefront of countries doing business expeditiously, utilize digital technologies and digitized data to impact how work gets done, transform how customers and companies engage and interact, and create new (digital) revenue streams. These three (3) issues are imperative especially in this post-Covid era which will increase the nation economic value while decreasing processing times, eliminating unnecessary procedures and root out corruption in its ranks.”

Tribanon said: “The alphabet soup organizations and the foreign interests/constituents they represent know only too well that dumb voters combined with dumb corrupt politicians eventually results in a country’s failure with an ensuing feast by the hovering foreign vultures.

And unfortunately this is especially true of small black nations. We are our own worst enemy and the very greedy ones about to pick our dead carcass clean know it only too well. Bahamians will be enslaved for generations to come, living in great hardship under miserable conditions. Very sad.”

JoeBlow warned over our dependence, saying: “We were independent just long enough to become dependent again. Our new masters are not colonial but economic. Ask the EU how independent we are or China for that matter and they will all laugh. Sadly, once most Bahamians have money in their pockets to buy the pleasure of their choice and a full stomach, they couldn’t care less!!”

SP pointed towards the need for transparency, saying: “The greatest hope we can possibly have is for the passing of a Freedom Of Information Act which would allow the FBI and Scotland Yard to come in, find and prosecute ALL the surviving crooks and criminals that have kept our country and people in bondage since piracy and return all that rightfully belongs to the people!

Short of this happening we are doomed to continue down the road to failure.”

Bahamianson took a bleak view, saying: “What hope? a gallon of sanitizer cost anywhere from $60 to $99, a roll of hand towel at Super Value used to cost $99 on sale. After the government dropped duty on hand towels, the cheapest roll of hand towel cost 2.12 including the VAT. Cable bahamas is down every other day even though we spend top dollar. BEC was off for 4 hours last week in sections with lies upon lies.

The bus system is in shambles , and they want an increase in fees. They speed all around town and none of them gets a ticket. the traffic lights are constantly off and all of our main roads look like we got a discount on TAR. Roads have pot holes constantly. The service at government businesses is pathetic and very long. If the person you want to talk to isn’t on vacation for two weeks and no one else can help you, you are doing well. the police are very harsh when speaking to you. Customs officers are millionaires at the border , immigration officers are taking money from illegals by shaking them down. people are buying their license at the traffic office.

People are buying taxi plates. What else? we can go on , but whom cares?

Happy Independence.”

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