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VOLUME:117 No.247, NOVEMBER 19TH, 2020

OBITS OFFICIA

CLASSIFIED TRADER: CARS, CARS, CARS & MORE CARS

INSIDE

THERE GOES CHRISTMAS Despite plunging cases on NP, Minnis extends state of emergency ’til Dec 28

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis gave notice in the House of Assembly yesterday evening of his intention to extend the country’s state of emergency until December 28.

The current emergency resolution ends on November 30.

The move came as a surprise last night as many expected the orders to end this month.

Last month, the prime minister said the

discontinuation of COVID19 Emergency Powers Orders would depend on an improvement of virusrelated cases.

And the situation has made a turn for the better.

On Tuesday, Ministry of Health officials reported 11 new COVID-19 cases for a total of 7,323. Twenty-three people are currently hospitalised with the virus and there have been 163 deaths to date. On Monday, there were 56 newly confirmed cases, whereas on Sunday there were 30 new cases.

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

TEX Turnquest, a former director of the Department of Lands and Surveys who was forced to resign in 2009 amid controversy over Crown Land grants, has been rehired by the government.

In a statement to The Tribune yesterday, the

Office of the Prime Minister said: “Tex Turnquest, a former Director at the Department of Lands and Surveys who is now in the private sector, has been hired by the government under a services contract to work on specific landreform related projects.

“Among the projects that Mr Turnquest is currently SEE PAGE FOUR

L SOUR CE

DEPORTATION THREAT OVER FILING REPORT

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

VISITORS to The Bahamas face deportation if they do not complete a short survey each day for at least 14 days if they are in the country, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said yesterday.

Citizens, residents and visitors who do not complete the survey will be fined $100 per day or one week in prison. For visitors, they also will be deported.

SEE PAGE THREE

FRONT PORCH

WE MUST ALL STRIVE TO PROTECT OUR PRECIOUS DEMOCRACY

PAGE EIGHT

GULF BANK’S LIQUIDATORS ‘FIND $16M’

SEE PAGE THREE

LAND ROW DIRECTOR IS REHIRED BY GOVT

$1

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

IDIOTS

SCORES of people were found to be partying in a club in Palmdale on Tuesday night in breach of emergency powers. This image is take from video circulating on social media showing people emerging from the club as officers swooped on the scene. Many were seen without face masks and ignoring social distancing. See page three for the full story.

DEPOSITORS and creditors of a long-collapsed Bahamian bank may receive an unexpected late windfall through a potential near-$16.5m increase in asset recoveries.

This is because Gulf Union Bank’s (Bahamas) new liquidators, in their recently filed report with the Supreme Court, sharply improved the “estimated realisable value” of assets upon which the bank’s loans are secured.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

FORBES ASSURED HE’LL KEEP S. ANDROS STATESIDE

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Leader Philip “Brave” Davis said only something egregious would prevent incumbent PLP parliamentarians from being ratified as candidates in the next general election.

He made the comment as he suggested it is unlikely that Monique Pindling, the daughter of

MONIQUE PINDLING, left, and Picewell Forbes MP. former Prime Minister Sir the party’s nominee in the Lynden Pindling, could South Andros constituency. be successful in her bid to SEE PAGE TWO replace Picewell Forbes as

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

TRUMP STILL PLAYS SQUATTER IN WHITE HOUSE

SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE 2, Thursday, November 19, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Forbes assured he’ll keep S. Andros

PLP leader Philip ‘ Brave’ Davis in the House of Assembly. from page one “All incumbents are the presumptive nominees of the party in the following election,” Mr Davis said yesterday.

“Unless there is something egregious that would cause the national general council to see otherwise, but it has to be something palpable.”

Ms Pindling told The Tribune over the weekend that she wants to bring impactful leadership to South Andros and “fulfil the plan that was laid out for Andros so many years ago”.

She expressed hope that she would be given a fair shot at the nomination and that the constituents of that area would decide who would be their party’s nominee.

Asked if Ms Pindling has been told that Mr Forbes is the presumptive nominee, Mr Davis said: “All aspirants were told of the status of their applications

and what they ought to expect. They expect fairness in the process and that’s what they were told and fairness is what it will be.”

Mr Davis said two other people have expressed interest in the South Andros constituency.

He said the candidates committee of the party hopes to finish interviewing candidates by the end of the month and making its recommendations to the National General Council for candidates by the end of the year.

Ms Pindling told this newspaper that if the PLP’s branches and constituents want Mr Forbes, she will support that decision.

“My reason for doing this is for Andros to finally get the attention it so deserves.

Ultimately, the decision lies with the leadership to make the process fair for everyone. No one, including myself, is entitled to an automatic nomination,” she said.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, November 19, 2020, PAGE 3

There goes Christmas from page one

On Saturday there were 40 cases. The previous day, health officials said there were 23 new cases.

The two days prior saw a combination of 112 cases.

These numbers pale by comparison to the rise in cases – more than 400 in the immediate days ahead of the last extension of emergency orders.

The draft resolution for the impending extension says it “continues to be necessary and expedient for securing the public safety,

the defence of the Bahamas, the maintenance of public order, the suppression of mutiny, rebellion and riot, and for maintaining supplies and services essential to the life and well-being of the community to continue in force, the second proclamation, the Emergency Powers (COVID-19 Pandemic) Regulations, 2020…”

Last month, 14 MPs voted in favour of extending the state of emergency resolution and zero voted against it. There were 24 parliamentarians absent from the vote. Many of

them were absent because of COVID-19 curfew rules or because they had been exposed to the virus and could not attend parliamentary proceedings.

Former Health Minister Dr Duane Sands joined opposition MPs in saying he did not support extending the emergency orders.

Reacting last month to news of the emergency resolution’s extension, Progressive Liberal Party Leader Philip “Brave” Davis said the country has “proclamation fatigue.”

During a speech in Parliament yesterday, the

prime minister implored Bahamians to continue following health protocols like wearing a mask, adhering to physical distancing, washing hands regularly and avoiding large gatherings and social events.

“As we have seen on other islands, and as domestic and international tourists begin to travel to more Family Islands, there is a greater likelihood of the spread of the virus,” he said.

Governor General CA Smith initially made a proclamation of emergency on March 17, 2020.

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday.

DEPORTATION THREAT OVER FILING REPORT from page one

SOME of the clubgoers caught on camera as police investigated a premises in Palmdale on Tuesday night.

VIDEO SHOWS CLUBGOERS BREAKING RULES

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames had stern words yesterday for people who persist in breaking Emergency Powers Orders after numerous people were cited for violating protocols at a club on Tuesday night.

His comments came after police responded to reports of an unauthorised social gathering at Madeira Street, Palmdale which resulted in multiple people being issued citations for being in breach of COVID-19 orders.

Police said they were alerted to the gathering shortly after 6pm.

“An inspection of the premises was conducted, it was discovered that the patrons and proprietor were in violation of the COVID-19 Emergency Order,” officials said in a statement “As a result, the proprietor and the manager of the establishment were cited for hosting a social gathering and failing to practice social distancing. A number of patrons were also cited for attending a social gathering and failing to practice social distancing.”

Several videos of the event circulated on social media late Tuesday night showing scores of people leaving the local establishment closely huddled together as officers surrounded the building.

While most of those attending appeared to be wearing masks, there were some who were without them. Social distancing was also not observed in the video.

Calling the situation “unfortunate”, Mr Dames told reporters yesterday it’s always concerning when individuals remain intent on breaking the law, but stressed that officers have a responsibility to uphold the law.

“We have to use what we have at our

disposal to make certain that those who are defiant and refuse to adhere to the emergency orders are dealt with to the fullest extent of the law,” he said “As I said a few days ago, it’s a very unfortunate situation. We never like to see it come to this but there are some persons who are, I mean they refuse, they refuse to adhere to the emergency orders that are only set in place to protect us?”

He said that while he understands the frustrations of Bahamians wanting their lives to return to normal, it is also important for everyone to adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines as the regulations in place are not to hurt, but rather to protect us.

“Sometimes we know that when decisions are made, these are very tough and difficult decisions that we are not normally accustomed to and there are some persons as a result who are determined to be defiant, but we know that we’re doing the right thing,” he said.

“Some countries are taking more stringent measures than we are. If you look at what’s taking place throughout Europe, the UK, France and Spain and those places, now that they’re having recurrence, we cannot afford, as Bahamians who rely so heavily on tourism, to let our guards down and to allow this virus to take this country over.”

Asked yesterday if he thought tougher penalties were needed to send a stronger message to the Bahamian public, the minister replied: “I don’t even think stricter penalties will do. It is clear that persons, some persons, don’t care. You don’t only see it here in The Bahamas. I mean you see it all over the world, in Europe, the United States, North America, throughout the region. There are persons who just feel as if they are invincible.”

Tuesday’s incident follows a similar event that occurred in Bimini over

the weekend, which also saw residents there being issued citations for violating COVID-19 orders.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has repeatedly urged Bahamians to comply with COVID-19 protocols by not attending large gatherings, noting such events could be a “super spreader” for COVID-19.

Yesterday, Deputy Police Commissioner Ismella Davis-Delancey echoed similar comments, telling reporters that officials just want Bahamians “to simply follow the rules.”

This, as she noted that officers will not be stopped from enforcing the law.

“As an organisation, we want to say to the Bahamian people – businesses and residents alike, we want you to obey and observe the rules. We are going to enforce the law and where we see infractions, we will deal with them and so we ask people to just follow the rules. Simply follow the rules,” she said. “If you’re in doubt, we have a COVID line that is working 24 hours and we have officers who man it at the highest level. You can call if you need guidance as to what you should do and should not do and there is a hotline number where persons can call if they see infractions and they believe that is something the police should be looking into. So, we just want to encourage people to follow the rules.”

Yesterday, officials also addressed the country’s latest homicide, where a man, believed to be in his late thirties, became the nation’s latest murder victim.

Speaking on the matter, Mr Dames said: “Every murder is concerning, yes. We’re not going to do away completely with murders. That will never happen but we’re trending in the right direction and that’s what pleases me most,” he said.

“I think at the end of the year what you’re going to see is crime levels that you haven’t seen in this country in over a decade in terms of reduction.”

The survey requirement is in addition to other COVID-19 requirements for travellers,, such as a RT-PCR test five days before arrival and a rapid antigen test on the fifth day of arriving in the country.

The survey will be provided through the website travel.gov.bs.

Additionally, the domestic travel health visa must be presented to air and sea carrier operators before boarding an aircraft or marine vessel.

If this requirement is breached, the carrier or owner of the vessel is subject to a fine of $2,000 for every passenger travelling without the domestic travel health visa. The passenger also will be subject to a fine of $1,000.

This comes as Atlantis has said guests of its “safe zone” will not be required to undergo testing multiple times.

“All individuals, including citizens, residents and visitors, travelling into The Bahamas, will be required to complete this short survey on-line each day for approximately 14 days. The health screening survey is an important part of preventing the spread of COVID 19 and ensuring that The Bahamas is safe for all to enjoy,” Dr Minnis said in the House of Assembly yesterday.

“Participation in this survey is mandatory.

Those who fail to comply will be subject to penalties. Citizens, residents and visitors who do not complete the survey will be fined $100 per day or one week in prison. For visitors, they will also be deported. The health survey will enable the further monitoring of and response to any possible instances of COVID-19.”

“The Ministry of Health also will be studying the results of the health survey to scientifically test and to evaluate the health protocols.”

Dr Minis said a domestic travel health visa also will be implemented soon for travel from New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco, mainland Eleuthera and Bimini to other islands in the country, though this will not apply to travel between Exuma and its cays and Eleuthera and its surrounding islands.

“The domestic travel health visa will replace the 14-day quarantine requirement for those travelling from New Providence,” he said.

“The domestic travel health visa, like the international travel health visa, will include the same two-pronged approach to fight COVID-19, inclusive of the daily health screening survey and rapid antigen testing on the fifth day. This domestic travel health visa must be presented to air and sea carrier operators before boarding an aircraft or marine vessel. If this requirement is breached, the carrier or owner of the vessel is subject to a fine of $2,000 for every passenger travelling without the domestic travel health visa. The passenger also will be subject to a fine of $1,000. I wish also to note that for the time being, a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test is required only for travel from New Providence, Grand Bahama and Exuma.”

Dr Minnis said despite the restrictive measures he implemented on Exuma because of exponential increases in new COVID-19 cases there, health officials on that island report that “some people are still having gatherings and residents believe this is largely contributing to the spread of COVID-19” there.

“A health team is scheduled to return to Eleuthera next week to complete a follow-up assessment and to determine the impact of the recently imposed restrictive measures on that island,” he said.

He also reiterated his desire that Bahamians not travel abroad at this time because of the possibility that they could return with COVID-19.

ATLANTIS GUESTS WON’T HAVE TO TAKE ANTIGEN TEST

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net

EVEN though Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has stressed that all guests staying more than five days in The Bahamas have to take a mandatory antigen test, Atlantis Resort’s guests will not be required to do so as they will be engaged in a “Vacation in Place” programme, Tourism Officials said.

Just yesterday while speaking in the House of Assembly, Prime Minister

Minnis made it clear that, apart from presenting a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival to The Bahamas, all visitors staying more than five days would have to take an additional antigen test.

Yesterday The Tribune quoted Atlantis’ website as saying, “Registered guests whom vacation/stay in the safe zone for the entire duration of their stay do not have to undergo multiple testing, unlike other properties in The Bahamas, where additional COVID testing is required upon

arrival and again on day five.”

Joy Jibrilu, Director General, Ministry of Tourism and Aviation said Atlantis has been given the go ahead to engage in ‘a global concept’.

“Atlantis has made several announcements informing that they are creating a travel bubble so that when their guests enter their property, it would be the same as if they are in quarantine,” she said. “They will not be allowed to leave and includes their staff members. So they would’ve

tested everybody, including their staff members, in that bubble.

“As a result of them creating a bubble, where once you enter you do not leave. they’ve been allowed to not apply the five-day test for the time being for their visitors who may be staying for five days or longer. Those who stay for five days or longer will be in that protected bubble. So it’s a global concept.”

Contacted yesterday after the Prime Minister’s reiteration of the mandatory test requirement, Atlantis told The Tribune it had no

comment to make. Revisiting the resort’s “Frequently Asked Questions” section on its website, clearly there was a softening of language in regards to COVID-19 prevention requirements as it pertained to Taxi drivers, but there was no change in the non-requirement of Atlantis’ guests to take a second antigen test while staying there.

The Tribune contacted the Office of the Prime Minister for commentary on the matter, but was told to contact the Ministry of Tourism, even though it was the Prime Minister who

stressed that the five-day antigen test was mandatory.

Atlantis’ FAQ also noted, “It is important to note that due to the fluidity of the COVID-19 pandemic, both in The Bahamas and worldwide, the safety protocols and procedures are subject to change.”

Ms. Jibrilu said in many places in the world “a safe corridor” or “a bubble” is being used and because of that, they have certain allowances. She said Atlantis has kept the “Vacation in Place Model” just for the resort to “open up and see how it goes”.

PAGE 4, Thursday, November 19, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

FESTIVAL PLACE DEMOLITION ALMOST COMPLETE

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

DEMOLITIONS of the former Bahamas Customs Warehouse and Festival Place on Prince George Wharf are almost complete in the transformation of Nassau Cruise Port with construction set to begin at the end of the month.

Director of Projects & Facilities for Nassau Cruise Port Ltd, Lionel Turnquest made the announcement as he gave an update on the project’s progress to reporters yesterday, when he further noted demolition works on festival place as being nearly completed.

“During the lockdown periods, we have started demolitions of the various buildings with the intent to advance the works as quickly as possible so we commence with the demolitions of the customs warehouse, or the old customs building warehouse as it is referred to,” he said.

“And we have now moved in to the demolition of the festival place which is about 90 percent complete and then we are moving on slowly to complete the rest of the demolition throughout the rest of this year and into early next year.”

With the construction team now fully mobilized on island, Mr Turnquest added that workers are getting prepared to begin construction very soon.

“They are getting their site compound and site

area ready, they’ve already started receiving piles, stock piling their piles and getting prepared for the construction. If you’re able to pass by the port you’ll also see all of their barges, cranes, etc, are on island and ready to go.”

“The intended start date for the first part is the 30th of November which is a big date for us and because we talk about that is the sound of the future and you will hear the sound of the future when we start. Everybody will know that we are here and we are going to blow the cruise industry out of the water with our product.”

He added: “So, you will start hearing over the next few months which will be the commencement of the marine construction. In February of next year, you will start seeing super structures going up.”

“Obviously, the infrastructure will have to be put in as well but you should start seeing things starting to happen above ground where I think the excitement will start to build even further.”

During yesterday’s press conference, CEO of Nassau Cruise Port Ltd, Mike Maura Jr, described the demolition works as “ two very significant monumental events.”

“This month is the month that we’re going to begin see some real things happening. Obviously, the demolition of the customs warehouse and the

demolition of festival place are two very significant monumental events in their own right,” he said.

“It is going to be exciting to see to begin to see the piles being driven to create a new oasis, it’s going to be exciting to see the sheet pile coming together, it’s going to be exciting to see the sheet pile being driven to the west end to create additional commercial space for authentically Bahamian and Bahamian experiences... so, this construction activity has been anticipated, it’s exciting and we can’t wait to get going.”

Last year, the Minnis administration signed a Heads of Agreement for a $250m project with Global Ports Holding to redevelop and manage the Nassau Cruise Port.

The project is designed to act as a catalyst for downtown Nassau’s revival once the COVID-19 pandemic has passed.

It is also expected to transform the cruise port experience for passengers and residents, and revitalise the waterfront for businesses and tourists.

The redevelopment will include improved retail facilities, the construction of a new terminal building, the creation of an event and entertainment area, and new food and beverage facilities.

It will also includes a waterfront park, a harbour village, new inner harbour, amphitheatre and a Junkanoo museum.

AERIAL photographs show the progress of the demolition.

LAND ROW DIRECTOR IS REHIRED BY GOVT from page one

engaged with, include the continuation of the regularisation of long-term unauthorised occupation of Crown Land for individuals and families, and rectifying Crown Land lease agreements throughout The Bahamas.

“The land reform projects are part of the government’s ambitious initiative to ensure more Bahamians have greater access to Crown Land.”

In 2009, former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham asked Mr Turnquest to resign after The Tribune published a series of articles showing that members of his family – including his motherin-law – received grants of parcels of Crown land in Exuma. The beachfront lots were sold at less than $2500 each and later flipped to foreigners for a profit in the hundreds of thousands.

The revelations raised the spectre of impropriety, therefore a select committee of the House of Assembly was formed in 2009 to investigate the matter. That committee did not find that Mr Turnquest acted with malfeasance, but it questioned his judgment.

“The committee is

unable to conclude that there was any malfeasance in public office with regard to this transaction,” the committee reported.

“Each of the grantees and the real estate broker denied that Mr Turnquest solicited money from them or induced the sales. Mr Turnquest denied receiving any money or soliciting any money from them…

Given the constraints of time, your committee was unable to trace by looking into bank accounts to determine whether money ended up in the hands of Mr Turnquest from these transactions. Further the evidence does not suggest that taking of the grant was for the purpose of ‘flipping’ the land but rather a chance windfall opportunity occurred of which they all took advantage.

“The difficulty which none of the parties appeared to appreciate is that given the proximity of the relationship of the parties, the transactions were bound in the light of public scrutiny to raise in your committee’s view the reasonable suspicion that there was the intention of ‘flipping’ the land and of some malfeasance in public office. It is incumbent therefore that in the future as a matter of public policy rules ought to be put in place to prevent

this kind of appearance of self-dealing. New rules could help to protect the officers in the public service from themselves, and from accusations of malfeasance and improper conduct. The existing rule of referring the matter of a public servant’s application for Crown land to the Public Service Commission does not seem vigorous enough or sufficiently probative.

“Your committee believes that the very least, Mr Turnquest’s explanations appear to be disingenuous and his behaviour does not accord with the standard expected of someone in the office of public trust that he held.

His conduct should be further investigated.”

Mr Turnquest spent 37 years at the Department of Lands and Surveys.

According to his LinkedIn profile, he is vice president and a chartered valuation surveyor at TR Associates Limited, a company that provides land services in the Bahamas.

For his part, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has repeatedly promised to reform the country’s Crown Land policies as well as the Department of Lands and Surveys which, critics say, operates inefficiently and without adequate transparency.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, November 19, 2020, PAGE 5

‘We’re feeding the pigs and we’re ready to reopen again’

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net CELEBRITY EcoAdventures stand ready to resume tours, featuring their swimming pigs at Crystal Beach in West Grand Bahama, as soon as the tourism sector reopens on the island.

Operators Paul and Barbara Darville have kept a small staff employed to feed and take care of nine pigs and to ensure proper upkeep of their pens and premises until it reopens for business.

The couple is spending $2,500 per month to pay the staff, purchase feed for the pigs and for veterinary care.

In March, the operation closed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic which shut down the cruise industry. Prior to its closure, the Celebrity Eco-Adventures employed 14 full-time workers and hosted 300 guests daily, particularly from the cruise ships.

Locals also patronised the business.

They also operated a restaurant and bar, snorkeling and kayaking tours, music and DJ, and other outdoor activities, such as volleyball, and a 15-seater airboat.

“We are getting calls from the States and from locals about the tours,” said Paul Darville, who said they are ready 24 hours if someone wants to book a tour.

To date, the Darvilles have spent some $20,000 to ensure the facility ready, and the animals are healthy for when tourists and cruise ships return. They said that they are committed to investing in the business and to ensuring that the pigs are well cared for, even though the facility is not open.

In Exuma, however, tour operators are struggling to take care of the 60 swimming pigs and are

disappointed that the government is not helping to feed the island’s main tourist attraction.

Exuma Water Sports owner Raymond Lightbourn depleted his savings and lost an estimated $2m in revenue. He spends about $70 a day feeding 12 pigs on White Bay Cay that were once featured on ABC’s The Bachelor––a significant expense in a year with so few tourists.

Bernadette Chamberlin, president of the Original Swimming Pigs Limited, a company that looks after some 60 pigs on Big Major Cay has twice asked tourism officials for help, but was rebuffed.

The Darvilles sympathise with the tour operators in Exuma and their plight to care for the pigs.

Although it is costly, Mrs Darville said it is something they are prepared to do.

“Our pigs are homegrown pigs; they are not imported, and we have to take care of the pigs even though we are closed,” she said.

“We have trainers and the guides come everyday and feed and clean the pigs, and make sure they are okay and put them in the water to exercise. And we have been doing this since the pandemic, and here we are still doing it.”

“We are waiting until the cruise ships and tourists come back to open up.

In the meantime, this is what we have to do. We are ready 24 hours, if someone calls and says they want a tour, we are available.”

Celebrity Eco-tours has five persons employed to care for the 19 pigs – three large adult pigs, six small pigs, and the remainder of which are medium-sized.

One of the pigs is now pregnant and could expect piglets soon.

“We have to purchase feed for the pigs, and it is expensive, and care for them. We have to get the

Vets (local and an American vet) to come out and check them,” she said.

“Since March, we have been paying $2,500 per month to keep staff on and to feed the pigs,” said Mr Darville.

The Darvilles invested $500,000 to get the eco-tour

business started. However, there was some controversy last April when they came under heavy criticism regarding concerns raised by a tourist of how it houses its “swimming pigs” in an enclosure on a remote rock in the sea.

At that time, the

THE pigs being fed in West Grand Bahama and, left, Paul and Barbara Darville, of Celebrity Eco-Adventures.

Darvilles denied any ill- one came to us, or called treatment of their pigs and to find out or to see the insisted that they were well- pigs. kept and properly housed “We have closed that in pens on the beach at the down. The pigs loved to go property. out there. They do not go On Wednesday, Mrs out there anymore and we Darville said that they no trained them not to go out longer do any tours on the there,” Mrs Darville said. remote cay.

She said that Celebrity “We do not have any Eco-Adventures is just tours out there on the waiting to resume operacay, and we have taken tions whenever the industry the structure down,” they reopens. said. We had something “We are ready and built out there, and natu- waiting to go and are rally, when we finished the fully prepared and waittour, they sometimes swim ing. We have contracts out there and we would let with the ships,” said Mrs them go, and by the end of Darville, adding they are the evening we bring them COVID-ready. back to the beach (where “We were prepared when they are kept in their they had the first opening; pens),” she said. But that we brought all the things seemed to have caused a that were required to be in big controversy…and no place,” she said.

VACCINE EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE IN SPRING - AT A COST

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net

PAN American Health Organisation officials say The Bahamas can have access to COVID-19 vaccines between March and April of 2021, however, delivery will be challenging and costly.

Speaking during their weekly virtual COVID-19 update, PAHO assistant director Dr Jarbas Barbosa said while the production of the vaccine seems to have been quick, PAHO is of the view it will be effective against the virus.

“We feel that the vaccine will be effective against COVID-19,” Dr. Barbosa said. “Of course, we will need to monitor this. This is indeed a very rapidly developing process of vaccine and this is because we are not facing a regular disease.

We are facing the most challenging public health disaster emerging in one century.

“The vaccination will be available in The Bahamas between the first week of March and the last week of April, but deployment of the vaccine is entirely up to each country’s government.”

Dr Barbosa said when the vaccines are ready for presentation, they will have to be approved by the World Health Organisation just as other vaccines that have been used for decades. The process will be the same, he said, but more expedited and reviewed very carefully.

“While the region continues to face challenges in responding to the virus, the past week has brought some good news regarding the development of potential COVID-19 vaccines,” Dr Barbosa said.

“This is encouraging, and we’re eager to review the accompanying data. However, we must be clear: only

a vaccine that has proven safe and effective will be approved by regulators, endorsed by the WHO and ultimately, made available through COVAX. “It is clear that as this virus continues to actively spread in our region, countries must remain vigilant.

Every country must continue to monitor their epidemic situation, and should new infections arise, they must adapt their responses quickly to prevent further outbreaks.”

Looking at costs of the vaccine, the PAHO official said at first it will be costly.

“We know that delivering a vaccine will be challenging and costly,” he explained. “In fact, the latest projections from the COVAX facility for Latin America and the Caribbean estimate that vaccinating 20 percent of the population will cost more than $2bn.

“And while these figures are high, vaccines are both a smart and necessary investment. That is why PAHO has been working with member states to ensure that every country that is interested will have access to the COVAX facility. We have also partnered with the Inter-American Development Bank, the European Union and other financial institutions and donors to secure the funding needed for lower income countries in our region to join.”

He said self-financing countries in the Americas participating in the COVAX Facility will have the option to purchase the vaccines through PAHO’s Revolving Fund.

“This will accelerate their access because they have been using this mechanism for many years and have already adapted their laws and regulations accordingly,” he continued.

“As of today, 28 selffinancing countries have signed agreements with the

COVAX facility, and an additional 10 countries are eligible for support under the COVAX Advance Market Commitment.”

Health Minister Renward Wells revealed in September the government will have to pay an initial $2m down payment to secure 80,000 vaccinations In regards to the rapid, world-wide spread of the virus, Dr Barbosa said the vaccine is being produced even before it has been given the nod of approval by drug authorities of the world.

“Because time is of the essence, many vaccine manufacturers have begun producing COVID19 vaccines even before they receive regulatory approval,” he said. “However, it is important to keep in mind that they can only be used once clinical trials are complete, data on the safety and efficacy has been published, and licensing received from regulatory authorities.

“Last week, PAHO and UNICEF kicked off the purchasing process for COVID-19 vaccines by inviting vaccine manufacturers around the world to apply to become a supplier for the 186 countries that have joined the COVAX facility. By the end of 2021 the facility aims to deploy at least 2 billion doses of quality COVID-19 vaccines quickly and equitably.”

This, he said, is a remarkable figure, but it will not be sufficient to vaccinate everyone, at least not at first.

Over the last week, the Region of the Americas reported nearly 1.5 million cases and 19,000 deaths due to COVID-19.

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THE TRIBUNE

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So much for Christmas...

IN a surprise move, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis revealed emergency powers were to be extended again last night – this time until the far side of Christmas.

The extension will have to go through Parliament, of course, but the FNM’s majority makes it more than likely it will pass.

That said, the move came out of the blue, with numbers of new COVID-19 cases having been trending down lately.

Was the move prompted by the apparent inability of Bahamians to abide by the rules and continue to gather in numbers that break the emergency powers?

Was the wedding attended by the son of the Attorney General, a wedding whose groom works in the Ministry of Health, in Dr Minnis’ mind?

Did he see the scores of people in a nightclub in Palmdale showing no consideration whatsoever for efforts to limit the spread of the virus by crowding together in a close space, many of them not wearing masks? If ever there was a case of inconsiderate people taking a blunt stick to those who have been following the rules, then this was it.

Did he think to himself that if people can’t be trusted to abide by simple safety measures when emergency powers are in force then heaven help us all for how people would behave when they were lifted?

Or was it simply another case of the government making things up as they go along? After all, we see another example of that today too.

On one hand, you have the Prime Minister taking a stern tone yesterday, warning visitors that they face deportation if they do not complete a short survey each day for at least 14 days if they are in the country. Those who do not fill in the survey – including citizens, and residents after arrival – will be fined $100 a day or a week in prison. Visitors not only face those penalties but will also be stuck on a plane back out of the country.

That might sound tough – and to many minds impractical – but at the exact same time as the government is sounding so firm, it’s also revealing that visitors to Atlantis won’t need to take the antigen tests on the fifth day of their

visit that are being required everywhere else.

The reasoning is that Atlantis is operating in a bubble – albeit one with workers coming in and out of the bubble. Just how big is this bubble too?

It appears to include the Comfort Suites and even the Ocean Club golf course?

What about the beaches? What if a visitor comes out of Atlantis, turns right and wanders off down the beach? Or will the beaches themselves be sealed off – cutting Bahamians off from Cabbage Beach? That would be a recipe for confrontation – leading rightfully to questions about how long access would be restricted and by what right.

What will the likes of Baha Mar think about guests at a competitor not having to go through testing while their own visitors still have to comply?

Given the number of U-turns this government has taken on tourism policy, we would not be surprised if some of these change again – particularly those heavy penalties on failing to take a survey, for example. What tourist will commit to coming for a visit if they risk a week in prison if their internet isn’t working properly for a day?

Still, this uneasy mix of sounding tough on one hand by extending powers and threatening fines, then letting others off on the other hand from restrictions just makes for a confusing message.

Bahamians who go out partying are helping no one in all of this. Every single person who chooses to put themselves and their desire for a night out drinking and partying with others ahead of the health of each and every one of their relatives deserves whatever penalty the law throws at them. This is selfish, appalling behaviour and each one of them should be ashamed. They should look their elderly relatives who are more vulnerable to COVID-19 in the eye and say they don’t care about them – because that’s exactly who they are putting most at risk.

So get ready for a lockdown Christmas, Bahamas. There’ll be plenty of blame to go around over the turkey at home – from the government for extending the powers to the selfish idiots thinking going dancing is more important than killing a virus.

Black Friday temptation to travel?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

BLACK Friday is one of the biggest shopping days in the United States, along with Cyber Monday and Super Saturday. In 2019, 84.2 million people shopped in stores on Black Friday and 37.8 million shopped on Thanksgiving Day. Retailers earned a combined $729.1 billion in 2019, up 4.1 percent or over $28 billion more than in the previous year, when shoppers dumped $700.7 billion in retail stores across the United States.

The four leading retailers are Wal-Mart, Costco, Target and Amazon. For Bahamians who typically go on the mad dash for those Black Friday deals, you can add BJ’s Wholesale Club and Sam’s Club to that list of popular retailers. WalMart has already released its deals online to wet the appetite of American and

Bahamian consumers.

The popular PlayStation 5 Console is going for $499.

Wal-Mart also has deals on its Samsung 4K TVs and the XB1 box Series X Consoles.

I would estimate that thousands of Bahamians would make the annual trip to the US around Thanksgiving in order to catch those sweetheart deals. This year, however, there’s one slight problem: COVID-19 is wreaking havoc in Florida, where the overwhelming majority of Bahamians go to shop. Florida currently has 889,864 confirmed COVID-19 infections, with 17,559 casualties.

On Sunday, Florida recorded 10,100 new infections, which marked its highest daily total. On Monday, 4,600 new infections were registered.

Yet despite the ongoing pandemic, Republican Governor Ron DeSantis is adamant in not imposing

lockdown measures to restrict the spread of the virus. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis is once again urging Bahamians not to travel abroad “unless absolutely necessary.” However, judging by the defiance of the hardheaded Biminites who were reveling over the past weekend and by Bahamians in general when the borders were first opened in July, I am bracing for another COVID-19 surge, especially with the Winter season being upon us. And when this happens, I hope the Bahamian people won’t repeat history by scapegoating the competent authority for their reckless irresponsibility in jeopardising the economy and health of The Bahamas by their decision to travel to Florida for Black Friday.

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama.

November 17, 2020.

Ban oil drilling in Bahamas EDITOR, The Tribune.

GOVERNMENT enacted lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic have forced Bahamians to stay home, crushed the economy, and destroyed Bahamian businesses.

Meanwhile, Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) – which is not Bahamian – has been allowed to forge ahead with its plans to drill for oil in The Bahamas.

This blatant act of discrimination by the government against Bahamians is unconscionable and unacceptable. It is also a slap in the face by the government and BPC because oil drilling will not create significant jobs for Bahamians, and drilling is an assault on the precious ecosystem that our lives and countless other forms of life depend on.

Numerous letters have been written to the media to express disapproval of drilling in The Bahamas.

Requests have also been made to the Prime Minister to stop BPC from drilling.

And the petition “Help Save The Bahamas From Oil Drilling” has gained international attention and support.

Despite public outcry against BPC, top government officials who opposed drilling have been silent, and BPC representatives have tried to convince Bahamians that oil drilling is safe and great for The Bahamas.

A lot has been written about the perceived benefits and the real risks of oil drilling in The Bahamas.

So let’s discuss comments made by high-ranking politicians when they were not shy about voicing their opinions about drilling.

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net Let’s start with Mr. Perry Christie, former Prime Minister of The Bahamas.

He said: “We took a position that if there is going to be the exploitation of oil in The Bahamas, it has to be done with the consent of the Bahamian people.”

And what about Mr Peter Turnquest, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance? Before he was elected to his current position, he addressed the Speaker of the House of Assembly and said that in a BPC discussion that he attended, BPC “indicated that there wasn’t going to be very many jobs for Bahamians.” Mr. Turnquest also said: “We must consider the importance of the environment and the many Bahamians who make their living from this resource. We must be sure that we do not authorize any new industry that will harm the number one pillar of our economy.

Today we have sun, sand and sea. If we have a serious disaster, we will be left with sun. Think about it.”

And what did Dr. Hubert Minnis say to the Speaker of the House of Assembly about oil drilling before becoming Prime Minister? Well, he made a strong case against drilling in The Bahamas. He spoke about the devastating and long-term affects of the oil spills in Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico.

Prime Minister Minnis also vehemently expressed his opposition to oil drilling

when he asked: “How can a conscious people and a vigilant opposition trust the government when there is a petroleum disaster here at BEC, at Clifton Pier and in the Bay? At Clifton there’s oil visible at spots. And if they can’t clean up Clifton and the BEC disaster, can you truly believe that they can manage the entire ocean?”

Prime Minister Minnis asked important questions that all Bahamians can relate to. So, Mr. Prime Minister, here is a response to your questions: We are a conscious people. We are a vigilant opposition. We do not trust the government or BPC. And we know they cannot manage an oil spill.

We have been blessed with a bio-diverse and beautiful ocean. It is the life-force and crown jewel of our country. We will fight to protect it.

Prime Minister Minnis, your comments and those of high-ranking politicians confirm that Bahamians have nothing to gain and everything to lose by drilling for oil in our magnificent ocean. Drilling also requires the consent of the Bahamian people.

The Bahamas took a step forward to protect the environment by banning single-use plastics and styrofoam. Now, Prime Minister Minnis, it is time to protect the environment by banning oil drilling in The Bahamas. When we protect the environment, we protect our lives and the lives of future generations.

Think about it.

FORWARD, UPWARD, ONWARD, TOGETHER Nassau, November 18, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, November 19, 2020, PAGE 7

Prison officer behind bars

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A CORRECTIONAL officer, found with almost $2,000 worth of marijuana, was yesterday sentenced to seven months in prison.

Ivan Forbes, 28, was arrested after officers found $1,820 worth of Indian Hemp in his jacket and vehicles on November 16.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of dangerous drug possession with the intent to supply during a hearing before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt.

The court was told that officers, acting on information around 1pm that day, proceeded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. Upon their arrival, they saw and spoke to the chief correction officer, who pointed out the accused.

Officers then searched Forbes and found three black taped packages containing five ounces of marijuana in his jacket pocket.

On the same day, officers took the accused to his Elizabeth Estates residence where he pointed out his white Honda vehicle. When officers searched the car, they found 7.18 ounces of marijuana in a cooler box in the back trunk of the car.

At the time, Forbes told officers the drugs were his and claimed no one else knew he had them there.

The prosecution said Forbes then took the officers to his second residence off Baillou Hill Road, where he pointed out a silver coloured Nissan March. When officers searched that vehicle, they found 10.5 ounces of marijuana under the front right driver’s seat. Forbes was subsequently arrested.

In an interview with police at a nearby station, he admitted the offences.

Forbes was represented by attorney Jomo Campbell.

He told the magistrate his client was severely diabetic and was the primary breadwinner for his household.

In response, Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt told the accused he found himself in “hot water”. She said there could never be a justifiable reason for a law enforcement officer to break the law and said the fact that Forbes brought the drugs into the prison when he worked there made his actions even worse.

“There must be a higher call for you to obey the law and uphold the penal code,” she said. As a result, she sentenced him to seven months in prison and fined him $6,000.

In a separate incident, a fisherman who was found with more than $1,000 worth of cocaine was fined $5,000 yesterday. Martin Percentie, 43, was arrested after officers found $1,245 worth of cocaine in his Harbour Island residence on November 17.

He pleaded guilty during his hearing before Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt yesterday.

The court was told that officers went to Mr Percentie’s residence with a search warrant around 2.30 that morning. When they searched his bedroom, officers discovered 53 wraps containing suspected cocaine on top of his ceiling fan.

During their investigation, officers also seized $8,347.20 from the accused as the proceeds of crime. Percentie was arrested and taken to a nearby station. In an interview with police there, he admitted to the offence.

During the hearing, the accused was represented by attorney Ian Cargill. He told the magistrate his client was suffering from a tumor in his chest and insisted he was remorseful for his actions.

In response, Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt said she found it unfortunate that someone with an underlying health condition, like Percentie, would choose to pursue a “criminal enterprise” rather than opting to go down a “straight path”. She told Mr Percentie his medical condition was the only reason she was refraining from imposing a custodial sentence and fined him $5,000 or 12 months in jail. Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt also said the funds police confiscated from Percentie on the morning of his arrest would be forfeited to the Crown.

to his front door on October 25.

The prosecution said Neely also caused harm and threw missiles at Mr Knowles the same day.

During a hearing before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt, Neely pleaded guilty to trespassing and damage, but denied the other two charges.

The court was told Mr

Knowles had found the accused at his residence without his consent. When he asked Neely to leave the premises, he failed to do so. The prosecution said while at the residence, Neely also damaged the complainant’s front door.

He was arrested a short time later.

During the hearing, Neely’s attorney told the magistrate that the

IVAN Forbes outside court yesterday.

Photo: Donovan McIntosh

MAN MUST PAY FOR DOOR DAMAGE

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

AN Andros man, who trespassed on another man’s premises and damaged his door, was yesterday ordered to pay compensation for the damage he had caused.

William Neely, 47, was accused of trespassing on Troy Knowles’ Davis Creek property and causing $500 worth of damage

TWO BAILED OVER FRAUD ALLEGATIONS

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

TWO men, who denied last week defrauding a local cell phone store, were yesterday granted bail ahead of their trial.

Jonathan Johnson, 28, and Delshannon Strachan, 29, were accused of defrauding mTech store of $380 worth of goods on November 12.

The prosecution said the men also attempted to defraud the electronics store of another $162 worth of goods.

Both men denied the charges during a hearing before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt and the case was adjourned to April 14 next year for trial.

Johnson and Strachan were each granted $1,500 bail until that time.

TEEN ACCUSED OF CAUSING HARM

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A TEENAGER, accused of harming two people last week, was yesterday denied bail ahead of his trial.

Antoine Burrows, 19, was accused of causing harm to his girlfriend and her brother on November 10.

He pleaded guilty during a hearing before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans, but claimed his actions were not intentional.

As a result, Magistrate Vogt-Evans recorded a not guilty plea and adjourned the case to February 24 for trial.

In the meantime, Burrows was denied bail and remanded to prison.

He has a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.

incident was the result of a domestic situation when provocative words were used. She insisted her client was remorseful for his actions and said he was willing to pay restitution for the broken door.

As a result, Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt granted Neely a

conditional discharge on the agreement that he would pay Mr Knowles $500 for his broken door.

She further ordered the accused to be of good behaviour for three months and to refrain from trespassing on Mr Knowles’ property. Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt

said if he didn’t, he would spend one month behind bars.

Since Neely denied causing harm and throwing missiles, those matters were adjourned for trial to be heard before a circuit magistrate in Central Andros.

The accused was granted $1,000 bail in the interim.

PAGE 8, Thursday, November 19, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Take a look around - our democracy is so precious we must all strive to protect it “Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise.

Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.”

- Winston Churchill IN SOME proverbial banana republics and autocratic states in the Americas and Asia and in some independent states of the former Soviet Union, a presidential spokesperson is often trotted out to announce the incumbent non-democratically installed leader has secured a whopping 90 percent plus of the vote in a fake election.

The spokesperson gushes as to how beloved is the leader as his sycophants ensure local officials are rigging the numbers on the ground.

Many will recall Baghdad Bob or Comical Ali, whose real name was Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf, an Iraqi politician and diplomat. As Saddam Hussein’s Information Minister during the 2003 invasion of Iraq led by the United States, Baghdad Bob spearheaded the country’s disinformation and propaganda regime.

He falsely claimed

American soldiers were committing suicide “by the hundreds”. He famously denied American tanks had entered Baghdad, even though they were a mere few hundred meters away from the press conference he was holding, where the roars of the approaching troops could be heard in the background.

Disinformation is one of the primary communications tools cum weapons of undemocratic leaders and states.

Last week, after he was clearly defeated by Joe Biden, several thousand of Donald Trump’s supporters, including white supremacist Proud Boy members, rallied in Washington D.C. in support of his false claims that he won the election and that there was mass voter fraud by the Democrats.

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany untruthfully boasted that “more than one million” people attended the Million MAGA March, notwithstanding that the area in which they congregated can only accommodate approximately 135,000 people and public officials noted that only several thousand people attended.

Citizens of undemocratic regimes are often quite aware of the lies and disinformation perpetrated by their leaders. But in Trump’s America, a country with an open press and many other freedoms, scores of his supporters adamantly believe the lies.

CONGENITAL

Donald Trump is a congenital and serial liar whose lies have been recounted

in detail by news organizations. The Washington Post reported in July of this year: “It took President Trump 827 days to top 10,000 false and misleading claims in The Fact Checker’s database, an average of 12 claims a day.

“But on July 9, just 440 days later, the president crossed the 20,000 mark – an average of 23 claims a day over a 14-month period, which included the events leading up to Trump’s impeachment trial, the worldwide pandemic that crashed the economy and the eruption of protests over the death of George Floyd in police custody.”

Anyone who has interacted with such individuals realize how dangerous and toxic they are and that their aversion to truth often results in the most vicious and nasty lies and behaviour.

But to have such an individual as leader of the most powerful country in the world is more than dangerous.

Trump’s behaviour and insidious lies over four years, including his refusal to accept defeat, have poisoned and severely tested the America democracy to the extent that its celebrated system of checks and balance has faltered and at times failed.

Democracy requires the consent of the populace and legitimacy. Democracy is as fragile as it is resilient. In a single generation democracy can erode dramatically.

It can also be strengthened and vivified.

American democracy has been dramatically weakened, aided and abetted by an obsequious and intimidated Republican

establishment.

While a constellation of democratic laws, norms, traditions and rituals help to secure and revivify democracy, the cult of personality is one of its greatest threats. The cult of personality bolstering Emperor Donald is primarily based on an admixture of white privilege and supremacy and American chauvinism.

Because of his outsized personality, celebrity and showmanship - and his naked appeals to some of the worst instincts of America and humanity - Trump has become a vessel for millions of Americans to whom he appeals, even those who may dislike his personal behaviour but who support him because of their ideologies or beliefs.

Many on the religious right view Trump as a sort of soul mate. The conservative speaker Davis Harris Jr enthused: “If you’re a believer, and you believe God appointed Donald J. Trump to run this country, to lead this country, and you believe as I do that he will be re-elected the President of the United States, then friends, you’ve got to guard your heart, you’ve got to guard your peace.

Right now we are at war.”

CONVINCED

Trump is an avid believer in American exceptionalism, which is why many Americans, especially many Christian nationalists, fervently support him. They are convinced he is doing right for America and is on a moral mission.

Religious nationalism comes in various forms including some Orthodox churches in Europe which are militantly in lockstep with various states and political power.

Journalist and author Katherine Stewart has written extensively on the separation of church and state. She writes of religious nationalism in America: “The first thing to know is that it’s not a religion. It is a political ideology. Its representatives insist that the foundation of legitimate government is bound up with a reactionary understanding of a particular religion.”

Stewart emphasizes that Christian nationalists in her country believe “that the United States is and ought to be a Christian nation governed under a reactionary understanding of Christian values.”

This belief is typically held by fundamentalist religious groups and not Roman Catholicism and mainline Protestantism.

We also have such Christian nationalists at home who believe their particular religious beliefs and public policy positions should be the law of the land. They are shaky on basic democratic norms such as the separation of church and state.

There are those, like some inveterate writers of letters to the press, Trump enthusiasts, who could do well to better grasp the ideas and richness of other world religions and spiritualities, who are devoted to an undemocratic fundamentalist majoritarianism in which some minorities are discriminated against.

As he grew older, the late Rev Billy Graham was increasingly uneasy with American chauvinism and exceptionalism. In an interview with Christianity Today, Graham noted: “I came close to identifying the American way of life with the kingdom of God. Then I realised that God had called me to a higher kingdom than America. I have tried to be faithful to my calling as a minister of the gospel.”

Even as we observe events in America, Bahamians should reflect on our democratic polity and heritage.

COLLECTIVE

We might seek to better understand and appreciate the genius and strengths of parliamentary democracy and a cabinet system based on collective responsibility.

As a maturing democracy, we should reflect on our political history.

After the 1962 General

Election, which many thought would usher in Majority Rule but which was won by the United Bahamian Party (UBP) with a majority of seats but loss of popular vote, the Progressive Liberal Party was faced with a choice.

The apportionment of seats was rigged in favour of the white oligarchy. In the early hours after the result, Sir Lynden resisted the feverish voices of those who counselled him to violently respond to the bitter defeat.

He believed it would be political suicide and disastrous for The Bahamas.

One pugilist reportedly asked Sir Lynden for permission to “mash up the town”, namely to lay waste to Bay Street, the locus of white economic privilege.

Sir Lynden and the PLP chose instead to stay with the albeit flawed democratic process and non-violent direct action to secure Majority Rule. It was one of his finest hours.

But democracy is fragile and easily corrupted. After securing power, Sir Lynden used the state broadcast media as an effective and blunt propaganda tool.

He cultivated and benefitted from a cult of personality, which damaged the country, as the PLP became the party of entitlement, which still has a stranglehold on the organisation.

The resilience of Bahamian democracy was found in the struggle for Majority Rule and in the struggle of those who formed the Free National Movement, which resulted in the securing of a vibrant two-party democracy.

The FNM’s 1992 General Election win was critical to the maturing of Bahamian democracy. The freeing of the broadcast media by former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and the FNM was one of the more pivotal democratic advancements in the modern Bahamas.

But every democracy must remain vigilant.

Democracy is both stubbornly resilient and extremely fragile depending for survival on the quality of citizen engagement and the commitment of political leaders to the constitution, the rule of law, free and fair elections and the constellation of democratic norms which safeguard against personality cults, corruption and other practices inimical to democracy.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, November 19, 2020, PAGE 9

TRUMP STILL PLAYS THE SQUATTER IN THE WHITE HOUSE AS REPUBLICANS STRUGGLE TO CUT THE CHAINS TO THEIR ELECTORAL LOSER

IT’S been 16 days now since America’s general election. A nasty joke has been making the rounds. It goes like this: “Who says Donald Trump isn’t like thousands of other Americans? Look what’s happened to him: “He got the coronavirus.

“He lost his job.

“And now, in a few weeks, he’s going to get evicted.”

With most of the nation clearly hoping Trump will accept the fact of his defeat, the available evidence is his pout is likely to last a while longer.

As the President’s legal challenges to the results of what appears to have been a really clean election continue to be rebuffed by courts in various battleground states, Trump and his legal team now led by ex-New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani show few signs of acquiescence to his electoral college defeat by exactly the same margin of his 2016 victory over Hillary Clinton.

The US electoral college will convene December 14 to formally select Joe Biden as the nation’s next chief executive.

Hope is only flickering that high-profile Trump enablers like Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell and South Carolina senator Lindsay Graham will urge Trump to behave responsibly. After all, both were just re-elected to new six-year terms in office. They should be sufficiently secure to admit to the inevitable.

There has been nothing very positive yet, though, from these two.

In fact, most Republican officials still act as if their fear of Trump’s wrath and his supporters’ vengeance outweighs any sense of loyalty to the national interest.

It’s all eerily reminiscent of the response of many GOP officials to the real threat of the Tea Party movement a decade ago.

Then, Republican office

STATESIDE

with Charlie Harper

holders were often forced to appease an angry rightwing crowd in order to fend off expensive and potentially destructive primary election challenges.

The Tea Party was the culmination of a supposedly populist movement unleashed by Georgia congressman Newt Gingrich in 1994. Gingrich, by the way, is still around, comfortable in his leafy Washington DC suburb. And he is a voluble and occasionally visible Trumper.

As Trump has seemingly overtaken and overwhelmed the Republican Party, the potency of his Tea Party-like movement lives on as a constant threat to GOP officials.

What about the Republican “establishment?” Here, the behaviour has been different. Former President George W Bush (“43”) has urged the nation to accept the election results, as has legendary political insider, former Secretary of State and Bush 41 confidant James Baker.

And now, so too has Ted Olson. This Californian turned Washington power broker, now 80, rose through the party’s ranks in ways similar to the path followed by Trump Supreme Court nominees Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanagh.

He was a dependable party loyalist, in and out of government.

Olson was an Assistant Attorney General under Ronald Reagan, working on the Iran Contra scandal when the Republican administration was caught circumventing Congressional oversight to

repurpose funds to support right-wing causes in Central America.

An outspoken opponent of Bill Clinton, Olson represented one of Clinton’s alleged former lovers, Paula Jones, in a law suit against that President. Then, in 2000, Olson took a leading role in successfully securing the election that year for George W Bush over Al Gore. Olson later became Solicitor General under the younger Bush.

Olson and Democratic super lawyer David Boies squared off in the 2000 legal battle over Florida’s votes. The two later formed a legal alliance, and even joined forces to protect gay marriage.

Now they have allied again, urging the US to put the recent election behind it and get on with the nation’s business.

In a recent Op Ed in the Washington Post, Olson and Boies wrote that “it is time to accept that Biden won the election and it is time to accept that result and come together as a nation”.

Specifically debunking the notion that the 2020 election is similar to the 2000 election they adjudicated, the two lawyers said “that 2000 decision by the Supreme Court should have no bearing on the (Trump) lawsuits pending in several states”.

Turning to Georgia, whose flip to Biden is likely to remain the enduring headline from this election, Olson and Boies said “the idea (promoted by Trump) that the Republican Secretary of the State

HOW ABOUT THOSE DOLPHINS? WITH the NFL season over half complete, Miami stands at 6-3 and is looking at three straight games in which they figure to be strong betting favourites.

Wins would make them 9-3 and in strong position to win their division this year.

Very few saw this coming.

But the Fins have won three straight games since rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was installed as the starter. It seems that every move made by coach Brian Flores and GM Chris Grier has turned to gold. With a promising nucleus of young players and extra picks from slumping Houston in the first two rounds of the 2021 NFL draft, Miami looks set for run of sustained success.

At the midway point of this COVID-19 NFL season, the Dolphins have to rate as the surprise story of the league. They are joined in unexpected success by the Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals, whom Miami just defeated ten days ago.

And the Fins have already taken three of four games from the league’s toughest division, the NFL West. With Tom Brady now playing in Tampa and Buffalo inconsistent, who knows what might lie ahead? We can dream, and

when did we last think that about our South Florida favourites?

Look out for December 13. That’s when the Dolphins host the defending champion Kansas City

Chiefs, who would currently be the prohibitive favourites to repeat. That game will show us how far the Fins have come, and how far they may have to go.

of Georgia was party to a vast conspiracy spanning different states across the country to elect the Democratic presidential candidate is ludicrous. It is also wrong.”

That Georgia Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, is emerging as a potentially transformative hero in these murky and morally amorphous times. Chosen by voters to succeed current Georgia governor Brian Kemp in his job, Raffensperger had previously seemed to be a reliable GOP operative.

But all the nonsense currently being circulated by the political nihilists who follow Trump seems to have aroused a political conscience in Raffensperger. He has lashed out at Graham, among others,

for unwarranted and unethical attempts to subvert Georgia’s electoral recount. And he has angrily resisted calls by Trump to resign for the sin of endorsing an obviously fair election.

This has turned up the heat on Georgia’s current senators, Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue. Both are Trump loyalists, and both face pivotal run-off elections January 5 that will decide the balance of power in the US Senate. Both have dutifully followed Trump in calling for Raffensperger to step down.

Loeffler has been in office for ten months, appointed

by Governor Kemp when her predecessor resigned for health reasons. She lives in a $10.5m Atlanta mansion with her husband, the chairman of the New York Stock Exchange who donated $1m to Trump’s re-election campaign. The couple has been implicated in an insider trading scandal just as the COVID-19 crisis broke.

An outspoken Trump supporter, Loeffler was nevertheless not the President’s choice for the Senate seat. Trump wanted

congressman Doug Collins, a House attack dog supporter of Trump during his impeachment trial, to get the job. Collins ran against Loeffler in the general election along with Democrat Rev. Raphael Warnock, senior pastor at Martin Luther King’s Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.

Now it’s Loeffler vs.

Warnock for one Senate seat. The other contest pits incumbent Perdue against upstart Jon Ossoff, an investigative journalist and ally of Stacey Abrams, the voter registration crusader who almost won the governorship two years ago in a tight race against Kemp.

Normally, one would expect the Republicans to win at least one of these races. Since they lead 50-48 in the Senate pending the January 5 Georgia vote, that would guarantee at least two more years of McConnell’s obstinate leadership.

But Trump’s continuing petulance, the desperate allegiance of the incumbent senators to him and the surprising integrity of Raffensperger do offer some hope to Democrats.

PAGE 10, Thursday, November 19, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

THE TRIBUNE

RELIGION SECTION C

RELIGIOUS NEWS, STORIES AND CHURCH EVENTS

Inspired by ‘Only You, God’

BY JEFFARAH GIBSON | TRIBUNE FEATURES WRITER JGIBSON@TRIBUNEMEDIA.NET

E

VEN in the midst of the chaos of this year, reggae gospel artist Gesner Mr J Dalmond has been singular in his focus to provide hope and inspiration through his musical projects.

His latest endeavor comes in the form of a musical video for his “Only You God” single.

“Only You God” was GESNER released in May - but the “MR J” video of the single was shared with viewers a few DALMOND weeks back.

The song that has been believes he has been called gaining airplay since then to do. was inspired by Hurricane “So far people are Dorian and the COVID-19 loving the message. They pandemic. are connecting with it and “The vicious storm appreciate the song title Dorian of 2019, COVID- in itself,” he told Tribune 19, the loss of so many lives, Religion. properties, businesses and He received the same homes all brought about a feedback from this music deep meditation and conclusion that’s it’s only God video that was released who can save us. Therefore, on his YouTube channel, we all must allow ourselves Mrjreggae1.

It features Veola Sophia to be opened to the Spirit of God so that we may be a local gospel artist who inspired because God work recently released her testhrough people to save timonial single “He Can Work It Out”. people,” he said.

“The video depicts Since the song’s release many have told of how it persons of different nationlifted their spirits some- ality under one umbrella thing Mr J said is of utmost acknowledging God while distancing and important to him as a social gospel artist. This is what he adhering to the COVID

A Strong Tower

BY CARLOS SPENCER

SOLOMON wrote in Proverbs 18:10 (KJV) “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it and is safe.”

This is very comforting scripture for believers. We may rest when we are tired, or seek shelter when we are in danger, but we are assured that God is with us because of our faith.

The passage highlights the power and commitment of Christ to those who believe in Him. There is nothing special or mythical in

What our favourite scriptures mean to us

BY ALESHA CADET TRIBUNE FEATURES WRITER ACADET@TRIBUNEMEDIA.NET THERE are many memorable Bible scripture readings that people hold dear and apply to their daily lives.

Tribune Religion asked a number of locals to share some of their favourite scriptures - and express how much the verses mean to them.

For Theresa Gibson, it’s the John 11:35 “ Jesus Wept” scripture that touches her

protocols. It depicts the virtue of a mother’s prayer in the face of a dying son,” he said.

As 2020 comes to an end, Mr J said he is looking forward to next year and creating more opportunities to share his music on a global scale.

“I’ve been gearing up for 2021 and the opportunities that exists musically and business wise. Musically speaking, I have a few singles that will be released in the new year. One in particular is a collaboration titled Me and Jesus, which features Reuben Heights, for which will be an animated music video release. The video is being produced by my international team in Canada spear headed by my executive producer Reza Ally aka Dj Evangelist. On the local scene I’ve been working closely with Landlord who is responsible for the airing of the single, ‘Only You God’ on international outlets and the Caribbean.

His new single coming “Me and Jesus” and the accompanying animated music video is particularly exciting to him because he is launching out into uncharted waters where the video is concerned.

“It’s going to be awesome. It’s something new for me as I’ve never been in an animated video before.

“My fans and followers can look out for collaborations with various entities such as Messagein Damusicministry (Freeport) DJ Righteous (UK) Strange Records (Nassau) and others,” he said.

His name for evil persons.

Such individuals do not fall within the ambit of this passage and are excluded from its scope.

We can turn to our strong tower when we face life’s challenges, which can be overwhelming and are often unexpected. Psalm 18:2 (KJV) reminds the believer that “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliever; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”

These are very potent words by David.

It is important to reinforce that the name of the Lord is strong and powerful. In fact, a Divine Person.

We can turn to Him as a strong tower when we are fearful, and in need, and feel safe. For believers this is sacrosanct and nothing can infringe upon it. Hence the significance of Proverbs 18:10 in our study of God’s word. There is no other competing place of

protection from danger. We discover this with time as we travel along life’s path.

We are truly blessed to have such providence.

Believers hold on to this proverb by virtue of their faith. It could actually save one’s life. The reference here is to God as He is generally known by name to all persons. A God in all His majesty and regal appeal.

The genuine and living God who created all life and heaven and earth, father to orphans, and umpire to widows...a wonderful, glorious and perfect God.. our strong tower in life. A God who sees all things, knows all things and is all-powerful.

There is no other God but Him; a God whose name is a strong tower. We are blessed as we travel along life’s path to be able to rely on such providence.

What a blessing! (see Isaiah 26:3-4, Exodus 6:3 and Genesis 16:13) Amen. Thanks be to God for the sharing of His word.

heart and soul so deeply.

“I feel as though it is the most powerful bible verse because it humanises Jesus. The same way we go through troubles, pain and hurt and we cry and mourn - he did the same. It is comforting to know that our Saviour shared the same emotions we shared and overcame them. It gives me hope whenever my world is in a disarray,” said Theresa.

Anthia Wright said although it may sound cliché to some, her all time favourite scripture is the Philippians 4:13 “I Can Do All Things Through Christ That Strengthens Me” bible verse.

“Many have made this a

mantra. It is popular for a reason, and that is because of the empowerment and uplifting it brings as you repeat it to yourself on a daily. There is power in the tongue, so imagine repeating something so motivating to yourself when you are in a dark place. My strength comes from the Lord and I owe my life to Him and Him alone. I am thankful for the dark days this scripture has brought me through because if it wasn’t for overcoming those days - I wouldn’t know how to express to you today of how powerful those words are. I always have a wooden signage in my home with this phrase,” said Anthia.

National Friendship Day

BY REV ANGELA PALACIOUS WHAT kind of friend are you? Who are the persons in your closest circles and what do they mean to you?

These are some of the questions that we can ponder between now and November 25, 2020.

I have been invited to serve on the National Friendship Day committee this year. The following is a quote from the Director, Dr Barrington Brennen: “National Friendship Day is designed to rekindle, cultivate and inspire long-term friendship relationships among citizens and residents of The Bahamas.

“It is another avenue to rejuvenate the spirit of togetherness, respect for one another, unity, and a healthy national pride. The goal is to develop in each individual the responsibility to restore and keepThe Bahamas as a friendly nation.

“This year, due to the COVID19 pandemic, it is of greater importance to remind everyone about the importance of have friendship even while we follow of rules of physical distancing.”

This is a section of a letter that is being distributed to invite children, youth and adults to participate more fully this year. It is a call to action especially in this season of COVID-19.

We have all had lots of time to reflect on priorities and to vow to be more appreciative of blessings we often take for granted.

The following qualities, which I will share with you,

are just some of those that should be found in every home among family members and friends, at work and church: Here is a list using each letter of the word FRIENDSHIP: aithful - willing to be tried and true espectful - caring for the other’s feelings nspiring - bringing out the best in each other nthusiastic - energetically promoting harmony and fun egotiating - diplomatically settling differences evoted - exhibiting true care and concern upportive - wanting to see the other shine elpful - assisting wherever possible maginative - finding new ways to enjoy life leasant - a joy to be around We know from the words of Our Lord that friends give their lives for one another if we follow his example. There is no friend like the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave up everything that he had in heaven to come to earth and die on the cross.

During COVID-19, we all have the opportunity to understand sacrifice in a new way. We wear masks for our own protection and to protect others, we socially distance for the same reason. We give generously if we are able to those who are in need. We are indeed all

F R I E N D S H I P

in this together.

Let it be our prayer that we become better persons because of this experience of global connectedness.

Let us teach our children to be more conscious of the plight of those around them. Let us teach them to cultivate the qualities of friendship listed above, and all the others that are to be associated with loving kindness, integrity and godly friendship.

Thank God every day for those who have been true and loyal friends, pray for those who have not, and in the words of the late Bishop Eldon who often echoed the motto of the Anglican Cursillo Movement: Be a friend, make a friend and bring a friend to Christ.

• Rev Angela Palacious, a motivational speaker and author of several devotional books, is an Anglican priest. She may be contacted at 393-9000 or by e-mail at angelapalacious@ gmail.com.

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, November 19, 2020, PAGE 11

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PAGE 12, Thursday, November 19, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

PFIZER: COVID-19 SHOT 95 PERCENT EFFECTIVE, SEEKING CLEARANCE SOON

By LINDA A. JOHNSON and FRANK JORDANS Associated Press PFIZER said Wednesday that new test results show its coronavirus vaccine is 95% effective, is safe and also protects older people most at risk of dying — the last data needed to seek emergency use of limited shot supplies as the catastrophic outbreak worsens across the globe.

The announcement from Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech, just a week after they revealed the first promising preliminary results, comes as the team is preparing within days to formally ask U.S. regulators to allow emergency use of the vaccine. Anticipating that, a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel is on standby to publicly debate the data in early December.

The companies also have begun “rolling submissions” for the vaccine with regulators in Europe, the U.K. and Canada and soon will add this new data.

Pfizer and BioNTech had initially estimated the vaccine was more than 90% effective after counting a group of the earliest infections that occurred in its final-stage testing. With the new announcement, they have accumulated more infections — 170 — and said only eight of them occurred in volunteers who got the actual vaccine rather than a comparison dummy shot.

One of those eight developed severe disease, the companies said.

“This is an extraordinarily strong protection,” Dr. Ugur Sahin, BioNTech’s CEO and co-founder, told The Associated Press.

Even if regulators agree, he dispelled any notion that an end to the pandemic is

around the corner, warning “we are now awaiting a hard winter.”

“The available vaccine doses are just too small to ensure that we could make a significant difference to the society” right away, Sahin said. But next year if several companies’ vaccine candidates also work, “we might be able to get control of this pandemic situation late summer 2021.”

The companies have not yet released detailed data on their study, and results have not been analysed by independent experts. Also still to be determined are important questions such as how

THE PFIZER logo stands outside the corporate headquarters of Pfizer Canada in Montreal. (AP) long protection lasts and whether people might need boosters — leading experts to caution that people should focus less on the specific numbers and more on the overall promise.

Earlier this week, competitor Moderna Inc. also announced similar effectiveness of its own COVID-19 vaccine candidate, which is made with the same, brandnew technology — using a snippet of the genetic code of the coronavirus to train the body to recognise if the real virus comes along.

For both, “there’s every reason to be enormously optimistic,” said Dr. Paul Offit of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, one of FDA’s advisers.

FROM November 5th: Medical staff attending to patients with COVID-19 wear protective equipment in a unit dedicated to treatment of the coronavirus at UW Health in Madison, Wis. Conditions inside the nation’s hospitals are deteriorating by the day as the coronavirus rages through the country at an unrelenting pace. (John Hart/Wisconsin State Journal via AP, File)

‘TIRED TO THE BONE’: US HOSPITALS OVERWHELMED WITH VIRUS CASES

By PAUL J. WEBER and SARAH RANKIN Associated Press

OVERWHELMED hospitals are converting chapels, cafeterias, waiting rooms, hallways, even a parking garage into patient treatment areas. Staff members are desperately calling around to other medical centres in search of open beds. Fatigue and frustration are setting in among front-line workers.

Conditions inside the nation’s hospitals are deteriorating by the day as the

coronavirus rages across the U.S. at an unrelenting pace and the confirmed death toll surpasses 250,000.

“We are depressed, disheartened and tired to the bone,” said Alison Johnson, director of critical care at Johnson City Medical Center in Tennessee, adding that she drives to and from work some days in tears.

The number of people in the hospital with COVID-19 in the U.S. has doubled in the past month and set new records every day this week.

As of Tuesday, nearly 77,000 were hospitalised with the virus.

Newly confirmed infections per day in the U.S. have exploded more than 80% over the past two weeks to the highest levels on record, with the daily count running at close to 160,000 on average. Cases are on the rise in all 50 states.

Deaths are averaging more than 1,155 per day, the highest in months.

Surge The out-of-control surge is leading governors and mayors across the U.S. to grudgingly issue mask mandates, limit the size of private and public gatherings ahead of Thanksgiving, ban indoor restaurant dining, close gyms or restrict the hours and capacity of bars, stores and other businesses.

New York City’s school system — the nation’s largest, with more than 1 million students — suspended in-person classes Wednesday amid a mounting infection rate, a painful setback in a corner of the country that suffered mightily in the spring but had seemingly beaten back the virus months ago.

Texas is rushing thousands of additional medical staff to overworked hospitals as the number of hospitalised COVID-19 patients statewide accelerates toward 8,000 for the first time since a deadly summer outbreak.

In the worsening rural Panhandle, roughly half of the admitted patients in Lubbock’s two main hospitals had COVID-19, and a dozen people with the virus were waiting in the emergency room for beds to open up Tuesday night, said Dr. Ron Cook, the Lubbock County health authority.

“We’re in trouble,” Cook said.

In the Texas border city of El Paso, overwhelmed morgues have begun paying jail inmates $2 an hour to help transport the bodies of virus victims.

The crush of patients is forcing the city to send its non-COVID-19 cases to hospitals elsewhere in the state.

More than 5,400 extra medical personnel have been deployed around Texas by the state alone, said Lara Anton, a spokeswoman for the Texas Department of State Health Services.

And that doesn’t include the help surging into Texas from the military and volunteer organisations.

“There are only so many medical personnel to go around. And I think what we’re seeing in places like El Paso is not sustainable in all or a large part of the state,” said Dr. Mark McClellan, a former head of the Food and Drug Administration.

“There are only so many medical personnel to go around. And I think what we’re seeing in places like El Paso is not sustainable in all or a large part of the state.”

Dr. Mark McClellan, a former head of the Food and Drug Administration.

Ballad Health system, which is located in the Appalachian mountains and includes the Tennessee hospital where Alison Johnson works, has warned that it and its workers are stretched so thin that without a change in course, its hospitals might have to turn patients away.

Ballad reported having just 16 available ICU beds Wednesday and about 250 team members in isolation or quarantine. It is trying to recruit hundreds more nurses.

In Idaho, doctors warned that hospitals have almost reached the point where they need to ration care, unable to treat everyone because there aren’t enough beds or staffers to go around.

“Never in my career did I think we would even

contemplate the idea of rationing care in the United States of America,” said Dr. Jim Souza, chief medical officer for St. Luke’s Health System.

In Reno, Nevada, Renown Regional Medical Center began moving some coronavirus patients into its parking garage.

Screens Video of the converted garage before it opened to patients showed rows and rows of beds separated by moveable white screens set up on one level of the stark, cavernous garage, each section designated by letters and each bed space marked by a number on the ground. The floor has enough space to treat about 700 people.

In Kansas, hospitals are converting spaces such as chapels and cafeterias for use by COVID-19 patients, said Cindy Samuelson, spokeswoman for the Kansas Hospital Association.

Stormont Vail Health in Topeka, Kansas, devoted an entire hospital floor to COVID-19 patients as their numbers swelled, hitting 90 on Wednesday.

The hospital also converted two surgery waiting rooms for use by non-infected patients, spokesman Matt Lara said.

Kansas health chief Dr. Lee Norman said a system that he likened to air traffic control for coronavirus patients is being put in place so nurses from rural hospitals can make a single call to find a larger hospital that can take their sickest patients.

In some cases, nurses and doctors in Kansas have been spending up to eight hours looking for a large hospital with an opening.

Maryland health officials similarly set up a centralised clearinghouse with information on available ICU beds so that hospitals need only make a single phone call.

State authorities also issued an emergency order prohibiting most hospital visitors until further notice. ____ Weber reported from Austin, Texas, Rankin from Richmond, Va. Associated Press writers John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas; Brian Witte in Annapolis, Maryland; and Terry Wallace in Dallas also contributed.