Posted By: Erasmus Folly On: 2/11/2010

Title: @100%Bahamians

I own and operate a business in the Bahamas. I hire 100% Bahamians. I have to work very, very hard to find good Bahamian employees, but I manage to find them. We have over 20 years experience here 'hiring' people and believe me servitude and 'brown nosing' are not what we seek. We seek thinking, honest, punctual and reliable people with a strong work ethic - these are VERY hard to find and until you own and operate your own business in this country, I suggest you keep your ideological rants to yourself. My observations are not based on personal actions or personal decisions. They are observations about the reality of what anyone can see in the Bahamas on any given day. How do you explain the influx of labour here? Companies need people who are prepared to work. The ideal Bahamian job is a government job for most Bahamians, because THEY DO NOT REALLY WANT TO WORK, THEY WANT A PAYCHECK! It is all well and good to 'ideologically' defend Bahamian labourers as smart, intelligent etc Unfortunately, the sad truth is, this is not realty and no amount of ranting can make it so. The national average is D-. I have to sift through hundreds of applications to find 5 or 10 'decent' people. That is reality. So don't talk of what you don't know. The world you would 'like to see' is not always the world 'as it is'. Learn that. We must learn to see where we really are if we are going to address our problems. It is our denial of reality that makes us blind to the situation. Keep denying and nothing will improve. The choice is yours.

Posted By: Sniper 1 On: 2/9/2010

Title: Haitian Corruption Surfaces

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – The United Nations has warned that it will cut off shipments of free medicine beginning immediately to any Haitian hospitals that it finds are charging patients.
When the catastrophic earthquake struck Jan. 12, authorities immediately decided to make all medical care free. More than 200 international medical relief groups have sent in teams to help, and millions of dollars of donated medicine has been flown in.
U.N. officials told The Associated Press that about a dozen hospitals — both public and private — have begun charging patients for medicine. The officials said they could not immediately provide the names of the hospitals but said they were in several parts of the country, including Port-au-Prince.
"The money is huge," said Christophe Rerat of the Pan American Health Organization, the U.N. health agency in the region. He said about $1 million worth of drugs have been sent from U.N. warehouses alone to Haitian hospitals in the past three weeks.
Hospitals don't need to charge patients to pay their staff, because Haitian Health Ministry employees are getting paid with donated money, Rerat added.
Haiti now has about 90 hospitals, including public and private hospitals and field hospitals set up in the quake's aftermath.
A member of the Haitian government commission created to deal with the medical crisis, Dr. Jean Hugues Henry, said he had no knowledge of any hospitals charging for services or medicine.
U.N. officials said beginning immediately, any hospital found levying fees for medicine will be cut off. But the U.N. would consider continuing to supply non-governmental groups working at private hospitals with drugs if those groups can make a convincing case that none of their patients are being charged.

Posted By: grb37 On: 2/9/2010

Title: OUr true colours have been revealed.

It is really astonishing how tone-deaf, insensitive, illogical, and frankly bigoted many of my fellow citizens can be. We know that the majority of the Haitian migrants that brave perilous conditions to leave their country do so for economic reasons. Haiti has just experinced one of the most deadly natrual disasters that the world has ever seen: so won't this cause more people to flee their country because of economic hardship?
New Providence holds over 2/3rds of our population so there is alot of land going unused in many family islands. Those same contracts could in the agricultural field. We could use LEGAL Haitian labour to develope our ability to feed ourselves. This would be more of a benefit to The Bahamas than anyone else: since alot of our food prices would decrease and when those contracts have expired those labourers could be gradually replaced by Bahamians. I urge my fellow Bahamians not to allow intolarance to blind us. I am sure when our fathers and grandfathers went to the U.S. on the contracts there were Americans saying " Why are we giving work to these foriengners and Americans need those jobs."

Posted By: Sick and Tired On: 2/9/2010

Title: Enough of this bogus survey

I must have missed this, but who made the suggestion to establish an employment agency to hire Haitians? Why is this bogus survey running on for so long? Don't you now have a consensus? How accurate is this if one can vote multiple times?

Posted By: freda On: 2/8/2010

Title: land of the slack

haitians sail pass a few countries without stopping before they get to us and they won't dare to even mistakenly drift in cuban waters.do you know why?its because are country is very slack. we do not enforce our laws peratining to haitian immigrants also we don't remove them off our lands they do not own.also allowing them to build shacks with no regard for building codes,use up health and education facilities etc. where else in the world can this kind of conduct be tolerated?

Posted By: koolrunningzfree@yahoo.com On: 2/8/2010

Title: Name Change

My personal opinion is that I think the Bahamian people are tired of hearing the name Haiti which sounds so much like hated. with a new name for Haiti would be a good start in rebuilding worldwide.Maybe the Haitian gov't and its people should consider this.

Posted By: CLUE On: 2/8/2010

Title: AN EYE FOR AN EYE

BAHAMAS PLEASE LISTEN UP PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WOULD CONTINUE TO BLESS AND PROTECT THE BAHAMAS. I THINK DOG WOULD EAT OUR BONES IF WE WOULD HAVE TO ASK FOR HELP FROM HAITI 'THE WAY SOME OF US TREAT THEM.

Posted By: BOB MARLEY On: 2/8/2010

Title: Maybe It's The Truth

I've been told by many Haitians in the U.S. that there were a group of Haitians that got together with the big time witch doctors who paid them a lump sum of money to change the way Haiti was going ,even if it meant a big catostrophe killing many.In that way many contries from around would come and assisit in the aftermath.Countries would give temporary status to Haitians living abroad and would help in the rebuilding process.If that is so I guess they can go to their witch doctors for an employment agency.

Posted By: Patrick On: 2/8/2010

Title: I OPOSE TO THAT FOR SEVERAL REASONS

As Hatian myself, the story of mistreatement from bahamian governement toward hatian are deploring, I spend all my youth in a different contry, yes I am great full, but I would reather have us, Hatians stay in our contry and do our best to solve our problem, I am tired of some contry we use to help and to feed as bahamas, dominican republic today because of their ingratitude, insulting, and humiliate us . I would reather we stay in haiti whatever we have left and make the best out of it.

Posted By: Genus On: 2/8/2010

Title: obviously not awake

awake... you sound like an american who just doesn't get it. maybe if you lived in this country and saw exactly HOW MANY haitians are already here, how you can't go in any one store and NOT see a haitian maybe you would understand where people are coming from. Haitians walk up and down the street all day long live and prosper on land they do not own nor pay any dues for, a good number are gardeners who walk on the road with cutlasses; and we shouldn't be fearful? they have saturated our society almost completely. you have to understand that it is difficult for any bahamian to accept any more people (even from countries other than haiti). Maybe you don't know or understand how hard it is for bahamians who has completed their tertiary education and cannot find a job ANY JOB and an immigrant can come and not only find a job but also prosper. Excuse us for being fed up. but as someone who actually doesn't live through it, u might see us as heartless and not caring as so many people have said before we must help ourselves first and then help those who we can. those law abiding citizens should stay and help rebuild their country as i would try to do if the tables were turned in our favor.
SUCK ON THAT MY FRIEND!!

Posted By: Awake On: 2/8/2010

Title: Why not

As long as your immigration dept does their lawfull duties and checks each individual out the best they can why would you vote no on this? Are you stating that all other countries must take the full cares towards these people? Are you prejudice toward Haitians? If any Haitian does not follow the laws then you can send them back just like all the rest of the countries in the world do, why not you yourselves-their neighbors? Are you above this in your minds perhaps? What does that say about you? It is time the Bahamas lives up to the standards of other countries that also help the Bahamas, that means letting refugees in, aiding them as long as they are not involved in criminal activities, providing help to those children and women who desparately need it. We would love to see the Bahamas stand up as a nation on their own without the never ending aids from other countries, we know many of you are buying 1/2 million $$ houses, we are not falling for your non participation any longer with international issues. We do not fall for your constant third world blarney either any longer. Get up and start helping on all counts with world needs. It is when you stop looking for aids from everyone else that you will become your own country and involving yourselves in other needs makes us all feel better about the contributions that are being sent your way daily. Please help these people out at least the decent law abiding citizens of Haiti.

Posted By: Madison Hill On: 2/8/2010

Title:

The oddest thing about many of the comments is that they ignore the fact that by providing channels for Haitians and other immigrants to enter the country on work contract these migrant workers become LEGAL. They are also unwilling to recognize that most illegal immigrants are employed (thus indicating that there is a need/desire for their labour in the country). The fact that we seem consider all immigrants with dark skin "illegal" suggests that it may not be the legality of the migration that's a problem here, but the colour of their skins .

Posted By: freda On: 2/7/2010

Title: think bahamians

be sensible Bahamians whether illegal immigrants are haitians,cuban,mexicans ,africans whatever, illegal is illegal and its against the laws of our country.get rid of them all there are already too many illeagal immigrants here. haitians tend to be singled out because they are nasty,using up all our system and not contributing back to the country.every dollar they make is sent back home and they continue to live for free.this is why everytime we bahamians go to a government agency to pay a bill or renew some document we need the price always goes up. we pick up the pieces this needs to cease. always multiplying because it is their intention to out number bahamians. imagine when this happens. no one is trying to be mean its just you don't cut off your nose to spoil your face.send back whoever is illegal nobody said all of them.

Posted By: Panicking Bahamian On: 2/7/2010

Title: Haitian Village

Hey, All Ya'll. You need to go Haitian Village out Yamacraw. I have never been so shocked in my life. We don't know the mess going on in this country. I had to investigate a situation with a child there and I almost mess. At a glance I counted 50 men hanging around, 42 school aged children in the yard running around, too many babies, women all over the place and the filtiest of conditions eyes have ever seen. The place is a total breeding ground for disease. They already have TB problem in there. Man that place is so huge. People living in cars, portable urinals, makeshift huts and bathing and washing clothes and dishes in rock holes. Hey this ein no joke. We in trouble. When this mess blow out all a we dead and they will survive cause they use to that. If we want to help Haitians we need to start with the villages in Nassau and Abaco. That would be an excellent start. That way we helping ourselves too and saving our own lives.

Posted By: JESSICA PARKER On: 2/7/2010

Title: IMMIGRANTS.

WE PUT SO MUCH OF OUR FOCUS ON HAITIANS WHAT ABOUT OTHERS LOOK AT FREEPORT FOR EXAMPLE THEY HAVE A DIFFERENT GROUP COMING IN DAILY THE BIBLE STATES THAT EVERYONE WHO IS NOT MUST MUST GO BACK TO THEIR HOMELAND EVERYONE.

Posted By: True Dat On: 2/7/2010

Title:

If they're bringing in Haitian teachers to teach these children who the Bahamian teachers having hell with in the school system then I for it. You have 8 and 9 year old children being registered and don't know a word of English. When you put them in the first grade they messing with the little girls. What is supposed to be done with them. They all in the bottom stream messing up the exam results. Contributing to The Bahamas low grade average. I am talking what I know to be facts. They are not integrating well in the schools.

Posted By: Iggy On: 2/7/2010

Title: Haitian Contract Workers

The suggested proposal would benefit Haiti by allowing unspecified numbers of their nationals to come to The Bahamas at this unfortunate time in their history but has no apparent 'upside' or benefit for The Bahamas. We have massive unemployment, burgeoning crime, unparalleled demands on our social and health services and I believe we would only be adding to our problems by allowing large numbers of poor, mostly unskilled persons into the country at this time. If anything, we need to create an employment agency (and jobs) for our own unemployed masses and try to find ways to employ them. If we can't find contract work for those already within our country, how can we sensibly create work for people from elsewhere?

Posted By: 100% Bahamian 100% for Bahamians On: 2/6/2010

Title: Response to...Erasmus Folly

I'm totally fed up with people like this "Erasmus Folly" clown. "Bahamas for Bahamians" is absolutely right about Haitians slunking on the job, but they have people like this “Erasmus Folly” fooled. I've actually watched Haitian work crews pull a fast one on another "Erasmus Folly" type. While 4 or 5 of them stand around talking in the back out of sight, 1 Haitian is actually "working" in front (keeping watch). As soon as the boss pulls up the 1 keeping watch says something in Creole and the others suddenly start "working hard". This is normal modus operandi for Haitians. There are indeed lots of hardworking, ambitious, intelligent Bahamians as "Bahamas for Bahamians" says. People like this "Erasmus Folly" clown prefer Haitian labor because they like SERVITUDE, BROWN NOSING AND ASS KISSING!! A Bahamian would not accept his superiority complex nonsense, so "Erasmus Folly" hires Haitians to have his ears tickled and ego stroked. Guaranteed this idiot makes his living from the same Bahamians he puts downs. Many thanks "Bahamas for Bahamians" for standing up for your fellow BAHAMIAN!!!

Posted By: Exuma On: 2/6/2010

Title: Bahamas for Bahamians

Erasmus Folly, you need to wake up. Hire two Haitians to work for you and see how much work gets done. Thery want you to pick them up in the morning, provide lunch and drink during the day while they spend time talking on their cell phone and to each other. then you have to pay them $70.00 or $80.00 each per day. THere are a lot of hardworking, ambitious, intelligent Bahamians. Please stop putting my people down.

Posted By: Erasmus Folly On: 2/6/2010

Title: Bahamians

As a Bahamian, I can say, the vast majority of unemployed Bahamians are unemployed because they DO NOT WANT TO WORK. Showing up (sometimes) and collecting a paycheck (religiously) do not count as working. Bahamians national average is a D- in school. This is also the grade I would give most Bahamians for their 'on the job' performance. There is no lack of jobs available in this country - there is an acute lack of 'skilled' and 'willing' labour though. Until the national 'work ethic' of Bahamians improves, they can cry foul about Haitians all they want, but the reality is - THEY ARE WORKING AND WORKING HARD. That is the simple reality and nationalistic hate speech that spews on the radio does this country a disservice. Be honest with yourselves Bahamians! We expect little, we demand little and we do little - on the whole. Until that 'culture' that we are so proud of changes, then there is nothing that will stop Haitian labourers coming in and finding work. Bahamians don't even want to hire Bahamians. That is the truth. Xenophobia is always strongest in the countries that are the laziest and the most religious. Get over it already. Look in the mirror, then talk. Ask yourself everyday, did I give 100% while at work? Did I focus? Did I learn my job better? DId I execute to the best of my ability for the customer? Etc etc. Until that 'mentality' change occurs, there is nothing to complain about.
An organized Haitian labour market pool is far more 'controllable' than a huge influx of itinerant illegals all the time. Rule of law works when people play by the rules. Bahamians have to play by the rules first, if they expect others in their country to do the same.
Forward, upward, onward, together... right? We play hard, but we simply don't work hard. That has to change.

Posted By: alex heastie On: 2/6/2010

Title: hell no

please, i love all people equally but this is our littlle nation for our people the bahamian people , we are bearly makeing ends meet now, bahamians cant find jobs here in the bahanas how are we gonna bring any other race in here to take more jobs away from bahamians,, no way.

Posted By: Troy On: 2/6/2010

Title: hatian contract

PLAIN AND SIMPLE.....they will not leave voluntarily when their contract is up.

Posted By: DISGRUNTLED FNM On: 2/6/2010

Title: Haitian Contract

I 100% disagree with this idea. Thousands of Bahamians are unemployed that are in dire need of jobs,why do we need to hire foreigners on contract or at all? Further I feel wholeheartedly that a moratorium needs to be enforced in regards to the issuance of work permits to foreigners in particular Haitians so Bahamians can become employed and live.

Posted By: Stanley Jackson Sr. On: 2/6/2010

Title: HELP NEEDED.......RIGHT HERE!!!!

UNITY HOUSE....Is begging for financial assistance to care for elderly BAHAMIANS. This senior citizens home is in great distress and desperately in need of our help time. Call them at 323-6128 and offer a helping hand to those who gave their entire lives to the Bahamas......CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME!!!!

Posted By: Kish On: 2/6/2010

Title: Haitian Contract

I see significant and fair objections to the idea of a contract, however, we Bahamians have to realize that a decent argument has to offer a balanced perspective in order to constitute being a decent argument. As a Christian neighbor, we have to do something to help. We have to ask ourselves what would Jesus do? Then we have to do that.

Posted By: mick On: 2/5/2010

Title: contract

no i live in the north and there is no jobs now for the bahamians.why do we need to bring them in now.there are too many here now,our country cannot keep this up.they take jobs away from bahamians.

Posted By: Simon On: 2/5/2010

Title: It's not a good idea

1. Immigrants - especially those illegal or on annual permits - are in survival mode and hence are more subservient as a result, do not confuse this with a generalisation that 'Haitians work harder and for less than Bahamians'. Upgrade their status and watch the humility and subservient attitude drop and the cost of labour increase.
2. Impoverished workers flooding the labour force serves to push the wages down of the incumbents due to increased competition. That's fine in a fully employed marketplace where that is needed, but this is not the case here.
3. What on earth does religion have to do with economics?
4. We have an immigration department to control work permits, why is an employment agency necessary?
I note that the Tribune stated that its 'being suggested that...' but not by whom. Was it from government or private sector? If the latter, then that's fine - the idea will die as fast as it was born. If the former, then it vindicates my lifelong decision to be a neutralist or, as some may call me, a political atheist.

Posted By: Leesa On: 2/5/2010

Title: CURSED BY GOD

After reading all of the back and forth over Haiti's plight I think we need to ask ourselves is Haiti cursed by God because if it is then no man can bless her. So no matter what we or the world do it is not going to help until the people repent and cry out to God. I saw a picture that was taken with a group of youngmen supposedly praying to I don't know but one of these males had a obscene sign that was very distrubing to see. Please someone tell me where are all of the Haitians here with businesses where is the Haitian community what are they doing to help their people back in Haiti. I here then calling on us they need to start helping themselves. They have money and thats a fact.

Posted By: Nefertiti On: 2/5/2010

Title: Are you really serious or did you just make a cruel joke

I will be honest. I have nothing against Haitian nationals but to say that the government should bring them in on contract... to work. The problem I have with that is the fact that the government can not find enough or any jobs for their own nation. Also the recent job initiative that just took place, the people are being paid by a loan that the government took out. I am happy for what my government is doing for the country of Haiti, but they do not have the ability to pull such a thing off without horrible consequences.

Posted By: AWAKE On: 2/4/2010

Title: WAKE UP RAM ! WAKE UP ! WAKE UP ! WAKE UP !

...that IS happening including expanding the Haitian Domestic Product in that it creates new revenue stream for the Haitian economy when Haitians in the Bahamas send back app.$2,500. to have a relative smuggled to the Bahamas at say 10,000 persons per year equals $2,500 X 10,000 = $25,000,000. Plus free Health, Schooling for offspring left here plus a free jet Economy Class return passage for those caught plus spending money to catch jitney on return.... its a WIN, WIN, WIN, WIN, cycle for illegals and now you talking about LEGALS !

Posted By: RAM On: 2/4/2010

Title: So that they can build up their country at our expense??

If you set up an employment exchange, the Haitians will get the jobs and cash will flow out of the country because they will repatriate their wages. How is that helping to build the Bahamas. We must have foreign cash inflows (from whatever industry or source) to provide Bahamians with jobs; those wages paid to Bahamians will then be used to build up this country. The cycle is - foreign capital in; pay Bahamians a good salary; Bahamians will have cash to fuel the Bahamian economy; funds will flow back out to purchase goods etc; and hopefully foreigners will inject more funds into the economy and the cycle continues. It is only when there is full employment of Bahamians, using foreign capital that we can grow the economy and then hire Haitians or any other foreigner to fill the excess jobs. With a Haitian exchange you are saying foreign cash in and cash out to Haitians - we then become a conduit to rebuild Haiti, not the Bahamas.

Posted By: tanya On: 2/4/2010

Title:

The premise is good, but like everything else in the Bahamas enforcement, controls and monitoring are severly deficient!

Posted By: Common Man On: 2/4/2010

Title: Practical

POSITIVELY ENLIGHTNING !!! We sure could use some of these industrious workers to replace some of these Politicians on some 5 year contracts.
They will :
1) Work for less pay as MP's.
2) They will catch jitney to work saving chauffered executive car.
3) Be on time for work and work late
4) Do not waste a lot of words in Parliament and when speaking will not be understood anyhow which might actually be stress free to viewers.
5) Relate as MP's to the many residents of the inner city in creole for them to participate in civic matters for better communities.
6) Can organize the existing population to expand the Agricultural Sector and increase farming output, create more jobs, diversify Agriculture to export produce and to increase GDP
7) Will be under pressure to use minimum resources to produce or else contract wont be renewed.
8) Will have minimal social scene scandals because of their industrious work ethic.
9) Will save Bahamian Taxpayers lots of money in perks and benefits.
10) Will set exemplary records for Bahamas for rest of Caribbean to emulate.
11) They will actually live practical within the poorer sections of the city where most of Common folk live and better relate to our needs.
12)

Posted By: Tim On: 2/4/2010

Title: STOP PLAYING FNM&PLP

All I see all over the news is counties helping Haiti out. The Bahamian government need to stop jokeing how long the straw market been burn down almost ten judgement years what in the world are they doing in this country.We have our own problems to deal with government all over the place helping haiti what about THE BAHAMAS come on dread.

Posted By: Martha On: 2/3/2010

Title: Contract?

Contract to do what? Bahamians are doing any jobs available these days. These Haitians are doing jobs like gas station attendants, maids, supervising Bahamians on job sites. They are just like some Bahamians who don't want to work in the sun. Y'all who keep saying we are supposed to be a Christian nation need to stop this foolishness. I don't remember reading in the Bible that we are supposed to be fools. We are assisting them, but we need to let them stay in Haiti and develope Haiti. Did you see the news the other day regarding the Haitian sloop with all that drugs?

Posted By: Julias On: 2/3/2010

Title: Response to...AWAKE AND ALERT

Your absolutley right...we need to help BAHAMIANS FIRST then Haitians anyone else. Haitians are just as human as Bahamians but we cannot ignore our own people and help others. Who will help Bahamians if we don't? Haitians, Jamaicans, Americans, Canadians???? I DON'T THINK SO!!!

Posted By: stanley Jackson Sr. On: 2/3/2010

Title: Not As Simple As It Looks!

Contract to do what?? We don't have any farms! There are enough unemployed Bahamians to fill any new farming demand. The old story about " Haitians doing jobs Bahamians don't want" is the age-old politicians excuse for failing to deal with the Haitian problem. Bahamians are working on dump trucks and cleaning the roadsides. What are these jobs that Bahamians don't want? Where are they? Haitians take good jobs i.e. construction jobs, housekeeping jobs, property management jobs in Lyford Cay, house maintenance jobs and the list goes on and on. But there is a bigger picture here. Not only Haitians have taken Jobs that Bahamians should have. There are also Latinos, Asians, Africans, Jamaicans and God knows who else here that are holding GOOD JOBS that Bahamians should have AND they are better educated than Bahamians because their Governments supplied them with FREE vocational and higher education up to University level. These people came here during better times. The question is...what should be done now? Bahamians do not dislike these people but the fact is...they are holding down jobs that Bahamians should have. All the people out there that want to bring in more Haitians are gainfully employed. They don't feel or see the suffering of unemployed Bahamians and understandably feel compassion for suffering Haitians they see on T.V.. BUT....the reality is there is only so much Bahamians and The Bahamas can do for Haiti and Haitians at this point because we are already in hock ourselves above our eyeballs. This is truly a catch 22 situation where were dammed if we do and dammed if we don't. My thought is since we are dammed anyhow...let’s take care of our own first. CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME!!!!!

Posted By: AWAKE AND ALERT!!! On: 2/3/2010

Title: SERIOUSLY CONCERNED!!!

What i would like to know is since when does Christianity have to do with stupidityand careless senselessness???? I dont know what i would do if i hear anyone else bring up such a lousy, irrelevant excuse to unnecessary allow masses of foreigners to come here!!! Lets get real Bahamas.... The way we sometimes treat each other can be said to be "unchristian" like, so please before you start talkin about Christianity and ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, think about how you drove pass that young lady and her two kids walking home on the streets and didnt offer a ride. Or how you passed that guy on the side of the road last night who obviously had a flat and you were well able to help. Or how you are not speaking to someone you knew because they said something you didn't like. And we can go on and on about how we can treat those who are right here with us all the time, who we consider family and friends, but yet we want to talk about being a christian nation when it comes to people who we dont know. People who we cant even relate to. People whom we dont even SPEAK THE SAME LANGUAGE!!! People that have TOTALLY different religious beliefs than ourselves even though people tend to lean on the fragile post of Catholicism being their religion when it has been studied and proven the VOODOO is the only religion they recognize!!!! People who are only here to benefit themselves and have no idea of what being civilized and contributing citizens is about. COME ON MY PEOPLE!!!!!!! THIS IS ALL HYPOCRICY IF YOU ASK ME. How can you go out of your way to show face and make it seems as if you are such a helping country who looks out for others, BUT DO NOT SHOW THE SLIGHTEST BIT OF CARE TOWARDS THE PEOPLE YOU KNOW AND SEE EVERYDAY, THOSE THAT ARE SUFFERING IN YOUR OWN COUNTRY.
THAT IS HYPOCRICY AND IT'S FINEST. WAKE UP BAHAMAS. REALITY IS KNOCKING!!!!!

Posted By: Steve On: 2/3/2010

Title: Hypocrisy

It is always extreme situations that expose a people's hypocrisy best. The Bahamas is supposed to be a Christian country but this earthquake in Haiti has exposed this country's most unchristian-like nature. Basically, what everyone is saying is "Take care of your own first". What happened to treating every man as your brother? What happened to selling all your possessions and giving them to those in need? Since when does Christian charity value the citizen of one country over the citizen of another? What I see written here is not universal love - it is petty tribalism and favoritism - basically what is being said is Bahamians should be considered more important than Haitians. I for one consider myself a member of the human race before I consider myself Bahamian, and I'm not even a Christian. Those among you who call yourselves Christian are a bunch of hypocrites.

Posted By: rick pratt On: 2/3/2010

Title: Some Sence

I for one can't stomach the fact that we are doing all we can to assist these Haitian, when since we owe them anything is my thoughts?But, in reallity we need dem to do da work dat we won't do my people, and it's better to have an employment agency, that can monitor them.This will require(hopefully) them to also register a real place to rent, and to allow only enough time(maybe up to six month) to get enough, and go back home to their family.Hopefully they would allow mostly workers who are unmarried or only allow a wife to stay a max (say 3 months) and no children.That is one reason why only up to six month should be giving,this apply to ALL form down South of Da Bahamas.Honestly, we don't need them, I'm ready to cut grass for a living(I am presently working)to make it,when will we as Bahamains STOP complaining and do something(We DO NOT NEED ANY OF THEM,BUT WE GATTI START GOING BACK TO DA BASIC).Can we all start a small parcel of land on our property and grow our own den let us see if we can ask our lousy Governments to start a co-op for our days pick man,MY GOD BAHAMAINS RISE UP AND RE-CLAIM OUR BIRTHRIGHTS, IT'S NOT TO LATE...Let's start a march to Parliament, let dese jive politicians know we serious, or else..I'm READY what about you?

Posted By: Worried Bahamian On: 2/3/2010

Title: Are you kidding me?!

I agree with "A jobless person". There are so many Bahamians without jobs right now. This just seems like another sneaky tactic to get Haitians into the country. Maybe another job agency should be set up for BAHAMIANS because the Department of Labour is worthless! I think the earthquake has us thinking that we can provide more help than we actually can. Wake up! And how many Haitians will they bring in on a contract? Come on! The government wouldn't be so stupid, unless they want to lose the next election. There will be a riot for sure! Too many Bahamians are out of work, let's not make matters worse by bringing in foreigners! LET'S NOT GET AHEAD OF OURSELVES HERE!

Posted By: Worried Bahamian On: 2/3/2010

Title: Are you kidding me?!

I agree. There are so many Bahamians without jobs right now. This just seems like another sneaky tactic to get Haitians into the country. Maybe another job agency should be set up for BAHAMIANS because the Department of Labour is worthless!

Posted By: Melissa P On: 2/3/2010

Title:

I believe it would be a 'win win sitution'... I am sure many Bahamians would appreciate this... because to many Haitians want to come to the Bahamas illegally... if they come to the Bahamas on a contract it would be a easy transition an less strain on our law enforcers....

Posted By: A jobless Person On: 2/3/2010

Title: Help your own first!

how can you set up a job agency for the haitians and we have our own bahamian ppl here out of work and can't find no jobs! Yal have to be and must be out yal minds!