By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
aturnquest@ tribunemedia.net
FOX Hill MP Fred Mitchell yesterday lashed out at a daily newspaper after it published an editorial that lauded the accomplishments of former prime minister Hubert Ingraham.
During his contribution in the House of Assembly, Mr Mitchell charged that the writer of the article published by The Nassau Guardian under the headline “Thank you Hubert Ingraham” was a “worthless sycophant.”
Mr Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said: “The editorial went on to heap the most fulsome, effusive praise on the former prime minister.”
He added: “It was one load of nonsense writing by some worthless sycophant.”
The article was published on May 30, and outlined Mr Ingraham’s achievements over the course of his tenure.
It read: “Hubert Ingraham’s greatest achievement, however, might be the leadership he provided the country in times of crisis. There was never any doubt in the difficult times he occupied the helm of the nation that a true leader was in place. His coordination and discipline of the agencies and departments of government made for a unified government policy posture.”
Yesterday, Mr Mitchell said he “respectfully disagreed” with the entire article, and called for the publication to “hear the other side.”
“This editorial about praise to Hubert Ingraham indicates a hankering back to an era that will never return, never return,” he said. “In fact he was the one who pronounced the end of that era. It was an era of boorishness, insensitivity, hacking people without mercy from their jobs in the public service.
He added: “The fact that the praise of the former prime minister is coming from a commercial entity, which the former prime minister himself described as led by two men who were in his words ‘too damn greedy’, the owners of the Guardian. The Nassau Guardian says thank you, Hubert Ingraham, this is incredible.”
Mr Mitchell also criticized the lack of balance in media reporting, which he said was overtly biased against the PLP.
“I say this in the context with how the press treated the budget,” he said, “and the question of whether there is balance when it comes to the PLP. Notice I didn’t complain about the bias. It is clear that there is bias against the PLP.
He added: “I am satisfied that the PLP continues to be the best repository of the national interest of the Bahamian people and I certainly am glad to have lived long enough to see the back of Hubert Ingraham, that alone is worth all the trouble on this road less travelled.
“It has indeed made all the difference, The Bahamas is certainly a more civilized place since he is no longer in its public policy.”
Comments
banker 10 years, 10 months ago
Fred says that he is glad to see the back of Hubert Ingraham. Coming from Mr. Mitchell, is this an appropriate statement to make considering who and where it came from? Just asking.
realfreethinker 10 years, 10 months ago
I was thinking the same thing Just saying
concernedcitizen242 10 years, 10 months ago
Fred Mitchell is an incompetent fool. Instead of addressing the social ills in our country, from high unemployment rates, an unprecedented high rate of crime, and not fulfilling any of the now governing party's promises to the people of the Bahamas, you are concerned about an editorial about the former prime minister. Sir, your work will speak for you, as we look around the Bahamas we can see what Hubert Alexander Ingraham did for this great country of ours, his track record speaks for itself, while no one is perfect we saw the changes to our nation but what can we say about you other than the lavish trips you take on the back of the public's purse. IF YOU DO GOOD PEOPLE WILL SEE IT!! This is the problem with our society as it stands, we are quick to ridicule each other but cannot see that each of us are not perfect. FRED MITCHELL is so backed up with hatred that he and the governing party cannot move this country forward.
realfreethinker 10 years, 10 months ago
He is backed up with SHIT and it coming out his mouth
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 10 months ago
This editorial...indicates a hankering back to an era that will never return...it was an era of boorishness, insensitivity, hacking people from their jobs in the public service without mercy...
I'm confused is he talking about the 70's/80's or near present day??
The_Oracle 10 years, 10 months ago
"Pot calling the Kettle black", no pun intended. Both Parties have their weaknesses, very evident, both can and have been vindictive, Neither have the best interests of the country and its people at heart, but both profess to. Discussion in the house has become largely irrelevant, and irreverent. Now, go count foreigners, they must be invading with their money!
hj 10 years, 10 months ago
Now that Mr.Mitchell has resolved all the problems in his ministry(including our illegal immigration problem) he can concentrate on other issues such as the editorial of the Nassau Guardian.
concernedcitizen 10 years, 10 months ago
when you do very little but you want people to side w/ you , you make an us againts them mentality ...you use a strawman to garner the masses support ,,ie us againts HAI , US AGAINTS FORIEGNERS ,,,,
Collin 10 years, 10 months ago
The reality is Mr. Mitchel is a petty egotistical old man whose immaturity and hatred for Mr. Ingraham cannot be hidden. Every time Ingraham spoke in Parliament he walked out, it is beyond silly and shows just how foolish he is.
Why? Very simply, because when he wanted a nomination from the FNM, Ingraham declined it.
banker 10 years, 10 months ago
Mr. Mitchell is a tragic figure. He sees himself as an elder statesman and prime minister material. He is probably one of the more intelligent of the bunch, but his character flaws prevent him from achieving his potential politically and personally.
If he were more acquainted and conversant with the truth on almost every aspect of Life, he would have achieved a fuller measure of his potentiality. Unfortunately the honesty and goodness has taken a back seat to partisanship, political machinations, character integrity, patriotism and plain old decency.
He has been weighed in the scales of Life and found wanting, and he is frustrated by it, so he resorts to the lowest level of political discourse that he can. He hasn't learned that feeding the bottom feeders requires him to stay at the bottom of the heap, and at the bottoms of other things.
ChefSmith 10 years, 10 months ago
Andwe wonder why this country is heading in the negitive direction . We must realise kids read the papers too......seek to spread love and not hatred
TheObjectiveVoice 10 years, 10 months ago
lolol I still love Fred. He is just like Mr. Ingraham. They don't sugar coat anything. If that's how they feel, it is coming out of their heads and out of their mouths just like that. I love Mitchell and Ingraham just like that. It's real. It's raw. It's genuine and there is no guessing about how they feel about any subject. Black is black and white is white. I saw the editorial too and rolled my eyes...saying "who is this trying to stir up trouble, again." lolol That was probably written by someone trying to get a job at B.I.S. or something. I hate the fact that journalists in this country feel the need to show their political allegiance despite the profession calling for unbiased reporting. But, no. Not here. I saw this kind of response from Fred Mitchell a mile away. Rightly so... someone had to say something.
JohnDoe 10 years, 10 months ago
Comparing Fred Mitchell to Hubert Ingraham is laughable. There is nothing genuine about Fred Mitchell. As Loftus Roker stated recently, this same Fred Mitchell was one of the most vocal persons protesting and demonstrating against the same immigration policies he is now claiming to champion. I am no HAI apologist, but to deny his positive contributions to our society would be wrong and extremely ungrateful. Maybe, Mr. Mitchell and yourself should critique and provide evidence to refute the substance of the article and not engage in useless personal attacks.
Grillup 10 years, 10 months ago
Stay focused Fred...........what will others write about you when you are no longer in public life?
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 10 months ago
I think that is why he is so angry. As banker says, he sees himself as a statesman. He's simply frustrated that he's the only person who recognized it so far.
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