EDITOR, The Tribune.
This puts us in such “illustrious” company as countries like Lebanon, Iran, Turkey, Botswana and of course North Korea.
As a friend told me recently:
If the Bahamas would like inspiration from a country renowned for its human rights:
“North Korea is probably the country which imposes the strongest fines for citizens not carrying ID cards. To travel North Koreans need not only an identity card, but also a “travel pass”, with specified destination and written permission. Sometimes citizens may be punished with time in a labour camp for not carrying their cards, however this is often only a short sentence and people are usually released upon presentation of the card at a later date. “
The problem the country faces is with illegal migrants, not those authorised to be here and obviously not Bahamians.
This begs another question. How do we deal with the millions of tourists that visit our shores? Are we going to pick them up indiscriminately as well?
Beside the civil rights/liberties issues with a policy like this, we certainly do not need yet another government bureaucracy to cost the taxpayer more money and time.
Lately, it seems there is no bad public policy idea that is out of favour.
This is another one that should be placed on the scrap heap with the bad ideas that have gone before.
Yours in Liberty,
RICK LOWE
www.weblogbahamas.com
January, 2014
Comments
GQ 10 years, 3 months ago
Creation of another departmet and staff it with POLITICAL CRONIES will be a part of the creation of the famous ten thousand jobs prommised.
jackflash 10 years, 3 months ago
Dealing which the cruise ship passengers is non issue as they will have their sail and sign card with them which they need to get back on the ship.
Hotel guest would have a room key.
Haitians would have an extra $50 on them to cover the checkpoint fee....(bribe)
banker 10 years, 3 months ago
Nope, now they give you a swipe card to get back on the ship. Each cruise line has a different technology. Some are magnetic stripe and some are tap 'n go. You could show any card with a logo, and immigration wouldn't know the difference.
Same thing. Room keys are now insert-able plastic cards. They do not identify the room number on them, in case you lose them to prevent theft. It would be easy to get a room card (which is the key). Just walk by the beach and pick one up off the deck chairs left by the tourists.
I am sure that it wouldn't take long for Haitians to get a hold of a fake cruise ship ID card. I found a real one outside of Skans on Bay Street.
Rick is right. In civilised countries, the only requirement is to produce valid drivers licence when asked by police. Even in drunk driving campaigns in North America, when you stop at a road block, you are only asked for ID if you fail a roadside sobriety test or portable breathalyzer test. Other wise you do not have to produce ID when stopped. There are huge liberty issues with what immigration officers are doing.
proudloudandfnm 10 years, 3 months ago
Yep our people are going to walk right into giving up their civil liberties. Well I for one will not be carrying any card around..
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID