By RICARDO WELLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
rwells@tribunemedia.net
DEMOCRATIC National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney yesterday criticised the Christie administration for its failure to arrest the rising murder count, stressing that the Progressive Liberal Party has been crippled by criminality during this term.
In addition to crime, Mr McCartney again demanded that Prime Minister Perry Christie “come clean” on Baha Mar and respond to allegations that senior Cabinet ministers have direct or indirect links to the $3.5 billion project on Cable Beach that have not yet been declared.
Mr McCartney, flanked by Deputy Leader Christopher Mortimer, party Chairman Andrew Wilson and other officials, charged that the government needs to step up in its approach to good governance or risk the erosion of the Bahamian society.
“What are you doing? Your first and fundamental duty as a government is the protection of its citizens,” he said at a press conference at his law office. “How many times do you have to hear that this person is slaughtered in the streets, this person is killed in their homes?”
Mr McCartney said Minister of National Security Dr Bernard Nottage has not said anything substantial on crime since last November.
“(Dr Nottage) needs to go, Mr Prime Minister, put someone in place that will take care of the business,” the former Bamboo Town MP said.
Mr McCartney said once elected as Prime Minister he would assume responsibility of the national security portfolio. He noted that if elected, his DNA government would ensure that law and order is carried out across the country.
Speaking directly to criminals, Mr McCartney said: “Listen to me and listen to me carefully, you will respect the law of this country – from the small to the most heinous crimes you might commit – you will respect the law under the DNA government.”
He added: “If you commit murder under a DNA government you will meet the Almighty and you will have to answer.”
Mr McCartney said the government can do things to lower the crime rate. He encouraged enforcement of existing laws – mainly the death penalty – and an end to political interference with the judiciary and Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade.
On the issue of good governance, he said corruption and conflict of interest claims are nothing new for the PLP, accusing the Christie administration of having a poor track record when dealing with investment matters.
On the issue of Baha Mar conflicts of interest, he said: “You see the questions ought to be answered because it puts a different light on these negotiations that are going on to date in regards to the settlement of the issue with Baha Mar, the Chinese and the government. Once that is answered, I think the Bahamian people would feel secure.”
Mr McCartney added that members of the PLP, including parliamentarians and Cabinet ministers, understand that corruption exists within the party, but refused to comment out of fear that their political legs will be “cut off.”
“I had the opportunity to speak to a PLP minister a few months back and I asked him, I said listen: ‘Why are you standing for all of this foolishness?’ He said: ‘Well, Bran you know if you speak out then you get your political legs cut off and you won’t be able to advance.’”
The former Bamboo Town MP contended that it is better to stand up for what is right, than to stay loyal to a party guilty of wrong-doing in the interest of political gain.
Comments
John 8 years, 8 months ago
When a young child sits in front of a video game for hours on end and days in a row and plays a game that allows him to eliminate anyone and anything he doesn't like. It encourages him to disrespect police and authority and the more people he kills, the more points he accumulates. The bloodier he makes the game causes him to earn additional points but most unfortunately his actions are channeled to his brain where they will eventually determine the child's personality: He will despise authority, seek to eliminate anything or anyone he dislikes and if you cross his path at the wrong time or too often, he will kill you.
When a young boy goes to church regularly, he learns that God is the creator of all souls, and every life is sacred and regardless of the situation you should not commit murder, regardless of the circumstance. "Vengence is mine", sayest the Lord.
When a young boy goes to the park and plays basketball or games with other children, he learns to interact on a human level. He learns how to take his losses and that he will not win every game. This encourages him to play harder, to nurse his wounds and to respect his opponent, rather than eliminate him, because he will eventually face him again.
When a child has become an adult who disrespects the law, despises authority and takes someone else's life, the law must deal with him accordingly. "murderers and thieves have come to kill and destroy. They must be taken out of society>" For if they remain they will continue to kill and destroy and they will teach others to kill and to destroy, amen.
TruePeople 8 years, 8 months ago
so what was causing crime before video games, and why is killing in video games so appealing? cart before the horse here
Chucky 8 years, 8 months ago
National pride is just a "sales pitch"!
Mark my words: not a single politician cares in the least about the "people of this country, or , the physical nation itself".
Their goal is to fill their pockets and the pockets of their friends, they'll tell everyone what they want to hear; and hid behind "the publics perception that they are incompetent" as a defence of their actions.
Notice, if you consider that the government and their friends (doesn't matter which party), is in power to serve their own interests and that of their friends, to rape and pillage the people and the land, using any tactics they can conjure up; and then consider what the outcomes of their actions are, the end results are great! They are amazing thieves, not world class as in the US Government and it's cronies, but certainly our governments are good at what they do.
And the propaganda, while not great, it still works sufficiently to keep the masses thinking that the government is trying, but incompetent, rather than thieves who are successful.
Just a simple adjustment in perspective, and all things make sense- imagine that.
Could it be true? Open your eyes and you will see. As for "National Pride", trust me on this one as well, it does not exist! Do you really think that all those cars driving around with the Bahamian flags around independence day are displays of pride? No consider you only have to drive behind one for about a mile to see them throw garbage out their window. Do these people who'd rather party than watch their kids, or help them with their school work, do they display pride. Does a government who refuses to solve one issue, no matter how simple, do they have pride?
National Pride is the biggest lie ever told, it simply gets your "people" to buy into "we're the best" sales pitches; they'll follow any stupid money grubbing agenda under the guise of improving our already "best country".
Wideawake 8 years, 8 months ago
I do not think that it is true to say that "the PLP has been crippled by criminality during this term". All Bahamian people suffer from the crime wave that continues unabated since the present government took office.
Crime should not be made into a political issue, because most Bahamians realise that the high rate of murders in this country is a symptom of deep sociological issues that will require all parts of Bahamian society to correct.
Government should do more but so should our churches, our schools, our service clubs, our lodges and many other social organizations. Most importantly of all, parents and other family members must make the rearing of children their first priority.
Draconian measures probably won't work because the underlying cause of crime in The Bahamas is our dysfunctional society. The cure for crime is education, full employment, strong spiritual and religious values, organised activities for at risk young men and women, and a caring government that is itself, honest and law abiding ,
asiseeit 8 years, 8 months ago
If you have a government itself that is viewed as criminal and corrupt why do you think the population will obey the laws that are implemented by those people. It is a fact that government does not obey it's own laws and NOTHING is done about it. Why should Joe Bahamas respect any law the politicians lay down when the politicians do not respect them themselves? Do as I say not as I do? The immoral, unethical, corrupt, and criminal behavior of the politicians have set the stage for the criminality in the Bahamas, no two ways about it!
MonkeeDoo 8 years, 8 months ago
Bran needs to figure out if he will be a part of the problem ( which he is now ) or a part of the solution.
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