The Tribune

WHILE Democrat Bernie Sanders, in answer to a question last night as to what, if he became president of the United States, he would do to help improve relations between urban communities and their police forces, replied that he would demilitarise the police force, and make it look less like an invading army.

Not so in The Bahamas. In these once peaceful Isles of June, Bahamians were shocked to learn that the intent of government is to move in the direction that many Americans would now like to move away from. We recall the days when our policemen — no women in those days – were only armed with a “billy” at their side. They then, with increasing crime, advanced to being issued with guns, and now they aspire to become military units with two armoured vehicles, two automatic anti-riot grenade launchers, 10,038 smoke tear gas grenades, anti-riot gear sets, and 60 portable low-light level night vision goggles. What have our islands become?

No wonder Bahamians are alarmed. At whom will our police be hurling tear gas grenades? And what will our streets be turned into as two heavy armoured vehicles rumble up and down — and for what? Doing what? To protect the police against whom?

However, Acting Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commander Captain Tellis Bethel assured Bahamians that there was nothing to be concerned about by his department’s wish list for military equipment to be included in China’s $2.1m gift to this country.

National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage assured Bahamians that the Bahamas was not getting money from China, but it was in fact receiving 105 musical instruments for the RBDF’s Rangers band and other gear worth $1.5m. What is the “other gear”? The remainder of the wish list — and the money—was to go to provide military equipment at the request of the police and defence forces, which obviously have aspirations of becoming a toy army.

Bahamians are not only suspicious, but worried and see the gift of the band as a blind to distract public attention from the military gear.

“We gave them a list of things that we might like and the most important things on the list was 105 instruments for the Rangers band,” Dr Nottage explained. “But, see, everyone forgot about that now and focused on the grenades. These are not the hand grenades you have in movies you know,” he quipped.

Maybe Dr Nottage would like to explain what kind of hand grenades they are and against whom will 10,038 smoke tear gas grenades be thrown.

Capt Bethel said the anti-riot gear will go to help the police. He quipped that it is better to be safe than sorry. The RBDF requested the grenade launchers and grenades, but, according to Capt Bethel, these were not listed as needs, but only requests — requests for what? What is government anticipating?

We suggest that government give a full listing of what this $2.1m gift includes. Also they might like to share with their fellow Bahamians why they need to take these extra precautions by including riot gear in their arsenal.

• • • •

‘An apology is the best way to have the last word’

What is so difficult about saying “I am sorry” – and in public, especially when you have made tasteless accusations against fellow party members, and in public? Surely, if you are woman enough to abuse your fellow politicians by taking to the airwaves and making uncalled for accusations, you can’t expect them to accept an apology whispered in their ears behind closed doors. If you are brazen enough to air your complaints in public, then be brazen enough to retract them in public.

Whoever advised Senator Lanisha Rolle — a newly arrived on the political scene — to call into a radio programme to criticise senior FNM members of parliament did her no favour — nor has it done her leader, who she was clumsily trying to defend, any favour. It has only started tongues wagging — and wagging, we might add, in most embarrassing directions.

Mrs Rolle set off a firestorm of controversy when she accused Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner and other FNM MPs of being “jealous” of the leadership of Dr Minnis. She had called into a radio talk show to express her feelings, and defend her leader over the airwaves.

Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grand admitted that Senator Rolle had apologised to him privately, but he refused to accept her private apology. As the insult was made in public, the apology also had to be made in public. He was backed by St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman; Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn; North Eleuthera MP Theo Neilly and Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner who in a joint statement also demanded a public apology.

The group said the “unprovoked and extreme” remarks made by Senator Rolle about two weeks ago left many FNM supporters “dismayed”.

An emergency executive meeting was called on Sunday — not attended by the five offended senior parliamentarians – to try to bring the FNM together, and encourage members to mobilise to defeat a hopeless government. From what we have since heard, the party seems more divided than ever, although FNM leader Dr Hubert Minnis has assured the public that there are no irreconcilable differences within.

However, today they appear to be even further apart with large egos getting in the way — all because one person — a newcomer to party ranks no less — refuses to publicly apologise.

Imagine a party being destroyed because one person cannot rise to the occasion to say “Sorry” in public. And, according to reports, that one person is supported by party leader Minnis.

However, The Bahamas is far more important than face saving. If Dr Minnis cannot bring his party together under one banner then he will not be able to unite the country. Another leader has to be found, and quickly.

This means that a convention must be called within the month and this matter must be settled quickly so that a unified team can give its full attention to saving a beautiful little country, which, with all its faults, is worth saving.