INIGO 'NAUGHTY' ZENICAZELAYA at Thursday's protest march alongside Rodney Moncur.
By INIGO 'NAUGHTY' ZENICAZELAYA
DESPITE the naysayers, and detractors, the march against VAT was well attended all things considered.
Numerous activists, organisations, web shop workers and concerned Bahamian citizens, took to Rawson Square, to protest the governments decision to increase VAT to 12 percent from 7.5 percent and several components of “The People’s Budget”.
As I stood downtown taking in the atmosphere, I was glad to see Bahamians are still willing to stand up and speak out against what they consider unjust.
At the end of the day, with a minuscule opposition, the citizenry must hold this administration accountable, or lose out in the process.
WATER BOY AND THE SPRINTER
As in all things political, humour is always lurking right around the corner.
Yesterday’s march was no different.
From talk show host and organiser Adrian Francis, old school Clyde “the Glide” Drexler original, sweat suit.
To leader of the “women dem” Rodney Moncur, in full chef’s attire, serving everything but “corn beef”.
Comedy relief was in full effect.
As if it couldn’t get better comedically, it did.
Right before my very eyes even.
Minister of Transportation and Golden Isles MP Frankie Campbell, in all his bravado and crisp blue suit, decided to address the rabid crowd outside of the House of Assembly, not once but twice, and on each occasion, got doused with cold water. (At least onlookers said it was water).
I guess they wet Frankie once apiece, for each of his infamous passports.
As I watched, Campbell’s water level rise, I said to myself, you can’t top that.
However, Minister of National Security and Mt Moriah MP Marvin Dames, had other ideas, he stole the show (pun intended),
Apparently, upon exiting the HOA, Dames, bounced out and was met with harsh criticism from the crowd of supporters gathered outside, as he tried to walk off briskly, the crowd followed behind him step for step.
At this point, faster than he changed his position on the “Spy Bill”, Dames switched gears from a brisk walk, to a trot, to break off running, displaying break away speed, even Usain Bolt would envy.
It’s clear after this display, and a few others, while testifying in the Frank Smith trial, that Dames is heading up the wrong ministry.
Dames may not have the speed to cripple crime in the country, but with the speed he displayed running away (how ironic the Minister of National Security running away).
Dames needs to be Minister of Youth Sports and Culture, with all that speed.
Track and field in The Bahamas needs you, Mr Dames, National Security not so much!
Comments
alfalfa 5 years, 10 months ago
Perfectly stated. As always. Good job Naughty..
Greentea 5 years, 10 months ago
LMAO- Naughty- that Chef hat and coat Moncur has on is a was a stroke of critical comedic genius. But Dames run? Say it aint so!
sheeprunner12 5 years, 10 months ago
I trust that Naughty will be eating crow in the next 3 years ......... this is NO laughing matter.
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 10 months ago
But it is. The image of your national security minister suddenly breaking off running from a group of hecklers is hilarious. I wonder if he outran the security detail, that would be even funnier. (Yes if someone got hurt it wouldn't be funny, but no one got hurt so were left with "funny")
birdiestrachan 5 years, 10 months ago
A laugh is always good. We should all laugh to stop us from crying. Why did he run?, no one will harm him. The good Lord will leave them to themselves .because what they are doing to the poor and middle class will harm them .And The God of Jacob and Abraham will not be pleased with them.
Who would have imagined that the FNM Government could have done so much damage in one year. and changed their positions BAH MAR, VAT and the Spy Bill. They should all hang their heads in shame providing they had enough sense to do so,
OMG 5 years, 10 months ago
Your deluded Birdie, the PLP created a financial mess and as always kept the facts hidden from everybody. They to would have had to raise VAT.
OMG 5 years, 10 months ago
Whether you agree or disagree with this protest, its funny how quickly these protesters forget that the PLP introduced VAT, totally lied about its purpose and squandered every cent, how the previous Minister of Education present was proven to be lining his own pockets and on and on. The PLP took this country to the brink of disaster and should they be re-elected by the ignorant masses that think there is some magical money tree then devaluation and Jamaica style economy will make todays cost of living a joke,
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 10 months ago
That's the thing, it's the ignorant masses who elected the present govt, the ones before them and the ones before them. They will also elect the next govt. I think the FNM need to get rid of this the PLP can't win" talking point. It's a direct path to complacency, arrogance and the first nail in their coffin
momoyama 5 years, 10 months ago
Every item of your comment is erroneous or slanted at least. It demonstrates how politics can blind a person to fact.
1) The FNM administration of which my father was Finance Minister first proposed VAT. And rightly so. It was the best means of getting our revenues to GDP ration from an unsustainably low 17% nearer to the 25% norm. 2) The PLP introduced it, at first in a rushed and arguably arrogant manner. Then, faced with push back, they widely consulted, considered alternatives raised by the private sector and then settled on the template most widely accepted by economists as the best: a low rate of VAT with no exemptions. Exemptions make no sense because they are not targeted and create huge problems for administration (fraud). 3. Minnis in one fell swoop (and with zero consultation and offering zero empirical data to support it) created a bunch of exemptions and, paradoxically, raised the tax 67%, creating the risk that, by shocking the economy and stunting spending, it will actually lead to reduced revenues. 4. The deep and persistent ignorance of Dr. Minnis has led him to confused fiscal and monetary policy, suggesting that there is some risk of devaluation that justifies this asinine budget. In doing so he has (to paraphrase Gowon Bowe) created ignorance and panic - exemplified by your own repeating it. The Central Bank maintains reserves which defend our dollar parity. These reserves are so healthy that they are near or at historic highs ($1.6 billion). So much so that the CB twice recently liberalised exchange controls. The oaf Minnis made the announcement, but obviously did not know what it means, based on his ignorant statements about devaluation. Devaluation is in fact, not considered a policy option for the Bahamas, as we are NOT an exporter of goods and it would only make our main 'export' tourism less competitive as it relies upon IMPORTS.
Birdie is mostly right, I am afraid. This is not about PLP vs FNM. It is about the worst, most corrupt (read Today's Tribune about Dr. Sands' actions revealed in a court of law) government in our independent history. Those few souls that have not realized that yet will certainly do so in the ensuing years, sad to say.
momoyama 5 years, 10 months ago
That was a reply to OMG
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