The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune

Nassau Guardian cartoonist Stan Burnside is on his way out at the esteemed publication. In a letter that was leaked to a Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) propaganda website, Burnside stated that he had been employed at The Guardian since 1979. The propaganda news site has the heading: “Stan Burnside is the latest victim of Minnis victimisation programme.” The heading is very misleading, as the ensuing missive by Mr Burnside says absolutely nothing about him being a victim of political victimisation by the Free National Movement (FNM) government. Burnside is a very talented artist who hails from a prominent family. His cartoons, however, especially the stew fish ones about Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, exposed his political leanings. I think it was the African American comedian Kat Williams who said that no one has the right to repeat a joke twice. The stew fish joke was repeated ad nauseam. Him taking digs at Minnis via his cartoons obviously annoyed some FNMs.

Now with his imminent termination from The Nassau Guardian, PLPs want to interpret it as a political retaliation being orchestrated by the Minnis administration, although the publication is privately owned by Mr Emmanuel Alexiou, who is not an FNM operative. Burnside’s dismissal may be nothing more than a restructuring exercise being carried out by the newspaper. Bear in mind that it was announced that Mr Brent Dean had resigned as editor and general manager of The Guardian last April, with the resignation taking effect this August, which coincides with Burnside’s dismissal. After serving as the editorial cartoonist for a staggering 40 years, The Nassau Guardian has decided to move on from Burnside. He had a long run.

The administrators of the propaganda site should heed the ninth commandment which says, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” In other words, stop lying.

KEVIN EVANS

Grand Bahama

July 23, 2019