The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune

The ban on plastic bags is a welcome change in the right direction. However, how can the government stand by this directive, yet continue to remain silent on drilling for oil in Bahamian waters? What of our so-called environmental leaders and employees? Are we really so bought and sold that we can’t even speak up on such matters? Do we now only allow our voices to be heard if they are aligned with our employers? There seems to be a total disconnect of sensibilities here. The abundance of scientific findings make quite clear to those who are paying attention what must be done. They state unequivocally that we must leave the vast majority of oil reserves in the ground, if, and only if, we are concerned about our descendants. One can only conclude that this D-educational system everyone is crowing about, has in fact affected most who inhabit this beautiful chain of islands.

Is it something in the water we are drinking, or is it desperate greed that allows us to boast of our faulty reasoning abilities? I can only wonder why this administration, headed by someone who supposedly understands the scientific method and the value of this way of thinking, is somehow so confused on this issue. There is little discussion now on the reason why there are more and stronger storms like Dorian, chronic droughts, melting ice caps, dying coral reefs, a rising tide that will soon engulf a sizeable portion of The Bahamas. Yet, almost complete silence on this matter. Do the editors of The Tribune and our other papers not read anything beyond the pages of their own publications? There is a wealth of information out there that should leave no person who can read with any doubt whatsoever on what must be done.

We must transition away from fossil fuels as quickly as possible. Certainly before begging the world for money and aid while we continue to live like we haven’t a care for the world. If we really need this money so badly to do the right thing, why not take the web shops over? These guys have made their millions, or billions. And, in my opinion, they did it illegally, just like the stores hoping to make money on selling plastic bags, right? They will still be rich. And, perhaps we could begin to free ourselves from the slavery we endure in our democracy and our daily lives from our own Bahamian masters.

It is my view that were we to reserve the death penalty for politicians who are corrupt and take bribes, we would likely see an immediate improvement in our “representatives”. Or, perhaps no representatives at all!

PORCUPINE

Nassau

January 15, 2020