The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune

Today, the conversation of drugs in America have politically resurfaced, and now it’s an open question whether Biden’s response to the issue can be an asset - catapulting him successfully or a liability - by eliminating him in the US 2020 election campaign. In a video that is circulating on social media, former US Vice President Joe Biden perpetuates misinformation that the Bahamas had infected the United States with crack, at a campaign event in New Hampshire.

In his response to a question on the crime bill, when asked by a young lady, his specific policies on repairing a lot of the black and brown communities that have been ravished by the war on drugs and mass incarcerations. In answering the question, former Vice President Biden stated:

“...the big mistake in the crime bill...on drugs, was one that Pat Monahan,...and he is a great guy. You rememberthe crack epidemic came from the Bahamasand we were told by medical doctors at the time that because it permeated the membrane, the brain more quickly. It was the crack you never come back..”

This statement made by former US Vice President Biden is outrageous, suggesting that the Bahamas is responsible for the Crack Epidemic in America, is shocking and disgraceful. Vice President Biden comments shows how easily politicians and world leaders mislead the nations of the world. As a political figure, the actions of former Vice President Biden was disgusting, twisted and way out of line with such a monstrous claim, and nothing could be further from the truth.

As you would recall in times past (1987), similar claims were made against the Bahamas Prime Minister the Rt Hon Sir Lynden O Pindling. The story was carried by numerous US media outlets and reported by NBC. At the time, inquest of the truth, such claims turned out to be nothing but baseless accusations. As a citizen of the Bahamas, I call on the Government of the Bahamas, in the person of the Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon. Darren Henfield to address this matter on behalf of the people of the commonwealth of The Bahamas.

To the officers and members of the the US National Democratic Party. It is undoubtedly clear that former Vice President Biden made unprofessional remarks, and didn’t think things through before responding to the question. However, the people of the Bahamas can understand that it was never his intention to cause distress. Therefore, the Democratic party must condemn the action of its presidential candidate, former Vice President Joe Biden and issue an official apology to the government and the people of the commonwealth of The Bahamas forthwith.

I beseech you, let not one mishap stain all that has, and is to be accomplished. The Bahamas and the United States has a beautiful relationship. We’ve both enjoyed decades of good diplomatic, economic and commercial relations, and The Bahamas looks forward to a continued successful relationship in future.

“‘Til the road you’ve trod lead unto your God, March On, Bahamaland”...

...”O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!”

God Bless.

ANDY HANNA

Nassau,

May, 2020.