The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Retail politics in The Bahamas is akin to riding a bucking bronco (bucking horse) or a steed (riding horse). The watching crowds are titillated and amused by the spectacle, especially if a participant is gored or run over by one of the raging animals. It is no different here in our wonderful nation as general elections unfold. The ancient Roman Gladiators often fought to the death and the so-called best man always won. The upcoming elections will be hand-to-hand combat. There will be many bodies strewn all over the arena at the close of the games.

The New PLP has now rolled out 30 ratified candidates. Of that number I predict a clear cut victory for a minimum of 24 of those announced candidates. With that number the Hon. Philip “Brave” Davis, QC (PLP-Cat Island) will be able to comfortably form the next government of The Bahamas. A government that is compassionate; that has a heart and, for sure, has a soul.

Despite what some foolish Bahamians may term my support for any given political party, I do not wish to see any party capturing more than 25 or so seats. It is to be noted that the 5 Grand Bahama constituencies will return 1 incumbent FNM. The rest, inclusive of so-called independent McAlpine will be wiped out, across the board. The New PLP will capture 4 of the Grand Bahama constituencies along with Long Island and North Andros translating into a workable majority of 27 seats for Brave.

The FNM came to office in 2017 with great fanfare. The old PLP was decimated and even brother Christie lost his long held constituency of Centreville. Whether he was so shell shocked or out of it that he made a very bad miscalculation in not challenging the four vote majority amassed by Chipman. I submit that had he gone to the Electoral Court he would have eked out a victory. In any event, it was good that he lost his constituency so as to pave the way, with palm branches, for Brave.

Brave has a date with destiny and only a badly mauled and out of touch Minnis stands in his way. As a proponent of democracy I would not wish to see another lop-sided administration such as the one we have been inflicted with these past four years. Such governments tend to become autocratic and callous as is clearly the case with Minnis and his crew. They have wrecked the economy and either cannot or are unwilling to lay on the table of parliament audited statements from NEMA; the National Disaster and Recovery Committee and the beat goes on.

The competent Authority now wields near dictatorial powers for over a year now and he’s gotten so used to the supposed power and the glory that it appears that his head and mental state may now be “contaminated” big time. Minnis during a walk about in Centreville the other day, opinioned that the FNM would capture all 39 constituencies.

Whatever he was on, if anything (maybe garbage juice or the healing) I want some of that. To hear and read a big gray man uttering unadulterated shaving cream is so sad, but, in my opinion, indicative of his juvenile thought process. The FNM will be lucky to garner 10 seats. The Egyptians you see now, you will soon see no more. To God then, in all things, be the glory.

ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr

Nassau,

March 18, 2021.