INSIGHT: We treat murderers and rapists better than we treat people suspected of having ‘Haitian blood’
When people hear the term “ethnic cleansing” they tend to think of notorious historical genocides – mass exterminations of people under the most graphic and shocking of circumstances. References to “concentration camps” usually evoke images like the unspeakable horrors of Auschwitz, the huge death toll of the Soviet Gulags, mass graves in the former Yugoslavia.
WORLD VIEW: If Haiti’s a ‘shithole’ those who made it so should admit their role
THE effect of the inappropriate depiction of Haiti, El Salvador and all African nations as “shit hole” countries is a matter the people of the United States of America and their government and Congress should contemplate seriously.
VIEW FROM AFAR: NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS
I thought it would be useful to propose a list of resolutions that may be beneficial for The Bahamas to adopt for 2018.
INSIGHT: Who’s afraid of ‘Big Bad Mary Jane’?
IT is “high” time the conversation of marijuana decriminalisation or legalisation be approached intellectually. This has been a subject of recent debate, particularly gaining momentum at the beginning of the year. CARICOM’s regional assessments led to a town meeting over a week ago, where despite a lack representation from the people that oppose marijuana decriminalisation or legalisation, there was still a good turnout as citizens came to voice their opinions on the issue.
INSIGHT: A deadline passes but what happened on an issue where we all have a part to play?
AS the dawn of a new year emerged with the clock striking midnight on January 1, 2018, many Bahamians naturally would have wondered what would be the government’s next move regarding illegal immigration. After Prime Minister Minnis’ bold proclamation landed him in the spotlight (again), many of us were unsure as to what new levels of enforcement would be implemented.
GAIN AN EDGE: Second chance for a dream
For some, the road to college is relatively smooth. However, for most the road to higher education is a rocky, long, uphill climb. Often it takes more than one try to make college dreams a reality. But those second chances in education are always well worth it.
INSIGHT: Time is drawing nigh on Minnis’ immigration policy
LESS than two weeks away from the December 31 deadline placed on undocumented immigrants to either become regularised or leave the country, and all Bahamians are watching to see if the Minnis administration is ready to put their money where their mouth is.
WORLD VIEW: Good news or bad - we just need to be told
What has become of the report of a Jamaican Commission that reviewed the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM)? It has been almost nine months since the commission’s chairman, Bruce Golding, submitted the report to Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness on March 30. But, there has been silence ever since.
A good start but we need to see more
INTRIGUED by the prime minister’s announcement of some of the high-level details of the government’s programme to revitalise the historic Over-the-Hill area, the nation is eager to know more. With a hodge-podge of feelings among the populace - ranging from excitement to cynicism - Minnis did manage to catch headlines by unveiling one of his most touted initiatives on his way to becoming prime minister. However, despite the public’s hunger for more information, the prime minister and his team are encouraging us to wait, as he promises the main course will be much more satisfying than the appetizer.
Comply or else: The EU blacklist
The Council of the European Union (CEU) published its much anticipated ‘List of non co-operative jurisdictions for tax purposes’ on December 5.
A surprising display of vision and imagination
Never mind the naysayers. The progressive spirit behind the Commercial Enterprises Bill (CEB) is exactly what our stagnant, suffocating economy needs right now.
INSIGHT: The presumption of innocence
Former Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell’s (PLP) November 2014 immigration policy explicitly targets people who are already here legally; not people who have violated the Immigration Act. The focus was on people being “documented”, “regularised” and having “papers”; not on whether they broke any laws. Having just come to office, Brent Symonette (FNM) seems intent on blithely continuing this heresy.
INSIGHT: Progress means working together and waking up to our cultural xenophobia
THE controversial Commercial Enterprises Bill (CEB) has been met with broad criticism across the length and breadth of the nation. It has been vehemently opposed by many citizens. That said, there are also still some who view this bill as a progressive step towards ushering in a much-needed stimulus of our economy.
INSIGHT: Why the Paradise Papers passed us by
Two years ago, publication of the Panama Papers caused the principals of law firm Mossack, Fonseca to be arrested by Panamanian authorities for assisting their clients managed from that somewhat shady Latin American base. Now, the Paradise Papers cause Appleby, the blue-chip firm in straight-laced Bermuda, to stoutly insist its clients are innocent of any wrongdoing, and that confidential documents were stolen by determined internet hackers.
