Month: October 2024

 My Morning Paper – October 31, 2024 – In Defense of Country or Party?

Just when you thought that the country’s top executive, Prime Minister, Philip Davis K.C., was displaying some semblance of commonsense, as he tasked  Attorney General Ryan Pinder with reviewing the  recent Baha Mar court ruling and its implications for The Bahamas. Just when the government seemed to had taken a wait-and-see approach, a decision which reflected a more cautious stance that some viewed as necessary given the diplomatic sensitivities surrounding the case, especially considering the Bahamas’ economic and political relationship with the United States. And while the government was also attempting to downplay any other teffects that it may have on The Bahamas, it would appear that Prime Minister Davis left his office door opened just a little bit too long.

 So in saunters the country’s top diplomat, the Hon. Fred Mitchell, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all “hell and darkness” followed; was that too dark too quick?  Mitchell who seems more busied with ‘picking fights’ with the United States justice system; fights which in my opinion are quite unnecessary, as was the very first intervention by the Christie Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) government in the Baha Mar matter. Instantly, the country’s top executive then seemed convinced to throw caution into the wind as he now seeks to defend the unnecessary fight that the top diplomat has picked.

We have seen this show before.

“PM DEFENDS MITCHELL’S REMARKS ON BAHA MAR COURT RULING” – The Tribune

Excerpt from this article; “PRIME Minister Philip “ Brave” Davis defended Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Fred Mitchell’s critical response to a recent New York State Supreme Court ruling, which awarded Baha Mar’s original developer, Sarkis Izmirlian, over $1.6bn in damages in a fraud and breach of contract case against the main contractor, China Contraction America (CCA).

Mr. Mitchell, the Minister of Foreign Affairs dismissed fraud allegations involving the Christie administration officials during the Baha Mar saga as ‘salacious’, arguing that no evidence supported the accusation.

He accused Izmirlian of promoting a narrative misaligned with the facts. 

He urged the public to approach the commentary on the US ruling with caution and advised Bahamians to be ‘skeptical’ about information related to the judgment.

His comments sparked backlash.  The Nassau Guardian reported last week Tuesday that former Supreme Court Justice Jeanne Thompson said Mr. Mitchell showed a ‘total lack of diplomatic behavior’ with his ‘intemperate’ comments.

‘I have no problem with the chairman raising to defense of party officials, family and friends,’ Justice Thompson wrote. “However, I take strong exception to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of our nation lambasting the judge of a friendly country because he did not like is ruling, and vilifying a foreign resident and investor because he dared to bring an action to secure his right and succeeded.”

Mitchell’s comments, which dismissed allegations of corruption within the Christie administration as “salacious” and urged Bahamians to approach the ruling’s commentary with skepticism, were met with criticism from figures such as former Justice Jeanne Thompson. She argued that his tone lacked the diplomatic restraint expected of a Foreign Minister. Moreover, members of the opposition, such as Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Michael Pintard, suggested that Mitchell’s remarks may compromise the perception of Bahamian diplomacy and investor confidence in the nation.

Question: When Fred Mitchell urges “the public to approach commentary on the US ruling with caution and advised Bahamians to be ‘skeptical’ about information related to the judgment”; does this bit of advice also apply to his commentary and any and all information coming from the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) as a party and a government?

Another question:  With his constant unsolicited rhetoric from the New Day government, in my mind, raises the question of if Fred Mitchell is acting as the country’s best interest and the country’s top diplomat or in the best interest of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) as its chairman?

And yet another question; Can Mitchell actually wear both “hats” and render an objective point of view; a diplomatic point of view on this issue?

The chairman of the Progressive Liberal party (PLP) seems to want to be able to get in the front of this “train wreck” because there are very serious allegations brought up in the ruling by the US Supreme Court that tends to shed The Bahamas’ government in a very poor light.

The ruling pointed out, “Baha Mar financial crisis would have been averted if its main contractor had properly used $54 m to pay the project’s sub-contractor rather than fund the British Colonial purchase, a U.S. judge ruled”.

Apparently it was the court’s ruling that CCA purposely diverted much needed capital from the Baha Mar development only to go on to use it or misuse these fund to invest in another capital project; did the Christie administration have any knowledge of this at the time?

If so, who knew what and when did they know it?

Indeed, this situation underscores the challenges of balancing national interests with party loyalty, especially when navigating high-stakes international litigation involving significant investment and reputational issues but can one reasonably carry out this balancing act?

 The ongoing review by the Attorney General may clarify the government’s official stance, but the controversy highlights the tensions within Bahamian leadership as they balance diplomacy, political image, and public accountability in the face of complex international rulings.

The Progressive Liberal Party fails for one reason, it is within their nature.

END

Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Fred Mitchell criticized the Free National Movement’s (FNM) call for a parliamentary committee on crime, questioning its potential impact on the rising crime issue. Mitchell asserted that another committee would not directly address the complexities of crime, suggesting that actions are necessary rather than “political hay.” He urged that this approach avoid turning crime into a political debate and emphasized the need for tangible steps to address the problem.

The PLP government, led by Prime Minister Philip Davis, has introduced its “Five Pillars” strategy to combat crime, focusing on Prevention, Policing/Detection, Prosecution, Punishment, and Rehabilitation. This comprehensive approach aims for cross-government coordination in addressing the root causes and escalating trends of crime. The administration believes this plan supersedes the need for a committee, instead emphasizing real-time interventions and immediate support for law enforcement efforts.

Critics, however, argue that crime remains a serious concern despite the PLP’s plan, and some in the public sphere view the government’s response as insufficient, given recent crime trends. They express that a more united and potentially collaborative approach, as recommended by the FNM, might better address the issue. Mitchell’s dismissal of the committee suggestion has fueled criticism, suggesting that he may be overly focused on maintaining the PLP’s stance, even as the public increasingly demands further action on crime beyond existing government strategies.

My Morning Paper – October 23, 2024 – Just the Facts Please…..

I have always said in The Bahamas that when it comes to politics, there are two sets of “facts”; the actual facts and there are Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) facts and what I have come to find out is that these two sets of facts do not assimilate.

In a statement in the Nassau Guardian this morning , in reference to the recent Baha Mar ruling, the PLP Chairman is quoted as saying;” Baha Mar developer Sarkis Izmirlian of “seeking to tell a narrative which does not line up with the facts”.

When the chairman talks about the facts not lining up, exactly whose facts is he referring to?

It would appear that they lined up for Justice Andrew Borrok of the Supreme Court of the state of New York but that is beside the point I guess.

 “Mitchell slams Izmirlian, Pintard and Baha Mar ruling.” – The Nassau Guardian

Excerpt form this article; “Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell yesterday accused former Baha Mar developer Sarkis Izmirlian of “seeking to tell a narrative which does not line up with the facts”.

Mitchell was responding to a significant New York court judgment finding that Izmirlian lost his Baha Mar project a decade ago as a result of fraud and breaches committed by China Construction America (CCA).

Mitchell’s claim was made notwithstanding the fact that Justice Andrew Borrok of the Supreme Court of the State of New York said in his ruling that credible evidence indicated that Izmirlian acted “honorably and commercially reasonably” in seeking to have the multi-billion-development completed.

The judge awarded Izmirlian’s BML Properties Limited $1.6 billion against China Construction America as a result of the fraud and breaches.

Mitchell also lashed out at Opposition Leader Michael Pintard who on Sunday called for an investigation into the inferences in the ruling that Bahamian government officials had colluded with CCA to push Izmirlian out.

“We’re concerned about the leader of the opposition, who jumps on a judgment, comments written by a judge in the United States,” said Mitchell in a video recording that was widely circulated yesterday.

“When is the leader of the opposition going to support Bahamians and support The Bahamas?”

“Support Bahamians and support The Bahamas” on what exactly, Mr. Mitchell?

Here, we have the chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party attempting to attack the Leader of the Opposition Free National Movement (FNM) with the old line of being “anti-Bahamian”.  He did this when the New Day, Old Way Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) went to “war” with the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), at that time every one that disagreed with the PLP government was seen as being “anti-Bahamian”.

Another instance occurred when Bahamians protested over issues like inadequate electricity and poor infrastructure in islands such as Andros and Eleuthera. The government’s response was to dismiss some of these criticisms as lacking in national loyalty, framing critics as opposing progress and nation-building efforts.

This has been a recurring theme in the PLP’s narrative whenever they face public discontent or organized opposition to their policies, so this has been established let us move on.

It is simply amazing that the chairman of the New Day, Old Way PLP government seeks to attack the leader of the opposition and the BML Properties Limited over the recent Baha Mar ruling when it was the findings of the Supreme Court of the State of New York  that stated; “In addition to the court ruling in favor of the Izmirlian family for the sum of $1.6 billion, the judgment referenced evidence of troubling allegations about the direct involvement and active support of officials in the then-PLP administration when Prime Minister [Philip] Davis served as deputy leader,” so herein is where the issue comes in.

It would appear that the court ruling condemns the PLP administration for what amounts to collusion; in acting in concert with the contractor CCA to gain ownership of Baha Mar but I am sure that the New Day, Old way government does not see it that way but interestingly enough again Prime Minister Davis and Chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) do not seem to be on the same page as it pertains to this issue.  We have the Prime Minister instructing the Attorney General to review the matter; while the Chairman Mitchell suggests that there really is nothing to review.

So what’s worse here? A government that can’t govern or one that hides its failures behind accusations of treason and lies? Calling criticism “unpatriotic” is the real betrayal. It’s the last refuge of a failed administration, desperate to distract from the truth that they’re not doing their jobs. And the truth is, Bahamians are suffering, the government is failing, and that is fact.

The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) fails for one reason, it is their nature.

END

My Morning Paper – October 9, 2024 – Weaponized Misinformation

The Chairman of the New Day Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) government continues to inundate the public with what I can only characterize as “weaponized misinformation”.

This morning he wishes to evoke biblical philosophies of “thou shalt not kill” and “Vengeance in mine sayeth The Lord”, as he laid the ground work for a very loose attack on Free National Movement (FNM) senator Darren Henfield for his recent comments in the Senate regarding capital punishment as a deterrent to crime.

My first thoughts were, if there were any other biblical philosophes which the “good” PLP chairman would like to invoke at this time; the first coming to mind Proverbs 19 [5] “A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape”

Mitchell goes on to make what can only be labeled as asinine comments wherein he asks; “Do we round up everyone on the street that we suspect is a killer and hang them right away, no trial, no judge, just go out and hang them?” This was never suggested based on what Senator Henfield was saying and only a person looking to mislead though misinformation would reach such an erroneous conclusion.

The “good” chairman should be ashamed of himself but we all know that he is not and totally prepared to do it all again tomorrow on some other topic, but Mitchell’s misinformation did not stop there.

Mitchell goes on to speak to meeting the standard of the worst of the worst in terms of capital punishment, a question which we as a country has not been able to agree on but the question is who set this standard for The Bahamas?  These would be bodies like the Privy Council and other Caribbean Countries; it’s odd that the PLP seeks to follow others at their convenience, lacking consistency in governance.

No, Mr. Mitchell, at no time during the Minnis administration was there a call for the death penalty and did you or any or your devoted followers van prove me wrong that I simply ask that you all present the evidence and layout your case.

The New Day government goes on even further in this dissemination of misinformation making the following statement; “What we know after hundreds died, if not thousands went missing in Abaco, this same Senator Darren Henfield was witness[ed] at a mass funeral in Abaco, where citizens of Abaco were protesting the funeral at the gates, it was shockingly negligent and a government, his government, was told in advance to evacuate the citizens of Marsh Harbour as the storm was coming and failed to do so and the result was scores of dead and missing.

Who should pay the ultimate price for this negligence”?

Like I said; “Weaponized Misinformation”.

It is pubic record at the time that the Minnis administration did appeal for the citizens of Marsh Harbour to evacuate and did carry our evacuation exercises to move people out of the path of Hurricane Dorian, and many actually did.  The ‘good’ chairman needs to attempt to be truthful with himself and the Bahamian people as to what really happened, instead of simply politicizing such a great tragedy.  Maybe there is a reason why Prime Minister Davis, now says that there will not be any further investigation into this matter, the “good” chairman needs to stop contradicting his leader with such blatant misinformation and lies; as they only cast aspersion on the very character of the New Day Progressive Liberal Party (PLP); not only as a political organization but as a government.

The Progressive Liberal Party fails for one reason, it is within their nature.

END

My Morning Paper 3rd October 2024 – Shocking Admissions

This latest admission by the Chairman of the New Day Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) government regarding the government’s “war on crime” is very troubling to say the very least.

“Mitchell on crime: What more do you want govt. to do?” – The Tribune

Except from this article;

“AFTER Opposition members accused the government of lacking a sound plan to combat crime, Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell questioned what more they expect the government to do.

He was responding to St Barnabas MP Shanendon Cartwright, who lamented the country’s murder rate.

His comment came just hours before police recorded another murder yesterday, the second for the week and the country’s 91st for the year.

“We should all be ashamed, Madame Speaker, that we have not in any meaningful and adequate way addressed the issue of crime in a fundamental way,” Mr. Cartwright told Parliamentarians yesterday.

He acknowledged that a multi-layered approach involving all stakeholders is essential in the fight against crime, but argued that the government is not leading efficiently in this effort.

Mr. Mitchell pushed back, insisting the government is taking the matter seriously and that it was wrong for Mr. Cartwright to push a narrative suggesting otherwise.

“The evidence is there on all the social programmes that have been put in place since 2021,” Mr. Mitchell, highlighting the Urban Renewal programme, the government’s school breakfast programme and other initiatives, emphasising that these are long-term efforts aimed at positively impacting youth.

“I don’t want the public to be left with the impression that we think this is a joke,” he said.”

It would appear that the New Day government is conceding defeat in their “war on crime” and it would be a joke if it were not such a serious matter because the people of The Bahamas that elected them to office on promises of defeating crime cannot….CANNOT… afford for the government to simply give up.

The truth is this that the New Day government seems to have been enacting the every same social programs in their fight against crime as far back as the Christie administration, it was not effective then, so I am at a total lost as to why they would believe that it would be effective today?

What is the definition for insanity again? 

But seriously, we the citizens simply cannot afford for the New Day government to claim “insanity” at this time.

The chairman of the New Day Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) speaks to stopping just short of imposing draconian measures to combat crime and while we do not need overtly harsh measures, we do need the government to impose more harsh strategies to fight crime, even if it means losing the next general election; this is called country over politics.

The odd thing here is this, that imposing the laws already on the books consistently and evenly would be considered ‘overtly harsh” today simply because the average citizen no longer appreciates nor respects the persons that enforce laws on our streets. 

The Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) is partly the fault for this and there needs to be a consistent move toward our officers regaining the respect lost; while simultaneously imposing our laws on a consistent basis.

While I truly appreciate that maintaining law and order in a rapidly growing county as The Bahamas especially on the island of New Providence is a difficult task; we cannot no have a government; any government, even seeming to concede defeat.

The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) fails for one reason, it is their nature.

END