My Morning Paper – May 21st 2025 – Fred Mitchell’s Arrogant Lecture to the Opposition—and the Bahamian People

Fred Mitchell—the ever-enlightened chairman of the “New Day” Progressive Liberal Party (PLP)—delivered yet another voice note dripping with the usual cocktail of ignorance, condescension, and unearned self-satisfaction. It was classic Fred: petty, self-important, and completely devoid of introspection. He never disappoints, even when you’re hoping he might.

This time, he took aim at Opposition Leader Michael Pintard, chastising him for daring to request the details of the newly signed Heads of Agreement for the Grand Lucayan resort. You see, according to Mitchell, if Pintard really wanted answers, he simply should have shown up to the signing—because apparently, that’s when transparency happens in the PLP’s fantasy world.

Let us be clear: Mitchell, in his usual arrogant tone, mocked Pintard’s absence from the event, referencing Martha’s rebuke of Jesus for dramatic flair—as if comparing himself and the Prime Minister to biblical saviors is not totally unhinged.

“If only you had bothered to show up,” Mitchell scolded, “you would have heard the details. You could have mingled with investors, with your constituents… but you weren’t there.”

The sanctimony! The reality, of course, is far more sinister.

Let’s put aside the fact that the government invited Pintard to the event—as they should, given that he’s Leader of the Opposition—and focus on what actually happened: The government then refused to answer questions from the press about the deal. That’s right. When journalists attempted to ask Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper about the terms of this so-called “billion-dollar investment” that will allegedly lift the Grand Lucayan from albatross status, they were promptly shut down. So much for transparency.

So, Mitchell’s logic [if we dare to call it that] boils down to this: show up, smile for the cameras, and absorb the details via osmosis—because questions will not be tolerated. That’s how the New Day PLP government does it. Don’t expect a press release, a fact sheet, or public access to the Heads of Agreement. No, no. Apparently, you’re supposed to pick up the fine print between the hors d’oeuvres and the ribbon-cutting.

But here’s the real question: What about the rest of us? You know, the taxpayers—the Bahamian people—who foot the bill and who deserve to know what this government is signing on their behalf? Why must we wait for leaks or court battles, as we did with Baha Mar, to get the truth? After all, Mitchell and Prime Minister Davis were both involved in that fiasco, too. That deal is still mired in secrecy and litigation. Lessons learned? Not quite.

Let’s not forget: it was this very PLP administration that cancelled the original HoA for the Grand Lucayan, claiming it wasn’t in the best interest of the Bahamian people. Now, they ask us to trust them blindly on this new deal, refusing to release details, as if the people are simply spectators in their own democracy.

Heraclitus once said; “No man ever steps in the same rive twice. For it’s not the same river and not the same man” a testament to constant change—but with this New Day PLP, it’s not just the same river, it’s the same old muddy water. The “New Day” Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) has turned out to be the same old PLP, right down to the secrecy, the smugness, and the disdain for accountability.

So here’s a radical idea: Prove the Opposition wrong. Prove the public wrong. Release the details. Let the Bahamian people decide for themselves whether this deal is truly in their best interest—or just another backroom arrangement dressed up with golden promises and photo ops.

Until then, spare us the biblical parables and political theater. We’re not here for the sermon—we want the facts.

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

END

My Morning Paper 20th May 2025 – A Disservice to the Orange Economy: Prime Minister Davis Should Know Better

In a stunning display of political contradiction and rhetorical recklessness, Prime Minister Philip Davis has once again doubled down on his disparagement of Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Michael Pintard, this time by belittling the legitimacy of Pintard’s career in the creative arts.

According to The Nassau Guardian article titled “On the Attack: PM Doubles Down on Pintard Criticisms,” the Prime Minister dismissed Pintard’s contributions as a poet and actor, questioning his readiness to lead the country based on what Davis portrayed as a lack of “real” work experience. “Pintard has done well with his poetry and acting,” Davis posted on social media, only to follow it with a condescending rhetorical jab: “But what has he done to help others?”

Davis didn’t stop there. He sneered, “What has he ever built? What has he ever managed, outside of press conferences and political complaints?” He went on to frame his own legal career as the only valid example of responsibility and leadership, claiming, “That’s a real job. That’s real responsibility.” Even more degrading was his attempt to recast Pintard not as a poet, but “a parrot… who repeats what powerful people want to hear.”

What is especially egregious about Davis’ remarks is that they stand in direct contradiction to the very economic vision he championed while in opposition. When crafting the platform for the Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) “New Day” campaign, Davis himself heralded the Orange Economy — an initiative aimed at leveraging the cultural and creative sectors as a means to diversify the Bahamian economy. This included explicit commitments to support, fund, and grow the arts — the very sector in which Pintard has long worked.

In fact, according to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Orange Economy encompasses industries such as visual arts, music, film, publishing, and performing arts — all areas where Pintard has demonstrably contributed. The IDB and UNESCO have continuously emphasized the Orange Economy’s value, particularly for small island developing states like The Bahamas, where culture is not just a pastime but a viable, exportable economic asset.

So one must ask: Does Prime Minister Davis actually believe in the Orange Economy he once touted, or was it a hollow talking point designed to score temporary political favor? Because if he genuinely believed in the legitimacy of the creative industry, he would never attempt to discredit a Bahamian who has built a life within it. To do so is not only hypocritical — it is intellectually dishonest.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister’s assertion that his government provided the first-ever subvention to the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts is misleading. While it may be the first formalized annual subvention in recent years, it is well-documented that successive governments — including FNM administrations — have supported the Dundas and other cultural institutions through grants, partnerships, and in-kind assistance.  This is a matter of public record and has been acknowledged in cultural policy reports over the last two decades.

In reducing the value of creative work to little more than a footnote — while simultaneously using it as political ammunition — Prime Minister Davis has not only insulted Michael Pintard but also cast doubt on the worth of every Bahamian who earns a living through cultural expression. These are musicians, playwrights, filmmakers, designers, and other creatives who are told, through Davis’ comments, that their work is not “real.”

This descent into what Davis himself once condemned as “garbage juice politics” is disappointing. As Prime Minister, he is expected to set a higher standard — one grounded in coherence, respect, and an acknowledgment of the contributions of all Bahamians, regardless of profession.

If Davis no longer believes in the Orange Economy, he should say so plainly. But if he does, he cannot continue to deride its practitioners just to win a political skirmish. Leadership requires more than oratory and legal success; it requires consistency, vision, and — above all — respect for the people one claims to serve.

The question now is not whether Pintard had a “real job,” but whether Davis still has any real conviction.

END

My Morning Paper 19th May 2025 – Garbage Juice Politics

The New Day Progressive Liberal Party — always ready for a photo-op, a podium, and a punch line. After signing what they gleefully declare as a “historic” Heads of Agreement, they waste no time turning to the Bahamian people with their trademark smugness: “See? The FNM doesn’t care about you — because if they did, they would have done this too!”

Yes, bravo. Let’s all slow clap.

Because here’s the part they leave out: this “monumental” deal they are now waving like a victory flag is built on the ashes of the very same Heads of Agreement the PLP themselves cancelled when the Minnis administration signed it. You remember that, right? Of course they hope you don’t. But this isn’t progress — it’s political recycling. Or as Public Enemy put it best: “Don’t believe the hype — it’s a sequel.”

And now, the Prime Minister, full of pep and paranoia, is rallying his party to get “battle ready.” He sounds like a general prepping his troops — minus the actual courage to face real scrutiny. We have now heard this battle cry multiple times, each one louder than the last. One might almost think he is more worried about “friendly fire” from within than any real threat from across the aisle.

Yes, Prime Minister Davis wants unity — not because the party is united, but because he is clearly concerned it’s falling apart. All this talk of “gossip” and “backbiting”? That’s not a leader brimming with confidence. That’s a man plugging leaks in his own boat, hoping the crew doesn’t mutiny before Election Day.

But let’s get to the real comedic gold: Davis standing at the mic, pretending to be above it all, only to swing low and petty, asking “What real job has Michael Pintard ever had?”

Secret Squirrel, Really? That’s your best line? Because if we’re tossing resumes around, maybe we should ask: what exactly have you built? What have you managed — apart from PR disasters and fuel scandals? And while we’re at it, shall we list the controversies you’ve presided over like some national hobby?

And then there’s Fred Mitchell — always lurking, always laying the groundwork for the next fiction that will be fed to Grand Bahama and the rest of the country. Yes, rally the troops! Not for truth, not for vision — but for the next well-crafted mistruth. Because apparently, the strategy is simple: accuse your opponent of doing exactly what you just did, and hope no one notices.

Let’s be real. The PLP is not positioning itself as the savior — it’s cleaning up the very mess it made, repackaging it as salvation. Just look at Bahamas Power and Light: another crisis born under their watch, now being spun as “we’re fixing it.” How generous of them — to solve problems of their own creation.

And as for the latest whisper campaign? That Pintard is some puppet for “special interests of a lighter hue”? That’s not just offensive — it’s lazy. It’s the oldest play in the book, dusted off and dressed up for a desperate rally.

So yes, the Prime Minister wants his party “battle ready.” But based on the recycled deals, petty insults, and internal cracks showing through, one might ask: what battle? Because from here, it looks like the only fight Brave Davis is truly committed to… is holding his own party together.

END

My. Morning – May 9th 2025 — “Bay Street vs. The People?”

Well, isn’t this rich.

In a moment that can only be described as impressively tone-deaf, the Hon. Wayne Munroe, Minister of National Security, has once again taken to the airwaves—not to console, not to lead, not to empathize with Bahamians who have lost everything—but to lecture them about how they apparently do not understand how fires work.

Let us be clear: residents of Victoria Court, some of whom narrowly escaped with their lives, say it took over two hours for help to arrive as flames devoured their homes. That is not a small delay. That is not a “misunderstanding.” That is a catastrophe compounded by negligence. But instead of contrition or even concern, what we got from the minister was a master class in misdirection, finger-pointing, and condescension dressed up in a tailored suit.

According to Mr. Munroe, the fire services had to “position assets to guard against what could have been a catastrophic event.” You would be forgiven for thinking a massive residential fire was not catastrophic in itself.

And then came the kicker. In a moment that would almost be funny if it were not so outrageous, the minister appeared to suggest that the response to Victoria Court was not prompt because Bay Street had to be prioritized. Yes, Bay Street. As in the empty commercial corridor. At night. Over a residential complex full of actual human beings. We suppose storefronts and vacant boutiques have now leapfrogged Bahamian families on the list of “lives and property worth saving.”

What exactly is Mr. Munroe suggesting here? That the optics of a scorched Bay Street matter more than the reality of 20+ people burned out of their homes? That protecting real estate investments and old colonial storefronts is somehow more urgent than dragging a fire hose to a burning bedroom?


To quote the minister directly:

“The fire service is concerned about more than Victoria Court.”

Yes. Because God forbid the fire chief concerns himself with the people literally screaming for help while watching their homes burn. The nerve of them.

Let’s also not miss the verbal gymnastics here. One minute, Munroe claims the fire trucks were on the scene within eight minutes. The next, he tells us a truck from the airport eventually arrived—and didn’t even have water. That sounds less like a timely, coordinated response and more like improvisational theater on a flaming stage.

Then came the defense of the indefensible:

“If people are talking about when they started to deal with Victoria Court, they may be absolutely correct.”

Wait, so you’re admitting it took hours to deal with the actual structure that had people inside it? But it’s fine, because “Bay Street didn’t burn”? Are we supposed to send thank-you notes for that?

Let’s be honest: this isn’t really about fire strategy. It’s about accountability. The minister says it’s not fair to “denigrate” the fire service—but no one’s denigrating the rank-and-file firefighters. What people are denigrating is a system that left citizens waiting two hours for help while bureaucrats try to explain away the disaster in real time.

And this thing about “having the resources to cover 20 fires at once”—Minister, we are not asking for 20. We just wanted one competent response to one very real emergency. If you had the resources you claim, you wouldn’t be on radio scrambling to justify triage decisions that left Bahamians on the street with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

So here is a thought, Minister Munroe: instead of gas lighting grieving residents, maybe next time just say, “We failed, and we are working to fix it.” Because this is not clever spin. It’s not strategic public relations, it’s insulting.

And frankly, the public deserves more than your disdain disguised as defense.

End.

My Moring Paper 7th May 2025 – Flames of Ambiguity: The Government’s Procurement Plan.”

“Today in ‘Hey, What the Hell Is That Supposed to Mean?’ — something that I just made up — we turn our eyes to the beautiful Bahamas., a paradise known for its crystal-clear waters, junkanoo rhythms, and now… spontaneous combustion.”

 ‘Bahamas Burning: The Hot New Trend’ Here’s the story: according to a May 2025 article in The Nassau Guardian, Press Secretary Keishla Adderley — who I’m sure is a lovely person trying her best in an impossible job — made a bold statement on behalf of the Office of the Prime Minister during a weekly press briefing. Her message was one of comfort. You know, in the “Sorry your house is gone, but we’re working on it!” kind of way. The headline read: “Govt working to acquire more firefighting resources, OPM says.” Which, I mean, working to acquire is the kind of phrase that lives in the same family as currently under review, looking into it, and soon come.

Then we get this quote from the press secretary: “Efforts to acquire additional fire equipment began long before those fires.” Ah yes, a classic. The preemptive emergency plan that coincidentally has no timeline, no results, and no physical evidence of existence. Like the Chickcharney, but with more procurement paperwork.

She then added: “From my understanding, there are at least 20 major pieces of equipment that are being sourced to cover New Providence and the Family Islands.” Now, I am just a humble occasional newsman with an occasional news desk — but let me ask the obvious question here: What does “being sourced” mean? Because last I checked, “being sourced” is code for “we Googled a few vendors and someone sent us a brochure.” And if the acquisition already began “long before those fires” — a noble claim — then why are the fire trucks still in theory and not, you know, on actual roads putting out actual fires?

So, let’s do a quick breakdown: The OPM claims acquisition started “long before” the fires. Fact check: [UNCONFIRMED] — No date provided, no records made public, no evidence offered.

 They are “sourcing 20 major pieces of equipment.” Fact check: [TRUE-ISH] — they are looking for them, not buying them. This is like saying you’re planning your wedding while still waiting for a reply from your Tinder date.

The public is being told the government is on it — but the only thing we know for sure is that… they’re on something. Now look, I’m sure there’s a very simple explanation here. Maybe the trucks are coming in on the same invisible boat as the affordable housing, the Bahamas Power & Light stability plan, and the long-lost National Development Plan. But here’s a humble question from the smoke-filled rooftops of New Providence, Abaco, and Grand Bahama: When exactly did this acquisition start, and what phase of “sourcing” are we in? Because until then, all we’re really doing is setting expectations ablaze… without a hose in sight.”

END

My Morning Paper – May 01, 2025 – Déjà Vu in the Dark – Unpatriotic Democratic Requests

As the Free National Movement (FNM) and the Bahamian public call—once again—for accountability and transparency, the Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) so-called “New Day” government has responded not with facts, not with clarity, but with a now-familiar brand of political gas-lighting. According to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), those daring to ask for the transparency the PLP promised are now being labeled as—“unpatriotic.”

You heard that right. Wanting to know what’s in a billion-dollar energy deal that affects every Bahamian household is, in the eyes of this government, unpatriotic. We’ve seen this political theatre before, haven’t we?

Let’s rewind to 2016—“PM: No secrecy over Baha Mar,” they claimed. Perry Christie, then Prime Minister, infamously declared that there was “nothing secret” about the Baha Mar deal, even as he simultaneously insisted he couldn’t disclose anything about it due to so-called “legal sensitivities.” Lawyers, he said, had advised him to keep Bahamians in the dark. At the same press conference, Christie lashed out at critics, questioning their fitness for public service simply because they asked questions about a multi-billion-dollar deal funded by foreign banks and impacting Bahamian jobs and tourism.

Sound familiar?

Fast-forward to 2025. Today, it’s Bahamas Power and Light (BPL). And once again, the PLP government—now led by Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis—is dodging transparency like it’s an infectious disease. The FNM, led by Michael Pintard, has called for the immediate release of the BPL contracts. The government’s response? Recycle the same tired excuse: “We can’t disclose the deals—it might affect negotiations.” How very convenient.

This time, it’s U.S.-based Pike Corporation handling a major chunk of the work, and the deals are supposedly not finalized. Yet the company is already on the ground, working. So if the contracts are so fragile they’d crumble under the weight of public scrutiny, how were they strong enough to sign off on, let alone implement?

Let’s be clear; The PLP government isn’t shielding these details for strategic purposes—they’re shielding them because transparency exposes power, and this administration would rather condescend than come clean.

In a laughable attempt at deflection, the OPM issued a statement claiming the FNM is only asking questions because they “aren’t afraid the reforms won’t work; they’re afraid they will.” That line is so rich in deflection it should be taxed. The Bahamian people are not afraid of success. They are afraid of secrecy, sweetheart deals, and unchecked political maneuvering dressed up as national progress.

They are afraid of déjà vu—of Baha Mar 2.0. A billion dollars for BPL, with undisclosed terms, foreign partners, and a governing party acting like public scrutiny is an act of treason.

This isn’t governance. It’s a Broadway revival of a bad play—and yes, we’ve seen this act before.

So no, Mr. Prime Minister. The demand for transparency is not “unpatriotic.” It is the essence of patriotism. It is what responsible citizens do in a democratic society. What’s unpatriotic is trying to silence dissent by equating questions with sabotage.

Transparency isn’t just a promise—it’s a duty. And if this New Day government can’t or won’t deliver it, then perhaps it’s time we dim the lights on this show entirely.

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

END

My Morning Paper – April 29, 2025 – God Is NOT Pleased

 God is not pleased but he is defiantly watching this circus with a bag of popcorn.

The Progressive Liberal Party — or should I say, the New Day, Same Old Nonsense PLP — has decided that the best way to distinguish themselves from the Free National Movement is to become… the Free National Movement. You know, the party they so lovingly dubbed the “Foreign National Movement”? Yeah, well, plot twist: they’ve now cast themselves in the reboot.

“Nurses protest at ‘foreign bias’” – The Tribune
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, while Bahamian nurses contracts are apparently still collecting dust on Ministry shelves marked “Pending Since 2023,” the government has decided to throw a welcome party for healthcare workers from Ghana — complete with housing, uniforms, and salary advances! Because nothing says “support local” quite like flying in the competition and giving them a starter pack.

Cue Bahamas Nurses Union President Muriel Lightbourne, who is understandably livid, standing outside the orientation like a parent locked out of their kid’s school recital. “God is not pleased with that,” she says — and you know it’s serious when God gets dragged into it. Honestly, if the Almighty had a comment card, it would probably read: “Stop embarrassing Me.”

Now, before you think this is just some angry overreaction, let’s review:

  • Bahamian nurses have been waiting since 2023 for appointments.
  • Some have been working for stipends — which, in case you didn’t know, is a fancy word for “barely enough to afford the basic essentials.”
  • And now, they get to watch as their foreign counterparts are welcomed like medical super stars at a Ministry-sponsored red carpet.

And what does our Minister of Health and Wellness, the ever-serene Dr. Michael Darville, have to say for himself?

“We have massive recruitment of our healthcare professionals from developed countries… so I’m around the world trying to find healthcare professionals who are willing to come to The Bahamas.”

Translation: “We’re losing our nurses to places that treat them better, so instead of fixing the problem here, we’re outsourcing.”

Darville then drops the classic bureaucratic dodge: blame it on the vetting process. Apparently, the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Public Service Commission are moving slower than a Ministry meeting scheduled at lunchtime.

Now, no one is saying we don’t need help — global shortage, brain drain, ect, ect, etc… But if the solution is to “wine and dine” foreigners while local nurses are out here boiling ramen noodles and begging for a uniform, then definitely, we have hypocrisy.

Tell me this — do Bahamian nurses not possess the same training? Do they not bleed, bandage, and burn out like everyone else in healthcare? Are they not worthy of a mattress and a paycheck?

This isn’t just bad optics — this is a full-blown political Magic Eye painting. You squint, tilt your head, and no matter how long you stare… the only thing that comes into focus is betrayal.

You would expect this from the FNM, but the PLP? The people’s party? Apparently, the people in question now come with a visa stamp and a job offer.

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

New Day? Same Old Bull.

END.

My Morning Paper – 23. April 2025 – When A Grand Apology is Needed

Oh, how convenient—when cornered with an inconvenient truth, the backpedaling begins.

Let’s be painfully clear here:

Yes, the voice note is real.
Yes, the words came out of Adrian White’s mouth: “Sensible people vote FNM.”

Now, let’s walk through this slowly, for those struggling with basic comprehension or hoping to gaslight the public into self-doubt.

When you say, “Sensible people vote FNM,” you are making a direct logical implication: those who do not vote FNM are, by contrast, not sensible. And what’s the opposite of “sensible”? Oh right—foolishirrational, and maybe even… stupid?

So no, this isn’t some tortured leap of logic, and it certainly isn’t “over-reaching in hopes of spreading political propaganda.” It’s called basic inference. Something high school students are taught before they even sit their BGCSEs.

But let’s go deeper, since we’re here. Imagine if a PLP Member of Parliament and/or Chairman had suggested, “Only right-thinking people support the PLP.” Would the same defenders on this thread be twisting themselves into knots to say that’s not a dig at FNM voters? Please. Spare us the sanctimony.

This is a classic case of “I didn’t say the exact bad word, so I must be innocent.” No, sir. We’re not buying it. If you walk like you’re insulting people, talk like you’re insulting people, and your tone drips with condescension—then yes, you’re insulting people.

So, to those trying to dress this up as a harmless “opinion” or an “innocent observation,” stop insulting the public’s intelligence. Gas lighting doesn’t work when the receipts are public. And Mr. White? If you meant something else, you might want to find better words next time—or maybe just… say what you mean without the arrogance.

END

My Moring Paper – 22nd April 2025 – Dodging the Trump Tariff Bullet: The Bahamas’ Curious Exemption from U.S. Shipping Fees

We, in The Bahamas, have found ourselves in a most curious position: miraculously untouched by the shipping fees and trade tariffs unleashed President Donald J. Trump. While much of the globe clutched its pearls over aluminum, steel, and everything in between, we strolled by, duty-free and drama-free.

Let us not mistake this for luck. In Trumpian politics, there is no such thing as a free exemption. It begs the question: who kissed the ring – or some other less regal region – to earn us this economic mercy?

Trump’s economic policies have been more like economic tantrums; like a bull in a China shop – often literally. His America First doctrine translated into America Gets Paid and the Rest Get Played. Between 2018 and 2020, tariffs rained down on traditional allies and adversaries alike. Europe? Taxed. China? Slammed. Mexico and Canada? Threatened until they blinked.

He invoked Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, claiming national security to justify tariffs on steel and aluminum. Then came the grand idea of slapping 10% across the board on all imports and a jaw-dropping 60% on Chinese goods during his 2024 campaign trail.

Here in The Bahamas, we have a simple strategy: don’t make much, don’t get taxed. We export modestly – seafood, salt, rum – and import nearly everything. Our trade relationship with the U.S. leans heavily one way, which might explain why we didn’t trigger the ire of the tariff gods.

Besides, we are the United States’ favorite tropical partner: sun, sand, and strategic cooperation. We let the U.S. use our waters for drug interdiction and migration patrols, and we’ve done a bang-up job pretending to enjoy financial regulation crackdowns from FATF and OECD under U.S. encouragement. They like us! They really like us!

But let’s not get too flattered. Trump does not do charity. So again, we ask: what’s in it for him?

Did our government quietly lobby their way into exemption? Are there cables, memos, or golf games we are unaware of? Did someone charm a trade official, or worse, appeal to Trump’s ego with promises of beachfront naming rights or kiss his ***?

We hope no official had to practice the ancient art of Strategic Bootlicking, but if they did, let us build them a statue at Rawson Square – bronze, bent over slightly.

If we were to look at it honestly, what does POTUS Trump get? ,a stable offshore banking partner.?

A tourism haven for his voter base (wealthy Americans with questionable sun protection habits).

A country that doesn’t complain too loudly?

Could our exemption simply be a gift to Florida’s expat backyard? Was it a convenient non-fight in an otherwise chaotic global tantrum?

So, yes, we should be grateful. But cautiously so. We are economically exposed. If tariffs ever do come, we’d be the ones with the $12 peanut butter and $80 plywood sheets.

Let this be a wake-up call: for us to diversify our trade partnerships; deepen ties within CARICOM. and build capacity at home.

Because next time, we might not be so “lucky”.

Finally, so yes, Mr. Trump, thank you for sparing us. But if it was not for diplomacy or shared values, then we can’t help but ask:

What did we give you?

END

My Morning Paper – April 15, 2025 – Loose Lips

There’s an old naval saying: “Loose lips sink ships.” And today, those words may be more than a caution—they may be a mirror reflecting the uneasy waters Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis finds himself navigating.

This week, in a striking pivot, Prime Minister Davis responded to questions surrounding the high-profile indictment of Bahamian law enforcement officers in a U.S.-led cocaine trafficking probe. His claim? That the officers may have been entrapped.

“It appears officers were entrapped.”
The Nassau Guardian, April 14, 2025

Prime Minister Davis told reporters that the operation “on the face of it appears to be an entrapment of officers,” a tone that stands in stark contrast to his fiery rhetoric from just five months ago. Then, Davis promised swift justice and sweeping reform in response to what he called a betrayal of public trust.

Let’s go back.

In November 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice unsealed a federal indictment implicating 13 individuals—11 Bahamians and 2 Colombians—in a transnational drug trafficking conspiracy. Among those indicted were:

  • Chief Superintendent Elvis Curtis, former head of the Airport Division;
  • Sergeant Prince Albert Symonette, Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF), now discharged;
  • Chief Petty Officer Darrin Roker, Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF), also discharged.

According to the indictment, Curtis allegedly told an undercover trafficker that a high-ranking Bahamian politician could authorize law enforcement support for cocaine shipments—for the price of $2 million. No politician was named.

Following this explosive claim, the Davis administration sent a diplomatic note to U.S. officials requesting further information, including the identity of the unnamed politician. As of yesterday, the Prime Minister confirmed the U.S. has not responded.

“Not a word,” Davis told the press.

And now, the Prime Minister raises the possibility of entrapment—a serious legal defense in which government agents induce someone to commit a crime they would not have committed otherwise.

This raises several crucial questions:

  • Were Bahamian officers induced or tricked into participating in drug trafficking?
  • If so, why did they allegedly ask for $2 million in exchange for political and police protection?
  • Who is the unnamed Bahamian politician? What did they know—and when?
  • Why has the Attorney General remained silent on this matter?
  • And perhaps most concerning—why has the Prime Minister changed his tone so dramatically?

In November, Davis was resolute:

“We cannot wait—and we will not wait—for the outcomes of court proceedings in the United States… We will have change, we will have reform, and we will have action.”

He promised that “the tree will be shaken until every bad apple falls.” That tree seems quieter now.

Which leads us to a chilling possibility: Does the Prime Minister know more than he’s letting on? Or is he signaling that?

Either way, the narrative is shifting. The Bahamian public, like their Prime Minister, have been left without answers—diplomatic note unanswered, allegations unclarified, accountability uncertain.

In this vacuum, trust erodes. If the nation’s top law enforcement officers are accused of enabling narcotics trafficking, and political protection is offered like currency, the public deserves more than ambiguity. They deserve transparency.

Prime Minister Davis, frustrated by diplomatic silence, now finds himself in the same position the Bahamian public has long endured—waiting for answers from his administration.

And that brings us to the Progressive Liberal Party’s ongoing problem. It’s not just about scandal. It’s about silence. A silence that, like loose lips, can sink institutions.

End.