My Morning Paper 24th July 2024 – A Fool’s Errand

This past week, the Bahamian people were treated to another display of confusion from the New Day, Old Way, Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) government. It’s like they’re on a mission to baffle and disappoint us at every turn.

First on the agenda was the passing of the Cannabis Bill. Now, if you were able to understand it, you were left very disappointed.  But for the rest of us mere mortals, it was a mind-boggling disappointment. I mean, what did we really expect from the source of this legislation?

And then there’s the situation at Bahamas Power and Light (BPL). The government is all gung-ho about signing over 50% of the power company to some new private group that has teamed up with a foreign power company. They’re calling it a “transformation” of the power company, but please, let’s not use the word “privatization.” Because, you know, it’s not privatization if we say it isn’t, right?

What’s truly amazing is that these grand plans seem to conveniently forget about the people who will actually be doing the work to bring about this so-called “transformation.” It’s as if they believe it will magically happen without any input from the hardworking individuals who keep the lights on.

But let’s move on to the real gem of the week – Prime Minister Philip Davis K.C.’s disclosure that his government has entered into an agreement with a non-profit to potentially sue firearm dealers. Yes, you heard that right. They want to sue the National Rifle Association (NRA) for illegal guns on our streets. Because, apparently, the United States government itself has been totally incapable of holding the NRA accountable for gun violence on their own turf, just let that sink in a minute.

Now, I’m not saying this because it’s a PLP initiative. No, no. I’m saying this because it makes absolutely no sense and has the potential to cost us taxpayers a boatload of money. The gun manufacturers have the backing of the NRA, and the United States government has failed miserably in reining them in. So why on earth does our government think they can succeed where the USA has failed?

And let’s not forget the needless risks involved in this case. If the Bahamas government’s lawsuit is unsuccessful, guess who’s left holding the bag? That’s right – us taxpayers. We’ll be on the hook for our own legal fees and those of the non-profit. Talk about a fool’s errand.

Instead of wasting our hard-earned money on this misguided venture, why not invest in social programs for our youth? Especially our young men who are in desperate need of guidance and support. Let’s teach them the value of human life and provide them with anger management skills. And while we’re at it, let’s also reach out to the parents who may be struggling to deal with difficult situations.

Suing the United States is not a “Brave” move; it’s a futile one. I’d really love to know who is advising Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis on this matter. Are they convincing him that this actually makes sense? Or is he trying to prove to the United States that he’s just as “brave” as they are? Either way, it’s a clear demonstration of the PLP’s nature – a nature that fails us time and time again.

So, let’s put an end to this fool’s errand and focus on initiatives that will actually benefit our country and its people. It’s time for the PLP to step up and lead with intelligence, not confusion.

END

#THENEWDAYOLDWAYPLP

My Morning Paper – July 19, 2024 – The New Day; Old Way Progressive Liberal Party

In today’s edition of the My Morning Paper, we look into the recent statements made by National Security Minister, the Hon. Wayne Munroe, and his affiliation with the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP). Upon closer examination, it becomes evident that there may be a larger issue at hand than initially perceived.

To understand the context, it is important to explore the reasons behind Mr. Munroe’s departure from the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) to join the PLP. An article from The Tribune on September 10, 2015, sheds light on this matter. In the article, Mr. Munroe explains that he aligned himself with the PLP because he believes their philosophy is more aligned with the future direction of The Bahamas.

While Mr. Munroe’s rationale for joining the PLP may seem plausible, it is worth noting that the party’s philosophy has deviated from its original principles over time. The New Day Progressive Liberal Party government, which they claim to represent, often exhibits a sense of infallibility. Any criticism directed towards them is either attributed to external factors or dismissed as a misunderstanding. The discrepancy between the party’s stated philosophies and their actual practices raises questions about their effectiveness in governing.

The issue at hand is further highlighted in a recent article from The Tribune, titled “Munroe says he always had faith in police force.” The article discusses Mr. Munroe’s shifting stance on the ability of the police to investigate themselves. Prior to assuming his role as National Security Minister, Mr. Munroe advocated for independent investigations of police-involved killings. However, after assuming office, he expressed unwavering support for the police’s ability to handle such matters, despite public skepticism.

The contrasting positions taken by Mr. Munroe raise concerns. Why should his tone drastically change now that he has the authority to effect change? Furthermore, what concrete changes has he brought about in his role as National Security Minister?

It appears that Mr. Munroe’s alignment with the PLP is based on philosophies that the party itself has already abandoned since the departure of the Dissent Eight. This group, including one individual who refused to be a “yes man” to the party leader and prime minister at the time, Sir Lynden, signifies a significant shift in the PLP’s values.

It is clear from Mr. Munroe’s statements that he has fully embraced the “new” ways of the PLP and has become a staunch supporter of their agenda. However, this raises concerns about his objectivity and independence, as he appears to be a “yes man” for the New Day government. The resemblance between the current government and the “Old PLP” cannot be ignored.

It is worth noting that the Minister of National Security should exercise caution and restraint in his public statements. More often than not, his attempts to showcase his intelligence only serve to embarrass himself and potentially undermine the credibility of the PLP. The underlying nature of the Progressive Liberal Party seems to be the root cause of their failures.

Let me end here, the affiliation of National Security Minister Wayne Munroe with the Progressive Liberal Party raises questions about the party’s values, the alignment of its members, and the effectiveness of its governance. The contradictions and inconsistencies in Mr. Munroe’s positions further highlight the need for transparency and accountability within the party.

END

#THENEWDAYOLDWAYPLP

My Morning Paper – July 16, 2024 – The Infallible Progressive Liberal Party

Behold the grand spectacle of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and its unwavering devotees, who proclaim with fervor that this political powerhouse, established 71 years ago in 1953, has never faltered—a feat truly worth marveling at.

Today, the Chairman of the PLP, the indomitable Fred Mitchell, known to some as “Snagglepuss”, has unleashed his fury upon the organizers of the Vertical Blue free diving competition, staunchly defending the party’s impeccable track record.

The competition, a fixture at Dean’s Blue Hole on Long Island for the past 16 years, has been abruptly suspended due to the island’s woeful infrastructure, as lamented by Director William Trubridge.

Trubridge painted a grim picture, stating, “It is now common for utilities to have outages for the majority of the day, occasionally for weeks on end. Roads have deteriorated to the point where it is unsafe for them to be driven on. Where there were once three commercial airlines servicing the island, with a minimum of two flights a day, there is now a single inconsistent carrier that … is often booked out.”

One might have expected the New Day government to spare no effort in preserving such a prestigious event in The Bahamas, particularly given its alignment with the Blue and Orange economy initiatives outlined in the government’s manifesto. But alas, the Chairman, in his unwavering loyalty to the party and the government, chose to shield their reputation at all costs—even if it meant sacrificing the event. As always, the blame is deflected, and the PLP remains unblemished and infallible since its inception in 1953.

The Nassau Guardian reports on Mitchell’s scathing response to the canceled freedive event on Long Island, where he absolves the government of any culpability. Mitchell dismisses Trubridge’s concerns as the grievances of a failed promoter seeking to shift blame onto The Bahamas for his own shortcomings.

Trubridge’s letter cited a litany of infrastructure woes on Long Island, including power and water outages, decrepit roads, and limited flight options hindering athlete travel. Despite the significant economic contribution of the event to Long Island, Trubridge lamented the government’s lack of support and basic infrastructure upkeep.

It would have been reasonable to expect the government to address these issues, not only for the benefit of event organizers and participants but also for the residents of Long Island. Yet, Mitchell’s unwavering defense of the government’s honor persists, even as critical voices grow louder.

In a puzzling turn, Mitchell veers off course to address the case of missing American transgender woman Taylor Casey, diverting attention from the pressing issues at hand. His failure to acknowledge and address the reasons behind the event’s cancellation only underscores his unsuitability for frontline politics.

As the PLP continues to stumble due to its inherent nature, one cannot help but question the party’s leadership and its priorities. In a realm where accountability and responsibility are scarce commodities, the Progressive Liberal Party stands as a stark reminder of the perils of unchecked power and hubris.

The PLP fails for one reason, it is their nature.

End.

My Morning Paper – July 12, 2024 – The Baby and the Bathwater

It is being reported that Prime Minister Philip Davis; Secret Squirrel, has directed the appointment of a foreign independent investigator the inquiry into allegations against Chief Superintendent Michael Johnson, officer if charged of the Criminal Department.

My first thought is to enquire whether Secret Squirrel is only now finding out about these allegations, which would not surprise many, but we know that he has been aware of this developing saga, so my other thought is that he has been forced to act based on the negative attention that this story is getting especially since the shooting of the self-appointed “whistle blower” this past weekend.

“Accusation involving senior officer terribly disturbing” – The Tribune

Excerpt from this article; “PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said he found voice notes purporting to capture a quid-pro-quo arrangement involving a senior police officer and a gang leader “terribly disturbing”.

“We want to ensure that we restore the confidence of Bahamian people in our police force because there are many good police officers that are doing a wonderful job in protecting our property, our lives, and our country and citizens,” he exclusively told The Tribune Tuesday night. “We need to ensure that we get to the bottom of whatever the tapes mean, and to ensure the confidence, I’m advised that they will be calling in assistance so that there will be not only a semblance but an actual independent review.”

Mr. Davis said he could not give more information about the involvement of foreign investigators.

“I’m leaving that to the investigators, and I want them to set the parameters, but I want to make sure that what happened, that we get to the bottom of it all and that the confidence of the Bahamian people in the police force has been restored,” he said.

He said it is “quite alarming” that many Bahamians do not trust the police force to investigate the matter probably because it involves a senior officer.

“We have to appreciate that we’re all humans, we make mistakes, we have to understand what’s going on and where the bad apples exist, we have to weed them out,” he said. “The overall goal is to find the truth and let the chips fall where they may and any persons who are culpable, they should be brought to justice.”

First it is interesting the prime minister finds it “quite alarming’ that many Bahamians do not trust the police force to investigate the matter, maybe it is time that someone brings him up to speed on the fact that a lot of Bahamians simply do not trust the police. Then there is this last paragraph which is a bit unsettling; the prime minister first states that “we all makes mistakes” but as if he is suggesting that the country be more understanding of such instances but then goes on to say what most of the country is already saying; “weed them out” and bring them to justice, so all of the eloquent verbiage is very unnecessary.

So, while the Secret Squirrel was leading us to where we already were; his Chairman and Minister for Foreign Affairs; Fred Mitchel [Snagglepuss], was busy seeming to undermine the prime minister with his own message, which was simply one to contradict the Hon. Michael Pintard, the Leader of the Opposition; Free national Movement (FNM) – or in other words, simply being the ball of contradiction that Snagglepuss has become known to be.

“Mitchell dismisses calls for commission of inquiry into police operations” – The Nassau Guardian

Excerpt from this article;

“The Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) was “read the riot act” over serious allegations that led to the head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Chief Superintendent Michael Johnson being sent on garden leave pending an investigation, Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell said yesterday.

Mitchell said the country’s leaders are taking the claims seriously but dismissed calls from the Free National Movement (FNM) for a commission of inquiry or for foreign law enforcement agencies to step in and investigate.

“We are now faced with a set of allegations [that] go to the root of law enforcement capabilities,” said Mitchell in a voice note released on Independence Day.

“We have gone down this road before and one thing we know is that in order to achieve justice and equity, you don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.

“The government has been looking into the performance of the force since it came to office. Looking at its management, looking at its future and where it’s headed.

“… Our friends in the FNM always have this knee-jerk reaction to call in foreigners to clean up the mess. But we may say this: this is The Bahamas.

“When we accepted the responsibility of independence, we took on the responsibility of managing and solving our own problems. The rules in this matter have so far been followed and they will be followed. The decisions must be evidence-based and not by some cockamamie suppositions and conjecture.”

Indeed, Mr. Mitchell we have accepted the responsibility of independence and managing and solving our own problems but there are instances where outside help is needed and/or, to avoid the appearance of impropriety and conflict of interest and I think that even you would understand understands this concept but there seems to be such a great distain for the opposition that you are willing to go against your very own leader and “throw the baby out with the bath water”, exactly what you accuse the leader of the opposition of doing; so just contrary, even to commonsense.

As the chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) seems to not see the potential tremendous backlash of this entire situation; the international papers are now erroneously binding the Taylor Casey case and to the allegations of corruption in in the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF); the very tenuous link being that the police force is so corrupt it is unable to conduct a proper investigation.

 It would appear that the chairman of the PLP’s great distain for the opposition Free National Movement (FNM), and him attempting to ‘save’ the PLP from “them”, has him so blinded that he would even risk the reputation of The Bahamas and just like that the “baby and the bathwater gone out the window.

The Progressive Liberal Party fails for one reason, it is their nature; maybe now two, because of the myopic and bitter approach that its chairman has taken to politics.

END

My Morning Paper – July 6, 2024  – Vicked and deceitful.

“Ah, relief at last! Families can finally afford groceries, school supplies, and other essentials without breaking the bank,” declared Prime Minister Philip Davis, aka Secret Squirrel. The money saved will be funneled back into local businesses, giving the economy a much-needed boost. Sounds great, right?

Let’s rewind a bit. When the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) took office, there was this nifty fuel hedging program in place at BPL. It was a sweet deal, letting The Bahamas buy fuel at a fixed, lower cost. But then, the New Day PLP government came in almost three years ago and, in their infinite wisdom, decided not to renew this program. Surprise, surprise—electricity costs soared! At first, they played dumb, but eventually, they had to own up to the blunder. By then, though, the damage was done.

Fast forward to today, and the same New Day PLP government is telling everyone, “Check your bills at the end of July.” Oh, joy.

Now, not to be labeled “ungrateful” for the umpteenth time today, but I’ve got a couple of burning questions. First off, what exactly is this magical plan that the New Day government and the Minister for Energy and Transport, Jobeth Colbey-Davis (aka Theodora Elphaba), have cooked up to lower our energy costs?

The devil is always in the details; maybe they are trying to save us from these “devils” by now sharing these details and maybe we should be grateful for the kind consideration of our souls.

And second, will these new rates actually be lower than what we had under the old fuel hedging program, courtesy of the former Free National Movement (FNM) administration?

The last thing we want—scratch that, the very last thing we want—is to feel like we’ve been swung by our “caring government” in some crafty con. Imagine if they let our bills skyrocket just to bring them back down to where they originally were under the hedging program, all so they could claim, “Look, another campaign promise fulfilled!” That, my friends, would be downright wicked and deceitful.

END

“My Morning Paper – June 29, 2024 – Method and Madness

#THENEWDAYOLDWAYPLP

Prime Minister Davis, “Secret Squirrel”, brags about how his travels has repaired The Bahamas’ relationships around the world. He goes on to claim how he is bringing foreign investors to the country; but what are his goverment’s economic initiatives affecting the relationship between his New Day government and local businesses?

First, I would like to interject my suggestion that there were no foreign relationships to be repaired; to be repaired they would have first to be broken and I dare Secret Squirrel or any one of his government or even fervent supporters, helping to spread this version of “reality” to provide any concrete and concise evidence to prove my assertions erroneous.

‘Barbaric’ govt task force blasted” – The Nassau Guardian

Excerpt from this article; “The government yesterday faced increased criticisms over the work of the Maritime Revenue Enhancement Task Force with the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation (BCCEC) expressing concern over the “contempt” being shown for the business community through “invasive inspection strategies”, and one businessman branding as “barbaric, mindless and completely archaic” the work of the team of law enforcement and government officials.

Meanwhile, Acting Press Secretary Keishla Adderley told reporters the government was reviewing the procedures used by the task force after Vice President of CBS Bahamas Brent Burrows II complained of armed officers entering their Southwest Plaza store unannounced to review the company’s files.

The task force’s mandate is to ensure that companies are compliant with all taxes.

The team includes officials from the departments of inland revenue, immigration and customs, the National Insurance Board, and police and defense force officers.”

While it is my opinion and that of most Bahamians that each and every business and person should comply with our tax laws, it is also my opinion that there is no need for excessive and invasive force as a means to have businesses comply, like simply having them shut down until they choose to comply, and while people may still complain, this move is a far less invasive and excessive means in my opinion.

During the lockdowns brought about by the pandemic, there was excessive force used in several instances to have people comply with the law at that time.  It was and still isa my opinion that in a civilized society, a certain level of discretion should be afforded to its citizens especially by those enforcing the law, this is the only way that we maintain a healthy and cohesive society and remain truly progressive as a country.

So your methods to achieve this simply cannot be that which can only be perceived as pure and utter madness, then labelled as justifiably or unjustifiably as “barbaric”.

So to use the reasoning/excuse, you feel free to interject the most appropriate word that works for you here; “With regard to the armed officers, Bowleg explained that the team is a revenue collection team and needs to be protected as its members carry out their duty of collecting the government’s revenue.”, it very difficult to believe  and only seen as an excuse to attempt to justify the use of excessive and aggressive force in order to “review the company’s files”, when there are more less aggressive and excessive force available to agents of the government while “collecting government’s revenue” and at the end of this excessive and aggressive exercise, did the relevant agencies succeed in the purpose of the visit?

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

END

My Morning Paper – June 27 2024 – Dogs and parked cars.

Last week, Keith “Tippy Toe” Bell waltzed into Parliament and unleashed his magnum opus on the Budget Debate floor. For ninety long minutes, he waxed poetic about the “horrific acts” of the former Free National Movement (FNM) government, accusing them of selling the National Insurance Board’s (NIB) shares in American companies. High on emotion but perilously low on facts, Bell’s speech was the kind of grandstanding we’ve come to expect.

Enter Arinthia Komolafe, the former leader of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA). Unlike Bell’s melodrama, Komolafe’s response was a master class in clarity and substance. Her piece filled in the gaping holes left by Bell’s tirade, shedding light on what the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) conveniently glossed over in their haste to scream “scandal.”

And that’s where it all began and we all know what they say about dogs and parked cars.

 The PLP unleashed a relentless barrage against Komolafe, clearly rattled by her inconvenient truths. From the moment she exposed the NIB fiasco, she’s been under attack, an attempt to discredit her that is as transparent as it is desperate.

First, let’s set the record straight: nowhere in Komolafe’s statement did she claim to be representing the FNM. But in the twisted logic of the PLP, if she criticizes the New Day government, she must be doing it on behalf of the FNM. Apparently, in their world, independent thought is a foreign concept and seems to be highly discouraged within that political organization.

The attacks on Komolafe have been vicious and personal, aimed more at her character than her message. She’s been called everything but a child of God, with “political prostitute” being a particularly nasty favorite. It’s a classic deflection tactic, a smokescreen to divert attention from the real issue at hand.

This issue being that was done was recommended and sanctioned by the Governor of The Central Bank of The Bahamas, they have yet to attack him for what they now term a stupid decision.  Just imagine that a decision to help the Bahamian people and the country’s economy is now being labelled a “stupid decision”, just think about that and let that sink it

The PLP’s hypocrisy is staggering. They’re more than willing to smear a woman based on lies to protect “Tippy Toe” Bell. This isn’t surprising, though. It’s reminiscent of their attacks on the young and dynamic Deputy Chairman, Robyn Lynes, for daring to challenge Fred Mitchell for the PLP chairmanship. Yes, the same Fred Mitchell who once burned the Bahamian Constitution in protest and cut his political teeth as an FNM Senator.

The PLP has a long history of nasty, vile political attacks, and the New Day PLP seems to have inherited this trait from the Old Day PLP. The party’s witlessness knows no bounds, and it’s clear they’ll go to any lengths to protect their own, even if it means throwing truth and decency out the window.

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

END

My Morning Paper – June 21, 2024 – Another Lackluster Performance

After rolling out a budget so lackluster it made a sloth on a Sunday look energetic, the New Day Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) government of The Bahamas found themselves in desperate need of a distraction. Their budget, an exercise in mediocrity, offered concessions on sea moss, fire extinguishers, digital camera parts, and laundry detergent in sheet form. Truly inspiring, if you’re in the market for yawns.

But lo and behold, the PLP found their lifeline—a distraction that could rival a reality TV twist. Enter the headline: “FNM SOLD NIB SHARES.” In a melodramatic reveal worthy of daytime soap operas, Minister of Social Services and Urban Renewal Keith Bell disclosed in Parliament that the Free National Movement (FNM), under Dr. Hubert Minnis, had sold the National Insurance Board’s (NIB) entire portfolio of American stocks. Bell, never one to shy away from drama, described this like he was unveiling the location of the Holy Grail.

Bell revealed that in 2020, NIB offloaded shares in giants like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Cisco. His shock was palpable, pausing repeatedly during his speech—perhaps to catch his breath from all that theatrical gasping.

But here’s where the story takes a nosedive. Bell’s big revelation, meant to scandalize, fell flat because he conveniently left out the context. He provided just enough to intrigue but not enough to inform. Some might call it lying; we will politely label it as selective storytelling.

Enter Governor Rolle’s remarks from May 2020, which provided much-needed context. The Central Bank was grappling with maintaining foreign reserves and the fixed exchange rate. Tough decisions had to be made, including selling assets to stabilize the economy. The goal was clear—position The Bahamas for a swift recovery once tourism, the economic backbone, bounced back.

The PLP, however, seems more interested in Monday morning quarterbacking than acknowledging the tough decisions made for the greater good. Their narrative, fixated on what the shares might be worth today, misses the crucial point of why they were sold in the first place. It sends a loud and clear message: they would rather harp on hypothetical losses than appreciate the real, tangible gains in economic stability and recovery.

By focusing on the past, the PLP overlooks the essential truth—they’re signaling to the Bahamian people that taking necessary, albeit painful, steps to secure economic relief was a mistake. Their approach? Spectacularly misguided. And so, the PLP fails, as is their nature, to see the forest for the trees. Their nature, it seems, is to miss the point entirely.

END

My Morning Paper – June 20, 2024 – Did Someone said “No Lie Last Forever”?

Alright, folks, buckle up because we’re diving into the latest from the House of Assembly, where the “Honorable” Keith Bell spent nearly an hour on his feet, delivering a scathing critique of the Official Opposition, the Free National Movement (FNM). Now, if you’re thinking this is just another run-of-the-mill parliamentary tirade, think again. Bell took it upon himself to berate the FNM for what he claims was the reckless selling off of all “American foreign assets in National Insurance” back in 2020. Yes, you heard it right, during the height of the pandemic.

Bell was so “behooved”—I love that word, don’t you?—that he stopped just short of explaining why it was necessary to sell these “American foreign” assets and, importantly, who exactly was advising the government at that time. But then again, sound reasoning might just get in the way of a good old-fashioned misrepresentation of the truth. You see, calling members of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) liars is a surefire way to rile them up, even when the facts aren’t on their side.

Let’s take a trip back to May 2020, shall we? According to The Nassau Guardian, the National Insurance Board (NIB) began identifying which of its foreign assets to liquidate as part of stringent austerity measures. This was to safeguard the foreign reserves, as requested by the Central Bank of The Bahamas, to navigate the perilous economic crisis brought on by COVID-19. NIB Director Dr. Nicola Virgill-Rolle mentioned that the board was figuring out how to meet this mandate without straining the fund’s resources. The plan was to target the lowest-yielding assets to maintain liquidity, crucial for paying unemployment benefits at a time when the country’s economy was in dire straits.

So, the foreign investments by the National Insurance Board were essentially a support mechanism for the country’s reserves. By the end of 2019, these external reserve balances had jumped by an impressive 46.7% to $1.7 billion.

But if you followed Minister Bell’s narrative, you’d think the FNM was selling off these assets willy-nilly, just for kicks, with no good reason or advisement. In reality, this was a strategic move under the guidance of The Central Bank of The Bahamas, aiming to raise funds for critical social services during an unprecedented economic shutdown.

Now, I have to wonder if Minister Bell realizes that his version of events is, in fact, misleading Parliament and the people.

Is it any surprise that a minister from the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), who has already weathered controversy, was chosen to deliver this dirty task?

 Survived one scandal, why not test if he’s “bulletproof” with another, right?

And there you have it, folks. A perfect example of political theater at its finest. Don’t you just love it?

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

END

My Morning Paper – June 18, 2024 – THE NUMBERS DO NOT LIE THOUGH

Ah, the Deputy Prime Minister, Chester Cooper aka “Morocco Mole” , graces us with another dazzling display of either gross misunderstanding or deliberate political gymnastics. Let’s break this down, folks.

Opposition Leader Michael Pintard dared to point out that, despite a surge in tourism, the country’s economic growth remains lackluster. What does “Morocco Mole” do? He dismisses it as “utter nonsense,” but in doing so, he unwittingly confirms the very point Pintard is making.

“Morocco Mole” boasts about a 17% increase in stopover arrivals last year, a 3.5% growth in the first quarter of this year, and air traffic to Grand Bahama surpassing pre-Hurricane Dorian levels. Impressive stats, but let’s not miss the forest for the trees. Pintard’s argument hinges on the distinction between visitor numbers and actual economic impact. And here’s where the spin gets dizzying.

“Morocco Mole” flaunts high hotel occupancy rates, the reopening of the British Colonial Hotel, and booming Airbnb business. All well and good, but Pintard’s critique is razor-sharp: the government’s own projections show economic growth sliding from 5.5% in May 2023 to a mere 1.1% by December 2023. So, despite the fanfare of record visitor arrivals, we’re missing revenue targets by a staggering $200-$300 million.

Visitor numbers up, economic benefits down. How does”Morocco Mole” respond? By accusing Pintard of making things up, of course. “He completely made that up,” “Morocco Mole” declares, yet provides no substantial evidence to counter the crux of Pintard’s argument. Instead, he doubles down on the cruise passenger growth narrative, ignoring Pintard’s pointed observation that cruise visitors spend a paltry $75 each onshore.

And the pièce de résistance: “Morocco Mole” claims the need for more hotel rooms to meet demand, suggesting that perhaps Pintard was “too shell-shocked at our successes” to understand. Ah yes, the old “you’re just jealous of our achievements” line. Classic.

“Morocco Mole’s” defense boils down to this: “We’re seeing more tourists, so everything must be great!” But without addressing the tangible economic benefits—or lack thereof—his rebuttal is as thin as a paper-thin hotel brochure.

In the end, we’re left with “Morocco Mole’s” bluster and Pintard’s inconvenient truths. The numbers don’t lie, but they can be very, very misleading when wielded by a seasoned politician. So,”Morocco Mole” we see your visitor stats and raise you a hard look at the economy. Who’s really spinning the “utter nonsense” here?

It’s simply amazing that the New Day government would attempt to use the numbers to prove a lie when the numbers do not lie.

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

END