...the role that the College of The Bahamas (COB) can and should play in contributing to the development of a modern Bahamas in the 21st century and beyond must not be understated or underestimated

The invisible College of The Bahamas

Consider this

By Philip C. Galanis

Nassau, The Bahamas

“Education is teaching our children to desire the right things.” – Plato

In April, 2009, we wrote about the College of The Bahamas (COB) in an article entitled “A Hidden Treasure” in which we observed that “it is important for Bahamians to have confidence in that institution as the forceful and valuable seat of higher education”.  Two and one-half years later, and almost a year after the appointment of a new college president, we thought it would be interesting to Consider This… has the College of The Bahamas lived up to the high expectations and ideals of which we wrote, or has that hidden treasure now become virtually invisible?

The current state of affairs

Sadly, we believe that since former president Janyne Hodder left the college, the institution that is supposed to be the cornerstone of learning in our nation has become less impactful, less relevant and almost invisible on the Bahamian landscape.  In fact, if you think about it, when was the last time that anyone has heard of any new, innovative, or interesting developments at the college?  Regrettably, there have been several fascinating day-long seminars that have gone under-attended because of the lack of any organized and formal publicity or advertising, putting the dazzling knowledge imparted at these forums in the category of trees falling in the forest with no one to hear them.

It is always revealing and instructive to speak to college students attending that institution in order to garner their perceptions of how the college is faring.  I did that with several students, some of whom had transferred to COB from North American colleges as well as students who attended COB directly from high schools in The Bahamas, and what we discovered is disturbing, distressing and disconcerting.

Those students observed that generally they do not have an inkling of an idea of the college’s vision or the direction in which it is headed either in the short- or long-term.  Those same students indicated that teachers and students are not always very helpful on a number of fronts.  Some COB lecturers and many students do not know where certain classrooms are situated on the campus and many of those classrooms and bathrooms are dingy, drab, dirty and disappointingly maintained.

In some cases, the air conditioning does not work, classrooms are uncomfortably hot and many of the lecturers and students do not even use their college-assigned email addresses, preferring instead to use their own Yahoo, Gmail or Hotmail addresses.  The registration process is poorly-organized and managed, and classes are often over-populated, sometimes with as many as 60 students, where the ideal class sizes are not supposed to exceed 25 students.

For various reasons, some of the more seasoned personnel have left or are in the process of leaving COB.  The college has lost some of its senior management and faculty over the past year, and, while some of the departures have been a positive development for the college, others have been very detrimental.

In the aggregate, while there are positive attributes at COB, these abnormalities suggest a crisis of leadership and an absence of effective management at the college.  If COB hopes to attain university status, these, among other deficiencies, must urgently be rectified.

Greater visibility

Another area where the invisibility of the College of The Bahamas is hurting its overall mission is in the wider community.  Institutions of higher education should play a vitally important role in the development of the community in which they exist.  Historically, colleges have exerted a powerful influence on communities as bastions of critical intellectual intercourse, providing leadership in making positive contributions to ensuring the community’s future.  This, in turn, ensures the development of competitive skills of the nation by building community values and cohesion which ultimately help communities to move forward.  The college should be an incubator for innovation, thought, leadership, research and critical commentary on intellectual, social, economic and political issues.  The college should also be a catalyst for change and transformation of the society in which it is situated, offering an enticing menu of seminars and lecture series for those who are not students, spreading the seeds of knowledge beyond the walls of academia.  However, this desire to be an enriching force in the community seems to be sorely missing from the College of The Bahamas.

An institution of ideas

Can you imagine the contribution that COB could make in helping to frame the national debate on issues relative to the upcoming general election campaign in order to encourage an issues-oriented exercise?

Where better to have the kind of structured debates between candidates that the populace is yearning for than within the confines of COB?  Monitored and analyzed by academic minds, these kinds of debates could broaden the political discourse in a healthy and intelligent manner, giving Bahamians – for the first time – a dispassionate and analytical atmosphere in which to evaluate their future leaders.

Additionally, shouldn’t COB’s Social Sciences and Business departments, based on research and empirical study, engage in formulating ideas about how we can realistically address some of our social challenges and the expansion of the Bahamian economy?  Seminars and lectures could enlighten Bahamians from all walks of life about surviving these challenges and understanding the new normal that will be the Bahamian economy.  Clearly, participating in scholarly discussions could introduce new concepts and ideas, enabling and empowering attendees to thrive in the future.

And shouldn’t the Political Sciences department address the shortcomings of our quasi-Westminster model with a view to proposing constitutional changes in order to update and transform our system of governance?  In a college setting, minds young and old would be able to come together in fruitful examinations and discussions that could do much to shape our future.

Isn’t there a golden opportunity for COB to research comparative penal institutions that work effectively, with a view to enhancing our efforts toward rehabilitation and reconciliation of persons who have lost their way in society?  The intellectual study and explanation of the restorative justice initiative, for example, could change not only the way we punish criminals but also how we help victims to reclaim their lives.  In a college atmosphere, these kinds of investigations can be undertaken in a non-threatening way, allowing all sides to question and understand this concept.

Conclusion

Higher education provides an exceptional forum where lecturers and scholars can evaluate societal problems from a uniquely balanced and comparative social and economic perspective.

In the final analysis, the role that COB can and should play in contributing to the development of a modern Bahamas in the 21st century and beyond must not be understated or underestimated.  But first and foremost, COB must shed its cloak of invisibility and boldly step forward, prepared and eager to open its doors to the community and make positive contributions for the benefit of all our citizens.

•Philip C. Galanis is the managing partner of HLB Galanis & Co., Chartered Accountants, Forensic & Litigation Support Services. He served 15 years in Parliament.  Please send your comments to: pgalanis@gmail.com

Dec 12, 2011

thenassauguardian

Bahamas Blog International

CARICOM dreams and empty threats: Is Washington listening? They are not

By Ian Francis


Well, the CARICOM-Cuba Summit has ended. Raoul enjoyed his two days in Trinidad, although he and his large delegation were denied access to the Hilton Hotel. In my personal view, CARICOM states that continue to show denial and stupidity will soon understand that the Helms Burton Law is an old United States statute that is not likely to be repealed any time soon.

At the same time, CARICOM states are obligated to continue calling for the lifting of the embargo against Cuba. It is an entrenched United States policy that is still soured and offended about the ideological rebuff after the overthrow of the Batista regime.

Looking at the final communiqué issued in Port-of Spain, I am at a loss to determine what the strong message is that Caribbean leaders will send to the United States. Frankly speaking, the message remains the same as repeated annually at the September United Nations General Assembly.

What is very interesting about the communiqué is the hypocrisy and apologetic nature of some of our leaders. They are the first to burn their cell phone line to Bridgetown offering an apology to the resident United States ambassador or political attaché expressing remorse and saying we had no alternative but to support the communiqué. A phone call and expression is not enough, if any Caribbean leader present at the event had the guts and strength, they should have walked out and refused to sign the communiqué. They did not.

A final communiqué of the meeting was expected and this was accomplished. However, the continuing sad spectre of leadership in CARICOM states and their contribution to national development, which breeds increase crime, lawlessness, youth unemployment and corruption across the board, needs to be urgently addressed.

The Cuba- CARICOM summit was a necessity, given Cuba’s aid and development assistance in the region. Along with Cuba’s aid commitment, the Caribbean region has had long cultural ties with Cuba that it is never a surprise to book in as a tourist in one of Cuba’s finest to immediately find out that the maid or barman has strong Caribbean roots.

As a long-time political analyst, who has paid great attention to the Cuba-US trade embargo, it is my personal feeling that condemnation of the embargo at the United Nations or a Trinidad summit will never achieve the desired goals.

It was interesting to read the comments of former United States ambassador to Barbados and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States. As a Bush appointee, Ambassador Kramer was not part of the State Department family. Her political appointment meant that her reports were for the consumption of her ideological hawks and it was necessary to describe the weak and visionless Caribbean leadership that encountered her during her diplomatic posting.

Former Ambassador Kramer has gone; however, there are many other foreign diplomatic missions in the region developing and reporting their views about our leaders. There is no control about what is reported to home governments. However, Caribbean leaders and their aides could begin the process of laying important groundwork.

Indeed our states or nations are small; however, policies, standards and procedures are important. We need to devise an access policy that ensures control and suitability to rank. For example, a political attaché from the US Embassy in Bridgetown should only have unfettered access to the rank of an assistant secretary. The idea of the permanent secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs dropping all his chores to see the designated pipsqueak is ridiculous and demonstrates a colonial mentality.

This article is not about hostility to Washington; the latter has a constructive role to play in the region. However, the success and sustainability of their presence in the region must be encumbered with respect, sensitivity and professional manners. The big stick approach should not be applied.

At the same time, CARICOM leaders need to rebrand themselves and understand the dynamics of governing and decision making. If the two are embraced, in time to come we can express admiration.

At the moment, their conduct and management of state affairs leave a lot to be desired.

Come on guys you can do better.

December 12, 2011

caribbeannewsnow

Which political party is best for Jamaica... PNP or JLP?

Which party is best for Jamaica?

By Franklin JOHNSTON

The PNP is the natural party of the Jamaican people. The first and only party to adumbrate a mantra for the disadvantaged and social institutions to give it effect. This was attractive to the grandchildren of slaves who prized their freedoms. Norman Manley was driven. A soldier, athlete, Rhodes scholar, he knew political dogma - the strait-jacket of communism and capitalism. He chose the middle ground which social democratic parties in Germany, UK, Italy, Greece, Scandinavian nations used to build world-class industry and great welfare systems. Bustamante was not of this ilk. He went to primary school, was a rolling stone - Cuba, Panama, America - policeman, hospital orderly, investor; changed his name on a whim and returned home in his 50s with some money. He was an activist; joined a union, founded his own and used his talent to help workers with success. He founded the JLP on "sibling rivalry" - a contest with his "educated cousin". The JLP still reacts to the PNP. We say to kids, "See Mr Manley, his life, study, law career, service in politics... copy him!" You can't tell kids to copy Bustamante's life! The JLP's capitalist mantra lies between his "we are with the West" and Seaga's "haves and have-nots". The JLP is mainly a spiritual vacuum, but the ascendancy of Adventist ethic in leadership in the last four years may change this. The benign union of church and state and the clique of Adventist fundamentalist right-wingers in Cabinet is ominous. More anon!

The PNP is also the omni-directional creative, cultural and sporting home of the nation. The vision of Norman Manley - world-class sportsman, lawyer, art connoisseur and bon vivant - is breathtaking. An inspiration to Jamaicans here and abroad. Bustamante's life was rambling and we have anecdotes often which he supplied, not facts. But the drama of what we know is compelling. He loved his cousin, shared successes. Manley outfoxed the British. They trusted, respected him; he fought with them in war, studied with them at Oxford, held forth in their courts, they knew his commitment and performance and he knew them!

The PNP is the spiritual home of the nation. Drumblair was the hub of artistic expression; the energy of our creative class. Liberal jargon as freedom, economic independence, decolonisation, equality, class struggle, environment, self-reliance, Nkrumah, Lumumba, Africa are the legacy of PNP semanticists. The UWI was said to be PNP just by being a place of intellect. The spirit of craft, cottage industry, domestic work; gender equality, child equality, shade equality were nurtured by conscious people, many not PNP but classed as such. The JLP went the other way. Bustamante was educated, but he used a folksy illiteracy which attracted poor people yet they retreated as it devalued education. Some recidivism is still evident at meetings where there is a striving of educated JLP people to appear less so and diss education to curry favour with poor people - a paradox of politics! The PNP also got "street cred"; many "buttos" had free rein and principles suffered. Mr Seaga nurtured Kapo but the JLP never bought into his artistic genius. The JLP as a capitalist party has never been of artistic or spiritual trenchancy.

The PNP is the spiritual home of the media. Its leaders marched and demonstrated when media workers were disadvantaged and fired; meanwhile the JLP were banning speakers, books, writings and UWI lecturers. I smuggled books, was interminably searched by customs and had my books confiscated. Every journalist over 50 - not media owners - is a virtual PNP sleeper because of its track record on their behalf. Early PNP leaders sacrificed; politics was not their best job; their families suffered. After the PM's job they did public service - spoke globally and served the Commonwealth. They lived in their pre-politics houses and died with less than when they started politics. Their children's legacy was a good education, not money or a business. Ex-JLP top brass expressed their capitalism in finance; new houses, business to capitalise on their years in politics. No global speakers emerged. People rightly worry about JLP corruption as they expect it, but they wrongly ignore PNP corruption because they think them high-minded - both are wrong. If the PNP mantra also resonated with other ethnic groups, they came on contract, indenture, fleeing persecution and it was PNP social openness, not JLP restrictive capitalism, that attracted them. So where is this going?

The big question

Why is the PNP not more successful at the polls? Given this love affair, how come they won only eight elections to the JLP's seven since 1944? What are we missing? What is the PNP doing wrong or the JLP doing right?

The answer?

The JLP is filler when people want to punish the PNP and sometimes it delivers the goods! First, despite his work, Norman did not lead us to Independence. Was the referendum principle or naivety? No matter; he did not get the nod. Second, Michael's self-reliance which makes Cuba the region's innovator in health industries, education and housing, even with two hands tied by a USA blockade, did not get the nod. Third, Finsac is a metaphor for woes. The USA used debt resolution with dozens of failed banks and building societies. Here, true to its mantra, the PNP rescued hundreds of thousands of small savers. The few thousand investors and bankers had to face the nightmare of all entrepreneurs who use poor people's savings to build themselves - grief! Finally, the PNP has not explained how in 18 years of unbroken power when the world was prospering we could not even catch up with Barbados. So has the PNP squandered our generosity? Is the JLP stability just the usual calm after an IMF loan boosts our cash flows? More to come. Stay conscious, my friend!

Coat of arms or jacket?

Last week arriving passengers were told by NMIA Immigration their completed forms were illegal. The reason? The coat of arms was wrong? The crab louse was upside down or such? Who printed them? It did seem more jacket than coat! The explanations were confusing. Tired tourists and locals were not amused.

Dr Franklin Johnston is an international project manager with Teape-Johnston Consultants currently on assignment in the UK.

franklinjohnstontoo@gmail.com

jamaicaobserver

Bahamas Blog International

Is The Bahamas Political System A Constitutional Dictatorship?

The Bahamas: A constitutional dictatorship?

By Rishard P. O. Cooper

Nassau, The Bahamas

We have an anachronistic, colonial governance system that is no longer suitable for the needs of our developing nation in this 21st century.  We inherited this Westminster system of governance from the British.  So far, our political leadership has not thought it good to change the system.  One of the weaknesses of the Westminster parliamentary system of government is the lack of strong separation of powers between the legislature and executive.  In The Bahamas most of the governing party’s members of Parliament are in the cabinet (the executive).  Most of these MPs, including the backbenchers, are not, it seems, independent thinkers or operatives.  This creates an environment in which the executive (the cabinet and more specifically the prime minister) is often left unchecked in any substantial manner.  While checks and balances are important for honest governance, a government must be able to effectively and swiftly take action on behalf of the people, for better or worse.  The current political gridlock in America between the congress and President Barack Obama underscores a drawback to presidential governance systems that traditionally have stronger institutional separation between the legislature and the executive.

Today, due to our proximity to the U.S. and our own political evolution, Bahamian elections are treated as essentially choosing between two or more party leaders.  Hence, many Bahamian voters perceive and treat general elections as presidential races between the leaders of political parties and not so much as votes for particular members of Parliament.  However, our system is not a presidential system.  If an individual wants to be prime minister, realistically, that person will have to be the leader of a major political party.  Historically this has been the only way to ensure the loyalty of a majority of the members in the House of Assembly.  However, it is often difficult for newcomers and outsiders to become the leader of a major party.  This is so because delegates that may be staunch supporters of the established party leadership often choose party leadership.

Here are a few suggestions to reform our antiquated governing system and make it more efficient, transparent and to reduce the concentration of power in the prime minister.  Firstly, our parliamentary system must be reformed in favor of a presidential one.  This should make it easier for newcomers and outsiders to have a better chance to successfully run for prime minister/president without having to build up a substantial amount of support within a political party or command the loyalty of a certain number of MPs.  At the same time, this would allow Bahamians to directly choose the political leader of the country.  Our elections often boil down to a de facto race between the leaders of our political parties.  Changing to some form of presidential system would eliminate the indirect method we use to “choose” our prime minister.  Secondly, we should implement term limits as prime minister to two terms consecutively or cumulatively.  Some critics also recommend that there should be similar term limits for members of Parliament to reduce the number of career politicians – not a bad idea at all.

Reforming our campaign finance laws to make the financing process more transparent, fair, and reduce the influence of corporations and rich people should also make our system more democratic and less beholden to special interests, including, for example, limits on the amount of money persons and entities can donate to a campaign.  Ideally, our general elections should be funded completely from the public treasury.  In addition, a properly functioning ombudsperson’s office must be formulated to receive and investigate complaints against the government.

The ombudsperson’s office in conjunction with a well equipped and fearless public defender’s office should be empowered to take legal action to protect the interests and rights of citizens, residents and others.  Probably the most important factor in reducing the concentrated power in the prime minister under our current governance model involves the election of strong, independent minded cabinet ministers and backbenchers.  The prime minister is not the supreme leader as some may suggest or insinuate.  Instead, he or she is the first among equals and should conduct him or herself accordingly.  If we are able to implement some or all of these non-exhaustive suggestions, we can go a long way in reducing the extraordinary power wielded by the prime minister.

 

•Rishard Cooper is a Bahamian international corporate attorney.  Email feedback to: rishard.Cooper@gmail.com

Dec 09, 2011

thenassauguardian

Bahamas Blog International

Many Caribbean countries are calling early elections and Belize might do the same

By Wellington C. Ramos



Under the constitutions of most countries that got independence from Great Britain, there is no fixed date to call general elections for members of the House of Representatives to serve their five year terms. Also, the prime minister or the president of the country is not elected by the people through a direct vote. The party that gains the majority of votes in the House of Representatives forms the new government and the leader of the party automatically becomes the prime minister or president.

With this type of arrangement, anybody who want to become the prime minister or president of the country, must seek a seat in the House of Representatives, win the seat and plus try to become a leader of his or her party at the party’s leadership convention. If this person wins the leadership of his party and loses his or her seat in the general election, that person cannot be the prime minister or president of the country but shall retain his or her position as party leader until the party holds its next convention. The elected members of the party from among themselves shall then decide who will be their party’s prime minister or president and then give his or her name to the governor general of the country.

In 1979 in Belize, Dean Lindo was the party leader but lost his seat to Said Musa so the party appointed Dr Theodore Aranda the leader of the party in the House of Representatives. He retained his title as party leader and, when the party convention was held, Manuel Esquivel was elected party leader because Dr Aranda had resigned from the party to head the Christian Democratic Party (CDP).

Elections were held in 1984 and the United Democratic Party (UDP) defeated the People’s United Party (PUP) by a margin of 21 to 7. In that election, a young politician by the name of Derick Aikeman defeated the leader of the People’s United Party George Price and Florencio Marin was appointed the leader of the opposition in the House of Representatives while George Price retained his position as leader of the party. George Price stayed in that position from 1956 until he stepped down in 1996 a total of forty years. Florencio Marin competed for the position of leader of the party but was defeated by Said Musa and he was isolated from the party for many years until the last year of the PUP reign in 2007-2008.

In 1989, the PUP came back and won the election, so George Price became the prime minister again but they lost the elections in 1993 and Manuel Esquivel returned and became prime minister again. He resigned the post of leader in 1996 and was replaced by Said Musa who became the prime minister in 1998 when the PUP won the elections. Musa was elected for two consecutive terms until his party was defeated by the UDP in February 2008, when Dean Barrow became the prime minister.

Since taking over the leadership of the United Democratic Party, Dean Barrow has brought the party to the point where they have been winning elections and it is now a force to reckon with. The People’s United Party is currently fragmented and is being controlled by a few families, business people, interest groups and people of Arab descent and Belizeans are angry with this picture. More native Belizean ethnic groups such as the Creoles, Garifunas, Latinos, East Indians and Mayas are supporting the United Democratic Party today. The attempt by the PUP to portray the UDP as a party that is only for African Belizeans has failed miserably. When the UDP have their conventions you see all different type of Belizeans that makeup Belize.

This was clear based on the resounding victories the UDP have been enjoying since March 2006, when they won the municipal elections, village council elections and then climaxing with the general elections of 2008. The PUP has been saying that they are ready for general elections because they have all their thirty-one candidates in place. Having candidates and winning elections are two different things. The UDP can now call the elections whenever they feel like and I am of the opinion that they will do it shortly after the municipal elections are held in March of 2012.

Recently, elections were held in Guyana and the party in power lost the House of Parliament but retained the presidency. In Saint Lucia the UWP party that was in control lost the House of Representatives and the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) headed by Dr Kenny Anthony returned to power by winning nine out of fifteen seats in the House of Parliament after about nine years as the opposition. Jamaican has elections scheduled for December 29 this year and Jamaicans are ready to go to the polls with their JLP government and their new Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

The Belize government has gotten the gangs under control and is working on a few economic initiatives to obtain funds to provide jobs for their citizens. Roads and bridges are under construction, a new airport is under construction, they have taken over the public utilities to increase government revenues, utility rates for the consumers are going to be reduced soon, new schools are being built and electricity will be provided to an additional 29 villages soon.

With all these efforts being made by the government, it is clear that the UDP government is getting ready to call elections soon. Before a prime minister of any country calls early elections, he or she must weigh the pros and cons on what are their chances of getting re-elected first. With the current financial state of the PUP, their fragmentation and their lack of a clear vision and direction, the UDP should so go ahead and take advantage of their situation because PUP did the same thing when they were in power. After years of being an opposition party it is now time for the UDP to remain the governing party.

December 8, 2011

caribbeannewsnow

Bahamas Blog International

While prejudice, ignorance and hatred are still directed against homosexuals, we have made moral progress in The Bahamas in terms of loving and seeking to protect from abuse and discrimination our gay brothers and sisters

Prejudice, ignorance and hatred must be challenged

thenassauguardian

Nassau, The Bahamas

Dr. Perry Gomez, Director of the National HIV/AIDS Programme, is the leading Bahamian expert on HIV/AIDS with a stellar regional and international reputation for combating the disease.

He has been on the forefront of the fight since the onset of the epidemic in the early 1980s.  Dr. Gomez has helped to save lives by advocating for prevention, testing and treatment.  The first Caribbean HIV Conference, recently held in The Bahamas, was an occasion for both the country and the good doctor to be recognized for the many successes in combating HIV/AIDS.

These successes are many in terms of intensive prevention awareness and education efforts; aggressive medical treatment, including in mother-to-child transmission for pregnant women, and measures to address stigma and discrimination in various areas related to the disease.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, through his foundation has honored Dr. Gomez and recognized The Bahamas as an international leader in the fight against AIDS.  Dr. Gomez has earned his medical and moral credibility in fighting the disease through dogged advocacy and by journeying as a doctor and as a friend to many who have succumbed to the disease and others who continue to live with HIV.

 

SUPPORT

It was noted at the HIV/AIDS conference:

“The Bahamas has been a leader in developing legislation to protect the rights of minorities and others living with HIV.  In 1991 The Bahamas was the first, and is still the only country in the region, to decriminalize homosexuality.  The Bahamas was the only Caribbean country to sign the Paris Declaration in 1994, which set global standards for HIV and human rights.  We also strengthened protection from discrimination for HIV positive individuals in the workplace by amendment to the existing labor laws in 2001.”

Experts recognize the role that the reduction in stigma plays in preventing the disease, treating those affected, and reducing the incidence of the disease.  Nearly three decades after the onslaught of the epidemic there is still much to be done, especially on the prevention side.  There is also work to be done in the prevention of stigma and discrimination as evidenced by the unfortunate comments by Bishop Simeon Hall a few weeks ago.

Bishop Hall enjoys speaking out on all manner of issues.  In the past few years he has developed a reputation for being glib, and for being something of a publicity seeker.  Often he opines on matters of which he is exceedingly ill-informed.

At a labor conference in the past, a labor leader was stunned when Bishop Hall spoke to the gathering and pressed for additional protections for workers and changes to labor laws, unaware of the fact that most of the matters on which he opined had already been changed through new legislation.

Such behavior may be considered somewhat comical and harmless, but his comments relating to gays and HIV/AIDS were neither.  Indeed, they were extremely harmful even though Bishop Hall tried to backtrack in the face of criticism.  In yesterday’s Insight column in The Tribune, Joey Gaskins analyzes Bishop Hall’s doublespeak.

 

DEMONIZED

Prejudice has always used ignorance and fear as its natural allies.  This is the means through which groups of people such as gays and lesbians are demonized and dehumanized.  Early in the AIDS crisis gays were ruthlessly demonized, with some using the disease as a warped metaphor for the supposed innate depravity of homosexuals.

We have come a long way in fighting the epidemic and the prejudice.  Yet we still need to be vigilant on both fronts.  What is refreshing is the response to Bishop Hall’s comments by medical experts, activists, journalists and others.

Bishop Hall is not the only religious figure who has used specious thinking to demonize homosexuals.  Pastor Lyall Bethel systematically demonizes homosexuals, using fear as one of his weapons while saying that he actually loves gays and lesbians.

A few months ago when The Bahamas supported a UN resolution which sought to protect various vulnerable groups from torture and violence, Front Porch criticized a group of ministers for their response to comments made by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Brent Symonette in support of the resolution. (See “When Hatred Triumphs Over Love”, July 5, 2011).

Conveniently and retroactively, Pastor Bethel and his cohorts said they agreed that gays and lesbians should be protected from such violence.  Then why didn’t they demonstrate their love by quickly supporting the resolution instead of conveniently so doing after being criticized?

Worse, in response to the July 5 Front Porch Pastor Bethel was exceedingly disingenuous, fabricating that the column espoused gay marriage, one of the red flags which the apostles of discrimination often wave with abandon.  Readers will find no such reference.  But such fabrications and the employment of disingenuous moral and intellectual thinking is par for the course for extremists.

 

UNCOVERED

In another Insight column some time ago Tankea Thompson uncovered the source for some of Pastor Bethel’s tortured thinking, namely a Dr. Fields he has quoted to support his views.  A letter to the editor referenced her column:

“According to Ms. Thompson, the Dr. Fields that Pastor Bethel quoted to support his demagoguery is a known white supremacist, neo-Nazi and member of the Klu Klux Klan.”  She also notes: “Conservatives, who in the past have unwittingly cited Fields’ material, have publicly apologized and distanced themselves from Fields.”

Not only did Pastor Bethel not apologize, he defended his use of material from Dr. Fields by saying that people today quote from slaveholders like some of the American Founding Fathers.  The illogic behind this will not elude most basic students of logic or moral reasoning, though it seems to have eluded the pastor.

While prejudice, ignorance and hatred are still directed against homosexuals, we have made moral progress in The Bahamas in terms of loving and seeking to protect from abuse and discrimination our gay brothers and sisters.

Ironically, it is good when those like Bishop Hall and Pastor Bethel issue their screeds.  It highlights the demonization and ignorance that must still be fought.  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. taught us this during his struggle against prejudice and discrimination in America.

Sometimes the world’s moral heroes wear a clerical collar, sometimes they don’t.  Often, the moral heroes are people like Dr. Perry Gomez and the many others who have sought to uphold the moral dignity and protections of those living with HIV/AIDS.  This includes gay men who often in the face of stigma and the effects of the disease know that they are no less a valued citizen of this country and a child of God, made as much in His image and likeness as Pastor Bethel and Bishop Hall.

www.bahamapundit.com

frontporchguardian@gmail.com

Dec 06, 2011

thenassauguardian

Bahamas Blog International

Caribbean tourism players, governments and statutory planners need to understand that agriculture is a critical economic player before tourism

Can new tourism strategies bolster CARICOM economies?


By Ian Francis



The frank response is YES. CARICOM governments are urged to quickly change their dreams and beliefs by taking a second look at the agricultural industry. It was quite interesting to see Jamaica a few days ago announced a major injection of $50 million (US) to revive its banana industry that has been on the decline.

In my humble understanding, regional tourism players, governments and statutory planners need to understand that agriculture is a critical economic player before tourism. The plight, regional planning and belief that tourism in the OECS could be viable with the injection of euro funds and regional meetings should think twice.

Tourism products in the Caribbean region are now centred on Cuba, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Barbados. They have developed branded tourism products, which they market, affordable and within reach to would be tourists. White sand, long beaches, green lush and rare birds are not tourism products for external marketing.

At a recent tourism pow-wow in Grenada, several ideas were suggested about potential use of tourism ambassadors, which included Kirani James and Rondell Bartholomew as facilitators. Utilization of local sports achievers to market a nation’s tourism industry is very narrow thinking and that policy intent should be zapped and laid to rest.

Addressing tourism issues in the Caribbean region is a very broad challenge for which I am not equipped. Therefore, I have restricted my views and observation to Grenada. Tourism Minister Peter David recently hosted a national tourism conference and addressed several issues pertaining to the local industry. Minister David must be commended for his efforts as tourism decline is a regular issue of discussion in the State.

Many who are engaged in the conversations tend to shoulder blame on the government. While some of the blame on the Thomas administration is justified, the critics must be reminded that tourism has changed and it is a matter of being able to market a product(s) to diverse constituencies that reflect age, race, gender, economic status and income.

How is Grenada marketing its tourism products abroad? How are information technology tools applied in the marketing strategy? Do Grenada Tourism Board officials based in Grenada and abroad understand the foreign tourism markets? What professional and technical assistance do Grenada foreign tourism representatives receive from their local tourist board? It will be interesting to read the answers.

There is no doubt that Grenadians remain very proud of the athletic success of Kirani James and Rondell Bartholomew. While these two young men have been fortunate in accessing athletic scholarships to higher learning institutions in the United States, is it fair and practical for Grenada tourism planners to even dream up a dumb thought of having these two individuals to be tourism ambassadors for Grenada.

I think there are many more creative thoughts that St George’s can advance on tourism marketing rather than hoping or dreaming that both successful athletes can influence tourism sustainability in Grenada.

Oops, this dumb suggestion of having Kirani and Rondell as tourism ambassadors reminds me very much of the recent ill-fated Diaspora conference in Grenada where our foreign minister had indicated that Grenadians in the Diaspora will mobilize droves of tourists to visit Grenada. This was also wishful thinking, as Diaspora initiatives seem to have fallen of the shelf.

Let me conclude by saying that Grenadians in the Canadian Diaspora support a vital tourism industry for Grenada. However, tourism officials in Grenada need to face certain hard realities and understand that there is something called “tourism marketing”. It calls for resources, talent, creativity and a strong agricultural economy. Look at Jamaica and Cuba.

December 7, 2011

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