The Tribune

By INIGO 'NAUGHTY' ZENICAZELAYA

The more things change, the more they remain the same.

Let’s begin.

Minnis and

the Media

The fourth estate, as the press is known in most democratic nations, is often seen as a thorn in the side of democratic leaders.

Irish philosopher and political theorist Edmund Burke once said, “There are three estates in parliament but in the Reporter’s Gallery yonder there sits a Fourth Estate more powerful than they all.”

And so it goes that from time immemorial politicians have viewed journalists, reporters and the press in general with a wary eye – write a story they view as beneficial to their goals (or a fluff piece) and you are beloved, but write a story they deem critical and you become public enemy number one.

Our current Prime Minister, Dr Hubert Minnis, has always had a love-hate relationship with the Bahamian press.

Before Dr Minnis’ Free National Movement Party won the last general election, you would be hard pressed (pun intended) to find positive stories about the good doctor in the media.

Editorials, commentaries and even unbiased news articles seldom painted the doctor in a good light. (Which, they would argue, was his own doing). He lacked leadership skills, they said. He cannot win, they said. He is allergic to the English language, they all grinningly agreed.

Fast forward to a month after winning the elections and it’s Prime Minister Minnis who has decided that it’s time to go on the offensive against the pesky pest known as the mainstream media.

No, he has not approached Trumpian levels by labelling every story he doesn’t like as “fake news”, but in an exchange that was captured on tape (and posted to Facebook for perpetuity), Dr Minnis showed his growing disdain for “the press”.

The PM’s latest dust up with the media started off innocent enough. Whilst exiting the House of Assembly this week Dr Minnis was asked by a “zealous reporter” about his vague and seemingly fluid stance on the Baha Mar resort. His response? “Listen...I’ve told you over and over again. I don’t know what about the English language you don’t understand...”

Pause. Cue the music to Alanis Morisette’s “Ironic.”

Okay, let’s continue.

The Prime Minister then went on to give an ambiguous “the government would like to see Baha Mar open” response.

Interesting. Except, isn’t Baha Mar already “open” right now?

Pressed further by those blood-thirsty reporters, Dr. Minnis repeated the phrase, “I’ve answered you... I’ve answered you” about 50 times before slipping out of view of the cameras.

That one moment - one exchange-seemingly foretold what’s to come with the new Minnis Administration.

It’s wasn’t supposed to be this way. Before the last election. The FNM painted themselves as the party that would be open, honest and transparent with the Bahamian people.

Sure, we’ve had some Reality TV worthy moments as the “transparent” new government has revealed all the shady deals of the opaque former government but as the storylines and headlines have shifted to more current affairs, as in, “what y’all ga do fa us now?” the new Minnis government is starting to clam up.

There have been some arrests of “small fries” in government ministries but the “big fish” still roam the streets with their “ill-begotten” millions of dollars in tow.

We know Baha Mar doesn’t look or feel like the “saviour” it’s supposed to be but what are the government’s plans for the resort?

These questions, and many others, are just too much for the Minnis Administration apparently.

Mind you, for the first time in the country’s history we have a “Press Secretary” who, I guess, is supposed to insulate Dr Minnis from having to answer tough questions on a regular basis. Alas, he was nowhere to be seen as the PM grew visibly hot under the collar as that “rabid” pack of reporters cornered him on that hot June day to enquire about the people’s business.

Don’t get me wrong. I actually like Dr Minnis but if we’re honest with ourselves we will admit that he is not an eloquent speaker. And non-eloquent speakers usually get frazzled (and non eloquent) when they have to actually speak.

Prime Minister Minnis doesn’t need a Press Secretary. He needs a Press Squadron. Otherwise, I get the feeling that his personal discomfort and simmering animosity from being treated in a way I’m sure he thinks was “unfair” in the past will lead him down a perilous path.

Yes, the Fourth Estate is powerful. Yes, the Fourth Estate can be annoying. Yes, the Fourth Estate is doing their job for the people of the country. Making an enemy out of them for the sake of political expediency makes no sense. Don’t mind President Donald Trump. Let’s be honest, he’s “different”. Instead, mind Mark Twain, the gifted author who once said, “never pick a fight with people who buy ink by the barrel.”

DREAD FRED

I must admit as a professional stand comedian of 20 years, I’m surrounded by extremely funny, talented, “real” comedians every night of my life at Jokers Wild, so it takes a lot to make me laugh.

One thing that certainly does make me laugh any time, regardless of the setting, is good old fashioned, crass at times, Bahamian expressions, or “Bahamanees”.

The way we Bahamians twist and contort the English language into unique forms of self expression, usually from a defensive position, amazes me still to this day.

Simple, short, stinging comebacks are the best in my opinion.

Two of my all time favourites as well as all time effective retorts, that have their special place in my verbal arsenal, are “Ya Ma” or “Ya Pa” depending on the situation.

I find those two effective words, brilliant, and especially when used by “Joe Public”.

However, when it’s used by a former Minister of Foreign Affairs and former MP for Fox Hill, Fred Mitchell, all over Facebook no less, responding to a ‘harsh’ comment posted on his Facebook timeline, a well placed “Ya Ma” my friends is comedy gold.

According to an article in Thursday’s Tribune:

On the Facebook page ‘Fred Mitchell––Minute by Minute,’ user Colin Deveaux wrote:

“Shut your f••••t a•• up, y’all was desperately trying to get all the money that y’all could, that’s what y’all was doing.”

Without missing a beat, Mitchell responded “Ya ma was a f••••t.”

When contacted, Mr Mitchell declined to comment on the exchange Wednesday, nor did he distance himself from the comment or the page.

Screenshots of the exchange were shared on social media on Wednesday.

In November 2016, Mr Mitchell encouraged supporters to read the website bahamasuncensored.com, as well as ‘Fred Mitchell Minute-by-Minute’ on Facebook, because it “aligns with much of my thinking on political issues”.

Only in The Bahamas do you see a sitting Senator with a very strong political resumé, getting into a Facebook beef, rife with outbreaks of “potty mouth” and innuendo.

Harvard pedigree completely out the window. Mitchell is now in full “Jungaliss” mode, keyboard Ninja in motion.

I must admit I find this new, “Trumpian” side of Mr Mitchell quite refreshing, compared to his old brand of “salty” “shade”.

ANCHORS AWAY OLD BOY

Finally on a positive note, congratulations once again to my lifelong friend and neighbour and definitely a “big brother” to me, Commander of the RBDF, Commodore Tellis Andrew Bethel.

Long overdue and well deserved “Andy”, much love to you and your family, my family and I are very proud of you brother.

Yet another sterling Bahamian to come out of little old St Alban’s Drive.