The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

These are the days and nights of lamentations. Almost daily we read and hear of some unfortunate Bahamian – man, woman, boy and girl being killed in cross-fires or executed by rivals within the criminal communities. Several weeks ago an unprecedented horror unfolded on our streets.

Six men were fatally riddled on a major road in broad daylight.

So far, the police have no one in custody and that event is proving difficult to solve. Shortly after that other relatively young Bahamian males were also brutally slaughtered.

Last week a minimum of three individuals were shot and killed at assorted locations here in New Providence.

Earlier this week one youngster was allegedly stabbed to death and another one seriously wounded at the Government High School, my old alma mater.

I pray God that there are no more of these events for the rest of this month and beyond. This is not the time for the blame game, but we as a people must get a serious grip on homicides and anger management.

There are simply too many deliberate acts of violence which are causing societal havoc.

I am no longer a fan of the current Minister of National Security for a number of reasons. With my vote, et al, he was able to get into the House of Assembly.

Once there Minnis had him sworn in as Minister of National Security and the rest is history.

It would be dead easy for me to simply ‘blame’ Dames and brother Paul Rolle for the carnage now playing out, like in the movies. That would be too simplistic in my view.

In my opinion Dames does not measure up as an MP over in Mount Moriah and many of the constituents over here are no longer on his run.

There is no way under the Sun that the FNM could/should expect a repeat of the landslide in 2017.

Fatigue and buyers’ remorse are political baggage which Minnis and the FNM may not be able to jettison before the next scheduled general elections. It is grossly unfair to the PM, Dames and Rolle to blame them for the unacceptable spike in crime.

Neither should we seek to blame Jeffrey Lloyd for the violence in our schools, especially what went down at GHS the other day.

Politicians on all sides of the divide just hate to have mere civilians suggesting to them what they should do.

Once elected they become, or act as if they have become the founts of all knowledge and experts at all manner of things even if they never owned or operated a chicken shack.

Their attitudes and dismissive postures do them more political harm than good.

The PM should convene a press conference, along with Dames and Paul Rolle, to address the concerns of the unwashed masses on crime and the fear of crime.

After spending tens of millions of dollars on taxpayers’ monies on equipment and training for the armed forces, apprehending alleged criminals and “solving’’ crime it is natural to blame the administration. I am not an FNM and 90% of my habits are good.

As I indicated above, I no longer support Dames and will be voting him out unless he gets off his high horse and pontification.

Take a casual look at Desmond Bannister and his crass and inhumane remarks about the destruction of some of the shanty towns over in Abaco.

Hundreds of Haitian families and their children most of whom no doubt were born right here in The Bahamas. He stated that it was not his responsibility to worry about these human beings made in the image and likeness of God.

Communications is key even if the current crop of FNMs are slowly coming to the stark realisation that the Bahamian electorate has granted one term in office for any party in recent times.

Unless and until the blood lettings cease or drop dramatically the unwashed masses are going to continue to blame the government of the day for the same. Wrong, but a part of the political landscape.

By the way where is The Bahamas Christian Council?

Not a single word of the Haitians.

Not a word on the spike in blood lettings. In any event, even now, in all things, to God be the glory.

ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr

Nassau,

May 19, 2021.