June 29, 2005
Nassau Guardian Apologizes
The Nassau Guardian has printed an apology for publishing false allegations, once again. The troubled newspaper, formerly of national distinction, has sadly become nothing more than a house organ for the Colina Insurance Company and a pulpit for PLP propaganda.
Thank Publisher Charles Carter and Editor Anthony Capron for that.
This un-dynamic duo have lowered the standards of the editorials and politicized the paper to the point where it contains little more than their personal pontifications and the ubiquitous Colina ads.
On June 23, 2005 the Guardian published an article under the headline "Double Dipping' Ingraham gets Gov't Pension and Salary, says Keod Smith" in which the statement was made that former Prime Minister, Hubert Ingraham was receiving both his pension as a former Prime Minister as well as a salary as a member of Parliament.
The article stated that Mr. Ingraham "had not told the truth" and that his "double-dipping is improper and a deceit on the Bahamian people."
Turns out the only thing deceitful was the Guardian's article and Keod Smith's accusatory comments. This morning the paper published its retraction and apology, probably to thwart any potential lawsuits from Mr. Ingraham.
Publishing garbage, then either retracting it or having it proven false by the end of the week, is becoming a regular practice for the increasingly irrelevant daily publication.
A few weeks ago, the Guardian published an attack on BahamasB2B.com, calling the popular portal a "dangerous Website". In fact, the real danger is when a major newspaper publishes lies and deceitful articles prompted by the demands of crooked politicians and corrupt businessmen.
It is rumored that the attack on BahamasB2B was prompted by calls from Nassau businessman Franklyn Wilson whose legendary exploits in unethical business practices have been discussed on the community portal. It is not known who called the paper to demand the attack on Mr. Ingraham but it clearly was politically motivated. The slanderous article was published, coincidentally, just prior to another attack on the former Prime Minister, this time from independent MP Tennyson Wells, who many consider a political "has-been".
Despite the journalistic blunders and the politically inspired editorials, the paper still has a bright future. Pet owners say it is by far the best paper to use for lining bird cages and cat boxes. And nothing starts a fire faster than the crumpled pages of the Colina (Nassau) Guardian.
June 08, 2005
News Concepts For Bahamas Tourism
The Bahamas government has come up with all sorts of hair-brained ideas to promote our dwindling tourism industry.
They were going to promote "religious tourism" until they realised that religion in the Bahamas is basically a scam, with most pastors using their pulpits as a way to enrich themselves at the expense of their congregations. Look at Neil Ellis and Kaz Brozozog for example.
Then, there was going to be an emphasis on "black tourism" but they realised that black Bahamians treat other black people like dirt, especially Haitians and Jamaicans. Clearly, that wasn't going to work.
However, I've got an idea that is sure to work because it plays on the Bahamas' strengths.. financial crimes.
Financial scams are what we do best in the Bahamas. Not a week goes by that we don't see an international news story about some financial scandal in the Bahamas.
From hiding terrorist's funds - to money laundering - to ponzi schemes - to investors getting ripped off - to financial companies not following regulations... it just goes on, and on, and on, like an evil Energizer bunny.
BTW - The Bahamas only has about 300,000 people. I mean how many financial crooks can a little third world banana republic have? Probably the same number as we have lawyers/politicians.
And what does the government do about this? Nothing! They feign regulation and sign treaties, but on the home front they do nothing but protect their own little band of financial crooks.
So, let's do what we do best by promoting financial crime tourism. Criminals from all over the world could come here to launder money, set up ponzi schemes, rip off investors... and enjoy the sun, sand and sea while doing so.
What?
Sorry, my editor just reminded me that we already have criminals from all over the world coming here to do just that.
Oh, well, I guess the government beat me to this great idea.
June 06, 2005
Nobody Likes Being Lied To
The PLP says no referendum on the CSME. Well, then, how about the referendum they promised back in 2002 that was going to address the discrimination against women that is a black mark on our Constitution. The PLP said if Bahamians voted "No" on the FNM's hastily prepared referendum, they would address the horrid injustice with a properly prepared referendum "within 6 months of being elected". Nobody likes being lied to.
CSME - Done Deal or Dead Deal?
The controversy over the Bahamas joining the CSME has reached boiling point, with virtually everybody stacked up against Fred Mitchell and a few comrades, who seem to be the only ones really pushing the agenda.
Some say the CSME is a done deal; that the Bahamas government may have already signed the agreement back in December, 2004. Others say that, since Bahamians from all spectrums of society are against the concept, it is a dead deal.