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PETER TURNQUEST: SOME SPLAINING TO DO

Peter Turnquest who is the now the FNM’s surprise candidate for the East Grand Bahama seat has some questions which he must answer in relation to his ownership of Sky Bahamas, the Bahamian private airline and his relationship to Fred Kaiser, who is reportedly the owner behind the scenes and certainly the financier of the airline Sky Bahamas. Mr. Kaiser reportedly worth in the billions lives in Grand Bahama. Mr. Turnquest who also lives there and is a former President of the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce is said to be Mr. Kaiser’s accountant. That on the face of it is fine save and except that Fred Kaiser is now been convicted by his own admission of U.S. tax fraud. As head of a company Alpha Technologies, he was ordered to pay 36 million dollars in back taxes to the United States Internal Revenue Service. It is alleged that he would direct monies from his companies in the US to the Cayman Islands or to a Cypriot corporation. This happened in 2004. Mr. Turnquest is listed as having 35 per cent share in Sky Bahamas. Randy Butler, the DNA candidate, is listed as having 35 per cent share in the business. The issue is now this: does Mr. Kaiser have any interest in Sky Bahamas? Is Mr. Kaiser bankrolling the campaigns of Randy Butler and Peter Turnquest and therefore by extension the campaigns of the DNA and of the FNM. These are legitimate questions which must be asked now that Mr. Turnquest is in public life and so is Mr. Butler. It is said that the participation of a foreigner in the airline is contrary to law and policy. Mr. Turnquest must let us know what the truth is about this campaign, its funding and his connection if any as the accountant to this tax fraud issue. Mr. Butler has even more explaining to do, and since he is never short for words he must come forward and say what he knows. Both Peter Turnquest and Tanisha Tynes, his opponent in the next general election and the PLP’s standard bearer are Anglicans and meet at the altar of Ascension in Freeport and share the same cup and table. When they next make the greeting of peace and promise to do the things that make for peace and build up the common life, Peter Turnquest ought to have his explanation at the ready.

ANDRE ROLLINS’ STATEMENT ON LAING

The following statement was issued by Andre Rollins, the PLP’s candidate for Ft. Charlotte on Zhivargo Laing, who is leaving his seat and his constituents in Marco City in Freeport and running to Nassau in the hope that he win the seat for the FNM:

This General Election must be about addressing the real issues facing our country and our people, not about using deception and lies to distract voters in an effort to cause them to forget just how bad things are presently in The Bahamas.

Our education system is producing alarmingly high rates of school leavers who cannot perform at basic levels; our economy and industries are shrinking; our skyrocketing national debt is prompting recurrent downgrades of our sovereign credit rating; the number of unemployed and discouraged workers is enormous; Bahamian workers are increasingly feeling squeezed by high numbers of immigrant laborers; and we are shooting our way to the top of the list of the world’s most murderous places.
Instead of dealing honestly with these very serious issues, the FNM has shown that they are prepared to instead deceive and distract voters in hopes of deflecting the Bahamian people’s attention away from their record of failure. This was evident when at the FNM’s Take 5 rally in Grand Bahama on Sunday past, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham made what can only be described as an ill-advised impromptu remark, and in the process inadvertently revealed that his junior minister of finance, Zhivargo Laing, lied to the people of Grand Bahama in a statement he issued a little more than a year ago.

In an article appearing in the Freeport News on Wednesday, December 8, 2010 written by Ms. Cleopatra Murphy, she wrote that Sir Jack Hayward reported in an earlier communication to the media that the Government’s refusal to renew Hannes Babak’s work permit left many of the company’s projects in a state of limbo. This implied that the Government’s lack of cooperation and engagement with the Port was playing a direct role in stalling and stifling the Grand Bahama economy.

Following Sir Jack’s remarks to the press, Mr. Laing called them “silly, misguided and offensive “and the article went on to say that Laing further claimed that:

“It is a terrible admission on (Sir Jack) Hayward’s part to acknowledge that the hopes of he and his family as well as the other Port families were entwined in Hannes Babak. If that is so, then the Grand Bahama Port Authority Board, its management and partners are not worth two dimes,” and “instead of laying the blame at the feet of the Government, Hayward should turn his sights to the GBPA.”

According to Mr. Laing, “…nothing has been more injurious to Grand Bahama’s economic health than the awful fight between the shareholders of the GBPA in which Sir Jack was a leading player”.

The article then quotes Mr. Laing as saying that the Ingraham administration was “working to improve the economy of the island regardless of the infighting that has been going on within the GBPA.”

This is in contradiction to Mr. Ingraham’s off-the-cuff remark at Sunday’s Take 5 rally, when he said:

“Since the last time I spoke to you, Sir Jack Hayward and I had a chance to talk. Now that he is willing to divorce himself from one Hannes Babak, we can do business.”

Mr. Ingraham accidentally revealed that Mr. Laing’s claims that the Ingraham administration was “working” with the GBPA to improve the island’s economy, despite the infighting between the Port’s shareholders, was quite simply a lie. This admission also proved that this FNM administration has in fact been a major impediment to economic progress on that island, because only since this recent turn of events was this administration willing to work with this critical grouping.

If Mr. Laing would deceive the people of Grand Bahama about the true state of affairs involving the relationship between the Government and the Port, and its damaging affect on the economy of Grand Bahama and the lives of its people, then it stands to reason that there is nothing stopping Mr. Laing from attempting to deceive the constituents of Marco City and, by extension, Fort Charlotte about why he abandoned his seat in Grand Bahama to offer himself once again to the same Fort Charlotte constituents who rejected him in 2002.

There is nothing noble about Mr. Laing’s departure from Marco City. It has nothing to do with helping his party try and pick-up a seat in New Providence. It does, however, have everything to do with scientific polling done by his party that revealed just how unpopular he had become with the people of Marco City in just 5 short years, in the very same way that he alienated the constituents of Fort Charlotte after only a single term.

Mr. Laing is arrogant enough to believe that he can once again get away with trying to deceive the Bahamian people and Mr. Ingraham is wrong to believe that the long dollars of the FNM will create short memories in the minds of the people of Fort Charlotte. I believe that no amount of deception by Mr. Laing, or money spent by the FNM, can erase the bad memories they have of Mr. Laing’s 5 years in Fort Charlotte.
End.

PLP ISSUES STATEMENT ON ATLANTIS

The Progressive Liberal Party issued the following statement following the collapse of the Atalntis deal.

17th January 2011

Forty-eight days after the Progressive Liberal Party expressed serious concerns about the FNM government’s approval of the Atlantis deal, that deal has fallen apart, leaving more than 7,000 Bahamians even more anxious about the security of their jobs.

The Prime Minister and the FNM government have shown extraordinary incompetence when it comes to dealing with our nation’s largest private employer. Working in secret behind closed doors, they approved a takeover by a junior creditor without first securing support from more senior creditors, who went on to pull the deal under, leaving the future of Atlantis uncertain. Despite repeated calls from the PLP, the FNM has never shared the details of that agreement with the Bahamian public.

This is not a game. Bahamians must have an effective representative at the bargaining table. The PLP is willing to assist the FNM going forward. The Bahamas must now reach out to all creditors, assist in new negotiations, and work with all stakeholders to preserve the operations of the resort, protect Bahamian employment, and avoid foreclosure or insolvency

MAJORITY RULE AT BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH

Last Sunday as we were uploading this site, the PLP was gathered in solemn convocation at the Bethel Baptist Church to mark the 45th anniversary of Majority Rule which came on 10th January 1967. That was the day that the black majority in the country first took political power in The Bahamas. The period lasted for 25 years under the PLP. Fred Mitchell MP represented the Leader of the PLP at Bethel and gave his address:

Reverend Timothy Stuart and Mrs. Stuart, the officers and members of this church in particularly to my constituent and mentor the Rev. Mathias Munroe; Mr. Chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party, colleague Members of Parliament, Brother and sister candidates of the Progressive Liberal Party, officers and members of the party, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls.
Let me say what a special privilege and honour it is to be with you here in Bethel this morning. In a very real sense this is where it all began. This is the beginning of the Baptist faith in The Bahamas and with it integrally intertwined is the history of the struggle of the people of Africa in The Bahamas for their freedom. We salute you this morning.

There is yet another role which Bethel played to which I will come but I want to say here the profound thanks of the Leader of our Party the Rt. Hon Perry Christie for your hosting us this morning on this special occasion. It is always good to be back in Bethel. I wish on their behalf to extend his regret and that of the Deputy Leader of the party Philip Brave Davis for their inability to be here this morning due to a conflicting assignment overseas. They both consider Bethel to be in a very real sense a church home for them and for this party.

One other matter by way of housekeeping, it remains for me to be amongst the first to congratulate you Rev. Stuart, your beautiful wife Sharon and this church family on the recent Trumpet Award given to you in Atlanta, Georgia last Saturday 7th January. It is well deserved for your pioneering work in religion and in the civic life of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Today, we come to mark Majority Rule day. If we are not careful it will soon slip into obscurity. We of this generation must make it right. On the day itself, but for the single article in the newspaper by Raynard Rigby, the former Chairman of the PLP, not one newspaper, published one word to mark the day. Yet 45 years ago this was an earth shattering day in the history of The Bahamas. Those of us, who were alive on that day, know that not even independence day moved the earth in the way 10th January 1967 moved this nation.

To find an equal moment in the history of our country, I would argue that you would have to reach back 133 years before 1967 to the 1st August 1834 when the slaves were freed. That day Emancipation Day was the formal start of the inexorable march for the full acceptance of the humanity of African peoples in The Bahamas. It culminated in Majority Rule day 10th January 1967.
In the modern era, you can see the development the full freedom of the Bahamian people as a construct which began in 1942 and culminated in Independence in 1973.

The markers are these: the Burma Road riots of 1st and 2nd June 1942, the formation of the Citizens Committee to reverse the ban on the showing of Sidney Poitier’s first film in 1950; the formation of the Progressive Liberal Party 23rd November 1953; the General Election of the First PLP Members to Parliament on 29th November 1956; the formation of the United Bahamian Party, the party of the Bay Street merchant ruling group in 1958; the General Strike of January 1958; women obtaining the vote in July 1961; constitutional changes to ministerial government in January 1964; Black Tuesday on 27th April 1965 when Sir Lynden Pindling threw the mace out of the window; and then the general election result of 10th January 1967. Today, it may seem to young people as no big deal. No one questions their ability to get ahead in this nation because of the colour of their skin, but 45 years ago that was a real question. If someone asks you today what was the change that was brought about in 1967, you can tell them just look at the pictures. Look at the picture of the Cabinet of The Bahamas prior to 10th January 1967 and then look at the picture of the Cabinet after 10th January 1967. When you look at the pictures you will get the point that we the people became the rulers of ourselves, the captains of our own destiny and our own fate.

Here is how Michael Craton, the Canadian historian records the points: “Though the UBP cannily cut off voter registration early, the election was fought with unparalleled enthusiasm and almost no violence. For the first time the PLP realizing its strength in the capital, campaigned hardest in the Out Islands, where the movie idol Sidney Poitier… made several telling appearances on behalf of the party. Beside this, an enterprising Nassau preacher reminded his congregation that it was on the tenth day of the first month that the Israelites were led out of captivity in Egypt, and the PLP votes went to the polls singing the theme song from Exodus as their anthem.”

Let me ask Bethel if they know who that enterprising preacher was? It was Rev. Dr. H.W. Brown of Bethel. Craton continues: “The result of the election was the utter defeat of the NDP and a tie between the two major parties, with UBP and PLP returning 18 members each. The balance was held by Randal Fawkes, the sole Labour member, and Alvin Braynen, a white maverick from North Eleuthera who stood for election as an independent. After some hours of tumultuous suspense, it was announced that the Governor sent for the leader of the PLP, the 36 year old lawyer Lynden Pindling, to form a government, that Fawkes had been offered the Ministry of Labour and Welfare, and that Braynen had agreed to act as Speaker.
Craton concludes: “For the first time, the power of “Bay Street” had been humbled and the Negro majority had come to rule.” Sir Henry Taylor writing in his book “ My Political Memoirs’ records it this way: “ For the first time in the history of the government of The Bahamas Islands, the Bay Street Boys found themselves in a minority position. Fr nearly three hundred and fifty years the country was controlled by this group. All the old concepts of government were accepted by them and perpetuated through the years during their administration. They wanted no change in the status quo. They were quite satisfied that in the Bahamas government was getting along well.” My mother Lilla now deceased was a typist at the then Ministry of Out Island Affairs, the Minister was Donald D’Albenas who died last year in Canada at the age of 95. She reported to us that when he came to say goodbye, he said to them he could not understand what had happened to the people.

10th January 1967 then set the stage for the new horizons which we enjoyed in this country. It lifted the ceiling, opened the doors, the psychological barriers had been lifted for all Bahamians black and white. There was now full adult suffrage. All of that became possible on 10th January 1967.

We must try always to remember. I was speaking once to a young liberal. He was then 18 years old. I was trying to explain to him who Sammie Starr, the former DNA candidate was, and why he should not be surprised that Sammie Starr would go into politics because I said after all he came from a political family. I explained that Sammie Starr is actually Sammy Poitier and is the nephew of Darrell Rolle. To which this young liberal replied: who is Darrell Rolle?

My solution: later this year with God’s help and yours we are set to become the government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Next year this time, 10th January 1967 should be a public holiday. There must be no more discussion on this. We must do it. The state must take over the observances and ensure that it is weaved into the national educational curriculum of the country.

In this connection, we want to thank the leaders of the R.M. Bailey School for their inviting in the speakers including Dame Marguerite Pindling to talk about majority rule day.

Also by this October, with a PLP government in power, the National Heroes day legislation that we brought onto the books should be brought into force making the second Monday in October a national holiday replacing to so called Discovery Day. That day will be National Heroes day. There is time to stop asking about it and do it.

As our youth grows pale, as our eyes dim, as we move off the scene, we must ensure that they who come behind us know the story. So that the young who come behind us will be able to tell the old old story of how we came to be free.

I thank you all. God bless you and God bless the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. end

BRAVE PHOTOS OF LAUNCH IN SAN SALVADOR

Philip Brave Davis is the Deputy Leader of the PLP and the incumbent Member of Parliament for Cat Island Rum Cay and San Salvador. He visited San Salvador on Thursday 19th January to formally launch his campaign for re-election. His opponent will be Senator Michael Pintard of the Free National Movement. We predict that poor Senator Pintard will be trounced. In the meantime, the happy photos of the Deputy Leader launching his campaign. These are taken from his Facebook page.

The Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes accepted the credentials of the High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Thursday 19th January at Government House. She is non-resident and serves The Bahamas from Havana, Cuba. Seen at the reception following the ceremony is the Governor General and Lady Foulkes with Opposition spokesman on Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell at the left, the High Commissioner Laraba Elsie Bhutto next to him. The photo is by Derek Smith of the Bahamas Information Services.

He was a friend of the Bahamas, and a supporter of the PLP's move to get majority rule in The Bahamas. The Jamaica Gleaner reported that Dudley Thompson died in Florida yesterday at the age of 95. The full report appears below: Mr. Thompson visited The Bahamas two years ago as the guest of Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes.

DUDLEY THOMPSON, the brash, outspoken and colourful former minister of national security in the Michael Manley administration of the late 1970s, is dead.
Thompson, the man who laughed as easily as he frowned, passed away yesterday in the United States where he had been living for several years.
He died a day after celebrating his 95th birthday and less than two months after the death of David Coore, another stalwart of the ideologically flavoured period.
The former Rhodes Scholar featured prominently in the Michael Manley administration during the heady days of democratic socialism in Jamaica and is remembered for his defiant declaration that "no angels died at Green Bay", after five men were gunned down by members of the army at the military base located on the outskirts of Portmore.
At a time when many eyes were focused suspiciously on Jamaica's foray in the socialism ideology, Thompson's controversial trip to Cuba with a mysterious character from that country dubbed the 'Moonex Man' also grabbed headlines.
The struggle for the West Kingston seat between Thompson and the Jamaica Labour Party's Edward Seaga at a time when none of the political parties demonstrated any real dominance over the constituency proved fascinating.
After a bruising battle in the 1962 general election, the relationship between the two defiant personalities was always strained at best, but in the latter part of his life, Thompson described Seaga as a man who was "necessary for Jamaica".
The focus of Dudley Thompson's attention was not confined to local shores as he was an advocate of Pan-Africanism.
Born in Panama and raised to manhood in Jamaica, Thompson served in Britain's Royal Air Force during World War II. In England, he interacted with such Pan-African greats as Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, George Padmore of Trinidad and Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya.

LORETTA BUTLER TURNER IN LONG ISLAND ( SPECIAL)

On a news report this week, Clint Watson, ZNS reporter, on commenting on the changes of the candidates said that Loretta-Butler Turner is returning to her “childhood home” on Long Island as a candidate. That is an incorrigible lie and it needs to be corrected.
Mrs. Butler-Turner can make no claims on Long Island other than the fact that her grandmother (Lady Caroline Butler) was from Long Island. Mrs. Butler-Turner or any of her family members do not have as much as a chicken coop in Long Island. The sad fact is that she has begun her campaign on Long Island and is looking for a house to rent for three months, only.

Moreover, being the successful business persons that the Butler family has grown into, it is quite shameful that they have not looked back on the island and have not invested a dollar in Long Island. The only thing of significance that Mrs. Butler-Turner and her family has done, is buried a few of the dead, and they were paid for that service. Incidentally, it is interesting to note that she has been removed from what is considered to be a safe seat in Nassau, to Long Island, but what could you expect when the “powers that be in the FNM” instructed the Prime Minister that they have someone to represent them, and he must find a seat for her?

Long Island is one of the most deprived islands of the Bahamas. The island has much potential, but has not grown in any way under the continuous representation of the UBP and FNM members of parliament. As a matter of fact, Long Island is worst now than it was 30 years ago.

The fact is, Long Islanders who have done well for themselves in government, business, and otherwise; including five or six cabinet ministers who were descended from Long Island at one time, and the many millionaires have done absolutely nothing for Long Island, other than come around during election time to instruct Long Islanders how to vote.

It is time for a change. Long Island deserves better. Long Islanders will not support the FNM this time. We do not want to treated like a step-child any longer; we refuse to be led by incompetent leaders; we refuse to be forgotten; we refuse to be given the crumbs the fall from the table; we are one of the jewels on the Bahamas, and we want more this time.

DNA LAUNCH LONG ISLAND

Friday night saw the launch of the DNA in Long Island. Known FNM’s turned out in impressive numbers at the DNA headquarters in Deadman’s cay, Long Island. DNA leader, Branville Macartney, introduced his man for Long Island, businessman, Mario Cartwright.
The news is not good for Loretta Butler Turner and the FNM. She has a big job encouraging the disenchanted FNM’s on Long Island to support the party who they have constantly turned their backs on them. Additionally, traditional Long Islanders would not vote for a woman, an oversight on Mr. Ingraham’s part in choosing to send her to Long Island.

Sources say that there were close to 300 persons attending the function on Friday night, and the vast majority of those attending were known to be strong supporters of the FNM. With only about 1500 eligible voters in Long Island, the FNM votes with be split. One former general of Larry Cartwright even took photos with Mr.Mario Cartwright and Mr. Macartney while holding up the pointing finger, the proverbial DNA sign.

The race in Long Island is now between Alex Storr, the PLP’s candidate, and Mario Cartwright, the DNA’s candidate, with Alex Storr now being the front runner. Long Island is not going to be an easy win for the FNM, and it seems Mrs. Butler-Turner will be banished to the sidelines of front-line politics after all the votes have been tallied. But, the question still remains, being the incumbent in Montague, why was she not nominated to Montague instead of being sent to Long Island? It seems that she will turn out to the sacrificial lamb…

-Abagail Cartwright

A Grand Bahama church elder is sending a message to Mr. Perry Christie: The message is Mr. Ingraham’s political season is drawing to an end; he sees what is coming. As election day draw closer, Mr. Ingraham’s insults and tirades will become increasingly worse. My word to you and your party is do not answer him, or be drawn into this game. Continue to spread the PLP message and vision for the country going forward.

The church elder went on to say you only need look at the story of King Nebuchadnezzer and how he exalted himself only to be brought low. Prime Minister Ingraham for his part has chosen a team of candidates weak in their personal beliefs who he believes would follow him blindly like lemmings over a cliff to their destruction. He further stated, “Show me one of those candidates who would dare question their mighty leader’s decision.” If the PM finds himself where he is unable to serve, who among this group will lead? This one man rule is not of solid foundation on which to build. Mr. Ingraham must realize that he is a mere mortal, and then, ask himself the question, what is man?

It seems that the FNM has a problem in the old HIGH ROCK constituency. The Prime Minister after dismissing Ken Russell went on national television and asked the branch to submit two (2) names for the national party consideration for a new candidate. The branch met and we are informed that Michael Pintard and Reverend Frederick McAlpine were the branch’s clear choice. After the process was finished, the Leader then chose Peter Turnquest, so why did he ask the branch in the first place to choose. On Sunday, we saw a number of disgruntled FNMs absent from the meeting at Our Lucaya. Some among them have vowed not to work for the candidate; and, others said they will not vote.

Mr. Turnquest attended a funeral yesterday in Pelican Point, noticeably absent were some chief generals. Things that make you go……..hmmm………………………………………………

The politicos at Wendy’s were asking why was it necessary to bring people from Nassau to set up the room at the Our Lucaya Hotel for a Grand Bahama function. Could we not have given some of the local young people that job?

Politicos said that the food provided at the function was not sufficient; others insist that the food was sufficient, but our people known for toting wrapped it in small napkins and carted it off. While others said it is about time we get something out of these su……………………..s.

Now we all know that Grand Bahama economy was being held hostage because of HannesBaback. There was no spin that FNMs could put on the unfortunate statement made about Sir Jack and HannesBaback. It seems as if FNMs, PLPs, and DNA’s were made to suffer because Ingraham had a problem with Baback.

Finally, of all my mother’s children, I love myself the best, and as long as my belly is full, I do not care about the rest. This was the label attached to Zhirvargo Laing, Junior Minister of Finance. Clearly Zhirvargo has abandoned the ship and taken to the life boat leaving behind the fateful passengers.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
This week Forrester Carroll writes from Freeport about the history of the expulsion of Hubert Ingraham from the Progressive Liberal Party. This is the first of two parts. The second part will continue next week.

I am occasionally ask about the events which led up to the expulsion of “big head-bird brain-jumping Jack” Hubert Ingraham from the ranks of the PLP. I shall attempt to give some insight of as many details, as I can recall, as to why the PLP had no choice but to expel the man. I can tell you that my account (of the events) may not be put here in any particular chronological order but will be accurate as to what actually happened which necessitated the decision. Consequently, therefore, I will stand corrected on very few (if any at all) of my recollections.

I dare say that Hubert Ingraham must have gotten wind up his rear-end when he decided that he should be the PLP’s king-maker and not prime minister Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling. He must have smelled his stop lip at the time when he embarked on that “mission impossible” and decided to proceed with his planned plot to overthrow Sir Lynden and take power in, what the piss-head conceived as, a political coup d’état. I am still at a loss (even now) as to how, exactly, this Negro thought he would have accomplished such a feat. Nobody liked the man so how in this world did he expect to pull off that stunt? Matters of this kind are fought on the convention floor and it was no way in hell Hubert Ingraham (or anyone else for that matter) could defeat Sir Lynden in such a showdown. At the end of the day though, as fate would have it, all his nasty, cowardly plans would be revealed and he would pay the ultimate political price.

Ingraham-being the sneaky cowardly bastard that he is-went about the country doing all he could to bring disgrace to Sir Lynden’s name. It was alleged that he plotted, with several of Pindling’s cabinet ministers, to overthrow Sir Lynden but, as in most plots involving Bahamians, when the time came for his partners in crime to show up; bush crack and only three of them were left standing. As a matter of fact, it was reported that one of the original group of plotters, allegedly, betrayed Ingraham and told Sir Lynden what the “piss-head” was planning. The group eventually dwindled to just Ingraham and another as one of the three (I guess on principle) apparently couldn’t continue to be a part of Ingraham’s nastiness so he finally deserted the bully and resigned from his cabinet post before Pindling could fire him (as he did Hubert and the other). Sir Lynden jumped the gun and fired the other two schemers before they could embarrass him (Sir Lynden) and resign as well. The resignation of three cabinet ministers (at the same time), from any sitting democratic government, would have far reaching consequences for that government. Sir Lynden, being well aware of those consequences, took the right decision which insulated his government from falling.

When Ingraham’s nasty plot failed, and there was no more support from his colleagues he went, on the rampage, about the country (a loner) making mischief for Sir Lynden; verbally abusing him, the PLP and his estranged colleagues. He was warned several times (in writing), about specific incidents by the chairman of the PLP, and asked to desist. His public deportment and demeanor was very much unbecoming and indeed breached the code of conduct and conditions which governed his continuing as a senior member of the party and a member of the national general council (NGC). As a matter of fact Ingraham’s conduct breached all the rules governing the code of conduct of even ordinary card-carrying members and certainly endangered his membership in the organization. The chairman reiterated this grave position in writing, several times as I said earlier, but in his usual belligerent fashion the Ingraham ignored all warnings. His conduct, by this time, was deemed by the NGC to be ultra virus to a member in good standing and so he was commanded to appear before it to answer for his dastardly public behavior. Ingraham refused several written commands to appear before the NGC and so the decision was taken to deny him the PLP nomination for the 1987 general elections for his North Abaco constituency. This, of course, further inflamed the Abaco Dragon. Subsequent to the council’s decision Sir Lynden planned a meeting in the North Abaco constituency to explain to the people the reason(s) why the party took the decision (it did) to drop the bully from the party’s slate of candidates for the pending general elections. Sir Lynden travelled to Abaco with a delegation, including Minky Isaacs, and a meeting was convened at a specific venue in Treasure Cay.

Shortly after the meeting began it was very obvious that Ingraham attended prepared for a fist fight, if necessary. He had his GOONS present, in the room and in position, which were prepared to take Sir Lynden out if necessary. Minky Isaacs, though, and the others who travelled with the PLP’s leader, protected him from being ambushed. For Sir Lynden political troubles, on the Island of Abaco, were not an unusual occurrence; they tried to kill him, literally, one time during 1972. The incident as recalled by Mr. Errington Watkins they prepared a metal tub, (this time), full of explosives, anchored the tub in the sea and tied it to a tree near the dock where the Prime minister was scheduled to stand and speak. The location was carefully and strategically chosen so as to ensure maximum effect. The explosives were designed to ensure that the nation’s beloved leader did not leave Abaco that night ALIVE. The bomb was set to explode at 11pm, at which time Sir Lynden would have been wrapping up his speech. You can read all the details, in my uncle’s (Errington W “Bumpy” Watkins) book of memoirs which I believe is now on sale on the shelves of bookstores throughout the country. My uncle, who was told of the bomb plot by one of his supporters around 9pm that night, was the one who actually saved Sir Lynden’s life, in the end, as detailed in his Memoirs. Bumpy (as my uncle is affectionately called) was, at the time interestingly enough, the independent MP for Marsh Harbor who, along with the Abaco Independence Movement (AIM) committee, was in the middle of a campaign opposing independence for the country. They argued that if independence was granted to the colony that Abaco would wish to secede and remain a British Dependency. It was really ironic and an act of Providence that the informant would spill the beans about the bomb plot to Watkins, of all people, and that Watkins, who opposed Sir Lynden and the PLP, at the time, would be the one to save him (Sir Lynden) and the others with him from being blown to smithereens. The rest, as they say of course, is a part of this country’s colorful dastardly political history.

But getting back to the subject at hand it was after the brawl, which disrupted the meeting at Treasure Cay that the PLP’s Chairman, Sean McWeeney, wrote to Ingraham informing him that the incident in Treasure Cay was the straw that broke the camel’s back. He informed him, further, that because of it the party was not prepared to give him any more opportunities to mend his dirty ways but rather intended to bring him before the full convention (1987) to answer for his conduct. He would be required to show cause why he shouldn’t be expelled from the organization. Prior to this time he was warned on several other occasions about incidents, involving him, which breached the rules of the PLP party for any person continuing as a member in good standing. The Chairman did not fail to ensure that he (Ingraham) was given ample written warnings about what was expected of him as a senior member of the party. He was asked to desist or suffer the consequences for his dastardly public behavior; the warnings fell on deaf ears; he continued his shenanigans unabated.

Sometime during this period, while he was a cabinet minister no less, it was alleged that this “excuse for an honorable human being-patriot,” approached the United States Authorities and offered to become one of their confidential informants against his PLP colleagues and the PLP government. What this means is that Ingraham allegedly offered to help the USA, and report every move that Pindling and his government made. It shouldn’t be forgotten that this was a cabinet minister who agreed, allegedly, to talk about his own colleagues. It was further alleged that, for easy identification (since one’s real name is never used in these circumstances), he was given, allegedly, the tag name/number of “CI 1622” (confidential informant # 1622). It was further alleged that during those months, he passed sensitive information to the USA Authorities; all this in an effort to embarrass and bring down Sir Lynden Pindling’s regime. Ingraham’s ultimate goal, allegedly? To become the country’s leader, by any means necessary. If it meant making a deal with the devil then so be it.

At the convention (closed afternoon session), after the usual preliminaries were concluded, the time came on the agenda for the matter of Hubert’s conduct to be dealt with. I was careful to take a seat on the front bench, to the left of those who would be at the lectern. The usually loud mouth, badly attired Hubert Ingraham was conspicuously missing from the conclave to that point. Being satisfied that the defendant was properly served, with a summons, to appear before the convention, the session chairman proceeded with the agenda and called to the podium Sean McWeeney, the party’s national chairman. Needless to say every single delegate, both official and observer, was in the house and I can tell you that, having observed Ingraham’s bad behavior over the previous months, they all had blood in their eyes; yours truly being no exception. The sergeant-at-arms, who manned the entrance door, was careful not to allow admittance to any news reporters and or other casual observers. As can be imagined news reporters and casual spectators were buzzing around the Holiday Inn Hotel’s lobby, on Paradise Island that afternoon, as if this was the only story in town. Only delegates, wearing the required badges, were allowed in the packed room.

The National Party Chairman then informed the convention of the procedure to be followed in dealing with Ingraham’s matter. I took particular notice of the care exercised, by all, to ensure that History had no reason to point an accusing finger at the PLP Organization, over the handling of the situation. The case against Ingraham (which turned out to be quite telling) would be put by the National Chairman who would be allowed one hour to do so; followed by a delegate (William “Bill” Swain, Hubert’s leading general from Dundas Town Abaco, I believe ) who would second the motion (Fifteen minutes).

(This will be continued next week)

Forrester Carroll JP

IN PASSING

Loretta Denies That She Running Away

Loretta Butler Turner, the incumbent for the Montagu constituency and a Minister of the government, told The Tribune last week that she is not running away from the people of Montagu. She says that she is happy to serve in Long Island where she grew up as a little girl. Well what do you expect her to say. The truth is her own side has been saying that she is one of the laziest of Ministers of the government; that she has been a failure in her constituency; and that they wish her luck as she tries to pick up the pieces for the failures of Larry Cartwright the incumbent in Long Island.

Papa Puts Off His Launch

Here is how it was supposed to go. The launch in Grand Bahama last Sunday. That came off but Hubert Ingraham aka Papa was disappointed in the numbers. He was even though he held it inside just in case. He wanted to then hold a mass rally on Clifford Park to show Perry Christie who the real boss is in Nassau. That as to have happened last Sunday. No can do. The intelligence coming back said that the numbers would disappoint so he had to find a room on the inside like he did in Freeport. The room was not available for him today, so the launch is put off until next Sunday. And speaking of Sunday where is the darn Christian Council who is always making noise about how holy Sunday is. Obviously those rules only apply if the PLP was doing it. When Mr. Ingraham does it, since that’s their man, no noise at all. Not a peep.

DNA Launches In Fox Hill

Kendal Smith is the DNA’s candidate for Fox Hill and he launched his campaign with a rush out at the Fox Hill parade featuring the Original Congos. Part of Mr. Smith’s political strategy is to infiltrate the Junkanoo group in the hope that this will win him support in the general election. Mr. Smith even rushed with the group at Boxing Day last year and this year’s New Year’s day parade. Leader of the DNA Branville McCartney spoke at the rally. The photo is from the DNA’s Facebook page. Mr. Smith is at the centre of the photo with the cowbells.

Glenys Hanna Martin Campaigning

Well Glenys Hanna Martin, the PLP incumbent for the Englerston constituency, is on the hustings. This photo is from her Facebook page was one of many showing her as she moved through the constituency asking for the votes of the people.

Annual Parliamentary Church Service

Members of Parliament and Senators will meet at church shortly after their first meeting for the year convenes on 23rd January. They will suspend and process over to the Zion Baptist Church where the Bahamas Christian Council will host a service for the opening of the Parliamentary year. The members of the House will then reconvene.

Roads Dig Up Again

On Tuesday 17th January, there was chaos in the streets of eastern New Providence once again. This time it appears that orders came down from the Office of the Prime Minister to close the roads because they want the work finished before Hubert Ingraham has to call elections. The OPM overruled the decision of the traffic management committee of the Ministry of Works. The Argentinean contractor is taking orders directly from Mr. Ingraham. In any event, it took some people two hours or more to get to work from the east. They are singing Geno’s song again that the roads dem dig up, dig up.

Meeting With Students In Miami And The PLP

The Leaders of the PLP will be meeting with the students and government workers in Miami at the Omega House, Florida Memorial University in Miami on Thursday 2nd February at 6:30 p.m. Please tell your friends and plan to attend. The next day, the leaders will fly to Atlanta for a similar meeting with the students there. The delegation will be led by Perry G. Christie MP, leader of the party. He will be joined by Philip Brave Davis, Deputy Leader and Fred Mitchell MP the Opposition’s spokesman on Foreign Affairs.

Freddie Munnings Widow Dies

Winifred Munnings, the widow of the late and popular musician Freddie Munnings, died in Nassau after a long illness on Tuesday 17th January. Mrs. Munnings was the quiet companion of the flamboyant musician who ran the famous Cat and the Fiddle Nightclub, part of the cultural folklore of The Bahamas. Mrs. Munnings is survived by her five children Raphael (of Funky Nassau fame); Lana, Cyprianna, Andrea, Teddy and Gayle.

What Is Pakeisha Thinking?

The people of Grand Bahama are wondering what did Hubert Ingraham promise Pakeisha Edgecombe to persuade her to leave her good job as a news reader at ZNS to run for the House for the losing side. She reportedly said at her launch last Sunday that she was always an FNM. That then may explain why the PLP could not get a fair break on ZNS news in Freeport.

Sidney Poitier Film Festival

Ian Strachan, the Assistant Professor at the College of The Bahamas, has announced the third annual Sidney Poitier Film Festival at the College campus from 29th February to 4th March. This is well worth seeing and joining the discussions. Alink for more information

http://poitierfestival.yolasite.com/festival-schedule.php

Loretta Butler Turner To be?

The Tribune reported on Saturday 21st January that Loretta Butler Turner, who is now an FNM Minister, and is looking to be the next represetative for Long Island, is a possible candidate to replace Brent Symonette as Deputy Leader of the FNM and Deputy Prime Minister of the country. Now truth that will make truth stranger than fiction.

Norris Bain What Is The Answer?

The talk is that the FNM candidate for Marco City struck a sweetheart deal with the National Insurance Board to pay soome $100,000 to NIB for monies deducted by the school Tabernacle which he headed and not paid to the NIB. Can we hear from the candidate and the high and moral Prime Minister?

Blessing Of The Campaign

The PLP candidates of the northern region will get their official blessing at the Church of Bishop Ricardo Grant in Freeport this afternoon at 3 p.m. This will include Tanisha Tynes ( East Grand Bahama), Julian Russell (Central Grand Bahama), Obie Wilchcombe ( West Grand Bahama and Bimini), Michael Darville ( Pineridge), Greg Moss ( Marco City), Renardo Curry ( North Abaco) and Gary Sawyer ( South Abaco). The official launch of the campaign will take place on 27th January in Freeport.

Madeline Sawyer Says PLP Discriminates

The once Chair of the PLP Women's Branch Madeline Sawyer is now amongst the DNA's candidates for politcal office. She is quite qualified and might well have made a good PLP candidate. Trouble is she could not get past the Candidates Committee. As she left though, she claimed that the PLP would not nominate her because she is a woman. Let's ask Melanie Griffin, Glenys Hanna Martin, Hope Strachan and Cleola Hamilton why they were nominated then. Former GG Arthur Hanna used to say talk sense not non sense. The report of her remarks appeared in the Nassau Guardian of Friday 20th January.

Last Week's Column

22nd. January , 2012 *Welcome to bahamasuncensored.com* *How do you do today? It's great to have you as a reader. We have the most incisive political news about and from The Bahamas!* *Please tell all your friends about us.*
INGRAHAM’S CONVENIENT MEMORY ON P.I.	THE RUNNING PHOTOS
PETER TURNQUEST: SOME SPLAINING TO DO	ANDRE ROLLINS’ STATEMENT ON LAING
PLP ISSUES STATEMENT ON ATLANTIS	MAJORITY RULE AT BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH
BRAVE PHOTOS OF LAUNCH IN SAN SALVADOR	AT LAST A SALUTE TO THE LATE ETTA JAMES DEAD AT 73
NIGERIAN AMBASSADOR PRESENTS CREDENTIALS	JAMAICAN PATRIOT DUDLEY THOMPSON DIES
NOTES FROM GRAND BAHAMA	LORETTA BUTLER TURNER IN LONG ISLAND ( SPECIAL)
DNA LAUNCH LONG ISLAND


LETTERS TO THE EDITOR...	IN PASSING...




Fred Mitchell Launches 3^rdEdition of 'Great Moments In PLP History...	Fred Mitchell's 56th Birthday Party In Support of the 'Mission Fund'...
The Official Site of the Progressive Liberal Party...	The Official Site of the Free National Movement...
PhilipBraveDavis.com...	Interesting Places...
JeromeFiztgerald.org	Bahamas Government Website
KendredDorsett.com	Reg & Kit's Bahamas Links
FredMitchellUncensored.Com ARCHIVES...	Bahamians On The Web
How & Why The PLP Lost in 2007 - The Greenberg Report...	BahamasIssues.com
	BradleybRoberts.com

Compiled, edited and constructed by Russell Dames... Updated every Sunday at 2 p.m.

Volume 9 © BahamasUncensored.com 2012

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