<<< Madame Senator Maynard-Gibson.
BAHAMAS PRESS applauds Madame Senator Maynard-Gibson, for her clear diagnosis of “The Bald Head Monk” a.k.a. Hubert Ingraham, prime minister, dictator, defacto police commissioner and defacto everything else in law enforcement; during her contribution to the Police Act in The Senate on February 26, 2008.
Bahamas Press believes the assault on Ingraham’s genetically flawed logic and thought processes during her debate on the police act was timely, because during his last term as prime minister, he showed his scorn for spiritual protocol by having a house session on Christmas Eve! And true to form he held a house session on Ash Wednesday of this week! So it was timely that Madame Senator Maynard-Gibson “poured hot ashes” on him that he scornfully avoided on Wednesday during her debate on Thursday past!
Bahamas Press shares the following excerpts from Madame Senator Maynard-Gibson’s contribution to the police act debate on Thursday past:
Madame Senator Maynard-Gibson started off by reminding the public of the preamble to the constitution. Madame Senator then continued by expressing The PLP’s objection to certain sections of the bill, which she said is”
• IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL
• IS DISRESPECTFUL OF OUR CONSTITUTION AND THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE
• SUBVERTS THE INTEGRITY OF THE RBPF RAISE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE (COMMISSIONER)
• GENERALLY UNDERMINES THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
• UTTERLY DISRESPECTS THE RIGHT OF BAHAMIANS TO MAKE MATERIAL DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR WAY OF LIFE
WE WILL MOVE FORMALLY AT A LATER STAGE THAT THE OFFENDING SECTION BE REMOVED. The sections of controversy that the government is playing games with our future.
1. GAME NUMBER ONE
• Destroying the HOPE that members of the RBPF can expect to be treated fairly and the HOPE that the RBPF is a place where young people can plan to have a long and fulfilling career
Example Number 1
• sending off persons who were in May 2007 ready, willing, able and qualified to become COMMISSIONER, under the guise of further training… readying them to take higher posts
• when they returned ready to assume those higher posts, it was clear to the public and to them that the government was playing games with their future
Example Number 2
• Unconstitutional firing of members of the police force
• Disgraceful, disrespectful and high handed termination of senior members who gave 30 plus years of unblemished service…life on line, protecting The Bahamas well before we had the luxuries that we have today…they help to build the FOUNDATION of the modern Police Force
• What did they get in return?
• Get out in 48h!!!!
• A letter telling them they have 48h to choose to retire or get nothing
• What kind of message is being sent when people who have served in an organization are told you can choose to retire in 48h with something or be fired and get nothing.
• This administration has demonstrated clearly its disrespect for PEOPLE
• imagine getting a letter on Wednesday telling you to be out by Friday (48h)
• after 30 years of service
• after being given a letter the year before signed by the COMMISSIONER that you will retire at retire at 65
• to go to the bank to rearrange your financial affairs after relying on that letter (saying that you would retire at 65) to incur financial obligations at the bank
º you are to retire and the Commissioner is older than you
• To prepare yourself and your family for the shock that after 30 plus years of service and sacrifice your lives will be shaken up, changed forever and you will be sent to the wilderness
Imagine on Thursday (the next day) receiving a letter saying “In light of your impending retirement…”you must hand over your entire portfolio and be finished by Friday
• The 48h has not expired and you are told to:
• Hand over portfolio
• Hand over car
• Hand over cell phone
• Hand over clothes
All of these instructions received within 24h of being told that you had 48h to retire or be fired
These honourable men and this female pioneer with unblemished records were forced out
This heartless administration refused to give them ANY time for them to put affairs in order
2. GAME NUMBER TWO
Destroying the HOPE that lives and accomplishments of Bahamian women pioneers will be respected
TRAMPLING ON THE NOBLE HISTORIC ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE RBPF
The scandalous manner in which the first Bahamian woman ACP, Juanita Colebrooke, was treated
Leaving a blemish on her and her historic accomplishment
Tremendous record of service
Highly respected
Set up the Urban Renewal (“UR”)
Brainchild behind the UR initiatives
Outstanding record in the Traffic Division
Example to female officers who loved her and were inspired by her
Totally adversely impacted morale of female officers
Leaving the suggestion that she did something wrong
When she retired she should have been hailed as the historic figure that she is
This is how the FNM rewards patriotism and hard work
Ask the hundreds of other Public Officers who were also cruelly treated by this administration and who have been left to pick up the pieces of their life and the lives of so many dependents
3. GAME NUMBER THREE
Destroying the HOPE that the government will protect the “fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual”
Destroying the HOPE that the COMMISSIONER’s Constitutional Role will be respected
Causing the appearance that the COMMISSIONER has to sing for his supper
IT IS DISGRACEFUL THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD TREAT THE COMMISSIONER IN THIS WAY MAKING HIM LOOK LIKE A SLAVE OR BONDSMAN WHOSE LABOUR IS EXPLOITED AND WHO IS MADE TO SING FOR HIS SUPPER
Playing games with the tenure of the COMMISSIONER
• The COMMISSIONER’s tenure is secure unless he jeopardizes his tenure by “misconduct” or “incompetence” as defined in the law
• In those limited situations the Constitution sets out the process by which he is removed
• The Constitution RIGHT NOW provides for removal in situations where the public interest is not being served
• COMMISSIONER is GUARANTEED due process by those provisions ALL of which were unanimously agreed by the Founding Fathers who attended the Constitutional Conference
• Two of the Founding Fathers have PUBLICLY stated that
• There was unanimous agreement that there should be security of tenure for the COMMISSIONER
• They believe that what the Government is now doing was NOT intended by the Founding Fathers who unanimously agreed about the security of tenure of the COMMISSIONER
• Under the new provisions any COMMISSIONER has now to consider how he will get his contract renewed
• How must he conduct himself
• How will he feed his family if his contract is not renewed
• If it is renewed, how long will it be renewed for
• If it is not renewed for long enough how will he feed his family …
• Will he be able to overcome the difficulty of a man in his 50s or 60s getting a job
•Should he start a side business so that he will be “set”
• The purpose of the existing provisions is to enable him to do his job without fear or favour or having to sing for his supper
THIS “SING FOR YOUR SUPPER” PROVISION UNDERMINES OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM BY RENDERING IT A POSSIBLITY THAT THE COMMISSIONER IS A PAWN OF THE PM
IN THE EXAMPLES BELOW, I EMPHASIZE THAT I DO NOT AND AM NOT REFERRING TO ANY CURRENT OR PAST PM OR MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE
I BELIEVE THAT ALL OF THOSE PAST AND CURRENT MEN AND WOMEN ARE PATRIOTS AND THAT NONE OF THEM WOULD KNOWINGLY PRESSURE THE COMMISSIONER.
I AM GIVING EXAMPLES, ANY OR ALL OF WHICH, IN MY VIEW ARE WITHIN THE REALM OF POSSIBIITY
4. GAME NUMBER FOUR
Destroying the that HOPE the world can “mark the manner of our bearing” as we in “love and unity… march together, to a common loftier goal” one of which is the ability for Bahamians to join in agreeing a vision for the COMMISSIONER and the RBPF
DISRESPECT OF BAHAMIAN PEOPLE BY NOT ALLOWING THEM TO VOTE ON THIS MATTER HAVING NOT PUT IT IN THE FNM PLATFORM
Talk here about how if the FNM was going to change something so important it should have been in their Platform. When people voted FNM they would have known what they were voting for
When people voted PLP in 1972 they knew that they were voting for Independence
When people voted PLP in 2002 they knew that the PLP would not change the Constitution without education and consultation
Note the way that the FNM tried to force feed Bahamians with 10 amendments in 2002
Here they are again doing the same thing through the back door
5. Game Number FIVE
SENDING A MESSAGE TO OUR YOUTH THAT CONFLICTS ARE TO BE RESOLVED BY FORCE
In organizations, be they families or businesses or any other organization a good leader leads by consensus about the Mission or Vision of the family, a business or any oranization
• He does not DICTATE
• He should be able to articulate his vision and encourage people to follow it
• It trains young people to resolve conflict by discussion not exerting power (the FNM has the majority therefore will force its will on Bahamians)
• This Bill is further evidence of the FNM forcing its will on people
• No wonder our young people are unable to resolve conflict
Far too many people in The Bahamas today force their will on people
Our Constitution says that our “ Freedom will be guaranteed by a national commitment to Self-discipline, Industry, Loyalty, Unity and an abiding respect for Christian values and the Rule of Law”
It does not say force, cruelty, mean spiritednes, bullying or any other word suggesting the tactics used by the FNM … tactics that destroy families and communities
We ought to disassociate ourselves from that way of living
6. GAME NUMBER SIX
Destroying the HOPES and dreams of young people by putting a boulders around their necks so that they cannot “lift up their heads to the rising sun…”
• Today in The Bahamas we have an unprecedented suicide rate
• Today in The Bahamas we have almost 2 murders per week.
• Here we are debating this controversial provision that will not decrease crime and will not decrease suicide
• It shows the TOTAL insincerity of the FNM
• A party with NO VISION of our “common loftier goals…”
• The FNM laughing at the RBPF giving out “corned beef, sardines and grits”
• There are PLENTY people today who would love to have corned beef sardines and grits.
• The Police in May 2007 were seeing the successes of efforts at working with the Churches to restore hope, build self esteem, present options, build good citizenship in our communities
• They FNM dashed the hopes of all of the young people and all of the people involved in UR.
What we should be debating here today is how to restore HOPE
How do we “ March on to glory, your bright banners waving high and let the world mark the manner of your bearing;”
Bahamas Press couldn’t agree more; except that Madame Senator Maynard-Gibson should have also suggested that what should also be seriously debated in these present times,–is how can this nation gracefully and mercifully have it’s prime minister committed to the asylum for the certifiably insane!
Joe Blow has never been to Washington D.C.. he does not know Bumbles. And as Rett Butler said at the end of Gone With the Wind “quite frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn” (what you think). I do acknowledge that HI is my PM just as I acknowledged PC was during his term in office. I have a lot of respect for that office, even if the rest of you don’t. You all are giving this country a black eye in the rest of the world when you are so disrespecting. While I may criticize the actions of others, I never can be accused of degrading them or their reputations in word or deed. Would that you could say the same!
i like some other person also believes that this person named ‘blow hard’or job blow is bi partisan. and while on the subject of bi or dual chracters–didn’t some one ask this blow guy, if he knew a guy named bumbles who once was a chauffer for former minister c. a. smith? why has job blow ignored that question? one thing for sure i know bumbles and i know the secrets he hides for his former boss–including that ‘greasey paraphanalia bag from way back then. so if this guy is job blow, blow hard and bumbles’ former boss–like a previous blogger said-=- tell him to take his fingers off the website and do his job in washington
Keep up the good work Sen. Maynard Gibson,… finally someone with balls to tell it like it is on our side, maybe you should be leader and chairman at the same time… current leader and chairmen is a disappointment.
Its hard to believe that Fnm took this country from boom to bust in a matter of 18 months. it seems like they came to govern with no agenda. First thing they did was to stop all contracts, in some cases canceled. this move was to try to find some dirt on the PLP, and to make it possible for another commission of inquiry, well that didn’t work, the books was squeaky clean.( say what you want about Perry but he een no thief) Failing at this attempt to buy time, the Fnm had to make it up as go… They may have gotten away with it but the rescission caught them off Gard, that send HI (them) into panic mode. To the hardcore Fnm, HI is doing a marvelous job but to the center right Fnms, his time has past.
To keep things from getting out of control HI had to come up with a plan. His plan is to fire anyone that’s get in his way,(this move made it seem that he’s a no nonsense person, but all it did was destroy thousands of lives) this includes CM, MP, Police and if and when he can Judges (so the judge who over turn his Sen. appointment you next). The ones he can’t get directly he would get indirectly, this includes all of us Plps or people suspected of being plp. This is what i call PETTY, CHILDISH, IMMUTURE and the list goes on… I want to ask you something people, was it like this before may of 07? Where we so divided? I seems that someone hit the pause button on this country, we ain’t progressing at all, why should we have to wait on America? This is the Bahamas man, we have an abundance of natural resources… Sun, wind, ocean currents, undeveloped land and the list goes on. Doesn’t anybody in the gov. knows that going green is the future? or is it that they have no vision?
As childish And immature as HI is ( see for yourself, watch channel 40 when parliament is in session) you actually have Blow Joe criticizing Sen. Maynard Gibson for doing her job, when he should concern about where his dear leader is taking as a nation…. My final question,.. IS THERE ANYONE WITH BALLS IN THE FNM TO STAND UP TO THIS WUTLESS PM? I think not, all i see is a bunch of yes men/woman… Sen Wallace thought you were different but you surely “sang for your supper” on that police bill…
BP there’s a sip sip at the round table about the DPM owning or having shears in that argentinien co. thats about to do the road works in this country… have you heard anything?
Joe Blow is back to blowing hot air on all of us again. N***** please! Bi partisan? Who? Not you my brother. I have never seen a comment from you knocking that superstar jack*** Charles Maynard whenever he gets up in the HOA to showboat and practice his comedy routine when serious matters are on the table. Not once have you written a word condemning that buffoon so give me a break with your sanctimonious BS. Please. You’re a tried and true member of the Red Brigade and thats your right but don’t insult everyone here by pretending that you’re a straight shooter because my brother, you are not. BP’s archives bares that point out easily.
Whoever is the Govt of the Bahamas is certain to get the most criticism but that goes with the territory.I have a serious problem with grandstanding and recognise that politicians love to showboat and this only lasts for a season.Senator Maynard is very pointed in her debates and is a welcome sight.The PM is very caustic in his responses and I sometimes wonder if it is not a sign of an inferiority complex.I remember that young men who are illiterate use belligerency to mask their shortcoming.mmmppphhh
R7: Our Prime Minister does not ever deal with fools gladly. I find him short of patience at times but it is usually with some cause. He is kind and patient, however, with persons who are less well educated and have fewer of life’s advantages. He has demomstrated his softer side in public on a few ocassions. He can be very caustic and his comments to his peers can cut one to the core. He takes a lot of verbal abuse for what he says and does; yet he continues on his path as he believes whole-heartedly that that path is the best way for our country. That shows his strength. You will never hear him whinning. Mr. Christie also has a vision for our country and whether one agrees with it or not , one must give him his “props” for serving and doing what he thinks best for the times. I could say that most of the participants on this blog are not bi-partisan and most come down on the side of the PLP. That, by its nature, forces persons like myself to come to the side of the present povernment if only out of fairness. I have observed also that many of those who favour the Opposition use very devisive verbal rhetoric to try to assassinate the character of others with whom they disagree. That is most regretable as we are all Bahamians and are taught to love our brothers/sisters. Very often we fear the no nonsense person because we know in our hearts that we come up short of what is expected of us as good citizens. Keep expressing your views but without vindictiveness as I intend to keep expressing mine, with tolerance, I hope.
Joe blow while i do believe you mean well , the fact is i have yet to see where any of your comments are bi-partisan. You are always for, or, against. With you there is no middle of the road.
And if you find the senator to act ‘officiously’ I do not know what to
say about the prime minister’s belligerent, garrolous, obtrusive,demeaning,narcissist, proclivities. All the reporters are afraid of him, all of media sucks up to him, and thats more out of fear,
than admiration
Ronica7 and Child: If indeed, the part of the Bill that the PLP objects to is unconstitutional, it is incumbant upon the PLP or other interested parties to test it in the Courts. I certainly have no objections to that. If I have leanings toward the philosophies of the FNM that is my right. I alway assess the character of those running in my constituancy, as best I can, and vote for the one, regardless of which Party he/she supports, who is best for my area. While Mrs. Maynard feels the FNM cannot hold a candle to her Party, she does carry on, in the Senate, in a most unbecoming and officious manner. If she truly loves her country and the people, she should point out the flaws in the Bill and give her reasons for that. It is, however, not necessary to waste time by continually assasinating characters instead of addressing the issues. I have the same problem with those on either side in the House who waste time grandstanding and bringing up past issues, while supposedly debating a specific Bill. Pardon my language but they do make ***es of themselves and I might well be insulting that particular animal in making that assessment. Yes I lived through the 70’s and the 80’s and indeed hold to account LOP and al(all leaders not just politicians )of the time. I am sure they did what they thought was expedient at that time but we know that while we might want to justify the means and the end, we all are now reaping (especially our young people) the whirlwind it caused and continues to plague this country.
Well you know joe blow, he is like the tribune, the plp can do no right and the fnm can do no wrong.
Joe Blow you are so wrong.Forget about partisan politics and read what the good Senator said.All of the charges laid by the Senator are right on.Since you are an avid supporter of the Govt then please tell them to act within the law amd not from the outside.Obviously you are a fanatic for foolishness and dont care about right or wrong.Did you live through the Drug invested 70,s and 80,s?when many turned their heads to wrong?The Prime Minister needs to again look at this period b4 he allows others to cause him to support foolishness like certain parts of this unconstitutional bill.
She sure does like her times in the spotlight! It doesn’t seem to matter what she says as long as she is on that stage in the Senate. Debate the contents of the Bill, Madam and leave your “rants” for the ears of the fringe lunatics!
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