Miller: 'Stupid Bahamians' quote was out of context

PLP MP for Tall Pines Leslie Miller clarified remarks attributed to him during the 2012 election campaign, in which he was portrayed as calling black Bahamians "stupid".

Speaking in the House of Assembly last week, Mr Miller said his comments were taken out of context as he was speaking at the time about the previous debate over liquefied natural gas (LNG) and how some members of society preferred to listen to others of a "lighter hue".

"What I did say on a radio station was that even though Dr Marcus Bethel, who at that time was the Minister responsible for the Environment, and all of the consultants that participated on the LNG project - the experts - some Bahamians preferred to listen to what I call wheelchair environmentalists who made statements that were untrue, unfounded, and they believed them.

"I might have said that is how stupid some of those people are.

"They don't believe the experts, but they believe a person because of the hue, the colour of their skin. That is what I remember saying.

"But I was ridiculed as many of my other colleagues were ridiculed during the campaign.

"In one instance I was called a 'tief' along with a few other of my colleagues.

"And other names were called and of course I got tired of it and I decided to fight back. I trust that in this chamber Mr Speaker, I would not have to do so.

"But I just wanted to set the record straight and say it now, that the people's potcake is now reporting for duty," he said.

Comments

242 says...

Okay and the plp won't rest until they confront every issue they have with the FNM. Use those 100 days wisely and do the work you promised the Bahamian people. What does a tape played at a campaign rally have to do with the Bahamas' issues on June 4th.

Posted 4 June 2012, 1:56 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

I couldn't agree more., provided its all talk that Hubert once again hearing things in he head that only he can save the FNM? If he really hearing anything it got to be the voices of the old and newer Sir Stafford's Bay Street Boys who done missing their power and scared out their elite pants that PM Christie and Comrade Brave going be looking into some of their dealings. Just been but days and they miss their power already.

http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2012…

Posted 4 June 2012, 2:23 p.m. Suggest removal

MartGM says...

smt, No matter what Mr. Miller says, it will never be okay to call any Bahamian, the very people you're representing, STUPID! Out of context...um...NO. It was better off he left it than tried to explain it. He's digging an even bigger hole. Let it rest.

Posted 4 June 2012, 3:36 p.m. Suggest removal

Renaissance says...

Look guys get over it already. Lets go get that damn earl.

Posted 4 June 2012, 4:45 p.m. Suggest removal

Renaissance says...

(OIL)

Posted 4 June 2012, 4:50 p.m. Suggest removal

positiveinput says...

Nothing was out of context because if I was to make a statement, someone records it and edit it to benefit their suggestion, then I explain or try to explain the nature in which the statement was made, as a person who never heard my entire statement, no judgement should be made. If I was to say, "You think my neighbour stupid to let you throw that dead cat in his garbage", could you truly tell my neighbour I called him stupid. The recording of Mr Miller was a portion of the entire statement he made played at a FNM rally as a means of election tactics. I know most of you listen to Real Talk so think how most every day Mr. Bodie would complement a male guest, afterwards reply, "now i dont want you think I LIKE MAN cause i dont go that way. If that statement was recorded and only the capitalized words played over and over, what would you conclude of Mr Bodie if you didn't hear his entire show yourself.

Posted 4 June 2012, 8:52 p.m. Suggest removal

notsogullible says...

Leslie Miller thinks Bahamians are stupid, especially black Bahamians - that is the bottom line - there's no "out-of-context" scenario for that. AND that's just who voted for him and ...

Posted 4 June 2012, 9:19 p.m. Suggest removal

BigD1 says...

So he said it was some people being stupid and not black Bahamians. I guess that makes it ok. By the way is there a tape to confirm this ......lol

Posted 4 June 2012, 9:20 p.m. Suggest removal

BigD1 says...

All my life I never believed most black Bahamians are stupid. It's amazing how much my thinking has evolved since May 7th.

Posted 4 June 2012, 9:24 p.m. Suggest removal

Concerned says...

Here Mr. Miller goes again calling black Bahamians stupid. Only a stupid person would be satisfied with such an idiotic explanation. "Ok, they not black and stupid for following the FNM, they black and stupid for following white people." Congratulations Mr. Miller, you went from denigrating black Bahamians to making racial slurs against white people. You on a roll now. This 100 Day Challenge is truly accomplishing a lot for this government.

Posted 4 June 2012, 10:02 p.m. Suggest removal

concernedcitizen says...

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

Posted 4 June 2012, 10:42 p.m.

Shirley says...

Mr. Miller, the more you try to explain your comments, the more stupid you sound. Let it go.

Posted 5 June 2012, 5:35 a.m. Suggest removal

concernedcitizen says...

lets see ,so now this joker insults ,black people,white people ,and the handicapped ...what is a wheel chair enviormentalist ???

Posted 5 June 2012, 7:49 a.m. Suggest removal

MartGM says...

lol!!!! It's better to say nothing and let people believe you're a fool instead of opening your mouth and removing all doubt. Mr. Miller should take note

Posted 5 June 2012, 9:06 a.m. Suggest removal

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