PM: Impact of Hurricane Joaquin a 'teachable moment'

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

Rrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie said on Thursday that the government has to use the impact of Hurricane Joaquin as a “teachable moment”, adding that his administration must also implement a process where dangerous weather systems do not catch people by surprise.

“We have to see this again as a teachable moment and to ensure that provisions are put in place to not have a repeat of the same mistake,” he told reporters on Thursday. “Look, we are dealing with it as best as we can and we are prepared to dedicate all of the resources necessary to deal with the situation and hopefully we will be able to come out with minimal damage to land and no damage to the people.”

Mr Christie was speaking to reporters after attending a service honouring straw market vendors. His administration has faced criticism for not being more aggressive in helping people in the southern Bahamas, such as Acklins and Crooked Island, who are reportedly currently experiencing heavy flooding and storm surges from the hurricane. Joaquin strengthened into a dangerous category four hurricane as of 2pm today, according to the US’ National Hurricane Center.

He added: “We have to, firstly, learn from any experience where people are caught by surprise because as an island nation we have to depend and put in place a process that will ensure immediately we are informed that danger may come which means that people are not to be caught by surprise to the extent that they cannot reach telephone, cannot put in place protection for their homes and other assets. And so the first point I'd make that since this time we've had a full report on what has taken place.”

He continued: “Yesterday (Wednesday) I spoke with Captain Russell of NEMA to give me an update on the weather and I indicated to him that he ought to be mobilizing. The idea to us this: at all times we have to be prepared (to act) immediately when we are told that our islands are in danger of being impacted by a disaster and so we could only hope that damage is minimal and that to the extent that there is damage, we can quickly fix the damage. We are always grateful when there is not a loss of life. And so, moving forward, we are using every opportunity at this time to strengthen our preparedness to deal with these kinds of eventualities like hurricanes and serious whether happenings.”

Mr Christie will address the nation at a press conference on the hurricane at 3pm.

Comments

jus2cents says...

What can you say to this.......!!? (Remember Cat Island) teachable moment ?!! ......WTF!? ..... is he seriously?....No?!..... Slaps Forehead .... walks away.

Posted 1 October 2015, 2:32 p.m. Suggest removal

banker says...

Posted 1 October 2015, 2:40 p.m. Suggest removal

DDK says...

Hear! Hear!

Posted 2 October 2015, 12:50 p.m. Suggest removal

marrcus says...

How many "teachable moments" can we withstand...... lord help us.

Posted 1 October 2015, 2:44 p.m. Suggest removal

realfreethinker says...

What an asshole. With the amount of teachable moments this idiot has he aught be a F.....g genius.Where did we get this PM from. If there is any decency left in him he would resign immediately and take the rest with him GEEEEEZZZZ

Posted 1 October 2015, 3:45 p.m. Suggest removal

marrcus says...

“We have to see this again as a teachable moment and to ensure that provisions are put in place to not have a repeat of the same mistake,”

Hurricane aint even pass yet, and he admits defeat.... How much more bahamians...how much more?

Posted 1 October 2015, 2:50 p.m. Suggest removal

marrcus says...

Joaquin is french for "Jokey."
Dem Jokey leaders................
Joaquin is to Perry what Katrina was to Bush? (that aint no joke)

Posted 1 October 2015, 2:56 p.m. Suggest removal

asiseeit says...

I just can't....What an asshole! WUTLESS is an understatement.

Posted 1 October 2015, 3:21 p.m. Suggest removal

Wideawake says...

So now "a teachable moment" is the new buzzword for a monumental government f-up?

Of course, every mistake that anyone ever makes is a "teachable moment" to everyone
involved, or even anyone observing, or anyone learning about the screw-up!!

But what we want and need is a government that does not make monumental mistakes, and which doesn't then annoint its mistakes as "teachable moments" to deflect from the fact that the mistakes should never have been made in the first place!

In other words what we want and need from our government is simply, competence.... and accountability!!!!...... Surely that is not too much to ask!!

Posted 1 October 2015, 3:54 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

Comrades, granted it does encourage some rethinking - if there’s still cause for optimism come the 2017 General.

Posted 1 October 2015, 4:07 p.m. Suggest removal

GrassRoot says...

teachable for PGC: the ire of GOD for PGC running again

Posted 1 October 2015, 4:21 p.m. Suggest removal

sealice says...

hopefully his next teachable moment is losing the next election

Posted 1 October 2015, 4:23 p.m. Suggest removal

thomas says...

speaking of a teachable moment ...JOAQUÍN, pronounced "wah-KEEN", like Joaquin Phoenix.

Posted 1 October 2015, 5:03 p.m. Suggest removal

realfreethinker says...

You need to tell that to perry the way he butchered that name today

Posted 1 October 2015, 5:05 p.m. Suggest removal

asiseeit says...

So, if the P.M. took a nanny this morning, was that a "teachable moment" that taught him he is full of it?

Posted 1 October 2015, 6:29 p.m. Suggest removal

The_Oracle says...

Was he not expelled from school for not learning?
seems he is consistent.
For him to now be "admonishing" anyone is ludicrous.
(his word not mine.)

Posted 1 October 2015, 6:36 p.m. Suggest removal

banker says...

Perry just keeps getting better and better. And Mad Brad is forcing them all to march behind him.

http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2015…

Posted 1 October 2015, 8:14 p.m. Suggest removal

Well_mudda_take_sic says...

After acknowledging the country's unpreparedness for Hurricane Joaquin by saying it was "a teachable moment" Christie then said, word for word: "No use lamenting over it." THIS IS HOW HE FEELS ABOUT EVERY DAMN THING TO DO WITH HIS GROSS INCOMPETENCY AS PM AND MINISTER OF FINANCE, AND THE TERRIBLE HARM HE HAS CAUSED AND CONTINUES TO CAUSE THE VAST MAJORITY OF BAHAMIANS EACH DAY OF THEIR LIVES! In other words, Christie is spitting in our eye and telling us "just get over it!" Christie is definitely one of the most grotesque leaders of a country in our world today, probably now the worst leader the Bahamas has ever had or ever will have (assuming Minnis never becomes PM)!!

Posted 1 October 2015, 8:20 p.m. Suggest removal

Reality_Check says...

The Bahamian people should strap a parachute on Christie's back and make him jump from a plane into the eye of Hurricane Joaquin!

Posted 1 October 2015, 8:23 p.m. Suggest removal

Well_mudda_take_sic says...

Fully agree, but forget the parachute!

Posted 1 October 2015, 8:25 p.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

This man is delusional, What was the point of his address. Seriously????

Posted 1 October 2015, 8:45 p.m. Suggest removal

ThisIsOurs says...

I am really tired of all of these unqualified people running the country. How is it possible that we have so many dummies in training in the cabinet? Teachable moment?

Posted 1 October 2015, 8:47 p.m. Suggest removal

beachlife says...

lmao my boy say teachable moment

Posted 1 October 2015, 9:53 p.m. Suggest removal

Baha10 says...

Truly a National Disgrace! To leave our most vulnerable "Out Islands to the mercy of this Storm without any form of early warning system whether it be radar or telephone service is truly unconscionable. So much for "Family" Islands! Switch on "any" International Weather Channel and "we" are currently the laughing stock of the World. We are the most Hurricane prone Islands in the World and at the height of the Hurricane Season, our Radar is down due to "spare parts" and no phone service, presumably again due to "spare parts". Sounds more and more like Cuba every day, albeit "the Cuba of old", as even they are laughing at us today.

Posted 1 October 2015, 10:40 p.m. Suggest removal

Gelic1612 says...

We have been the laughing stock of the world now for the last 3 years - May 2012.

Posted 3 October 2015, 10:13 a.m. Suggest removal

MonkeeDoo says...

Who voted for these clowns ?

Posted 1 October 2015, 10:42 p.m. Suggest removal

Cobalt says...

The same people you see complaining everyday on this website.
The same people you see standing on the unemployment lines.
The same people from Inagua, Mayaguana and those others southern islands who are now voicing their displeasure after voting for Alfred Gray. See...... it's like the old adage says.... "when you're dumb you're dangerous." And the reason that a dumb person is dangerous is because first of all, they don't know that they're dumb. Second of all, their dumbness harms everyone around them. If you're living amongst dumb people, then your personal wellbeing is at risk. And the stark reality is that the Bahamian populace is saturated with dummies.

The simple truth is....... Bahamians are getting exactly what they voted for. They're victims of their own stupidity.

Posted 2 October 2015, 12:13 a.m. Suggest removal

TruePeople says...

I gets to that Money Iyah!

Posted 2 October 2015, 9:24 a.m. Suggest removal

EasternGate says...

Am with you Cobalt!

Posted 2 October 2015, 1:46 p.m. Suggest removal

Greentea says...

"The storm is the first Category 4 hurricane to track through the Bahamas in October in 149 years!"
Maybe God is trying to tell us something! Mmmmmm let me interpret this for you. "The current political class in the Bahamas needs to go. If after all these signs, wonders, exposure of corruption, exposure of the system, exposure of the Judases is presented to you and you keep deez nuts in power, your demise is your fault. Don't call me." Yours truly, the good Lord.

Posted 1 October 2015, 11:11 p.m. Suggest removal

EasternGate says...

Spot on!

Posted 2 October 2015, 1:48 p.m. Suggest removal

B_I_D___ says...

I'm sure Birdie will come in here and sing the PLP praises and try to spin this whole thing into a victory for the PLP and failure for all other naysayers...

Posted 1 October 2015, 11:52 p.m. Suggest removal

EasternGate says...

Hopefully, Birdie flew into the eye of the storm and will not emegre

Posted 2 October 2015, 1:50 p.m. Suggest removal

Cobalt says...

I really don't understand why everyone is all upset.

This is the PLP. This is what they do. This is what they are. They've always been this way. And yet the majority of Bahamians voted for them despite these facts. So why is everyone complaining now??? Y'all really didn't see this coming??? Seriously????

A dumb, defective, people deserve a dumb, defective government. No?

Posted 2 October 2015, 12:34 a.m. Suggest removal

SP says...

**The little Emperor Hubert Ingraham was similarly dumb and defective!**

The FNM literally destroyed the country lock, stock and barrel while flooding the country with Huberts Haitian relatives to boot.

There was no "real choice" except the PLP bungler pirates as we the people transition to 2017.

**43 years of PLP and FNM administrations PROVEN 100% INCOMPETENT!**

Posted 2 October 2015, 8:15 a.m. Suggest removal

asiseeit says...

The Majority actually voted AGAINST the PLP.

Posted 2 October 2015, 9 a.m. Suggest removal

Thinker says...

yep! True in fact!

Posted 2 October 2015, 10:44 a.m. Suggest removal

marrcus says...

This is the plain truth..........DNA votes drew mostly FNM supporters, and probably will again. PLP is here for good. Get used to it.

Posted 2 October 2015, 10:46 a.m. Suggest removal

ohdrap4 says...

Mind you, HAI was ready from literally day 1 whne hurricane hit.

just saying....

Posted 2 October 2015, 6:16 a.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

Comrade do remind Tribune readers. Wasn't that HAI "Ready Moment" more of a numbers man's "teachable moment" as he was photographed up in the cabinet office, while handing over a fat donation check to the red regime to fund NEMA?
Last some us heard was even at the time the red regime had been removed from office back in 2012, there were still islander hurricane victims waiting for Papa Hubert's much promised supplies and financial relief to arrive by mail boats.
Don't forget these two men's, spent years together as law partners - so lots of same ways in political operational DNA.

Posted 2 October 2015, 8:58 a.m. Suggest removal

TruePeople says...

PLP have moments of being teachable.... and lifetimes of being completely clueless

Posted 2 October 2015, 9:26 a.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

Comrade in about an hour from now the red shirts will experience a hurricane of its own when the alleged BEC bribe taker will have been arrested and brought by policeman's for arraignment before a judge. Sure hope the Tribune's photographer will be as present as when PLP's get in trouble. But I seriously doubt it cuz there seems be one set accountability for PLP's and other politicians but different rules of law for reds. With bated breath you will be totally shocked to discover the name of the individual scheduled for being charged.

Posted 2 October 2015, 10:12 a.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

Comrade you can never really knows who may get implicated in the weeks ahead. Of course innocent until proven guilty but if found guilty there is the real probability some that bribe monies had be's intended to be passed upwards of the power ladder. People have been known to squeal like a donkey to save their own asses when their private part get's caught between a tightening policeman's asking lots damaging questions vice-grip. That sucker can cause some mean hurtin, like we're talkin some really painfully bad hurtin.

Posted 2 October 2015, 10:37 a.m. Suggest removal

banker says...

Damn, the bribe taker is Fred Ramsey. I was hoping that it was a really big fish.

Posted 2 October 2015, 11:22 a.m. Suggest removal

EasternGate says...

Absolutely!

Posted 2 October 2015, 2:27 p.m. Suggest removal

banker says...

LOL! I gatta admit Tal, I get high entertainment value from your partisan contortions.

http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2015…

Posted 2 October 2015, 10:49 a.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

Comrade Banker I can't help myself, it's what happens when you have an subjective understanding of anything that looks, walks or quacks like a red shirt.

Posted 2 October 2015, 12:13 p.m. Suggest removal

banker says...

Oh pity the fact that your understanding is subjective instead of objective. I understand that you like the plank in your eye. Oh well, some people are incapable of having a teachable moment.

Do you ride horses? You need to be thrown off a horse on the road to Damascus. Instead of innuendo against the FNM, you need to join them -- unless your pockets are full from being a PLP minion. Then, by all means, carry on smartly, because dems is the only ones filling their pockets.

Posted 2 October 2015, 1:54 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

Comrade Banker filling one's pockets is the true and proven political way. Nothing wrong if you're legit in the ways you go about earning it.

Posted 2 October 2015, 2:10 p.m. Suggest removal

Well_mudda_take_sic says...

Lives are going to be unnecessarily lost to Hurricane Joaquin because selfish greedy Christie and his PLP cohorts have been pre-occupied in recent years with getting all they can get for their own personal gain, and the gain of their family members, political friends and business cronies, from their new Chinese friends. Meanwhile life saving hurricane preparedness plans have not been given the time of day and are only now being given lip service after the fact by the grossly incompetent Christie-led PLP government. Christie is going to have the blood of the poor Bahamian souls lost to Joaquin on his hands, but he will quickly remind us that it was a"a teachable moment" and that there is "no use in us lamenting over it." Christie has become the most monstrous grotesque leader our country has ever seen or will ever see again. God only knows how this man sleeps so comfortably at night when so many Bahamians are suffering the most dreadful existence imaginable as a result of his belief that all he need occasionally do is blow hot air into a microphone to console us! Knowing the PLP government they will blame any loss of life from Joaquin on any and everything but Joaquin.

Posted 2 October 2015, 1:13 p.m. Suggest removal

EasternGate says...

This is where you her the real news

Posted 2 October 2015, 2:29 p.m. Suggest removal

SP says...

**................... P.M. Perry Christie was blindsided again by Hurricane Joaquin ...................**

Its amazing what can't be seen, especially if one is not looking!

Posted 3 October 2015, 8:02 a.m. Suggest removal

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