Friday, March 4, 2016
By RICARDO WELLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
rwells@tribunemedia.net
MORE than a month after the she accused sitting Free National Movement (FNM) members of Parliament of being “jealous” of party chief Dr Hubert Minnis, Senator Lanisha Rolle publicly apologised to those she offended.
Senator Rolle also offered some insight into her thought process in the wake of the scathing criticism leveled by her towards Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner and other FNM MPs in late January, calling the entire ordeal a learning opportunity that she wished had played out differently.
Speaking as guest on the 96.9 FM talk show “The Conversation” with host Shenique Miller - the same show on which she made her now infamous comments - the senator said her life has always been guided by biblical principles and values which have helped her deal with this matter and apologise to those that were offended by her statements.
Senator Rolle said her intent during her initial call-in to the show in January was to shift the public’s focus away from the FNM’s leadership issues and on to the failures of the Progressive Liberal Party, but she said she inadvertently “created more talk.”
“I did think at the time that certain things needed to be said but, in hindsight, I think it could have been done a different way,” she said. “What I was trying to convey, and I hoped that I conveyed, was that the Free National Movement had followed a democratic process according to the (party’s) constitution and I wanted to encourage all.”
“I wanted the (negative) talk to actually cease because our focus is on the Progressive Liberal Party and the fact that they are failing the Bahamian people,” she added.
Senator Rolle in January suggested that the Bahamian public would never vote for Mrs Butler-Turner as prime minister over Perry Christie and said she should “humble” herself before the FNM leader.
She also said Dr Minnis had the support of FNM delegates and that only a few FNM MPs who were “holding seats for now” did not support him.
Addressing those comments yesterday, Senator Rolle said her words only brought more spotlight on the FNM, contending that while she sees the need for brutally honest politicians in the Bahamas, at times trying to be honest can hurt those you care about.
“To the extent that any person would have been offended by any part or to the extent they would have been offended by my comments, I do apologise; but certainly that was not the intent.”
“Certainly I am here to build the party and I support every Free National Movement member of Parliament 100 per cent and certainly I follow and support the leader 110 per cent because he pushes us to the 100 per cent.”
According to Senator Rolle, once she was informed by officials of the FNM’s Central Council that her comments had in fact offended members of the party, she immediately moved to contact those members and offer a private apology.
However, a number of MPs later called on Mrs Rolle to make a public apology for the comments, which they saw as disrespectful.
In a joint statement in early February, St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman; Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn; North Eleuthera MP Theo Neilly and Mrs Butler-Turner joined Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant in calling for a public apology from Mrs Rolle.
The group said the “unprovoked and extreme” remarks made by Senator Rolle left many FNM supporters “dismayed.”
Mrs Rolle yesterday said she has and will continue to apologise to those members she offended. She added that while errors of her actions are now evident, members can rest assured that she would continue to offer remorse.
“It’s about doing the right thing,” she said. “I love my brother and sisters in the Free National Movement, I have said that before and I say that again without reservation. What we need to do win the next government is what I am committed to do as opposition senator.”
Mrs Rolle said she firmly believes that if the party resolves its issues, Dr Minnis can lead the group to a landslide victory in the 2017 general election.
She called on the public to view the party as a holistic unit being built to meet a number of set objectives.
She cautioned the public not to judge the candidates ratified by the party to date and understand that they are part of the machinery that is working constantly for the betterment of the Bahamian people.
To date, the Free National Movement has ratified 11 candidates and committed itself to holding a convention by November 30.
Comments
Economist says...
Age does not come into this. You can be young and smart. We need young and smart politicians, Not someone because they are young.
The good Senator should not have been appointed.
I don't blame her.
I blame the persons who recommended her and appointed her.
Posted 4 March 2016, 9:20 p.m. Suggest removal
ThisIsOurs says...
Disagree, think the senate should be the place for wise and experienced.
Posted 4 March 2016, 9:23 p.m. Suggest removal
Economist says...
By law you have to be 30 to be a Senator. That is old enough.
Do you say that Sir Lyndon was to young to be in politics in the 1950's?
Do you feel that Sir Lyndon at 26 was not a wise person when he won the leadership as Party Leader in the House of Assembly?
Posted 4 March 2016, 9:57 p.m. Suggest removal
ThisIsOurs says...
He was very intelligent and well qualified to be prime minister, he was not too young to be "in politics". I would like to see persons who've travelled the road already giving guidance in the senate. In the 1950's there may have been slim pickings, that's not the case today. I think Sir Lynden was just young enough to be fooled by the lure of bright lights and riches. I think Lanisha Rolle is not mature enough to be in the senate, maturity not being a function of age. She's definitely not suited for the position.
Posted 5 March 2016, 1:35 p.m. Suggest removal
DillyTree says...
Too little too late. Far as I can tell, her credibility is shot. Her explanation was of no substance or sense, which just means, like the village drunk, one can get away with saying what one really things, then backtrack.
But still a nice attempt at kissy kissy, which the FNM so desperately needs.
Posted 4 March 2016, 1:23 p.m. Suggest removal
jackbnimble says...
The first reaction was the real reaction. She wasn't sorry.
Posted 4 March 2016, 1:26 p.m. Suggest removal
ThisIsOurs says...
The first reaction showed her true feelings, but she can regret that, that's the definition of being sorry. What I dont get is when asked a few weeks ago if she had apologized, her response was "to who?". Then the "non-apology" apology, "IF" I offended you, not "I offended you". But anyway, the party didn't self destruct so we move on.
Posted 4 March 2016, 9:31 p.m. Suggest removal
sheeprunner12 says...
.....................this is water under the bridge ............. and so?????????????? LBT will not be affected one way or the other by the Laneshas of this world ......... LBT needs Long Island voters to still have confidence in her ability to raise their desperate level of social, economic and political inequality in this country ........... and help the FNM regain the government ..... Lanesha is like a blip on the Bahamian landscape .......... LBT is a mountain
Posted 4 March 2016, 1:39 p.m. Suggest removal
licks2 says...
Why yinna just don't chill. . .WE THE POEPLES KNOW WHO WE WANT. . .AND IT EEN NO MOUNTIAN. . .HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA !
Now we can use some cool breeze around here. . .GO DOC COOL. . .GIVE THESE LBT PEOPLE SOME REFRESHING CHILL PILL!!! LOL!!
Posted 4 March 2016, 1:50 p.m. Suggest removal
TalRussell says...
http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2016…
Posted 4 March 2016, 2:23 p.m. Suggest removal
GrassRoot says...
another Not-Grown up Politician.
Posted 4 March 2016, 2:32 p.m. Suggest removal
EasternGate says...
Close this chapter please!
Posted 4 March 2016, 5:33 p.m. Suggest removal
licks2 says...
This chapter is closed. . .clearly LBT people will not accept anything that is done. . .NOW WE SEE WHY THE GOOD SENATOR SHOULD NOT HAVE SAY SORRY. . .BUT THE GOOD DOC IS THE LEADER. . .IF HE SAYS TO SAY SORRY FOR THE SAKE OF PEACE. . .SHE DID SAY SORRY!!
I find it strange that a "big mouth" on the young and smart Senator is a cause for her "unfitness" but a big mouth on LBT is an asset. . .according to these LBTites around here!!!
Boy. . .the good Doc gat yall beat. . .slippery like an LOP or HAI. THIS GER BE LONG!!! LOL!!
Posted 7 March 2016, 11:33 a.m. Suggest removal
licks2 says...
Girl yall een too bright round here fer true true!! Because I don't like LBT and her "conniving ways" I have my nose up the good Doc butt? I hope that een where you want me put the X fer the good Doc. . .aye? Because he will be getting plenty of we votes. . .VOTES FOR THE SMALL MAN. . .VIVA LA DOC!!! Hehehehehehehehehehe.................I can't laugh at these LBT peoples dem. . .missing the boat by a country mile!!
Posted 10 March 2016, 1:37 p.m. Suggest removal
Renegade says...
Laneisha Rolle is just dumb and wholly unsuited for for her appointment as Senator . She would do much better selling conch salad at Arawak Cay. However , all of the FNM Senators are second or third string and the FNM is desperately missing the calibre of men like Vanderpool-Wallace , Foulkes or a Delaney.
However , this is a reflection of the dumbest of them all , Hubert Minnis , the Leader of the Opposition.
The FNM is unique in this respect : the two Huberts represent the best and the worst of the Party.
Hubert Ingraham is perhaps the most successful prime minister in Bahamian history. Hubert Minnis wins the Oscar as the dumbest Party Leader in Bahamian history ! He makes Jeremy Corbyn in the UK look like a winner ! Guinness should be notified accordingly !
Posted 9 March 2016, 3:55 p.m. Suggest removal
licks2 says...
She is a trained lawyer. . .or like LBT you only represent the elite class. . . which make yinna wannabe soul show like a skimpy junkanoo carnival suite! It is called change. . .for all. . . not just elites who are just as or in some cases more dumb than the Senator!!
The leader of the Opp marches to the beat of his own drum. . . THE MARK OF TRUE LEADERSHIP!! HAI taught him well I guess. . hahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahaha!!!
Posted 10 March 2016, 1:45 p.m. Suggest removal
licks2 says...
So now ya hinting that the Senator may be "doing things" with the Doc? Girl LBT you need to tune ya self down. . .YOU ALL OVER THE PAPERS TALKING HOW YOU FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMAN IN THE BAHAMAS. . .NOW YOU "HINTING" THAT MRS ROLLE "GOT AHEAD" BY BEING IN A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GOOD DOC? SHAME ON YOU MRS BT. . .YOUR CAVEMAN THINKING IS WAY OUTDATED. WHAT IF I SAY THAT LBT IS TOO FAT TO BE THE LEADER OF THIS COUNTRY. . .BECAUSE FATNESS HINTS AT AN UNDICIPLINED PERSON?
Now your can carry on with your low-brow snides. . .Madam MP mam!! Lol!!
Posted 11 March 2016, 12:07 p.m. Suggest removal
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