This is just another pathetically feeble attempt to stifle the people's voice. Just as you, Mr. Coulson, are quite capable of forming your own views and opinions about the weight, quality and import that should be given to anonymously written material, so too others are quite capable of doing likewise. The same goes for the comments and observations of anonymous callers to radio talk shows. The Tribune has done a good job at adapting to the times, but it's clear you remain trapped in the dark ages. You would be wise to spend much more of your time interacting with younger people. By the way, there must another way can sing for your supper!

Anonymity is necessary for two reasons: (1) Because of the tribal nature of politics here, there can be real repercussions in terms of job loss or censure if one expresses an opinion contrary to the ruling kleptocrats and the economic power they wield over Bahamians. (2) The personal views may be attributed to the employer of the person making them. I am bound by anonymity on this forum because my employer demands it. The controversial things that I say are not compatible with some of our clients and my employer doesn't wish to suffer because of my outspoken remarks.

Anything connected to tourism and casinos coming out of Hong Kong or Macau must be taken with a grain of salt ............ and when you add the fact that the Supreme Court has "sealed" all Bahamar documents from the public ........... just smells like a giant, dead, rotten, white elephant

Mr. Coulson,
If you have lived in The Bahamas for any length of time you know full well the problems of speaking your mind openly.
I would love to have my name printed with my opinions, as I have done in other countries for over 45 years.
However, this is a different place.
Even a poor reading of the newspapers here, illustrates daily the lack of maturity in this country from the top office on down.
Not to see this illustrates a lack of understanding of the social workings of this country.
Some of us have jobs here, live here full time and are subjected to the petty politics of getting things done. Not to mention personal safety.
In case you haven't noticed, The Bahamas is becoming more petty as the realities of complete institutional failure here becomes more evident.
I happen to be of the wrong color.
History is replete with examples, which you seem to ignore, of what happens when a country has utterly failed socially and economically.
The next step is to crucify the troublemakers, and the letter writers.
Did you happen to notice how Sarkis was treated by our PM and Office of Foreign Affairs?
Pity he signed his name.

Mr. Coulson,

I must further comment on your statement, "The departure of anonymous writers is never a great loss to the public discourse, and would restore the Tribune's journalistic integrity to the level of the New York Times."
Mr. Coulson, the New York Times is a mouthpiece for the US elite establishment. There is no such thing as journalistic integrity in the media owned by the millionaires and billionaires. If you followed the facts regarding the human tragedy called the Iraq War, you would know that the NY Times reporter Judith Miller fed us, and the whole world lies. Lies upon lies which were used to justify the illegal, immoral acts and war crimes perpetrated upon an innocent people. If you are so out of touch with reality, or are so soulless as to excuse The New York Times for this gravest of journalistic malfeasance, perhaps it is you who should become anonymous. You lack any credibility in my book.

My oh my, what a small bubble you must live in Dick!