Mitchell hits out at 'shameless partisanship' over Kelly, Culmer honours

By FARRAH JOHNSON

fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Chairman Fred Mitchell said the Official Opposition disagrees with the selection of former Olympian Godfrey Kelly and Free National Movement chairman Carl Culmer for Queen Elizabeth’s 2020 New Year’s Honours.

In a statement Mr Mitchell said the nomination of these two men displayed a government that is driven by “shameless partisanship” since there was “no objective evidence” to support their awards.

“It appears that Mr Culmer is being rewarded by the prime minister for his very harmful brand of personal political attacks, diatribe and invective while unwittingly providing political cover and justification for every corrupt misdeed by this FNM administration,” the statement read.

Mr Mitchell also questioned the selection of Mr Kelly for the Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (CMG).

“The knighthood for Godfrey Kelly is a continued and studied attempt to rewrite Bahamian history. This is the man who presided as Minister of Education in the last ignoble UBP administration and was responsible for the education policies that retarded the country's growth and national development, under educating the black majority in the country. What has he done since then to make national amends?”

Further claiming the FNM administration is known for attempting to rewrite history he added: “People will remember the FNM making Sir Roland Symonette, the former premier, a national hero, a man who opposed the creation of the nation. The FNM continues to debase and devalue our national patrimony.”

He insisted that history should not be rewritten and urged the government to “cease trying to make right what was wrong.”

Comments

Chucky says...

Eddie then told me Mitchell was scene at the bar off blue hill rd with the young boy. Photos all over online , Eddie said it was gross , just gross.

Why has nobody reported this or investigated this?

Posted 31 December 2019, 10:15 p.m. Suggest removal

Greentea says...

cuz it isnt anybodies business.

Posted 2 January 2020, 10:40 p.m. Suggest removal

Topdude says...

Envy and jealousy are traits which are unbecoming of someone of your moral character. Be patient and in time you will be honored. In the interim you need to remember the saying that those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Or put another way, those who try to hide in the closet will be outed when the stones bruckup their glass houses.

Posted 31 December 2019, 10:25 p.m. Suggest removal

K4C says...

Fred Mitchell

Better to Remain Silent and Be Thought a Fool than to Speak and Remove All Doubt

Posted 1 January 2020, 8:18 a.m. Suggest removal

birdiestrachan says...

These honors have become a comedy show. It means nothing. .

but did any one really expect any better from this crew. I would not want my name in the
mix, it seems to be a degrading mess.

Posted 1 January 2020, 8:42 a.m. Suggest removal

stillwaters says...

Don't worry, Fred is now at the age when his 'car' will stall, sputter, then stop!!!! Wait......that might make him even more vengeful and petty.

Posted 1 January 2020, 9:23 a.m. Suggest removal

The_Oracle says...

And who is attempting to re-write history?
It was Pindling who deported competent foreign teachers, rewarded cronyism and tribalism, dismantled the old Government High School, built substandard schools, ill equipped them,
All in the name of Bahamianization. Education, the family unit and society as a whole has been disintegrating ever since.
Besides, if the queens Honors are held in contempt, why care who receives them?
I think it is Fred who cannot let go of the past, just seems to love wallowing in it.

Posted 1 January 2020, 1:02 p.m. Suggest removal

K4C says...

Here Here

oh and also many Bahamas left

Posted 1 January 2020, 1:36 p.m. Suggest removal

jamaicaproud says...

We're they reported, or contracts were not renewed?

Posted 2 January 2020, 8:33 a.m. Suggest removal

truetruebahamian says...

Absolutely truthful and well stated.

Posted 2 January 2020, 9:16 a.m. Suggest removal

Topdude says...

Mr Mitchell would like to be honored as the Bahamian Buttegieg.

Posted 1 January 2020, 3:29 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

**Comrade Pindling,** might've just had it in his heart this past December 21, 2019 - been among first have sincerely wished colony's Godfrey Kelly, **A Very Happy 91st Birthday.** I think **Pindling,** would've quietly expressed his displeasure directly to both Brave and Freddy, over their grudge attacks upon a much respected son soil.

Posted 1 January 2020, 4:07 p.m. Suggest removal

themessenger says...

When I think of some of the gangsters that were Knighted under various PLP administrations, the destruction of businesses and the raping of pension funds among others come to mind, I can only shake my head at Mitchell and Davis' opposition to someone of impeccable character like Godfrey Kelly being so honored.
Their main opposition stems no doubt from their ability to honor themselves having since come to an end.

Posted 2 January 2020, 7:56 a.m. Suggest removal

proudloudandfnm says...

Wasn't it the PLP that put Symonette on our money?

Can someone remind this racist POS of that please.....

Posted 2 January 2020, 8:22 a.m. Suggest removal

OriginalBey says...

I am an Exuma man black as tar and I hate this race bating BS. These people made significant contributions and are well-deserving of these honors. The play Roots Election Week tactics do not work on us as a people anymore. Refresh your strategies Fred!

Posted 2 January 2020, 10:42 a.m. Suggest removal

Greentea says...

The truth is the announcement of these "honors" should be accompanied by a nice paragraph or two detailing their "extraordinary contributions" to the betterment of the Bahamas. But unfortunately these honors have become politicized by both parties and are a complete and utter farce. Most are NOT deserving of a baggie of guinep and will be forgotten the moment life departs whether they be PLP and FNM, red and yellow, black or white- So stop this loud mouth unproductive partisan or race baiting BS. Its all crap. We allow these do nuttin politicians to drop a load on everything. This place will never be mistaken for a meritocracy and it's committed to mediocrity. Gets worse each day.

Posted 2 January 2020, 10:49 p.m. Suggest removal

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