EDITOR, The Tribune.

A local “failed“ politician who postures as a minister of The Gospel, Frederick McAlpine (FNM-Pineridge) had long sought entry into the House of Assembly as a representative from Grand Bahama.

He tried to secure a nomination from the PLP, allegedly several times, without success. He then moved over or across to the FNM, no one is sure of which, shortly before the last general elections.

To his surprise and that of many others, inclusive of myself, he was elected in the FNM’s landslide.

Almost from day one, after being sworn in, this now FNM sought to embarrass the Prime Minister and his administration. He’s behaved like a loose cannon in the House and on the outside carries on like a natural political misfit, in my considered view.

In almost two and a half years in parliament, he’s yet to sponsor a single piece of legislation designed to improve the lives of Bahamians in general and his Pineridge constituents in particular.

His own constituency association has, apparently, abandoned him in the same manner the good people of the Centreville Constituency Association has jettisoned Chipman.

Now, in a bald naked attempt to remain relevant and to set the tone of the debate going forward, this purported man of The Gospel is advocating homosexual and lesbian “marriages” and state sanctioned killing of innocent unborn human beings aka “abortion”.

This is beyond the pale and should and must be roundly condemned and called out by the so-called Bahamas Christian Council. I will not, however, hold my breath for this to happen.

McAlpine’s congregation, if he has one, should get rid of him. This political crank, apparently, either does not know and practice the scriptural tenets of the Bible or he is an apostate of no mean order.

The Bible and other sacred writings are clear: homosexuality is an abomination both to God and man. Abortion is the taking of a life created by God Himself, without any justification. Yes, the legal pundits and armchair scholars of jurisprudence make “exceptions” for abortions: where the life of the mother is in danger; the pregnancy is the result of incest or a rape and/or where there is medical evidence that the fetus is not viable....no more...no less.

Personally I am against all forms of abortion save where it is necessary to save the life of the mother. Abortion cannot be, logically, regarded as a woman’s health option. Call it for what it is: murder of the unborn. God is not a God to be mocked and played with. In my opinion, McAlpine has acted the part of the arse who spoke to Bailam in biblical days and he used what should have been ‘“thus saith The Lord” to advance his demonic-inspired secular agenda. As far as I am concerned, he is a spent political and religious wimp.

There are more pressing issues that we Bahamians should be addressing. The FNM should either invite the remaining so-called FNM Members of Parliament to a one day conclave or retreat down at the Sheraton or the Holiday Inn in the downtown area and read them the fabled Riot Act. They must be told, in no uncertain way, that they were elected on the FNM’s banner and platform and that if they no longer wish to support, constructively, the party’s agenda and the democratically elected leader of the party, the Most Hon Prime Minister, Hubert Alexander Minnis (FNM-Killarney), they should be invited to simply leave the organisation and go their own way.

The FNM and its leadership have to remain focused on recovery; reconstruction and redevelopment of many areas throughout the Abacos and Grand Bahama. We must not forget, in addition, that Ragged Island, et al, is still reeling from Matthew some years ago. This is no time for political and societal distractions.

The welfare of the nation takes priority over any single individual. God, Who is a God of order and decency, said it well in the Bible: “Choose thous this day whom thou will follow”. To God then, the Giver of Life and the Creator of Adam and Eve (not Adam and Bobby) in all things, be the glory.

ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr

Nassau,

October 17, 2019.