EDITOR, The Tribune. 

The time, often referred to as the “silly season” is fast approaching. We state categorically that there is nothing silly about the machinations we will witness by those in the pursuit of power who have no real idea what power is.  

This conundrum will be revealed over the next 18 months, and despite the few scud missiles lofted by both major parties, the real “charm offensive” will begin about 12 months from now at the dawning of 2026!

That is, of course, unless the prime minister gets a notion to call an early election because he believes that he is an extremely popular man.  So popular, that Michael Pintard and the FNM will be soundly rejected by the Bahamian people whenever an election is called.  He, like some others might believe that the FNM are too fractured to present an acceptable option for the Bahamian people.  If that is the case, he should consider how going early turned out for his predecessor!

We have often held that politics exposes the stupid and the evil in society.Our position on that self-actualising idea has not changed and there is nothing remotely silly about some of the electioneering behavior being displayed even as we speak. Danger would be a much better description of what occurs when the pursuit of and retention of power is the prize, or should we say when the reach vastly surpasses the grasp.

This is the time for the bottom feeders of the profession, who are in service to those who profess to have clean hands, to hold sway. These types are forever reaching and never grasping. They are indeed those for whom moral compromise and situational ethics are foolishly considered everyday acceptable behavior.

As all governments do, the Progressive liberal Party will do its damnedest to hold on to the holy grail of politics, governing power, and is not above using the resources of the state to do so. Again, this is a standard operating procedure and not unusual in the practice of politics. 

However, that could prove problematic given the series of missteps and controversies that have dogged this administration almost from the beginning of the term.

The official Opposition Free National Movement will conversely do its best to convince the Bahamian people that not much worthy of mention was accomplished by the PLP government and that given their (PLP) predilection for corrupt practices and missteps, the best option for them is to return the FNM to the seat of government!

It is the cruelest of ironies that the stated objective of desiring to do what is best for the people is so many times only achieved by the most dastardly means, where lives and families are destroyed in the process! 

Once again, this is not unusual.  This is the means by which psychotic individuals make their way in the world.  Keep in mind that we are educated to become anti-social in order for us to carry out some of the inhumane acts we perform.  However, the man of good conscience cannot bring himself to perform such evil contradictions and to court failure and destruction in the name of success and construction.

Let’s say it again, and again and again! – differently to get the idea fully.

The man of good conscience cannot bring himself to perform such evil contradictions and to court failure and destruction all the while believing and convincing others to believe that he is doing the intelligent thing, the constructive thing the good thing. 

In a world that has turned topsy-turvy over the last decade, we admonish the Bahamian people to be vigilant and to choose wisely. Today’s snake oil salesmen have no oil to sell, just snakes; promises of cushy jobs and humongous cash flow contracts!

If you can still identify a virtuous person, if you can still imagine a government led by a visionary politician with the undeniable best interest of the people at heart, then go for him/her and it.  We do not believe that the country has seen such an animal since the days of Hubert Ingraham, the three-time former Free National Movement prime minister. We have had three prime ministers since Mr. Ingraham but we posit that it would be a misnomer and a stretch to label any of them as visionary.

What The Bahamas needs now and in 2026 is someone prepared to reject the limiting shackles of mediocrity and the application of 20th century solutions to 21st century problems. A thinker and a visionary! Unfortunately for us, as has been pointed out, in politics as in life, brains aren’t everything. Politicians have achieved high office based on their ambition, hubris, cunning and a degree of ruthlessness more so than on account of their intellect!  

Along with crime, unemployment and the high cost of living, AI is here. Is there a candidate vying to be our next prime minister with the capacity to successfully address the three of them and the attendant challenges of everyday life in The Bahamas? It’s time to read Thomas Paine and “Common Sense”

Michael Pintard, the Free National Movement leader would like us to believe that he is that person and he may be! However, defeating Prime Minister Davis and the Progressive Liberal Party may be the least of his worries. Former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis appears to have gathered himself and his group of diehard supporters and is spoiling for another shot at leading the FNM.  He wants to offer himself to the country again that soundly rejected him three years ago. It is left to be seen whether Mr Pintard has the mettle displayed by Sir Lynden, Mr Ingraham, Mr. Christie, Mr Davis and Dr Minnis, “ruthlessly” routing out any pretenders to their crowns.

Our unsolicited advice to Mr Pintard is for him to keep his eyes on the prize. Forget Dr Minnis and show the Bahamian people what is in store for them with an FNM government led by Michael Pintard. And, grab hold, take charge of his party and bring some visible order to what appears to be a free for all of people claiming to be candidates in the next election!

So, Quo Vadis Bahamas? As 2026 looms in all its splendid possibilities and uncertainties!

Ed Murrow II 

New Providence

February 4, 2025.