I totally agree with you 'Puzzled.' She knows that she was an agitator and instigator in that office. We have to stop standing up for what we know is wrong. This is the same stunt she pulled at the Registrar's Office and the whole thing became political. She always has to be the victim it seems.

That's exactly my point. Then vote against it. I agree it should be Bahamian and transparent. My thing is, that Bahamians just know how to talk and not act. Simply go to the polls and vote no. We have long been dancing around this idea of a lottery. There are several questions to be answered regarding its legalization and in the form if legalized it should take. So its a complex discussion Abaconian that involves both legality and choice. As a Bahamian I want to be able to choose whether I gamble or not. The question of legality and the implementation of a national lottery system is another matter. But like I said before all we have to do is vote no and force the government to structure it the way that we want it. That's if we want it. But I don't want the Christian Council to act as if it is a panacea of knowledge on the issue.

I don't see what the big fuss is about with this. The government isn't forcing this on anyone thus the reason for the referendum. If you don't feel like its the right way to go then vote against it that's all. The Christian Council making a big deal out of this because they always feel they should have a say in government affairs. They have become too political. The fact is not every Bahamian should be subjected to what they see as Christianity. I'm a Christian but it doesn't mean that I believe exactly the same things as members of that council. Furthermore Christianity is about freedom to choose. The president of the council talks about his offense to the government meeting with the webshop owners. Well last I checked they were Bahamians as well. The PM and the government is not beholden to the Christian Council. Furthermore its insulting to me and many other Christians that the council doesn't think that we have the good sense to choose. I may very well vote no. But the fact that they are saying that the referendum is rushed shows me that they simply fear that it will pass. All you simply have to do is vote no and it will not pass. No big deal really. But it can never be said that it wasn't put before the people. The government is giving you a chance to choose. What more do they want?

Chrisitie can't win. When he did nothing he was too slow. Now he making a move we say its too fast. What do we really want? I see why Hubert just did what he wanted and let people talk. You simply cannot satisfy everyone. The church leaders are saying its rushed. The fact is we've been talking about this for years. Church and civic leaders have had more than enough time to look at the long term social consequences. They always want the government to come to them for some advice. Why didn't they commence some social research years ago to present to the government? Nothing on paper just guessing and assumptions as to what might happen. Besides not every pastor or priest is against this. The church has been inconsistent on many things. So they need to get their act together.

Dumb and dumber.

Dr. Minnis needs to get a life. He really isn't fit to be FNM leader. Focus on your game to the get the FNM back in. Stop looking in the past.

Russell you need to relax with this Comrade nonsense. If you want to make a sensible point then please do so. But to promote fear mongering and xenophobia simply detracts from the more important points of healthcare economic feasibility and planning. The lady who passed away was a Bahamian. Her not being attended to had nothing to do with illegal immigrants overusing our facilities. There simply wasn't the staff or facility to help her during her crisis. This was compounded by the storm that inhibited a medical flight from landing on the island. So lets not be silly here.
Illegal immigration is a problem for our country as it is for many other countries. But what amazes me about your comment is its clear hypocrisy and misunderstanding of Christian charity. In one breath you talk about the Bible advocating the protection of ones borders and in another breath you say we shouldn't treat illegals who are ill. Illegal or not they are human beings and we have to be careful how we so readily quote the Bible to suite our own purposes. The fact is, even if we had very few illegals in this country we would still have to make sensible decisions regarding the facilities we invest in on our islands. Second, I agree that illegal immigration is a problem but it cannot be solely the blame for decreased efficiency in our healthcare system. So as far as I'm concerned your argument is a Red Herring, a distraction with no data to support it.

Perhaps this was all just a bit too emotional by the PM. I give condolences to the family who lost their loved and we wish them the very best.

In saying that I don't think it makes sense to be emotional on this issue. This is a discussion of practicality and common sense. We have to look at several factors when we consider investing in any government project. Whether it be a hospital, school, airport or dock we have to take into account the economic sustainability, the practicality, projected population growth and most important the human resources at our disposal. It is all well and good to build a nice hospital, but who will maintain it and where will you find the doctors to man it? I would agree that we need excellent healthcare for all our people wherever they may reside. The thing the PM needs to look at is how can we do that more effectively using the existing network that we have in place? I believe that we can deliver excellent healthcare in the Family Islands but I don't believe that a hospital is the panacea for providing improved healthcare. A well equipped, well staffed extended-care clinic with emergency/inpatient facilities would do wonders for these communities. When we have smaller extended clinics there is less maintenance than a larger hospital structure with the benefit of concentrated emergency care. Also when we talk about what a hospital entails we are looking at specialist care and equipment. This brings us back to the issue of human resource. So I reiterate my point. Family Islands where the populations are not so large need extended clinics that provide emergency care. There needs to be proper mobility and communication for staff on the island and for specialist to get to the islands from Nassau. Not sure that a hospital is the solution here, but I'm open to perspectives from others. Anybody else with ideas on this?

I agree. Sir Durward certainly deserves such an honour. It kind of fits into the whole harbour boating theme anyway. That's a great idea. So you get my vote for naming the bride after Sir Durward. I have nothing against Mr. Poiter, but I can honestly say I've never experienced his contributions. But perhaps I'm too young to know of them, so I can't be critical.

Interesting story. This is the same woman who yelled victimization several years ago. Now she's back in the media again with the same old story of victimization. The only thing that's changed is now she has no government to blame. It seems that she is simply a difficult person to work with. We in the Bahamas have to accept that there are those of us who just don't promote harmony in the work place. When the government fires them its 'victimization' when they're fired from privates sector its 'anti-Bahamian.' The papers shouldn't even give her the time of day.
There is always someone else to blame for her troubles. Go to work, do your job and live your life. Not everything has to be some epic struggle being played out in the media. No doubt she'll be filing suit in short order. The funny thing is she gets jobs that many people would love to and are qualified to have (Registrar General, legal counsel at BTC.) But it appears she talks her way right out of them every time. There's no minister or political pressure to blame this round. You need only look in the mirror.