I believe that many of the reasons provided as to why neither Minnis nor LBT seem ready to lead are valid, but there is no such thing as a perfect leader and we certainly never had one. With this public debacle, the entire party comes across as incapable of leadership. The chairman curiously feeds into circus distractions like the theoretical ramblings and rantings of individuals on Facebook, but issues that matter to the general election and the future of the country, get only the same level of lukewarm responses. Is the FNM hoping to win the election based on the social media antics of PLP allies and appointments? Even in the case of BAMSI, a real issue which they exposed, is not being pursued with the tenacity one would expect from the official opposition. Barack Obama was coached and managed into winning a very uphill battle as the leader of the Democratic party. If the FNM had a coherent message or strategy that they believed in, that should be the focus (as it always should), and a catalyst to help steer the population away from voting based on political personality. They need to get with the times and stop relying on the power of personalities to win.

Greentea - Hopefully that is the case, and the person waiting in the wings proves to be the real deal. That is someone with a loud or flamboyant personality that is just perfect for rallies and verbal comebacks, who says the right things and actually keeps their their word. In keeping with the traditional roster of “qualified” PMs, I suspect this division will only result in more calls for Hubert Ingraham to lead the party and the country once again.

It is the Immigration Act that affords the minister the privilege to sign off on deportation orders, and for the GG to have such persons placed on the next plane or boat out of the country. These privileges were also in effect during the FNM administration. Many countries in the Caribbean and probably the Commonwealth at large, provide government ministers a great deal of authority. I am not saying it is right, but it is not fair to say that he is not upholding the constitution or to act as if this is a PLP administration problem. If the process is not working, it won't work under any administration, and so the whole thing needs to be overhauled.

I agree it was a nice gesture. Hopefully, this incident won't serve as a deterrent for him providing assistance in the future, but as a lesson in obtaining the necessary permits beforehand.

@kairrosmatt There are many unregulated developments called shanty towns that he calls established communities. Once again, hypocrisy at work. Fred Smith's public perception is based on comments that he has made publicly, and the list of clients that pushes out to the media. If all of Mr. Munroe's career achievements can be set aside for one comment, the same should apply to Fred Smith.

@Voltaire My comments are due to his tactics and not the size of his illegal immigrant case portfolio. Maybe you keep tabs on his every case to say that he has never refused one, but it is certainly a curious coincidence that he appears magically at the side of every illegal immigrant, trotting them out to the media as perfect victims, even when their actions are questionable. You say he has helped Bahamians, but my point is really not about how many Bahamians he may have assisted in court. He is in The Bahamas, so in reality, it is not something that can be avoided. The point is, if he is concerned with upholding the constitutional rights of individuals in The Bahamas, HMP is full of prospects. It makes no sense to champion this cause with the occasional foreignor, when it is supposedly an ongoing problem.

Who is we? Wayne Munroe is but one man with the right to freedom of speech. Flogging illegal immigrants is not a proposal being considered by the government or supported by the general public. However, in true Fred Smith fashion, you chooose paranoid propaganda over reality because that is what gives life to your victim feelings. Your vitriol and ill will towards The Bahamas when illegal immigrants are held accountable speaks to tribalism among Haitians, not Bahamians. Your narcissistic call for vengence is truly disgusting. Remember the already poor illegal immigrants will have it much worse in a bankrupt Bahamas.

If his mission was at all about upholding constitutional rights for all within The Bahamas, including Bahamians, he would also take up this mantle for the many Bahamians who believe that they have been unfairly treated or abused somewhere within the justice system. Representing few straggler Bahamians within the whole commonwealth of the Bahamas, while taking on every illegal immigrant case as if to say they are the only ones being disenfranchised, and threatening to bankrupt the country in the process, shows his motive exactly.

I have read a few, but please name any case where it was determined by the judge that immigration officers overstepped their authority in arresting suspected illegal immigrants. The point remains that it is reckless for a lawyer, a QC at that, to advise immigrants that it is reasonable for them to run away from law enforcement officers.

I agree, clearly spanking has failed. In fact, spanking, which is often much worse than what could truly be described as a spanking, may have reinforced to these students that physical retribution is the ultimate punishment for a slight. A Facebook post that is attributed to one of the teen killers (?) said that he did not mean to kill his fellow student, he just wanted him to back off of his friend.

We need affordable or free after-school programs. I read that school let out at noon and the incident took place after 2 pm. If these children had somewhere to be, an interest to pursue, they would not have been lingering in the streets trying to settle stupid beefs.