Some of you can defend dirt, grime, filth, stench, dilapidated buildings, lousy service, cheap imports, expensive merchandise, but in the end your patriotic opinions mean nothing to the tourists that we need to come here. While I don't care for Jim Walker, and much of what he writes, as a Bahamian I am determined to do whatever I can to get him to change his opinion of my country. This is why, when in Nassau, I walk along the beach at Goodman's Bay each morning and collect a garbage bag full of trash that should have been deposited into a receptacle by the users. Just a small contribution, but if duplicated, could go a long ways in cleaning up our beaches.

There is no doubt that the tourist product, like our educational standard, in the Bahamas is in decline. The question is: how do we fix it? Not defend it.

Thanks, Birdie......you never fail to disappoint

Birdie!!!!!! Come on; say something sensible and make your homeboy proud. I'm waiting.....

Sheeprunner....it was all tongue in cheek. You gotta lighten up and laugh at these jokey leaders, or else you might have a heart attack.

LOL!!!! I get it now. This will be the most costly school in the country (per student). The operational budget is now going to increase tremendously. There will be a principal; a computer lab teacher; at least 3 other teacher to justify the 4 new classrooms; a librarian; a cook for the kitchen; at least one cafeteria worker; a janitor (maybe 2) to clean the bathrooms daily; a building and grounds person to maintain the newly renovated half-million dollar structure.

I predict that this school will be the most sought after in the country. People will move to Rum Cay in droves so that their children could get a quality education, from a school, re-named after the first Bahamian Governor General, with the best student-teacher ratio in the world. And all Bahamians will hail Minister Fitzgerald in hindsight, for his insight, foresight, and wisdom.

Because of the proximity to Cat Island, I might even consider sailing my grand kids over every morning, and collecting them each evening.

Bandit, please enlighten us. Tell us what is so beautiful about the port of Nassau, please. I will try to keep an open mind and pretend to ignore the stench that welcomes the cruise ship passengers to Prince George Wharf area; the dilapidated buildings that adorn Bay Street (a coat of paint would be nice); the expensive stores with all imported goods that are cheaper in St. Thomas, Montego Bay, or Puerto Rico; the congested and polluted Bay Street that begs re-pavement, where tourists must navigate competing jitneys; the fact that Bay Street is a "Ghost Town" after 6:00pm; and the only game in town at night is the "Fish Fry" that offers nothing more than a decent Bahamian meal. If not for Atlantis, most tourists on their second cruise here have indicated that they would never leave the ships in Nassau Harbour.

Bahamians, and Bahamians alone are responsible for the filthy condition of Nassau. Unfortunately, the PLP government never sees filth. I remember in the last days or Sir LOP how filthy the island had become. It was such a relief under the first FNM government to see the clean-up crew trying to beautify the island. Of all the tourist ports I have visited, Nassau and Freeport are at the bottom of the list. There is nothing to see and do in Nassau, and it is getting so bad that many cruise visitors never leave the ship while it is in port.

Thomas, according to the urban dictionary, "ilk" has a ***"connotation of the typed group being of bad or questionable character***".

These fellas really think all Bahamians are dumb and stupid. This minister, while criticizing Mr. Rolle, has really not denied that the contract was given to a PLP supporter, nor even attempted to justify the price tag of a half million dollars. I don't care if the contract is being given to a plp/fnm/dna supporter, as long as they are Bahamians. All Bahamians need to live and provide for their family. What is downright disgusting is the outrageous price tag associated with the renovation. All minister Fitzgerald did was create the smoke and mirror defense. Shame!

"Puppies", "those of your ilk". What condescending remarks! Fellow Bahamians, we can do better than this. The conversation, despite it's merits does not have to descend into the gutter.