@Voltaire. I do admire your principled and eloquent position, including your ability to navigate between the issues of illegal immigration and human rights abuses. I wish that I could so passionately defend the rights of all people, Bahamian and foreigners alike, who are continually harassed and abused by many of our public servants. I believe that Bahamians are so accustomed to being abused by public servants, that they have become desensitized and blame the victims. Their argument is: because the Haitians have entered our country illegally, utilized our resources, built the Shanty Towns, etc., then it is ok if they are mistreated and abused by Immigration and Defence Force officers.

@BirdieStrachan. Being half way around the world does not mean that I don't live in the Bahamas, just as supporting the humane treatment of all people by our sworn officers does not equate to an abdication of our immigration laws and policies protecting the borders of our country.

Come on fellow Bahamians, don't let our temporary raw emotions underscore our pitiful ignorance. The story here is about the mistreatment of fellow human beings by our immigration officers. This is not a debate about legal or illegal immigrants. All persons, regardless of their status, are to be treated humanely, definitely not to be subjected to physical abuse.

As a former police officer I have observed many of our uniformed servants speaking in a derogatory manner to their fellow Bahamians, and much worse to foreigners, temporarily in their charge, who may not understand their version of English too quickly. In fact many immigration and police officers believe that if they yell louder, somehow they are understood more clearly. And if they don't have a logical response to a reasonable question, then they simply resort to force, and shut up the complainant.

The Immigration issue in the Bahamas is a complex one that begs for some measure of humanity while the laws of the country are being enforced. Of course we must secure our borders, and we must protect the rights of our citizens to a decent education, good health care, and jobs. However, this does not give us rights to abuse and dehumanize those who seek a better way of life, especially after the many years of backbreaking service they have given to this country for meagre earnings. I am always amazed at the thousands of Bahamian households in the islands of New Providence, Grand Bahama, and Abaco that employ Haitian, Jamaican, Dominican, and even Mexican maids, nannies, and other domestic labourers. Obviously if Bahamians were not providing streams of income to these people they would turn elsewhere to better themselves.

When we continue to speak (or write) derogatorily about our brothers, as if they are less than human, we are only showing our true colors to the International communities. I am currently half way around the world, but each day I pull up the Tribune to see what's happening in my beloved country. Potential tourists and visitors are doing the same.

I am always amazed at the level of ignorance and pettiness that continue to abound in this tiny island nation. Some of your outrageous comments are reflective of a backwards people who fully deserve the political establishment that you currently enjoy. To posthumously denigrate a man who has single handedly done more for the Bahamas on the international stage than any other Bahamian in history, is disgusting and despicable. Dr. Munroe should be lauded and held in high esteem, as a role model for our troubled youth to mimic. Every penny that he received was earned from his intellectual reservoir. In sheer numbers, he probably wrote more books than many of his naysayers have bothered to read. Through him, and because of his numerous conferences and fledgling ministry,thousands of visitors have flocked to Nassau, and spent thousands of dollars in hotels, restaurants, and shopping. I can go on to list the positive impact that Myles Munroe has infected upon the Bahamas, where he always proclaimed "God lives", but his public record speaks loud and clear and is very audible to all those except the jealous naysayers.

Finally, the government is to be commended for declaring a state-recognized funeral, even though many of you babbling idiots do not understand the difference between a State Funeral and a State-recognized funeral. As a recipient of the Order of The British Empire (OBE), and in recognition of his work on behalf of this country this recognition is most fitting. I hope more Bahamians will rise to the occasion, filling the void created by this tragedy, and continuing to showcase our Bahamian talent in the international arena.

Well said MadHatter. I couldn't have put it any better.

All of you are now experts on piloting an Executive Lear Jet, weather conditions, and fuel efficiency. Some of you would just comment on anything, without the slightest idea of what you are talking about. Just makes me sick to read some of your disgusting, "mightier than thou" comments. The Captain was a veteran pilot, who has flown in all types of weather, and was obviously certified to pilot this airplane. End of discussion. May God rest his soul.

I am getting the impression that John Bain was selected to do a specific job, producing a specific political result. Now, it seems that not only is $10 million not missing, but there are no shell companies as he reported. I'm wondering when the good minister of health will table this audit for debate in the House?

I think the prospective university president has approached the bargaining table in the manner that he ought to. He probably never expects to receive $400,000.00 but will most likely settle for $300,000.00, which is more than the last president of COB was paid, but much less than Dr. Smith was paid in his last position at a prestigious university in the U.S. For the writer to suggest an offer of $150,000.00 is both demeaning and insulting to the experienced gentleman who is expected to lead the institution to "University" status. I understand that it is almost unfathomable for Bahamians to fully value their own, but Dr. Smith has done very well in the academic arena in America, even despite the plagiarism scandal.

What a bunch of crap!

It is time that we Bahamians remove our religious coverings and expose ourselves as the bigots and the hypocrites that we truly are. The question is not whether or not we condone the homosexual lifestyle, but whether or not we should discriminate against people because of their sexual orientation. As Christians, following in the steps of Jesus, we should hate the sin, but still love the sinner. While I despise the homosexual lifestyle/agenda, I am always aware that the individual is always only one step away from becoming my brother in Christ. While I don't support Mr. Mitchell, nor his party, politically or ideologically, I must conclude that he is right on this one.

As far as the writer's allusion to Mr. Mandela's use of violence in his early years against the apartheid regime, history has vindicated him, and elevated him to the most respected leader of our lifetime.

Banker, you must realize that this International banking stuff is far beyond Tal's intelligence level. Good response though.