Voltaire, it seems as if you are bend hard on blaming the Bahamas for every aspect of the Haitian migration problem and the results of poor people leaving Haiti to come to the Bahamas. Whenever someone feeds you some conspiracy theory, no matter how far fetch, about the government having ulterior motives to do what they're doing, you run with it and make it your argument. You never once mention how the Haitian government is really responsible for its own people. You never refer to the fact that Haiti has one of the worst records in regards to people abuse and corruption. I never once see you mention the danger that these Haitians put their young children through when they try to traverse the treacherous seas to get to the Bahamas or any other country. You try to tear apart anyone comments that are against your beliefs. Haiti is an old ass country, if anything they should be leading by example not burdening the rest of the world.

We can talk about the constitution and human rights as much as we like. We can talk about how people around the world must be watching our alleged abuse and or dislike for the Haitian population as much as we like. The hardcore truth is that people all over the world are fighting their own battle with illegal Haitians. Should all of these countries be chastised for forcibly removing illegal Haitians from their country? And no matter how deportation policy carried out, people are gonna complain about some kind of abuse, because they feel they have a right to be in that country. They feel they help build that country. The argument about why,when,how and WHERE the government of the Bahamas is deporting illegal immigrants is invalid in the Bahamas. Take your concerns to the source of the problem, which is in Haiti. When social services is called because a child or children are being abused in a home, what it the first thing they do? Remove the child from that home. I am saying the same thing. Go back to your own country, help rebuilt your nation and stop trying to fight a losing a battle of belonging where you are not wanted!

What about the many children these women have each year Voltaire? Again, at what point do they stop to think about the downfall from having so many kids that they would never be able to take care of.

Further, why would anyone who leave a country because of daily struggles and poverty revert back to the same lifestyle and living standards as the place they left behind in the first place?

When you can substantiate these reports of abuse by officials, then you can go on labeling some Bahamians as being inhumane or unchristian etc. Until then, you are not helping the situation by making these statements out of just pure emotions. The same can be said for those commenters here who condone this type of behavior. What do you think is the Christian thing to do with children of illegal parents? Send them along with their illegal parents or have them placed in the care of Bahamas Social Services? The onus really lies on the illegal parent. If the illegal parents really love and care for their kids, they would avoid these situations by simply leaving the country voluntarily or curb their desires of having so many illegitimate children.

At what point will illegal Haitian women living in the Bahamas see that in is not in their best interest to have so many children that will eventually suffer because of their their high sex drive?

Now that's classy!

@AndrewHarris-"This tiny country with its tiny Junaknoo festival will not be the exception" You sound like you gat the "I am a white person and I say this little country needs outside influence to be successful"syndrome-Apparently you know nothing about the history of Junkanoo or the Bahamas. And yes I am quite aware that every culture has some roots from another country. It is when we take that influence, mold it and make it unique to us is when we gat our own thing going on. At this stage, we do not need another country's influence in regards a festival. We need to expand and fully exploit what we already have. Do you think Jamaica, Trinidad or any other Caribbean country would ever hold a major festival influenced by Junkanoo music? Never! So the same argument can be posed. Why won't they embrace Bahamian culture?
I have visited and performed in almost every Caribbean country, as well as South America, and I love em all! So don't try to lecture me on cultures.Seems as if you think that 'tiny' countries like the Bahamas cannot compete with the world stage. If that was true, we wouldn't have Bahamian world-class athletes competing with other world-class athletes from other countries around the world. Anyone who has sense knows that the Bahamas can never be self sufficient. But only an idiot would think that Junkanoo or Goombay could never be as successful as other festivals around the world.

So now you want the US ARMY to get rid of all of the politicians?

@AndrewHarris-"There will soon be a new definition of Bahamian Culture." What the hell does that mean??? The Bahamas does not lack a definition of it's culture. The Bahamas lacks Bahamians who do not appreciate or understand our culture for what it is. Bahamian culture is not just Junkanoo! Our culture is the way we speak, the food we eat, our style, our colouful houses etc. And you are wrong! We do not need to embrace another country's form of festival when we have our own. Junkanoo was voted as the Best Caribbean Celebration by usatoday readers. http://www.10best.com/awards/travel/bes…

The government should have simply opted to expand on a Goombay Festival.. Goombay is unique to the Bahamas and it was well loved by both Bahamians and foreigners. Every time I travel to Ohio to visit my friends, I could never go there without taking them case of Goombay Punch, the iconic drink that represented the Bahamas and the Goombay Festival. They simply love it! In my book, no other festival in the world could have compare to Goombay, with scrumptious native dishes, authentic Bahamian music with jump 'n' dance, the best Bahamian performers, the world famous Royal Bahamas Police Force Band and the list goes on. And no sane government in the world would ever, ever spend nine million dollars to promote a cultural festival that has no roots in their country. Business entertainment promoters might do this, but the government? While it is important to respect and appreciate other people's culture, it is equally important to embrace our own and be proud of our profound heritage.

Boy Voltaire and Girly sure gat this page on lock down, lol. I went out to get something to eat and there are already 70something comments, wow! I think it is important for people to be able to express their opinion though, so we can thank the Tribune for that.

Voltaire, I noticed that you bring up the constitution a lot. So does this mean that you are advocating for the Bahamians to respect the constitution? Because if that's the case, then where was your voice when the many innocent young black Bahamian males in this country were constantly beaten by certain police officers and forced to say they are guilty? Where was your voice when other Bahamians have been deprived of their basic rights contrary to the Constitution of the Bahamas? You cannot pick your battle. If that is your beef, let's hear your voice whenever someone in this country suffers. By the way, the name 'Voltaire' is French/Haitian. I am not saying this to mean anything. We all come from some family tree, just saying.

correction: people who cry out saying that the Bahamas is being unfair never *have anything to say