I really resent the expression "He/ she is only in it for the money". Pardon me but who here would perform their job for free? Technically we are all in it for the money, especially when you have to repay college and university loans. Yes it would help to actually like your job and be a consummate professional, but come on. The mortgage, light, and water companies as well as the food stores don't care how much you love your job. They want money.
Yes it is disappointing that the politicians gain the voters trust and when voted for jump ship. It would have been decent to attempt to finish their terms, but these people should have the right to elevate themselves. I say move to a better paying job instead of staying somewhere and making yourself and everyone who you encounter on that job miserable.

Whether we disagree or agree, well written SP. You summed it up quite neatly.

While I totally agree that people fleeing war torn countries and poverty should be assisted in as best as the receiving country can do so, I am not quite certain with your assertion that they are not trying to come to The Bahamas. If they were merely passing through, there would not be more Haitians than Bahamians in North Eleuthera for one.

Such a tragedy. I cannot imagine the grief and guilt that the parents will feel. Also many cruise lines do not normally have lifeguards (check the numerous signs they have posted near the pools) except Disney cruises to name one. Many of these ships are operating out of various countries and do not need to adhere to American laws of having lifeguards. Wow!

Publius I think you summarized the situation quite accurately.

As a parent and a teacher, I am not primarily commenting on the story just this comment/post which alludes to teachers being students' compasses. I do not need another teacher to steer my child when it comes to morals, that is what my husband and I are here for.

I have noticed over the years, that for some reason society places teachers on pedestals. Teachers are first human beings, do not expect us to be the Messiah for your kids. Not all teachers are Christians and many grew up in broken homes and are broken people just like so many others out there in our society. We want teachers to act a certain way just like everybody on their own jobs should act like a professional, but do not ascribe to teachers saintly behavior.

We teach mostly because we love teaching, love the students and love our jobs, not necessarily because we want the students to go on the course we chart for them, if so we would all teach military or seminary school.

Parents are to guide their own kids so that when they arrive to school it will be easier for us to teach them. Parents are to train their kids in the way he/she should go. No one else is responsible for guiding these kids except their parents and then parents are further assisted by the church and school. We are not as vital as the parents and their influence upon their own seed. Although yes we do have a powerful impact whether positive or negative on children's psyche and their future development.

Regardless of how much society claims to esteem us, at the end of the day, it is these same kids you will believe over us if a situation arises. Do not put all of this load or expectancy of perfection on us.

I do pray that we get to the bottom of this unsettling situation with the BUT, as it is rather embarrassing and a blight on the teaching profession, but mostly a mark against those who are involved as I personally will not carry someone's error in judgment..
Sorry to run on, I am just fed up with first hand experience of some people's preconceived ideas of what teachers are or should be and what our job description entails....

Please check your facts. The shipyard and airport are miles apart. The crane was doing what cranes are manufactured to do. Whatever the reason the plane was too low as the runway is not near that area. I would advise you to keep inflammatory comments to yourself as this is a sensitive subject at this time.
The shipyard does not come into play in this equation at all. Perhaps moving forward nonetheless, other precautionary steps such as better lighting should be considered as well as possibly lowering the cranes when not being utilized. By the way I am from Freeport, Grand Bahama so I am familiar with the layout.

“To me it is very unfair (to deport them),” she said. “It’s an injustice. . .for them to be deported to a country they don’t know, a country they can’t speak the language of, with no one to take care of them, to be deported – that’s terrible.”

I think she is forgetting something. When they came here illegally they didn't know here, many could not speak the language and had no one to care for them. They are from Haiti long and short of it. It is unfortunate if their parents have not tried to naturalize the children, teach them the language or history of Haiti in case such an event occurs.
Do I want my country to spend millions deporting these people without their country footing the bill? No.
We are not able to solve the crises and turmoil in Haiti which causes the people to risk life and limb to get here. I understand willing to do anything to provide a better life for your family. I also understand that by coming here without proper paper work and overstaying is against the law.
We cannot bow to this woman's claim. If we allowed the wet foot dry foot policy that the Cubans have in America to pass here regarding Haitians, by year end we will be the ones risking life and limb to leave our country.
We need to boycott this lady. Can she even run on with this propaganda? When the tourist boycott us how will we further support the illegals who already bleed our clinics, schools and social services as they are also on lunch programs.
I want to see how our MP Mr Mitchell will handle this entire situation and her. She is too out of order. Just trying to get votes. Did she immediately fly here to check on the conditions her people were in over here?
I wish to add if you are here legally and in order, please enjoy my land responsibly and all it offers.

Maybe I am insensitive. I give God thanks that no one was hurt. With that in mine I found the sinking ship comparison to our governing party's future to be a funny analogy. It was a cute joke and at this rate our country is in a far worst state than the Celebration ship. After all these people had the good sense to quickly call in professionals to fix the problem unlike our government. I have come across a lot of crass and rude comments and jokes on this site, but I personally feel Thisisours made a fitting remark. The rebuke which was made was not call for and quite insulting. Let us be nicer people. TalRussell you make a valid point about how nonchalant it is to say only 50/50 chance of sinking.

Well if they figured their conditions at the Detention Centre were bad, they are in for a real shock now with these new accommodations.