Bridie,
Not all of the Bahamas is corrupt when it comes to trafficking, but as a culture, we have a significant problem that we cannot ignore. Just today, while I was outside chatting with a neighbour, my son approached me and said, "Someone is coming to deliver an iPhone attachment (an earpiece)." Moments later, a silver car pulled up. At the same time, my sister arrived in her new vehicle, and I got distracted, missing the transaction between my son and this small-time scammer.

It turns out the person sold my son fake items. When we called to confront him and warned that we would report him to the police, his brazen response was shocking:
"Call the police if you want, but you’ll have to live with it. I’m just out here trying to make a dollar like everyone else—it’s your choice, call the police."

This mindset reflects a much deeper issue. While it’s true we are not all drug traffickers, we, as a people, must face the hard truth: most of us in the Bahamas operate within a culture of corruption. For too many, deceit and exploitation have become normalized—a way of life. We function, breathe, and sleep in a reality where corruption is not just an act but is seen as a means of survival. It’s tragic, and it’s something that desperately needs to change.

Yes, it’s starting to look like a significant misstep for the Bahamas to allow Royal Caribbean to become a direct competitor to Bay Street and the Cruise Port. By creating its own exclusive offering, Royal Caribbean now has the potential to actively discourage passengers from visiting Nassau’s city centre in favour of its competing business. This could undermine the Bahamas’ tourism sector and diminish the value of the Cruise Port and Bay Street as key attractions. It seems like a poor strategic decision that could have long-term negative consequences for the local economy.

> Nassau Cruise Ports, worst rated among
> cruise passengers, Royal Caribbean.

Yes, it appears that Royal Caribbean's new investment in the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is a direct response to the dissatisfaction expressed by passengers regarding Nassau, despite the port being one of the busiest in the region. While the company has invested heavily in improving the cruise experience, including developing private islands like CocoCay, this new initiative suggests that the existing port facilities in Nassau have not been up to their standards.

The new beach club is an attempt to bypass the limitations and shortcomings of the Nassau port by offering an exclusive, all-inclusive experience right on the waterfront. By purchasing land in a prime location, Royal Caribbean aims to provide a high-quality destination for its passengers without relying on the current port infrastructure, which, as the report mentions, has been ranked poorly by cruise passengers.

In essence, while Royal Caribbean has invested in Nassau's port in the past, they are now shifting focus to creating a superior, more controlled environment that aligns with their brand's image and passenger expectations. This move could be seen as somewhat of a critique or a pivot away from relying on Nassau's existing port infrastructure, which they have acknowledged as lacking in innovation.

> **Wow!**

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2024…

> Houston, we have a problem: "Our local
> pilots are not pilots after all."

"Lord, Lord, Lord, we aspire to be a 'first world' nation but resist the measures necessary to achieve that status. The Bahamas Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (BAOPA) and the Bahamas Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) would be wise to consider updating and upgrading their liability insurance, particularly if local pilots attempt to 'shortcut' their qualifications.

This situation could have serious repercussions for the local aviation industry. Now that the truth is out, questions arise regarding whether some local pilots are truly qualified to hold their positions. If they lack the aptitude to pass the aviation exam 'prescribed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),' it not only undermines industry credibility but also poses significant risks to public safety—not to mention legal ramifications, 'God forbid there are accidents with injuries.'

Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate your feedback. :)

The larger-than-life Speaker persists with a combative attitude that risks inciting rebellion among opposition members. She fosters an atmosphere of arrogance that could easily provoke widespread opposition among the Bahamian public, ultimately leading to calls for her resignation. This may very well be the last time anyone dares to throw the mace out while she is Speaker, as what the esteemed Madam Speaker fails to consider is that the mace could easily be shattered into pieces upon hitting the floor.

Ironically, while you describe the Speaker’s role as requiring strength, you resort to dismissive language yourself. A strong Speaker isn’t one who mocks members of the House but one who upholds impartiality, professionalism, and respect for all. Such dismissive and brash behaviour reflects poorly on the Speaker's office and diminishes the integrity of the role. Fairness—not favouritism—must always remain the guiding principle.

But under a PLP administration, this comes as no surprise. The downward trajectory of the Bahamas is nothing new—this is PLP 101. We, the Bahamian people, have endured this before, and we will once again survive and dig ourselves out of this mess.

I fail to see why "drug-tinted" Brave Davis would expect the DEA or U.S. authorities to trust him, given his historical ties to figures like Samuel “90” Knowles. Knowles and his associates were central to a major drug trafficking network that operated through The Bahamas from the 1980s until Knowles’s extradition to the United States. Knowles was eventually tried and convicted as the leader of a transnational smuggling operation spanning South America, the Caribbean, the U.S., and Canada.

Davis's past affiliations with individuals linked to such illicit activities cast a long shadow over his current leadership. It is no secret that these historical connections undermine his credibility, especially in the eyes of international law enforcement agencies like the DEA.

Further, the internal discord between former schoolmates Clayton Fernander and Marvin Dames during their time in law enforcement highlights the dysfunctionality within the system. The unresolved tensions, which led to Clayton's temporary removal from the force, only for him to return as Commissioner under circumstances many considered politically motivated, underscore the questionable decision-making that plagues the government. It is widely recognized that Clayton’s return to such a high-ranking position exceeded his professional capacity, a reality the U.S. authorities are undoubtedly aware of.

Given this backdrop, the lack of trust exhibited by the U.S. toward Davis’s administration is not surprising. Trust must be earned through integrity, transparency, and consistent action—qualities that appear lacking when considering the legacy and current state of Bahamian governance.

The Speaker of the Bahamian House of Assembly, who also serves as the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Member of Parliament for Bamboo Town, appears to misunderstand the impartial and balanced nature of her role. The Speaker's primary responsibility is to act as a neutral arbiter, ensuring fair and respectful deliberation for all members of the House, irrespective of political affiliation. However, recent actions suggest an unfortunate bias, as the Speaker seems to prioritize the interests of PLP members while displaying hostility toward opposition members. This behaviour undermines the dignity and impartiality of the office and fosters a perception of partisanship, which is damaging to public trust.

The Speaker’s conduct—marked by perceived rudeness and apparent alignment with a political agenda—highlights a deeper systemic issue. The current rules and traditions of the Westminster parliamentary system, under which the Speaker is elected, require urgent reform to ensure such positions are filled by individuals committed to neutrality and fairness. Positions such as the Speaker of the House, Commissioner of Police, and Permanent Secretary must transcend political influence to safeguard democratic principles and public confidence.

These developments underscore the need for comprehensive reforms to modernize our parliamentary system and make these issues central to future election campaigns. It is imperative that the Bahamian people demand accountability and structural adjustments to ensure the impartiality and integrity of such pivotal roles. Such changes would enhance the democratic process and restore faith in the institutions that are foundational to governance in the Bahamas.

If we follow the logic of the situation, it’s likely that the person in question is already aware of being under investigation. It’s now up to those with inquisitive minds to deduce who this individual might be—someone with significant power and connections in both the Bahamas police, aviation and the drug world to orchestrate such an operation-and this is no new person to politics.