They are not checking for the people that the area affects because the entire process of investment and government approvals is a black box with no visibility or transparency. Of course the secrecy is necessary to ensure that these cabinet ministers and their friends are rich men when their term is up. We talk about reparations for slavery but we don't need to go back that far. We can start by having an audit done on all politicians who have served in the past 25 years and I can guarantee we will recoup a king's ransom that have been diverted or stolen from the Bahamain people. Not to pick on Mr. Rolle but since this story involves him, we can start with him even though he has been in power less than two years.

If there ever were an issue that demonstrates our total lack of business skills it is our governments handling of this issue. If we were to rewind the PMs statements on this issue they would sound like: negotiations have not gone our way; we can't afford to by back the 2%; the talks are far from over; CWC has resisted governments intention to buy the 2%; we don't want to create an adversarial relationship; CWC has offered to sell 2% with conditions; the CEO's resignation may influence negotiations and finally I may have to disclose details of our negotiations. When you telegraph to your negotiation partner that you can't afford to complete the deal what do you think they are going to do. Further, as noted above the PM knows full well that the CEO is not authorised to sell a single share of CWC so why he insists on making these divisive statements in the middle of so called negotiations is puzzling especially as the government does not want to create an adversariel relationship.

I appreciate that slavery was pernicious and evil, on that we agree, but let's move the discussion along from centuries ago to today and I would still be interested in "how the free black tribal warrior or king or prince, captured on the coast of Africa, sold into captivity evolved into John today, based on your 14 points above". It is not a trick question, I am truly and sincerely interested in the answer that supports your position. Educate me!

Since you appear to know the historical causes and also appear to believe that these causes have shaped who you are today, why don't you share with us "how the free black tribal warrior or king or prince, captured on the coast of Africa, sold into captivity evolved into John today, based on your 14 points above".

Good points! Don't know what to make of this victim mentality that we continue to encourage in this country. Our answers entail us taking personal responsibility for ourselves, our children and our surroundings.

@UserOne I totally agree. From some of the comments it appears that some people believe that civil servant means personal servants. Without any apparent gratitude for the sacrifices these officers are already making by putting their lives on the line for us we speak disparagingly of them as if they are wholly dispensable. Yet when we hear a noise outside our house at night, we hide in our closet and call them to protect our families.

Rev. Hall taught me in school and I always respected his intellect but lately he has made some statements that are nothing short of silly for lack of a more descriptive word. I would think by making a choice to become a police officer these brave men and women have put their country first. Quite a few of them can do much better financially by moving to the private sector. From where I stand this is not an issue of further sacrifice, this is an issue of equity and fairness. These officers are human beings with children, families and other issues, like worrying about how to pay BEC, just like the rest of us. They are not robots put on this earth just to serve our selfish whims and protect our material possessions. Would Rev. Hall and these "godly" men exhort their children or their wives to do what they are asking these officers to do. For that matter, why are these "godly" men not practicing what they preach and put their country first. All of them are probably the wealthiest persons in their congregations. Why don't these "godly" men asks our politicians to go on 12 hour shifts and put the country first because there is no other group that take so much from the Bahamian people and give so little back.

A good insight because all concerned must know that a 12 hour shift is not only unsustainable, but its perceived effectiveness will undoubtedly diminish over time. In other words this should only be a bridge or short term fix. The 12 hour shift suggests that there is a manpower shortage issue with respect to the RBPF, however, I suspect that even the police Commissioner would admit that manpower shortages is but one of a number of major issues facing those responsible for law and order.

This verdict is conceptually incongruent with the ruling of the judge in this case and a clear indication that he probably erred in not allowing the jury of their peers to determine innocence or guilt beyond a reasonable doubt for all of the accused. Certainly the police can benefit from better training, because torturing confessions from persons is not and should not be an acceptable investigatory strategy, not to say that this is what the police did in this case. However, it is my view that if the judges are incompetent then the best police work in the world would be for naught. The ruling of the judge in this case was extraordinary and I am surprised that more persons are not talking about that.

What utter nonsense! Maybe someone should remind Mr. Ingraham that there are marines about to be tried by the Bahamian government for offences that the Bahamian government has yet to acknowledge even occurred. We can condemn the behavior of the democracy movement but we cannot control what they do. Our government, however, can control what we do. The behavior of our leaders in this matter has been embarrassing and unbecoming of this great nation and it would seem to me that if we are to start criticizing we should start with the folly of our own government before we look to other third parties.