Great to see this subject being discussed. Individuals perceive things differently and finding common ground is only possible if we try to understand the spectrum of perception. To understand we must listen and respect each other and not impose objective positions on subjective matters. Move away from right and wrong and instead think “How does this make sense?”

I don't think Lincoln Bain is objectively wrong or right. I think he and his followers are a symptom of a bigger issue in the Bahamas. We should give respect to this by allowing him and his followers the right to free speech and protest. Not allow the government, police, and media to dismiss the issue. The Government should listen to their concerns and help the public understand and provide details on their approach to the problem. The Media should provide an investigation into the issue and represent all sides without prejudice. This is the purpose of these institutions. Arresting, silencing, defaming, and persecution all erode the freedom of the people. It doesn’t matter if this behaviour is from the political right or left it’s equally troubling.

What’s the far lefts equivalent to fascism?

I don't agree with this movement, but many Bahamians have feelings similar to Lincoln Bain. They have a concern, what is it and why? How does it make sense? Three points for consideration:

1) People think there’s a fixed amount of money/opportunity and the more people added to the population the less there is to go around. This is a problem in the Bahamas. Power is too centralized, and people don’t feel there’s an opportunity to create value from their means of production. You need political connections.

2) People are nationalist, insular, afraid. Which manifests in a negative way as discriminatory. We need to educate and empower our people, so that their approach is constructive and not reliant on putting other groups down.

3) Perhaps it’s a bad thing to have a system that naturally grants persons born in the Bahamas citizenship. It could be incentivizing people to make the treacherous journey to the Bahamas to give birth to a child they think will have a better life. I doubt this is a major reason for the group but it’s something worth considering.

I believe people have a right free speech and should be allowed to challenge our government.

I also believe we need immigration reform. There must be a clear process which is enforced humanely.

I also believe our government needs to be transparent with information so the people can hold them accountable.

We have many issues in the Bahamas. I for one hate being on a return flight to the Bahamas and seeing the difference between the cheerful tourists and the apathetic Bahamians. We should be sharing paradise not selling something we don’t have for ourselves.

I agree. There should have been a revolution when the people voted no and the government did it anyway.
Also, I don't know much about this Lincoln Bain fellow but it doesn't sit well with me that the government-police won't allow him a right to free speech and to stand up for what he believes in.
I'm also disappointed every time the Tribune disables comments on news articles.
These oppressive behaviours against the people in a country that claims to be democratic but from observations seem to be more of an Oligarchy which is gaslighting the uneducated masses into thinking they're free.

Gambling - an "industry" that preys on the desperate and weak minded and produces nothing but false hope

Finally enabled comments

*"While most of the project is being built on Crown Land, most of the project will be on private land.”*

What?

*“Everything is being done in Nassau. I have not been informed about anything. Nothing has been done on Long Island, so I don’t know anything about the project other than what we see in the press,”*

business as usual

The title of this article is a bit misleading. These people are being proactive and engaging in our democracy. They have a right to stand up for what they believe in and Bahamians have a right to support or not.

I wouldn't be surprised if the government was trying to pull a fast one. They "consulted" the public on number houses (gambling) and did the opposite.

As usual, there's an intentional lack of information communicated to the public.

You know the government still hasn't fulfilled its promise and responsibility of releasing the official Dorian death toll. They went as far as 70 and said it could be more than 600 but never provided a final estimate based on investigations.

This is a simple example I use to demonstrate the culture of keeping people ignorant to hold onto power and control the narrative.

We will never be free unless we stand up for it.

Power is too centralized and there's no accountability. The government is accountable for many things it shouldn't be because it exerts its power over many things it shouldn't. To do business in the Bahamas you need some government officials' nod and favours. Without government connections, you wouldn't be able to compete in a market where your competitors bypass rules and get other breaks and exemptions. It's sad to see the things we do.

One could argue that maybe the government did the right thing we just don't know the full story. If that's true, why don't we know the full story? We are the public; this is a major tragedy that impacted the public, even if you weren't directly involved, the estimated damage to the country's GDP and impacts on our people are of concern to all Bahamian citizens.

Also, to those thinking Dorian was in 2019, get over it. Most things don't get better with time alone. The government should provide a clear roadmap to recovery and make it clear to individuals what to expect and plan around. Instead, the government gives vague grand promises that are designed to be misinterpreted and the people plan around those dreams. People are waiting around thinking the government will deliver the dreams marketed to them.

Probably at a significantly reduced payment.

I want a government house too.

USA, Canada, UK etc. lotteries are national/not-for-profit. You take the money from people's addictions and desperation and use profits to fund public programs to help the people.