F&F

SMDH, I won't even comment on this too much just one word. exasperating! (((We Are Better Than This!!)))

don't give us a fish, but create institutions that teaches every bahamian to fish, (((good education)) We need solutions that work and change from the bottom to the top to better our Bahamaland and prepare our young people for this globalized economy,this is the height of our frustration mr. dpm and stop this foreign invasion and cronyism, this is an matter of National Security! Anger??? you have not seen real Bahamian anger, if next election come around after 5 years and no improvement to our economy or crime and cronyism by our current government, and as usual, Bahamians have to vote for more of the same again (fnm/plp), simply because what we had in the back of our minds hoped to be a party of change for everyday Bahamians (DNA) turned out to be a one man party of arrogance and bickering with no platform, Anger??? after our next election if PLP or FNM are again the governing party, catering to the same, you will really start seeing anger, hopelessness, frustration! We can sometimes take the easy road and blame uninformed voters, but what choices do they have? The lesser of two evils is still evil and now what look like the possibility of a third more arrogant evil???.. Mr. DNA leader, it's time for you to stop all this nonsense bickering and start putting forth your ideas, if you wait too late, Bahamians are not going to even be interested in reading your platform simply because the DNA is something new, that have NEVER been successful in The Bahamas. a third party. Stop wasting precious time, we're counting on you, something different, and if this is all you have to offer? You're wasting your time! Bold, New, Progressive, Fresh ideas not more of this same nonsense! Respectively, Bahamians are smarter than you think even though we have only voted for more of the same the past 30+ years it's because what was the alternative? we are better than this!!!

IMHO, 'Head in the sand' comments like this, from a leader in our current governing party, the DPM, who was recently ROBBED by these same criminals that" don't exist" is troubling! This is what would be considered as putting party over reality! How can someone with this mentality govern the 'cries' or important issues of Bahamians; when even himself, with all his money, luxury accommodations and bodyguards, came face to face with a criminal element that 'ordinary' Bahamians experience on a daily basis, refused to except the fact that he himself could of been murdered, but choose to deny for the sake of defending party? The Bahamas is so ripe right now for a third party, but many is really questioning the readiness of the DNA party leader, The party sounds great, great name, colors etc, green+growth+young people+future, what not to love about it?? However, getting into all this back and forth and pointing fingers, we're tired of that! It's the same 'slash and burn' politics of the past 30+ years! Sir Bran, Respectively, keep this up and you will fail!! Bahamians, are looking for something different! If you are not up to the task, kindly remove yourself as leader, but remain in the party after all it was your idea? Please look at the bigger picture, you will never have this chance again if you do not start hammering your platform so we (Bahamians) know what you're going to do differently! We don't want temporary handouts, which seem to be the strategy politician take 1 month before election day,

IMHO, This is the perfect time for the DNA or another 3rd party to become the Governing party of The Bahamas; that said, They need to start hammering there platform now! they need not wait for the last minute and it need not be a carbon copy in any way of the two other major parties. It must be progressive, but common sense, it should heavily favor growth, young people and a rehabilitation of our struggling one sided economy that has always favored the rich, foreign investors and those who are family and cronies of those with 'special' or famous (in The Bahamas) surnames, who after almost 40 years STILL have their kids running the Bahamas government, who's next? their great grand and grand kids?. It's good to attack your opponents or the opposition, however what is your platform?? We (Bahamians) need to know this! Am not usually partial to party politics, however what we have been experiencing over the past 30 + years is the same regardless of which party win (PLP or FNM) it's exasperating!. This was sad then, but it's because we really did not have much of a choice, we always vote in the other or sometimes the same, we are better than this... My grandmother loved the PLP more than anything! It was God, Family, Farming, PLP. She would not even allow the FNM candidate to even walk on her property! simply because of Pindling and Company and Independence, My Mother is FNM and ideology is the same. We thank our former leaders dead and alive, but we must move on to compete with this globalized economy. We need more information on the DNA party if they planned on being a force to be reckoned with come next election and with crime and frustration in The Bahamas, this is the perfect opportunity! However, you need to be serious Sir, You need to assemble a smart young progressive political team now! And as our next leader you cannot be making dumb, backwards comments, being something new, a third party, Bahamians will tune you out very quickly! Am excited and look forward to a qualified, progressive third party governing Our Bahamas.

Of all the 'things' going on in our Bahamaland, including a convicted sexual offender opening a new church after running his previous church into the ground financially! The Bahamas christian council is an sham! A Racket! They continue to perpetuate ignorance in our Bahamaland, the stench and the hypocrisy and self interest of this organization stinks!!. imho Rev. Doc Patty is starting to sound like the Sarah Palin of The Bahamas, Always trying to hog all the attention, trying desperately to remain relevant. Respectfully sir, you have a degree in theology, not Science. It's amazing that this 'man' is considered a 'man of faith' Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. When Governments allow scientist to legally do research on the cannabis plant; this can be the solution to addictive and the harmful side effect of disastrous prescription drugs like Oxycodone, morphine, Vicodin, codeine and the others. Even if Rev. Doc Paddy does not care about the health properties of cannabis, what about the societal effects of prohibition? The organize gangs and other criminals that reek havoc on society, killing each other because of turf wars etc. And even if Rev. Doc Paddy does not care too much about the criminal aspect of prohibition. What about the financial? And lets not kid ourselves, tourism as it is, obviously is NOT keeping us afloat! Legalizing Cannabis in The Bahamas, Bahamasair will make what they're currently making annually, from the sudden increased sales of weekend round trip tickets alone! Cruise ships, Taxi drivers, hotels, cafe', the 'munchies' equals more food sales! Question: What does the Bahamas christian council do for the Bahamian citizens individually or collectively and our country financially?? the borrower is slave to the lender! Keeping your heads deep in the sand, Having a Slave master mentality and praying about it will not make it better! we are better than this! There are many 'religious leaders' who have came out in support of the legalization of cannabis, simply because the alternative has created greater social problems and decimated minority communities. There are no concrete biblical reason(s) for the prohibition of cannabis. Thank goodness we now live in an information age where we do not have to live our lives base on what hypocrites like this tells us. I encourage my fellow Bahamians to learn everything about this billion dollar industry in every way! From cultivation to harvest to tea shops. IMHO, Cannabis + Tourism = goldmine!

I’ve seen, religion affects a person’s ability to reason.
He said: “I believe that we don’t support anything that is going to have a negative impact on the family, on our people individually and collectively.
Rev. Doc Sir, who are you? Seriously who are you when it relates to the Government or rather the citizens on The Bahamas? Respectfully sir, you, or your organization has and will never be elected by the people as their spiritual leader! Who give you or your organization the audacity, to make such claim on behalf of the Citizens of The Commonwealth Of The Bahamas??

I would like to personally thank both "Rev. Doc. P" and US Embassy Acting Deputy Chief of Mission John Armstrong for their comments. One has completely ignore science as it relates to Cannabis, but just recently had a close relative in the hospital seeking treatment from science! cancer!!! And the other makes a complete hypocritical statement, after cornering the Cannabis market, well at least in this hemisphere, but it's his job to make such statements after all Cannabis is still illegal in the U.S on the federal level.

All in all both has no solutions to the problem, but more of the same (prohibition) and completely ignore science for selfish reasons. With draconian, ignorant, hypocritical and selfish answers like these is the reason why the United States has 5% of the worlds population and counts for 25% of its prisoners. "The war on drugs" has crippled the black community worldwide!! Dear Sirs, I have news for BOTH of you, neither of you speak for, or your opinions in reference to the legalization of Cannabis is the voice of the majority of Bahamians. We (The Bahamian People) did not elect any of you to speak for us, one of you is a visitor, the other runs a racket that profits of poor people.

Respectfully, I DO NOT smoke cannabis, I am a college graduate and I am currently in the process of getting my Masters Degree. IMHO There is a difference between those who enjoy cannabis and 'dopeheads', just like there is a difference between casual drinkers and alcoholics. I work, I support my family, My kids are all 'A' students, and I visit Our Bahamaland quite frequently to know what's going on. Bob Marley DID NOT died of cancer (but to those indoctrinated by reefer madness it does sound convenient, just read the now released FBI files). I have a sound mind, fully functioning limbs, obviously internet access so I am 'able' to do research, and for all these gifts and abilities I am however grateful. Weed 'affect' your heart rate, yes, so does, watching a scary movie, also sex which I love and enjoy only with my wife on a regular basis. There are many pharmaceuticals that we're told is good for humans but the side affects are worse eg. Chemotherapy, and my favorite drug to those who are mentally unstable or suffering from depression and oppose Cannabis treatment (yes I did say treatment, it's a medical proven fact) Prosaic.
In conclusion, I must admit, I enjoy talking to my fellow Bahamians especially the progressive Bahamians, plp, fnm, dna does not matter, those who dare to put their 'neck on the line', those who think outside of the box to try come up with unorthodox methods to try fix our vexing problems in our Bahamaland. Am not here to fight. Divide and rule I will not fall for it, I love ALL my fellow brothers and sisters even those whom we don't always agree on certain issues, however, all of us can agree we are facing a crisis in the Bahamas and we need new solutions to fix them. It's convenient to look at the problem and not what caused the problem, education, disenfranchisement, the 'war' on drugs etc, as a fellow human who love freedom, I will defend 'Smokey' right like any other. When our ideology turns us against those who don't act like us, look like us, live like us, speak like us we are no better than our oppressors and former 'Masters'. Any additional life that's lost because of the residual effect of the "war on drugs" and prohibition is a life too many. In some African countries, because of 'tradition', fear and ideology many mutilate daughters by cutting off their clitoris, in many Islamic countries, grown men blow up schools and gun down young girls trying to get an education, they are part of the human race just like any Bahamian, American, Canadian, Haitian, Jamaician, what make us 'different' IMHO is education & ideology.

In The Commonwealth of The Bahamas in the 21st century, There are criminals on BAIL for triple murder! While smokey is serving 1 year in prison! Any organization who claim to be the moral authority in The Bahamas should be outraged!! It's starting to seem like defending hardcore criminals in our Bahamaland is the new 'cash cow'. What many don't seem to realize is that many of the murders happen because of prohibition! newsflash! Religion cannot 'save' everyone from 'dope' then suddenly we become a crime-free country, amazingly other than Reefer Madness, Pharmaceutical, Alcohol and textile industries 1970's propaganda which they ingeniously mixed with religion, why is Cannabis illegal and Alcohol, polyester and pharmaceuticals with more bad side affects than good is legal? I would go on a limb here to say legalizing Cannabis in The Bahamas may not use much political capital as say Gay Marriage, simply because from a biblical perspective there is no solid basis to oppose it. IMHO it's pure ideological and societal. Borrowing those people money, and taxing everyone to death to pay it back, while not creating no NEW source of revenue with that borrowed cash, but simply using it to pay bills is like the definition of insanity, it's like the 'pay day loan' racket, borrowing other people's money with crazy interest rates! We (Bahamas) are better than this! we cannot let ideology turns us into a crime riddle 'beggars society'! it's simple economics! Like I've said in multiple post, Here in the good ole' Southern U.S of A, Cannabis may not be fully legal for a long time, because of this same ideology while states like Colorado and others rake in the cash, crime has decrease, and the world DID NOT end! The Bahamas should use this at their advantage, rather than continuously operating in a deficit (Bahamasair aand others) and borrowing money to pay bills or to 'invest' in things that yield no return on investment, Just think progressive, think bold, think future Bahamas. I think even The 'Morality Police' can agree that "The borrower is SLAVE to the lender" that's not only biblical that is a FACT!

P..s To those quick to label folks??? i do not smoke cannabis/cigarettes, eat pork or drink alcohol/sodas, however i will defend others freedom to choose...

"especially in an environment where young “angry men” are killing each other over insignificant things".

1) They're disenfranchised humans, most likely caught smoking a joint now they have a criminal record and cannot find a decent job. Hell yes they're angry! It's the domino effect.

2) "over insignificant things" Insignificant???? Prohibition has created a billion dollar industry, controlled by gangs and outlaws etc. We have our heads buried in the sand on this issue.

3) Our public educational system in The Bahamas is, (for lack of of a better word) a Racket!