Comment history

Porcupine says...

On Call for immediate ceasefire

Posted 18 March 2024, 7:48 p.m. Suggest removal

Porcupine says...

Excellent statement.
And, exactly right on what is going on.
Silence is betrayal.
All it takes for evil to persist is for good people to remain silent.
We must speak out on the atrocity presently occurring in Gaza.
The Palestinians have a right to resist the occupation of a foreign military, just as the international community has said for decades.
Listen to Nelson Mandela's position. It is all available on the internet.
Thanks for publishing this call for human decency.
This is what is being asked here.
Human decency

On Call for immediate ceasefire

Posted 18 March 2024, 7:37 p.m. Suggest removal

Porcupine says...

"Mr Watson delivered the keynote address at a ceremony celebrating World Consumer Rights Day, using the opportunity to speak about the advantages of AI, particularly its advantages to consumers, listing industries such as medicine, transportation, scientific research, and finance, adding that AI technology can help towards the world’s most pressing challenges."
With all due respect, what AI has done best thus far, is turning consumers into the product.
Quite clearly, we are over our heads.
I am sure Mr. Watson means well, but quite obviously hasn't done his scholarly homework. The most recent warnings over AI by some of the world's foremost AI developers certainly suggests we should be treating AI as much as a possible threat, as embracing it as a pot of gold for those at the top to benefit from.

Porcupine says...

Some of the most brilliant minds in the world, the very ones who are developing Artificial Intelligence, are warning that AI could backfire and lead to the human species extinction.
We desperately need more thinkers in this country.
We are lagging far, far behind.
The day has come when we need to make politicians and pastors irrelevant in major national decisions where true scholarship and critical thinking is needed.
Clearly, we must be humble and realize that we have for too many decades failed to cultivate a thinking population here in the Bahamas. We seem clueless in understanding the monumental changes occurring on a global scale.
Neither the ignorant politicians nor the illiterate pastors want a populace that can think clearly. A thinking person would quickly come to the very real conclusion that either of these two groups only want power and money for themselves.
At this rate, the only benefit from AI is for those in power in this country to wield more control over the rest of us.
If you doubt the level of intelligent inquiry of our nation, simply read the comments in this paper for a few weeks.

Porcupine says...

It is a sad state of affairs when these are the only two options in the US.
A Biden or a Trump.
Dr. Cornell West would make a most excellent president.
Too bad the US is so lost and unable to find its moral way.

Porcupine says...

In the end, just my humble opinion, banking should be a public good and a public service.
There should be no profits in banking.
All excesses should be used to help fund the public sphere.
I'm trying to think like a Christian now. Just whose tables did Jesus supposedly flip over in the temple?
There should be no such thing as a rich banker.
It is a service job, like all others.
No magic. No tricks. No genius needed. Just honesty.

On Central Bank releases bank fees comparison

Posted 15 March 2024, 7:23 p.m. Suggest removal

Porcupine says...

Our generator on a Family Island hasn't been replaced, and there was no hurricane.
I don't think your argument holds for renewables.
It's called informed foresight.
Does the government of this nation possess it?
Or, is it 100% reactionary?

Porcupine says...

We must remember that this incentive is being offered not because people want to do the right thing. It is offered here because we have been shackled with a product, from our own government, that is unreliable and way too costly for us to bear.
Sort of like a tax, yes?

Porcupine says...

When I read the Tribune headline, troops to haiti plan on hold amid chaos: Munroe says deployment uncertain with absence of leadership in nation",
I wasn't sure of what nation he was referring to regarding the absence of leadership.
An editorial mishap?

Porcupine says...

"Mr Cooper said the initiative will be expanded into other Family Islands and is a “direct counter” to critics skeptical about the benefits of the tourism sector to all Bahamians.

He said: “This initiative is a direct counter to any skepticism about the inclusivity of the tourism sectors benefit to Bahamians from all walks of life."

Sorry Mr. Cooper and Mr. Davis, but there will be no real benefit to this program. Only a photo opportunity for you politicians. Nothing more.

Anyone in business in this country, as continually well documented in this newspaper, is quite firm on the insensitivity of your government to those trying to do business here.
From usurious taxation, to failing infrastructure of frequent electrical and water outages and poor internet service, to miles of red tape and ever changing regulation and lack of communication between government offices. A complete lack of transparency from government officials and a callous and nonchalant attitude by the vast majority of government employees. There is a Pay to Play culture that exists on every island in our nation. There is no ease of doing business in The Bahamas.
Anyone who has traveled, or done business elsewhere knows that The Bahamas is at the bottom of the list in ease of doing business.
It is not just the cost of doing business, Mr. Davis. It is the complete apathetic treatment we get when we try and break through the many, many barriers your government has placed before its people.
Your government is a failure for business owners.
If you don't believe me just look up The Bahamas in the World Bank Ease of Doing Business report. Most business owners in The Bahamas would agree with their findings.

Now, like always, you try and put lipstick on a pig.