Thanks for saying that. It needs to be said.

I think I didn't make myself clear. Our doctor questioned, rightfully so, I believe, why Gates should have a prominent voice in this matter. She is certainly not a conspiracy theorist.

I'm wondering birdie, if someday in the future we may end up on the same side, on the right side of history. Daydreaming they call it.

"Dumbed down" can imply an other who dumbed them down. I agree with you on many issues here. However, watching what is happening in the US and elsewhere, there is a coordinated and concentrated effort to dumb people down. Some can escape, some can't, through no real fault of their own. The amazing technological apparatus at the elites disposal is stunningly effective at bending people's perspectives, buying habits, political persuasions. It is not pretty. But, I make the same mistake myself, too often, of blaming the victim. Otherwise, I agree with you.

Great letter. Thanks for speaking up.

This story, if read carefully, exposes what is truly wrong with our country. It appears to me that all of the actors in this story are petty, greedy, crass and tribal political animals, and really truly care more about themselves than the well being of The Bahamas. The lawyers make out like bandits, as they always do. The taxpayers get shafted, like they always do. And, politicians get to talk, talk and do more talking while saying absolutely nothing of truth or of reality. Our "judicial" system is a farce, due simply to the pervasiveness of petty politics infecting every aspect of this country's existence. The ultimate question in all of this, is who wins and who loses? Once again, in The Bahamas, the scammers win and the public loses. Why can't we identify an opportunist, and why do we keep voting for them?

Hey benniesun, I hope you keep writing. Obviously, you get it. I am not blowing smoke up your arse. Your words are worth reading. Please keep it up. People often don't like hearing the truth. However, we can't just hope and dream and pray that things will get better. We need to educate ourselves.
"By excluding intelligent Bahamians who would question and improve the system, the entire Bahamas has been dumbed down." This is a sad, but true statement. Thanks for your comments.

We have officially legalized our own national Ponzi scheme, the web shops. Who in their right mind would not call the web shops Ponzi schemes? But, the Tribune sees fit to warn Bahamians about foreign scammers, when we have our own well-dressed, Bahamian scammers in broad daylight. Now, we call them financial gurus. Their operations, scamming the Bahamian people, went on illegally for years. Then, our wise politicians, against the will of the people, made this Ponzi scheme legal, handing it to the same criminals who were operating it before. Is it wrong to call those operating illegal enterprises criminals? Once again, we see the effects of an educational system that has failed. But, not just failed those who attended these schools, but the whole of society. Sad, truly.

benniesun,
Yours is the most pertinent of all comments here. Few will understand it, yet you must continue to speak it. Understanding what capitalism is all about takes education and a free mind. Both of those are in extremely short supply today throughout the world. As tiring and pointless as it seems to keep speaking the truth. It must be said over and over. Thanks for your comment.

Graduate,
You are correct. However, please do not suggest that there is not a long, long history of misusing science to achieve less than noble goals and to manipulate mankind. I only need direct you to the "scientists" who were brought to the US under Operation Paperclip after WWII.
Or, the Tuskegee.syphallis experiment. Or, forced sterilizations, or lobotomy, or electric shock treatments for women with postpartum depression. The list is much longer. It is right there in the literature.
However, I do agree with your sentiments especially regarding climate change, major health concerns such as obesity and other science-related issues that are peer reviewed and sufficiently studied in today's advanced age of discovery. Still, it must be understood that there is a logical and historical basis for healthy skepticism when you study the facts concerning this issue.
I would also take issue with your statement that we have a scientist as Prime Minister. Firstly, while he may have had medical training, he is now a politician. Sometimes, as in the cases I cited above, one objective is placed over and above other objectives. Would you continue to call those who knowingly injected useless placebos into the arms of black men suffering from syphallis scientists? Or, would you rightly call them criminals? Just asking.
Otherwise, I have been using your same argument myself. The science is clear on the contribution of fossil fuels to our current climate crisis. Where is the national outcry over allowing oil drilling in our pristine waters off Andros? As well, the current medical profession is wholly dependent on for-profit enterprise such as big-pharma, big money directing university curriculum, and indebtedness of individual doctors which may reveal why there are so many unnecessary operations and treatments, even right here in The Bahamas. So, while I agree wholeheartedly in your premise, there are a few other things to consider before labeling all skeptics as misguided. My child's highly regarded pediatrician in Nassau, a doctor and scientist, recently said to me that she would wait in getting vaccinated for Covid 19. She said it seemed like they were rushing a vaccine for political purposes and that safety should come first. Was she wrong? Of course not if you've been paying attention. She also commented that "what medical training does Bill Gates have that we should be listening to him?" Good question, hey?