an extreme example by the MadHatter, but the essence of it; the chronic resistance to change and new things, is indeed endemic...

in a free and democratic society, gov't should not be in the business of managing your personal finances.. they should not be in the salary deduction business either.. a credit arrangement is between the parties concerned and should be governed by the risk-taking decisions of the lender, based on their lending criteria, and application of civil law for breaches of any agreement.. should gov't also tell you what to eat and when to exercise so you dont become a burden on the public health system? how far do you go? we bahamians need to learn to take ownership of our actions, good and bad...

so the PLP borrowed a page from the FNM playbook.. shame on both parties.. what a great way to kill FDI.. the opposition always threatening to repeal what current gov't does.. why not just apply for a permit to demonstrate instead, get some placards reading 'don't come here', then go to Prince George and NIA and wave them at the arriving guests?

i'm sure the Queen has had a few sleepless nights over this one.. brown skin, divorcee and no top shelf lineage.. oh my.... however, nothing but praise for Harry..

death of the financial services industry has long been coming.. dont know how so many still dont see it. the 'big boys' want their citizens' money and they will mash up anybody who gets in the way of them, by whatever name you call the industry.. we need to be more pragmatic, accept that the game is over and move on...

all praise to Mr. Smith, but at a time when the current politicians are railing against reemployment of former public servants and the need to create new opportunities, one has to wonder how to reconcile that mindset with this appointment and others like Neilly and Cartwright.. like the PLP, this culture of recycling former politicians just wont go away.. i guess they are a special breed after all...

i agree with the sentiments here.. mixed use development works and we absolutely have to get bodies into 'town' after 5pm.. much potential there.. i think gov't should include a 'stick' with any carrots they wish to offer to spur development of this area.. a significant 'property tax' should apply to rundown, undeveloped property on Bay Street. its in the long-term national interest that development occur on Bay Street as an imperative for economic development.

no small country like the Bahamas and many others, have a chance at significant development without foreign investment.. the resources just aren't here.. until we get our people to understand this, its mission impossible to grow this economy...

the Atlantis resort is a great example of what could be in our country. missed opportunity to have created something different, but similarly exciting, on Cable Beach.. anyway, give them time and hope for the best.. Bahamar is a botched project, so the leadership there have a task to overcome the skepticism and hesitation in the marketplace.. Grame mentioned Bahamaland Air starting service to Chicago and Houston.. without partners and advertising, dont expect much from that. they are unknown among non-bahamians even in Florida where they have flown since independence...

the problem with this is going to be finding trainable bahamians.. its a poorly kept secret that our schools are not exactly turning out truckloads of capable students.. but when that happens, they (gov't and the unemployable) will spin this known deficiency and say things like they (the investors) dont want to train/promote bahamians.. seen this movie before.. we are very good at playing the victim card..