Granted the law may state just as you mentioned and the union has every right to seek legal recourse. We have a legislative, judicial and executive branches of government in our system of governance. There is usually conflicting interests between the branches that need ironing out. Having said that, I think most Bahamians agree that the legislative branch need to perhaps review the law and make changes where necessary to ensure that people of foreign decent working in the Bahamas are lawfully fingerprinted. I'm not sure what the objection is to this considering the issues we've had with some foreigners, not just teachers.

Having worked in the U.S. and the U.K. I've been fingerprinted and had to even pay for it in order to meet the requirements of the border agencies. I didn't feel offended in any way. If I wanted to work in their country I did what was necessary. I don't think the argument is as complex as we are making it out to be. Its simple. As a matter of national security all foreigners wishing to work and reside in this country should be fingerprinted. U.S. green card holders are required to complete full biometric profile in order to be there. So I say simply change the laws to reflect the will of the Bahamian people. As it stands now it is an illegal act on the part of the ministry.

We miss the point. KFC has every right to close its stores. But I can't understand why they wouldn't tell the workers in advance not to come in to work. I think its really in poor taste and we should be more concerned when this happens to low income workers. We have really developed a nasty way of doing things in this country. Don't worry someone will soon go 'Postal,' on them. The unions are lost in this country and I have no feeling for them. But KFC should do better and treat people better than this.

Sure does sound like a hit. I don't think we've become that cruel to cut fingers off. We have some freaks in this country but this sounds like an execution. Whoever he swing in the states probably caught up with him.

The thing that concerns me is the loyalty that the two major parties have for there leaders. Perry has become a liability to the PLP as I believe Sir Lynden did and even Hubert to the FNM. When are we going to realise that the party is bigger than any one individual. I personally never believed Perry should have become leader. I think BJ would have done a better job. But that ship has sailed so no use thinking about that. Both of these major parties need to get to a point where they can say to their leaders 'it's time to move on.' Perry will make it harder for the PLP as party to command the respect of the Bahamian people. Its not about being treacherous or being a Judas. Its about survival of the party and simply knowing when to bow out gracefully. You shouldn't have to be chased out or lose your shorts in an election. Not when you've been in Parliament for 40+years.

I agree. But the trouble is most Bahamians are saying the service is fine. I have always said that the service is crap and that we need to demand more. We are so easily bought though. Anyway lets continue with the mediocrity in this country and be satisfied with the glacial progress that we make.

Why can't we see that both of these parties are no good? The PLP had some substance but continue to slide down hill with its choice in candidates. The FNM has always had leadership problems as a party and they too run a poor slate of candidates. I don't think the gambling ordeal should be about party politcs at all. Both parties have upheld discriminatory gambling laws against Bahamians for many years. We have had poor representation for years. So it really surprises me that people behave as if its only one party doing nonsense. I've had both PLP and FNM politicians represent my area and for some reason we get the bottom of the barrel from both parties.

The Christian Council appears to be more political than ever these days. Its ashame because they have much more to be focused on in our country. Yet, the only thing they seem to hold press confrences for is gambling. We respect the church, but there really is too much hypocrisy and political agendas at play here. The people of this country elected a government to represent the wishes of the people. We did not elect the Christian Council. I would be more satisified if the people voted no and the Christian Council kept out it. But Patterson and the rest have showed their cards quite clearly.

A great explanation by Banker. Being a member of the general public we don't understand all the inner workings of the relationship between realtors and lending institutions. Your posting clarified a lot. Banks in this country do leave a lot to be desired in terms of products, customer service etc. But I cannot disagree with them that tapering losses by having evidenced based valuations based on statistics and market trending is not the way to go. If more business in this country used empirical data and less emotional decision making we would have less bad debt.

From a consumer perspective I would hope that it helps us to make better decisions about what we can afford. Sometimes getting a loan declined by a bank is not a bad thing. I've found that in many cases it forces us to be more creative and more disciplined in our approach to investing, saving and spending.

Good question John. Discipline is the issue that the COP did not address. We need to be more selective in who we let on the force in the first place. The training standards are either sub-standard at the Police College or officers forget or never had intention of using their learned skills. I've seen police bully and harass young men in this country. We need to do better in this country.

He is obviously still wounded. His rant has nothing to do with his overwhelming concern about crime or the VAT bill. Mr. Moss is still nursing wounds he feels were inflicted by his own party. But politics is a funny business, and if one is going to progress in it there is no time to be focused on the past. The NIB scandal was quite a mess and all parties suffered some public humiliation. Mr. Moss is a politician and as a politician he is exposed to criticism at all times. My advice is to move on. If you don't think the party or politics is what you want anymore then simply move on. You are not the first person to feel the pinch of politics and you certainly won't be the last. But this constant wasting of Parliamentary time complaining about how your party colleagues didn't support you is annoying. Not only is it annoying, but its none of the public's business. Save your party politics for the PLP convention. Stop wasting time in the House whining over internal PLP matters.

It is alarming to hear about these cases of missing people in Freeport. I hope that they are found to be safe but were simply unable to communicate with family. No one wants to have their loved ones go missing whatever the circumstance.

That said, we need to get a serious grip on trafficking in the country. These smugglers need to be punished harshly. There is also a need for people to understand that they risk their safety and lives when they engage in these acts of illegal migration. True, the government should get a better control of these smuggling rings. But people should be aware that when they are committing illegal acts to gain entry into the Bahamas and the US they do so at their own risk. Why should either government spend money and resources when for all we know these folks could be in the US laying low? I think its unfair to criticize the Bahamian Police. They may verywell be investigating it. But if there are no leads what do you want them to do?