I think if you spent 2 1/2 weeks at HMP, you might think twice about the "slap on the wrist" phrase.

As soon as we have 500 acres of productive farmland, and 5 thousands milk producing cows, and lots of other cows and pigs and chickens that are produced as food on the regular - have Bahamian judges in our supreme & appeals courts, Bahamian specialists at central bank, Bahamian pharmacists, and our school average rises from D+ to a B - then we will be able to "discipline" people.

Otherwise we are simply beggars, and we all know that beggars cannot be choosers.

**TheMadHatter**

Excellent point; and while I have no doubt they would love to do that - I simply believe it is no longer technologically possible. The US Embassy certainly is aware of the development (even before the ground-breaking) - and if this was a concern they would have simply sent someone to meet with Cabinet (one reason why utterances in Cabinet cannot be spoken out of the room [this is in our Constitution] ) - and said "This needs to stop or we will reduce your entry stamps at the airport to be only 48 hours except for medical or other emergency reasons." They did this back in the early 80's and it had an impressive effect.

It is sad what is happening to our country - but it is not only because of the Chinese - it is also partly our fault for refusing to have any real manufacturing in this country - except that of babies.

You have a point - somewhat - but perhaps you missed the funny video that those two cruise people did about a month ago on downtown Nassau? Showing the garbage, stray dogs, bums, broken stuff, closed shops, and general CRAP everywhere? If this is our history (and you know it's been this way for a long time) - then perhaps we need to get rid of that history and forget we ever had it. Obviously it is not a good working model because unemployment is so high. Try something new.

I wonder if the United States offered to accept us as the 51st state of the USA, and offered to pay for the referendum costs for a national vote to decide - what percentage of Bahamians would vote for us to become a state?

We are practically a state now. Everything we consume comes from there (and china) - we make next to nothing - and Bahamians love to travel over there every time they find an extra $500 in their pocket.

However, due to the training of the mind from the early PLP days - which still sticks with us today - I would bet that the YES vote would be less than 35%.

Bahamians have simply been trained to love a life that sucks. They just love it and really don't want change. Many have actually been trained to believe that this is the "better" life. It's better in the Bahamas, or It just Keeps Getting Better. Wow. This forum is just a place for us to complain just to see our tongues flopping. Nothing more.

**TheMadHatter**

I disagree with those above mentioning similarities to Hong Kong. We need Hong Kong here. We need 10 times or 50 times as many developments just like this one - and we need them yesterday.

People won't stop popping out puppies in the delivery room at PMH - and so we need to make jobs for them when they grow up.

**TheMadHatter**

Mr. Smith is also complicit since he paid the $21. I don't even want to think about how disgusting it is that his fee is only $280. That is shameful. I had a friend who had a very small business in FPO and his fee was just a bit over $2000 per year. I can't imagine what businesses like the fast food places, bars & grills, hotels, tour companies, diving companies, etc must pay - probably over $10,000 easily.

However, the real point is - this argument is a day late and twenty one dollars short. The correct action here would have been for he and his partners to file suit upon receiving the bill (after first writing a letter requesting confirmation of the bill's contents and specifically disputing the VAT included - and do so via certified mail). One the PA committed and confirmed their stance in writing, then file suit.

By going along with them, and paying, he can surely understand why everyone else is just "going along" too- and we are all simply on a ship heading into the rocks with no captain and nobody willing to commit mutiny either.

**TheMadHatter**

You are 100% correct. Unfortunately, though, due to the Government's brilliant plan of keeping our education system running at D+ for more than 20 years - they now have an excellent supporting population who will vote them in (PLP or FNM) every time election comes.

Fried chicken, beer, sodas, stage acts, and some loud Reggae music - and man let me tell you Mr. Politican - Dey Ga Give You Dey 'X'.

Dey just ain't lern yet - dat chicken at Rally ain't ga keep dey belly full for 5 years. But don't check for dem. Use dem as the fools they is. Best of luck to you Mr. Politician. Carry on wisely. The people ga vote the FNM in next time - don't worry - cause they want to have "change" - LOL

**TheMadHatter**

I've always felt that the stories in the Bible (or suggestions therein) that there is a place called HELL are just fables and wrong translations at best. I simply do not believe that GOD would put his own children in a never-ending lake of fire to burn for all eternity. We are his children, and like our own children are to us - when our kids misbehave we do not construct giant BBQ pits to burn them in.

However, these recent revelations above have now started me questioning whether perhaps for some people, such tactics by Our Father may be necessary. Well, maybe not for all eternity - because their crimes are not infinite. But at least a good roasting might be in order for at least a couple days.

These people are gifted with so many gifts and power that God expects them to use to do HIS work here on Earth to BUILD and help people. The Bible says that God gives the seed to the sower. He has given them plenty of seeds - yet they do not sow. I am sure they will punish harshly for that.

**TheMadHatter**

So that TV station in florida who reported that the radar was down - they could not get any info from our radar - they were paid off to say that by who?

**TheMadHatter**

hey _ this is a great idea !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We haven't lost enough money and jobs from Bahamar and all the other business closings (like the perfume distributor in freeport that closed last month - 23 good paying jobs and lots of supporting vendors losing a great customer)

NO - let's see what else we can lose.

Maybe Perry should just revoke the business license of all hotels in the Bahamas and let the police stand guard and keep them closed - and shut down all the airports too - send the air traffic controllers home.

Yeah - that's a great idea. I wonder why he hasn't thought of that one. Ooops hope I'm not putting ideas in his head - LOL.

**TheMadHatter**