The more things change, the more they remain the same....... At least for the average Bahamian. There are many motives lurking in the shadows of the Civil Service side, Not the least of which are appointments as WTO officers and Liaisons. There will be new Civil servant positions needed for compliance and dispute resolution and all manner of new bureaucracy. Government will then no doubt access more grants and loans. One would think Accession would "raise the game" and open up more economic potential, but the Vast majority are so woefully ignorant of what it all actually means. In this process since 2001, our successive government administrations have been tight lipped, secretive, and largely clueless themselves as to the actual effects it will have. And they will not consult properly with the private sector. Their presentations are vapid. The 5 year political turnover has not helped. The wholesale firing of the Bahamas negotiation team did not help, it just made information harder to get. So it is no wonder we now have, this late in the game, objection and protest. As recently as last year, Ministry of finance officials were hemming and hawing in response to specific and educated questions put to them. Secrecy is still a major part of the Official position. (with claims of not wanting to Telegraph the Bahamas position to other negotiating countries) WTO may or may not be good for the Bahamian people, but thus far successive Government administrations have failed to adequately prepare the public, and for 18 years. Not holding officials feet to the fire and educating ourselves on WTO is probably going to cause more economic pain than actual succession.
Has there been a definitive list of specific single use plastics to be banned published? 13 gallon kitchen garbage bags for example.....Large trash bags? (55 gallon) Are we just gonna dump loose garbage in the bins for collection? What about bags in public waste containers? Grocery bags have never been single use around my house but I understand the environmental issue they present. What about doggy poop bags? those are single use. Ziploc bags for Food storage, ice bags, also Banned?
Charge the offending individual with assault of a minor. Problem solved. If one has to resort to violence to correct misbehavior, the battle is already lost. Particularly at 7th grade level.
The joke is he apparently "slept" off his hangover at the negotiation table when he was Minister! Bahamas negotiation team had to sit back and say nothing. I do not fear WTO, I fear the idiots we have put in charge!
While I agree the government should respect the H.C.A. rather than continue their ever present attacks and undermining, the Port Authority has proven to be a horrible regulator of the power company, currently the worst in the world for stability of supply while being the most profitable for EMERA in the region. They have zero technical capability in house, beyond simple electrical installation inspection. URCA has also traditionally been a glorified Rate regulator, but seem to be waking up to the rest of the job. Either way, both are lame, with the Port winning hands down. Now if URCA could get 4/5ths of licensees to support their position and authority the H.C.A. could be amended legitimately.......................
I have a Te Shirt made from Hemp fibers, I just burned it so I don't get busted! The stupidity in this administration knows no bounds, with respect of CBD preparations for ingestion or topical use. (and damn near any other subject also) The underlying objection may well be diminished residual revenue that Dr's receive from Big Pharma on prescriptions both new and renewed. They could also be stalling while they apply for the license to import and distribute. Neither would surprise me.
The Minister (Dr.) is probably upset as CBD over the counter will reduce his commission on prescription drugs from Phizer/Merck/Roche/Novartis etc. As always, behind the ball by months if not years.
The_Oracle says...
The more things change, the more they remain the same.......
At least for the average Bahamian. There are many motives lurking in the shadows of the Civil Service side, Not the least of which are appointments as WTO officers and Liaisons.
There will be new Civil servant positions needed for compliance and dispute resolution and all manner of new bureaucracy.
Government will then no doubt access more grants and loans. One would think Accession would "raise the game" and open up more economic potential, but the Vast majority are so woefully ignorant of what it all actually means. In this process since 2001, our successive government administrations have been tight lipped, secretive, and largely clueless themselves as to the actual effects it will have. And they will not consult properly with the private sector.
Their presentations are vapid. The 5 year political turnover has not helped. The wholesale firing of the Bahamas negotiation team did not help, it just made information harder to get.
So it is no wonder we now have, this late in the game, objection and protest.
As recently as last year, Ministry of finance officials were hemming and hawing in response to specific and educated questions put to them. Secrecy is still a major part of the Official position.
(with claims of not wanting to Telegraph the Bahamas position to other negotiating countries)
WTO may or may not be good for the Bahamian people, but thus far successive Government administrations have failed to adequately prepare the public, and for 18 years.
Not holding officials feet to the fire and educating ourselves on WTO is probably going to cause more economic pain than actual succession.
On Bahamas joining WTO a threat to economy, argues pastor
Posted 5 June 2019, 10:50 a.m. Suggest removal
The_Oracle says...
Has there been a definitive list of specific single use plastics to be banned published?
13 gallon kitchen garbage bags for example.....Large trash bags? (55 gallon)
Are we just gonna dump loose garbage in the bins for collection?
What about bags in public waste containers?
Grocery bags have never been single use around my house but I understand the environmental issue they present. What about doggy poop bags? those are single use.
Ziploc bags for Food storage, ice bags, also Banned?
On 'Plastics ban will increase our business costs'
Posted 3 June 2019, 6:36 p.m. Suggest removal
The_Oracle says...
Charge the offending individual with assault of a minor. Problem solved.
If one has to resort to violence to correct misbehavior, the battle is already lost.
Particularly at 7th grade level.
On Father's fury as son comes home from school 'black and blue'
Posted 30 May 2019, 11:22 a.m. Suggest removal
The_Oracle says...
Never pays damages, never apologizes, and usually ignores rulings against the Government.
On 'Govt has not paid out a dollar in damages'
Posted 29 May 2019, 2:36 p.m. Suggest removal
The_Oracle says...
The joke is he apparently "slept" off his hangover at the negotiation table when he was Minister!
Bahamas negotiation team had to sit back and say nothing.
I do not fear WTO, I fear the idiots we have put in charge!
On Ex-trade chief: Stop WTO 'total disaster'
Posted 29 May 2019, 2:34 p.m. Suggest removal
The_Oracle says...
While I agree the government should respect the H.C.A. rather than continue their ever present attacks and undermining, the Port Authority has proven to be a horrible regulator of the power company, currently the worst in the world for stability of supply while being the most profitable for EMERA in the region.
They have zero technical capability in house, beyond simple electrical installation inspection.
URCA has also traditionally been a glorified Rate regulator, but seem to be waking up to the rest of the job.
Either way, both are lame, with the Port winning hands down.
Now if URCA could get 4/5ths of licensees to support their position and authority the H.C.A. could be amended legitimately.......................
On ‘Like a cancer’: Port to join URCA battle
Posted 16 May 2019, 5:32 p.m. Suggest removal
The_Oracle says...
I have a Te Shirt made from Hemp fibers, I just burned it so I don't get busted!
The stupidity in this administration knows no bounds, with respect of CBD preparations for ingestion or topical use. (and damn near any other subject also)
The underlying objection may well be diminished residual revenue that Dr's receive from Big Pharma on prescriptions both new and renewed.
They could also be stalling while they apply for the license to import and distribute.
Neither would surprise me.
On ‘Cannabis’ u-turn hits firm hard
Posted 16 May 2019, 5:23 p.m. Suggest removal
The_Oracle says...
Saddest is that they cannot see what is wrong with it, nor question Carnivals motivation for such a hire. Talk about transparent.
On I have right to work for cruise line, says senate president
Posted 6 May 2019, 9:10 p.m. Suggest removal
The_Oracle says...
The Minister (Dr.) is probably upset as CBD over the counter will reduce his commission on prescription drugs from Phizer/Merck/Roche/Novartis etc.
As always, behind the ball by months if not years.
On Cannabis products are ‘still illegal’
Posted 30 April 2019, 1:40 p.m. Suggest removal
The_Oracle says...
HAVOC? How the hell do they go from " we have no issues" to Havoc?
Industrial loads are only half their technical problem.
On Grand Bahama Power: Grid instability ‘havoc’ coming to an end
Posted 25 April 2019, 8:22 p.m. Suggest removal