Yeah, like where did he get this barbed wire from? Had it in his pocket? Under his hat? Incredible how this story came out, just in time to distract from the brutality claims by those pregnant women and others... Smell a rat bahamianimmigrant?
For my part though, I find it much more fruitful to meditate on the utter childish stupidity of a perspective which automatically defends the Bahamians involved in each of these issues, just cuz they "ours". Like its a football game or something. Petty, ignorant tribalism. Each of these incidents is a separate matter, involving individuals who either acted properly and justifiably, or not. And neither of us was there in person to make that judgement.
Oh I don' know – I imagine he'd say that the actions of one individual do not in any way represent a community. That people who try to define an entire group of people by the actions of a minority engage in the definition of prejudice. Or, he might say that the man must have been in terror and desperate to get away, especially considering how the officers have been carrying on. If they will beat and drag a pregnant woman through the streets, imagine what they will do to one terrified, fleeing man. Or, he might say that this new immigration policy will be incredibly destructive to our nation in the long run, creating tensions and ethnic violence on both sides. This is how terrible, terrible things in other countries have started. OR, he might ask what the immigration officers expect while carrying out a brutal policy that is at the same time unconstitutional.
@bismark - the story said she did call the name of the officer. The Tribune withheld it. That is because as the publishing entity, they are open to a libel suit if they call the name, unless they can prove the truth of the allegation beyond a reasonable doubt. Just basic journalism under the British system of laws. In America, they do it different.
All true Emac. Illegal immigration is a tragedy for both the desperate people running from a terrible life, and those forced to suffer because of an influx into their country. But it is just a fact of life that people facing depravation and the risk of their children dying of cholera, or worse, will seek a way out. My question is whose responsibility is it to protect our borders in the first place? It cannot be right that our authorities have failed miserably in their responsibility in the first place, and so now authorize their agents to use thug tactics to remedy their own failings.
@asiseeit - no one is arguing with you... the point is, people shouldn't be beaten and dragged around because they make bad choices like having too many children. that is not a small detail. it is, or should be a big deal. Mr Souffrant should be more responsible? Fine. Our officers should stop acting like animals.
The story clearly says: "Mark Souffrant, a 42-year-old Bahamian resident" I take that to mean he applied at 18 and was granted citizenship. He also says, "I'm a citizen" and "I didn’t have to show my passport or nothing". This man, like thousands of other children of Haitian parents, is a legal citizen of the Bahamas. I'm not sure where y'all are going with all this 'born here, not born here' stuff. The man is a citizen full stop. And anyway, the Defense Force doesn't have the right to beat anyone, regardless of nationality... dragging pregnant women through the streets. This nonsense is going to come falling down on our heads like a ton of bricks the the international press grabs hold of the story. Then, when our hotels are empty and its us eating mud pies through our own stubbornness, ignorance and arrogance, i wonder if Haiti will be kind enough to help us out.
@bridiestrachan - I know you know better. No shanty town dwellers just construct houses free of charge. Each and every one of them pays rent to a bahamian landlord. Or should I say slum lord? Why is no one prosecuting THEM? Oh yeah... cuz they gat deep political connections - mostly, it would seem, with the party you seem to support. How, considering our history, did we become a nation that wants to persecute the poor, but give a pass to rich lawbreakers. Shameful...
@bismark - living in poverty and squalor does not entitle the authorities to beat you. The constitution does not say that fundamental rights are only afforded to the rich and tidy. C'mon man...
Voltaire says...
Yeah, like where did he get this barbed wire from? Had it in his pocket? Under his hat? Incredible how this story came out, just in time to distract from the brutality claims by those pregnant women and others... Smell a rat bahamianimmigrant?
On Barbed wire 'thrown in immigration officer's face'
Posted 4 December 2014, 6:41 p.m. Suggest removal
Voltaire says...
Well, maybe we should let them know better:
Chris Sanders
Media and Public Relations Manager
Tel: +49 30 3438 20 666
press@transparency.org
Deborah Wise Unger
Tel: +44 20 8960 2526
Mobile: +44 74321 666 22
dunger@transparency.org
On Survey gives the Bahamas positive report on perception of corruption
Posted 4 December 2014, 5:13 p.m. Suggest removal
Voltaire says...
For my part though, I find it much more fruitful to meditate on the utter childish stupidity of a perspective which automatically defends the Bahamians involved in each of these issues, just cuz they "ours". Like its a football game or something. Petty, ignorant tribalism. Each of these incidents is a separate matter, involving individuals who either acted properly and justifiably, or not. And neither of us was there in person to make that judgement.
On Barbed wire 'thrown in immigration officer's face'
Posted 4 December 2014, 4:36 p.m. Suggest removal
Voltaire says...
Oh I don' know – I imagine he'd say that the actions of one individual do not in any way represent a community. That people who try to define an entire group of people by the actions of a minority engage in the definition of prejudice. Or, he might say that the man must have been in terror and desperate to get away, especially considering how the officers have been carrying on. If they will beat and drag a pregnant woman through the streets, imagine what they will do to one terrified, fleeing man. Or, he might say that this new immigration policy will be incredibly destructive to our nation in the long run, creating tensions and ethnic violence on both sides. This is how terrible, terrible things in other countries have started. OR, he might ask what the immigration officers expect while carrying out a brutal policy that is at the same time unconstitutional.
On Barbed wire 'thrown in immigration officer's face'
Posted 4 December 2014, 4:32 p.m. Suggest removal
Voltaire says...
@bismark - the story said she did call the name of the officer. The Tribune withheld it. That is because as the publishing entity, they are open to a libel suit if they call the name, unless they can prove the truth of the allegation beyond a reasonable doubt. Just basic journalism under the British system of laws. In America, they do it different.
On RBDF does not comment on claims of pregnant women being abused
Posted 3 December 2014, 9:10 p.m. Suggest removal
Voltaire says...
All true Emac. Illegal immigration is a tragedy for both the desperate people running from a terrible life, and those forced to suffer because of an influx into their country. But it is just a fact of life that people facing depravation and the risk of their children dying of cholera, or worse, will seek a way out. My question is whose responsibility is it to protect our borders in the first place? It cannot be right that our authorities have failed miserably in their responsibility in the first place, and so now authorize their agents to use thug tactics to remedy their own failings.
On 'Human rights are being denied'
Posted 3 December 2014, 9:06 p.m. Suggest removal
Voltaire says...
@asiseeit - no one is arguing with you... the point is, people shouldn't be beaten and dragged around because they make bad choices like having too many children. that is not a small detail. it is, or should be a big deal. Mr Souffrant should be more responsible? Fine. Our officers should stop acting like animals.
On 'Human rights are being denied'
Posted 3 December 2014, 9:02 p.m. Suggest removal
Voltaire says...
The story clearly says: "Mark Souffrant, a 42-year-old Bahamian resident" I take that to mean he applied at 18 and was granted citizenship. He also says, "I'm a citizen" and "I didn’t have to show my passport or nothing". This man, like thousands of other children of Haitian parents, is a legal citizen of the Bahamas. I'm not sure where y'all are going with all this 'born here, not born here' stuff. The man is a citizen full stop. And anyway, the Defense Force doesn't have the right to beat anyone, regardless of nationality... dragging pregnant women through the streets. This nonsense is going to come falling down on our heads like a ton of bricks the the international press grabs hold of the story. Then, when our hotels are empty and its us eating mud pies through our own stubbornness, ignorance and arrogance, i wonder if Haiti will be kind enough to help us out.
On 'Human rights are being denied'
Posted 3 December 2014, 11:36 a.m. Suggest removal
Voltaire says...
@bridiestrachan - I know you know better. No shanty town dwellers just construct houses free of charge. Each and every one of them pays rent to a bahamian landlord. Or should I say slum lord? Why is no one prosecuting THEM? Oh yeah... cuz they gat deep political connections - mostly, it would seem, with the party you seem to support. How, considering our history, did we become a nation that wants to persecute the poor, but give a pass to rich lawbreakers. Shameful...
On 'Human rights are being denied'
Posted 2 December 2014, 10:38 p.m. Suggest removal
Voltaire says...
@bismark - living in poverty and squalor does not entitle the authorities to beat you. The constitution does not say that fundamental rights are only afforded to the rich and tidy. C'mon man...
On 'Human rights are being denied'
Posted 2 December 2014, 10:34 p.m. Suggest removal