"Dr Minnis said the web shop gaming conversation should have ended when the people of the Bahamas went to the polls and voted against it." - This statement is the thesis of this whole stupid argument. It should have ended after the referendum!!

People we are missing the point. The point is the disparity in the statistics. Whatever Dr. Sands' reasons for releasing them (political brownie points, FNM leadership aspirations, or whatever) the point is that there is a huge disparity in the figures which makes anyone reading this wonder if there is indeed political mischief involved. I said it before, and I am saying it again. I believe this has been going on for a while because you hear all these stories on the street regarding robberies, rapes, etc. and most of the crime is hardly every covered by the main stream media and when the cases come up in court, you hardly get a media report - so what are we to think? Should be continue to bury our heads in the sand and be fooled into thinking crime is just not that bad, when in my mind, it is clearly out of control.

Actually I agree with Honestman. I think Dr. Sands is a good man. If he can get a seat in Parliament I believe he can make a significant positive contribution to our country. I also agree with his statement that the FNM has lost traction on many issues. Dr. Minnis is not taken very seriously and in my view does not quite 'command the troops' like "Papa" did. The FNM needs a serious change in leadership if they have any hope of winning the next general election... and in my opinion Dr. Sands is a very good candidate for leadership!

Well said Honestman. Wish the darned election could be tomorrow!

They don't call him Fly-Away Fred for nothing! LOL!

And we wonder why our women live in fear... I've heard so many stories of rape and other crimes that never make the paper. I think if they ever released the true stats, many of us would not leave our homes. Crime is out of control and has been for years. The first step to healing this country is to be honest and forthright with it's citizens.

Not surprised by this revelation. Been saying as much for years now.. that they downplay how bad crime is in The Bahamas. The stories of rape, beatings, house-breakings, etc. that you hear on the street and chilling. The majority never make the paper. Question is now that they have exposed the figures, what will National Security do?

What I find so interesting in this debate is that noone ever talks about the gambling addicts and this town is full of them. I know of at least three persons - a family member, an acquaintance and a co-worker. The family member has a strong addiction to gambling and cannot keep a dollar in her pocket. Every cent goes on gambling. The acquaintance has been in several relationships because all of her boyfriends leave her when they discover his gambling addiction never mind that she makes lots of money and is a very attractive girl. The co-worker has now lost her job because she ended up stealing from her employer to support her habit... and the list goes on. I agree with Pastor Moxey. Gambling is a form of "rape". While the proponents of legalising gambling only want to take about the millions these croonies make and how the Government can get lots of money if it taxes them, what they never discuss is the hundreds or persons who are now addicted to gambling. Tell me, who is going to bat for them while they lose everything "spinning" for a hopeless payout while the croonies live large of their hard-earned money? And why is it that you never see web shops in affluent areas? Small wonder the rich stay rich and the poor stay poor.

Lol. Boy I tell ya. If ya don't laugh ya will cry.

I also agree. Boy this award must becoming watered down if they have the likes of Mr. Christie being honoured. They must be running out of options. I certainly can think of more outstanding and deserving Bahamians - Sir. Arthur Hanna, Hubert Ingraham... just to name a few - people who actually did something for black folk...