Miller **STILL** doesn't understand why it was that we had had enough, and the PLP were annihilated

I'm assuming that some of these points are tongue firmly in cheek. That, or the writer has a REAL problem with organised religion haha. However, what he says about the tired PLP is true - how can they ever change if it is still the has-been, no ideas, sucking from the dried up teat, diehards who are vying for party leadership? They have all been tarred with the same Christie-coloured brush, who himself was personally ordained by Lady P, so that the thread of failure goes back even further.

Whilst you make some good, and sympathetic, comments about Chine I wouldn't say that we are xenophobic. More likely, we have to choose between the USA and China as being influence peddlers in our national and international affairs. So far, all we have seen from the Chinese is their ability to not finish construction projects, severely undermine the integrity of the previous administration and basically not do anything more than what they deem to be in their own best interests.

Of course, the same could be said of the USA. However, we have a long-standing relationship with them, even if it is only because the vast majority of our tourists are Americans (which in effect has kept the economy ticking over for the last few decades). Add to this the very good channels of communications and transportation (everything from cars, household goods, food, telecommunications, cable television, technical assistance and oil) and to my view, I would rather keep our relations with Uncle Sam over anything the Chinese have offered so far, or are likely to offer in the future.

Yes, we are a small nation in the grand scheme of things, but it is OUR country and we have freedom of expression and can voice our opinions. You have expressed yours - I hope that you don't mind that I have expressed mine, and state that I disagree with you that China is a force for good here. Should we ever antagonise one of these two superpowers to breaking point, I know which one I think we can live without.

This, together with solar plants and a minimal back up in case of repairs and/or maintenance on the cable, would be more than enough for our needs. But Frankie needs all that lovely oil income and. as you say, them votes Man !!.

I might add that in the Bahamas, government never understands that a self-regulating, profitable business can do very well all on its own. They feel that they must interfere. And let's not forget that the unions absolutely HATE the idea of a well run industry that they cannot make unnecessary demands on - minimum wages for gardeners, bed making fees for maids, mandatory lifeguards at all swimming pools, compulsory tipping etc etc etbloodycetera.

It seems that they'd rather not have a niche market that runs itself, because government must interfere with every facet of our lives

> Brave Davis is............the only credible member for that party, at this juncture, capable of the gravitas; experience; leadership capabilities

Excuse me for rolling on the floor laughing

From Wikipedia.

"Fuel hedging is a contractual tool some large fuel consuming companies, such as airlines, cruise lines and trucking companies, use to reduce their exposure to volatile and potentially rising fuel costs. A fuel hedge contract is a futures contract that allows a fuel-consuming company to establish a fixed or capped cost, via a commodity swap or option. The companies enter into hedging contracts to mitigate their exposure to future fuel prices that may be higher than current prices and/or to establish a known fuel cost for budgeting purposes. If such a company buys a fuel swap and the price of fuel declines, the company will effectively be forced to pay an above-market rate for fuel. If the company buys a fuel call option and the price of fuel increases, the company will receive a return on the option that offsets their actual cost of fuel. If the company buys a fuel call option, which requires an upfront premium cost, much like insurance, and the price of fuel decreases, the company will not receive a return on the option but they will benefit from buying fuel at the then-lower cost."

**Is Ms Hill saying that** BEC never used hedging in the past? I find this very hard to believe, but not impossible, knowing the PLP. Secondly, does BPL have trained hedge managers / analysts / financial experts on the books already. If so, then hedging must have been done in the past. If not, then these experts won't come cheap. Her statements are confusing and, together with SP's comment above, seem to raise more questions than they answer.

@DaGoobs - Further to your points (all very well written, I may add) I don't think it's any coincidence that since the criminals started wearing monitoring devices, the number of murders of persons out on bail has increased exponentially. Can you say "Inside Job"?

Thanks Fred. You've already warned us in advance that if ever you get back into power, you will show the same vindictiveness as in the past. The people now know that the PLP are still committed to the exact same policies that got them drummed out at the last election. Talk about a leopard never changing its spots !!!! You were the one who treated us, your paymasters, as if you were the master and us the slaves.

I agree with well_mudda and reality above ^^^ that under any normal circumstances, BoB would be liquidated. But these are not normal circumstances.

1. If Government is ever to collect monies from the collateral free / illegal loans made to PLP cronies, it must keep these loans "on the books", whether it be in BoB or Resolve. Liquidating the bank / Resolve would be tantamount to admitting forever and a day that we will not, eventually, prosecute those responsible for (a) approving the loans and (b) recovering the debt, or seizing the assets of the lenders

2. The numbers men / drug dealers are the only 3rd party persons keeping BoB in fresh deposits (I do not count government employees whose salaries must be paid into their BoB accounts, as I'm sure that the vast majority would want nothing to do with BoB if they had a free choice in the matter) When the time comes to co-operate with the American authorities in tracing all illegal flows of monies which used or still use BoB, we will need to have BoB as a still active entity to help with the analysis of flows of monies, whether it be the racketeers or persons who were politically connected to previous administration(s)