Backlash of Trump: How it affects The Bahamas (Week's Highlights)

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The continuing embarassment of America's Donald Trump

Dear Readers,

I have to be honest, I am not a TRUMPER! In fact , I think he should have been asked to withdraw from running for President after his disgusting remarks recorded with Billy Bush (who by the way was fired) about women and grabbing, you know what! So, yes - I write this with some bias .

I was flabbergasted the other day by President Trump's comments about Africa and Haiti, a nation we know well from its immigrants who come to The Bahamas daily, in fact Haitians make up a good 20-30% of our population. We have been very much like Trump in our assessments of Haitians coming to our country especially with the 2018 registration deadline. In fact , we seem to have embraced his making US great again for ourselves.

The funny part to me about this, is that America was built and made by immigrants. The real "Americans" were actually native Indians who were basically wiped out by immigrants from Europe who took over their land. The Bahamas is the same, our real Bahamians were in fact Arawak Indians, who Columbus wiped out with disease. Our nation is one of immigrants who escaped from America.

One of America's greatest statues (a gift from France), the Statue of Liberty, has one of the most famous quotes on it about America:

"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."

It was this statue that welcomed thousands of immigrants to America. These immigrants built the railways, the roads, and brought business, trade and success to America. They came for religious freedom, political freedom, prosperity, and more. And they made America the most powerful nation in the world.

With that in mind lets get back to the real story, Trumps comments about Haiti and Africa. As the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, represents his nation as the commander and chief. His post is one that only 44 men have held, it is one that every child is supposed to look up too, and admire. He is supposed to be a role model of education, decorum and stability in good times and bad.

Acting Presidential is part of what we expect from him and all our political leaders. Respect of others cultures, respect of faith, respect of our laws and so on. But how do we respect a man who speaks so degradingly of Haiti, a country that is part of our Caribbean sister hood and of Africa, where many of our own people are descended from. As parents we teach our children to respect others, to turn the other check, to treat others as we would like to be treated.

I have to try my best to respect leaders I do not particularly vote for or like. They have won their seat, they have worked hard to win, they deserve that respect of the office...but how do you respect a man like Trump? Its amazing to me to watch so many still try to defend him. People I know who have different cultures and religion from me, but would never call my home a "$#&!hole."

Did he even think about these people. I mean, how bad does it have to be to climb into a boat, knowing you cannot swim, not knowing where you are going, with nothing but the HOPE of a better life? Could you do that?

A friend of mine wrote this about our Haitian brothers and sisters on Facebook yesterday:

We need to remember to be compassionate when we refer to a person's home. These people did not want to leave their homes and families, they left to be able to work and send money home because they had no other option. Too bad that instead of insults we can't try and find solutions. The world is hard and hateful and unjust at times, but we need to open our hearts and try to remember that at any time, we too could fall into hard times. What would you do to protect and provide for your family?

This is something Donald Trump has never done. He has never thought about anyone else's struggles, anyone else's desperation to survive, anyone else's poverty, anyone else political freedom.

He is, in a few words just NOT PRESIDENTIAL.

#242Editor

THE PRIVATE SECTOR WILL DRIVE THE REVITALIZATION OF GB IN 2018

This year the economy of Grand Bahama will be driven by a variety of private sector developments. The government is presently negotiating Heads of Agreements for major developments in Grand Bahama. Once completed, they have the potential to spur numerous construction jobs during the developmental phase and many new permanent and full time jobs upon completion.

These projects include but are not limited to, the Lucayan Strip Reopening, The Oban Energies Project and several projects in the West End area. Read More

Over-the-Hill Clean-up Campaign to get underway this weekend

Officials of the Economic Development and Planning Unit of the Office of the Prime Minister have teamed up with officials from the Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS) and the Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority to launch the Over-the-Hill Clean-Up Initiative and Bulk Waste Removal Campaign. Read More

Relaunch of Project in West Grand Bahama Speaks of Investor's Confidence

Investor confidence is returns to Grand Bahama: in a press conference at the Office of The Prime Minister on Tuesday, Minister of State for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Kwasi Thompson hosted investors Philip Ward and Mike Hayhurst, developers of a series of village-styled homes on marina-front lots in Deadman's Reef that will be known as 'Seaward Fishing Village.'

"We're pleased to announce that they have already set out to engage local Bahamian contractors and purchase many of the materials locally," said Minister Thompson. Read More

Luxury Bahamas Real Estate Leader, HGChristie, Reveals Top Producing Agents of 2017

HG Christie Ltd. (HGC), the oldest full-service real estate brokerage in The Bahamas, has announced the recipients of the 2017 HG Christie Top Producer Awards.

As a Leader in The Bahamas' Luxury Real Estate market since 1922, The directors are pleased to recognize the hard-working professionals that helped us achieve an amazing year here at HG Christie Ltd. Read More

DNA Cautiously Optimistic on Reduction in Crime

After years of record breaking crime numbers, The Democratic National Alliance welcomed this week's report of an overall drop in criminal activity around the country. The figures released by the top brass of the Royal Bahamas Police force are a testament to the incredible work being done by these hard-working public servants, many of whom have made the decision to protect and serve their communities at great personal sacrifice. Read More

Projected Reserve Osmosis Desalination Plant

Welcomed by Ragged Islanders

"This is great news for Ragged Island," said Basil Francis of the Government's plans to construct a Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plant on the far-flung southern island.

Francis, a descendant of the quaint, serene island, said it's been really rough surviving without a constant flow of running water for nearly three months.

"We say the water is 'on' when it rains. People think this means the water man is coming, but it means to catch some rainwater while it's raining. Thank God it's been raining a lot lately," he said. Read More

Minister Ferreira Attends Renewable Energy Assembly in UAE

Joining some 1100 delegates from over 150 countries, the Hon. Romauld S. Ferreira, Minister of the Environment & Housing, attended the Eighth Session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly on January 13-14, 2018 which was held at its headquarters in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The international body met to discuss private sector and civil society issues for global energy transition, and charting the way forward on deployment. Read on

Team BTC Races for a Cure

With thousands of women diagnosed with Breast Cancer on an annual basis, in the Bahamas, and around the world, the fight to raise awareness and save lives has become even more critical. As part of its civic commitment, BTC has for years been a supporter of Breast Cancer research and awareness. This year that commitment saw members of Team BTC lace up their trainers and don their tracksuits to 'Race for the Cure' at the 9th Annual Susan G. Comen Marathon Bahamas event held in New Providence last weekend. Read More

Whitley Deleveaux Wins National 'Best Overall BGCSE Performance' for 2017

"There is a Japanese word, 'Kaizen,' an operating philosophy that speaks to continuous improvement and evolution." This was the opening statement made by the Minister of Education, the Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd as he informed the 2017 BJC (Bahamas Junior Certificate) and BGCSE (Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education) high performing, national awardees that they are in a state of constant evolution, just like the universe, whether they know it or not. Read More

Emera Announces Closing of Transaction to Acquire All Remaining Outstanding Common Shares of ICD Utilities Limited

Halifax, Nova Scotia and Freeport, Grand Bahama, January 15, 2018 - Emera Incorporated ("Emera") and ICD Utilities Limited ("ICDU") today announced that Emera, through its wholly owned indirect subsidiary, Emera Utilities Holdings Ltd. ("EUHL"), the majority shareholder of ICDU, has completed the previously announced acquisition of all of the common shares of ICDU that it did not already own (the "Transaction"). Read More

National Security to Improve Infrastructure and Equipment for Police in Grand Bahama

Minister of National Security, the Hon. Marvin Dames says that in the coming months, the government will present many new policies which they have spent a considerable amount of time on, that are holistic in scope and are expected to complement current law enforcement efforts of restoring peace in the country.

"This will happen through improved strategy, acquisition of new equipment, enhanced training of officers and building capacity, not only in New Providence, but throughout the entire Bahamas," added Minister Dames. Read on

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Thoughts on Death:

Should we weep or rejoice?

The death of a Christian can be an awkward time. We spend much of our time reciting the scriptures that talk about the glories of heaven, we sing about them at Memorial services like this one, but the fact is that the death of a loved one, even a devout Christian, perhaps especially a devout Christian, leaves a huge hole in our hearts. That hole causes pain, and we find ourselves in tears, even though we know the one we love is in a place of peace and rest.

I don't know how you feel, but that makes me a little uncomfortable. I know I should be happy, but I am sad. What's wrong with me?

Well, if you read you Bible, you'll discover that nothing is wrong with you. Your feelings and your theology are just fine. In fact, the Apostle Paul had some of the same feelings and some of the same questions.

He wrote the Book of Philippians toward the end of his life. In fact, he knew he was about to die, and he wanted to let his friends know that it was OK. In Phil 2:17-18 he says, "But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me."

Did you catch that? Paul is being poured out like a drink offering. His days are numbered. He is going to die. Earlier in his letter, he said, "I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better," (1:23). He is ready to die. He is ready to go and be with his savior. In fact, he thinks it is "far better" than what he faces here on earth. As Christians, we know what our fate is beyond death. It is joy and peace and union with Christ. It is not something to fear.

And yet... and yet, we know that when we go we will leave loved ones behind. And if we are one of those left behind, we are still sad to see one we have loved so dearly go on ahead without us. Did you know that Paul felt the same? Did you know that this very apostle who proclaimed the glories of heaven and the bodily resurrection of each and every believer was still sorrowful at the thought of losing those closest to him?

Right here in this very letter, in this very chapter, Paul talks about his friend Epaphroditus, whom he calls "my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier". This friend and co-worker had fallen ill and almost died. As Paul tells them about this, he says, "But God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but also on me , to spare me sorrow upon sorrow," (2:27). If this good Christian friend had died, a man Paul knew was a man of faith and would then be in heaven with Christ, had this man died, Paul says he would have experienced "sorrow upon sorrow." Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

So what should we make of this peculiar paradox? When a Christian brother or sister dies, should we rejoice or should we be sorrowful? Well, I think the answer is, "Yes." Yes. We should feel a bit of both those things.

We should rejoice because we know where our loved one is, rejoicing with the angels in heaven and in the presence of Almighty God. What better place could anyone be? Free from sorrow, free from pain, right in the throne room of God. Wow.

But we're not there, are we? Not yet, anyway. We still have our race to run. We still have our course to finish. And someone about whom we cared, perhaps very deeply, is no longer there to cheer us on, to encourage us in our journey of faith. So, of course we are sad. Of course we are sorrowful. But that sorrow is softened with an invincible hope. We will rejoin the ones we love, and we, too, will one day be in the presence of our Lord and Savior. So there is joy beneath the pain. There is joy under and around our sorrow, tempering it and making it less severe.

The Book of Job declares, "I know that my redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand on the earth.
26 And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God; (19:25-26)."

That is a promise we can hold on to, and build our lives on. So when we lose a dear one, don't hold back the tears, just remember what comes after. There is always sunshine after the storm.