From:TheBahamasWeekly.com
Michael Pintard's remarks upon accepting 2nd appointment to Bahamas Senate
By Senator Michael C. Pintard
Jun 5, 2014 - 9:31:57 PM
Appreciation is
extended to our leader the Hon. Dr Hubert Minnis for the confidence he has
placed in me and to the Parliamentary team along with key members of the FNM
family for endorsing me.It
is my intention to be diligent, meticulous and fearless in the discharge of my
duties on behalf of Bahamians. It will be an honour to assist our leadership
team in sharing our Party’s vision, policies, prospective legislation and the
plan of action we will employ once returned to government.
Ordinarily my comments
would have focused on my intention to commit to a bipartisan approach on
matters that require it, however, this government has proven to be extremely
tribalistic and no such posture by me would be received in good faith or cause
them to be more inclusive of Bahamians from different political persuasions.
This appointment comes
at a time when our civil liberties are under assault and some members of the
police and other uniformed braches have permitted the executive branch of
government to use them to violate the rights of the government’s political
opponents, evidenced by the invasion of the home of our Chairman Darron Cash;
evidenced by the fast tracking of charges against some while the PLP have
“nolled,” delayed or ignored several cases involving friends or supporters of
this government.
This appointment comes
at a time when whistle blowers are sought out to be punished while the
gatekeepers who should be investigated are rewarded for presiding over
substantial financial losses and repeated bad decisions involving the people’s
money.Not once did the
police seize the computers or cell phones of bank officials who work under a
continuous cloud, nor have they dared to challenge media houses that provided
details on financial transactions, which may or may not be true. Instead they
targeted a private citizen who asked questions that if truthfully answered would
serve the publics interest.
My appointment comes
at a time when the government would like the nation to be focused only on the
alleged reprehensible act of spying by the US and not focus on the even more
reprehensible spying by them, using NIA; an illegal agency they created.No amount of deflection will take our
focus off government’s invasion of privacy, designed to discredit, intimidate
and destroy its opponents.
We are here at a time
when Grand Bahama continues to suffer due to a challenging economic climate.
Rather than be sober and measured in their projections for rebound and growth
the government have elected to be deceptive in painting a false rosy picture of
growth and development that does not coincide with the reality on the ground
throughout GBI.No amount
of ads boasting accomplishments will change what has been two years of
unremarkable governance.
Gaming while important
and deserving of attention has dominated the PLP government’s agenda for most
of the first two years of its five-year term despite the fact that the top five
issues plaguing Bahamians continue to cry out for their attention. What about
resolving the carnage in our communities and the fear it has generated locally
and internationally; what about creating the environment for economic growth
and development and facilitating the empowerment of the Bahamians they said
they believed in; what about leading the charge to overhaul our educational
system so as to raise academic expectations and ultimately performance; What
about securing our future by relentlessly working onimproving healthcare nationally; and
what about firmly but humanely addressing our immigration dilemma in a way that
can be clearly measured.
Ladies and gentlemen,
whether I remain in this position for one month or three years it is my
intention in concert with our team to stand up and fight for what is in the
best interest of Bahamians.Therefore,
you will find me in Bimini supportive of development but opposed to development
at the cost of the environment and the livelihoods it supports;You will find me Treasure Cay, Abaco
fighting for the preservation of historically significant land and the
prevention of further illegal dredging and bulldozing; In Clifton we will walk
nature trails and take boat tours to highlight the potential for economic
opportunities and to underscore the risks to such possibilities; You will find
me in Coroners court where numerous families including Carolyn Stubbs cry out
for answers to the death of their love ones.
Whether by statements
at the dumpsite, demonstration in or outside government buildings or pursuing
legal remedies in our courts, it is my intention to lock arms with
disenfranchised Bahamians, victimized Bahamians, targeted FNMs and to
collectively-stand our ground!
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