I have heard much about the shouting match on Cat Cay between Cuban- born, American businessman Manuel Diaz and “Bahamian-born” representative Leslie Miller. As an educator of young children, I immediately felt compelled to step in and say: “Now kids, we don’t call each other names, we take turns and listen to what the other person has to say”. And then it hit me that these were not children but grown men…by merit of their size and age only it seems. I felt like calling every child I have ever taught and Mr Miller’s son as well, and apologising to them for such un-called for “adult” behaviour.
I have consistently been appalled by the conduct of grown men who are supposed to set examples for our young people, particularly those representing The Bahamas in the House of Assembly. Being reminded of a furniture-removing incident and what is legally viewed as breaking and entering, this is not the first time that Mr Miller has shown, lack of self-control, diplomacy and MP professionalism. Can I say ﾖ Bahama Host?!
Honestly, I did feel that Mr Diaz’ ordering him to “Shut up” was rather presumptuous and antagonistic, however by this time Mr Miller had already acted like an…um…in an unseemly manner. In any event, what I want to know from the “grown man who is not a child”, Minister of Trade and Industry is, why he felt that he had to walk out during the video presentation. Personally I feel that with his wisdom and knowledge, on the pros and cons of the proposed LNG terminal, he should be able to sit through any biased presentation and expose the biases for what they are, refuting those assertions that are untrue. To be honest I would like to see the video myself. So perhaps a copy along with Miller’s rebut should be presented on ZNS or Cable Bahamas. Meanwhile what I also want to know is:
* Where has this been done before ﾖ the placing of pipelines under the seabed to warm gas? And for how long have those “other” terminal been there? Just so we can be sure ﾖ as you are – that it is safe.
* The U.S. has many islands off its coasts, like Hawaii and Bermuda, so why does the LNG company want to use The Bahamas?
* Aside from the money being offered, do we as a country benefit in any other way?
Secondly, for the past few months since I have returned home, I have learned of several investment proposals put to our Prime Minister by foreign investors. Many, because of proposed threats to the environment, are/were being held up, awaiting approvals by the EIA. Now quite frankly I was personally very interested in the film studio being built in Freeport, but then it was in limbo because they could not agree on the benefits to us fiscally and the benefits to our oceans environmentally. Then the investors said that they were going to pull out, so the Prime Minister signed “whatever it was” allowing the project to continue. But what I want to know is:
* What, specifically was the agreement made in regards to our ocean environment? Did the investor conform to what was proposed or did we conform to him?
* For all of the proposed investments, are the funds being air-marked for specific purposes? Eg: The money we get from “this” investment – part goes towards the purchasing of necessary travel scanning equipment, needed by 2006, and part goes towards the purchase and development of programs to be aired on our National, almost defunct station ZNS. While the money from some other investment – part goes towards our track and field program development and part goes towards a hurricane relief fund.
…Oh by the way I am a Bahamian ﾖ born and raised here, so lets clear that up…I have a right to know??!
Yours, etc.,
Moya Thompson
