Some people are making the point that the prime minister spoke, when he should not have, concerning the fight between the two men in question.
These people also make the point that when the prime minister should have spoken, he remained silent. As a consequence, some Bahamians are today puzzled concerning this matter that will not go away.
Like a bad odor in the air, this scandal lingers.
And like a bad taste on the tongue, this scandal vitiates the appetite.
These two men should have been asked to resign. In the absence of resolute action from them, our recommendation was to the effect that they should be fired from their positions. They shoul not be allowed to determine their own fate.
Today we go further and suggest to the current regime that if they are not careful, this matter will return ﾖin due season- to haunt them.
The attentive public is watching and waiting to see and hear what Prime Minister, Christie will now say or do concerning the matter that has pushed two of his colleagues ﾖKenyatta Gibson and Keod Smith- into the hot glare of public scrutiny.
Today there are very many Bahamian voters who do not like what they are seeing. Their view is that this so-called “little matter” reveals a great deal.
That ‘great deal’ whereof we speak is rooted in their perception that this country is a place where there are ‘different strokes for different folks’. These are the types who would the public understand that they are not quite like other people; but that they are the kinds of people who can and do flout rules others are obliged to obey.
In this regard, so-called ‘ordinary people’ know all too well that when they break rules, there is always someone who is in ﾑevery ready modeﾒ prepared to enforce the law.
These people know that when they breach the traffic rules, they are ticketed. They are the types who know that when their mortgages remain unpaid, they run the risk of losing their homes.
These people are always watching and waiting to see and know how it can ever arise that these kinds of rules do not apply to others; those high and mighty ones who seem to be able to get away with all manner of devious social transgressions.
This is not good enough. Ours must be a society where the rule book applies to all, regardless of social station in life.
And so as regards, the Gibson-Smith fight, our advice is blunt and to the point: the Rt. Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie shouldﾖand without further delay, explanation or apology-ask these men to relinquish their posts.
That word is that they have had enough of pomposity, neglect and empty apology. The public is demanding decision in the matter involving the two men who were reported as having had a fight in the Cabinet Office.
We-too-watch and wait to see and hear how this nationﾒs chief will respond to a matter that is past due for public explanation. And as the
Prime minister wouldﾖno doubt realize- his willful silence is today being heard loud and clear.
In the interimﾖas we wait a while longer for prime ministerial action- we have to assume that little or nothing has been done to resolve the issues that have arisen as a consequence of the reported fight.
Interestingly, we have not heard a mumbling word concerning the fate of these two highly placed Members of Parliament. This is most unfortunate.
We reiterate our concern as regards the signal such dithering sends out to others who might find themselves involved in similar situations.
We would hasten to point out that if so-called ‘ordinary’ Bahamians were to be caught fighting and damaging public property, the penalty would be swift and to the point.
Sadly, there has been no kind of justice ﾖswift or otherwise- in the matter that thrust these two men and their leader into the glare of public scrutiny.
They do themselves a grievous disservice.
Editorial from The Bahama Journal
