It appears from news reports that the man (Keod Smith) who employed the phrase "unparliamentary" (in reference to Hubert Ingraham) was involved in an "unparliamentary" scuffle with fellow PLP parliamentarian Kenyatta Gibson.
It is a shame that Mr Smith and Mr Gibson would engage in such bullfighting in the Cabinet Room – a room where crucial decisions governing the country are made.
And, since it was claimed that two windows were smashed and the glass top of the large mahogany table in the Cabinet room was broken, who is going to shell out for the bill? Surely not Bahamian taxpayers, right?!
If parliamentarians cannot resolve their issues in an amicable manner, it is no wonder our society is becoming so centred on violence. If these "educated" government insiders and supposed pacesetters cannot resolve conflicts without behaving boorishly, what is the point of the urban renewal project and other so-called 'anti-violence' initiatives? Maybe urban renewal should begin in parliament!
The reported actions of Mr Smith and Mr Gibson have cast a shadow on parliamentary conduct and dishonoured the memory of men who preceded them – many of whom verbally jostled but never stooped low enough to engage in physical combat.
And, what makes the Smith versus Gibson bout even worse is the notion that the MPs appeared to be fighting about a private dispute that apparently had nothing to do with the governance of the Bahamas.
It is obvious that something inexcusable occurred in the Cabinet room, as Kenyatta Gibson "unreservedly" apologised and sought forgiveness for conduct that even he referred to as regrettable and unacceptable.
However, despite the Gibson-Smith public relations lovefest on Love 97's Jones and Company talk show last Sunday, there must be draconian consequences for their actions, regardless of their PR campaign to save face.
In accordance with all acceptable parliamentary conventions in western politics, the prime minister must promptly fire or request the resignations of Mr Gibson as Gaming Board chairman and Mr Smith as Ambassador to the Environment. Fair play must be demonstrated here as the average person could not be implicated in such a melee and receive a slap on the wrist.
However, I do commend Kenyatta Gibson for being the first to come out with an apology and face the music, while, by his comments after the event, Mr Christie seemed to attempt to mislead the Bahamian public. He claimed that the fight was "more apparent than real."
According to the September 28, 2006, edition of The Tribune, which documented the PM's appearance on Love 97 FM's 1:00pm news programme, it appears Mr Christie had another George Bush moment when he claimed that he believed "most of these things were accentuated by rumour and talk."
Further, he stated: "I did hear about some disagreement being expressed, but I did not hear about the fisticuffs that I see in the newspaper."
The prime minister claimed he and the skirmishing MPs had met and "laughed together" at the media's coverage of the incident. Jokingly, PM Christie said he hadn't seen "any bruises or bite marks" on either man. Wow!
Exactly who is the captain of this ship, who is the prime minister of the Bahamas? Is Mr Christie trying to tell me that he heard of the vicious punchup between two of his MPs and laughed about it?
During the next general election I will be voting for the first time and, like many other voters, I can assure Mr Christie that I am not laughing. If I wanted a laugh fest, I'd watch America's Funniest Home Videos or some comedy.
Beyond my criticism, I hold Mr Christie in high regard. However, his apparent attempt to hoodwink the Bahamian public and downplay this matter shows that the prime minister may also think we are collectively stupid!
As prime minister, it seems almost impossible for Mr Christie to not know of the battle royale at the Cabinet Office. Mr Christie, how is it that you were out of the loop and not fully briefed? And, if the press knew the details of the fracas, without information from the MPs involved, how is it that you met with them both but then referred to their bust-up as "more apparent than real"?
Further, sir, since Cabinet meets in the Cabinet room every Tuesday, shouldn't you have had an opportunity to see the damage done prior to initial news reports?
The PM still has some time to show gumption, become more decisive and toss all mutineers and electoral sinkers off his political ship. Mr Christie's governmental ship has long since run upon a reef and is rapidly taking on water – only he can revamp and set his ship afloat again, but after four-and-a-half years, it may be too late!
There is a general perception throughout society that power changes people. With that in mind, before becoming prime minister, Mr Christie promoted a Code of Ethics that he pledged to enforce.
However, since May 2, 2002, there has been little said of this code and certainly no enforcement. Mr Christie's ministers/MPs have made a mockery of his oath with their inappropriate conduct, some of them having trounced all ethical and/or moralistic boundaries.
So now, with the Cabinet room becoming the site of the Bahamas' newest fight club, who will enforce the Code of Ethics? And, will the real Prime Minister please stand up?
On November 26, 2003, a day after Sidney Stubbs' resignation as executive chairman of BAIC, Prime Minister Christie stood in Parliament and said the following: "I made it very clear to the Bahamian public, I have made it very clear here and before, if any minister or chairman, any parliamentary secretary, transgresses rules and they are brought to my attention, I would ask them to resign."
With all the transgressions of government officials since, has Mr Christie forgotten his words? Will PM Christie hold to these words when addressing the showdown at the Churchill Building?
By: Adrian Gibson, from The Tribune
