After a “mad German” set up a website labelling The Bahamas as poverty-stricken, boring, corrupted and with a high crime rate, a government official is investigating the matter and demanding that the site be discontinued. <\/P><\/p>\n
\nA reliable government source confirmed that German national Harald Fuhrmann once lived in The Bahamas, and after he had a bad experience here went on an Internet campaign to dissuade foreigners from investing and vacationing here. <\/P><\/p>\n
“He cannot disrespect us like that. What he is saying is only to highlight his gripes with this country. We cannot go to Germany and do the same thing; that’s disrespect,” said the source. <\/P><\/p>\n
The Guardian first came upon the website www.bahamas-consult.us.tc a few days ago. <\/P><\/p>\n
While other sites highlight the water and scenery of Nassau, the badly translated website showcases pictures of the inner streets, garbage piles, construction sites, homeless people, and Guardian newspaper articles. <\/P><\/p>\n
One article, written by a Guardian reporter, entitled “Bahamians are frustrated – Gomez,” used the story, which reported an interview with Archbishop Drexel Gomez, to suggest that Bahamians were frustrated with their living conditions, and the country. A caption below the picture asked: “Could you imagine Bahamians stealing from their parents, sisters and brothers?” <\/P><\/p>\n
Another article is entitled “Seventy-two murders top last year’s 65.” <\/P><\/p>\n
The caption following claimed that The Bahamas’ murder rate was higher than that of New York. This, the website suggested, is why many Bahamians prefer to live abroad. <\/P><\/p>\n
Another picture showed graffiti on a dilapidated house near Baillou Hill Road with the spray-painted words “Gun Dogs” and “Talaban”. <\/P><\/p>\n
Under the picture, a caption reads, “Nassau: White Bahamians hardly go on the road in the darkness.” <\/P><\/p>\n
Another picture, captioned, “Don’t forget, in The Bahamas you’ll find poverty and slums,” depicts a young boy playing in his yard with a pile of garbage stashed in a corner. <\/P><\/p>\n
The website also describes The Bahamas as a place where customs duties and living costs are very high, the latter not related only to imported products. <\/P><\/p>\n
The website also contends that drug trafficking has soured relations between The Bahamas and the United States. <\/P><\/p>\n
The Nassau Guardian, along with Bahamas Home Rental and Tours and Bahamian Weather are conveniently posted as links to the ‘Bahamas Consult’ website. <\/P><\/p>\n
And, ‘astonishingly’, the Bahamas Home Rentals and Tours link, with Mr. Fuhrmann’s name on the top, promotes The Bahamas as a place in which to invest, and relax. <\/P><\/p>\n
Several pictures of homes on the “Paradise Link” show a boy holding up a fish, and a woman relaxing in a hammock. The website also provides prices to stay at the homes. <\/P><\/p>\n
The website also provides daily newsletters in English and German. <\/P><\/p>\n
Up to press time, The Guardian was unable to contact Mr. Fuhrmann or his lawyer for comment. <\/P><\/p>\n
By Khashan Poitier, The Nassau Guardian<\/B><\/P><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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