The current administration should be up and doing with bringing to parliament amendments to the statute laws which would guarantee Bahamians rights to gambling, gaming and all other such activities allowed tourists.

In this regard, we insist that the so-called ‘debate’ concerning the numbers business had as much to do with righteousness, as it clearly had to do with rampant hypocrisy and ignorance displayed in abundance.

All involved in the ongoing imbroglio concerning gambling, gaming and matters associated therewith should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.

We say so with apology to none and with sympathy galore to all of those souls who told themselves that the so-called vote on whether web-shops should be regularized and whether they should be taxed had – in some mysterious way – somehow or the other served to deepen democracy in the Bahamas.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

If the vote proved anything; it showed that few Bahamians who voted “NO” had a clue in hell as to what they were really voting for. Clearly, that vast majority that decided to abstain, could be heard in their shout to the current administration that it should be up and doing in its governance of this land.

As we have previously suggested: – The current administration ought to be up and doing with its ongoing project of dealing with this nation’s fiscal crisis.

A vitally important part of this project has to do with finding money to pay for all the things governments are obliged to do in good and in bad times. Indeed, there is also a sense we have suggestive of the tentative conclusion that the current administration [granted its overwhelming mandate] would have been well-advised to either leave things as they are or [in the alternate] sweep away all impediments preventing Bahamians from both gambling and gaming.

Such a move would have put a much-needed end to all the chat and blather which would parade as so-called debate.

In addition, the gaming industry in all of its guises is a major employer of labour which suggests that – as such – each and every impediment now standing in the way of the Bahamian people should be swept away. Had the current administration decided to do nothing about the matter at hand, Bahamians who wager their money on this or that number would have gone about their regular business; which is that they would have gambled.

By the same token, had each and every pastor or religious continued to rail against this behavior, things would have continued as they have been for as long as we can recall. Old-timers in the know still recall the largesse afforded this or that party, person or group in need of some quick cash for any number of noble social purposes. In other words, the so-called ‘debate’ concerning the numbers business had as much to do with righteousness as it clearly had to do with rampant hypocrisy and ignorance displayed in abundance. Indeed, there is also a sense we have suggestive of the tentative conclusion which whispers a view that the current administration [granted its overwhelming mandate] would have been well-advised to either leave things as they were or [in the alternate] sweep away all impediments preventing Bahamians gambling and gaming.
Such a move would have put a much-needed end to all the chat and blather which would parade as so-called debate.

In addition, it would have shown the current regimes understanding that there are times in life when those who lead should do just that, LEAD!

Each and every Bahamian should – as far as reason, conscience and law allow – be freed from the tyranny of any clique that would threaten them in their person, privacy and property or dare sanction the government and prevent it from carrying out the wishes of the people.

Sadly, some among us who have arrogated to themselves the title of ‘the nation’s gate-keepers’ would have their fellow Bahamians kneel to them and to their motley array of views on this or that subject.

While they are clearly entitled to their views, the Bahamian people also should be entitled to have views that differ.
This is the crying shame that so very many clerics and other religious routinely countenance as [paradoxically[ they turn a blind eye to the fact that some of their staunchest followers either work as croupiers or who – as they wish – routinely play the numbers.

No matter what anyone may say or think to the contrary: – Gambling is here to stay.

No matter the extent to which any who do not gamble pontificate about how righteous they are, gambling – like other such matters