Dear Editor,
I read with interest a letter to the editor written by Pam Burnside entitled, 'Where Is the Mettle?' I have found all of the letters written by Mrs. Burnside to be very interesting and courageous. I will attempt to answer some of the timely questions she has asked while I address what I refer to as the spineless and gutless Bahamian.
I will begin with the quality of today's politician. It is obvious that today's politician has diminished from those of the 60s, 70s and early 80s. While past politicians were committed to the advancement of the people and the development of the country, today's politicians are more concerned with winning the next election.
While our country lacks statesmen, Parliament is filled with visionless individuals who continue to tow the line and offer no constructive solutions to our long list of challenges. Where is the passion?
I will say without fear of contradiction that 95 percent of the individuals in Parliament do not possess a 'passion'. This is obvious in the manner that they deliberate and the representation of their constituencies.
I believe that leadership begins at the top. The leaders ought to galvanize the people, inspire the nation and motivate Bahamians to excel. On two occasions Baha Mar fired hundreds of its employees. Yet I hear the leader of the hotel union say "I'm sorry." She actually apologized for a comment she made. I believe she may be overwhelmed in her role at this critical time in our country.
We are what I like to refer to as the instant generation. I want it now. Gimme it now. We are the spineless, the gutless generation.
I refer to a quote I heard sometime ago: "As long as my belly full I happy". Where is the passion from the hotel union to fight on behalf of the hundreds of displaced workers? Will a meeting with the prime minister suffice? Or will the president of the union lead workers to block the entrance to the hotel and make a bold statement?
We are tired and we will not take this any longer! Where is the passion from the prime minister? Why hasn't the prime minister told Baha Mar "I will not allow you to do this to my people! You have to find work for them now"? Where is the passion from the minister responsible for labor to stand up for the workers in this country?
Are we developing strong leaders? I think not. I do not see a young Hubert Ingraham on the horizon, or a Cecil Wallace-Whitfield, or a Milo Butler or a Lynden Pindling or an Arthur Hanna, or a Arthur Foulkes to name just a few.
No Mr. Editor, I do not see anyone with the slightest resemblance. I do not see a Thomas Bastian or a Pat Bain to name a few. I do not see the individual who will sacrifice himself or herself for the good of this country. I see a selfish individual who's telling us 'it's raining.' But at the same time, is urinating on our legs.
Mr. Editor, it is a tragedy that as educated as we are, we seem to be slipping into mediocrity on a daily basis. We seem contented to take a wait and see attitude. The letter writer asks, are we content to satisfy our concerns on the talk shows and social media sites?
While the indigenous Bahamian is being pushed to the back of the bus and may eventually get kicked off the bus, persons who have washed up on the shore are breaking the law. And while the minister is being praised for initiating a process to rid the country of illegal migrants, depending on whom you believe, we have 40,000 to 50,000 illegal migrants residing in the Bahamas. Yet according to a newspaper article, we deported 244 illegal migrants recently. Go figure.
Mr. Editor, it is obvious that our country is sliding down a slippery slope. While it is obvious that our standard of living has improved and we are far better educated than past generations, I believe we lack the passion, the testicular fortitude of past generations.
We are contented to hide behind our masks and whisper in the dark, while Rome is burning. Until more of us take a stand and demand more from our lawmakers, we will continue to be abused.
I'm reminded of a time when I was watching television news. The journalist was talking about Ukraine. I recall a Ukranian person saying, "We will not move from the square until the government resigns and new elections are held." And so said, so done.
And until we develop that kind of attitude, Jeanne Thompson will continue to ask "Where is our spunk?"
Too many young people are consumed with Facebook and the Internet, dominating their daily lives. You witness them walking with their phones, texting, on Facebook, on the Internet not looking up. Not even acknowledging a good morning or good afternoon.
Where is the passion? One is left to wonder, do they have a passion for anything, other than to go on Facebook and conduct themselves like social illiterates?
The spineless and gutless Bahamian. The letter writer asks "Where is the passion now?" Unfortunately Mrs. Burnside, I do not see it.
There exists a pervasive attitude throughout our country that will continue to emasculate the indigenous Bahamian, continue to push them off the bus while we slip into oblivion.
- Pat Strachan

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