The Clifton Review

The Clifton Review is a bi-weekly column that examines the question of the Clifton project along with the evolution of the war between two billionaires, the links to unsavory characters, the use of the courts for personal agendas, the involvement of the Government opposition party (the FNM), and the attacks on the Government of The Bahamas.

You cannot call yourself a political organization, attack the political party in power—as seen in its numerous political ads and other actions—then call “FOUL” when they strike back and demand that you account for your actions.

Director and attorney for Save The Bays, Fred Smith, admitted that Save The Bays is a political organization—which is obvious from its constant political attacks. Yet Save The Bays wants protection from being attacked. What gives them authority to attack who they want and then be exempt from being called into question?

Save The Bays and its Director and attorney, Fred Smith, are finally getting push back for their years of attacks on others and now Fred Smith says that certain individuals “abused their power to lambast, to vilify and seek to destroy the reputation and good work, sterling work being performed by Save The Bays.”

Well, who has been abusing what power, and sterling work with respect to whom?

When it was established, Save The Bays described themselves as an environmental organization and even has a United States 501c3 status. Yet, they admit that they are a political organization. Seems to me that they are the ones abusing power and misleading the public, especially when it’s obvious that the only people in their scopes are Fashion Mogul  Peter Nygard and the Progressive Liberal Party Government.

Here’s exhibit 1: Fred Smith stated in his argument before the court, “All that Save The Bays does is try to promote enforcement of the laws passed by parliament against the executive who continue to have their incestuous relationship with Mr. Nygard not only a detriment to the environment but the rule of law in The Bahamas.”

Well where were Save The Bays and Fred Smith when hedge-fund billionaire, Louis Bacon, allegedly broke the law dredging sand in front of his property out at Clifton to build a marina and boat basin without authority or permits?

Did Save The Bays and Fred Smith try to enforce the laws when the FNM government gave Bacon his approvals after the fact? Did Save The Bays and Fred Smith attack the FNM Government for rewarding such a flagrant disregard for the Bahamian law?

How about attacking Louis Bacon for dredging out at Clifton and his detriment to the environment? Maybe I was out of the country and missed it when Save The Bays and Fred Smith attacked Louis Bacon for that.

It doesn’t take private emails to prove that Save The Bays is misleading the public.

Since Fred Smith’s admission that Save The Bays is a political organization, it explains its myopic biased actions and one-sided attacks on the PLP Government and Peter Nygard.

As one reporter wrote, “Smith also said that the Executive is doing everything in their power to taint the minds of the average Bahamian and defame the organization in the court of public opinion.” Seems to me that Save The Bays is doing a good job of this all by itself.

Smith’s specific complaint was, “The Executive Branch effectively launched what I can call a political indictment of Save The Bays and its directors to affect and poison the mind of the public and abuse Save The Bays in the court of public opinion.”

Well, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander!

By P.J. Malone