One expert says we're safe from another Great Depression, but not because we're smarter.

Bankruptcies, mergers, failures and foreclosures. Wall Street is up, Wall Street is down. Now, a $700,000,000,000 bailout plan aimed to prevent even further damage to the American economy. How did this happen and why didn't the financial regulators see it coming?

Grand Bahama police reported yesterday that at about 5:20am, the duty officer at the Police Dispatch Centre in Freeport received a call informing that a man had just been shot at his residence in Lewis Yard.

"As a result, several uniformed and plainclothes units responded to that location accompanied by EMS personnel, where they found the victim, 33-yr-old Benedict Russell, laying on the bedroom floor, bleeding profusely from a gunshot wound to his upper left thigh," Mr. Rahming said.

According to Mr. Rahming, Mr. Russell told officers that he had been in his bed asleep when some unknown person fired shots through the bedroom window, one of which struck him in the thigh.

He was transported to the Trauma Section at the Rand Memorial Hospital, where he received emergency medical treatment and was reported on Sunday to be resting in stable condition.

Detectives have launched an intensive investigation into this incident, to identify and apprehend the person or persons, responsible for this crime, Mr. Rahming said.


BY BRENT DEAN

Scores of Cuban detainees at the Carmichael Road Detention Center are reportedly on a hunger strike, protesting the length of time it takes for their repatriation and harsh "nightmare-like" living conditions.

Chief Immigration Officer at the Center Alexander Burns confirmed to The Nassau Guardian yesterday that several of the Cuban detainees were refusing to eat.

According to a source in the Center - who used a cell phone to contact The Guardian on Thursday - many of the detainees have been waiting for months, and in some cases years, for authorization to return to their home.

"Some of us are left here for months. Some of the people here have been waiting for 15 months for a decision from immigration officials," said the source. "People are getting tired, they are ready to get repatriated, they're ready to get out of here."

The detainee also spoke about the "horrible" living conditions at the center. He said because of these conditions, many of the residents try repeatedly to escape.

"I could tell you some horror stories. The thing is, they won't let the media in here to highlight exactly what's going on. They're scared. I've been in here a year. I'm from Havana. Another Cuban guy has been here 16 months. There's even a Muslim guy who has been in here for two years," he claimed.

"The conditions down here are deplorable. They should let media in here if they have nothing to hide."

It was also alleged that detainees were being abused by Defence Force marines who guard the facility, and in some cases, were not allowed to see a doctor.

However, immigration officer Burns strongly denied the claim.

Last week, four Cuban detainees managed to escape when they scaled the facility's walls. Two of the men were later caught, while the other two remain at large.

The source claimed that one of the apprehended escapees was now wearing a cast on his arm.

Burns said the men, who were returned to the facility, had to be treated for minor cuts and scrapes.

"They got those injuries after they climbed over the wall during their escape. They went to the doctor and are currently at the facility," Burns said, adding, "This is the first time that I'm hearing about (detainees) being beaten. That is not so; not to my knowledge.

"If they are in need of medical care, we take them to see a doctor right away."

Asked why it was taking so long to repatriate the detainees to their respective homes, Burns said: "That's something that only the (immigration) director can answer."

And when he was asked if the media could visit the facility to witness conditions, he said: "You would have to get permission from the director to visit the facility. I don't grant permission."

The source also described living conditions at the facility as a "complete living nightmare."

In June, president of the Cuban Human Rights Organization in Florida Miguel Sabadia said he had planned to lodge a formal complaint against the Department of Immigration over the alleged "poor" treatment of Cubans by some of the guards at the Detention Center.

Sabadia said that he would monitor the condition of the Cuban detainees at the Detention Center and vowed to file a complaint ? and if necessary ? a lawsuit against the Department of Immigration to stop what he called the "unfair treatment" of his countrymen.

One weekend a month for the past several years, Sabadia said he has been coming to The Bahamas to bring donated food and sundry items to the detainees at the Detention Center.

He said Cuban detainees at the center routinely tell him of the "poor and abusive" treatment administered to them by the guards.

Sabadia started his crusade to help Cubans fleeing from Cuba's Castro regime after the infamous Mariel boat lift in 1980.

Director of Immigration Vernon Burrows did not immediately return messages left for him before press time. Burrows' secretary said he was in a meeting.

By ROGAN M. SMITH

The Grand Bahama Children?s Home brings light into the lives of our children everyday. Children from troubled homes, neglected and often abused learn to flourish and thrive again in the comforting and joyful environment of the home. Seeing these young faces smile is a daily reward for the efforts that go into the running of this establishment.

The home though relies on government and the public?s assistance to meet its daily needs and expenses. As the numbers of children in the home increases so do their expenses, so they are appealing to the public for assistance. Below is a list of the many different foodstuffs, supplies and services that the home requires. They are hoping you may consider adding some of these items to your next shopping cart for the home.

Any donations can be delivered to the Grand Bahama Children?s Home on Tripp Lane or call 352-7582 / 352-6076 for complete directions. For more information on the home please email us at widesmile1@hotmail.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . If you are unable to help with food items but want to volunteer, the home would be thrilled. At the end of this food and supplies list is a service needs list.

The Grand Bahama Children?s Home thanks you for your consideration.

THE GRAND BAHAMA CHILDREN?S HOME FOOD & SUPPLY NEEDS:

Canned Goods
Beets
Carrots
Sweet Corn
Sweet Peas
Peas & Carrots
Pigeon Peas
Kidney Beans
Sardines
Dinner
Jack Mackeral
Corned Beef
Tuna (in water)
Tomato Paste
Spaghetti/Meatballs
Pineapple Chunks
Fruit Cocktail
Cream
Peaches

Dry Goods
Rice
Grits
Oats
Cream O? Wheat
Pancake Mix
Cereal (ie: Corn Flakes)
Ramen Noodles
Sugar
Kraft Mac/Cheese

Snacks
Granola Bars
Cookies
Fruitcup (plastic not can)
Raisins
Animal Crackers
Vienna Sausage
Boxed Juice (100%)
Jam/Jelly
Peanut Butter

Toiletries
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Deodorant (Boys & Girls)
Lotion
Soap (Lever 2000)

Cleaning/Household Supplies
Wash Powder
Dish Liquid
Glass Cleaner (ie: Windex
Pine Sol
Festival/Fabulous (all purpose cleaner)
Tea
Ajax
Spray Starch
Bleach
Toilet Tissue (individually wrapped)
Hand Towels
Tall Kitchen Garbage Bags & Outdoor

Other
BBQ Sauce
Ketchup
Mayonnaise
Pancake Syrup
Drink Mix (ie: Tang)
Lime Juice
Foil
Cooking Oil
Spaghetti Sauce

Services Needed at GB Children?s Home
? Psychologist
? Tutors
? Yard Maintenance
? Home Repairs (Carpentry, Plumbing etc.)
? Pest Control Maintenance