Dear Editor,
General Elections are just around the proverbial corner. Once again eligible Bahamians will have an opportunity to pass judgment on the incumbent PLP and the Opposition FNM. While some opine that there is not much difference between the two parties from a philosophical stance, the quality and tenor of leadership will be critical to success or failure.
The upcoming elections, in my view, will be for the PLP to lose as opposed to any sort of tangible ‘love’ for the Pintard led FNM. The Davis led PLP must remain focused and on point. If it were to allow distractions, whether from within or outside, a second consecutive term could slip out the back door. There is too much at stake to ‘waste’ any more precious parliamentary time with what I refer to as non issues.
The so called Marital Rape Bill and The Cannabis Legalization Bill are two such cases. A first year law student is well aware of the definition of ‘rape’ which, simply put, is where a man, usually, penetrates a female, sexually, without her consent. The same applies to man/man sexual intercourse. That is that and there is no need, in my opinion, for splitting hairs and coming up with what I call outlandish terminology. In English, words ordinarily mean what they, prima facie, appear to mean.
Marital Rape, by any definition, is rape and should be treated as such. To legislate otherwise would result in mayhem and societal dysfunction, not to mention the possibility of even more divorces and separations. Apart from the husband and wife catching hell, where there are children, especially infant ones (under the age of 18 years), further body blows will be inflicted on the traditional family structure. Leave this alone Prime Minister.
Another ‘waste of time’ proposed Bill is the one relative to Marijuana/Cannabis. While I am certain that there are benefits from that plant, we have yet, worldwide, to analyze the potential negatives. Unless and until such research and studies are completed medically, I would caution the Davis administration to not touch this non issue with a 20 feet pole. There are many more pressing issues that must be dealt with as we rapidly approach the 2026 general elections.
There is too much that we are seeking to do really about nothing. Let’s get on with the things that really matter to the average Bahamian. Affordable housing; liberalization of Crown Land policies (or lack thereof); a fully funded Small Business Agency; abatement of serious crimes and assaults against the person; real rehabilitation opportunities for those who may run afoul of the criminal law and advanced educational programs. Theses, I submit, are the things that really matter. To God then, in all things, be the glory.
Ortland H. Bodie, Jr.
Business Consultant & Talk Show Host
