Take a trip Mr. Galanis. Broaden your outlook.

by Adrian Gibson

Originally published in The Tribune, Thursday, July 13, 2006 under the byline, Young Man's View.

Philip Galanis, PLP senator, must be jockeying for an electoral nomination with his recent flare-ups about The Tribune and his narrow-minded, headline-grabbing stance against newly instated chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Hannes Babak.

During the past few weeks, a series of letters attributed to Mr. Galanis have graced the pages of this daily (The Tribune), espousing his baseless objection to Tribune managing editor John Marquis’ (an Englishman) view on our “defunct” educational system and the Bahamas’ continuing need for foreigners in certain fields.

The senator expressed staunch opposition to Mr. Marquis’ view based on the notion that his language was too hard-hitting and the fact that Mr. Marquis is working here on a permit – a most intolerant outlook.

Yesterday (Thursday, July 13, 2006), the senator made more egregious and inflammatory remarks on ZNS news – this time against Mr. Hannes Babak, another foreigner.

Upon hearing of the voluntary resignations of directors Sharon Wilson and Sean McWeeney from the Port Authority following the departure of three other executives, Mr. Galanis flew into a fury and not only called for the investigation into the appointment of Hannes Babak, but blatantly suggested that the government confiscate his work permit.

During the senator’s television diatribe, it appeared that he overtly suggested returning to the days of victimisation, those of the old PLP, when anything done contrary to the government’s will brought damning consequences.

It is elements of the PLP such as Philip Galanis and Fred Mitchell, so entrenched in the ways of the old guard, that many people fear would bring a re-emergence of indiscriminate harrying should the PLP be elected to a second term.

A second term may only empower such elements to attempt to disrupt people’s livelihoods in Pindlingesque style!

Recently, in what Bahamas Uncensored claimed to have discovered to be my professional capacity, it was recommended that for my comments denouncing Fred Mitchell’s arrogance and political/social approach, I be disciplined and silenced.

As I am not a foreigner, the means chosen here was to threaten and target me professionally. However, I would urge Mr. Mitchell to “draw it mild” and disregard the lust to victimise me for my views as he would be making a mistake of epic proportions.

The Machiavellian tactics being promoted by Mr. Galanis, who has also caught foot-in-mouth disease, may hinder the upright elements within the PLP (e.g. Obie Wilchombe, Perry Christie). In fact, it was intriguing to hear Mr. Wilchombe swat down the senator’s foolish remarks when he soundly stated that the government had no need to investigate the Port Authority.

Mr. Galanis, in his naïve political positioning, seems to not understand that both directors voluntarily resigned and that during their tenure they contributed little to the day-to-day operations of the Port Authority, as they are in Nassau with other jobs.

At an appreciation luncheon for ex-PLP MPs in April, PM Perry Christie stated: “One of the wonderful traits of our democracy in our country is we all have a right to disagree. We must always remember that”

He went on to urge PLPs ”not to allow yourselves to be victims of anger to the point where it hurts you?”

Philip Galanis and Fred Mitchell should both take a page from the PM’s book when it comes to criticism in the press, rather than offering nonsensical, egotistical responses.

Further, the irony of Mr. Galanis’ objections to Mr. Babak’s appointment is the fact that is was the PLP, the senator’s administration, that approved the new chairman’s work permit, thereby allowing him to assume this position at the Port.

It seems that even within his own party, Mr. Galanis may be a black sheep on this issue.

In the July 12, 2006, edition of The Tribune, Mr. Galanis claimed that he was more qualified than Mr. Babak and yet nobody had asked him to assume the position at the Port. I wonder why?

Could it be that xenophobic, irrational outlook?

Whilst I, as a Bahamian, would be inclined to see Bahamians in the top positions in our country, we must face the reality that Bahamian job candidates may at times not be qualified or best suited for certain positions when they become available.

As the general election approaches, Mr. Christie must quickly strike down the rogue elements of his party, several of whom seem to favour a return to a time when victimisation was the order of the day.

Also, because it appears Mr. Galanis may be suffering from a case of severe xenophobia, I suggest he spend the summer travelling and introducing himself to other peoples and cultures.