The truth is that the expediency in which news can travel has taken away the element of surprise and any possible shock. The age of communication in which we now live disseminates so much material so quickly, that we don’t have time to be shocked. The minute we begin to form an objection, something more atrocious pops up on the screen and we only shake our heads.

We may gossip about an incident for a few days, but then it becomes old news and we move on to something juicier. So when people say that we have become desensitized, does this mean that we are without feeling? Does this mean we have become like robots, walking and talking on command?

For centuries, women have toiled for equal justice, equal pay, and equal opportunities. Yet, there is still a faction that only sees us as sex objects to be used for their selfish purposes. And, the unfortunate truth is that many of us allow ourselves to be used, thinking, while being used, that we are in control.

The sad truth is that we are not in control, but rather we are shackled to the materialism of the world. And, as such, we have given up our right to be queens. We have enough females walking around doing and saying whatever they please. It is now time for the women to step up and expose the world to the essence of womanhood, because if we fail to do this, we will forever be subjected to the likes of the “Kalik girl” and the antics of Ms. Lisa Raye...

The unfortunate truth is that today, many young men and women who were born in this country are told that they are not Bahamian because of their parents’ nationality.   These young people live in the country, but have not been allowed to root themselves fully into the society. 

This kind of living situation can be compared to those persons who rent and those who own their property. And, the sad truth is that too many of the people living in Grand Bahama and New Providence are renters and therefore do not have a vested interest in preserving the integrity and virtues of this Bahamaland...           

Since there are so many public announcements being made in the media about the need for motorists to drive safely and “buckle up;” I began wondering how many law enforcement officers actually wear their seat belts when they are on duty.

Over the past few months, I have been conducting informal and entirely unscientific research to determine how many police officers actually wear seatbelts while driving patrol cars. I look at each police car that passes me. I inspect the driver and the officer as well as the officer in the front passenger seat.

Unfortunately, the officers in every single squad car or community crime watch car I looked at when they drove past me in the past few months was not wearing seat belts. While the seatbelt law is not finalized, it is the safe thing to do when driving. So why aren’t the police officers doing it?

In all my years of having manicures and pedicures, the most relaxing part of the experience is having someone massage my hands and feet or gently stroke the area nearing the end of the treatment.    So, I was hugely disappointed the other day when I felt plastic rubbing over my skin instead of the gentle touch of skin on skin.

During this self-indulgent treatment, I was distracted the entire time wondering when the manicurist would eventually release her hands from their prophylactic prison.    While my hands were in need of having cuticles removed, I didn’t see them as a health threat.    Be that as it may, I eventually settled into the experience and her expertise and professionalism made up for any emotional or psychological discomfort I felt at the time...

Some factions in the United States of America are suggesting that Senator Barack Obama has something to hide since he does not use his middle name Hussein.   Independent columnist Michael J. Gaynor has raised questions about why Senator Obama chooses not to use his middle name. Gaynor ends his Feb. 29^th column by writing: “ hopefully, the attention focused on Barack's middle name and posed photo of him dressed in African garb will inspire scrutiny of Barack, especially his Islamic and Kenyan connections, sooner rather than later.”

The fact that the media has put so much focus on Senator Obama’s middle name, American Jews are questioning whether or not they should vote for him because of his Muslim ties.

I had a very interesting conversation the other day about the mind set of human beings in the context of self-preservation.   The discussion then evolved from preservation of self and property to that of the individual’s very core, that is, her soul.

Last week this column shared an historical perspective on how we have gotten to such a debase level in our society by citing the drug era and the consequent break down in family life as leading causes.   In terms of understanding our mindset, I think it is necessary for us to go even further back than 25 or 30 years.   In order for us to truly understand how the attitudes and mores of this society have evolved, we need to look back to the days of human slavery and colonial rule...  

Stop blaming the Haitians, Jamaicans or whomever. Stop blaming the young people of this society. All of you who enjoyed the money when it was flowing freely and didn’t give a second thought about turning a blind eye for a few seconds to earn $10,000.00 are now reaping what you sowed.

For the past few months, many individuals have been ranting on and on about how we need to do something with the high level of crime in this country. A Crime Commission has been formed and the talks have ensued....

When I read bumper stickers I always wondered how much of what the sticker said represented the person driving the car. For the most part, the bumper sticker would align the driver to some academic institution, athletic team, religious organization or political ideology.

It is customary for these bumper stickers to suggest that all is well for the individual. These bumper stickers tell us that the driver’s child is in the right school, doing the right thing. The stickers tell us that the driver belongs to the church of the “one true God,” and is a member of the political party that is the best for the country...

The debate about whether or not police officers should return to the government high schools in New Providence and Grand Bahama returned after two stabbing incidences on those islands two weeks ago. While the president of The Bahamas Union of Teachers is adamant about these law enforcers not taking up residence in the halls of education, some leaders in the Official Opposition as well as ordinary citizens believe a police presence is definitely needed to curb the high level of violent crime and criminal acts in the schools...

This past week I was accused of not doing anything to help solve some of the social ills we have in our society.   The uniformed government employee told me that I, like so many others want the crime to continue.   While I was a bit stunned by such a claim, I listened to the individual with interest.

I recognize that this column has gained a large following over the years and, as such, I have a social responsibility to inform readers about those things which affect them directly or indirectly.   But should I be blamed for not doing enough to educate and inform you about these negative elements that continue to defile and demoralize our communities?   In a nutshell – yes...

A few weeks a concerned parent emailed me some information about a popular song playing the airwaves with strong sexually graphic lyrics. While you may be wondering why it is getting air time in this country, the reason is that the lyrics are deviously disguised.

Used individually the words may not garner any negative feedback, but when translated, yes translated, a whole new meaning becomes disgustingly apparent. The song in question is Crank dat Souljah Boy; the artist, DeAndre Way, a.ka. Soulja Boy...

After watching Mr. Brady and his New England Patriots team play with such precision and beauty this season, and finish off the regular season with a perfect record, I wonder what it would take for us “regular” humans to have a perfect season in our lives?

For some of us, just trying to find that “perfect” outfit for that special occasion seems virtually impossible and overwhelming, so how can life be perfect? What would we need to do or what would need to happen in our lives for us to say our lives were perfect?

In most schools, the culture is often defined by the principal’s relationship with the students, parents and teachers. The principal sets the tone and stakeholders would usually follow his/her lead.

So the question that needs to be asked is what culture have the leaders from the two major political parties created by their actions over the past few years? What kind of relationships do they have with the members of the wider society? What kind of relationships do they have with the members of their cabinet and inner sanctum? And, do their relationships foster obedience and order?...

This is a new year and many people are talking about new beginnings and prosperity for all.   The Christian message was replaced by a message of prosperity some years ago and continues to flourish in this land and across the seas.

During this time of the year millions of dollars are spent on gifts to give to people as a gesture of love. But I wonder how much love and thought would have gone into purchasing those gifts. Many times our most beautiful gifts are the ones we spend little or no money on, because these gifts usually come from the heart.

We allow ourselves to get so caught up in the commercialization of Christmas that the true meaning gets lost among the wrapping paper, bows and scotch tape. While decorating trees and hanging lights is quite enjoyable it should all serve to heighten our anticipation for the birth of the Christ child and not the reception of gifts...

School children gathered at Independence Park in Freeport, Grand Bahama last week to join in the “One Bahamas” celebrations; a celebration that is said to be aimed at boosting the spirit of unity and patriotism among Bahamians.

Back in 1992, under the Free National Movement (FNM) government, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture initiated the One Bahamas celebrations to “emphasize the things that bind the people of The Bahamas together in love and unity.”   This year the celebrations resumed after five years of no celebrations...

Allowing ourselves to become so engrossed in the superficial materialism of this world ultimately brings about a disconnect between our spiritual and physical being.   This means that even if we wanted to celebrate Christmas and Thanksgiving we couldn’t since the true meaning of these events have been distorted.

The amiable greeting of “Happy Thanksgiving,” was echoed throughout the workplace last Thursday.   Bahamians extended this greeting to each other repeatedly, and each time I heard it I wondered if I was still standing on Bahamian soil...

To say that one is a “failure,” is to suggest that the individual is “unsuccessful or disappointing; non-performance of something required or expected” (Collins English Dictionary 2003). While some of you may have enjoyed this theatrical performance that the two leaders recently displayed, because you thought it made for excellent fodder in the workplace, perhaps you need to think about whether or not you are a failure in your own lives.

It is the role of parents to ensure that their children are given the necessary tools to survive in various social settings. However, when you do not teach them crucial life skills, you have in reality failed as a parent...