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Columns : Who is in control? - Joseph Darville Last Updated: Apr 20, 2020 - 11:29:48 PM
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Columns : Who is in control? - Joseph Darville
Resilience Post Dorian and Our Children - Apr 20, 2020 - 1:45:02 PM

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Within my colourless sap, I bear the abundance of creation with billions of neurons and millions of chemical reactions, producing a myriad of colors, shapes and adorning creations with incredible beauty. These all adjust to the changes of my Mother Earth, the spirit of which we call Gaia.

Pay heed to my seasonal changes; give attention to the wisdom and foresight of the great Noah. He observed me very closely; thus, he knew the signs of a changing phenomenon of Earth...
Columns : Who is in control? - Joseph Darville
"In The Bahamas some 43,000 living below poverty line in 2014" - Jun 13, 2014 - 10:47:36 AM

Poverty is defined by Webster’s as “the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions.” In our context, then, who are the poor? Looking at the wide world perspective, we may more easily recognize the poor as those who are lacking in the minimal necessities such as water, food, clothing, basic health services, housing or a decent place to call home. Absolute poverty takes on a gruesome description as given by Robert Macnamara: “ A condition of life so characterized by malnutrition, illiteracy, disease, high infant mortality and low life expectancy as to be beneath any reasonable definition of human decency.”
Columns : Who is in control? - Joseph Darville
“Make Health Your New High in Life, Not Drugs” - Feb 28, 2014 - 5:18:32 AM

Fourteen years into the third millennium, in 2014, we are still struggling to get a handle multiple and serious effects of the nefarious drug trade and drug use and addiction in our small nation. We continue to lose a large number of our beloved citizens as a consequence of the ravages of the illicit drug trade. Directly associated with this deadly trade, high powered weapons and ammunition continue to pour in through our porous borders. A vendetta justice prevails as individuals not only kill their competitors, but even those already charged with murder and out on bail, find themselves death victims of street justice.

The death, near death, maimed and wounded counts continue to climb, while our law enforcement agencies are at their wits end to find a solution to this demise of so many of our young men...
Columns : Who is in control? - Joseph Darville
Joseph Darville: The State of Human Rights in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas - Presentation to Rotary Clubs of Freeport and Lucaya - Sep 20, 2013 - 10:38:33 AM

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The Israelites, the Bible states, wondered forty years in the desert. It’s not that they were physically lost, for they knew where they were headed, and knew how to get there. The stars by night and the sun by day were the only GPS they needed. But woefully, that nation of people was mentally and psychologically lost. Leaving the land of enslavement, after coming to the realization that as a people of God, they no longer cherished the ungodly treatment meted out to them. Yet, having subjected themselves for so long to this bondage, they were infused with the consciousness of enslavement at the very core of minutest parts of their being...
Columns : Who is in control? - Joseph Darville
Remarks to Jack Hayward High 'Class of 2013' at the Passing-out and Recognition Ceremony - Jun 19, 2013 - 11:16:29 AM

“The child shall enjoy special protection, and shall be given opportunities and facilities, by law and by other means, to enable him to develop physically, mentally, morally, spiritually and socially in a healthy and normal manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity. In the enactment of laws for this purpose, the best interests of the child shall be the paramount consideration.”
Article 2: Universal Declaration on the Rights of The Child.

My beloved young people, your experience over the past few weeks has been nothing short of a divine set up; you have been called upon to demonstrate to the nation the abysmally low level of care and love this nation has for you our children...
Columns : Who is in control? - Joseph Darville
Plea to Cease & Desist the Rape, Pillage & Wanton Destruction of Our Patrimony Heritage of Land & Sea - May 23, 2013 - 4:26:11 PM

We, this country, this land, this Commonwealth of the Bahamas, are the enviable prize of the world, and the prey of the world’s largest and most economically vicious predators. A piece of our sacred heritage is the closest some of them will ever come to heaven on earth.  We are rapidly becoming the spoils of a quiet (too quiet) and subtle (much too subtle) bargaining and bartering of our heritage patrimony of land, sea, sand, coastlines and sea beds. This rabid and rapid dispossession has taken place right under our eyes which have been half closed, and at times fully shut.

“For most of history, man has had to fight nature to survive; in this century he is beginning to realize that, in order to survive, he must protect it.” Jacques-Yves Cousteau.
Columns : Who is in control? - Joseph Darville
BEC and the Re-Electrification of Thousands - May 11, 2013 - 12:20:50 PM

On behalf of the Grand Bahama Human Rights Association, it is with tremendous joy and satisfaction, that we highly commend the government of the Bahamas, for this bold and unprecedented  action to restore electrical power to over seven thousand households in New Providence, by June 1.  This action initiated, obviously, by the two ministers responsible for BEC, namely the Chairman, Hon. Leslie Miller, and the Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Brave Davis, and of course sanctioned by the Hon. Prime Minister, is an obvious demonstration of putting Bahamians and their wellbeing foremost.

While listening with great attention to Mr. Miller’s presentation during the recent debate in the House of Assembly, I was personally awed by the passion and compassion in his remarks as he spoke about the plight of our people.  If I did not know otherwise...
Columns : Who is in control? - Joseph Darville
Bahamas House of Assembly & Denial of Fundamental Human Rights - May 10, 2013 - 2:30:19 PM

No guns, no arms, no pipe bombs, no hand grenades, no pressure cooker explosives!


Bearing no arms, no guns, no pipe bombs, no hand grenades, no pressure cooker explosives, a group of our young, intelligent,  wise, caring and concerned students of the College of the Bahamas, honorable citizens of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, were unceremoniously, almost forcefully, barred from entering THEIR House of Assembly a few weeks ago. Even though that incident grieved, pained and shocked many of our people, especially the young, I have hesitated this long to comment, hoping to hear some regret expressed in the Honorable House of Assembly, by WHOMEVER, lamenting this dictatorial, despotic action...
Columns : Who is in control? - Joseph Darville
The Ongoing Industrial Park Debacle: Who is in Charge? - Mar 31, 2013 - 11:59:21 PM

Response to Mr. Maurice Moore’s comments and a personal review of the industrial park debacle

I read with utter amazement and unbelief the interview Mr. Maurice Moore gave to the Tribune and published into Tuesday, March 27, 2013 edition, with reference to the tragedies which have befallen the residents in the areas around the industrial park.  Back in the days when I personally waged a battle against these industrial giants which were destroying that area, sickening the residents and students
Community
Bain & Grants Town Urban Renewal Project: Prevention, Intervention, Education and Demand Elimination - Sep 27, 2012 - 11:38:57 AM

The following are remarks made by Joseph Darville, Co-Chairman, Bahamas National Drug Council on
Tuesday, September 25, 2012:

Prevention, Intervention, Education and Demand Elimination -
These four corner stones of the drug use and abuse fortification, namely prevention, intervention, education and demand reduction,  have had minimal success over the past thirty-three years.  One can deduce this fact from the multitude of teens now involved in the drug market as users, carriers and dealers.  Of course the related drug wars, turf wars, guns and murders speak clearly to the losing battle in this small nation in which many of our youth have perished.


The only option we now seem to have is to make every attempt to fortify our youth, beginning at a very early age against this fertile epidemic.  Older teens and adults are virtually unapproachable, or difficult to reach or treat...
Columns : Who is in control? - Joseph Darville
Poverty: Twelve Years into the Third Millenium - Mar 8, 2012 - 10:00:35 PM

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The poor you will always have with you…….Mark 14:3

Poverty is defined by Webster’s as “the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions.”  In our context, then, who are the poor?  Looking at the wide world perspective, we may more easily recognize the poor as those who are lacking in the minimal necessities such as water, food, clothing, basic health services, housing or a decent place to call home.  Absolute poverty takes on a gruesome description as given by Robert Macnamara: “ A condition of life so characterized by malnutrition, illiteracy, disease, high infant mortality and low life expectancy as to be  beneath any reasonable definition of human decency.”
Columns : Who is in control? - Joseph Darville
National Service: To Be or Not to Be - May 8, 2011 - 9:13:22 AM


From time to time, the question arises as to the legitimacy of a national youth service as was proposed by the late Sir Lynden Pindling.  And once again the editorial in Saturday, May 7 edition of the Freeport News asks the question.  I say unequivocally: “Yes!”   But in what context was this idea proposed?

Long before the idea arose for a national service programme, I had instituted community service hours as a requisite for matriculation from Grand Bahama Catholic High School.  Presently, every high school in the nation has taken the clue, and now requires this service as part of their high school program.  We have now even made it an integral component of our apprenticeship training program at the Grand Bahama Shipyard. Whether in school or in the workplace, we have a nation to build...

Columns : Who is in control? - Joseph Darville
Human Rights and Police Brutality - Aug 12, 2010 - 11:34:37 AM

The Grand Bahama Human Rights Association is extremely concerned about the recent spate of reported alleged cases of brutality wrecked upon individuals while in police custody.  We have thus far not intervened in this matter due to the assurance by both heads of the police force in New Providence and on Grand Bahama that these reports will be thoroughly investigated.  

Both Mr. Quin McCartney and Mr. Ellison Greenslade are honorable and enlightened leaders and we are confident that they will deal with these matters expeditiously.  They are sworn to uphold the safety and dignity of all citizens of this country and without regard to the status of anyone; ordinary persons or enforcers of the law, officers are bound by law and oath  to  scrupulously safeguard the rights of all...

Columns : Who is in control? - Joseph Darville
Invasion of Foreign Species - Aug 3, 2010 - 8:12:34 PM


As hundreds of thousands of containers pour into our country, so do a myriad of pests, insects, snakes and lizards make their entry across our borders.  The invasion of  non-native lizards has become so prevalent, that it’s beginning to wipe out our charming and indigenous curly tail lizard.  They consistently devour the eggs and young of the curly tail and thus we see an extensive diminishing of this native specie. 

But this is not the only observed negative and worrisome behavior of these creatures.  They are laying claim to our homes as well with a furious aggression; they have no regard for the sanctity of our dwellings and unceremoniously enter through even impossible ways. Once inside, and devoid of any potty training habits, they proceed to defecate any place and every where, on table tops, walls, curtains, windows, floors, etc., etc.  Their feces leave an unsightly mess which has to be attended to on a daily basis.  They seem to be immune to the ordinary household  pest controls and gleefully carry out their playful, fighting and mating habits with total impunity...

Columns : Who is in control? - Joseph Darville
HAITI: A Cataclysmic Catastrophe or a Global Jolt? - Jan 14, 2010 - 2:52:41 PM

Over the period of a few shorts years, humanity has witnessed and experienced a number of massive and catastrophic events: ‘911’ and the destruction of world’s symbol of financial control; ‘the Tsunami’ and consequential loss of thousands of lives and now the greatest of the three, “Haiti.’   

Following ‘911’, the global meltdown occurred indicating the necessity for yet further normalization and equalization within the world economy. However, following that event too much energy and time were spent on retribution. ‘The Tsunami’ elicited a greater heart and mind response to the plight of a  significant sector of humanity; and now the saga continues with ‘Haiti.’  Will this island in the sea then become the catalyze to finally awaken humanity and draw focus on the need for greater equity for all peoples on a global scale?

Columns : Who is in control? - Joseph Darville
Congratulations to the GB Port Authority - Nov 17, 2009 - 10:50:48 AM

First of all I wish to congratulate the Grand Bahama Port Authority for initiating the revitalization of the physical environment of  Freeport.  There is a sense now that care is once again being  taken to bring this city with its enormous potentials back in sync with its vision as the enviable metropolis in this region.  Adorning the city with attractive flora brings alive a natural beauty which gives a balanced perspective to this touted industrial capital of The Bahamas.  With proper care and maintenance, what has now been started can assist in wiping away that negative image which has plagued our city for sometime.  

I would like to suggest that the Port attempt to convince the Ministry of Agriculture to adhere to its promise to deal with the infestation of the pink hibiscus mealy bug, which has virtually wiped out the beauty of those glorious flowers which once adorned every area of our city... 

Columns : Who is in control? - Joseph Darville
A Disdainful Decision - Nov 5, 2009 - 2:14:38 PM

When Gladstone (Moon) McPhee intimated to me a few days ago that he was being unceremoniously dismissed as Assistant Director of Sports, I told him that in no way, shape or form would I believe such an atrocity until I saw it in writing. It is, therefore, almost impossible for me now, having heard the dictum, to pen the words necessary to express my total surprise, disgust and disappointment at such a reprehensible and evil act. Whoever the persons may be who concocted such a despicable course of action should hide themselves in shame.

This disdainful decision could only be based upon puerile banana republic political gimmickry. I refuse to even label it as political victimization, for no one could ever victimize Gladstone Moon McPhee...

Columns : Who is in control? - Joseph Darville
The impact of power bills on our quality of life - Sep 2, 2009 - 2:09:04 PM

The morning of August 20th we read in a local newspaper with keen interest the statement from the Grand Bahama Power Company in response to the widespread complaints from residents and businesses concerning the astronomical cost of electricity  as well as the numerous disconnections which have been taking place in recent weeks.  Unfortunately, there was not an iota of comfort to be garnered from the statement.  The uncertainly, the misery, the enormously high bills and the many questions remain in limbo.   

We need to know why a single mother, living in a trailer house with one young child, without air condition or electric stove, could be burdened with a monthly power bill of over $600.00.  Why within hours after another’s meter has been read, the power is turned off with an outstanding bill of only $60.00.

Columns : Who is in control? - Joseph Darville
Back to the Soil - Dec 16, 2008 - 1:49:21 PM

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One of the quickest ways to rejuvenate our people and return our nation to a more peaceful, serene and productive existence is to get them back to the soil.

The aftermath of the recent hurricanes practically de-molished the tourism industry on Grand Bahama; and now again the global economic meltdown has resulted in even greater hardship to the people, not only on Grand Bahama, but throughout the Commonwealth. However, in spite of these calls by the universe to awaken us to a more sustainable and productive self-driven economy, based upon the natural resources with which we have been so abundantly blessed, we still stand basically idle awaiting some miracle to happen...

Columns : Who is in control? - Joseph Darville
Even God Can't Hide Anymore - May 17, 2008 - 3:24:56 PM
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If one were to believe in Divine Providence, then the last election would fit into God’s intervention into human affairs.  The fact is though, because the Divine has created us with free will, there is really no interference into man’s actions on a daily basis, otherwise the ‘gift’ of free will/choice would be a falsehood.  Whether it’s an election won by the PLP or the FNM, the phenomenon is really the result of the individual and collective consciousness of the populace.  It is for this reason that we always get the government we deserve. It is not that we are being punished by our ill choice, but rather we elect the course of action dictated by what we can perceive as being our lot in life or  the level of our deserving power.  This fact is brought out very dramatically by the results in our recent general election in which approximately fifty percent of the population side with one faction and fifty with the other... 
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