Click the circle above to begin the audio of this podcast. Looking for the video version? [CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO VERSION] Today is Thursday 24th May and it is good you’ve been able to join us. Just a quick observation about these podcasts. There have been some comments about the video quality. We want you to know that it was important for us to get started and not to tarry about getting our message out. As time goes on, there will be improvements in the quality ofvideo and the production. So just hang on: change is on the way. In the mean time, spread the word. Yesterday, the Parliament had its official opening. Those who you who know me also know that I object to holding these ceremonies in the public square. I find it undignified and it takes away from the seriousness ofthe occasion. The ceremony should be returned to the actual senate chamber where they used to be held. It was also an occasion for the unseemly behavior of FNM partisans who simply used the occasion to hurl insults and abuse at PLP members of parliament as they passed by. Let me say also that three Senate members have not been appointed. You will remember that the last time we spoke; I said that the PLP should have the three additional seats called for under the Constitution as reflecting the political balance of the House. Go visit the earlier pod cast of 2 1 St May for the legal explanation. Hubert Ingraham has decided that he wants to appoint who wants to appoint and has advised the Governor General to appoint persons ofhis choosing without apparent regard for the views of the Leader ofthe Opposition. So in other words Hubert Ingraham wants to pick the PLPs that he wants, not those after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition. I urge Mr. Christie and the PLP to stand their ground. This is not a matter for negotiation but to stand on the principle. A court action will be necessary once the Governor General acts. The Governor General’s speech from the throne covered no new ground. As usual Mr. Ingraham does not know when to take political rhetoric out of a national speech. The whole bastardization of the governmental process continues under his watch. The Speech from the throne was filled with the stupid buzz words about leadership and about trust; the rhetoric of the FNM’s deceitful campaign. When you actually listen to what they have proposed in the speech, they are simply continuing with the policies started by the PLP. The irony ofthis situation is that the FNM will profit from the good policies ofthe PLP in this next term, and then will claim that they did it. The PLP should not let them get away with it. National Health Insurance is scrapped, so the FNM have now bowed to their business masters. There is no mention of anything to assist the poor. And of course the FNM wants to duck the debate on the speech from the throne with the spurious argument that they have to get their budget done. The PLP must continue to oppose the attacks on poor people by the FNM, their viciousness, their nastiness and their ugly aggression. The PLP must be direct, forceful and vigourous. PLPs must continue to move ever forward in returning to government in the quickest possible time. A witch-hunt has started throughout The Bahamas, with selective prosecutions of PLPs in the courts, with firing PLPs who are legitimately hired in the public service and with attacking PLPs as they walk on the streets. This ugliness must be beat back and they must be stopped dead in their tracks. Thank you and hope to visit with you again next Monday. In the meantime, we have uploaded on this website courtesy of Jones Television Cable 14 a replay of my appearance on the pubic affairs show The Platform. Have a look through the link on this podcast site. Goodbye. Less