Source: The Tribune, Letters, January 5, 2008
Editor, The Tribune.
There are times when civil disobedience is required. I have discussed with several authorities, including Ministers responsible the need to eliminate the requirement for Bahamians to complete an immigration form when returning to the Bahamas, their home.
It is impossible for me to "immigrate" to the Bahamas. Enough is enough. We are mired in unnecessary process without any thought being given to enhancing efficiencies.
The next time I return to the Bahamas I will refuse to complete and submit an immigration form. I will present my passport only and suffer any and all consequences. Whats the worst case scenario, deportation to the Bahamas?
I encourage all fellow citizens to do the same. It is time we empower ourselves to effect change rather than wait like sheep for others to effect change on our behalf.
Ed Fields
Nassau,
Jan 2, 2009.
I have been complaining about this nonsense for many years.
I believe this all started so they could throw the cards in with the visitors and get a higher count but the time to stop the charade is long overdue.
S. Sweeting
My sebtiments exactly. Upon returning to The Bahamas on one occasion, I asked a young immigration officer what would she do if I refused to complete an immigration form. She said to me that I would be entering The Bahamas illegally. My response was how could tell a Bahamian that he is entering his country illegally.
If you want to upset a civil servant, just ask the question “Why?” Not all, but most.
After two or three steps of this, funny things start to happen, as their own brain wakes up, and they are forced to confront the rediculous, something the average citizen long ago gave up trying to comprehend. Of course they, for the most part, don’t know why, and quickly retreat to the safety of the stonewall, the pout, the indifferent.
The purpose of course is not to upset them, but to get anything acomplished, within the scope of acting lawfully, where their stamp of approval is required.
This is where things have morphed.
What should be a service rendered, according to the law, becomes a favour, granted under a power assumed by a chain of individuals.
We are no longer a society based on law, but a society based on allegiances to individuals with the main tools of compliance being intimidation and denial of service.
The average Bahamian falls into this trap willingly, through being almost entirely ignorant of the law or laws that pertain to whatever right according to law they are trying to exercise.
Is it any wonder that things don’t work?
Is it any wonder that some processes have become encumbered in molasses?
Is it any wonder that so many bright minds have given up?
When did the population of the Bahamas accept the practice of “government” letting someone do something?
Tis the law that allows or di-allows certain practices or actions.
We have allowed Political administrations disengage our brains, convincing us that their purpose or program is better for us.
I don’t think civil disobedience is really the right concept. Try acting according to the letter of the law, and you will rub many in positions of authority wrong. In many cases, “policy” would, in a competent court of law, be found illegal.
But we do not have one of those, any more, to perform that corrective service to the public.
It is one of the first estates to be neutered in coutries that have lost their way, at the hand of those who would rule, instead of serve.