"There is a fine line toward despotism when legislated power is abused."
Do you get the feeling the government is grasping at straws with the search and seizure of the personal computers and cell phone of Mr. Darron Cash in relation to the reported bad loans at Bank of The Bahamas? Or is this just rank intimidation?
Why single him out?
As pointed out yesterday, whether Mr. Cash released the information is not relevant.
Our concern should be ensuring sensible lending policies at Bank of The Bahamas are in place and if it takes a whistleblower to protect the institution from alleged abuse, whoever released the information deserves an award, not condemnation.
But enough said about that, the issue goes a lot deeper. And that is how we have blindly consented to our laws granting more and more power to the Minister through Summary Conviction clauses granting power for one individual to be the police/prosecution, judge and jury.
Now it appears we've witnessed the powers granted under the so called data protection act or bank secrecy act. The latter of course no longer seems to apply based on all the "treaties" the country is signing on to.
Just as we call on government to pass laws or silently consent to legislation granting these powers, we should not be surprised when events unfold in this manner.
There is a fine line toward despotism when legislated power is abused.
Martin Niemöller's (1892–1984) poem about how many German people/intellectuals turned a blind eye to the Nazi abuse is particularly relevant.
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out– Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out– Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out– Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me–and there was no one left to speak for me.
Someone said this is a defining moment. Will we sit by and do nothing or will we ensure our laws are changed to protect the individual from this form of tyranny?
The slow burn of bad public policy has been allowed to light this spark. Hopefully we have the collective will to blow it out before it becomes a flame?
