‘Paul Adderley – A Man For All Season’
Dear Editor:
I congratulate the Honorable Paul Lawrence Adderley on his recent appointment as Acting Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. While Mr. Adderley and myself have not always agreed on some political issues and policy matters, I have always respected and admired him.
There are few other Bahamians who are more ‘qualified’ than this son of the soil to serve in this high office of state. Not only is he a barrister-at-law, par excellence, his is one of the most brilliant intellects in the country, bar none, except for perhaps myself.
Back during the 1960’s when I was a student at the ‘old’ Government High School, I followed Mr. Adderley’s political career with great interest and admiration. There was many Bahamians who thought that he would eventually become Leader of the Opposition and, later, Prime Minister. Unfortunately, for Adderley, he was eclipsed by Mr. Lynden Pindling, as he was then. Adderley left the PLP and formed the National Democratic Party.
History has a habit of repeating itself. Adderley went back home to the PLP and became Attorney General and Minister of Education. Today, B.J. Nottage ‘abandoned’ the CDR and went back to the PLP. So far, he has gotten a senate seat.
Having served the nation well, in all spheres of public life, without scandal or public odium, Mr. Adderley is best suited for this post, at this time. I would hope and pray that my good ‘friend’ would accept a knighthood from Her Majesty, the Queen. Yes, there are those who oppose so called ‘colonial honors’ but, in this case, until we have something different, gave Mr. Adderley one of the highest and esteemed honors that may be possible.
And so, I ask Jehovah Rafa to allow me an opportunity to live long enough to bear witness to Mr. Adderley being tapped on his shoulder and being asked to: ‘Arise, sir Paul…’ to Jehovah Rafa then, in all things, be the glory.
Back during the 1960’s when I was a student at the ‘old’ Government High School, I followed Mr. Adderley’s political career with great interest and admiration. There was many Bahamians who thought that he would eventually become Leader of the Opposition and, later, Prime Minister. Unfortunately, for Adderley, he was eclipsed by Mr. Lynden Pindling, as he was then. Adderley let the PLP and formed the National Democratic Party.
There are few other Bahamians who are more ‘qualified’ than this son of the soil to serve in this high office of state. Not only is he a barrister-at-law, par excellence, his is one of the most brilliant intellects in the country, bar none, except for perhaps myself.
History has a habit of repeating itself. Adderley went back home to the PLP and became Attorney General and Minister of Education. Today, B.J. Nottage ‘abandoned’ the CDR and went back to the PLP. So far, he has gotten a senate seat.
There are few other Bahamians who are more ‘qualified’ than this son of the soil to serve in this high office of state. Not only is he a barrister-at-law, par excellence, his is one of the most brilliant intellects in the country, bar none, except for perhaps myself.
I congratulate the Honorable Paul Lawrence Adderley on his recent appointment as Acting Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. While Mr. Adderley and myself have not always agreed on some political issues and policy matters, I have always respected and admired him.
Back during the 1960’s when I was a student at the ‘old’ Government High School, I followed Mr. Adderley’s political career with great interest and admiration. There was many Bahamians who thought that he would eventually become Leader of the Opposition and, later, Prime Minister. Unfortunately, for Adderley, he was eclipsed by Mr. Lynden Pindling, as he was then. Adderley left the PLP and formed the National Democratic Party.
There are few other Bahamians who are more ‘qualified’ than this son of the soil to serve in this high office of state. Not only is he a barrister-at-law, par excellence, his is one of the most brilliant intellects in the country, bar none, except for perhaps myself.
Sincerely,
Ortland Bodie Jr.
Clarification On Christie
Dear Editor:
Wi1liam J. Bennet in his book The Moral Compass said, "All children need bread and shelter. But a true home of course is much more than that, Children also need love and order and because they are not born knowing the difference between right and wrong, they need a place where they can begin to develop a moral sense. Our moral sense emerges from the examples set by mother, father, sisters and brothers. In the family world of home, we learn the habits of virtue that will strengthen us when we venture in the world".
As both of my parents have passed on to be with their God, I am obliged to respond to the November 23rd editorial of The Tribune to clarify and challenge any mis-information and untruth regarding the "home" that nurtured the political direction and philosophy of the Prime Minister, The Rt. Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie.
In the Tribune's archives is a feature article entitled "Gladstone Christie: A Chocolate Dandy Life", written by Earlin Williams over several interview sessions with my father for posterity. The story was graciously carried in your October 13, 1999 issue, just prior to my father's death. Please allow me to quote liberally from Mr. William's article to give
you a clear and factual portrayal of the political affiliations of Gladstone Christie during the sordid reign of the United Bahamian Party.
Excerpts from Mr. William's story states: The winds of change was blowing through the colonies and Mr. Christie's trip into the United States in the late 1930's had broadened his horizons to the extent that when taxi men came together to form The Bahamas Taxicab Union in 1940, the country's first trade Union was born and Mr. Christie became the Treasurer. He worked tirelessly for the good of the finances of the union and his insight along with that of Sir Clifford Darling, Prince Huyler, Lochinvar Lockhart lead to the formation of Taxico, a tour company, gas station, and auto parts shop and on the social end, death benefits for members' survivors and assistance in their children's educational needs. Discrimination was ugly back then, so it was only natural that when the Progressive Liberal Party lead by Lynden Pindling, was elected to the house in 1956 along with Milo Butler, that the Bahamas Taxicab Union gravitated to the PLP.
With Taxi men having their livelihoods threatened in 1958 when the white lead Government attempted to stop taxis from operating at The Nassau International Airport the PLP lead the political charge and the taxi union became a willing thoroughbred steed Mr. Christie as Treasurer provided all of the meals for the general strike participants at the airport. He put in place a strike fund to assist as the men parked their vehicles in protest over the Government's move. The Government backed down and the union and PLP won, forging a brotherhood that exists today with the taxi union. In Gladstone Christie's words, "The PLP represented to us what we wanted the future to be for ourselves and our children. Back then Taxi men could take home as much as $300 per day, but something was not right with the racial situation. The Union made a firm resolve to work with the PLP to bring about majority rule. We made it a reality on January 10 1967."
Mr. Christie opened the union's coffers to the PLP helping out in every way imaginable. He recalls an incident where a PLP Acklins/Crooked Island candidate contacted Nassau expressing his disappointment that he needed to charter a small boat to get around the district in time for the general election. 'I called the taxi men together and we put in the hat that day $1,000 and sent it up to him so he could do what he had to do "said Mr. Christie.
He has been honoured by the Taxicab Union on two occasions and he is also one of the country's first holders of The National Tourism Achievement Award. Mr. Christie has also been honoured by Her Majesty, the Queen with a Certificate and Badge of Honour. But he counts as his real meaningful achievement the role he played in The Bahamas Taxicab Union alongside Presidents Mr. P. Huyler, Sir Clifford Darling, Lochinvar Lockhart and others in bringing about majority rule.
AlI of the above is taken from Mr. William's feature story "Gladstone Christie: A Chocolate Dandy Life." A living contemporary of my father Sir Clifford Darling, spoke at his funeral. He knows the history of my father's politics and social commitment to majority rule.
My earliest recollection of homespun political education was driving the streets in 1956 with my father in his big taxi, blowing car horns and shouting Fawkes & Pindling, All The Way, while not appreciating the significance of the event. I remember it clearly because my father who was not a very social man was unusually ecstatic. I further recollect being taken by my parents to a mass PLP rally on Clifford Park in 1962 and sharing their disappointment at the PLP's loss in the ensuing general election.
Anyone who knew my mother, Nurse Naomi Christie would have known of her passionate commitment to her family, her church, her patients and her party. Her party was unquestionably the Progressive Liberal Party.
I hope that I have been sufficiently enlightening so all readers now have a more accurate portrayal of the kind of home The Prime Minister is a product of Perry's sense of morality, justice and service to community are virtues learnt from his parents, as is his bond to the Progressive Liberal Party.
I thank you for your time and space.
Sincerely,
Gary W. Christie
- Austin DWI - New York DWI