A Salacious Story at Christmastime

by Craig Butler

This last week we had a salacious story about the Member of Parliament for MICAL. On Monday last the Punch alluded to former cabinet minister V. Alfred Gray. But the story in the Tribune on the same day was just plain nasty and the lowest form of journalism.

Now I can’t imagine that such an old and distinguished paper would want to tarnish a reputation that took many decades to establish or seek to change their format to tabloid sensationalism. I can only hope that this story is an aberration.

In their favour I can also say that I don’t think the Tribune would publish such a story without being able to defend the same.

Alfred Gray has responded with a brief public statement, which I feel was a bad move on his part. He would have been better served to have kept his mouth shut. However, he has a family to think of, and God only knows what they must be going through to see him dragged through the mud like this.

Is this the level of journalism we can now expect from the Tribune and are they going to dispense it evenly despite party affiliations? Or is it, as some have said, a way to destroy Alfred Gray as he was being far to verbose. I for one would hate to see this become the norm.

Airport Mishap
On December 13 I had to visit Freeport on business via Western Air because I feel a little more comfortable with their ability to follow a schedule. Well, getting there was no problem. But on the midday flight returning to Nassau we were airborne for about 15 minutes when the pilot said we had to return to Grand Bahama as the landing gear would not retract.

At this point all sorts of things started dancing in my head - and they weren’t sugarplums and candy canes either. The pilot, to his credit, was calm throughout - or at least he tried to appear that way so as not to excite the passengers, of which I was one of about 12.

Since the gear didn’t retract I was wondering whether it was in a position to support us on landing. But the pilot and the airport officials must have thought so because the fire trucks were present and accounted for when we landed without incident.

Christmas Wishes
I’ve been described by some associates as being grumpy and miserable. I’m not really. I just like to have things done my way, properly. However, even these critics say that at this time of year I become (in their words) 'likeable'.

I love Christmas because I have so many fond memories from my youth. To me, it ought to be about family and loved ones and, of course, the real reason for the season the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus. As the pastor said: "yes, we may celebrate the birth but the birth was only the beginning and the first step in Jesus’ journey and purpose for being here."

Any one who knows my family knows they have an ingrained work ethic that often deprives us of the time to spend with loved ones. But growing up, I recall these huge family gatherings with lots of aunts, uncles and cousins and gifts all about the place. Invariably it meant lots of food as well. Most of my family are large so you can just imagine the enormity of the spread for over 60 people.

The festivities lasted all day and was looked forward to by all. The gatherings aren’t the same today for a variety of reasons, but the nucleus remains. It is always nice to be together.

I wish that the feeling of love that accompanies the yuletide season could spread over the entire nation and infect us like a disease. We certainly need it.

And let us not forget those that are less fortunate than us. Remember our brothers and sisters that are living on the streets; those in the old-age homes; the boys and girls in the correction centres; those in hospitals or mental institutions; and those who are incarcerated.

Be ever mindful that many of them will be unable to experience the joys of the season or even have a hot meal. Please take up a plate and give it to one of these folk on the streets or take a pot by the Persis Rodgers or Ranfurly Home. An extra blanket or some clothes will mean a lot.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New year.