PAGE 2, Thursday, September 16, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT TO SEE AT THE POLLS?
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net ACTING Parliamentary Commissioner Lavado Duncanson yesterday outlined several changes registered voters could expect to see at the polls today in what officials hope will allow for a smoother and more efficient voting process following last week’s chaotic scenes. According to Mr
Duncanson, there will be special provisions made for the elderly and disabled voters. He said the Parliamentary Registration Department had received a number of complaints about long waiting times from people in this category, many of whom were seen huddled under trees and other places in an effort to avoid the blistering sun during last week’s advanced poll.
“We can appreciate that during the advanced poll, there would’ve been some 19,000 persons who would’ve been on the advance poll register,” Mr Duncanson told reporters after touring the AF Adderley High School voting site along with other officials. “We would have received feedback as it relates to the lines and the individuals within that category who would’ve specifically had to stand on the long lines.
One of the provisions or adjustments we are making for the general election is a waiting area for persons who are 65 years and older. Some of the campuses, those waiting areas will comprise of tents that are being erected as we speak by men and women of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force. “Those areas will serve as a waiting area where persons within that category – disabled, as well as 65 years and over, who intend to cast their vote tomorrow can be accommodated and can be seated,” he added. Mr Duncanson said once such people present themselves at polling sites, they will be escorted to designated waiting areas. Additionally, voters can expect more election signage. “We got feedback about the inadequate signage that would’ve taken place on the advanced poll day,” he added. “We intend to provide the signage that clearly indicates the constituency (and) the polling divisions that are located within those constituencies.” He also assured the public that ballots will be properly sealed and safely transported after concerns were raised about the issue during last week’s advanced poll. Asked if voting hours could be extended given the thousands of people expected to vote today in view of current health protocols, Mr Duncanson said it depends on several factors. He noted: “The way that the voting process would be extended is if there (is) some interruption with (the) process during the course of that day. If there’s an individual who happens to be on the line prior to the 6pm timeframe, those individuals will be permitted to vote if we go beyond that timeline if they are on the line up to the 6pm deadline. “Also, it depends on if
A VOTER placing her ballot at the CI Gibson Senior High School Polling Station in the advanced poll. Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff there is a disruption, inter- Greenslade said. ruption during the course However, ACP of the day. Such things Greenslade could not say would put us in the position if the curfew also will be to make a determination enforced. along those lines,” Mr Dun“That’s the question that canson added. we’ll have to answer a little This comes as the country bit later but like I said, our battles its third wave of the primary focus is on secucoronavirus. rity and safety,” he replied Although health officials when asked about the issue. have reported a “notable Meanwhile, RBDF decrease” in new infections Senior Commander Frein recent weeks, hospitalisa- drick Brown added: “We’re tion rates still remain high. working closely in conjuncYesterday, Senior Assis- tion with the police force in tant Commissioner of all of the matters that was Police Ashton Greenslade said previously by (ACP) warned that COVID-19 Greenslade. Notwithstandprotocols will be strictly ing, the overriding theme enforced and encouraged being polling station integthe public to adhere to all rity, we’re also involved in health and safety protocols. the protection of our critiHe said some 700 police cal installation… so persons officers will be working at are in those areas instalpolling sites, assisted by lations such as water and COVID-19 ambassadors sewerage, BPL, BTC, ZNS and members of the Royal and we’re offering some Bahamas Defence Force. further assistance even to We’ll be on the lookout PMH toward those ends.” for any breach of the law For his part, National and where we find it hap- Security Minister Marvin pening, we’ll take action. Dames said he is pleased We have our police sta- with the changes that have tions on the site where we been made to ensure a “safe have a police diary and we and fair election” and feels have sufficient officers to confident that today’s prodeal with any breach,” ACP cess will be a smooth one.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, September 16, 2021, PAGE 3
PLP leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis and FNM leader Dr Hubert Minnis making their final push for votes last night.
One last call
DAVIS SLAMS LATE PROMISES MINNIS: I WILL PROTECT YOU By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net IN a final push to garner support, Philip “Brave” Davis sold himself as a formidable leader in stark contrast to an “out of his depth” Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis whose last four years in office were marked by “a poverty of vision”. As he lambasted Dr Minnis last night during a virtual rally, the Progressive Liberal Party leader zeroed in on the Killarney incumbent’s political strategy in recent weeks of “shouting last minute promises” from rally stages. He said if reelected, a Free National Movement government had no intention of keeping them. He further criticised Dr Minnis’ refusal to debate him on national issues, suggesting he was not surprised by this. For his part, PLP Deputy Leader Chester Cooper painted the FNM as a scandal tainted party, out of touch with Bahamians. He said Dr Minnis was also a man who did not stick to his word. In addition, he said the Minnis administration’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic showed a lack of care for Bahamians. “I wish Minnis had been willing to debate me on important issues like the virus and the economy and education,” Mr Davis told viewers last night. “But he spent the campaign runnin’ from me, just like he runs away from reporters and their questions, just like he runs away from our toughest problems. “How can you ask people for their support if you’re always running away? The truth is, he’s out of his depth. The job is too hard for him. I’d feel sorry for him, but he’s done too much damage to our country for
me to feel pity. “Now he’s shouting lastminute promises from a rally stage, but he didn’t keep the last set of promises he made to you, and he has no intention of keeping these, either. Last-minute promises aren’t the same thing as a strategic plan. If he had a real vision for the country, he would have shared it, instead of calling my name all day.” Mr Davis continued: “That’s the biggest tragedy of this government: a lack of vision, a poverty of ambition. They don’t have the imagination or courage or competence to create transformational change in our country. They only reach for boldness when they’re enriching their inner circle. But our problems are too big to think small. “We’ve been sharing our economic plan with you since March. It’s part of our comprehensive Blueprint for Change, which our candidates have been sharing with you in your communities. It’s a bold vision for a more dynamic, more inclusive, more resilient economy.” The Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador incumbent went on to express hope that the majority of Bahamians would vote for the PLP, saying to stay home or vote for independents was a vote for the FNM. “I hope you’ll support us tomorrow,” he said. “Thursday the 16th, and then starting on Friday, the 17th, I hope you’ll partner with us to start turning that vision and plan into a reality. “If you’re registered to vote tomorrow, please vote. You have your country’s future in your hands. “If you stay home, or if you vote third party, it’s the same thing as voting for five more years of what we have now. And we can’t afford five more years of blunders
and missteps and crisis. We can’t afford five more years of waiting to solve our toughest problems.” In his virtual rally speech, Mr Cooper said a vote for the PLP would usher in greater equality and prosperity. He said: “We can continue to wander aimlessly under the visionless, inept, scandalised Free National Movement, or we can usher in greater transparency, equality and prosperity with the PLP. “We can ensure that The Bahamas is a place that works for all Bahamian – rich, poor and in between – or we can continue to let FNM friends, family and lovers hoard the wealth while the average man and the middle class suffer. “You know, at this point Minnis has shown us who he is,” Mr Cooper also said. “You should believe him. He’s the man who sat next to Peter Krieger as he signed the fake signature on the shady Oban deal. “He knew what was happening and he sat there - dry eye. That was all a flam. “This is a man who will say anything. He publicly opposed value added tax then brought about the largest tax hike in Bahamian history. “He marched against Resolve, but now I hear FNMs are purchasing property through Resolve at discounted rates. “He marched against the ‘Spy Bill’ too. Then he passed an even more intrusive bill when he became prime minister. He promised a green city for the people of Ragged Island after Hurricane Irma four years ago. “Still no working solar array, not connected to (a) grid. As I have cried in Parliament many times before, still no school, no police station, no nurse, no administration building.”
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis encouraged Bahamians to validate his party’s performance in office and return him to power with a vote for the Free National Movement during yesterday’s final rally of the election campaign season. He hit familiar themes during his speech, characterising the Progressive Liberal Party as corrupt and greedy while touting the FNM’s successes as several hundred people faithfully watched and cheered him on at the former Carnival Grounds near the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre. Dr Minnis has a wellknown history of defying the expectations of his critics and opponents who underestimate him, and he hopes that Bahamians will see him today as a steady hand who steered the country through an unprecedented crisis even as health and economic challenges have continued to mount. After taking the gamble of calling an early election, he is aiming to be the first leader in 24 years to lead an incumbent party to re-election. In the absence of reliable scientific polls, pundits largely expect today’s election to be a close one, with undecided voters expected to play an outsized role in the result. “Most of my life has not been in the political arena, though I respect those who have served in politics and public life,” Dr Minnis
WHATEVER YOU DO - VOTE from page one
Mr Mitchell added: “As we look to the general elections, let us go out, be peaceful and mark the ballot for the PLP. I congratulate our leader, Philip ‘Brave’ Davis on a well-run campaign. It is clear that Dr Hubert Minnis must go. We simply cannot afford another five years of this FNM administration. Minnis must go.” Mr Mitchell, the PLP’s candidate for Fox Hill, addressed the concerns of many who are afraid to go out to the polls in the middle of the raging COVID-19 pandemic. He assured them the atmosphere will be safe. “There are some people who are concerned about the safety of the polling place insofar as COVID is concerned,” he continued. “Please be assured that the proper protocols are in place. In particular, you have to wear your mask, you have to sanitise your hands and your thumb before voting. You cannot put your thumb in the ink unless you have sanitised your hands. We’ve tried to make this as easy and as painless as possible. “So as we look to the general election, as we ask you to vote for the Progressive Liberal Party, please go out and do your civic duty and then return to your home to await the result. God’s willing, the results will
VOTER CARD RULES
THE Office of the Attorney General has advised that in accordance with the Parliamentary Elections Act, a person’s voter number is written on the counterfoil of their voter’s card by a presiding officer and not on the back of the ballot issued to the voter. “No writing which might identify any voter is placed on the ballot by any official overseeing the conduct of the voting,” a statement from the AG’s Office said yesterday.
be in favour of the Progressive Liberal Party.” Confident of his party’s victory at the polls, Mr Culmer had the same message to his party’s supporters, saying: “I would say to FNM voters, the voting environment is safe. Go out and vote. This is a critical time in our nation’s history. We have to choose between a party that has done much for you in these critical times and a party who just wants to get back in power. “This is not the time to stay home and hope that we win. Every FNM should participate to secure this victory and make sure that we keep ‘Brave’ Davis and the PLP out of running this country. ‘Brave’ Davis and the PLP are desperate. Go out and
vote and do not get caught up with the PLP and their tactics.” Asked why people should vote FNM, Mr Culmer reminded the public of what he feels his party did to earn their votes. “We have kept Bahamians safe through the pandemic,” he said. “We have had challenges with hurricanes Irma and Dorian, but this administration was able to keep Bahamians living above the poverty line during these critical and crucial times. “We have kept investors confident – that is local and foreign investors. When you look at the tourist industry, we have brought the tourists back to this country. “We have catered to our youth and have made lots of educational opportunities available for them whether it is pre-school, primary school, high school and also through college. We’ve given them opportunities to not only own their businesses, but also to have their own homes. This government working under adverse conditions has done a marvellous job in the management of the affairs of this country.” Asked if returned to office what would be the first thing his party would address, Mr Culmer said healthcare facilities, economic opportunities and continuing to educate the population.
said. “Most of my life has been as a medical doctor, delivering babies and protecting women’s health. During COVID, my training and experience as a doctor and surgeon were very important in helping me to make the tough decisions about protecting and saving lives and livelihoods. “I pledge to you tonight that if you re-elect the FNM, I will continue to work day and night to protect you and your families. I ask for your votes and for your support to move our country forward to a better future.” Dr Minnis has sprinkled policy pledges throughout his speeches during the FNM’s brisk rally schedule this season, and he continued with that trend last night. He said if elected, more communities will benefit from tax exemptions. “A new FNM government will expand the Economic Empowerment Zone to include Englerston, St Barnabas, parts of Fox Hill, parts of Kemp Road, and Gambier,” he said.
“The Economic Empowerment Zone Act provides exemptions from customs duties on commercial vehicles, building materials for buildings and homes, as well as real property tax exemption. To date, $4.2 million worth of concessions have been provided in the Over-the-Hill Economic Empowerment Zone.” For months, Dr Minnis has been buoyed by polls showing he has higher approval ratings than PLP Leader Philip “Brave” Davis. The FNM has put the contrast between the two men at the centre of its campaign. “You cannot trust ‘Brave’ Davis and the PLP with your future,” Dr Minnis said three times last night. “Because you cannot trust ‘Brave’ Davis and the PLP with your future, I am asking you to vote FNM!” FNM rally photos: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff
PAGE 4, Thursday, September 16, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
Nurse union leader: ‘Vote your interest’ By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
BAHAMAS Nurses Union president Amancha Williams.
TWO MORE COVID DEATHS CONFIRMED THE Ministry of Health recorded 105 new COVID19 cases and two additional deaths on Tuesday. The country now has 19,795 confirmed cases of the virus. Of this figure, 1,704 cases are active. In its September 14 dashboard, the Ministry of
Health noted the COVID19 death count has increased to 469. The two latest deceased victims are a 20-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman. Both victims are from New Providence and died on Tuesday. Twenty-nine other deaths are under
investigation. The data also shows that hospital numbers have declined. At last report, 169 people were in hospital; 22 of whom are in the intensive care unit. A day earlier, officials said 182 people were in the hospital with the virus.
BAHAMAS Nurses Union president Amancha Williams urged public nurses across the country to “vote your interest” today, noting the hardship faced by the frontline healthcare workers over the last four years. “What we’ve been through in the past four years we didn’t have to go through,” Ms Williams said. Several nurses have died as a result of COVID-19, adding to the BNU president’s overall disdain about how the pandemic was handled. She said for her a defining factor for her vote was Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ decision to appoint Renward Wells minister of health following Dr Duane Sands’ resignation from the post. Mr Wells was not known to have any previous medical background and is an engineer. “We don’t want to go through that poor management again. For me I have nothing against Renward
Wells, but I really would never want a prime minister to make a decision when you have so many nurses and doctors educated, and we been saying it all along. “To put an engineer or to put somebody who knows how to fix cars to run the healthcare service. That is the difference for me.” She continued: “I realise what happened, but we can’t go back there because too many lives were lost but because you know because of ignorance, that’s ignorance and lack of knowledge. “So, I am saying to the people of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas please vote your interest and be directed by the most high.” Dr Minnis accepted Dr Sands’ resignation in May 2020 allegedly for his actions related to six permanent residents who landed in the country with COVID-19 testing supplies and were allowed to quarantine at home before they produced a negative COVID-19 test result. Some Bahamians were initially angry over the
episode because hundreds who wanted to return to the country had been stuck abroad amid the first wave of virus cases. Dr Minnis said protocol was breached during the episode. Mr Wells, who has no medical background, was sworn in shortly after. Dr Minnis defended this decision by describing Mr Wells as a “doer who knows how to get things done”. “While the medical officials continue to lead the charge in the battle against COVID-19, I have instructed Minister Wells to move aggressively to upgrade our health care infrastructure,” he announced last year. “He is also charged with working with public health officials on boosting immunisations and vaccinations for various childhood diseases, some of which have lagged during the COVID-19 pandemic. He will also work with public health officials to improve our readiness for a variety of public health threats, including potential pandemics.”
A PRAYER circle held by PLP candidate Zane Lightbourne and other PLP supporters after a man was stabbed to death outside the party’s Yamacraw HQ. Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff
DISPUTE OVER SOCIAL MEDIA RESPONSE TO FATAL STABBING By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
AFTER a fatal stabbing of a Progressive Liberal Party campaign worker, Free National Movement chairman Carl Culmer called out “PLP social media trolls” for alleging an FNM supporter was involved. On Tuesday, police said a man was found dead outside the PLP’s Yamacraw constituency office with apparent stab wounds.
Zane Lightbourne, the PLP’s Yamacraw candidate, did not want to disclose the deceased’s name publicly at the time, but revealed that he was a campaign worker. However, sources told The Tribune the victim was Kendrick Cambridge. In a statement, Mr Culmer said the FNM was “deeply saddened” and “shocked” by the news of the incident. “We are even more saddened and appalled that PLP social media trolls... would once again post lies,
saying an FNM supporter was involved. This type of gutter gossip and lies has no place in our society. It is wrong to use the death of a young Bahamian to gain political points and condemn those that do.” He was referring to a post on a Facebook page that alleged that an FNM supporter stabbed Cambridge. “The Free National Movement is a party of peace and does not believe that violence is the answer. The FNM sends its condolences to the family of the young man that died and pray we continue our tradition of (violence) free elections,” Mr Culmer said. Under one of the Facebook posts in question, a man who identified himself as Cambridge’s father called the accusation of an FNM supporter killing his son “a big lie”. “You are saying that an FNM supporter killed my son but that’s a big lie and I wish you stop that immediately,” the man wrote. “I was there when the police took the suspect into custody and the suspect was dressed in (a) PLP shirt and my son died in a PLP shirt. Both were campaigning for the PLP. So please correct that. I repeat both he and the suspect was dressed in PLP clothes. Don’t (use) my son to win votes please.” At the scene, Assistant Superintendent Audley Peters told reporters it appeared that an argument led to the stabbing. “From what we understand, both persons are known to each other. They’ve been known to each other for some time,” he said on Tuesday.
THE TRIBUNE
DNA announces platform on election eve By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net
national campaign to promote the conservation of energy within our nation. Affordable and reliable electricity will no longer THE Democratic be a luxury reserved for National Alliance released the wealthy. The DNA will its election platform yesterfinally fix our energy crisis.” day, with energy reform a Turning its attention major plank of its plan for to the vexing problem of governance. Regarding energy reform, crime in the country, the the DNA’s plan said, “Year DNA says that its approach after year Bahamians dread will be to fund programmes the summer months and that influence the youth of the heat from high tem- the nation. “Crime is not political,” peratures felt as a result of blackouts, load shedding the plan said. “It is the end and power outages. Despite result of social, economic investing hundreds of mil- and moral degradation in our nation. lions of dollars Crime knows no in the purchase ‘Crime is not colours, gender, of generators political. It is status or race. and experiencCriminal activthe end result of ing increasing light bills, we social, economic ity affects us all and we must all find ourselves and moral work together sweating every to address this degradation summer. This menace to our needs to stop. in our nation. “We will Crime knows no society. “A DNA embark government will colours, gender, on a major go to the root solarisation status or race. of the problem. programme Criminal activity We will double and provide our efforts to tax incentives affects us all at-risk for the pur- and we must all assist youth and chase of solar work together provide parpanels and enting classes batteries. Our to address this to enhance the solarisation menace to family structure programme our society.’ in our nation. will be done “We will in a phased increase fundapproach, island by island over a 10-15 year period. ing to programmes which New construction of gov- positively influence our people. “Proernment buildings and young investment projects in The grammes such as the Boy’s Bahamas will be required Brigade, Girl Guides, Boys to incorporate alternative and Girls Scouts, Red energy sources into their Cross, Rangers and Cadets will benefit from increased projects.” The third party, should it support from a DNA be elected to office, prom- government.” The economy is another ises to fix what it called an area the DNA says needs energy crisis. “High energy costs are reform. “Our plan for ecohaving a negative impact nomic reform will focus on individuals, families and businesses,” the DNA plan on five main areas. Fiscal continued. “We commit to policy, monetary policy, ownership, ecoreducing the cost of energy land nomic diversification and while embarking on a
modernisation,” the DNA said. As far as education is concerned, the party has dispelled that The Bahamas is a D-average nation and has promised to fix the ills of the education system. “We are not a D-average nation,” the DNA said. “Our children are victims of an education system that boxes them in regardless of their talents and inclinations. They are stuck in a national education curriculum which does not adequately prepare them for the workforce. “The DNA’s education platform will ensure that no child is left behind. Every child will leave the education system literate and numerate. (We will) focus on academics, athletics, arts, agriculture, charter, chess, technology, technical training, entrepreneurship, swimming and special needs.” In terms of plans for entrepreneurs, the DNA said they will have complimentary land reform and bank loan rates for entrepreneurs. “Today our entrepreneurs and business owners are challenged with a lack of access to land, high operating costs, expensive and unreliable electricity, inadequate technology infrastructure, high interest rates for business loans and the absence of much needed technical support,” DNA said. “Your DNA government will make land more accessible with our land reform agenda. We will create a land bureau and zone Crown land for commercial, residential, agricultural and industrial purposes. These will be made available to aspiring and current business owners. “We will make a recommendation to the Central Bank to reduce the discount rate and ensure that
FNM SUPPORTERS IN FINAL RALLY
FNM supporters staged a motorcade and rally yesterday on the eve of election day. Photos: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff
Thursday, September 16, 2021, PAGE 5 A DNA supporter on advanced poll day. Photo: Donovan McIntosh/ Tribune Staff
PAGE 6, Thursday, September 16, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
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Election Day has come, and it’s time to choose THE time has come, Bahamas. Today, we make a choice. It is a difficult choice, but it is one which will guide the years ahead in our country. At the end of the vote, we will see either Dr Hubert Minnis continue as Prime Minister, or Philip “Brave” Davis take up the mantle. There are of course other parties on the ballot, but realistically it will come down to either the FNM or the PLP to form the next government. Both parties come loaded with problems. We would be wrong not to ignore that. For the FNM, the party failed to fulfil promises it made ahead of the last election – most notably on issues such as campaign reforms, term limits and fixed dates for elections. It had a huge majority in Parliament, and yet it failed to hit its targets. For those who went through the horrors of Hurricane Dorian, many feel they were left to fend for themselves, and have struggled to get enough support in the aftermath. Even Dr Minnis this week acknowledged that the government fell short. Then there is the failure to complete the sale of the Grand Lucayan, or the farce that was the Oban Energies deal with seemingly little to no due diligence carried out. At the courts, the government has suffered a host of defeats, with PLP politicians walking free after being accused of corruption, and Attorney General Carl Bethel hardly seeming able to find a win while facing a number of immigration cases. That’s the scorecard for the government in power – now what about those who would seek to replace them? This is no new PLP, this is a party filled with the same faces that were unceremoniously thrown from power in the last election in a landslide that left them clinging to just a few seats in the House, and just one seat in the whole of New Providence. Mr Davis was the Deputy Prime Minister for that party’s previous term in office, the party chairman, Fred Mitchell, was the Foreign Secretary. Neither has significantly attempted to distance themselves from the administration led by former Prime Minister Perry Christie, who himself has praised the campaign of Mr Davis, saying he would “be in the process of recognising that Brave Davis is the next Prime
Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.” So if you voted out the old PLP, this is largely the same party, complete with the seal of approval of its former leader. It was an administration that faced scandals, a failed referendum, the Rubis gas leak saga and more. It’s also a party whose ghosts may soon return to haunt it – with a highprofile court case, that of Peter Nygard, moving ever closer. All manner of allegations surrounding that case will be heard in open court if that proceeds as expected, and a new government may have to give answers to some very uncomfortable claims. We cannot pretend we do not know what each of these parties bring to the table – we have seen it all before. Then there are the issues that we know the winner of this vote will have to face. On one hand, there is the prospect of tax changes. Mr Davis stirred up the waters this week, suggesting that Dr Minnis will raise taxes if re-elected, but frankly Mr Davis hasn’t looked like offering a convincing solution to a soaring deficit, a massive debt and a tourism market that hasn’t returned in full force yet. Taxes will be an issue for whichever party wins, and to point the finger and pretend it won’t be an issue for you is disingenuous at best. And then there is the biggest problem for any incoming government – the ongoing battle against COVID. We know the FNM solution, we have been living through it. At every turn, the PLP has criticised the restrictions imposed by the FNM, while touting free testing as its main weapon in the fight. Which party will contain the virus best? Who will stop the spread, and who will convince people to get vaccinated, which is the key to stopping the deaths, and minimising the infection? Is a strict lockdown the way forward, or a more open approach? These are the choices we face when we mark our X today. So consider carefully. In politics, we often hope perhaps for the perfect leader, but seldom is that who we get to vote for. Today we must choose the best option, or if you’re feeling particularly frustrated, the least worst option. But it does matter. So use your vote. And pick the path we will take.
Vaccine is the way to beat this EDITOR, The Tribune. How many more indeed. Lovely article. Lovely poem by Dr Bartlett. Grateful for his survival and his new message. At this point it’s just unnecessary death. Deaths that are avoidable. But I fear it will get worse, especially after the election fanfare. This one will be on the hands of our leaders, sadly. Those who know better but rather sacrifice lives for political gain.
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net We can’t continue like this as a nation. How much longer can the hospitals sustain the overload? Physicians are reduced to robots with dying batteries. Overworked and numbed by the continuous loss of patients, family members, and colleagues. I think the numbness is welcomed at this time. It’s the only way you get out of
bed to return to repeat the cycle again. The cycle that you know is breakable by the simple decision to be vaccinated. We have the answer to this dilemma. Perfect, no. Nothing in this world is. But it will give you, your family, the upper hand on this virus. It will save your lives. Yet we choose ignorance and conspiracy theories over life. A PMH DOCTOR Nassau, September 14, 2021.
Readers have say on vote AS ELECTION Day arrives, readers on www. tribune242.com have been having their say on issues in the final days before the vote. After PLP leader Phillip “Brave” Davis said that Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis would raise taxes if he was voted back in, Bahamianson noted: “And you wont raise taxes? Is that what you are saying? You were the one to put VAT in place.” Joeblow added: “What does it say about us as a people when the only two choices we have to lead this country is Tweedle Dee or Tweedle Dum?” Whogothere said: “The money has to come from somewhere...and raising the minimum wage a Dolla ain’t going to cut it..I’m not fan of tax increases but let’s be real the 20+ years have be full of just complete and utter stupidity from both parties that have taken our relatively new nation and bankrupted it like drunk gambling addicted parent
that leaves their child to mop the vomit and accumulation of bad decisions and broken promises off the dirty floor of reality... someone has to pay these mistakes if it’s not our generation it’s the next.” After Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said that the government fell short after Hurricane Dorian, bcitizen said: “Fell backwards not short would be more appropriate.” Joeblow said: “‘We fell short’! People died, we lied and we have ignored you for one year, but I promise that if you vote for us and we win, we will borrow more money to make sure you are taken care of. I wonder how many dimwits will fall for that one!”
And after Mr Davis accused Dr Minnis of mishandling the pandemic, tellitlikeitis said: “Yes, it’s hard to say who is the better choice. I’m not a fan of the FNM or PLP. But in all honesty who is left? As I have stated before, Minnis needs to lose his seat even if the FNM wins. He needs a taste of humility!” Tigerb added: “No other PM has had a Dorian or Covid-19 pandemic on their resume.. check the records... so its easy to say what they would have done differently.. sensible people know that... come tomorrow if the PLP win, a lot of Dorian and Covid-19 issues are waiting... especially here in Grand Bahama and my home time in Abaco. They better be able to back up the talk...there will be no honeymoon after tomorrow, no matter who wins.” • Follow full Election Day coverage on www.tribune242.com with updates throughout the day - and in tomorrow’s Tribune.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, September 16, 2021, PAGE 7
A BODY is taken away after a suspected drowning yesterday.
Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff
27-year-old man drowns in canal By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net POLICE are investigating a suspected drowning in eastern New Providence. Assistant Superintendent of Police Audley Peters said sometime around noon, a resident reported to police that their family member had drowned in the canals of South Beach. He said officers immediately called the Royal Bahamas Defence Force for assistance and a search followed. “Along with the Defence Force’s assistance and the family member, the body was fished out of the canal and the persons were able to do CPR. However, that individual did not resuscitate,” ASP Peters told reporters at the scene. ASP Peters said the victim was a 27-year-old man and a resident of
Pinewood. He was later identified by family members as Roger Williams Jr, a father-of-one. Relatives declined to speak to the media. According to the police press liaison officer, the victim was a part of a group that went swimming in the area. “From all indications, it was a group who went swimming and the incident occurred when they found that their relative was not found and then someone went under and they brought him up and we have, hence a drowning,” ASP Peters said. “Apparently there were no injuries on the body. He was in a swimming attire.” ASP Peters said while police have classified the incident as a drowning, they will await an autopsy report to determine the exact cause of death. Yesterday, he also urged
Bahamians who are not strong swimmers to visit beaches for swimming purposes instead of canals. “We understand that in our local environment that the canal is a place where young men and sometimes family go to refresh during the summer months,” he said. “The canal is a place where it is not a terrain that has a graded downward spiral. You either jump right in and have to find a place to be able get up out of the water so we encourage individuals who want to do their swimming and (are) not strong swimmers to use the beaches rather than the canals, and if you choose to use canals that you would hopefully be a strong swimmer to swim along with individuals who can assist you if something happens.” An investigation is continuing.
MAN CHANGES PLEA OVER GUN AND DRUGS By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net A GRAND Bahama man was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to a number of serious offences, including possession of a firearm, ammunition and dangerous drugs in Freeport this week. Walton Wright and Kathleen Pinder reappeared before Magistrate LaQuay Laing yesterday. They were both initially charged with possession
of an unlicensed firearm, possession of ammunition, possession of dangerous drugs and possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply. However, Wright elected to change his not guilty pleas to guilty on all four counts. On January 6, officers executed a search warrant at a residence on Jobson Avenue where they discovered firearms and drugs and arrested the pair. Magistrate Laing sentenced Wright to three
years on the firearm charge. On count two, possession of ammunition, Wright was sentenced to two years; on count three, possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply, he was sentenced to two years. And on count four, possession of dangerous drugs, Wright was sentenced to nine months. The sentences are to run concurrently. Prosecutor Sergeant 2631 Calsey Arthur withdrew the charges against Kathleen Pinder, who was discharged.
FAKE COVID TEST ACCUSATION FOR SUSPECT By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A MAN is on trial for attempting to use a fraudulent COVID-19 test to travel earlier this year. Joseph Wallace Whitfield denied possessing and uttering a forged document. Prosecutors alleged Whitfield presented a fake Doctors Hospital health system negative COVID-19 RT PCR test to a COVID ambassador at Lynden Pindling International Airport in March. Harriet Lundy-Gardiner, the hospital’s director of laboratory services, said yesterday when the documents were run through the hospital’s management system, it was revealed the accused did not get his test from the medical facility. The officer who interviewed Whitfield when he was taken into custody said that Whitfield told police he got the document from Doctors Hospital for $140. She also said his phone was sent to the Criminal Investigation Department for the electronic test to be extracted. She said during the procedure, it was
revealed Whitfield received the fake test from a contact
on WhatsApp. The case continues on November 19.
PAGE 8, Thursday, September 16, 2021
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MAN ACCUSED OF DEFAMING GIBSON MAY HAVE CASE DROPPED By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A MAN accused of defaming Water and Sewerage Corporation executive chairman Adrian Gibson could have his case thrown out if the prosecution fails to get their witnesses to attend court. In January, Gregory Miller was charged with attempted intentional libel and intentional libel after prosecutors alleged he transferred $200 to Mr Gibson’s Royal Bank of Canada account in an attempt to defame him in December 2018. Miller was further accused of causing the publication of defamatory matter concerning Mr Gibson on a Jones Company Television programme in June 2019.
Mr Gibson and Deputy Prime Minister Desmond Bannister are listed as the first two witnesses on the court docket. At the time of his arraignment, Miller denied the allegations and the matter was adjourned to July 6 for trial. However, when the matter was called on that date, none of the prosecution’s witnesses were present. It was further adjourned to yesterday, but the Crown’s witnesses were once again a no show. As a result, Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt said she would grant Miller a final adjournment. This means that if the prosecution’s witnesses fail to appear on November 1, the matter will be dismissed.
WATER and Sewerage Corporation executive chairman Adrian Gibson.
25-year sentence upheld for robber of married couple By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net THE Court of Appeal has affirmed the 25-year sentence of a man who was convicted of robbing a married couple armed with a handgun six years ago. In 2015, Paul Bellizar was charged with the murders of Barry and Sheena Johnson of Grand Bahama as well as the armed robbery of Mr Johnson, which occurred in September of that year. At the time, he launched an interlocutory appeal to the Court
of Appeal challenging the voluntary bill of indictment (VBI) during the course of the trial. However, his appeal was not heard before the trial ended. In May 2018, Bellizar was found guilty of armed robbery and sentenced to 25 years imprisonment. He then applied to the court to appeal his conviction and sentence, but failed to do so within the required time frame. Six months later, he filed a notice for an application for an extension of time within which to appeal. After reserving their decision, Justices Jon Isaacs, Maureen Crane-Scott and Milton Evans
dismissed Bellizar’s appeal on the judge’s interlocutory decision and affirmed the conviction and sentence handed down to him after he was found guilty of armed robbery. They did this after ruling that there was no merit in Bellizar’s proposed challenge. “No fault can be found with the judge’s determination that ‘a substantially true case has been made out on the statements filed with the VBI,” Justice Isaacs noted. “There is great doubt that a court in which a trial has commenced can entertain an application to quash a VBI on the basis of insufficiency of evidence.
It is in only the rarest of cases should a trial judge embark upon an inquiry into the sufficiency of evidence even before a trial starts, where the originating process to have the person before the court is a VBI; and even then, the application should be made by a properly constituted motion well in advance of the trial date, certainly not after the jury has been empanelled and the defendant placed into their charge.” He also said: “There is no merit in the intended appellant’s proposed challenge that no true case is disclosed on the papers forming the voluntary bill. The
CPC states that the intended respondent is merely to be satisfied that ‘the case disclosed by the statements is, to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, substantially a true case.’ It may be seen, therefore, that once there is some evidence in the witness statements and/or confession statements placed before the intended respondent which purports to show that an accused person is involved in the commission of an indictable offence, the intended appellant cannot be faulted if he was to execute and file a statement pursuant to section 258(2)(b) of the CPC.”
$1K FINE FOR MAN WHO TRIED TO HIDE STASH
By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
A 27-YEAR-OLD man who tried to hide his stash
of marijuana when officers visited his home to search it was yesterday fined $1,000. Police arrested Obinson Clesidor after they found 11.58 ounces of Indian
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hemp on him on September 10. The prosecution said that day, officers, acting on information, went to a home off John Road. When they arrived, they noticed Clesidor, who appeared to look in their direction before throwing a box over a fence. The court was told that officers pursued the accused before retrieving the box. When they examined its contents, they found a clear plastic bag with several marijuana foil wraps. A further search of Clesidor’s pants pocket led to the discovery of an additional silver foil wrap with marijuana. He was subsequently arrested and charged. When he was questioned in custody, he admitted ownership of the drugs. When Clesidor appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney, he also pleaded guilty to one count of simple possession. As a result, he was fined $1,000 or nine months in prison.
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Thursday, September 16, 2021, PAGE 9
Early sign Democrats may be safe in the mid-terms THERE was a lot of political news in the US on Tuesday. Pundits and commentators from both the left and the right had plenty to talk about. The big question is whether any of the news was really significant. It might be. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom easily fended off an attempt to force him from office led by political opponents who were trying to take a page from the Donald Trump playbook to unseat the Governor. The Republicans and even an opportunistic Democratic in California doubtless recalled the events of 2003, when a bland and ironically well-named governor named Gray Davis was recalled and replaced by superstar actor, naturalized American weightlifter, Kennedy family in-law and Republican moderate Arnold Schwarzenegger. In those days, 18 years ago, California was beset by power brownouts, blackouts and a sense that Davis was basically a feckless barnacle on the sturdy hull of once and future Governor Jerry Brown, a truly legendary Golden State politician. These are different times now, and Tuesday’s results give renewed hope to Americans who hope the destructive influence of the shameful forces unleashed by the presidency of Donald Trump can be comprehensively and quickly minimised or erased. While lots of candidates vied to replace Newsom in this week’s California election under the state’s peculiar recall rules, a black conservative radio host with no prior political experience became the leading choice to replace the Governor. Larry Elder has been a fixture in the Southern California media scene for 30 years, and his name recognition, often hard-right
STATESIDE
with Charlie Harper
political views and sheer durability, enabled him to vault to the forefront of the recall effort. Elder and several other contenders tried to essentially blame Newsom for COVID-19, devastating wildfires and anything else that has recently beset America’s most populous state. Eschewing facts with a facility resembling that of master prevaricator Trump, Elder got a lot of publicity. But neither he nor anyone else got nearly enough votes to seriously threaten Newsom’s tenure in the state house, though both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris took time to hold pre-election rallies with Newsom to make sure his victory was impressive. And it was. Early results showed voters opposed Newsom’s recall by a whopping 64 percent, with only the state’s agricultural central valley and northern woods supporting the recall effort. Kern County, home to country music mecca Bakersfield and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, favoured the recall by nearly 60 percent. And the state’s rural far north, home to the mighty Redwood trees but few people and far more similar to Eastern Oregon than to the metropolises around San Francisco Bay and the Los Angeles basin, also voted to oust Newsom. Those voters are the heart of the Republican base. But they aren’t sufficiently numerous in California to tip any statewide election without help from Democrats and Independents – just like rural denizens in states like Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois
and Michigan, or Georgia and North Carolina for that matter, aren’t by themselves strong enough, either. And the recall effort also foundered in California’s true swing district – the often-conservative coastal sectors south of Los Angeles and including San Diego. A lot has changed in that beautiful but crowded part of the state. While Orange and San Diego counties were once hotly contested and often quite Republican (and home to Richard Nixon’s congressional district), this is no longer reliably true. These two, the state’s second and third-largest most populous counties, have changed to at least purple. George W Bush carried San Diego County by a narrow but decisive margin in 2000, for instance. Joe Biden crushed Trump by 23 points there last year. And Bush won Orange County by 15 points in 2000. Biden cruised by nine points in 2020. While the Democrats are hyperbolically celebrating Newsom’s survival and touting it as evidence that they won’t suffer significant electoral setbacks next November like they did in 2010, this election was indeed a good sign for them. It’s true that, as a state Republican strategist told reporters: “When you have the near-perfect caricature of a Make America Great Again candidate like Larry Elder, well, you can turn your voters out.” Even Davis, the recalled former California Governor, said the following of Elder: “He was a gift from God. He conducted his entire campaign as if the
Chiefs chair and House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi as Trump melted down after his November 2020 electoral defeat. “What I’m saying to you is that if the Republicans in Congress couldn’t even stop him from an assault on the Capitol, who even knows what else he may do?” Pelosi asked. “And is there anybody in charge at the White House who was doing anything but kissing his fat butt all over this? You know he’s crazy. He’s been crazy for a long time.” According to Woodward and Costa, Milley replied: “Madam Speaker, I agree with you on everything.” It apparently wasn’t just America’s top military official who feared Trump would stop at nothing to remain in power. When Trump petulantly responded to his electoral defeat in November 2020, CIA Director Gina
Haspel reportedly warned Milley: “We are on the way to a right-wing coup. The whole thing is insanity. He is acting out like a six-yearold with a tantrum.” Haspel also reportedly worried that Trump would start a war with Iran to justify remaining in the Oval Office. Even Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a Trump sycophant from the earliest days of his administration, reportedly told Milley the President was “in a very dark place” after his defeat at the polls. Further details will doubtless be teased out from “Peril” by its ambitious publishers in coming days. Few if any will flatter Trump. And the longer he lingers in public disgrace - and his acolytes fumble public health policy - the greater are Democratic chances in next November’s election.
‘YOU KNOW HE’S CRAZY, GENERAL?’ THREATENING to push California recall politics off America’s front pages this week was the latest bombshell from Washington Post writers Bob Woodward and Robert Costa. The reporters’ new book – supposedly available in South Florida book shops in less than a week – is called “Peril” and chronicles Trump’s frantic last days in office and the concerns about him from top officials in the American national security apparatus. Garnering the most early headlines is Army fourstar General Mark Milley, who for the past two years has been serving as the top military official in the US – Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Pentagon. Milley, a Princeton and Columbia graduate with a further credential from MIT, was previously best known as the unwitting and, by his account, unwilling prop for Trump at St. John’s Church in Washington, DC. In one of the most reprehensible moments of his presidency, Trump led a photo-op group from the White House in January of last year across a square to St John’s Church, which had been damaged during protests sparked by the death by police of George Floyd eight months earlier. The group included Milley, dressed in military fatigues. “My presence in that moment and in that environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics,” the Army General said later. “As a commissioned uniformed officer, it was a mistake that I have learned from, and I sincerely hope we all can learn from it.” Maybe his remorse over misplaced fealty to a corrupt President led Milley to speak openly about confidential matters to Woodward and Costa, who reported the following conversation between the Joint
CALIFORNIA Gov Gavin Newsom speaks to the press yesterday. Photo: Nick Otto/AP electorate was conservative Republicans.” But it’s also true the California vote gave credence to the notion that the recalcitrant, foolish resistance
of Republican Governors like those in Florida and Texas to COVID vaccines and sensible public health measures such as masking are losing favour with
a majority of American voters, even in typically conservative areas. If next year’s elections will be contested essentially on the basis of the public reaction to the two main parties’ approaches to the pandemic, things don’t look very good for the Republicans. And if Trump, still influential despite his Palm Beach exile from national politics, continues to prioritise loyalty to him over such alternative considerations as general electability in selecting those whose candidacies he will anoint with his endorsement, that’s more good news for the Democrats.
PAGE 10, Thursday, September 16, 2021
DURING the general election season and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic the virtue and value of “hope” has often been bandied about as a sort of magical thinking or a bottled elixir than can be employed as an easy fix for difficult problems, whether personally or nationally. Hope is not a form of magic as in: “I hope to be spared from COVID-19 but I refuse to be vaccinated.” Or: “I hope that I’m spared from a hurricane, though I refuse to evacuate to safer ground.” Hope is a grace with which we must cooperate to experience the fullness of hope. Problems or difficulties do not vanish because we persist in some false notion of hope, which may simply be a form of frightened avoidance or mindless optimism. Authentic hope is about enduring and struggling through the storms of life, and not wish fulfilment to avoid the suffering and pain to which we are all heir. Hope is a form of steely courage. Those who have experienced the ravages of COVID-19 whether in their bodies or the experiences of family and friends better understand that hope involves spiritual struggle and mercy. Many of those who were not vaccinated and who contracted the virus and became gravely ill are now struggling with deep regret and sometimes paralyzing guilt about their decisions and about loved ones they put at risk, some of whom may have died. They are owed our mercy and love during their struggles and their long processes of healing as many of them seek to let down and dismantle their barriers of pride and let in the light of mercy and forgiveness, including forgiveness of self, which is a hard and difficult journey.
A part of their hope is our love and our support, not our judgment, despite our frustrations with their prior refusal or laxness in being vaccinated or not taking the pandemic more earnestly. A prominent Bahamian religious leader liked to say he was in the business of selling hope. For some, hope is a marketable service and bankable commodity. Quite often, hope is promoted as a gift dispensed by time-bound reverends, rather than as a gift grounded in an eternal source. Like commodity prices, the cost of hope can easily escalate. It seems that markets can be manipulated in both the material and the non-material realms.
FAITH
Spiritual hope is a genuine article of faith, suffused with healing wellsprings of renewal and restoration, replenishment and recovery, and redemption and release. Hope reminds us that: “There is a balm in Gilead. To make the wounded whole” and “To heal the sin sick soul.” But like counterfeit money and designer knockoffs, there is always a marketplace bustling with false hope and the illusion of hope masquerading as the genuine article. Just as bogus hope can be designed, marketed and sold, so too a related product line - fear. Mass advertising and mass hope/ fear-mongering often attempt to manipulate our individual anxieties, insecurities and inadequacies as well as our social fears and prejudices. Our desire for economic security is rewired as a spiritual materialism which suggests that God’s favour is often best manifested in the person who dies with the most toys, though as the witticism goes, there
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are no U-Hauls attached to a hearse on the way to the cemetery. Our desire for spiritual growth is often rewired as a spirituality more comfortable with theatrics, superficiality and material success. Likewise, our desire for order and certainty, in an uncertain world, often comes at the expense of those whom we conveniently blame for our own moral failings. For easy reference, the catalogue of fear is organized by broader categories such as Hysteria, Moral Panic, and Scapegoating et al. Listed under each section is a diet of poisonous options, such as xenophobia, homophobia, racism and a hornet’s nest of other us versus them targets. Asked his thoughts regarding Western Civilisation, Mohandas Gandhi retorted that it would be a good idea. A Bahamian Gandhi, asked for his or her thoughts about a Christian Bahamas, might reply similarly. For many of us, Christianity is an adornment, decoration or accessory: easily purchased and worn on our sleeves; exchangeable, depending on fashion and circumstance; or used like a superstition – as an amulet to ward off evil spirits or as a lottery ticket to gain material success. These brands of cheapened Christianity, fixated with heavenly revenue streams that flow from an ocean of blue marlins, promote saccharine, shallow and simplistic hope. They luxuriate in fear.
ENDURING
Hope, like love, cannot simply be a state of perpetual rapture. Rather, it is an enduring commitment to human and spiritual truths beyond our own personal desires, comfort zones, private rewards and self-help schemes.
A MORE AUTHENTIC UNDERSTANDING OF HOPE A more authentic version of hope is often found among those public sinners, courageous enough to enter ironically named Anonymous programmes dealing with alcohol, drugs, sex, food, gambling and a tribe of addictions. They know hope is not quick and easy, that genuine conversion begins with at least a dozen steps and that hope should not be confused with simplistic optimism or positive thinking. If it were only that easy. They have few illusions regarding how difficult it is to put down a crack pipe or stop reaching for that morning hit of rum to get the day going or to stop spinning numbers because of a gambling addiction. Those struggling know they may be only one drink, one hit, or onearmed bandit away from falling. This fosters a steely brand of hope that is not self-righteous or selfabsorbed or judgmental or sentimental. They know hope cannot be purchased with dollar bills or hackneyed clichés.
Everything doesn’t always happen for a reason. But amid even life’s most difficult challenges, God’s goodness and mercy breathe hope. Like individual journeys of hope and conversion, social transformation also requires the audacity of hope. But instead of the richness of hope upon which individual conversion and social justice are built, poor substitutes often stand in the gap.
PROSPERITY
One of these is what has often been called the Gospel of prosperity. In an inversion and subversion of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, an odd trinity of material success, fame and political power, has become synonymous with kingdom building. Do these temptations sound familiar? Here at home, if you fail to attend a recent seminar promoting wealth, you may have missed your chance to get on a yellow
brick road inlaid with bling-bling. Financial and economic stewardship and sharing in the world’s goods are things for which the Christian community must relentlessly advocate. Indeed this is a part of the work of social and economic justice. But Christian existence must be amphibious. It must be able to live in two worlds at once; never too other-worldly or too caught up in our limited days. Unfortunately, many people of the cloth, parading around in designer suits and ecclesiastical garb, are so busy dining at Pharaoh’s table and seeking handouts and appointments that they have lost their ability to offer the dynamism of genuine hope. Why do so many religious leaders seem more comfortable with Good Friday and intimidated by Easter Sunday? Next to Jesus at his crucifixion was Dismas, a condemned man, at the edge of his existence and tempted by despair. Even during one of the darkest moments in his, as well as in human history, Jesus supplanted fear with hope. He brought salvation to a criminal stripped of everything, including the worldly goods chased after by many, who often morph this spiritual path into a for-profit business of selling hope. As we continue to struggle through the pandemic, we need a more authentic understanding of genuine hope, the grace of which will be needed as much as treatments and therapeutics for long-term COVID, which will affect many of us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually for some time to come.
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Biles: FBI turned blind eye to abuse WASHINGTON Associated Press
OLYMPIC gold medalist Simone Biles told Congress in forceful testimony yesterday that federal law enforcement and gymnastics officials turned a “blind eye” to USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse of her and hundreds of other women. Biles told the Senate Judiciary Committee that “enough is enough” as she and three other US gymnasts spoke in stark emotional terms about the lasting toll Nassar’s crimes have taken on their lives. In response, FBI Director Christopher Wray said he was “deeply and profoundly sorry” for delays in Nassar’s prosecution and the pain it caused. The four-time Olympic gold medalist and five-time world champion — widely considered to be the greatest gymnast of all time — said she “can imagine no place that I would be less comfortable right now than sitting here in front of you”. She declared herself a survivor of sexual abuse. “I blame Larry Nassar and I also blame an entire system that enabled and perpetrated his abuse,” Biles said through tears. In addition to failures of the FBI, she said USA Gymnastics and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee “knew that I was abused by their official team doctor long before I was ever made aware of their knowledge”. Biles said a message needs to be sent: “If you allow a predator to harm children, the consequences will be swift and severe. Enough is enough.” The hearing is part of a congressional effort to hold
the FBI accountable after multiple missteps in investigating the case, including the delays that allowed the now-imprisoned Nassar to abuse other young gymnasts. All four witnesses said they knew girls or women who were molested by Nassar after the FBI had been made aware of allegations against him in 2015. An internal investigation by the Justice Department released in July said the FBI made fundamental errors in the probe and did not treat the case with the “utmost seriousness” after USA Gymnastics first reported the allegations to the FBI’s field office in Indianapolis in 2015. The FBI has acknowledged its own conduct was inexcusable. Wray blasted his own agents who failed to appropriately respond to the complaints and made a promise to the victims that he was committed to “make damn sure everybody at the FBI remembers what happened here” and that it never happens again. A supervisory FBI agent who had failed to properly investigate the Nassar case, and later lied about it, has been fired by the agency, Wray said. McKayla Maroney, a member of the gold-medal winning US Olympic gymnastics team in 2012, recounted to senators a night when, at age 15, she found the doctor on top of her while she was naked — one of many times she was abused. She said she thought she was going to die that evening. But she said that when she recalled those memories in a call with FBI agents, crying, there was “dead silence”. Maroney said the FBI “minimised and
disregarded” her and the other gymnasts as they delayed the probe. “I think for so long all of us questioned, just because someone else wasn’t fully validating us, that we doubted what happened to us,” Maroney said. “And I think that makes the healing process take longer.” Biles and Maroney were joined by Aly Raisman, who won gold medals alongside them on the 2012 and 2016 Olympic teams, and gymnast Maggie Nichols. Raisman told the senators that it “disgusts” her that they are still looking for answers six years after the original allegations against Nassar were reported. Raisman noted the traumatic effect the abuse has had on all of them. “Being here today is taking everything I have,” she said. “My main concern is I hope I have the energy to just walk out of here. I don’t think people realise how much it affects us.” Speaking alongside senators after the hearing, Raisman called for more investigations of USA Gymnastics, Olympic officials and the FBI. The probes should be independent and go back decades, she said, because there might still be people in positions of power who should be held accountable. Biles acknowledged in January 2018 that she was among the hundreds of athletes who were abused by Nassar. She is the only one of the witnesses who competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics — held this year after a one-year delay due to the coronavirus pandemic — where she removed herself from the team finals to focus on her mental health.
DEMOCRATS COULD REFORM CALIFORNIA RECALL SYSTEM SACRAMENTO, California Associated Press
HOURS after California Gov Gavin Newsom beat back a recall election that could have removed him, his fellow Democrats in the state Legislature said yesterday they will push for changes to make it more difficult to challenge a sitting governor. Those reforms could include increasing the number of signatures needed to force a recall election, raising the standard to require wrongdoing on the part of the officeholder and changing the process that could permit someone with a small percentage of votes to replace the state’s top elected official. “I think the recall process has been weaponised,” Newsom said a day after his decisive victory. He added that the recall rules affect not just governors but school boards, city councils, county supervisors and district attorneys, notably in Los Angeles and San Francisco, where liberal prosecutors are being challenged. The governor noted that California has one of the nation’s lowest thresholds for the number of signatures needed to trigger a recall election. Proponents had to collect nearly 1.5 million signatures out of California’s 22 million registered voters in their bid to oust him, or 12 percent of the electorate who voted him into office in 2018. Newsom declined to say what reforms he favors, saying he is too close to the process as a recall target who could someday face another attempt to remove him.
Other Democrats were more specific. “We need to create a system where a small, small, small minority of Californians can’t create, can’t initiate a recall that the California taxpayers spent almost $300 million on and that frankly distracts and really has an impact on our ability to govern for nine months,” Assemblyman Marc Berman said. State Sen Josh Newman, who himself was recalled in 2018 before regaining his seat two years later, separately said he will propose two constitutional amendments: One to raise the number of required signatures and another to have the lieutenant governor
finish the governor’s term if a recall succeeds. Newsom on Tuesday became only the second governor in US history to defeat a recall; the other was Wisconsin Republican Scott Walker. The win cements him as a prominent figure in national Democratic politics and ensures that the nation’s most populous state remains a laboratory for progressive policies. With an estimated 70 percent of ballots counted, the “no” response to the question of whether to recall Newsom was ahead by a 28-point margin. That lead was built on votes cast by mail and in advance of Tuesday’s in-person balloting.
Thursday, September 16, 2021, PAGE 11
UNITED States Olympic gymnast Simone Biles testifies during a Senate Judiciary hearing about the handling of the Larry Nassar investigation in Washington yesterday. Photo: Graeme Jennings/AP
SPORTS PAGE 14
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2021
Record win for Jones and Sun By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net
CONNECTICUT Sun forward Jonquel Jones (35) works between New York Liberty defenders Betnijah Laney, left, Sami Whitcomb (32) and Natasha Howard during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, in Uncasville, Conn. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day via AP)
BASTIAN TO CONTINUE CAREER WITH THE ANGELO STATE RAMS By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net
LATHANIEL Bastian will continue his athletic and academic collegiate career at the NCAA Division II level with the Angelo State Rams. Bastian, who spent the last two seasons with the Trinity Valley Community College Cardinals at the JuCo level, is a member of the Rams’ highly touted incoming recruiting class hoping to contend for the Lone Star Conference title. As a sophomore with the Cardinals last season, Bastian averaged 5.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. He also finished with 19 blocks, 11 steals, and 14 assists on 53 percent shooting from the field. “If I have said it once, I have said it at least 20 times that [Tanny’s] motor on the glass reminds me of Dennis Rodman,” Rams Head Coach Cinco Boone said on the school’s athletic website, “He really pursues the basketball on both ends of the floor from a rebounding standpoint. He also has a good frame to him and has good skill straight-line driving the basketball and finishing around the basket. He is strong and athletic and really has a charismatic personality. He played for an outstanding junior college programme in Trinity Valley Community College and played for great coaches in Coach Furr, Coach Sikes, and Coach Leslie. They had a terrific season during 2020-21 as they reached the national tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas. Tanny played an important role in their success and we look forward to him making his mark on the Ram SEE PAGE 15
JONQUEL Jones posted her league leading 17th double double of the season and the Connecticut Sun set a new franchise record with their 13th consecutive win. Jones finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Sun to a 98 - 69 win over the New York Liberty last night at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. She shot 8-13 from the field and also added four assists and two blocked shots in just under 30 minutes. The Sun improved to 25-6 and have already clinched the No.1 seed in the WNBA playoffs with a bye through to the semifinals. The 13 game win streak surpassed the previous franchise of 12 straight wins, set back in 2006. Defence and rebounding were again the deciding factors in the third win and season sweep over the Liberty. After trailing 47-44 at the half, the Sun limited the Liberty to just 13 points in the third and single digit scoring (nine) in the fourth quarter. They went on a 32-11 run to close the third and outscored New York 54-22 in the second half to pull away. Jones has been particularly productive against New York. In the first matchup of the season on June 5, she totalled a season high 31 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in an 85-64 win. SEE PAGE 15
RICHARDSON AND GIANTS CLINCH THE FIRST POSTSEASON BERTH By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net ANTOAN Richardson and the San Francisco Giants were excluded from the MLB 2020 playoffs following a heartbreaking loss in the regular season finale, but left nothing to chance this season as they became the first team to clinch a postseason berth for the 2021 postseason. The Giants have been one of the surprising teams of 2021 and with a 9-1 win over the San Diego Padres on Monday night at Oracle Park, achieved the earliest postseason, by calendar date, in franchise history. In a complete turnaround from last year’s 29-31 pandemic shortened season, San Francisco is now 95-50 to lead the National League West and was the first team this season to reach the 50, 60, 70, and 80 win plateau. The win also gave them a three game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the division with 17 games remaining in the regular season. Eight of those 17 games will be against the Padres, third in the division at 74-70. As a player, Richardson was
ANTOAN RICHARDSON
SAN Francisco Giants’ Evan Longoria, right, hits a three-run home run in front of San Diego Padres catcher Victor Caratini during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Monday. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) drafted by the Giants in the 35th round of the 2005 MLB Draft. Following his retirement on the field, he rejoined the Giants in his role as an Outfield Coordinator in February 2019, when he was tasked with overseeing on-field development throughout the organisation. Giants Manager Gabe Kapler
brought Richardson on as a full time member of the staff as a first base coach for the 2020 season. Kapler’s staff included Richardson, the first Bahamian MLB coach, and Alyssa Nakken, the first woman MLB coach. The Mercury News detailed how the success of the young staff and this Giants team
may lead to new opportunities. “At the time Kapler finalised his 13-person major league staff in early 2020, the Giants were criticised for having too many inexperienced coaches and too many coaches who didn’t possess major league playing experience,” Kerry Crowley said, “Over the past two years, the staff has forced everyone to reconsider those evaluations and try to learn more about the coaching techniques that have helped lead to on-field success.” In July 2020, Richardson joined several players and staff that knelt during the national anthem in protest before the Giants’ 6-2 exhibition victory against the Oakland Athletics. The group included right fielder Jaylin Davis, who is African SEE PAGE 15
COLTS’ MIKE STRACHAN ‘DID A GREAT JOB’ By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net
INDIANAPOLIS Colts wide receiver Mike Strachan (17) sprints downfield during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
THE Indianapolis Colts intend to add more explosive plays to their repertoire for the remainder of the season and rookie wide receiver Mike Strachan could factor in those plans based on his early production. “[He proved] that he can be relied upon, that he’s growing and that he can contribute to the offence,” Colts Offensive Coordinator Marcus Brady said, “I thought he did a great job with his opportunities.” The seventh round pick finished with two catches for 26 yards in the Colts’
28-16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks last Sunday. He earned a pass interference penalty on a third target. All three of those plays came on third down and resulted in Colts’ first downs. “That was one of things we talked about after the game,” Brady said. “We felt like we had some very good drives going throughout the game, but a defence like that, they’re kind of counting on you to sustain that drive and finish in the end zone. We weren’t able to do that at times. Part of it was just their defensive scheme. “For us, we just have to find different ways to eventually take some
shots down the field and we’re going to continue to look for those. At the same time, we’ve got to take what the defence gives us. There were some opportunities to get a little bit more explosive plays that we just need to clean up amongst the coaches and the players.” Strachan was on the field for 18 snaps and was targeted three times, a higher rate than any other receiver in the lineup. Michael Pittman Jr played 74-76 snaps with four targets, Zach Pascal played 69 snaps with five targets, Parris Campbell played 46 snaps with three targets and Ashton Dulin played six snaps,
In his first play from scrimmage, he hauled in a 10-yard pass from quarterback Carson Wentz for a first down. Strachan later caught a 16-yard pass from Wentz in the third quarter. Strachan, was one of seven wide receivers named to the initial 53 man roster. The Grand Bahama native totalled 10 receptions for 130 yards in three preseason games. Overall, he had a Pro Football Focus grade of 73.0 this preseason; he was targeted 16 times, had six receiving first downs, no dropped passes, four contested catches, and was part of three explosive pass plays.
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BASTIAN TO CONTINUE CAREER WITH ANGELO STATE RAMS FROM PAGE 14
programme immediately.” The Rams finished last season 8-10 and were eliminated by Texas A&M-Kingsville in the opening round of the Lone Star Conference Tournament. In last year’s regular season finale, Bastian finished with a season high 14 points, four rebounds and two steals in the Cardinals’ 87-68 win over Lamar State - Port Arthur College. He also posted seven double digit rebound games and seven games where he scored in double figures. Some of his top performances of the season included 12 points and 13 rebounds in the Cardinals’ 97-42 win over Bossier Parish Community College and 12 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks in a 92-68 win over Panola College. He also posted a season high 14 rebounds in a 101-59 win over Victoria College. The 6’7” 240 pound forward played locally with the Doris Johnson Mystic Marlins programme at the high-school level before continuing collegiately in the United States. Last August, he participated in the All-American Junior College Basketball Showcase in Stone Mountain, Georgia. The showcase was designed for the players to play in front of a national audience on ESPN, CBS Sports, and Rivals with NBA personnel and numerous other national media and scouting services on hand.
RICHARDSON AND GIANTS CLINCH THE FIRST POSTSEASON BERTH FROM PAGE 14
American and appeared in 17 games for the Giants. Davis said he leaned on Richardson for support as one of the few minorities in a leadership position within the game. Another milestone came this season in a historic weekend for Bahamian baseball when Jazz Chisholm Jr’s Miami Marlins hosted Richardson’s San Francisco Giants for a three game series in April. It marked the first time a Bahamian player and a Bahamian coach shared the same field in a Major League Baseball game. The Giants have now won nine consecutive games and will return to the postseason for the first time since 2016 when they advanced to the NL Divisional Series. “We have to be ready,” Richardson said, “The plan right now is to go out there and keep winning baseball games and win our division. After that, when we get to the playoffs we want to go as far as we can into October.”
Thursday, September 16, 2021, PAGE 15
Bell set for Prep Baseball Report Senior State Games By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net LAHEIM BELL will have a major opportunity to boost his recruiting stock headed into his senior season against some of the best high school baseball players throughout the state of Florida. Bell accepted an invitation to the Prep Baseball Report Senior State Games, September 25-26 at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The 6’1” 225 pound catcher and outfielder will represent the East Region after a standout season with the Vero Beach High School Indians. The Senior State Games is an invite only event that will feature the top 2022 players in the state of Florida representing their home region against the other regions in the state. Each region will consist of only 20-25 players per team and each team will be coached by an ex-Major League player to be announced at a later date. Players go through a pro-style workouts and play games against the other regions on day one. On day two, each team will play an additional two games. Batting practice and all 6 total games will be live broadcasted on PBR Florida’s Twitter Page. The showcase will be featured on the Prep Baseball Report website, which is subscribed to by more than 900 colleges and pro scouts. Event information including statistics and scouting reports will also be posted on the Prep Baseball Report’s website, at www. PrepBaseballReport.com. Last year’s Senior State Games saw scouts from all 30 MLB teams in attendance to watch the top senior
LAHEIM BELL has accepted an invitation to the Prep Baseball Report Senior State Games. players in attendance. In 23 games of his junior season, Bell hit .419 with a 1.100 OPS, 26 hits, 18 RBI, a team leading two runs and scored 16 runs. The Indians were eliminated in the Regional Quarterfinal with a 3-0 loss to Palm Beach Central. Bell finished 2-3 in the season finale. The Indians won the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 7A District 9 title to earn their spot in the regionals. Bell was 0-2 in the semifinal win over Centennial but finished 1-2 with one run and one RBI in the District title game win over Treasure Coast. Bell had an immediate impact on the programme and began April with homeruns in back-to-back games as a part of the Indians’ 18
game winning streak. He finished 2-4 with one home run, two RBI, and a run scored against Centennial (April 2) and had identical numbers the following game against South Fork (April 6). Prep Baseball Report was established in 2005 and has evolved into one of the country’s biggest and most respected independent scouting services with more than 150 scouts. PBR lists its mission statement as “to promote amateur baseball - high school, junior college and college - and, ultimately, help athletes achieve their dreams of playing baseball at the next level.” More than 800 colleges and pro teams subscribe to the Prep Baseball Report services.
BLTA CHIEF ELECTED AS COTECC SUBREGION 3 PRESIDENT
THE Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) President Perry Newton has been elected for two years to serve as the President for the Confederation of Tennis of Central American and The Caribbean (COTECC) Subregion 3 Countries. The Subregion 3 countries include The Bahamas, The Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Bermuda, The Cayman Islands, and Cuba.
Newton joins the COTECC board which is led by President Persio Maldonado from the Dominican Republic. He noted thanks to God for what he called “an awesome opportunity” and to his team in The Bahamas for their support while also looking forward to providing service and leadership at this level in Tennis. The BLTA called it an historic moment for The Bahamas
to have its local tennis president elected to this regional body whose goals include encouraging, directing, organising, regulating, governing and disseminating the practice of tennis and to organise and run tournaments, championships and training programmes for National Tennis Federations. President Newton’s appointment will include assisting with the governance of Tennis in Central America and the Caribbean.
RECORD WIN FOR JONES AND SUN FROM PAGE 14 She followed that with 17 points and 17 rebounds on July 11 as the Sun limited the Liberty to just 26 second half points en route to another blowout win, 71-54. Connecticut has not lost a regular season game since July 3 and saw the return of All-Star forward Alyssa Thomas from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered last January. “Honestly I think it just feels like we’re clicking at the right time, we’re peaking at the right time, sometimes you peak early in the season, sometimes you peak like a little bit in the middle but I think we’re peaking at the right time,” Jones said last week after the Sun brought an end to the Phoenix Mercury’s 10 game win streak, “The tempo that we’re playing at is really good, our defence is locked in every night, Everybody is contributing and we’re just really hard to stop.” The Sun will conclude the regular season Sunday, September 19 when they host the Atlanta Dream at 1pm. NEW York Liberty guard Rebecca Allen, right, fouls Connecticut Sun forward Jonquel Jones during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Wednesday, in Uncasville, Conn. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day via AP)
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STAFFORD SEES WAYS TO IMPROVE AFTER IMPRESSIVE RAMS DEBUT By GREG BEACHAM AP SPORTS WRITER THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — Matthew Stafford’s debut with the Los Angeles Rams was so sharp that it could have left the quarterback and his head coach struggling to find areas for improvement in Week 2. But Stafford and Sean McVay have both been in the NFL long enough to know no performance is perfect — and even if it was close, there’s no point in admitting it. They’re moving forward to their road opener at Indianapolis this Sunday looking for even more production than Stafford provided in a momentous start that resulted in his first NFC Offensive Player of the Week award since way back in 2009 — his rookie season with the Detroit Lions. Stafford said Wednesday that it’s “kind of hard to articulate” what he needs to do better than he did while throwing for 321 yards and three touchdowns without an interception in the Rams’ seasonopening 34-14 victory over the Bears. “There were just some plays in the game that I wish I was a little bit better on,” Stafford said. “Wish I was a little bit more calmer in the pocket on a few where I could have just kept progressing and got it to a different guy, and just find the completion. I think there were a couple that didn’t get completed that I think I could have.” Sure, it wasn’t perfect: Stafford went 20 for 26, and one of his incompletions could have been a touchdown pass to Robert Woods if he had finessed it a bit more. But overall, Stafford produced arguably the best debut by a veteran quarterback in recent years. He is the first quarterback in NFL history to win his debut with a new team while passing for at least 300 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. His 156.1 passer rating was close to perfect, and the Rams scored on six of his seven significant drives against a solid Chicago defence. McVay also seemed rejuvenated as a playcaller in his first game since Jared Goff’s departure, but the coach still came up with a list of areas for improvement by the Rams’ offence, which didn’t play together in any preseason games. McVay cited the Rams’ performance on third down as an issue, although he blamed it partly on his his own play-calling. Los Angeles was 0 for 4 on third down in the first half, but still finished 6 for 11 and converted its only fourth down attempt. As for Stafford’s play, McVay struggled to find a flaw, citing only nebulous thoughts about body positioning and passing form. McVay is clearly thrilled by Stafford’s deep-ball throws, including a 67-yard TD pass to Van Jefferson and a 56-yard TD pass to Cooper Kupp, knowing they’re an element he desperately wanted to add to his offence when he traded Goff for Stafford. “It was definitely a good, clean start,” McVay said. “But I think he’d be the first to tell you that, ‘Hey, did a lot of really good things, which was definitely represented in some of the success we had all offensively, but can do some things better as well.’” Stafford’s next assignment is to attack an Indianapolis defence that gave up four touchdown passes by Russell Wilson in its 28-16 loss to Seattle.
DALLAS Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) pressures Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Cowboys DE Lawrence breaks foot in practice, out 6-8 weeks By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Pro Football Writer FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Dallas defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence broke a foot in practice Wednesday and is expected to miss at least six weeks, another blow to the starting lineup since a promising opener for the Cowboys. Lawrence left the field during the first practice in preparation for Sunday’s visit to the Los Angeles Chargers, the team said on its website. The two-time Pro Bowler, who is expected to be out 6-8 weeks, tweeted that he planned to return. The injury to Lawrence came with the Cowboys planning to be without their other starting defensive end in
Randy Gregory, who tested positive for COVID-19 after playing in the opener, a 31-29 loss to Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay. Coach Mike McCarthy didn’t seem optimistic Wednesday when asked about Gregory’s availability against the Chargers, which means the club could be without four starters from the loss to the Buccaneers. Receiver Michael Gallup strained a calf in the opener and was placed on injured reserve, sidelining him at least three weeks. The day after the game, right tackle La’el Collins was suspended five games for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. Dallas should get one important player back against LA. Four-time All-Pro right guard Zack Martin
was activated from the COVID-19 list this week after missing the trip to Tampa. The Cowboys are losing their best pass rusher in Lawrence, who is in the third year of a $105 million, five-year contract. While Lawrence hasn’t had a double-digit sack season since 2018, he consistently grades among the league’s best in pressuring the quarterback and is a strong run defender. The injury will end a streak of 65 consecutive regular-season games for Lawrence, who was plagued by injuries his first three years. He missed the first eight games as a rookie in 2014 after breaking a foot in training camp. Without Lawrence and Gregory,
Tarell Basham and Dorance Armstrong are the projected starters. Before Lawrence was injured, McCarthy said Armstrong would be the primary replacement for Gregory. Basham is a fifth-year pro with 59 games and 12 starts, most of those with the New York Jets over the past two seasons. Armstrong, a fourth-round pick by Dallas in 2018, has played in 47 games with three starts. Second-year man Bradlee Anae and rookie third-round pick Chauncey Golston are the backup ends. Golston missed time in the preseason with a hamstring injury, but was listed as a full participant in practice Wednesday.
WASHINGTON Football Team cornerback Benjamin St-Juste (25) breaks up pass for Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams (81) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
CHARGERS’ WR WILLIAMS LOOKING TO CONTINUE MOMENTUM SUNDAY By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer
COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Mike Williams has been mainly used as the Los Angeles Chargers’ deep threat the past two seasons, but after last week’s opener, the fifthyear wide receiver might be used on a variety of routes, along with seeing the ball more often. Williams comes into the showdown Sunday with Dallas after grabbing a career-high nine receptions last week in a 20-16 victory over Washington. “I was really comfortable. Me and (offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi) talked after the game, he was like, ‘In this
offense, the ball is going to find the X (receiver).’ I was like, ‘I appreciate you. It can’t happen at a better time.’ I’m excited about it and I’m looking forward to every opportunity. I’m ready for it,” said Williams, who finished with 82 receiving yards and a touchdown. The expanded role also couldn’t come at a better time due to Williams, who is in the final year of his contract after being drafted seventh overall in 2017. Williams was targeted 12 times, marking only the fourth time in his career he has had 10 or more in a game. Six of his eight receptions were on short routes
(balls thrown within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage), which is also a new career high. One of those receptions was a 3-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter that proved to be the go-ahead score. Over the past two seasons Williams has led the NFL in yards per reception (18.1) and air yards per target (16.2). Williams likes the new system put in by Lombardi, because it bears some similarities to when he played at Clemson. “It’s all about getting the ball in our hands and making plays. “You know, catch a 5-yard route and turn it into 15 or 20 yards,” he said.
“I can catch short and intermediate stuff and make plays off that which we are trying to do right now.” Williams and the Chargers could be primed for more success against a Dallas defence that allowed 379 passing yards and six completions of at least 20 yards in last week’s 31-29 loss to Tampa Bay. “Tampa Bay’s receivers looked like they were having fun out there,” Williams said. “We have to continue to keep it rolling. We’re 1-0, but we have to continue to do it throughout the season. Just make every opportunity, or every play, that comes our way, so we’re looking
forward to doing that the rest of the season.” Notes: Safety Derwin James (toe) was among five starters who didn’t practice on Wednesday. The others were right tackle Bryan Bulaga (back/groin), safety Nasir Adderley (groin), outside linebacker Kyler Fackrell (knee), cornerback Chris Harris Jr. (shoulder) and defensive end Justin Jones (calf). ... Coach Brandon Staley said Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott still has his full attention despite being held to 33 yards last week. “He’s a physical guy. I have full respect for him and what he’s accomplished in this league. I still think he’s a premium back.”
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LAST-GASP RODRYGO GOAL SEES REAL MADRID BEAT INTER 1-0
Thursday, September 16, 2021, PAGE 17
GREALISH NETS ON CL DEBUT IN CITY’S WILD 6-3 WIN VS. LEIPZIG
By DANIELLA MATAR ASSOCIATED PRESS MILAN (AP) — Inter Milan was made to pay for its profligacy as a late goal from substitute Rodrygo saw Real Madrid snatch a 1-0 win in their Champions League opener on Wednesday. Rodrygo scored in the 89th minute with what was only Madrid’s second shot on target. Inter had peppered its opponents’ goal but been denied by a string of fantastic saves and some wayward finishing. “We deserved so much more. But if you don’t score goals it’s difficult to win,” Inter forward Edin Džeko said. “The goal they got was unlucky, we deserved much more because we had a great game against a great opponent. “We had our chances. (Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut) Courtois was very good and us less so on certain occasions but we shouldn’t have lost this match. It’s a great pity.” It was a first Champions League match back in front of its fans for Inter with more than 37,000 at San Siro, which is allowed to be at 50% capacity for games. Sheriff Tiraspol leads Group D after beating Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 on its Champions League group-stage debut earlier. “It was the most difficult match of the group and we did it by suffering too,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said. “Inter kept a really high rhythm in the first half and it paid for that in the second period. “We are the two favourites, we’ve got the advantage now with this win. But nobody expected Sheriff’s victory over Shakhtar so you always have to be wary.” Inter and Madrid met in last season’s group stage, with the Spanish team winning both encounters — 3-2 at home and 2-0 at San Siro. Inter had also won only three of its last 16 Champions League matches but it dominated from the start on Wednesday and almost took an early lead. Džeko’s angled shot was parried by Courtois and Milan Škriniar’s follow-up was deflected wide. The Inter defender headed the resulting corner narrowly off target. Courtois also did well to palm away a header from Lautaro Martínez in the 19th minute. Madrid managed a couple of incursions into the Inter penalty area but the danger was calmly cleared by the Nerazzurri. The visitors didn’t have a shot on target in the first half, and the closest they came was when Éder Militão headed a corner wide of the right post. Moments later Inter had a double chance as first Martínez headed wide of the left upright and then shortly afterward Marcelo Brozovic’s shot went narrowly past the same post. Inter should have done better nine minutes into the second half. Courtois again did well to palm away Dzeko’s glancing header, Ivan Perišic missed the target from point-blank range and — after several nervy seconds — Madrid eventually managed to clear the danger. At the other end, Madrid finally had its first shot on target in the 57th but Dani Carvajal’s attempt was at a comfortable height for Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic. Madrid enjoyed more possession in the second half but did not appear a threat. However, it snatched all three points right at the death as Eduardo Camavinga flicked the ball on for Rodrygo to volley into the bottom right corner and spark scenes of wild celebration on the Madrid bench.
MANCHESTER City’s Jack Grealish, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring during the Champions League Group A soccer match between Manchester City and RB Leipzig at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England, Wednesday. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — It was a pinch-yourself moment for Jack Grealish, the reason essentially why he joined Manchester City. “As soon as the game kicked off,” Grealish said, “I thought to myself, ‘I’ve actually played in the Champions League,’ with the music before and everything.” And the England international looked right at home on the biggest stage in European club soccer. Grealish marked his Champions League debut with the pick of the goals in City’s wild 6-3 win over Leipzig, whose forward Christopher Nkunku scored a hat trick in vain in the teams’ opening group-stage match on Wednesday. Picking up a loose ball on the left, Grealish set off into the area, dropped his shoulder to create some space, and curled a shot high into the corner in the 56th minute. It was a strike very much befitting a player who moved for a British-record fee of $139 million from boyhood club Aston Villa. “The goal just topped it off,” the attacking midfielder said. That made it 4-2 in an open and entertaining game at Etihad Stadium and after Nkunku slotted home from a tight angle to complete his hat trick and give Leipzig hope of a point, goals by Joao Cancelo — a long-range effort — and Gabriel Jesus secured victory for City.
MANCHESTER City’s Jack Grealish scored the pick of the goals in City’s wild 6-3 win over Leipzig. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)
“It just shows you anything can happen in the Champions League,” Grealish said. “That’s why it’s such a wonderful competition.” Leipzig finished the game with 10 men — after the sending off of Angelino, the left back signed from City, for two yellow cards — and with its American coach, Jesse Marsch, scratching his head after a dismal defensive performance by his team in the face of wave after wave of attacks by City.
MANCHESTER City’s Riyad Mahrez speaks with manager Pep Guardiola on the touchline. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)
Asked about Grealish and his goal, Marsch said with a laugh: “Was that the fourth or fifth? I lost count.” Aside from some uncharacteristically sloppy defending of which Nkunku took full advantage, City was irresistible at times in the first match of its latest bid to win an elusive Champions League title, having got closer than ever last
season with a loss to Chelsea in the final in Porto in May. Nathan Ake’s header from Grealish’s corner put City ahead in the 16th before Leipzig defender Nordi Mukiele tried to cushion a header back to the keeper from Kevin De Bruyne’s right-wing cross, only to put it into his own net in the 28th. Nkunku headed in from close range to make
it 2-1 in the 42nd but Riyad Mahrez regained a two-goal lead for City by converting a penalty in first-half stoppage time after Lukas Klostermann blocked a header by Ferran Torres with his hand. Nkunku brought the German team back into the game again by heading home Dani Olmo’s deft chip into the area past Ederson. Completing the first Champions League hat trick by a Leipzig player couldn’t stop the visitors falling to another heavy loss in Manchester, after a 5-0 thrashing by Manchester United in last season’s competition. “It’s all or nothing,” City manager Pep Guardiola said of Leipzig. “With them, you never think it’s over.” City has scored 16 goals in its three home games this season — there were back-to-back 5-0 wins over Norwich and Arsenal in the Premier League — but Guardiola wasn’t fully satisfied, with the Spanish manager seen barking orders to Grealish and in particularly Mahrez at times throughout the match, apparently unhappy at their defensive work. It was a big win for City, considering the team travels to Paris Saint-Germain for its second Group A game in two weeks’ time.
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HALLER SCORES FOUR GOALS AS AJAX ROUTS SPORTING LISBON IN CL LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Ajax added to its scoring spree early in the season with debutant Sébastien Haller finding the net four times in the team’s 5-1 win at Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League on Wednesday. Making his Champion League debut, Haller scored twice in the first 10 minutes and twice again in the second half to help Ajax reach 18 goals in its last five matches. “I still don’t believe it,” Haller said. “It’s kind of a dream. I couldn’t expect more than this. I am just happy and trying to enjoy tonight.” Steven Berghuis also scored for the Dutch champions at the José Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon. The victory ended a 22-match unbeaten home streak in all competitions for Sporting, which is back in the Champions League for the first time since 2017-18. In the other Group C match, Erling Haaland scored a goal as Borussia Dortmund won 2-1 at Turkish champion Besiktas. The 27-year-old Haller, a former West Ham player, was left out of the Europa League last season after Ajax forgot to register him for the competition. The box next to the name of the Ivorian striker, Ajax’s record signing, wasn’t ticked when the club sent its squad list to UEFA. He opened the scoring on Wednesday with a diving header after a shot by Antony struck the post, then easily found the net from close range after another assist by the Brazilian forward inside the area. The hosts pulled closer with a goal by Paulinho after a blunder by Ajax goalkeeper Remko Pasveer in the 33rd, but six minutes later Berghuis rebuilt Ajax’s two-goal cushion before Haller got his third in the 51st and fourth in the 63rd. “We need to have a cool head and understand that it’s just three points,” Paulinho said. Ajax had already scored 13 goals from seven different players in its first four Dutch league games this season. Sporting was unbeaten at home since losing to LASK in the Europa League playoffs last year. It had lost only once in 29 matches in all competitions — to Benfica in the Portuguese league last season. The Portuguese champion is making its ninth appearance in the group stage of the Champions League. It made it back to the European competition by winning its first Portuguese league title in 19 years last season, ending a reign by local powerhouses Porto and Benfica. Ajax is in the group stage for the fourth straight time, and 17th overall, a record for a Dutch club. Ajax was tied with PSV with 16 appearances each entering this season. Ajax advanced past the group stage only once in its last eight appearances — when it reached the semifinals in 2019. Sporting lost defender Gonçalo Inácio 20 minutes into the match because of an injury.
LIVERPOOL’S JORDAN HENDERSON, centre, celebrates after scoring his side’s third goal during the Champions League Group B soccer match between Liverpool and AC Milan at Anfield, in Liverpool, England, Wednesday. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
Henderson clinches 3-2 win for Liverpool over AC Milan in CL LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Jordan Henderson capped Liverpool’s second-half comeback with a brilliantly controlled finish to clinch a 3-2 win over AC Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday. The Liverpool captain met a clearance to the edge of the area with a halfvolley that flew into the bottom corner in the 69th minute in another classic European game at Anfield. Liverpool somehow went into halftime behind, having begun in devastating fashion and taken the lead in the ninth minute through an effort from Trent Alexander-Arnold that deflected in off defender Fikayo Tomori — one of 13 shots by the English squad in the opening 15 minutes. Helped by Mohamed Salah having a penalty saved by Mike Maignan following a handball in the area, Milan was able to
stay in sight of Liverpool and struck twice before halftime to stun the home crowd that had waited 554 days to watch their team in the Champions League at Anfield. They were both wellworked team goals, too, finished off by Ante Rebic and Brahim Diaz in the 42nd and 44th minutes as a Liverpool defence missing the rested Virgil van Dijk was carved open. “First half an hour, we blew them away,” Liverpool left back Andy Robertson said. “Then we got sloppy and stopped doing the things we were doing really well. We let them back into the game and walk in at halftime thinking, ‘How have we let this happen?’” Liverpool started the second half as it began the first and, in the 48th, Salah made amends for his penalty failure by running into Divock Origi’s scooped
pass and poking the ball past Maignan, who curiously chose not to come out of the six-yard box to collect the ball. Henderson completed the fightback with his first Champions League goal in seven years as Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp wasn’t made to pay for making a number of key changes, like leaving out Van Dijk and Sadio Mane. “Now we won, I can say that the changes were the right thing to do because playing every three days is just not possible with the same guys,” Klopp said. “The guys who came on did incredibly well.” Atletico Madrid and Porto drew 0-0 in the other game in Group B.
LIVERPOOL’S Trent AlexanderArnold celebrates after scoring the opening goal. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
PSG SUPERSTARS HELD BY CLUB BRUGGE IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
BRUGGE, Belgium (AP) — PSG’s formidable attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé was left frustrated by a spirited Club Brugge that created the best chances and defended well to earn a 1-1 draw in their Champions League group opener. Messi hit the crossbar during his 150th appearance in the competition but could not score for his new club after PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino sent out his three superstars all together for the first time. Messi had previously made only one substitute appearance for PSG — in a 2-0 win against Reims last month — since he ended his careerlong association with Barcelona last month. Brugge captain Hans Vanaken drew the hosts level in the 27th minute after Mbappé set up Ander Herrera’s opener in the 15th. In the other Group A match, Manchester City beat Leipzig 6-3. Both PSG and City are chasing an elusive first title in European soccer’s top competition. City will travel to the Parc des Princes on Sept. 28 for a much-awaited clash. Mbappe played in a center forward role, with Neymar and Messi deployed on the wings, but the trio often switched positions. They played 50 minutes together before Mbappe, who suffered an apparent ankle injury, was replaced by Mauro Icardi. PSG imposed a fast tempo and monopolised possession from the start as the visitors struggled to string passes together in the early stages. But the Belgian champions gradually got into the match and enjoyed several good spells of pressure while PSG lacked cohesion and gave the ball away too often in midfield. Brugge came back with the same attacking spirit after the interval. Forwards Noa Lang and Charles De Ketelaere were a constant threat and the hosts found space at ease but lacked a cutting edge. “It’s the Champions League, we came up against a very good Brugge side even if we didn’t play
PSG’S LIONEL MESSI, centre, goes after the ball against Brugge’s Stanley Nsoki, left, and Brugge’s Eder Balanta, right, during the Champions League Group A soccer match between Club Brugge and PSG at the Jan Breydel stadium in Bruges, Belgium, Wednesday. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys) our football. We took a point though and the key thing is that we didn’t lose,” said PSG defender Presnel Kimpembe. A lapse of concentration from Leandro Paredes could have been fatal to PSG in the 12th minute when the midfielder awkwardly gave the ball away in his own half and was forced to make a clumsy foul to stop De Ketelaere, and got a yellow card for doing so. PSG took the lead on its first chance three minutes later after Mbappe dribbled past defender Clinton Mata down the left wing and crossed the ball near the penalty spot for the unmarked Herrera,
who scored his first Champions League goal with a low shot past Simon Mignolet. The Brugge goalkeeper was then forced into a good save after Messi accelerated past two defenders and picked out Mbappe in the box with a precise pass. Moments later, Vanaken found the net at the conclusion of a fine collective move from Eduard Sobol’s cutback in the box. The game became an entertaining end-to-end affair. Messi came close with a left-footed curled shot from the edge of the box that hit the crossbar while the hosts had two more occasions before the
interval through Vanaken’s free kick and De Ketelaere, whose shot was parried away by Keylor Navas. Pochettino brought in substitutes Julian Draxler and Danilo to stabilize his midfield but Brugge was still the better team and did not crack in the closing stages when PSG applied huge pressure. “I didn’t really have much work to do,” said Mignolet. “We didn’t give an incredible attack chances. You cannot mark them one-onone, they have so much quality to beat their man. We tried to defend collectively to not leave them any space. I made two, three saves, not very difficult ones at that.”
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, September 16, 2021, PAGE 19
HENRIK STENSON, of Sweden, has been selected by European captain Padraig Harrington as the fifth and final vice captain for the event at Whistling Straits from Sept. 24-26. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)
Stenson selected as Europe’s final Ryder Cup vice captain VIRGINIA WATER, England (AP) — Henrik Stenson will still have a role for Europe at the Ryder Cup despite failing to get into the team. The Swedish player was selected by European captain Padraig Harrington on Wednesday as the fifth and final vice captain for the event at Whistling Straits from Sept. 24-26. The 45-year-old Stenson has played in five Ryder Cups, including the last three. It will be Stenson’s first stint as a vice captain and
he joins compatriot Robert Karlsson, Luke Donald, Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell as assistants to Harrington. “Everyone is aware that the Ryder Cup can be a tense week at times, too, so Henrik’s renowned wit and sense of fun will benefit our team room immensely,” Harrington said. “It will also be helpful to have the cool head of the ‘Ice Man’ around should any stressful situation emerge.” Stenson’s improved form toward the end of the qualifying period didn’t convince
Harrington to call up the former British Open champion as one of the three captain’s picks on Sunday. Harrington made the call a day later to Stenson about being an assistant. “It was not a long conversation,” Stenson said. “I accepted straightaway and I assured him that myself, along with the other vice captains, are there to help and assist him and the team in any way we can.” The European team won the last title outside Paris in 2018.
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